I have to say I have never yet read a novel in which there was any kind of suggestion by the primary character of, ‘I’m beating you because I love you.’ This may be (almost certainly is) because I don’t read ‘romantic’ fiction. It comes as rather a surprise that this exists. But given that it evidently does, the following blog post (excerpt below, click the link for the whole thing) has to be welcome:
I was recently given the chance to review an ARC of a historical romance by a semi-known author who will remain nameless. Great, fabulous. I couldn’t wait to read the book and break down it’s hero for you here at The Naked Hero Blog. And I’m going to do that. But not in the way that the author, the hero or I expected. Because quite simply this author made me realize something about myself and caused a fundamental shift in my romance reading habits.
I am taking a stand in 2012. I will no longer read books by authors who write heroes that beat/abuse/or rape women because they love them. Not just that book. Any book by that author. Because I won’t help someone who makes a living off of violence toward women. This is my line in the sand and I refuse to cross it. And if it cuts my list of authors who should be read by 90% then so be it.
“I’m beating you because I love you” is a common trope that needs to die. And we as authors and readers need to be the ones that kill it. Because violence against women isn’t about love. It has nothing to do with love. And the women who find themselves in this situation—fictional or otherwise—don’t need to “love harder to save him” they need help and protection. They need a way out and the chance to be safe.
Now historical romance buffs are going to freak out on me. “But it was different back then in XYZ time period. It wasn’t considered wrong to hit your wife. Domestic abuse wasn’t something people worried about back then.”
