Georgina Grey: Turn of the Cards

Turn of the Cards by Georgina Grey was published by Fawcett in 1979. Catherine Marlow went to live with her Aunt Harriet after her gambler father deserted her. However, Harriet has no plans to launch Catherine into society alongside her daughter and is thinking to marry her off to a dull widower. Catherine isn't planning on obeying her aunt!

Allan Kass illustrates a delightful cover for this story with our hero and heroine in a music room. I love the heroine's olive green gown, which is simply accented by a gold ribbon and shawl. Her expression is beautifully pensive as she leans against the hero. We get a feel of unrequited love with a mixture of hope.

Georgina Grey: The Reluctant Rivals

Next by Georgina Grey is The Reluctant Rivals. This book was published by Fawcett in March 1981 and is #103 in their Coventry Regency line.

Kate is upset when she discovers that Lord Gilcrest, her ideal beau, is being tricked into a betrothal with her cousin, Belinda. So she decides to do something about it!

Allan Kass creates a great pre-regency cover here with our characters dressed in Georgian fashion of brightly colored silks and satin fabric. Note the differences from the regency with the heavier fabrics, fuller cut clothing, and longer, fuller hairdos. The placing of the people is interesting and shows the love triangle of the storyline.

Georgina Grey: The Last Cotillion

The Last Cotillion is #57 in Fawcett's Coventry Regency series and was written by Georgina Grey. This book was published in August 1980. This is a pen name of Mary Linn Roby, who also wrote regencies and gothic romances.

Olivia Irving is playing a dangerous game with a dangerous man and in doing so is keeping the right suitor at arms length. Can she save her brother's honor along without losing the man she loves?

Allan Kass shows our coupled dancing a waltz, different than the cotillion of the title, but apt, as the end of the story suggests. He paints an unusually ornate gown for our heroine with the puffs and pearl trim of the hem. I also like her diamond tiara and jewels. Our hero is also glamorous in his black dress suit with a gold waistcoat and red fob. Where Allan goes all out is with the details of this room! From the walls to the mantel, everything is very ornate and golden.