When fans of romance illustration hear the name "Elaine" they generally think of Elaine Duillo, one of the premier paperback cover artists of the 20th Century. But there was another illustrator named Elaine who is just as skilled and awesome as Duillo, and she too painted hundreds of magnificent romance covers.
Her name was Elaine Gignilliat.
Gignilliat (pronounced Jen'-a-lat') started out as a fashion illustrator in Atlanta and New York before entering the paperback field proper in 1974. She quickly established herself as a remarkable and capable illustrator of historical romances, earning immediate praise from industry insiders, among them the legendary Bantam art director Len Leone, who called her a "big hitter with exquisite taste."
Gignilliat also found time during her career to produce a substantial amount of advertising art for a variety of clients such as Delta Airlines, Dewars, Readers' Digest Music, Paramount Pictures, T.V. Guide, The Bradford Exchange, The Danbury Mint, and The Washington Post Weekly Magazine. She even produced some sexy poster art for the adult film Industry--all tastefully done, I should add.
This is the earliest of my Gignilliat covers. So Moses Was Born by Joan Grant was published in paperback by Avon in April, 1977 (copyright 1952). It was one of three books in Grant's Far Memory series to feature Gignilliat's outstanding artwork. English born Joan Marshall Grant Kelsey (1907- 1989) considered herself a reincarnationist, and claimed to have lived at least forty times before her current existence. She used the term "far memory" to describe her ability to remember previous lives and so her novels, in essence, were not novels at all but remembered realities, or as she preferred to call them, "previous life autobiographies."
"He was the Pharaoh, greatest of all men-- symbol of omnipotence to the people of Egypt-- but even the mighty Ramoses wanted to be loved as man, not as Pharaoh. So he indulged his fiery passions with 28 virgin concubines, until, as the surging Nile was rising, fate brought him the love of a common Hebrew girl, a love that began in innocence and swelled to ecstasy. And in the shadow of a coiled golden cobra, their child was born, one whose name would ring in the hearts of man long after all the false temples had turned to sand..."
Lord of the Horizon was published by Avon in November, 1977 (copyright 1944). It's the third Far Memory novel by Joan Grant to be graced by Gignilliat's artwork (the very first was Eyes of Horus, published by Avon in early 1977, just prior to the above featured titles. I'm still hoping to find a copy of that edition for my collection).
"In a land still veiled by the darkness of godless depravity, the young princess was to be the Pharaoh's bride, and to bear the son who would light the way to Egypt's rebirth. Yet her heartless mother had taught her nothing of womanhood, but only of the ways that love could be twisted, and power stolen for personal glory. When at last the Pharaoh came to this bride in the soft silence of the night, it was as though a curse had descended on their embrace. Nor could he stir the fires imprisoned in her soul, until that curse was broken-- when at last, impassioned lovers, they would wake to the radiant dawn of Egypt's new age."
River Witch featured yet another of Gignilliat's outstanding river-boat themed wraparound illustrations. Jove published this paperback in November, 1979. Felicia Andrews is actually a pseudonym, one of several that acclaimed horror writer Charles L. Grant used to author books that fell outside of his preferred genre. As Andrews, he published seven historical romances, which accompanied the more than 100 other books he either wrote or edited before a heart attack struck him down unmercifully in 2006 at the age of 65.
"A Barefoot Temptress: Raised to be the finest pilot on the Hudson, Manda Franklin had lost her heart to a high-born beau who left her and her well-loved father to this cutthroat enemies. Now this raven-haired beauty would fight back-- and even the honey-tongued gambler who loved her could not stop her headlong passion for revenge."
Here's an attractive scene from Gignilliat, on Moon Witch, yet another of Charles L. Grant's historical romance novels written under his pseudonym, Felicia Andrews. Jove published this paperback in August 1980.
"Amanda Munroe. She was known as "the witch," riverboat captain, gambler's wife-- but most of all, as the independent beauty whose sharpshooting exploits set the frontier aflame... Now widowed and wealthy, her heart turns farther West, to the wild San Francisco of the 80's, and the charm of Trevor Eagleton, the taunting wheeler-dealer she must possess. But desire has its price, and soon her affair with Trevor drives her deeper into a dangerous labyrinth of deceit where an old, deadly enemy lies waiting for revenge, and to a rendezvous where destiny shimmers beneath the moonlit Wyoming sky."
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Click on this cover to better appreciate the colorful detail of the Gignilliat's marvelous costuming--it makes you want to step right into the scene, something that today's soulless, photo-and-digitally-derived romance covers don't allow for. Silks and Sabers by Laura Parker was published by Dell in 1980. It was the debut novel by Parker, who has since been named a Legend of Romance and awarded a Pioneer of Romance by the Romantic Times.
"He had saved her life. She owed him everything. But Gweneth Valois swore she would rather be savaged by pirates than rescued by Captain Raoul Bertrand, the man who had killed her brother, captured her sister, and expected Gweneth to pay her debt--with gratitude. Had she escaped the terrors of the Revolution only to be trapped in hell on the high seas? From war-torn France to far Tortola, from the crumbling Old World to the lawless New, Gweneth brought a fiery temper, an iron will, a ready sword, and a heart inflamed-- against the handsome adventurer who had vowed to tame her and take her for his own!"
Gignilliat did her usual, stunning job for The Devil's Love, producing a wraparound illustration that came complete with a masted ship and a waterfall. Dell published this novel in March, 1981. I could not find any online information about the book's author, Lane Harris, or even if he/she wrote any additional fiction. The copyright page credits Monica Harris but there's nothing online about her either, other than the fact that there was a young, pioneering associate editor with that name who was also working at Dell then.
"She was a fever raging through his blood. Christina-- untamed, unpredictable, utterly captivating. She was determined to live as free as the wind-- yet fatally bound to the one man whose passion could imprison her forever. He burned like a flame in her heart. Kade-- a handsome privateer. The banished son of a Scottish earl, he roamed the seas, thriving on danger and the intrigue of a turbulent age. From her lush Caribbean paradise, Christina fled to the dazzling salons of Paris. But Kade had vowed to pursue her across the world... to maker see that at the end of her perilous journey lay the ecstasy they were powerless to resist and a glorious destiny forged by... THE DEVIL'S LOVE."
Reagan O'Neal is the pseudonym of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., who also uses the better known pseudonym Robert Jordan, an author name that is succinctly associated with the bestselling, twelve-volume Wheel of Time fantasy series--now stretched to fifteen books by fellow writer Brandon Sanderson after Rigney's premature death in 2007. The deeply religious Rigney, an Episcopalian, was also a history buff (as denotes his interest in writing historical romances), as well as being a devout fisherman, chess player, sailor and pipe collector.
"From the shores of Tripoli to the burning of Washington, from the Louisiana Purchase to Aaron Burr's Empire of Mexico, to the War of 1812, Robert Fallon-- bastard son of wealth-- takes part in all the momentous events of his time. But for Robert Fallon affairs of state are only the beginning of the story. There is Louise de Chardonnay, her elegant French mistress; Catherine Fallon, his disturbingly sensual half-sister; the sinister and seductive Cordelia Applegate; and ever present, in the shadows, the dark menace of the Fourriers-- the aristocratic family that will stop at nothing to destroy Fallon Pride."
Another wraparound cover by Gignilliat, showing yet another masted ship in the background. Dell published Oriana in November, 1981, one of three historical romances that Janice Young Brooks and Jean Brooks-Janowiak wrote under the pseudonym Valerie Vayle. Janice Brooks is better known by her other non-de-plume, Jill Churchill, and under that name she published 23 cozy mysteries, many with clever literary punning titles such as Grime and Punishment, Silence of the Hams and A Farewell to Yarns.
"Oriana--delicate silver-haired sprite. Born of the Viking princess, she braved the icy seas in her father's ships with a spirit no man could match. Only an adventurer as bold as Gaerith could claim her heart, command her body, possess her soul. Their entwined destinies swept them across oceans to the exotic Caribbean colonies, into London Society, and into the perilous heart of battle to fight alongside legendary Celtic warriors for Scotland's honor and glory. Oriana--daughter of the wild waves. She would know the ecstasy of passion stolen in the heart of danger, the searing pain of separation, and the burning sweetness of eternal love."
"Faith Eliot came from England to the South Carolina plantation of Havenhurst to find out the truth about the mysterious death of her twin sister, Fleur. But when she arrived, she could feel Fleur's spirit come alive-- within herself. No longer was Faith the shy creature so very distant from her irrepressible, insatiable twin. She felt Fleur's power over men becoming hers, she felt Fleur's burning needs. Handsome powerful Brad Alleyn and elegant, sophisticated Alexandre Rochforte both were eager to possess her, just as they had Fleur-- and Faith could no more deny their hungers than she could her own. In all innocence, Faith had entered her sister's world of divided love-- and darkest danger..."
Gignilliat didn't always illustrate historicals; Reflections, a contemporary romance, was published by Harlequin in 1983. Nora Roberts, a household name to most readers, was the first writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. She has written more than 225 novels, (her best work, in my opinion, falling under the pseudonym J. D. Robb), and in addition to being a perennial bestselling New York Times author in romance, adventure and crime, she is also the recipient of numerous fiction writing awards.
"A lifetime of dedication to dance has left ballet teacher Lindsay Dunne with little time for romance. That is until she meets Seth Bannion, the guardian of a talented young dancer in her class. Lindsay finds herself attracted to, and distracted by, the brooding architect. and when they clash over their hopes for the girl's future, Lindsay winds up on the receiving end of a lesson in the art of love."
Devil's Daughter should have been renamed "The Golden Couple" to better honor Gignilliat's beautifully rendered wraparound cover art. Signet published this paperback in May 1985. New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter has written more than 85 novels, most of which are historical and contemporary romances, but she's also written dozens of entertaining suspense and investigative procedurals. Her first novel, a Regency romance titled The Autumn Countess, was published in 1978, and her latest, Vortex, an FBI thriller, will be on sale in August, 2021.
"His imperious blue eyes raked over her trembling body. She had never imagined that Kamal, the savage sultan who dared make her a harem slave, would look so like a blond Nordic god. She had never dreamed that the warm, exploring touch of his hand could bring such moans to her lips and rob her of her will... He was aflame with urgent desire, and he knew he would take by force what he longed to win by love. Her golden loveliness had conquered his very soul, but her cruel taunts stung his fierce pride. Now her sweet essence, her tantalizing nearness, ignited his need for her to yield her ripe innocence to him and him alone..."
It's high flying romance by Gignilliat for the cover of Some Distant Shore. Pocket published this paperback in September, 1985. Lynn Erickson is a joint pseudonym used by the writing team formed by Carla Peltonen and Molly Swanton. Since 1980 the duo have written more than 50 novels, mostly historical romances and suspense thrillers, with the last one published in 2004. Both writers appear to be retired now and living life to the fullest here in the mountains of Colorado.
"London 1917... A time of forced gaiety and weary patriotism, when the specter of war was a constant shadow. Into this volatile world came Emily Baird, a gently-reared New England beauty who defied her parents to become one of the valiant nurses on the front lines. Soon she would leave for France, but first there was to be one last London party. There, amid the swirling elegance of velvet gowns and dashing uniforms, Emily heard a deep and resonant voice that spoke to her very soul. And Captain Anthony Dunbarton, the Earl of Clare, knew in one splendid moment that he had waited all his life for the proud, vibrant Yankee. Together they found a private world, a tender place of laughter and love. But their fragile haven vanished in the tumult of war... and Anthony's devastating secret threatened the glorious future just within their grasp, on... SOME DISTANT SHORE."
Gignilliat sure gave this blonde hunk (Richard Banks) his share of modeling opportunities! And can anyone blame her? The Gathering of the Winds was published by Signet in December, 1988. June Lund Shiplett (1930- 2010) wrote fifteen historical romances, eight of which were part of her bestselling Winds series. She also taught writing for many years at the Lakeland Community College in Kirtland, Ohio, and was a charter member of the Romance Writers of America.
Here's a grand glimpse by Gignilliat into the ultra romantic world of the Regency Period, on Joan Smith's novel, Lover's Quarrels. Fawcett Crest published this paperback in September, 1989. Joan Smith is often referred to as the "Canadian Georgette Heyer," a compliment of the highest order. She's written over a hundred books thus far, most of which are in her debut choice of genre, the Regency, but she's also written contemporary and historical mysteries and even a few gothics. In fact, nearly all of her novels have some element of mystery or suspense in them, making them all that much better to read.
"Jane Halsey decided it was time to stop her girlish daydreams and face reality. She had to find a rich husband to end the financial woes plaguing her sister Belle and herself. Lord Romeo, an ardent lover of all things Grecian, vowed the moment he saw Jane (whom he promptly renamed Athene), to marry her. That was precisely what his brother, Lord Renfrew, wanted: a practical lady of good conscience to wed his eccentric brother. Jane, however, had no interest, classical or otherwise in the incorrigible Romeo. Renfrew was her ideal. The drama unfolding was both a comedy and a tragedy. And how she yearned for a romance!"
More elegant, Regency themed dancing by Gignilliat on the cover of the The Love Match (check out the expression on the woman at the far right!). Fawcett Crest published this paperback in 1990. Marion Chesney is the maiden name of the pseudonymous mystery writer M. C. Beaton, the celebrated creator of both the Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series. Beaton, or rather Chesney (married name Gibbons), wrote nearly a hundred Regency romances, many under other pseudonyms, before turning exclusively towards mystery. In that genre alone she wrote more than sixty novels before passing away at the age of 83 in 2019.
"By day she championed women's rights, but by night she dreamed of romance. No young lady was more devoted to the teachings of that infamous bluestocking Mrs. Waverley than her adopted daughter Felicity. However, unlike her mentor, she vowed to stay unmarried and true to the cause. In fact, she was the secret author of a scandalous new novel-- the tale of a lady "rake" and her romantic exploits. Unfortunately, there was one titled gentleman who learned her identity and grew intrigued with the headstrong young lady who was taking the town by storm. With the handsome marquess spurring her on, Felicity would soon learn that real life could be infinitely more interesting than mere fiction... "
IT WOULD appear that Elaine Gignilliat passed away in 2015, at the age of 87, but her estate still has an active website (romancebookcoverart.com), where you can discover more about her career and even order prints of her work. There is also a great section where you can see the fascinating process, from start to finish, of how she creates a book cover. For illustration nerds like me it's invaluable. You can also see photographs of her stately home in Georgia, built and designed by her to provide stylish, comfortable living--and of course to showcase her fabulous paintings in the grandest way possible.
[© March, 2021, Jeffersen]
