A Night of Gaiety

A Night of Gaiety is #142 in the Bantam series and was published in July 1981. Davita leaves her Scottish home after the death of her father and travels to London to stay with her step-sister, who is a Gaiety Girl on the stage. Unfortunately, she becomes a pawn in a devious plot to extract money from the Marquis of Vange. Find out what happens when she flees London and becomes a companion to an old Countess!

The scene on this cover is inside a restaurant. Our couple sit nearby with our heroine looking pensive in her white gown and ornate hat. Our hero wears evening dress and looks dashing! It makes the reader wonder if they've met, or if he's just noticed her!

Barbara Cartland in the note mentions some of the Gaiety Girls that she knew in the 1920's!

Dreams Do Come True

#141 in the Bantam series is Barbara Cartland's Dreams Do Come True, which was published in July 1981. Odetta travels to Paris with her good friend Penelope as her maid, in order to see France. While there, Penelope is invited to a masquerade next door and Odetta dreams up the idea to dress and go as a princess! What else happens when the ball is over?

This is another nice cover art from an unknown illustrator. I like the scene at the masquerade where the couple meet for the first time! Her gown is supposed to be from Worth, who created all of the fashionable gowns in Paris!

What's also interesting is inside this book is a card to join the "Barbara Cartland Romance Club" where you can get your Bantam Cartland's delivered to your home! Yearly cost for 18 books was $24.99!

Dollars for the Duke

Dollars for the Duke was published in June 1981 and is #140 in the Bantam series for Barbara Cartland.

It is the story of the Duke of Otterburn, who is broke after inheriting and the only solution to keep his estate is to marry a rich American heiress! A match is made with Magnolia Vandevilt, the richest girl in America. When he catches her running away on their wedding night, the Duke strikes a pact for them to get to know each other as friends with the hope that they can fall in love.

We see our couple on this cover climbing a hillside near a lake with mountains in the distance. Hopefully this was a lark, since I can't see them climbing much in those clothes! Our heroine is young in her pink gown while the hero in handsome in gray.

This is a good story that's based on fact: many New York mothers did marry their daughters to European aristocracy in the late 19th and early 20th century. The most notable was Consuelo Vanderbilt, who married the Duke of Marlborough in the 1890's.

The Waltz of Hearts

The Waltz of Hearts is #139 in the Bantam series and was published in May 1981. Gisela travels with her famous violinist father to Vienna, where she meets a kind stranger in the woods near her inn. He turns out to be the Prince of Hungary who cannot marry a musician's daughter, or can he?

This is a beautiful cover of our couple as they waltz in a decorated room. Our heroine is exquisite in her white gown and tiara while the hero looks like a prince! I approve of the new illustrator who does a great job with this cover.

Love in the Moon

Love in the Moon is #138 in Bantam's Barbara Cartland series and was published in May 1981. Caneda Lang was long a poor relation until her brother inherited the Earldom and now her mother's family, who they've never met, wants to become part of their lives because they are now rich! Canada travels to France to teach them and her mother's ex-suitor, the Duc de Saumac, a lesson!

This is a pretty cover with our heroine wearing a pink riding habit that is echoed by the pink trim of the cover and riding a black horse that catches the attention of the handsome hero, who is the present Duc de Saumac, son of the man mentioned above. I like the castle standing tall in the background.

Afraid

Afraid is #137 in the Bantam series and was published in April 1981. Five years earlier, the Duke of Darlington rescued 13 year old Felica from her cruel father, who was also his cousin. Now her father is dead and she is wealthy and the duke needs to protect her from the fortune hunters.

This is an interesting setting for this book since I believe it takes place mostly in Paris!! We see our pretty heroine, all in yellow, standing near a table where our hero is seated. It's a pretty scene, but a table on a sidewalk cafe in Paris would have been more apropos for this story!

The Kiss of Life

The Kiss of Life was #136 in the Bantam series and was published in March 1981. Lord Yelverton is an archaeologist visiting Mexico with some Mexican carvings that he bought in Egypt off a Mexican seaman. He is told to visit Ajax Audenshaw, an Englishman, but an expert in antiquities. While there, he meets Audenshaw's daughter, Tula, and finds not only a treasure, but a wife!

This is a beautiful cover of our couple standing at the base of a waterfall vowing their love for one another. Our hero looks very dark for an Englishman and our heroine is young and pretty. I like the feeling of the falling water and the mist rising above it.

Barbara Cartland wrote very few books set in the Americas. This may be the only one set in Mexico. I hope you can find a copy to enjoy!

The Lioness and the Lily

The Lioness and the Lily is #135 in the Bantam series and was published in March 1981. The new Lord Rockbrook is injured after setting his horse into a rabbit hole. He was disturbed because he's being forced into an unwanted marriage! He is taken to Purilla's home where he begins to heal and comes up with a great plan to thwart his marriage!

This is a pretty cover with our couple embracing outside in the woods. Our heroine wears a Victorian gown of light blue which echoes the background of the book. Our hero tenderly holds her as if to save her from danger or realizing how much she means to him.

Pride and the Poor Princess

Pride and the Poor Princess is #134 in the Bantam (US) series and was published in February 1981. The Duke of Buckminster is on his yacht sailing to Constantinople with his mistress and some friends. She is determined to shop the bazaars to find jewels and while docked, they meet the mysterious Princess Militsa of Russia and become involved in a daring plot to rescue her and her father from the Bolsheviks!

This is a pretty cover of our couple in the Mediterranean. They look relaxed and happy as they lounge on the deck of the Siren. Our heroine is pretty in a typical 1920's dress while our hero wears yachting wear of a blue blazer and white duck trousers and boat shoes.

From Hell to Heaven

#133 Bantam (US) series begins with a different illustrator. January 1981 is the publication date for From Hell to Heaven and Francis Marshall died in 1980 with his last Bantam cover being #132. If you know who did the artwork for this one, please contact me!

Set in 1831 during the Derby, the Marquis of Alchester will do anything to keep his rival, the Earl of Branscombe, from marrying his wealthy ward. He devises a plan to find an unknown girl to take her place, but Kistna ends up falling in love with the Marquis and thwarts his plan against the Earl!

This is a very pretty cover. Our heroine wears a pink gown with full sleeves that is very Victorian in appearance. Our hero in handsome in blue and white. We see them standing near a stream and a pink flowering bush that echoes her dress. I like all of the greenery around them.

Barbara Cartland: The Scandalous Life of King Carol

The Scandalous Life of King Carol, published by Corgi in 1974, is about the life of King Carol of Romania. He lived a stormy and passionate life where he put his duty to the throne second to his devotion to women.

Francis Marshall illustrates King Carol in a military uniform with many medals and honors. We see a lady behind him dressed in diamonds. It's an austere picture without the details that FM is known for.

This is the last FM cover that I have. In the future, I will be listing the rest of Barbara Cartland's romance books and I hope that you enjoy seeing the covers and that the list of titles helps with your personal collections.

Barbara Cartland: The Outrageous Queen

The Outrageous Queen, by Barbara Cartland, was published by Corgi in 1974. Christina was born in 17th century Sweden to King Gustavus Adolphus and was educated as a son. It's an interesting book full of facts about this beautiful queen.

Francis Marshall illustrates Christina as a dark haired beauty holding a book and wearing a full yellow dress. We also see another picture of her riding a horse in the background. I like how he illustrates her full hair with a yellow ribbon and gives her red earrings which bring out her coloring. Her dress tends towards gold in the folds of the sleeves. Gorgeous!

Barbara Cartland: Josephine

In 1973, Arrow published this biography of Josephine by Barbara Cartland. Josephine is the woman behind Napoleon during the early 1800's. This is a interesting story of a woman who lived a passionate life!

Francis Marshall illustrates Josephine on a chaise lounge, with the Emperor Napoleon standing behind. She is a beautiful woman, dressed in the regency style of her day and wearing incredible jewelry! Note her pug dog beside her! It's a cover that makes one want to pick up the book and read about the woman pictured!

Barbara Cartland: Diane De Poitiers

Barbara Cartland writes the story of Diane De Poitiers who was born in 1500 and after her husband's death, became the mistress of Henri, Duke of Orleans, who was 18 years younger than her!

Francis Marshall illustrates Diane in a unique pose with her unclothed and wearing a fortune in pearls and a miniature of the Duke. We see a pretty woman with pale skin and draped in a red cloth. I like the fact that we see a country scene behind her, since she loved the outdoors. The gallant in blue must be Henri!

Barbara Cartland: The Private Life of Charles II

Barbara Cartland writes another biography about a English king that she admires in Charles II. Born to Charles I and Henrietta Maria, Cartland writes his story with chapters of the women he loved, beginning with his mother and listing names that feature in the history of England!

Francis Marshall illustrates Charles II as we envision him, with long hair, a lacy cravat, and mustache! He wears rich, vivid robes and we see two beautiful ladies behind him, dressed in the clothing of the era.

This is an interesting book and Barbara Cartland knows how to make history come alive!

Barbara Cartland: Metternich

The next 6 books are the last ones I have illustrated by Francis Marshall and are biographies written by Barbara Cartland about famous people in the 1800's.

Metternich, The Passionate Diplomat is the first of these biographies. Prince Metternich was a 19th century Austrian statesman, who was a brilliant politician, but also a romantic lover. He had 3 wives and numerous mistresses.

Francis Marshall illustrates Metternich in a military jacket typical of the early 1800's with two beautiful women behind him. His illustration is taken from a painting of Metternich by Thomas Lawrence.

I hope that you enjoy seeing these last FM illustrations.

Ancient Wisdom: The Garden of Vision

The Garden of Vision was published in Britain by Wyndham in 1979. L. Adams Beck is the author of this book which he published in 1928.

It is the story of Yasoma, a London society beauty, who is looking for fulfillment in her life. She travels to Japan and falls in love with Ito, a painter.

Francis Marshall illustrates this interesting cover. We see a scene of Japan with a pagoda and bridge. Our hero walks in the background towards our heroine, who may be frightened by what she's seen behind her (I am). I like that he shows her fear and torment in her expression and posture.