Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Necklace of Love

The Necklace of Love is #81 in the Camfield series and was published in May 1990. Set in 1839, Kezia and her brother, Perry, dream up a plan to pretend to be married after the Marquis of Bayeux, who is a wild, but rich rake, decides to purchase the heirloom necklace which they own and will solve their penniless situation. However, Kezia didn't plan on falling in love with the Marquis or facing the wrath of his lovely mistress!

This cover shows our heroine being carried by the hero, as if she has fainted. She wears a modish Victorian styled gown of green, richly decorated, which flatters her red hair. The room they stand in may be the Marquis's chateau, but looks like a museum! It's too bad we don't see the necklace of the title, but I guess that would be too greedy!

Friday, December 30, 2011

A Very Special Love


A Very Special Love is #80 in the Camfield series and was published in April 1990. The Marquis of Okehampton found out that he had inherited a ward who needed to be rescued from a false convent! So he jumps onto his yacht and travels to Cornwall to meet Zia, who is being coerced because of her fortune! The next thing to do is to marry her off, but the Marquis becomes concerned because his ward is rich and because, just maybe, he wants her for his own!

We see on the cover the rescue of our heroine, who is still wearing her nuns robe as they climb onto the yacht that carries them off to safety. They seem to finally look at each other and this looks like a happy moment. I like the setting of the wharf and the ship in the background.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Kiss from a Stranger


Kiss from a Stranger is #79 in the Camfield series and was published in March 1990. Shenda Lynd, the orphaned vicar's daughter, is taken in to live with the servants at Arrow Castle, only to find out that the handsome stranger who kissed her in the woods, is the master of the house! She uncovers a plot by a Bonapartist spy to kill the Earl of Arrow and ends up in love with him!

Our cover shows the first meeting of our couple and their magical kiss! I think it's interesting that this cover has a horse and dog on it, both animals that Barbara Cartland liked. It's a bright summer day and our hero is dashing and cheeky!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Real Love or Fake


Real Love or Fake is #78 in the Camfield series and was published in February 1990. The Marquis of Kyneston leaves London after an affair gone wrong for Amsterdam, where he intends to purchase some Dutch art. While there, he meets Lela, who has run away from an unwanted suitor. She tries to sell him a fake painting, needing the funds to save her dying aunt.

An unknown artist created this cover of our couple. I like the city scene with the yacht in the canal behind them. The couple share a tender moment and are either saying "hello" or "goodbye"!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Haunted Heart


The Haunted Heart is #77 in the Camfield series and was published in January 1990. Gina Borne takes the position as companion to the Earl of Ingleton's cousin and ward as a way to escape her uncle's grim household. However, once she meets Lady Alice, she realizes that someone in the house is trying to keep the Earl from marrying his cousin or any single woman!

I like the early Victorian gown worn by our heroine. The artist did a great job with the details of her dress and hairdo. Our hero still looks more Regency, but with the flashier cravat and waistcoat. They embrace in an bright and elegant room.

Monday, November 7, 2011

The Bargain Bride


The Bargain Bride is #76 in Barbara Cartland's Camfield series by Jove and was published in December 1989. The Earl of Blakeney is in debt after inheriting. Marcus Winton, viewing his disastrous gambling at Whites, decides to help him by marrying his sister and paying off his debts. Aleda isn't too happy with this solution and is concerned that he has married her to advance his social position. However, when she is kidnapped in London by some Chinese men, she discovers her husband's secrets!

Our cover artist shows the rescue of Aleda in the story. Our heroine is safe and the hero is relieved. The Chinese man and his servants seem more interesting that the couple and I'm intrigued with the room where this is all set. Not something you'd easily find in 1800's London! The cover is almost too busy.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

The Temple of Love


The Temple of Love is #73 in the Camfield series by Barbara Cartland and published by Jove in November 1989. The Duke of Inglebury is on a mission to find a legendary temple deep in the Javanese jungle. While there, he finds Sarida, who is living nearby with her father, an author of religious books. Sarida is also intent on keeping the temple safe from the Dutch looters.

I think this is a very intriguing cover. We see our heroine in the garb of the Javanese culture, standing in front of the secret temple. Our hero is dressed in clothes designed for exploration. It looks like their initial meeting and the surprise of finding another English citizen in this exotic country!