The Literary Side

Outside of politics, Combs published her first and only romance novel in 1990. A Perfect Match told the tale of Ross, the bodyguard, and Emily, the cryptanalyst from the National Security Agency who knows too much. Combs earned $6,000 from Meteor Publishing Corp. for writing lines like: "He could feel her mouth and hands tormenting him, as he struggled for control." In 1995, while a member of the Texas House, Combs said: "There's hope yet. I want to write a whole bunch of books."

In addition to the lines from her books, Combs has offered up some memorable quotes. In 1992, discussing the 1990 gubernatorial race, she noted that "Ann Richards was obviously the smarter candidate, but I voted for Clayton Williams because I hoped that he was stupid as opposed to misguided." Now that's a dyed-in-the-wool Republican.

Rylander's foray into the publishing world came in 1985 with The Mayor's Diet: How to Lose 80 Pounds in Seven Months, Conversations With Carole Keeton Rylander. The book, which was actually written by former Austin American-Statesman columnist Ellie Rucker, contains daily meal plans and helpful tips like: Eat slowly. "I eat too fast," Rylander told Rucker. "If you slow down -- and fancy it up, put a little parsley on the plate -- you feel like you have more to eat." -- R.B.