The Lock

The Lock by Janet Lovesmith (Paul W. Fairman)
published by Popular Library
Copyright 1972

SOMETHING
FROM THE WORLD BEYOND
WAS STALKING
YOUNG LYN COURTNEY -

The lock was huge, rusted, ungainly. It guarded the
tomb that lay behind the old house - the tomb of the
ill-fated Gantry clan. Lyn Courtney, who had come to
work at Gantry Hill, became fascinated, haunted by
that lock. Her fears, her hopes, her fantasies cnetered
around it.

Could it explain the puzzling behavior of good-looking
Christopher Gantry? The mystery of beautiful, volatile
Lila? The invisible creature that even now was stalking
young Lyn? She must find out - if it wasn't already
too late ,,,

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very best in novels of romantic suspense, by the top
writers, greater in length and drama, richer in reading
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"READING FIT FOR A QUEEN"

So, is that supposed to be our heroine on the cover? If it is, isn't Lyn Courtney supposed to be obsessed with a rusted lock? Wouldn't it make more sense to have a big old lock floating above her head? Or, if you really want to sell books, why not depict one of those "fantasies" involving that lock she's been going on and on about floating up there instead? I'm sure that would have all the ladies cat fighting for a copy at Barnes and Nobel.

It really looks like this cover is actually less an illustration of Lyn as it is an illustration of the author thinking about "her" book. As if part of the writing method required Paul W. Fairman to don a long wig and pale lip stain, then to stare off into space and let the story unfold in his mind. Really Mr. Fairman doesn't make a half-bad woman.

If fact, this cover inspires me to write a Gothic novel of my very own. But, being that I see no real point in being subtle, my story would involve the Amityville Horror house, a virginal math tutor and a shirtless land owner with a love of horses and giving presents. Cha-Ching!

Carol, the Pursued & NIghts with Sasquatch

Carol, the Pursued by Katheryn Kimbrough
published by Popular Library
Copyright 1979

KATHERYN KIMBROUGH'S
Saga of the Phenwich Women
CAROL
THE PURSUED

is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of Gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
all exclusively in Popular Library editions.

A captive of a nightmare religious cult - that was the
fate that beautiful young Carol Ingraham fled, as she
fought to achieve her destiny as a Phenwick woman. It
was her parents who first put her in the power of the
Shilohite cult, led by a man who turned his followers
into puppetlike slaves, made every woman an instru-
ment of men's lusts, and forbade all contact with out-
siders. It was a savage attack on her person that woke
her to danger, and a freakish accident that let her make
a break for freedom. It was a Phenwick heir who fell in
love with her, yet could not understand the inner
demons tormenting her or the evil closing in on her.
And it was only her own courage and strength that
could save her when she could fee no more ...

The idea of a crazy religious cult is not new. The idea that a crazy religious cult leader would make all the females in his cult there for his pleasure is also not new. But there are two things that stand out to me. Firstly, a religious cult survivor as the heroine of a Gothic romance book. I have never seen that and I have seen a ton of these. And secondly, that these Phenwick men really know how to pick'em.

So, the question is this , is THAT how a sex slaves dressed in ... um ... covered wagon times? I guess it is a well known fact that school marms are naturally attracted devil cults, so it would have been a logical jump for the artist to take.

Still, there is something wanting in this cover. Perhaps it is the lack of robes.

Now I would like to share another paperback I picked up a few weeks ago for the cover.

Apparently the true life tale of a woman assaulted by a bigfoot, I wouldn't want to belittle the tragedy or her pain BUT I feel the cover artist already did that SO it's now fair game.

If I was ever raped by bigfoot and then wrote a book about it I don't think I would give it such a sexy title. I would go for something more along the lines of "I was raped by a Bigfoot. I swear." And, if I WAS going to give it a sexy title, I would also give it a sexy cover. Or at least have the cover artist make me look hotter than THAT!

Okay, I give you that her make-up isn't smeared at all, which seems unlikely in the circumstances, but that hair is terrible.

Also it looks like the Sasquatch is having trouble holding her. He is a freaking Sasquatch! Aren't they supposed to be as strong as shit? I would want to have glamorous make-up, perfectly wild hair tumbling past my shoulders, and the look of near weightlessness.

Also Bigfoot should be hotter.

Letitia, the Dreamer

Letitia, the Dreamer by Katheryn Kimbrough
published by Popular Books
Copyright 1981

KATHERYN KIMBROUGH'S
Saga of the Phenwick Women
LETITIA,
THE DREAMER

DANCING WAS HER LIKE

Her parents had died when she was young, and Letty lived
with her grandfather (OH, that explains the clothes!) in a
decaying Southern mansion, doing chores, attending ballet
class, and dancing with her friend, Jeremiah.

Though Letty was blind (and again) to the color of Jeremiah's skin,
others were not. Wrongly suspected of an illicit relationship,
Letty and Jeremiah were forced to flee to New York City,
where they were befriended by Letty's cousins. Then they
continued on to Europe, where they would be free to pursue
their careers in the ballet.

For Jeremiah, success seems assured. But for Letty, the
struggle to the top of the dance world promises to be long
and arduous. And now there is a young man competing with
her career, forcing Letty to choose between her one great
love, dancing, and her destiny as a Phenwich woman.

I think Letitia really is a dreamer if she thinks that is a good looking dress. And that open flame! Is she crazy, that lace is apt to go up like tissue paper.

That weird hair style isn't doing anything for her either, except maybe making her head look a little too round.

My vote is for NOT being a wedding dress. No woman, no matter how preoccupied with dance, would care so little about her big day. That is unless it was only a shame marriage for whatever reason, say only marrying to help cover up the sexual orientation of best friend and dance enthusiast.

Joanne, the Unpredictable

Joanne, the Unpredictable by Katheryn Kimbrough
published by Popular Books
Copyright 1976

The Saga of the Phenwick Women
JOANNE,
THE UNPREDICTABLE

is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
exclusively in Popular Library editions.

Joanne was the most stunningly beautiful and danger-
ously wilful of all the Phenwick women. (WOW, that is
really saying something) Even before she reached
the age of twenty, she knew how to be all
things to all men in order to turn them into puppets of
her desire. And from the moment she arrived at Merrihew
Manor, the ancestral Phenwick family estate in England,
she began to cast her spell over everyone from her
elegant, aristocratic cousin, to the handsome, virile
master of the neighboring property, to the worldly,
irresistibly charming man of the theater who was visiting
from London.

Life at Merrihew Manor was a whirling, intoxicating
masked ball of romance for Joanne - until she realized
the occult horror that ruled this ancient place, and felt
the tightening embraced of a satanic force that neither
her beauty nor her guile could disarm or deceive ...

Joanne really is unpredictable if only for the conservative cut of her gown. I would think that in order to wield such incredible power over men, a little more skin would be involved. But what would I know, I mean, If I could turn men into puppets of my desire, I would have the cleanest house EVER!

Olivia, the Tormented

Olivia the Tormented by Katheryn Kimbrough
published by Popular Library
Copyright 1976

Sage of the Phenwick Women
OLIVIA,
THE TORMENTED

is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived -
THE SAGO OF THE PHENWICK WOMEN.
You won't want to miss the others,
exclusively in Popular Library editions.

The ghostly spirit of Augusta Phenwick predicted that
the future bride of handsome, virile Joshua Phenwick
would be named Olivia - but now Joshua was forced to
choose between three incredibly tempting women who
bore that name. One was lovely, aristocratic Olivia
Loring. One was the captivating actress, Olivia Prit-
chard. And one was the breathtaking Italian noble-
woman, Olivia di Luca.

One of these women would make marriage a paradise.
One would make it a hell. One could well turn it into
a grave. But until the terrifying night in an ancient Eng-
lish manor when their true natures were unmasked, each
was a creature of menacing mystery, as against a glit-
tering background of high society and satanic intrigue,
the eeriest and most spellbinding chapter of the Phen-
wick saga mounted to its shattering climax ...

If it were me, I would rule out the chic that would make marriage hell. And the one who would, more than likely, turn it into a grave would definitely be out of the running. So, once again, where is the dilemma? Do men never use logic when picking a woman? Does nothing matter but looks? I mean really, I don't care how good looking a man is, if he is threatening me with a bottle of acid, I'm not going to find him hot.

Louise, the Restless

Louise, the Restless by Katheryn Kimbrough
published by Popular Library
Copyright 1978

LOUISE, THE RESTLESS
is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
all exclusively in Popular Library editions.

On the surface, Louise seemed the most perfect of Vic-
torian young ladies - a beautiful, talented, charming
creature, the apple of her physician father's eye, and a
seemingly untouchable ideal to the young suitors who
flocked around her.

Only Louise knew of the fever that burned in her blood,
turning her life into an inferno of forbidden desire ... for
a handsome, worldly aristocrat with too much sensual
experience and seductive skill to be trusted ... for a
dazzling concert pianist with a wife who refused to give
him up ... for any man who promised to quench the rag-
ging fires that threatened to consume all of Louise's
hopes and dreams. There had been many Phenwick
women before Louise - but none so blessed with every
grace, and so damned by a curse that turned passion to
peril and made love another word for fear ...

Wow, who would have suspected the inferno of lust that could not be doused even by a center part and hood. Looks like the boys in town have really beaten a path to Louise's door by the looks of those ... wagon tracks?

Oh those wacky Victorians! Clearly, Louise just needs to get laid.

Moon Garden

Moon Garden by Jan Alexander
published by Popular Library
Copyright 1972

A STRANGE SATANIC POWER WAS STALKING HER ...

Fleeing from the tragedy of a loved-one's death, beau-
tiful Ellen Miles come to her aunt's Southern mansion to
regain her strength. Although she had only recently suf-
fered a nervous breakdown, Ellen found herself gradually
rediscovering life and romance - drawn to two handsome,
charming men and finding love with one of them.

Suddenly strange, terrifying events began to haunt her.
Were the mansion and its garden really possessed by
some diabolic force from the distance past? Or was Ellen's
illness slowly, subtly returning to poison her thoughts?

No one - not even the man she loved - believed her tales
of terror in the night. Was his affection genuine or merely
a means to keep her silent? Struggling against the dark
powers that engulfed her, Ellen began to doubt her own
sanity ...

QUEEN-SIZE GOTHICS are a new idea. They offer the very best in novels of romantic suspense, by the top writers, greater in length and drama, richer in reading pleasure. Each book is guaranteed to be: "READING FIT FOR A QUEEN"

FIRST TIME IN PAPERBACK

There is something wrong in the logic that would ever bring someone recovering from a nervous breakdown to a dilapidated old plantation house that looks to be sinking into the swamp. The ambience just wouldn't be good for a fragile mind. Neither would a helmet of hair that looks totally too heavy and out of proportion to your head.

And what is up with all these women falling for jerks? Rule number one, if a guy doesn't believe you when you tell him something, he is probably not the guy for you. Rule number two, if you suspect a guy is dating you to "merely keep you silent" , he is probably not the guy for you. Rule number three, if a guy likes hanging out in a dilapidated old plantation house that looks to be sinking into a swamp, once again, he is probably not the guy for you.

Polly, the Worried

Polly, the Worried by Katheryn Kimbrough

published by Popular Library
Copyright 1979

POLLY, THE WORRIED

is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
all exclusively in Popular Library editions.

For many women the Phenwick name seemed a blessing
worth any sacrifice. But for lovely Polly Phenwick, it
was a curse she would do anything to escape. Polly was
born and raised a Phenwick, and from childhood on
every man she loved was struck down by violence and
death. Now when Polly looked into a mirror, she did
not revel in her beauty, but saw it as a trap to lure men
to their doom. Yet still they came, one after another,
refusing to heed her warnings and her pleas. How could
she save them? How could she save herself? As love
turned to self-loathing, the sighs to shudders, Polly
desperately tried to flee her Phenwick fate - and found
herself at the gates of a living hell...

"Soon to be a major TV series"? I would have totally watched that show! But I can't seem to track down if it ever actually came to be. Either way, apparently Katheryn Kimbrough's Saga of the Phenwich Women was a popular series, numbering at least 35 books (number 35 being Letita, the Dreamer) that I am aware of and inspiring an one online fan club here.

Winter Castle

Winter Castle by Alexandra Bel-Robere
Art by Vic Prezio

published by Popular Library
Copyright 1972

WHO - OR WHAT HOLDS YOUNG FREYA CAPTIVE IN THIS ANCIENT CASTLE?

Vinterborg (Winter Castle) stands high on a perilous
cliff, overlooking a deep, swift-running and dangerous
fjord. According to legend, a Viking king had build it as
an abode for the Gods.

Now, it is a hotel where the orphaned American girl,
Freya Clinton, has come to work as hostess and tutor
to the little son of its mysterious English owner.

But there are sinister things about the place: madness,
hidden danger and a dark unspoken secret. Freya is
aware that some great force - human or supernatural -
is holding her prisoner for its own evil ends.

QUEEN-SIZE GOTHICS are a new idea. They offer the very best in novels of romantic suspense, by the top writers, greater in length and drama, richer in reading pleasure. Each book is guaranteed to be: "READING FIT FOR A QUEEN"

FIRST TIME IN PAPERBACK

Reading fit for a queen? How exactly does one go about judging that? I would have to believe that they would have to have had a queen on the payroll.

Okay, so this is quite possibly the greatest Women Running for Houses art I have ever seen. It is without a doubt my favorites cover. My copy of this book has nearly all of the signature cropped off. The name appears to start with an R or a B. But I have not been able to track down the artist. If you recognize the artist please let me know.

Millijoy, The Determined

Millijoy, the Determined by Katheryn Kimbrough

published by Popular Library
Copyright 1977

MILLIJOY,
THE DETERMINED

is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
all exclusively in Popular Library editions.

From the moment beautiful young Millijoy Gray came
in contact with the proud Phenwick clan, she knew she
would do anything to become a Phenwick woman.
What matter if her birth was clouded in mystery? What
matter if her childhood had been spend in torment? (really?)
What matter if now her sensual attractiveness and fiery
temper caused whispers of scandal wherever she went, (yes, had nothing what-so-ever to do with her widely know promiscuity) and led her into dangers no proper young woman
should have to defy?

Millijoy's first step was to become a Phenwick servant.
Her next was to gain intimate knowledge of the Phen-
wich secrets and the Phenwick shames. (haha!) So far she was
on the path to personal triumph-until she moved into
the power of a Phenwick man whose lust matched her
ambition, and whose evil was far beyond her expe-
rience and control...

Good lord - that is just hysterical! I promise to read this one. Check back for my review.

Olga, the Disillusioned

Olga, the Disillusioned by Katheryn Kimbrough

published by Popular Library
Copyright 1980

The Saga of the Phenwick Women
OLGA,
THE DISILLUSIONED

Olga Duvan was blessed with delicate beauty (and a name as sturdy
as a truck), but cursed by recurring heartbreak. On a night of sinister
fog she barely survived a ferryboat tragedy, only to lose
her beloved fiancé to the merciless currents. By a stroke
of fate, roguishly handsome Jeremy Pendergast, friend
and associate of the mighty Hayden Phenwich, was her
rescuer.

But Jeremy was overcome by a strange spell of debauchery
and dissipation (much like Dr. Halpheneffer, PhD), and
eccentric, headstrong Hayden Phenwich beckoned
to him darkly from the shadows.

The shattering upheaval of the San Francisco earth-
quake sealed Olga's fate forever - as a Phenwich
woman. Yet one more ordeal was to follow, a test of
love and courage more final and more terrifying than
all that had gone before ...

As you can see, this cover is a little bit of a twist on the "women running from houses" traditional format. Here we have a look of concern (of disillusionment) on the face of our female fleeing either a looming boat, a sky grown angry or perhaps even a large number of birds. And while we don't know (yet) what Olga seems to be afraid of we do know that it doesn't appear to be getting her old lady dress wet.

Jane, the Courageous

Jane, the Courageous by Katheryn Kimbrough

published by Popular Library
Copyright 1975

The Saga of the Phenwick Women
JANE,
THE COURAGEOUS

is one of the spellbinding novels in the greatest
series of gothic romances ever conceived.
You won't want to miss the others,
all exclusively in Popular Library editions.

When young, breathtakingly lovely Jane Munsk
was adopted into the Phenwick family, she was told
she should be grateful for the gift bestowed on her.
Now the motherless girl would bear the proud
Phenwick name, and be heiress to the Phenwick
wealth, power and position.

But from the moment the great doors of Phenwick
closed behind her, Jane realized how perilous her
new place in life would be. For in this home of
many secrets and dark violence, she was a puppet
in the hands of the tyrannical mistress of the manor
-and enslaved by a helpless passion for the hand-
some, haunted man who was her brother in name
only, and who led her down a twisting path of
danger to the ultimate betrayal of her love...