February 16, 2008
How perfect should the H&H be?
Written by Cindy Kirk in Jaunty PostThis week I read a book where one side of the heroine’s face had been burned/disfigured in a fire. A friend was telling me about a book she just read where the heroine was blind.
It got us to talking and me to thinking about what I usually like to see in a heroine. Normally I like heroines to be smart, witty, strong and pretty. Although I loved the book I just read (Rainbows End by Irene Hannon), I’m not normally into heroines who are disabled or physically flawed.
Please don’t throw anything…
I have great admiration for anyone who struggles with any challenge. But I read for escapism…I don’t want to worry about the hero or heroine in a cruel, often insensitive, world.
What about you? And if you’ve read and loved a book with a disabled/physically flawed hero or heroine, I’d love the title and author!!
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Margo Maguire Says:
Cindy, I’m with you. I like to escape when I read. I can’t even read a book with a super-alpha hero without thinking that he may seem macho and cool now, but just wait until later, when the heroine has to deal with him day-to-day. It’s not gonna be a HEA in the long run.
Amy Says:
Celeste Bradley has a character named Ren Porter that is disfigured, but I am having trouble finding if he has a book of his own or not. He is a character that I adore, and I would LOVE to see him with a heroine that can love hime for who he is. He was a spy hurt in the line of duty, and with som many of our service men being hurt today, how can you not incorporate that. Anyway, that is one sorta book that I know of.
Amy
ladydawgfan Says:
In Gayle Callen’s “The Viscount in Her Bedroom,” the hero, Simon Wade, is blind. The book is absolutely wonderful!!
Another amazing book with a blind hero is Teresa Medeiros’ “Yours Until Dawn,” one of my favorite books.
Books I’ve enjoyed with physically flawed heroines include:
“Speak Only Love,” by Deana James where the heroine is mute.
“Again the Magic,” by Lisa Kleypas where Aline the heroine was burned in a fire.
I know that there are others in my collection since I have been reading romances for many years. I guess what I am saying is that I like to read about heroes and heroines with flaws and normal features - those who don’t fit into the standard “she was the diamond of the ton” persona or “he was so handsome he made all the ladies sigh when he walked down the street” type. Normal life just isn’t like that, and although I know that these are books that we are reading, occasionally I do like to read about someone who has a freckle or wears glasses or has a scar or something else about their features that they cannot control or change.
Cindy Kirk Says:
Ladydawgfan
What a great list of books!! Thanks so much foe sharing!
Cindy
Shana Says:
It’s all about the writing. I have loved books where the hero or heoine wre physically or mentally or emotionally scarred, and I have read some where it bothered me. That was mainly because I felt the disfigurement was a marketing tool, rather than an honest attempt to show a hero or heroine who is not perfect–as none of us are.
Virginia H. Says:
Try Joanne Sundell’s A…My Name’s Amelia. Its about a girl that could hear or speak. I enjoyed the book.
Cindy Kirk Says:
Virginia,
Thanks for the tip….I’ve added the book to my list!!
Cindy
Rebekah Elrod Says:
I have read plenty of books were the hero is disfigured in some way, but not he heroine. I don’t mind the hero for me that adds to the sexy factor. But as for the heroine I’m not sure. I’m with you I read to escape from my reality every once in awhile ( ok that is a lie I escape all the time). Sometimes I like a little bit of reality in my stories and sometimes I like time so far fetched it isn’t funny. But I guess that I would have to read one of those books to see if I would or wouldn’t like them.
Cindy Kirk Says:
Rebekah,
I’m with you…it has to be well done or it’s not for me.
Thanks for posting!
Cindy