Tag Archives: Robert Maguire covers

Covers of the Week #39

Artist: Robert A. Maguire

Happy 2022! Our first Covers of the Week for this new year features artist Robert Maguire, aka R. A. Maguire.

Robert A. Maguire is a legendary name when it comes to paperback covers. From pulps to romance, he illustrated all genres of fiction. Maguire was born in New Jersey in 1921. He then passed away in 2005.

As a commercial artist, he produced artwork for all the publishing companies–big and small. Over nearly 50 years, Maguire would paint 1,300 covers.

In romance, he was prolific, creating covers for contemporaries, categories, traditional regencies, and historicals. Perhaps he is most notorious in the genre for the three-armed heroine on the cover of Patricia Gallagher’s Castles in the Air.

Even so, one “off-looking” cover does not represent the totality of his storied career. Besides the beauty of it, I appreciate his style as it’s instantly recognizable. In addition, Maguire never failed to sign his work, making him an easy artist to spot.

This week we’re focusing on Maguire’s historical covers. Later, we’ll highlight some of his series romances.

The Covers

For the week of Monday, January 3, 2022, to Sunday, January 9, 2022, we’re admiring a sample of glorious historical romances by talented Robert A. Maguire!

briar rose — Briar Rose,
Aurora Rose
English Rose,
Passion Fire

Briar Rose,
Aurora Rose
English Rose,
Passion Fire

Covers of the Week #22

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Theme: Category Romance

At Sweet Savage Flame, we’ve been overlooking category romance covers in favor of flashier historical romance artwork, and it’s time to remedy that.

Series cover art is just as lovely. However, sometimes the artwork is not as prominent as it is for historicals.

In addition, the big-name cover artists usually produced illustrations for historical romance or full-length contemporary books. Sometimes they did step their toes into the waters of series or category romance and we’re happy that they did!

The Covers

For the week of Monday, September 6, 2021, to Sunday, September 12, we’re looking at gorgeous category romance covers painted by some of the greatest artists of romance novels. Below are a few category romances illustrated by the legendary Elaine Duillo, Robert Maguire, Elaine Gignilliat, and Pino. Enjoy!

category romance covers quiet comes the night

Quiet Comes the Night, Jessica Jeffries, Harlequin, Elaine Duillo cover art
Every Moment Counts, Martha Hix, Silhouette, Robert Maguire cover art
Babycakes, Glenda Sanders, Harlequin, Elaine Gignilliat cover art,
Stormy Vows, Iris Johansen, Bantam, Pino cover art

Covers of the Week #12

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Theme: Funny Romance Covers

I’ve been a bit behind things this past week, so I haven’t focused on the site as I should have. To make up for it, I’ve chosen a selection of covers by good artists gone bad. These funny-looking romance covers have made me smile, laugh, or raise my eyebrows and wonder what they were thinking.

The Covers

For the week of June 28 to July 4, 2021, enjoy this small sample of funny or awful-looking covers from romances from four different artists for our Covers of the Week.

#1 – They’re getting it on at the docks, her hair is in the water, but at least she knows to hold on to that parasol for sun protection. Priorities.

(Wild Magnolia, Wanda Owen, Zebra, 1992, Pino cover art)

#2 – Is it just me, or does that poor cat look like an experiment from “The Island of Dr. Moreau”? Is it supposed to be a Scottish wildcat or a Lynx? Either way, it seems so sad. Put the poor dear out of his misery!

(Wildcat Tamed, Mary Wibberley, Harlequin, 1977, cover artist Don Berco)

#3 – This infamous cover is notable for the three-armed heroine, one hand on the ground, the other at her side, and the last holding the hero’s arm. It speaks highly of the hero that he loves her the way she is.

(Castles in the Air, Christina Dodd, Avon, 1993, Robert Maguire cover art)

#4 – The hero of this book was supposed to be a most beautiful-looking male and a very buff Naval officer. Nothing wrong with being fluffy, but Lucky does not look fit for military service. It’s not the funniest of covers per se. However, Brockmann was so disappointed with the result that she sent her customers happy face stickers to cover up Lucky’s face!

(Get Lucky, Suzanne Brockmann, Silhouette, 2000, cover artist unknown)