Bloggers at Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books have accused popular romance writer Cassie Edwards of plagiarism in a number of her tomes, including Savage Longings, Savage Moon, and Savage Beloved. Among the accusations of Edwards — who, it may surprise you to know, often writes about the lustful dalliances of Native American characters — is that a description of black-footed ferrets in last year’s Shadow Bear was lifted nearly word-for-word from a 2005 article in a quarterly magazine published by green group Defenders of Wildlife. “I’m glad that our magazine has inspired others to write about endangered wildlife,” says Defenders editor and ironically named Mark Cheater. “But I’d like to note that our articles are copyrighted, and those who wish to reuse parts or all of these stories need to seek permission first.” Edwards, with a heaving bosom, has said she wasn’t aware she needed to credit her sources.
