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by Terry Spear, guest blogger
I work in a library, and recently, we’ve had a lot of middle-aged women coming in looking for Zane Grey novels. Normally, it’s just a bunch of old guys who love reading the westerns. So I was curious as to what this was all about.
Now, originally, the books were serialized in a paper, and the Mormons edited out all the sexy stuff. I didn’t know the old westerns had anything wild in them, except maybe gunslingers and Indians. So when the patrons were looking for the unabridged books, not the censored ones, I had to ask, “What is the difference?”
The ironic thing is these patrons normally would not read a hot, sexy romance. So why are they now dying to read a very old western that has a lot of sex in them? Now I haven’t read them so I’m going by what our manager says about them. It’s just about the sex, not romance.
But in MY books, sex is not what makes the story, even though mine are sexy. It’s about the characters and how they care about each other. It’s the LOVE, ROMANCE, and PASSION.
The physical attraction, and for my werewolves, like the ones I feature in To Tempt the Wolf (in stores now!), the scent of the individual—since they’re based on real wolves—is what begins the interest in each other. Whether they fall in love during the course of the story, or it’s love at first sight, we still need a lot of conflict to impede the journey of their making a commitment to each other by the end of the book.
The passion between the characters, even if it’s a sweet romance and there are shuddered looks—but the interest is definitely there—is what makes for a romance.
And the commitment to each other shows the love between two people.
I thought the women who were checking out the Zane Grey novels were picking them up for their husbands to read. Now I know better. 
And when the books are turned back in, I’ll have to check one out and see for myself what they’re all about. The researcher side of me, you know.
But I thought it was an interesting commentary on readers. That those who wouldn’t be caught dead reading a romance, want to read something with hot sex in it. Give me a romance any day where men and women struggle through a myriad of difficulties, but throughout that time, they share a passion for one another, and in the end make that commitment for all time.
So if you like THAT kind of story, join me in a sizzling romance where love and passion between werewolves rule the day!
And you can find me here if you want to join me:
- www.terryspear.com
- http://twitter.com/TerrySpear
- http://www.facebook.com/terry.spear
- http://www.myspace.com/terryspear
- http://www.terry-spear.blogspot.com
- http://casablancaauthors.blogspot.com
- http://www.wickedlyromantic.blogspot.com http://shapeshifterromance.wordpress.com
So my questions are: Have you read Zane Grey’s novels (or novels that are solely about sex)? And what makes a couple’s romance real?
Terry Spear
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”
To Tempt the Wolf—In Stores September 1
In this third in the series, wildlife photographer Tessa Anderson must prove her brother innocent of murder charges. But when she discovers a gorgeous naked man barely alive on her beach, she's got a new world of troubles to deal with, not least of which is how he affects her with just a look, a touch, or a whispered word.
Hunter Greymore is a lupus garou, a grey werewolf. Hoping to keep a low profile at Tessa's cabin on the coast, he's drawn into her life—and into her bed. His animal instincts war with his human half, but in the end, the only thing he can do about this fascinating, adorable woman is to leave her forever —unless she becomes one of them.
About the Author
A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, award-winning author Terry Spear has an MBA from Monmouth College. An eclectic writer, she dabbles in the paranormal as well as writing historical and true life stories for both teen and adult audiences. Spear lives in Crawford, Texas. Her 2008 Sourcebooks Casablanca release, Heart of the Wolf was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. Destiny of the Wolf and To Tempt the Wolf are in stores now, and more are on the way: The Legend of the White Wolf (February 2010) and Seduction of the Wolf (August 2010). For more information please visit www.terryspear.com
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Guest Blogger, Paranormal, S-U, Werewolf, Western
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17 comments ↓
I have never read Zane Grey, my grandfather did and a friend of his (that I know for a fact). I’m pretty sure they were the edited versions. Cause hey, there are unedited versions?! I had no idea.
I have read stories with sex tossed in. Eh. I prefer romances, too.
I haven’t read any Zane Grey novels, but I know my grandfather does. Infact, almost every time I go to the library to get something for myself, I ask him if he’d like me to pick him up something.. he usually says “No” then two seconds later “Well okay, give me this this and this.” But now that I know about this.. well, I might have to get myself one, just to read it for… research, yeah!
And I will admit to reading books that are just sex. I used to work at a library, and they did have some erotica books, and other such ones, and whenever they came in, I would check them out, because they seemed interesting.
But I do prefer romances. All of my favorite books are romances, and yes, they do have sex in it, but they have a storyline. They have romance, passion, and LOVE.
Thanks for the cool post!
Morning Glow
Hi Terry,
#1 1st & foremost, thank you for your service to our country, your service gave peace of mind to many Americans; so thank you for that.
#2 I’ve never read any Zane Grey novels, but my curious cat ears are up now.
#3 I think what makes a couple’s romance real is the empathy factor: does the hero care about what happens to the heroine in the story and vise/versa.
#4 I like romance for the emotions it ellicits from the reader, especially after reading the HEA–it brings a smile to my face & I feel happier.
#5 I love the cover for “To Tempt the Wolf” absolutely breathtaking!
Isabel, too funny about your grandfather. Are you SURE they were the edited versions? LOL
Morning Glow…now we know why all these grandfatherly types are reading Zane Grey!!!
My grandfather was sooo proper…so when my father discovered he was reading Playboy Magazine, he said, “I imagine you like them for the healthy looking girls in them.” My grandfather was a doctor. He said, “Well, the articles are very well written.” Then he gave my father a small smile and added, “The girls are very healthy looking.” LOL
Woohoo, thanks so much, Susan!!! I really appreciate your comments! When I’m not reading and the other women return their copies to the library, I definitely will have to see if it’s true about Zane’s novels.
And I so agree–the cover is beautiful!
I like a good romance of any kind. It’s the challenges the hero and heroine have to overcome to be together that most intrigue me. OF course I love alot of well written spice thrown into the mixer to stir it up. I’ve read some romantica and erotica. It bores me quickly.
Now, I know why my grandpa had so many Zane Greys on his book shelf. And my, my , was my Grandma surprised one day when she found a stash of playboys in the Barn. She said, ” I was wondering where that old fool was getting all those crazy idea’s”. LOL!!!
My grandfather read quite a few Zane Grey books, and he turned out all right! As a matter of fact, he was a very special man. I have been meaning to read some of his books. I love Westerns, something passed on to me from my grandfather. My whole family watched shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza and The Big Valley. The great thing was that we watched them together with much enjoyment.
The characters and the story line should dictate the sensual/sexual content of a romance book. There is quite a difference between romance, erotica and just outright graphic sex. To each his own. There is something out there for everyone! gcwhiskas at aol dot com
We used to talk about that, Virginia, how there seemed to be a swing from everything western, to everything cop shows, then to everything paranormal. I loved 310 to Yuma when it came out. It was nice seeing a western like that again.
Donna, I had to laugh out loud about the playboys in the barn! I missed your comment somehow! LOL!!! Made my day!
Well I never read any Zane Grey but I just put it in my list to get from the library (boy I didn’t know I was missing this). I do read books for the sex sometimes. I just recently finished the JR Ward brotherhood books and I did like the sex in those (there was a story too but the sex was really the hook to me.). Your book sounds great boy I’ll have to pick up the first two in the series.
LOL, Chris, I think I encouraged more interest in Zane Grey than anything. But research can be fun.
I’ve read a variety of romance genres and have become more selective… just too many forgettable ones that just focus on the sex. I read romance because it’s the best therapy really.
*imagines little old ladies giggling at the library, looking for Zane Grey* Haven’t read Zane Grey myself but that’s an interesting factoid.
I’ve tried books where the story revolved around sex, but I find I need a plot that makes sense and characters I can root for. And I can’t say exactly why I love werewolves, but I am a sucker for a good werewolf romance!
Etirv, I’m absolutely with you!!! I want romance! I want HEA!
Patti, LOL, yeah, it’s fun!
I’m still waiting to see one of them come in to tell me what she thought of it! 
I agree with you! And lots and lots of interviewers ask me “Why werewolves?” And all I can is they’re only human too!
Or, mostly! 
Well, kind of, and deliciously wolfish too.
I never read Zane Grey but I have read novels that are solely about sex..LOL
I think the action of the couple makes them real to me.
I love werewolves (there something about alpha males that I love). I also LOVE reading romance novel because I when I read I’m escaping reality.
I haven’t read any Zane Grey, but maybe I should. LOL. I love werewolves because there is something dangerous about them. That would automatically make them the bad boy.
I have not read any Zane Grey, but I now plan too. I love werewolves because they have that whole Alpha Male thing going and that is incredibly sexy!!
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