Cartland Steamed Over Hot Pictures

LONDON Romance writer Barbara Cartland is aghast that Russianpublishers have spiced up her coy novels by adding erotic pictures.

"They are cheap, disgusting and appalling con-tricks," theprolific British author said of the pirated hardback editions.

The books, with pictures of pouting nude women on the coversand inside, are being snapped up by Russians who expect a saucy readbut instead get tame tales of romance full of glances and odd kisses,but no steamy encounters, the British newspaper People said Sunday.

"They must think that the only thing that sells is hot sex, butthey are wrong," said 92-year-old Dame Barbara, step-grandmother ofBritain's Princess Diana.

"I'm very upset because I am trying to help young people to getaway from this type of sex and back to romance."