Messenger of Love

Messenger of Love is an Elizabethan romance about a girl named Andora, who is Queen Elizabeth's newest Maid of Honor. Sir Hengist is attracted to the new Maid, but she is wondering if he could be a traitor!

Francis Marshall creates two different covers for this story, but the similarities and differences are fascinating!

The Pyramid (US) book was published in 1978 and is a great cover showing our couple up close. Our heroine wears a pretty white gown with a ruff and pearl drop headpiece while our hero is handsome in black and gold.

The Arrow (UK) version from 1970 shows our heroine in the same gown, with the hero behind the queen and also another courtier and guard. This cover emphasizes the queen and her wealth and is more formal than the other. Which cover do you like best?

Love Under Fire

Love Under Fire is an Arrow (UK) book from 1977. Elvina, in order to escape from her Portuguese stepmother, stows away on a ship bound for England and her grandparents. Lord Wye, who owns the ship, thinks she is 13 and takes her under his wing as they travel and adventure through war torn Europe. Elvina, who is really 17, falls in love with Lord Wye, but he is set to marry once he arrives in England. Can she convince him of her real age and her love?

Francis Marshall shows our couple on board ship and it looks like a scene where he's just discovered that she is a stowaway! To me, she looks older than 13, but our hero is handsome in his uniform and definitely of age! I like her billowing scarf, which adds a bit of color to this cover.

I remember this being a great read and recommend this story!

Love to the Rescue

Love to the Rescue is an Arrow (UK) publication from 1972. Cleona is persuaded by her friend, Leonie, to impersonate her in London. She stays with Leonie's grandmother, the Duchess of Lynke and meets the present Duke, who may not be all he seems as he works secretly against Napoleon!

Francis Marshall illustrates our couple at the docks from where they are to travel to France. Our heroine wears a regency round traveling gown while our hero is a typical dandy! This is another of Marshall's "painted" covers where it looks like the faces were painted in at the last minute. This one is too fussy with the coach, ships and rigging all distracting from the couple. What do you think?

The second and third covers are from hardcover versions of this book and also illustrated by Francis Marshall! I am increasingly impressed at the amount of his work for Cartland's books!

Love on the Run

Love on the Run was published by Arrow (UK) in 1969. Marina Martyn is engaged to a handsome and wealthy man that she doesn't love, so she breaks her engagement and travels to Portugal and meets the mysterious Carlos, who she can love, but may be a criminal!

Francis Marshall shows our couple leaving a circus. Our heroine carries a coat while the hero carries her handbag and suitcase. Note the late '60's styles and short skirt! Our heroine is a very pretty girl and we get the impression that the hero is older. He doesn't seem like the typical Cartland hero on this cover! Click to enlarge!

Love Me For Ever

Love Me Forever is an Arrow (UK) publication from 1975. In the 1780's, the Duke of Melyncourt in in France to carry out a dangerous mission for the prime minister. Ame is a young girl who escaped from a convent into the duke's carriage. Many exciting adventures occur before he realizes that she is the duchess for him!

Francis Marshall illustrates our couple in a pleasure garden. Note the exquisite clothing and wigs they are wearing! I like the details of their clothes and the gazebo in the background. Marshall does a great job conveying the party atmosphere of this scene. Too bad we don't dress like this; at least for masquerades!!

Love and Linda

Love and Linda is a Pyramid (US) publication from July 1976. Linda Snell is a rising model at London's best fashion house, but low born, and it's hard, during the 1920's, to find a true love in society. She thought that she had found love with Harry, a famous pilot, until his untimely death and wonders if it's worth saving herself for love?

Francis Marshall shows our couple in a club or lobby wearing clothing of the era. Our heroine is pretty in her purple dress and bobbed hair. The hero is handsome and less sardonic that Cartland's usual heroes! It's a pretty picture of an age gone by!

Barbara Cartland was a young lady during the 1920's and witnessed firsthand London society. Her autobiographies are very interesting and full of the names and places of England in the time before World War 2.

Love is Mine

Love is Mine was published by Pyramid (US) in November 1976 and Arrow (UK) in November 1970. Toria has married Charles Drayton after a whirlwind romance. She's not sure that she's made the right decision afterwards and wonders if she really loves Micheal, who she grew up with, all along?

Francis Marshall illustrates both covers of this book aboard ship, but the Pyramid one is another close up and shows our heroine nearby with the hero being threatened by another man holding a gun! Our heroine doesn't seem too concerned about the gun-holding man and is looking through a pair of binoculars. Note the other yachts in the background.

The Arrow version has no villain, but shows our couple along side each other. Our heroine wears a blue blouse and white jeans, while the hero is more traditionally dressed! In this cover, we see some deck furniture and a sailor. I hope that you enjoy these seafaring covers!