Robert Ackworth: North County Nurse

North County Nurse is a Dell Candlelight novel by Robert Ackworth. Published in November 1969, it's the story of nurse Mary Loring who came back to work in her beloved home with the doctor she desires until he returns a married man! Can a crazy pilot change her mind?

This is an early Allan Kass illustration since he began around 1968-9, so it's interesting to see how he uses his talent to conform to what the editors want on these romance series. I think he had more freedom with the regency covers but these earlier ones still show the detail he's known for.

Dorothy Worley: The High Road

The High Road by Dorothy Worley was published by Dell Candlelight in November 1970 and it's fitting to end our alphabetical list with one of Allan Kass's earliest book illustrations!

This book is about Ann Woodward and her work with the Malone brothers who served in their small community. When an exciting offer comes for the doctors, all have to decide if they want success away from home and Ann needs to decide which brother she really loves.

Allan Kass creates a wonderful cover with our heroine and shows the conflict between her and her choice of suitor. This is a very early Kass illustration and while within the Dell guidelines shows his skill with the detail of the people, their clothing, and the setting. If you see more nurse romances that Kass may have illustrated, please contact me. You can usually find his signature or "ak" in the illustration.

W.E.D. Ross: Beauty Doctor's Nurse

We have a treat in store with W.E.D. Ross's book Beauty Doctor's Nurse. Published by Signet in November 1973, it is the story of Irene Hunt and the two doctors that she is attracted to who both work in plastic surgery.

Enough about the book. Look at the cover!! Allan Kass didn't illustrate many nurse romances, but they are a treat for the eyes. This one is just gorgeous, from the setting to the couple. The heroine is so pretty with her white nurses uniform and a sweater over it. The hero is handsome in a quiet, brooding way. I'm sure that these were fun to create and I hope you enjoy them. If you find any others not listed in this blog, feel free to contact me!

Adeline McElfresh: Wings for Nurse Bennett

Wings for Nurse Bennett by Adeline McElfresh, was published by Dell for its Candlelight Romance series in December 1970 (this edition). McElfresh wrote many other nurse romances. Sarah Bennett became a temporary stewardess for Alaska airlines but a hijacking stranded her with a handsome pilot. Now she has a dilemma, pilot or doctor?!!

This is one of Allan Kass's earliest works as a book cover illustrator and a definite find. I have 4 other books that he illustrated for Dell, so let me know if you find others. His signature or "AK" is proof. This specific cover is very 1960's/70's in feel with our heroine in uniform and heavy turtleneck gazing while the hero puts a log on the fire. We see Allan's touch in the detail of her pins and his wings.

Dorothy Dowdell: Arctic Nurse

Arctic Nurse is a first in this collection since it's a Nurse Romance in the Candlelight Romance line. Published in June 1969, it's obviously one of Allan Kass's earlier works.

Lori Waters goes back home to Alaska, fleeing heartbreak, but who ends up becoming the new doctor, but Cliff Randolph, the man she loved and lost. Can love blossom in the frigid arctic?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple against the Alaskan mountains. They are dressed in warm jackets, but still wear the cap and uniform of their occupation. Note the totem pole right behind the hero! The image quality isn't the best, but it's a unique Kass illustration that I hope you enjoy and I'm wondering if he did others for the Candlelight line?

Diana Douglas: Surgical Nurse

Surgical Nurse is the last Allan Kass illustrated book that I have by Diana Douglas. If you think you may have one, please contact me.

July 1975 is the date of this book and the story is about Toni Goddard, whose fiance died 3 years earlier. She has no use for men until she meets Dr. Dick Lane and joins his surgical team. Can a famous surgeon fall in love with a pretty nurse?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple inside a pretty room and our heroine is arranging some flowers when our hero arrives. She is dressed in her uniform and he is casual in a dress shirt and jacket over his shoulder. I like the cool calmness of the room and wonder if it is in the hospital?

I hope you have enjoyed these nurse romances illustrated by Allan! I think they are wonderful and I like seeing the difference from his regency covers. He was such a gifted artist and I'm still hunting for more of his work!

Diana Douglas: Surfing Nurse

Surfing Nurse by Diana Douglas was published by Signet in September 1971 and is another of the themed sports/nurse books which are hard to find. Kara Simmon was on assignment as the team nurse for the American Surfing Team. Two brothers are vying for her attention.

Allan Kass illustrates this cover with our two surfers and nurse heroine. Our hero is a typical Kass hero and it's fun to see one in a bathing suit! I also love the blue wave in the background that it a myriad of colors! Great cover for a hard to find book!

Diana Douglas: Ski Lodge Nurse

Ski Lodge Nurse was published by Signet in February 1970. Ria Madden has been a nurse at the Hurricane Valley Ski Lodge and thinks it's the perfect job! This year, however, is different with a famous skiier and a hovering doctor both paying her attention.

Allan Kass illustrates this cover with our nurse, a skiier, and a dangerous man holding a rifle! Our skiier wears reflective ski wear and our nurse is in her uniform. I like the contrast of the white snow and the blue-green of the trees behind.

I believe that these themed nurse romances were quite popular in their day.

Diana Douglas: Sea Nurse

Sea Nurse by Diana Douglas was published by Signet in June 1970 for their nurse romance series. Melinda Madison has taken an assignment on a cruise ship as a way to escape a tragic love affair. She is now working with Dr. Peter Raymond, who she remembers from her student nursing days. Could he also be running away, too?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a tropical location wearing leis and a Hawaiian shirt. We see a ship in the background with images of people and parties. This is an interesting cover in regard to the color: lots of orange and yellow. Another earlier illustration of Allan's.

Diana Douglas: Nurse in Spain

May 1975 saw the publication of Nurse in Spain by Diana Douglas. Fran Kelly transfers to Spain hoping for an easy tour of duty. She meets two different men and has to make a decision whether to love the handsome American doctor or the passionate Spanish matador!

Allan Kass illustrates this book with a montage of Spain. We see the matador and bull along with some indistinct skyline. Our couple is almost incongruent; the nurse, white and plain, and the matador, all colorful and decorated! What's your take on this cover?

Diana Douglas: Nurse in Disaster

Diana Douglas's Nurse in Disaster was published by Signet in March 1972. Dorrie Mason is a nurse harassed by a hospital administrator and attracted to a doctor when a hurricane hits their town and secrets come to life!

Allan Kass illustrates our nurse on the cover of this book. Interesting that she is alone and that there is no hero on this cover! We do see a ship floundering and a palm tree swaying in the wind. Our nurse is prominent and wears a cape over her uniform. This cover has a familiarity to another artist I enjoy: Walter Popp!

Diana Douglas: Nurse Deceived

Nurse Deceived was published in May 1973 and is the story of the romance between Michelle Banfield and Dr. John Rentoul which becomes strained after the reconstruction surgery of a girl whose memory and face had been destroyed by an accident. Michelle is concerned that the beautiful face being created for this girl hides an evil person.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple against the backdrop of San Francisco! Our heroine is pretty with her dark hair and pristine uniform. Our doctor hero young and handsome. I like the Golden Gate Bridge and other famous sites of San Francisco! Enjoy!!

Diana Douglas: New Orleans Nurse

New Orleans Nurse by Diana Douglas was published by Signet in August 1974. Melinda Fontaine takes a job in New Orleans with a patient surrounded by a shroud of secrecy. She's not too concerned until the doctor, Garth Woodward and an old friend, warns her that both her life and her patients could be in danger!

Allan Kass outdoes himself with this illustration! I love the setting and the couple sitting on a bench that surrounds a large tree. Our heroine looks capable in her uniform and holds a purple iris that echoes the color of the hero's sweater. It's interesting to see the hero in such casual wear as jeans! A great cover that I hope you enjoy, too!

Diana Douglas: Mystery Nurse

January 1968 is the publication date for Mystery Nurse by Diana Douglas. I had a hard time finding this copy, since there is a later edition with a different illustration that is not Allan Kass's.

Diane Halliday has an assignment for a patient who lives on a large California estate. However, she is never to let the patient know that she is a nurse! To complicate the issue, she begins to fall in love with John, her patient's son!

Allan Kass creates an intriguing cover for this book. We see our nurse heroine front and center, with a telephone furtively talking into it. Our patient is in pink and the handsome son in bright orange! It's another combined illustration to represent the story.

Diana Douglas: Hockey Star Nurse

Hockey Star Nurse was published by Signet in October 1972 for Diana Douglas and is one of her novels that has an element of sports involved. Tina Grahame has two brothers that are courting her and both very different men: one is a hockey star and the other is a doctor. Who will she choose?

Allan Kass illustrates this book with our heroine in the foreground and a group of hockey players in the back. It is a typical cover style of the 1970's. Our heroine is a pretty nurse in her cap and white pinned uniform. I like the action of the players; you can feel their movement. These sports related nurse romances are hard to find and coveted by collectors!

Diana Douglas: The Fledgling Nurses

The Fledgling Nurses was published in February 1971 by Signet for Diana Douglas and is another of her nurse romances. This story is about Tina and her fellow nurses and their romances. Will she fall for the handsome John or the steady Roger?

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in the hospital. Our heroine holds a clipboard and jots notes while the hero doctor looks on. I like the touch of the purple blue flowers which is echoed in the purple background. This is another of Allan's early book covers and it's neat to see his evolution over the years. Enjoy!!

Diana Douglas: Doctor in Shadow

Doctor in Shadow by Diana Douglas was published by Signet in August 1967. Dr. Desmond Burton returns to San Francisco after being in London for 2 years. He finds that his older mentor can't and shouldn't be operating, his girlfriend gone, and a new nurse who could become a pawn in this triangle of problems.

Allan Kass creates a very green cover for this book! We see our couple standing near a pool of water. It's a touching scene with our doctor hero embracing the nurse heroine. I like it since it's one of Allan's earliest illustrations. Enjoy!

Diana Douglas: Beauty Contest Nurse

Beauty Contest Nurse by Diana Douglas was published by Signet in August 1973. Nurse Maria MacKenzie gets a job at a luxurious resort hotel in Acapulco! She gets assigned to the contestants in the Beauty Contest and meets three very different men. Can she trust her heart in this tropical paradise?

Allan Kass illustrates a patchwork cover which shows all the important aspects of this book: our hero doctor, our heroine nurse, a contestant, and the scenery of Acapulco! I almost like the vignettes of the scenery better than the people on this cover! What's your favorite aspect of this cover art?

Diana Douglas: Apollo Nurse

November 1970 was the publication of Diana Douglas's book, Apollo Nurse, from Signet. Rena Drummond is attracted to the handsome astronaut who saved her from a shark in the surf a few days earlier! Can she compete against a beautiful socialite for his affections?

Allan Kass creates a great cover for this book! We see the rocket launch, our astronaut, and our nurse! The purple and orange colors are vibrant and the cover is a typical style for the time.

This book came out during the heyday of the Apollo flights and, I'm sure, was very popular! This is the first of many nurse romances by Diana Douglas that I have to post since Allan Kass illustrated many of her books! Enjoy and don't forget to click on the picture to enlarge!

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.