the 20th anniversary of President George H. W. Bush signing the American Disabilities Act.
Do it by reading a romance with a hero or heroine who has a disability. Now, I admit to not being able to think of any heroines that might fit, but I do know of a hero who does, actually two.
Elvis Donnelly, from Susan Andersen's Exposure, has to be one of my all time favorite heroes. He's gorgeous, sweet, and I adore him. Elvis was concerned about how Emma [heroine] and her daughter would see him, being imperfect, and that made him even more endearing to me the reader.
So, it shouldn't suprise anyone that, when give the chance to write about an Ancient Greek mythological figure - I chose Hephaestus. He may have been physically deformed in the texts, but I gave him a fabulous stick, and a sexy stride in Hephaestus Lays Down the Law.
Can you think of any other wonerful romantic heroes that have a disability that we should read? Inquiring minds want to know.
UPDATED 7.28.10
Well, that will teach me to not open my mail as soon as I get it. Last night I opened the September 2010 issue of RT Book Reviews and on page 10 is a "Trend Watch" article called 'Unconditional Love: How heroes and heroines with disabilities are winning readers' hearts' by Liz French. Great read and at the end is a reading list broken down by challenges faced. Blindness-Eyesight, Deaf-Mute, Mental Disability-Head Trauma, Scarring-Amputee-Disfigurement, Lameness-Limp, and Paraplegic-Wheelchair. It was cool to see titles and/or authors Sherry and Diana both mentioned. There were even a few others I'd read and hadn't remembered the challenge being present. Is that a good thing or not? I'm not sure. I didn't make any effort to hide Hephaestus' issues, but neither did I write it so that was the main focus of the story. It will be interesting to see how I approach the same issues next time [already in progress]. Actually, the bulk of that story is written - an erotic contemporary shapeshifter - and the physical challenges the heroine faces are there, but again, not the thrust of the story or even the romance, simply a part of who she is and unique challenges she faces.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Today is a day to celebrate...
Posted by Tilly Greene at 9:28 AM
Labels: Ancient Greece, disability, Hephaestus Lays Down the Law, Tilly Greene
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4 comments:
Let me start by saying that Exposure is one of my favorite books ever and I've read it over and over. I fell in love with Elvis he was such a wonderful character. Here's a few that I've read by Amanda Quick- Deception the hero Jared had a eye patch and Surrender the hero Lucas had a limp,Jayne Castle - Affair of Risk the hero Garrett has one eye and Gentle Pirate the hero Simon has a hook for an hand,in Diana Palmer's Wedding in White the hero Matt lost a eye. It's been a while since I read these books but I loved each and everyone. Here's a couple of my favorite books with women that are disabled Marjorie M. Liu's The Fire King the heroine Soria lost a arm and in Danielle Steele's book Palomino the heroine Samantha is paralyzed(the book is so much better than the movie). I hope this is what you wanted.
sstrode@scrtc.com
That is exactly what I was looking for, Sherry! Sadly, I've read the Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, but I didn't remember the heroes being disabled - not like Elvis has stuck in my head. Fawlty memory strikes again. Now, Palomino, I do remember reading, although I didn't this morning. That was the last Danielle Steele book I picked up and I can't tell you why, other than it didn't leave me with a happy feeling.
I'm putting Liu's The Fire King on my must read list. Thank you!
OMG!! Palomino was one of my very first romance books that I can remember when I hit the "adult tension" of things. I still have my copy!
I know what you mean about the ending. It faded into a HFN ending. There was no definition to it. I can't recall if I've read more of hers since or not. (The book centered around horses and being my early teens, it was a no brainer. LOL)
Wonderful post to share, Tilly! A little reminder of the good things that come from politics (*cough*) doesn't hurt.
My suggestion is one by Linda Mooney. CHALLAH, book 4 of her Runner's Moon series. The Hero, Compton, was wounded in battle, and still manages to win the girl.
Another would be IT TAKES A HERO by Lynn Lorenz, another wounded in action military man. Two distinct stories, though so worth the read. (Note: HERO is M/M)
And add me to the "loved Hepheastus" groupies. LOL
HA! Yes! Romance and horses, a definite solid yes for girlies coming of age :-)
Faded is the perfect word for how it ended - I remember feeling the "what, that's it?" at the end. It should have had an Affair to Remember happy ending.
I have Linda's JEBARAL just not read it yet - must do it so I can read Challah! I'll look into Lynn Lorenz's as well.
I have a feeling Hephaestus wouldn't know what to do with us groupies :-)
Hugs darlin'!
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