Love is the Enemy

Love is the Enemy was published in 1977 by Pyramid (US) and 1970 by Arrow (UK). Nerina does the unthinkable and takes her cousin Elizabeth's place as bride to the arrogant Sir Rupert Wroth, who is only marrying to gain the position as Foreign Secretary to Queen Victoria! Her cousin is in love with another and Nerina's plan is to save her cousin from an unloving marriage! The Pyramid version shows our heroine sitting on a sofa with our hero kneeling on the floor nearby. It's another close up illustration and we see her elegant, full Victorian dress, very typical of the era. Note the off the shoulder neckline and prim hairstyle. Also, she wears magnificent jewelry! The hero is dressed formally also; maybe they're on their way to court? We see candlesticks in the background of the room. The Arrow cover is full length and shows our heroine's very full dress! It's similar in style to the US cover with the same fur cape. The big difference is the color of the room and that the hero stands, very sardonically, behind the sofa. Barbara Cartland's favorite color was pink and that may have influenced the color of this cover!

 

Edit: Added a found photo which looks like it's another image of this title. Hope you enjoy it!

Love is an Eagle

Love is an Eagle is another book that I've found 3 Francis Marshall illustrations! How exciting!! This story is about Armand, a secret agent for England, sent to spy out Napoleon's plans. He finds Reve, a young countess, bathing in the moonlight and realizes that this is the one woman for him. How can they find love in this war filled time?

The Pyramid (US) book was published in October 1975, a fourth printing. We see a close up shot of our couple, with our heroine in disarray. They stand near the entrance of a building or bathing house and we feel that it is a beautiful place. I think that this is the prettiest picture of our heroine's face.

The middle cover is an Arrow (UK) book from 1975. Our couple stands near the pool of water. In this picture, our heroine wears an empire dress of muslin with a pink sash with our hero holding her hand in either greeting or departing. Note the gazebo or building in the background.

The top book is another Arrow (UK) from 1969. This cover shows just the heroine and she's at the point of entering the secluded pool or just coming out of it! It's quite risque for the time and for a Cartland cover! I like the sense of nature with the waterfall and lily pads. Also note the flowers growing near the building. Which cover is your favorite?

I'm always on the lookout for other Francis Marshall covers, so if you see one that is different from any I've posted, please contact me! I think a few more books had duplicate covers!

Love is Dangerous

Love is Dangerous is the next in my Francis Marshall illustration lineup of Barbara Cartland's romances. The US book was published in 1976 while the Arrow (UK) was published in 1975.

Melina finds herself alone in Tangier, Morocco when Bing Ward, an Englishman engaged in an undercover mission, bursts into her room for sanctuary. Before she realizes it, she is helping him in his quest to find a kidnapped little boy!

Francis Marshall shows our couple in an up close pose on the Pyramid (US) cover. Our heroine wears a blue dress and it looks as if she and the hero are hiding from the man behind them holding a gun! I like the feeling that the trees and bushes are holding them close, while we see a glimpse of danger in the man behind.

The Arrow (UK) cover is less menacing with our couple hiding behind a tree, our hero holding a gun, and our heroine with a 1960's dress and hairdo! I like the native flowers and little pool nearby. The men in the background do not seem as scary as those on the US cover. I hope you enjoy both illustrations!

Love is Contraband

Love is Contraband was published by Arrow (UK) in 1975 and is the story of the Duke of Westacre, who leaves a house party after discovering a matrimonial plot and escapes into a band of smugglers led by a woman named Georgia. Their adventures bring them together to find true love!

Francis Marshall illustrates our couple at the seaside. Our heroine is dressed as a smuggler and as different as a regency woman as can be! Our hero is dashing in his top hat and and we see the smugglers working in the background. I like the roughness of the barrels and ground. It's an intriguing cover!

Smuggling was a big part of coastal life in England. With France so close and with war between them, many items that were banned or heavily taxed came through these channels. Most people would look the other way in order to accept goods and services. The government spent lots of manpower trying to stop smuggling, especially since spies did enter the country this way!

Love in Pity

Love in Pity was published by Pyramid (US) in November 1976. Jacinda Coombe defiantly marries Morgan Wright, only because he is her father's sworn enemy and she's trying to hurt her father for selling the family castle. Morgan, however, loves her and is willing to wait for her to fall in love with him!

Francis Marshall shows our couple in riding gear taking a break during a hunt. Our hero wears the traditional red jacket while our heroine is pretty in blue. He looks as if he's ready to comfort her. I like the line of the fence behind them and the feel of the countryside.

Love in Hiding

Love in Hiding by Barbara Cartland has a publication of 1975 (UK) and 1977 (US).

Gretna is on her way to London when she is involved in a carriage accident and meets the Marquis of Stade, her aunt's sworn enemy. She becomes immersed in London society and meets Lord Wroxhall, a dangerous man who desires her.

Francis Marshall illustrates the Arrow (UK) book with the scene of the carriage accident and shows our hero, dressed as a regency buck, helping our heroine. It's an interesting cover and I like how the tilted carriage just emphasizes the couple.

The Pyramid (US) cover shows our couple in an embrace. Our heroine wears a pink day dress and trimmed bonnet, while our hero sports a beige cape over his jacket. He looks younger than the man in the other cover and our heroine shows her large "manga" eyes! Both covers are great and I hope that you enjoy the differences.

Love Holds the Cards

Love Holds the Cards was published by Arrow (UK) in 1975 and is the story of Tina Croome and the Marquis of Wynchingham. He has lost a fortune and in order to recoup, while Tina is desperate to marry a wealthy man. They join plans and he grooms her to be able to marry the finest and richest in the land. However, the plan goes horribly awry when Wynchingham's mortal enemy marries Tina and they have both realized too late that they love each other!

Francis Marshall illustrates our heroine running away from the suitor in the background.She wears a full Georgian gown of white trimmed in yellow and has her hair done in curls. The man in the background is dressed richly in a blue coat with lace at his neck and cuffs. The setting is outdoors and looks like a park or private party.

My favorite memory of this book is getting the Pyramid US copy around age 14 when I was sick and in bed (not a FM illustrated cover). This got me started reading Barbara Cartland and I borrowed my neighbor's books and checked them out of the library until I realized that her newest copies were available for sale! My poor copy is well read and an old friend!