NUDE MODEL UNKNOWN

Speaking of books, Paper Trails has been misquoted - or at least misunderstood - in the Arkansas Baptist News.

Arkansas Baptist News is a biweekly publication of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

In a recent letter to the editor, Jeff Edwards of Little Rock rues the forthcoming publication of Suzi Parker's Sex in the South: Unbuckling the Bible Belt.

Edwards refers to our "review" of the book, although our column falls far short of that lofty status. We did not claim to have read the work.

We did mention in passing the book's "steamy cover," which features the provocative, but tastefully posed, bare thighs of a nubile reclining model. Edwards takes a singularly peculiar leap of faith and claims the cover "features a nude photo of Ms. Parker."

Paper Trails never mentioned what was on the cover, let alone that it was Parker. Furthermore, we strongly doubt the graceful gams are the author's. However, in the interest of voyeuristic journalism, Paper Trails contacted Parker and asked if the alluring legs on the book cover were, indeed, hers. Parker's answer whisked us back to our cotillion days.

"Southern belles are taught," she demurred, "that sometimes making a man wonder is more fun than telling him the answer. I'll just go ahead and let you wonder."

Edwards concludes his letter by saying, "Christians should not only not buy this book, they should boycott all stores that carry the book."

Although more prudish than prurient, Paper Trails is at least withholding judgment until the book is actually published.