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I PICKED up a used copy of The Bride of the Wilderness by Charles McCarry (Signet, 1989) because I liked its cover art depicting the Yellowstone River Falls in Wyoming. Yellowstone happens to be my favorite National Park (in other words, it's the NP I would choose to revisit against all others). However, the artist wasn't credited. But, after some browsing online, and practically by happenstance, I found an image of the original painting. Its color was deeper and darker in tone than what was reproduced on the paperback and it was almost like seeing the work of some great nineteenth century landscape painter like Albert Bierstadt or Thomas Moran. To say I was impressed is an understatement.
The artist's name is Heide Oberheide. Born in Canada in 1957,
Oberheide now lives in the United States with her husband, the fine arts
portrait painter Geoffrey Geary. There's very little information about
her artistic accomplishments online but I'm pretty sure she has an
extensive resume of produced book covers, although over the last couple
of years I've only had time to look once in a used bookstore, and what
I've found there were mostly romance covers. They're posted here along
with a few examples of other covers that I found online. It is also known that Oberheide produced collector
plate art for The Bradford Exchange.
"Fanny Harding, a half-French, half-English beauty, comes to the
Connecticut wilderness at the dawn of the eighteenth century. Pursued by
enemies of her family, kidnapped by Indians, and threatened by dark
dangers lurking in the vast forests of the New World, she embarks on an
epic journey of suffering and courage through the raw primitive land.
But Fanny's voyage ends in a love story of great tenderness as she
discovers her destiny in Philippe de Saint-Christophe, a young French
soldier whose courage and daring and passion for Fanny must compete with
his loyalty to his family and his allegiance to France. In this tale of
passion, death, betrayal, and the triumph of love, Charles McCarry has
written a rare novel that lives on in the imagination long after reading
is finished."
Amorelle is an excellent example of just how skilled a realist painter Oberheide is. This is absolutely flawless work, as good as I've ever seen from anyone. Amorelle by Grace Livingston Hill was published in paperback in 1989 by Living Books, an imprint of Tyndale House, a Christian based publisher of fiction and non-fiction.
Grace Livingston Hill was a prolific writer with over 100 novels published, and half as many short stories. Her themes were centered around Christian faith, good vs evil, and romance, and she built up quite a fan-base before and even after her death in 1947 at the age of 82. Hill also wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald. Amorelle was first published in 1934.
"George Horton was handsome and wealthy, and he had all but swept lovely Amorelle Dean off her feet with his unexpected marriage proposal. Amorelle accepted, but as time passed she became more and more doubtful. Could they really be happy when George, for all his words of love, didn't seem to know or care about Amorelle's thoughts, beliefs, or innermost feelings? Then, as if in answer to her prayers for guidance, Amorelle unexpectedly found herself sharing a wonderful day with another man. A man who seemed to speak the language of her heart. Now she knew what true love could be---and what she must do. But was it too late to change her mind?"
Oberheide's "stroll in the meadow" has never looked more appealing from anyone else. The Girl in the Woods by Grace Livingston Hill was published in paperback by Living Books in 1989. It was first published in 1942.
"Shocked by the news of his father's plans to remarry, young Revel Radcliffe flees to the woods he loves, hoping that tranquility will bring peace to his troubled soul. But his sorrowful contemplation is disturbed by the appearance of a lovely young woman who has come to the woods to pick flowers. Gently she reaches out to offer Revel comfort and the gift of faith. Separated now by miles and years, the memory of his sweet encounter with the "girl of the woods" brings Revel the courage to face a frightening and uncertain future---and the promise of love that can overcome his past."
I believe my wife still has one of these classic spotted dresses hanging in our closet. The Ransom by Grace Livingston Hill was published in paperback by Living Books in 1989. It was first published in 1933.
"It was their stepmother's death that brought Christobel Kershaw and her younger brother Randall home at last. But the large elaborate mansion chosen by their deceased stepmother didn't really seem like home. And their father seemed different too---so tired, so weighed down. Christobel wondered if there was any way they could help him. Could they start over again and become a close, loving family? Slowly they learned to trust and love each other. Then, just when it seemed the were indeed becoming a real family, disaster struck! Randall---young, impetuous, Randall who was just beginning to understand what true manhood meant---was kidnapped. Would they be able to come up with the ransom? and would the be in time?"
Should've worn sensible shoes! Patricia by Grace Livingston Hill was published in paperback by Living Books in 1992. It was first published in 1939.
"Patricia Prentiss has nowhere to turn. Since grade school she had admired John Worth. He was always kind and ready to protect her from the advances of the rich, spoiled Thornton Bellingham. But suddenly John disappears and Patricia is faced with the worst predicament in her life---she is being forced to marry Thornton, of all people! Where is John when she needs him the most? Then Thornton arranges a gala dinner party, setting the stage for forcing Patricia to agree to the wedding and announce their engagement. Patricia prays for a way to escape and for John's swift return. Will he make it in time?"
"Maggie, almost 13, is visiting her father, his young wife, and their new baby during her summer vacation. At the lake near their rented cottage, Maggie observes a great blue heron. She identifies with the solitary bird, then makes the startling discovery that someone is trying to kill it. While grappling with this mystery she must also deal with strange new conflicts in her family."
Oberheide has her metaphor flying in the upper right corner. Blue Heron was published in paperback by Avon Camelot in 1992. Avi is actually Edward Irving Wortis, a Newbery Award winning writer, but Avi is the name he uses both professionally and personally.
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle was published in paperback by Avon Camelot in 1992. This historical novel by Avi was a Newbery nominee. Oberheide may have produced additional covers for Avi and Avon Camelot, but the above two are all I could find on short notice.
"An ocean voyage of unimaginable consequences... Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty. But I was just such a girl, and my story is worth relating even if it did happen years ago. Be warned, however: if strong ideas and action offend you, read no more. Find another companion to share your idle hours. For my part I intend to tell the truth as I lived it."
Golden hair for a golden day! Fortune's Journey by Bruce Coville was published in hardcover by BridgeWater Books in 1997. Coville is the author of more than 100 children's books, representing different reading levels and genres. Some of his books have some incredible cover art, but none necessarily better than Oberheide's.
"The year is 1853. Bravely carrying on the work of her late father's acting troupe, young Fortune Plunkett is leading the group west on a wagon train bound for San Francisco. It's a journey fraught with danger and disaster---as well as unexpected discoveries for the members of the troupe."
"This is the tale of a love that shattered a world, between a woman destined to be queen and the young man who stole her heart with the magic of his music. Rahike was Young Mistress of Naramethe; an exotic land of spice and wine where women ruled and men lived at their pleasure. Mairilek was a humble potter, beautiful, graceful and strong, who defied custom to play the music forbidden to men, and loosed the poser of the ancient sleeping gods upon the earth."
Oberheide created a gorgeous, full wraparound illustration for Parke Godwin's Arthurian novel, Beloved Exile (Bantam, 1984), which unfortunately I'm lacking an image of the back cover; but it does show Camelot perched magnificently on a cliff overlooking the sea.
Harold Parke Godwin (1929-2013) started out in life as an touring actor, then switched to writing, publishing nearly two dozen novels and just as many short stories. His novella The Fire When It Comes won the World Fantasy Award for Best Novella in 1982. Beloved Exile was the middle section of an Arthurian trilogy that began with Firelord (1980), and ended with The Lovers: The Legend of Trystan and Yseult (1999).
"Few legends have clung to our hearts as closely as that of the magical age of Camelot. Now, this age is brought to stunning life in one of the most dramatic portraits of the great queen Guenevere ever created. Guenevere: brilliant leader, shrewd schemer, compassionate ruler, heartless tyrant, lover, warrior, slave---and always a queen."
"King Arthur is dead. Surrounded by traitors and usurpers, Guenevere must defend the empire. Aided by Bedivere, Gareth, Lancelot and others from Arthur's reign, she strives to settle her uneasy nation. But when faced with unthinkable treachery, Guenevere is swept into a life she never understood--driven to the depths of servitude to a bold Saxon thane who is unaware of her true identity. He is an idyllic dreamer with a magnificent mind so like Arthur. Through him, she will discover more of humanity than she ever imagined. She will toil for him, take up arms for him and challenge his ver soul with her indomitable spirit. and infinite mystery. For she is Guenevere: brilliant, shrewd, passionate, bold--and always, always a queen."
Child of the Northern Spring is another entry in the 'Guinevere' sweepstakes, or is it 'Guenevere'? Persia Woolley's novel was published in paperback by Pocket in 1988. This cover also has a full wraparound illustration by Oberheide, which I'm aiming to find a copy of for my collection (same goes for the Godwin novel).
Persia Higman Wooley (1935-2017) spent eleven years writing and researching her Guinevere trilogy. Child of the Northern Spring was published first in hardcover in 1987, followed by Queen of the Summer Stars (1990), and then Guinevere: The Legend in Autumn (1991).
"In an age alive with portents and magic, a spirited young beauty rode out of the rugged Celtic lands to wed the great warrior king, Arthur. Now, at last, Guinevere herself unfolds the legend. Born a princess, raised to be a queen, Guinevere traveled the length of England protected by the wise enchanter Merlin. As Britain struggled out of a long darkness, scattered armies raised the cry for war and old gods challenged the new in combats mortal and immortal. And Guinevere encountered her destiny in the fabled dreams of her king. She would reign as High Queen of all Britain, but her most perilous adventure was yet to come... the journey from royal innocent to passionate lover."
"Mi-sa, the shaman's daughter, was born under a shooting star and inherited his magical gifts. But she was misunderstood by her clan and feared as a spirit of the Darkside. Enduring hatred and hardship, her courage gave her strength to seek her destiny that would change the fate of her people."
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