Tag: Romance covers

Covers of the Week #24

By jacquelinediaz on September 19, 2021 • ( 2 Comments )

Hot air ballooning is said to be a delightful experience. The winds guiding you high above the earth as you drift through the fluffy, white clouds… It seems like an exhilarating time. Unfortunately, a paralyzing fear of heights makes me feel otherwise. My husband once surprised me with plans for a romantic ride and I refused to go. He ended up taking our daughter!

People were baffled at my reticence. Although I aim for courage, there are things I cannot face.

Need someone to kill a poisonous bug? I’m there with my wide-heeled shoe. Could I face a horde of bio-engineered, flesh-eating Zombies? Not a problem, I can shoot and wield a machete. How about cleaning litter boxes for 5 kitties? Bring it on, I’m a crazy cat lady. But fly thousands of feet into the atmosphere in a rickety basket with only ropes to cling to and giant flames above me jetting into a huge balloon? Never.

Still, they’re beautiful things to behold. From afar, what a magical sight to witness those colorful inverted teardrops float through the air! From a safe distance on land, sipping a glass of Pinot Noir, of course.

For the week of September 20 to Monday, September 26, 2021, let’s appreciate these clinch poses on romance covers featuring hot air balloons!... Read more “Covers of the Week #24”

Covers of the Week #23

By arkansasannie on September 12, 2021 • ( 2 Comments )

Who Loves Elaine Duillo? I Do!

By Mary Anne Landers

Our blog mistress Jacqueline Diaz invited me to submit an article with my four favorite covers from vintage romances. Well, I don’t have just four favorites. Of ANYTHING! But she’s letting me post four favorites by the leading illustrators of our genre and period. Each in one blog post.

For my first such post, I want to honor the late, great Elaine Duillo (1928 to 2021). She left us on July 30 of this year and had been retired for some time. But her wonderful illustrations live on.

I picked four covers of hers that haven’t already been posted elsewhere on this blog. With a bit of background and my comments. If you can fill in any info I missed, please add it in the comments. And I welcome your own reactions.

1) Stepback cover for Fireblossom by Cynthia Wright, Ballantine, 1992. An old-fashioned quilt. A log cabin. The prairies of the Midwest. The hardscrabble life on the American frontier in the nineteenth century. These are images and concepts I don’t usually associate with sex. But Elaine Duillo made everything hot!

2) Warrior’s Woman by Johanna Lindsey, science fiction romance, Avon, 1990.... Read more “Covers of the Week #23”

Covers of the Week #22

By jacquelinediaz on September 5, 2021 • ( 2 Comments )

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!

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!

**From left to right, from top to bottom:**
**Quiet Comes the Night**, Jessica Jeffries, Harlequin, 1986, **Elaine Duillo** cover art;
**Every Moment Counts**, Martha Hix, Silhouette, 1986, **Robert A. Maguire** cover art;
**Babycakes**, Glenda Sanders, Harlequin, 1991, **Elaine Gignilliat** cover art;
**Stormy Vows**, Iris Johansen, Bantam, 1983, **Pino** cover art

Covers of the Week #21

By jacquelinediaz on August 29, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

This week Sweet Savage Flame is highlighting male cover models! We all know Fabio, John DeSalvo, and Steve Sandalis. But what about other men who modeled during the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s? Looking at these attractive men, we can see how the image of the romance cover hero has evolved throughout the years.

The four men whose artful forms we’re appreciating are pictured on the covers below, left to right:

Chad Deal – Deal posed for hundreds of romance covers in the late 1970s and into the 1980s. Perhaps one of the first cover model icons, Deal had a long and successful career. He posed for twice as many covers with Elaine Duillo as Fabio did ( 40+ vs. 19).

Guy Bishop – This internationally famous model lent his face to countless magazines and book covers. Bishop appeared in glitzy advertisements and walked the runways of Paris and New York, showing off designer clothes.

Mike Dale – Dale has worked for Bantam Loveswept, Silhouette/ Harlequin, Zebra, and many other publishers. His face was ubiquitous in 1990s romance covers, his down-to-earth appeal making him a natural for category romance. A true example of a silver fox, Dale now runs a life management business, teaches yoga, and models for catalogs and fashion magazines.

Covers of the Week #20

By jacquelinediaz on August 23, 2021 • ( 5 Comments )

In 1971 singer/songwriter Carole King wrote the lovely song: “You’ve Got a Friend,” which detailed the lasting strength of love. James Taylor recorded it to great acclaim. Other artists like Dusty Springfield and Michael Jackson would put their own twists on the tune. These simple lyrics always stick with me:

Winter, spring, summer, fall
All you have to do is call…
YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND

The power of love is as old as the Earth and as constant as the four seasons. To live is to love! At Sweet Savage Flame, romance is in the air all year long. So to celebrate, from Monday, August 23, 2021, to Sunday, August 29, our 20th edition of Covers of the Week highlights four beautiful romance covers set during Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

Do you have a favorite season for romance?

springs fury — (From left to right) *Spring’s Fury*, Denise Domning, Topaz, 1995, Pino cover art; *Savage Summer,* Constance O’Banyon, **Zebra**, 1985, **Ray Kursar** cover art; *Wild, Savage Love*, Dana Ransom, Zebra, 1990, cover artist TBD; Bold Breathless Nights, Penelope Neri, Zebra, 1989, cover artist TBD.

savage summer — (From left to right) *Spring’s Fury*, Denise Domning, Topaz, 1995, Pino cover art; *Savage Summer,* Constance O’Banyon, **Zebra**, 1985, **Ray Kursar** cover art; *Wild, Savage Love*, Dana Ransom, Zebra, 1990, cover artist TBD; Bold Breathless Nights, Penelope Neri, Zebra, 1989, cover artist TBD.

Covers of the Week #19

By jacquelinediaz on August 16, 2021 • ( 5 Comments )

Elaine Duillo

Elaine Duillo was the undisputed “Queen of Historical Romance” covers. She was a giant in the competitive field of pulp fiction artwork, where women were few and far between. Duillo painted hundreds of book covers, was an inductee of the Illustrators Hall of fame, and was the matriarch of a talented artistic family. She passed away on July 30, 2021, at the age of 93.

This amazing cover artist influenced generations of illustrators, revolutionized romance cover art, and helped give rise to the pop culture phenom Fabio. Pictured is one of Elaine’s most-loved covers, Defy Not the Heart, and it is also my all-time favorite cover. Although she created many gorgeous stepbacks, or “tip-ins,” as those in the industry called them, Duillo was not a fan. She believed the eye-catching covers she designed for romance novels were meant to be seen, not hidden away. Yes, to that! I say. Those gorgeous jackets should be displayed proudly, not covered like some dirty secret!

We at Sweet Savage Flame lament her passing. Our thoughts and sympathy are with her family. We celebrate Elaine Duillo’s life as she brought much joy and beauty to countless tens of millions of readers worldwide.... Read more “Covers of the Week #19”

Covers of the Week #18

By jacquelinediaz on August 10, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

One of my favorite romance cover artists from the 1980s, 1990s, and well into the 2000s is Gregg Gulbronson. For the week of Monday, August 9 to Sunday, August 15, 2021, we highlight his gorgeous covers.

While Gulbronson remains a mysterious figure (as far as I’ve researched, there is little to no information available about him on the internet), his artwork merits attention and awe. I adore his style, especially his older covers, for which he used an airbrushing technique to add a dreamy effect to the clinches. By the turn of the millennium, he had progressed to digital imaging, like almost all other book cover illustrators. You can find more artwork and information about this talented artist on our Gregg Gulbronson page.

Covers of the Week #17

By jacquelinediaz on August 1, 2021 • ( 4 Comments )

I enjoy playing the game of “I Spy” with my vintage book romance covers. Can you guess this week’s theme? Spot the common thread in the covers, and the first one to mention the correct answer in the comments wins the satisfaction that they were right! 🙂

For the week of Aug 2 to Aug 6, here are some contemporary and historical covers for you to look over and play “I Spy.”

Covers of the Week #16

By jacquelinediaz on July 25, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Wouldn’t it be nice to get away to an island paradise? I thought we all could enjoy a tropical theme for these dog days of summer. To those folks experiencing mid-winter in the southern latitudes, imagine relaxing on the beach like these lovers posing for this week’s romance book covers! For the week of Monday, July 26 to Sunday, August 1, 2021, here are some sexy embraces on sultry beaches. Enjoy! clinch

Covers of the Week #15

By jacquelinediaz on July 18, 2021 • ( 2 Comments )

The Duillo family was filled with artistic talent. There was John Duillo, the great pulp cover artist. Of course, his wife Elaine was a pioneer for women in the field. She not only painted pulp covers but went on to become the “Queen of Romance Covers.” However, did you know their daughter, Melissa Duillo Gallo, was a talented artist as well?

In the 1980s – 1990s, Melissa, who used the surname Gallo after her marriage, was a prolific historical romance cover artist, creating works for publishers such as Avon, Dell, Warner, Zebra, and more. While she and her mother no longer illustrate romance covers, Melissa is still creating art as a talented painter. Melissa Gallo Paints is where you can get access to her current work. I also have a dedicated Pinterest page to her romance covers here.

For a long time, I used to get Elaine and Melissa’s artwork confused, unintentionally mislabelling one of the books below as Elaine’s! Now I can spot the differences between mom’s and her daughter’s work. For one thing, Melissa preferred her models to wear more clothes, and also, she was more conservative with the use of eyeshadow, especially for the heroes! Both ladies, Duillo, collaborated with supermodel Fabio many times.... Read more “Covers of the Week #15”

Covers of the Week #14

By jacquelinediaz on July 12, 2021 • ( 2 Comments )

For the week starting Monday, July 12 to Sunday, July, 18, I thought some Historical Highland romance novels or Scottish-themed covers would be a bonny sight for your eyes to enjoy.

Covers of the Week #13

By jacquelinediaz on July 4, 2021 • ( 2 Comments )

For the week of July 5 to July 11, here are a few Walter Popp romance covers to appreciate. Walter Popp was a fantastic artist, part of the original pantheon of pulp genre masters who would later go on to create covers for Gothic, Regency, Historical romances, including bodice rippers and epics. He was especially prolific for Zebra and Warner Books. In the latter part of his career, he would collaborate with his wife Marie to create beautiful romantic covers that inspire joy and passion.

Covers of the Week #12

By jacquelinediaz on June 29, 2021 • ( 7 Comments )

I’ve been a bit behind things this past week so I haven’t been focusing on the site as I should have. So to make up for it, I’ve chosen a selection of covers by good artists gone bad. These covers have made me smile, laugh, or just raise my eyebrows and wonder what they were thinking. For the week of June 28 to July 4 2021, enjoy this small sample of silly or awful looking covers from romances from four different artists.

#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 looks 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.... Read more “Covers of the Week #12”

Covers of the Week #11

By jacquelinediaz on June 20, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

Morgan Kane is an artist whose book covers range from the pulpy paperback era of the early 1970s to the bodice ripper heyday to series and contemporary romances to Westerns to the big name romance authors of the 1980s and 1990s. A true Renaissance man, his artwork was as varied as his many talents, such as photography, illustrating, ice-skating, and hypnotism! For the week of June 21 to June 27, 2021, enjoy this small sample of Morgan Kane romance covers from multiple categories.

Happy Summer Solstice, or just June Solstice for you folks in the Southern Hemisphere of the world!

(From left to right) *Defiant Prisoner*, Patricia Phillips, Jove, 1978, Morgan Kane cover art; *Wanton Angel*, Linda Lael Miller, Pocket Books, 1987, Morgan Kane cover art; The Lion’s Lady, Julie Garwood, Pocket Books, 1988, Morgan Kane cover art; City Girls Need Not Apply, Rita Rainville, Silhouette, 1997, Morgan Kane cover art

Covers of the Week #10

By jacquelinediaz on June 14, 2021 • ( 4 Comments )

For the week of June 14, 2021, to June 20, we’re looking back over our favorite Harry Bennett covers for Tapestry and Gallen imprints and Pocket Books.

(Left to right) *Whitney My Love,* Judith McNaught, Pocket Books, 1985; *Forbidden Love,* Maura Seger, Tapestry, 1983; Elizabteh Birght, Gallen Books, 1981; Lost Lady, Jude Deveraux, Pocket Books 1984.

Covers of the Week #9

By Blue Falcon on June 7, 2021 • ( 3 Comments )

Take a look and enjoy Blue Falcon’s favorite covers! For the week of June 7 to June 13, we asked our dear friend Blue Falcon to choose his favorite covers for this week’s theme. Thanks to these picks, I discovered a new line, Richard Gallen Books, which preceded the Tapestry imprint for Pocket Books.

(From left to right) *Hearts Surrender,* F. Roseanne Bittner, *Zebra*, 1988, John Ennis cover art; *Passion’s Heirs*, Elizabeth Bright, Gallen Books, 1983, cover artist unknown; *Opal Fires,* Lynda Trent, Gallen Books, 1982, cover artist unknown; *A Taste of Wine,* Vanessa Pryor, Gallen Books, 1982, cover artist unknown

Covers of the Week #8

By jacquelinediaz on May 31, 2021 • ( Leave a comment )

“A bird, bird, bird, b-bird is the word!” For the week of May 31 to June 6, can you spy the birds on these Elaine Duillo and John Ennis illustrated historical romance novel covers? Enjoy!