Sunday, June 26, 2011

Riding in the Sky


Riding in the Sky is #56 in the Camfield series and was published in April 1988. Filipa Seymour agrees to impersonate a Pretty Horse Breaker and help her brother win a contest that the Marquis of Kilne is hosting. However, it gets sticky when the Marquis makes her a shocking offer!

This is an interesting cover of the parade with the contestants dressed up and riding their horses. We see the hero, not dressed in costume, talking to the heroine in her medieval outfit. The 1860's were the height of fame for the Pretty Horse Breakers, in London.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Secrets of the Heart


Secrets of the Heart is #55 in the Camfield series and was published in March 1988. Zenobia Chade is under the control of her evil stepmother after her father's death and runs away! She finds a job as a secretary to the Earl of Ockendon but can she really stay hidden?

This is a colorful and pretty cover of our couple standing and comforting each other at the bottom of an elegant stairway. I'm assuming that the lady on the floor is the evil stepmother, since only the butler is helping her! The heroine's yellow bustle dress dominates this cover with its color and ornateness.

I'm glad that Barbara Cartland kept most of her stories in the 1800-1900 time frame. She knew her history and the glimpses of fashion and society from then is very interesting.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A Caretaker of Love


A Caretaker of Love is #54 in the Camfield series and was published in February 1988. Neula and her mother flee her stepfather and run to her mother's childhood home, now owned by the Marquis of Kerne. He is intrigued to learn their secret while her mother is courted by an old flame!

We see a dramatic cover with an older man, presumably the evil stepfather, choking or having an attack, while the heroine looks on horrified. The hero stands behind her and the room is very elegant and rich. The heroine's blue gown is typical for the 1830's.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Sapphires in Siam


Sapphires in Siam is #53 in the Camfield series by Barbara Cartland and was published in January 1988. The Marquis of Vale is visited by the Siamese ambassador with the news that his friend, Calvin Brook, is dead. He meets Calvin's daughter to break the news to her and she decides to travel with him to Siam, since Ankana doesn't believe the report about her father's death.

This cover is interesting to me because the heroine is a brunette, which has been rare in Cartland's latest romances. One gets tired of blondes after a while! Our couple are in an Oriental setting which is dangerous and mysterious. We don't know if the Buddhist monk in the background is friendly or not.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Love and Kisses


Love and Kisses is #52 in the Camfield series by author Barbara Cartland and was published in December 1987. Arilla Lindsey is young and beautiful, but won't find an eligible man in the country. She plans a scheme with her handsome, but poor cousin, to get to London and marry a wealthy man!

This is a cute cover of our couple standing in a Regency era room. Our heroine is pretty in a pale pink gown and the hero seems to be reassuring her. I love Cartland's romances like this one; easy to read and ending happily!