Peggy Gaddis: River's Edge

Our last book by Peggy Gaddis is River's Edge, #21 in the Rainbow Romance series. Allan illustrated 5 books for this series that I could find. These are some of his earliest book cover illustrations.

River's Edge was published in September 1970 and is a condensed book. The original title was The Other Dear Charmer. Kate Ryan and her doctor father have moved into the estate called River's Edge. However, this town was wary of strangers and Kate didn't like it there until she met Dr. Scott Etheridge, another newcomer who was destined for another.

This is such a pretty cover by Allan Kass. We see our couple in an embrace as they stand on a path in a wooded area. I love that he uses greens and pinks to soften the darkness of the woods.

Peggy Gaddis: Mountain Melody

Mountain Melody was published by Signet under their Rainbow Romance line in September 1970. This is a condensed book. Cherry and her sister, Loyce, are opposites, but both are drawn to a handsome lawyer named Jonathan Gayle. This story is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple relaxing outside together. We see a bit of the forest where they sit. The heroine holds a guitar and seems dressed up for sitting outside while our hero is dressed suitably for the scene! It's one of Allan's earlier illustrations and I hope you enjoy it.

Rachelle Edwards:The Smithfield Bargain

August 1981 saw the publication by Fawcett of Rachelle Edwards's book, The Smithfield Bargain. Annabel Haygarth is unjustly dismissed from her governess position and immediately becomes involved in a scheme with the daughter of the house to help her run away to be married. She then meets Lord Cranbourne and falls in love with her friend's fiance!

Allan Kass illustrates our Georgian couple in a dark forest. Our hero wears a tricorn hat decorated with a red cockade and a red overcoat over his red dress coat. Our heroine is young and pretty in her pink dress and purple cloak. Her long, unbound hair gives her the illusion of youth. I like the lace details, which was common in the dress of that period. It's a dramatic scene of confronting a villain and another melodramatic book that falls under the Coventry regency line!

Emma Darby: Into the Arena

Into the Arena is the other book by Emma Darby illustrated by Allan Kass. It's a Signet publication from April 1973. Celia is done dealing with her husband's affairs and decides to do something about it.

Allan Kass illustrates our couple in a pensive moment. Our hero is made human by his holding the family cat. I really like seeing Allan's contemporary illustrations as evidenced by our hero with the beard! Our heroine is calm in feature, but seems awkward towards the hero. I like the montage painting behind them. Note Allan's signature under the flowers.

Emma Darby: A Conflict of Women

A Conflict of Women is one of two books that Allan Kass illustrated for Emma Darby. This book was published by Signet in March 1973 and is the story of Anna and Stephen, married 16 years and with 3 children. He is a lawyer and happy until a young girl named Natalie enters their lives and causes them to question the decisions they've made.

Allan Kass illustrates this book with a montage of the main characters: our lawyer husband in his robes, the young girl with flowing hair and youth, and the wife, older and morose. We see a view of London's Big Ben, too. It's an interesting cover, but not Allan's usual style. I would like to have seen a full length version of the characters, but this may be what the publishers wanted back then.

Jeanne Bowman: Letter from Annette

Letter from Annette was published by Signet in September 1970. It is the story of Annette Weyland whose grandmother needed a life of her own. She decides to find a man for her grandmother by writing letters to a pen pal. How events unfold during this letter writing campaign is the plot of this story.

This is one of Allan Kass's first illustrations. It is #24 under Signet's Rainbow Romance series. I like the simple cover showing Annette and her beau. It's different from the regency illustrations that he ended up doing but you can see similarities. Note her hair and hands. She sits in a grassy spot near a lake. Note the little flowers and grass blades. Our hero wears a sweater and collared shirt, but is as handsome as any Kass hero!