Joan Smith: An Affair of the Heart

Prolific author Joan Smith wrote An Affair of the Heart in 1977 for Fawcett crest books. Regency romances were beginning their popularity and Smith was one of the earlier authors of the genre. This is a lighthearted story about two sisters and their beau!

Allan Kass illustrates an elegant cover for this romance with our couple standing in a library. The heroine wears a simple gown but an elaborate hairstyle! The hero is Kass handsome. Some of these early covers are his best and I wish the picture was larger for viewing. I love the beauty of the couple and detail he takes with their clothing and setting.

Virginia Kester Smiley: Guest at Gladehaven

Guest at Gladehaven by Virginia Kester Smiley was published by Dell Candlelight in July 1972. It's the gothic romance of Mandy who married musician Eddy, who took her to Gladehaven, his mansion in the Florida swamplands.

It's rare to find Allan Kass illustrating anything for Dell, so this was a fun find. I like how our heroine seems to be coming up out of the murky water but those don't look like Florida trees! The heroine is a pretty girl in her 20's and I really like the colors he uses on this cover.

Barbara Sherrod: Gamester's Lady

Gamester's Lady by Barbara Sherrod was published by Signet in September 1994. Sherrod also is published under the name Barbara Neil. Their parents are trying to match Miranda Troy and Charles Hastings but can this mismatched pair find true love?

I like this risque cover by Allan Kass with our couple sitting in a bedroom playing cards! It's unique! The hero gazes on the heroine with affection while she is intent on her hand. I like her pink gown and jade jewelry. Note Allan's signature on the table!

Barbara Sherrod: Daughter of the Dreadfuls

Back to Regencies with Barbara Sherrod's Daughter of the Dreadfuls. Published in January 1994, Emma Drenville came to London for the season but her unusual family makes her a butt of jokes. She wonders if Nicholas Hale is truly interested or just entertaining himself at her expense.

Allan Kass shows our couple near the sea and our hero is dressed as a dashing naval officer. The heroine is pretty in pink and they stand on the deck of a ship. I like the skyline of blues in the background.

Elizabeth Seifert: The Two Faces of Dr. Collier

February 1974 is the publication date for The Two Faces of Dr. Collier and it's the story of a brilliant surgeon and the scandal that threatens his career and marriage.

Allan Kass outdoes himself with this cover. It's very 1970's in color, dress, and hairstyles, but he gives us a scene where we can envision a quarrel about to start, if that's his wife walking into the room! I love the redhead being embraced. She's so elegant and stylish.

I don't think Kass illustrated any other of Seifert's novels, but contact me if you run across any, please.

Elizabeth Seifert: Doctor's Kingdom

Now we shift to a doctor romance by Elizabeth Seifert. Published by Signet in December 1974, it is the story of Malcolm Anderson who was a brilliant heart surgeon and the whirlwind caused when Abby Bennett entered his life!

Allan Kass didn't illustrate many doctor and nurse romances as they were not as popular when he began illustrating in the late 1960's but this one is an interesting study with our doctor, standing pensive in the foreground, his love interest, and a nurse at her desk. I like how he can use very little detail to convey a story in this picture. I have another book that Allan illustrated by Seifert, but would love to know if there are any more!

Margaret SeBastian: Byway to Love

May 1980 is the publication date for Fawcett's Byway to Love by Margaret SeBastian. Numbered #40, it is the story of Sophie Sandringham who meant to wed her neighbor Oliver but when she and her sister went to London, she began to wonder why she should settle!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple standing outside an inn. The light is fading and we wonder if they've missed their coach or have just arrived. My copy isn't the best but you can still see the beauty of the scene.