Freda Michel: The Price of Vengeance

The Price of Vengeance was published by Fawcett in 1976 and is the story of Rosalind, who dressed as a highwayman holds up the duke's carriage. He sees a resemblance to his former mistress and decides to use Rosalind as a means of vengeance.

This cover by Allan Kass is interesting because it shows a heroine in slacks, which was a definite no-no back in Georgian days. Kass gives us the scene of the holdup and we see the hero taking the pistol away from the heroine. It's interesting that Fawcett posts another photo of this cover on the back of the book with a blurb and the name of the artist, spelled wrongly (Alan Kass). In a time where the cover illustrators got little to no acknowledgment, it's great for those of us hunting book covers to find.

Freda Michel: A Curious Proposal

Next in our list of Allan Kass illustrations are 3 books by Freda Michel. A Curious Proposal was published in July 1980 and is the story of Francesca Northwood who is trapped into a dangerous marriage after being jilted by her fiance. This story has a gothic feel to it which is not too surprising since they were very popular books in the 1970's.

Allan Kass's cover also has a gothic feel with a dark castle lurking menacingly in the background. Our couple seem to be fleeing and our hero has a sword at the ready. Both wear Georgian dress and while the hero's coat is ornate, we see little of the heroine's plain dress, excepting the lacy sleeve.

Jean Merrill: The Girl from the Diadem

The Girl from the Diadem by Jean Merrill is an Edwardian Romance that was published by Fawcett in 1978. Belle Barclay's career in the theater was tanking and a job offered by the Earl of Orsett to pose as his girlfriend in order to win the wife of his choosing by making his uncle relent. Belle accepts but finds out that her real opponent is Orsett's handsome uncle!

Allan Kass did a few Edwardian covers, so each is a treat. This one shows our couple outside in a purple sunset standing near a pagoda.  Our heroine is playing coy while the hero is handsome in his silver dinner jacket. Also, note her topknot hairdo.

Joan Mellows: Harriet

Harriet by Joan Mellows was published in 1977. Harriet was intrigued with the handsome Hugh De Brandon even though everyone warned her of this mysterious man who may have killed his first wife!

Allan Kass gives us a picture of our couple as the heroine descends the steps to greet the hero and continue on to a ball or party. Her amber dress is almost the same color as her hair and her shawl is a good match to the hero's waistcoat. He is handsome in black tie.

Joan Mellows: A Different Face

A Different Face by Joan Mellows was published by Fawcett in 1979. Thea is a spinster more interested in books when a young girl asks for help, it spins Thea into an adventure worthy of her stories!

Allan Kass shows our couple out riding and we see a fortified castle in the background. I like the heroine's dark green riding habit, which set off both her hair and horse to admiration! Allan is an artist when it comes to animals, too, and here we have a good example with the horses. Click to enlarge the photo.

Joan Mellows: A Family Affair

A Family Affair was published in 1976 by Fawcett and is the story of Helene who was being pressed into a marriage with the Duke of Coniston while her heart called out for James Fraser, penniless but handsome.

Allan Kass shows our couple about to enter a carriage for a ride around town. Our heroine wears a plain pink gown under an ornate purple fur trimmed coat. The hero looks eager to accompany her and we imagine a delightful outing.

Alix Melbourne: Regency Miss

Alix Melbourne's Regency Miss was published by Fawcett in 1978 and is another prelude to their Coventry series. Alicia Tierney stole a moment of love as a young girl. Years later and now an heiress, she travels to London to experience the season and during a masquerade, a man reveals himself as that mysterious lover of long ago....but who is he and will he tell the world? Alix Melbourne wrote one other regency published by Fawcett.

Allan Kass creates a pretty cover which could grace any regency story. We have our couple strolling down a busy street near a park. Allan is able to get a lot of detail into this small picture with the elegance of the heroine's dress, the couple strolling behind them and the carriage on the left. Allan would send a small 5" by 7" sketch for approval to the publisher and then paint the canvas, which for these small covers were 15" square.