Jane Converse: Undercover Nurse

Undercover Nurse is the last book that I have illustrated by Allan Kass for Jane Converse. If you know of any others, please contact me. This copy was printed in February 1972 and is a story about nurse Gail Arnold. When a mysterious patient enters the hospital, beaten and near death from a heroin overdose, Gail finds herself working close to Dr Cranston, who she admires and fear of the new patient, whose world of narcotics spells danger for Gail!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple with a Main Street background behind them. Our heroine is pretty and serene in her uniform while the doctor hero is handsome, yet wary. I'm sure that the Main Street has to do with their town, but seems very picturesque and the last place that our villain would be located! Note the church: a symbol of deliverance, perhaps?

These books were lots of fun to hunt and find! When I first contacted Allan Kass, I was unaware that he had done any contemporary book illustrations, so finding these nurse and young adult books have been a joy! Even though most of his work was for Regency Romances, we see his style and flexibility, and also similarity, with these books. I hope that you enjoy and feel free to click the photo to enlarge.

Jane Converse: Thrill Show Nurse

Thrill Show Nurse was published in August 1975 by Signet and is about Kay Bradley, who accepts a job for a motorcycle stunt riding show after the doctor she loves decides that marriage isn't feasible right now for him. When one of the performers falls for her, she wonders if she'll ever be able to marry anyone but the doctor!

Allan Kass illustrates this book with our heroine in her nurses uniform with the motorcycles running in the background! I like the orange background which seems like red clay flying up from the tires! Our heroine seems superimposed on this cover and opposite of the job that she now has. Enjoy it!

Jane Converse: Society Nurse

Society Nurse was published in October 1975 and nurse Nina Bateman takes a private nursing case to care for a young heiress, Cindy, whose mother has Dr. Mark Danover in sight for her daughter! Can Nina compete with an heiress?

Allan Kass illustrates our cover with our heroine in front and the heiress and her wealth in the background. We see the handsome doctor nearby along with a Mercedes Benz and a beautiful house! One interesting fact is that Allan worked for the auto dealers and spent many years drawing cars for ads!

Nurse romances were very popular in the 1960's and 70's. They were the modern or current day version of romances along with gothic romances. Historical romances, like Barbara Cartland's, were also very popular during this time.

Jane Converse: Penthouse Nurse

Penthouse Nurse is another Jane Converse nurse romance that was published by Signet in April 1974 and illustrated by Allan Kass. This story is about a nurse named Carrie Linden, who gets a wonderful assignment as a private duty nurse to wealthy Jim Orr. She takes it because it gives her a chance to be with Ken Delaney, Jim's doctor and the man she secretly loves. When another doctor starts looking her way, she begins to wonder if her love for Ken is hopeless.

I like this cover by Allan Kass. It's simple and yet, the couple are vividly portrayed and drawn with classically "Kass" features. Our heroine is pretty in her nurse uniform. Note her wristwatch: Allan loves to incorporate jewelry on his heroines! She is reminiscent of his regency ladies! Our hero is also very Kass-like as he looks on from the background. I love the tall, thin candles and the flower arrangement, so 70's! I hope that you like this cover, too!

Jane Converse: The Party Nurses

The Party Nurses was published by Signet for Jane Converse in July 1974. This story is about Martha Leland, who followed Dr. Tony Glover to California, but finds herself in a small town that caters to singles and parties. He is opposed to this free-wheeling lifestyle and then something happens that could shatter her dream of Tony and her career! Allan Kass shows our couple outside with the party background of pool, party, and palm trees! Our heroine is pretty in her nurse outfit and our hero wears a tan jacket. I like that Allan used purple to illuminate the sky, pool water, and empathize our couple while also drawing our eye to the small umbrellas and light in the building behind. This book retailed for 95 cents and I can see someone picking it up in a grocery store to have an afternoon read! Enjoy!

Jane Converse: Obstetrical Nurse

Obstetrical Nurse was published in June 1972 for Jane Converse by Signet. Marguerite Lowell is attracted to the young doctor, Lon Webster, but he has eyes only for the beautiful receptionist at the hospital. Dr. Warren Leach, chief of obstetrics, is in love with Marguerite and proposes. Should she marry Warren or wait and see if Lon will look at her?

Allan Kass does a great job illustrating the love triangle of this story on the cover! We see our beautiful heroine and the doctor she is infatuated with nearby in green scrubs, while the chief doctor is pensive in the background. I like the plain green background. Enjoy!

Jane Converse: Nurse in Turmoil

Nurse in Turmoil is another of Jane Converse's nurse romances and was published by Signet in January 1974. This is the story of Gloria Stockwell who is loved by two doctors. She's quarreled with Jerry and now Matt is waiting to comfort her. How can she make a decision between two good men?

Allan Kass creates a beautiful illustration for this book. I love the couple sitting outside near a lake. Our heroine is pretty in her uniform and sweater thrown over it. Our hero wears a shirt and sweater. I like the details in the grass and lake. The couple seem quiet and contemplative. This book costs 75 cents when new!

Jane Converse: Nurse in Las Vegas

Nurse in Las Vegas was published for Jane Converse by Signet in January 1975. Nurse Lana is interested in taking a job for Reggie Prince, a famous comedian, but is warned away from a doctor that she likes who is on the case. When she does begin working, she realizes that the patient wants a closer relationship with her and that the Dr. Whitaker seems content to fade out of her way. Nothing seems to be working out right...

Allan Kass draws an interesting cover showing our heroine and the men that are attracted to her. In the background, we see the comedian and a Vegas act. Our nurse is a very pretty girl and looks too sweet to be caught up in the pleasures of Las Vegas. I like how Allan conveys the contrasts of the nurse and the party atmosphere on this cover. Click to enlarge.

Jane Converse: Jet Set Nurse

Jet Set Nurse was published by Signet in May 1970 for Jane Converse and is the story of Roxy Ferris, who is hired to watch the 16 year old daughter of a wealthy heiress. What happens next is a fascinating tale of psychotic danger, intrigue, and love!

Allan Kass creates an interesting illustration for this book. It's almost an opposite take with the quiet, refined nurse against the backdrop of the wild, colorful, party atmosphere of the masked lady. Odd and very 1960-ish placement of the two faces! Let me know if you like it!

Jane Converse: Hostage Nurse

Hostage Nurse has a publication date of April 1973 and Jane Converse writes a novel about a young nurse named Jenny Cole who has argued with her boyfriend, Ale Walters. They are thrown together in a bizarre and terrifying adventure and wonder if they can love each other again. Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside with an airplane grounded behind them. The locations seems to be tropic and our couple seem to be in danger, hence the gun. Our heroine is dishevelled and our hero is alert to danger. I like the orange sky and purple tones of the airplane.

Jane Converse: Heartbreak Nurse

Heartbreak Nurse was published by Signet. This copy is a third edition without a date, so I estimate that it was published around 1972. Nurse Lillian Bryant falls for a distressed doctor that is overly concerned about a little patient and, rumors abound, about her mother! Does her suitor have a past love that will ruin theirs?

Allan Kass shows our couple in a white background, which almost looks like a snowy scene. Our couple is entwined and I like that you see Allan's signature piece of jewelry: the bangle bracelet on the wrist of the nurse! Note the orange in the cover: a sunset, or a metaphor for the passion of this story? The white trees also evoke a feeling of loneliness, too. Great cover, which I hope you enjoy!

Jane Converse: Condemned Nurse

Condemned Nurse was published by Signet for Jane Converse in June 1971. This is another Allan Kass illustration and definitely older and interesting! This book originally cost 60 cents!

This story is about Jackie and her nurse roommate, Donna, who was on a downward spiral into drinking after carrying a horrible secret that has lost her her job and doctor boyfriend. If Jackie finds out, this secret will destroy her, also!

Allan Kass shows our couple with the nurse holding her clipboard in front, the doctor behind, and a naked person on the bed with newspaper headlines announcing some bad news. I'm glad that Allan got away from the "combination" illustration and made them his own. I feel like this was a usual technique and like his lovely couples much better. This is an early illustration of his and interesting to compare with his gothic and regency book covers! I have lots more Jane Converse books coming soon!

Jane Converse: Cinderella Nurse

Cinderella Nurse was published in January 1971 (second printing) by Signet for Jane Converse. This story is about nurse Rita Ambler, who was a widow and mother to a young son. She's pursued by Dr. Glenn Seabrook, but is wary about making another bad marriage.

Allan Kass illustrates quite a provocative cover for this book. He uses the playing cards as a euphemism for our heroine: gambling with her future. The accident that brings her together with another doctor is portrayed along with a description of our pensive heroine. It's a neat cover with a lot to see! Enjoy!!

Jane Converse: Beth Lloyd, Surgical Nurse

Beth Lloyd, Surgical Nurse was published in December 1970 by Signet for Jane Converse and illustrated by Allan Kass. This story is about the aforementioned Beth Lloyd, who is in love with a brilliant surgeon who is afraid she's pushing for marriage. Add a transplant patient and a new surgical technique and the plot of this romance thickens!

Allan Kass illustrates our couple outside. I don't know if the artist is painting her or something else, but the heroine is forefront and looks pensive. It's interesting and a departure from Allan's regency covers! I like the heroine's modern hairdo and her prim nurses uniform and cap. Enjoy!

Jane Converse: Accused Nurse

Jane Converse is the next author I'm featuring that had books illustrated by Allan Kass! She also wrote some Silhouette Romances in the early 1980's, but mainly wrote Nurse Romances. This book is the first of many that Allan illustrated and I hope you enjoy them!

Accused Nurse was published in November 1974 by Signet and is about Paula Owens, whose world fell apart after the death of her parents and left her with 2 brothers to support. Then she is accused of a crime that could cause her her job and her fiance.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple on an ice rink. Note the skates being carried by the hero. Our heroine wears a nurses cap and gown with a purple coat thrown over it. Our hero is handsome in dark green and black. I like the gothic aspect of the woods and the contrast with our couple. It's a great cover! Enjoy!