My copy of Manhandled by E. L. Scobie arrived in the mail on Saturday afternoon. Studly brought the mail in, and I didn’t see the book until Sunday.
Immediately I set about reading this salacious looking novel that was published in 1963, a Midwood Book, by Tower Publications in New York City.
Having read my share of romance novels over the years I imagined this particular book would be tame in comparison to the bodice rippers I’d devoured in my twenties and thirties. I was both right and wrong.
This novel is hardly tame; however, the sex scenes aren’t titillating at all. With one really sweet exception, they’re just sad and tawdry. The front and back covers had more campy sexual appeal than the entire contents of the book combined.
I tried googling Scobie, with no luck, and I’m certain the author used a pen name. This seems to be his/her only published work, but it was, indeed, published which makes me think the author might have been trying a different genre. I’ll give the author this much—he/she wrote lyrically about the beauty of the area in which the book is set.
The book was disappointing. It didn’t make me want to lure Studly Doright to my boudoir for a night of passion, which had been on my mind. Instead, it inspired me to daydream about fishing in a cold mountain stream. And I dislike fishing. Go figure.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Isn’t that interesting. The picture on the book does a good job hooking you into wanting to read more, but now we know that pictures can be deceiving. (We already knew that, but it’s still disappointing)
I’d be interested in getting feedback on some of my steamy scenes, what with you writing similar topics. My email is on my blog – if you’re interested, pop me a line and we can chat there. (PS most of my stuff is short/flash fiction, not endless novels with lots of romantic fluff)
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I’d LOVE to read yours.
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Ok. We should talk. 🙂
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Okay, I can never find a blogger’s email! Maybe because I do all my blogging in my iPhone. Here’s my address: LeslieNoyes56@gmail.com
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I’ll send you some stuff later. Excited!
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Me, too!
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The author must have been so proud. “First Printing Anywhere”….I don’t think I have ever seen that printed on a cover before.
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I wondered about that, too.
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Oh Leslie you did make me laugh.
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Any book that made me dream of fishing would be a mammoth turn off. Sorry to hear you were somewhat disappointed but the cover on the book is worth something at least.
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I’ve gotten three blog posts out of that book, so I guess it was well worth the price.
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I adore the dialogue on the back cover! Just put me right at ease. Now as for the cold mountain stream…seems it IS a book of delight after all. Jimmy Fallon, on a recent show, had a segment called “Books Not to Read.” Or something like that. He asked for viewers to text or email him titles of books not to read for future episodes. You might want to tell him about this one. Priceless.
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Definitely should!
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Haha you always know how to crack me up
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That’s a good thing, right?
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Of course!
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“We aim to please, m’am”? ROFL! Yep, I’ve read some stinkers like that too….
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If the book had kept up that campy lust it might’ve been fun. Alas, it did not.
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😦
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Those covers are so wonderfully kitschy. I’ve never read any of those (and no doubt never will), but I remember my sisters used to buy them. I’d kill for the original printings to sell on eBay, but I suspect they’ve long been tossed — probably by our late mother! 🙂 – Marty
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I’ve been looking on Pinterest at similar smutty book covers. They’re wonderful!
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