Guest Blogger: Has from Bookpushers

by sue on Sep.18, 2009, under Book Chat

The accident that temporarily robbed Blake Remington of his ability to walk also took away his will to live. It would take a woman whose soul was as paralyzed as his body to make him care again.Dione Kelly was Blake’s last chance. She knew that, and she knew the challenge his case presented. But what she didn’t realize was that, in healing the broken man he had become, by helping Blake to rediscover his strength, she would expose her own painful vulnerabilities and start to heal herself.

Bestselling author Linda Howard beautifully examines the dark anguish of loneliness in this moving, heart-wrenching and ultimately resounding novel about faith, trust and the miracle of love.

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Disability in Romance.

All of us at some point in our lives will encounter or be linked with people who will have some form of a disability - whether it’s physical, mental or emotional. I personally have a disability and it has, in many ways, shaped and affected my life and experiences. So when I read a romance that has disability as a trope, it always touches me more deeply than other books that do not feature it. Some books have provided an outstanding representation of living with a disability, while others totally failed as they didn’t capture or reflect those issues realistically for me.

Disability in romance, in whatever shape or form, illustrates the struggles and obstacles that the characters have to endure and learn with in their lives. I remember reading ‘Lie with Me’ by Linda Howard, which was my first romance that featured a disability trope. There was the hero, Blake, who lost the use of his legs due to a climbing
accident and the heroine, Dionne, who came out of an abusive marriage which had left her with psychological and emotional scars. I loved the fact that both Blake and Dionne helped each other overcome each of their past problems, by using their own insights and experiences they gained, by learning and surviving through the most difficult times in their lives. It made their romance feel more real and it was also one of the first times I had encountered characters that had disabilities.

It was also the first time I had read a book that made me see that disabled people could fall in love, and have a happy ending, without feeling depressing or patronizing to me. Although looking back, I would probably feel different now because it had a few clichés, but to a fourteen year old, it was fantastic to read and experience something really positive via these characters.

Reading ‘Lie with Me’ made me realise that romance, as a genre, can cross all boundaries and social issues, and transform negative elements into a positive light, which made me fall in love with the genre even more. Doing it the right way, with an emotionally or physically handicapped hero or heroine, can bring out the best responses in this particular trope.

For me, one of the best books involving a disability has to be ‘The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie’ by Jennifer Ashley, which I adored!!! It has definitely become a personal favourite due to the unusual but memorable hero with Aspergers syndrome. Ian is an emotionally scarred hero due to the repercussions resulting from his Aspergers syndrome, which resulted in his incarceration in an asylum because of his perceived ‘madness’. And because of the misconception of his disability, he is suspected of being a murderer.

Just like ‘Lie with Me’, the hero and heroine are both able to accept and love each other - despite outside prejudices and persecution. One of the main aspects that I loved, was the love shared between these characters. It is a true love story that isn’t dictated by the time period, and knowing that Ian will always have to live with Aspergers, which can’t be glossed over and magically cured satisfied me.

I think it was the first time in reading romances, that I actually felt that disability wasn’t idealised, which is a pet peeve of mine about this trope. It also, in many ways, freed Ian from societal restrictions at the time and that made their love story more captivating, because it is a struggle to battle prejudice and ignorance. But with Beth and Ian, it didn’t matter because they both accepted what they had together - while the people around them were actually handicapped by rules and mores, which I found ironic.

I hope in the future there will be more romances with disabled heroes
or heroines in the vein of ‘The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.’ Characters like him can truly convey a genuine love story and make it real for a reader. And for me it is one of the elements that is the heart of romance: acceptance, passion, trust and love. I think the disability trope, if it’s introduced right and well written, will always appeal to romance readers. Disability in its many forms affects all of us in some way. Reading about characters who are damaged and physically flawed in some way adds an extra element, an element that, when they finally reach their HEA, means you can close the book with the message that love and hope can really conquer all.

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23 Comments for this entry

Leslee
September 23rd, 2009 on 3:36 am
Great post! Loved Ian!!!! I couldn’t put the book down. I don’t know that I read Come Lie with Me which is strange cause I thought I had read all of Linda Howard’s stuff. I will have to check it out. There was an old series romance (maybe Candlelight) where the hero was in a wheelchair. He was very matter of fact about things. The heroine was under the impression that he was impotent because of some things that were said and actions on the part of the hero. I read it years ago and thought it was good. I thought it really showed how a disability changes your life but doesn’t end it.

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Appomattoxco
September 22nd, 2009 on 8:29 pm
Great post! For a book that treats a disability as something other than a source of never ending angst try “Reversing Over Liberace” by Jane Lovering. It doesn’t focus on hero’s disability but does show the problems he has in realistic way.

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Ridley
September 22nd, 2009 on 1:10 pm
Personally, I’d like to see a romance that treats physical disability as no big deal. It’s usually treated as this overwhelmingly negative source of angst, and that’s just not the reality in my experience. There’s still plenty of opportunity for conflict - inaccessibility issues, the able-bodied person’s misconceptions, job discrimination - without going down the pity route. No one’s life is perfect and humans are amazingly adaptable.

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Claire
September 19th, 2009 on 3:45 pm
Romance books that successfully incorporate disability are often the most powerful and amazing.

Just like how many actors/actresses get Oscar attention for depicting disability, authors that can do it well always get my applause.

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e_booklover
September 18th, 2009 on 11:43 pm
What an insightful post. I enjoyed reading it and also the comments as people recommended other books that fit in this category. I have read and enjoyed both books you reference and look forward to trying some new ones. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.

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katiebabs
September 18th, 2009 on 3:46 pm
A great romance with the heroine who has a disability and is in a wheelchair is Catherine Anderson’s Phantom Waltz. If you haven’t read that book, I definitely recommend it along with Annie’s Song by the same author. The heroine in that historical romance is death and deals with the aftermath of rape.

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Tammy D.
September 18th, 2009 on 3:43 pm
Wonderful lovely blog. I enjoyed reading it and all the comments. I’ve read most of the books mentioned but found a few I’ll now be looking for. I especially agree about Catherine Anderson’s handling of disabilities in her stories - her heroes/heroines come across very real and she tells their story with such grace and beauty. Stories like these done well are such a gift to any of us with disabilities, who may struggle with self esteem and confidence; you realize love and romance is possible and can happen with the right person.

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Janet W
September 18th, 2009 on 3:24 pm
I have on my shelf or have read almost every book mentioned: one of the best things about Book Chat is the opportunity to re-visit old faves.

How about “Simply Love” by Balogh? Sydnam* Butler is terribly wounded eye/arm missing but his heroine, Anne, is wounded inside: they make a marvelous couple and their journey to love is not instantaneous either.

* apropos of nothing, I prefer names I can spell too!

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Bev Stephans
September 18th, 2009 on 2:55 pm
AztecLady did a review of “The Hearing Heart” on the Karen Knows Best Blog. It’s available as an ebook from Liquid Silver.

This is about a deaf man in the hearing world of 1902. The schoolteacher is teaching him how to read and sign. Of course, the town feels that this hearing-impaired man is way beneath the teacher and warn her several times. AztecLady does a much better job with the review, but this is in keeping with this blog post. I’m reading the book right now and it’s very good so far.

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Sarah
September 18th, 2009 on 12:14 pm
Has, your post rocked. So well done. And I agree with you: when the disability isn’t magically cured with the Powah of Luuurrrrve, the story maintains so much unforgettable depth long after you finish it.

This entire comment thread is going to break my credit card into itty bitty pieces as I shop.

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Leontine
September 18th, 2009 on 11:19 am
What a wonderful post HAS! And Annie’s Song is one that sits on my keepershelf, such a poised and incredible story. The impact of it also lies with the fact that she is deaf and how she explores the world…and with the right man romance can blossom. And Lord Ian MacKenzie has been one of my favorite historical romance’s this year. His disability adds such depth to him even though he imitates emotions.

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Keishon
September 18th, 2009 on 11:03 am
Excellent post, Has. One book that came to mind that handled disability really well was the late Sandra Canfield’s NIGHT INTO DAY. The heroine was struggling with debilitating Rheumatoid Arthritis. The author herself had RA and really gave readers a bit of insight into what life is like for people with RA

The romance was nice and I liked how the author showed that the hero did take the time to examine what a relationship would be like with someone with a disability and made the decision to be in the relationship with someone with a disability. Of he course made some bloopers but in the end, the romance and the book as a whole was a wonderful read. It was a keeper for me.

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sue
September 18th, 2009 on 9:22 am
RE: Hi, Sue - I was wondering - who won the $100 gift certificate thru Brenda Novak? I could not find the posting.

Thanks,
Pat L.

OOOPS! Will be posted Sunday — thank you!!!

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Kathryn Smith
September 18th, 2009 on 9:07 am
Ditto here on what a great post! I think these stories can be very, very powerful when done right. I’ve never written one because I’m not sure I could pull it off.

I remember reading a Super Romance years ago with a paraplegic hero and I absolutely loved it. Wish I could remember the title.

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jane
September 18th, 2009 on 8:43 am
What a great, great post Has. I love these tropes when done right for exactly the reasons you state. One that I remember was an MS book by Sally Mandel, Out of the Blue. The heroine has MS and feels like she would never have a fulfilling relationship with another person but not only finds someone, but is not left alone to face her disease.

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Arlene Medder
September 18th, 2009 on 8:37 am
Lord Ian’s book rocked. There have been a few, well-written disability stories.

There was a charming short story written as an email exchange between an architect and a landscaper (I think)working together long distance. I remember that they were both involved in designing homes & businesses.

He was a recent paraplegic due to a climbing accident & as we found out at the end of the story, she’s blind. He was suffering from the ‘active man trapped in a wheelchair, img my life is over’ stage of his recovery and she was reluctant to reveal her disability because it would change how he saw her.

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CaitLondon
September 18th, 2009 on 7:58 am
I believe the first book I read with this was Jayne Ann Krentz’s The Pirate, a Dell Candlelight release way back when. The hero had an arm prosthesis. It made an impression because back then, it was the first I’d read of its kind. If I have those facts incorrect, someone please correct me.

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Angelique Richardson
September 18th, 2009 on 7:52 am
I love the blog post today. These kinds of stories appeal to me because the characters aren’t perfect. They are flawed just like real everyday people (perhaps just more visibly) and it is great to see the characters overcome their emotional insecurities to find love. Catherine Anderson’s book series about the Coulters are great examples of this style of romance. I own all of them and love re-reading them.

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Stacy ~
September 18th, 2009 on 7:05 am
Wonderful post, Has. I haven’t read that book by Linda Howard, but I now want to. I remember a book by Catherine Anderson, about a deaf heroine whom everyone thought was a half-wit but it was because they didn’t realize she couldn’t hear. The hero figured out that she was deaf, and he began to really “see” her, and they fell in love.

It was a good reminder that there are a lot of special people out there, and that disabilities don’t necessarily hold someone back, but can actually show how much someone can accomplish in a challenging situation. The heroine learned to adapt, and that wasn’t an easy thing to do at that time period.

I also loved Jennifer Ashley’s book. It was a wonderful story.

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Mandi
September 18th, 2009 on 6:59 am
Great post Has!!

I loved Lord Ian, what a great story. Mary Balogh wrote Silent Melody featuring Emily Marlowe is deaf and mute and I adore that story. I can’t think of any others off the top of my head at the moment. Again, lovely post:)

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Kristin Smith
September 18th, 2009 on 6:16 am
I second the Ashley book, great, unique read. I also enjoy Catherine Anderson’s books. My favorites are ‘Phantom Waltz’ (heroine’s in a wheelchair) and ‘Annie’s Song’ (heroine is deaf). ‘Keegan’s Lady’ is also fabulous and the heroine was abused by her father & raped by someone else.

As far as heroes and disabilities go, I tend to prefer facial disfigurement and psychological trauma. One of the best books I read was ‘Lord of Ice’ by Gaelen Foley. I actually suffer from PTSD myself and Damien’s symptoms were very realistic.

I guess, in short, I prefer my heroines sound in mind and my heroes mostly in one piece!

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Pat L.
September 18th, 2009 on 4:57 am
Hi, Sue - I was wondering - who won the $100 gift certificate thru Brenda Novak? I could not find the posting.

Thanks,
Pat L.

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Pat L.
September 18th, 2009 on 4:52 am
I enjoy reading these types of books; it is a romance so there is always a hea. Diana Palmer did one I believe with a blind man, Blind Promises??? Also read several where hero was injured and the heroine was his therapist/savior. Also Catherine Anderson’s Phantom Waltz was fantastic - she had a few others where heroine had health issues.

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