What's Tara Chevrestt's Favorite Book?



My favorite book? I've read so many books in my lifetime, I cannot possibly choose one, but I did manage to narrow it down to three titles. But each title has something in common: the heroine is afflicted with something that makes her different from mainstream society, and she struggles above it, doesn't let herself be beaten down. These stories touch the deepest part of me because I have been there. I'm a hearing "impaired" woman who grew up in a hearing society. So these stories touched my soul. I understood, laughed with the characters, cried with them. And when they met their HEA, I felt deep inside, "There's a HEA for me too. I just have to find it."
And I did find it: I'm home thanks to my wonderful, generous husband, pursuing my dreams of writing, with three gorgeous little dogs by my chair.
But back to the books:
The Tailor's Daughter by Janice Graham. Victorian England, a girl deafened by illness. She dresses as a man, takes over a tailor shop, fights society with silent refusal to back down. And she doesn't give up on finding love either.
The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin. She was a mere two foot, eight inches, but the heroine has a big heart. She hurts when people make fun of her, look at her funny, ostracize her, and most of all, as a "disabled" person, I understood her feelings of discomfort around "her own" kind. It's possible to be judged by "your own" as well and to be put off by stereotypes. But it's up to you if you fit in the stereotype or not.
Molokai by Alan Brennert. The heroine has leprosy and is exiled to an island full of others with affliction. It's a life of heartache and pain, but you know what? She finds happiness, true love, and in the end; would she change it all for anything the mainland has to offer?
All were beautiful stories that touched me deeply. Are you different? Do you have a "disability?" Are you impaired? Who cares. There's a HEA for you too.
And I tried to show this in a book of my own, as well. In A Facebook Affair, I have a young woman, hearing "impaired," looking for love despite the fact she's slightly scarred by her past. People haven't always been kind to her. I hope that Kelly's story opens up some eyes and minds to the plight of those suffering disabilities.
What book has touched you?
***
Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married.
Tara also writes as Sonia Hightower. Sonia writes the racy stuff and argues that she was here first. She just wasn't allowed to be unleashed until the last year.
While Tara and Sonia continue to fight over the laptop and debate who writes the next book, you can find buy links, blurbs, and other fun bits on their website: http://tarachevrestt.weebly.com/index.html or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Chevrestt-Sonia-Hightower/218383211513877.




Comments

  1. HI, I really loved the concept of your Facebook affair novel. Even if someone dosen't have a disability life can be cruel for any number of reasons. But love can and does prevail. I also like that you've had such a varied background. Pretty impressive base to draw from when writing.

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  2. Thank you, DJ. You're right. I have drawn from my background/experiences many times. :)

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  3. This is just a really good blog. I have to say, as an author, I find that I am most touched by books that some how hold a piece of me somewhere in the story. Something I can seriously relate to. It draws me in with a feeling of familiarity. Sometimes of course, you need a change from who you are and it's those books that I am swayed to because I am looking to be anyone but me. I don't know about you, but sometimes I picture the heroine as myself as I'm reading. I'm looking for that escape. The entire Fallen Series by Lauren Kate just pulled me in every emotional direction. LOVE IT! And of course The Twilight Saga, just sank into my soul. Again, when I'm writing, you can always find bits and pieces of myself here and there in the characters. One particular book I wrote, releasing this coming March, The Purple Heart, bares my entire soul throughout the pages.

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  4. Hi Tara! Stopping by to show you some love.

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  5. Thank you for your lovely comments. :)

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  6. Tara, A Facebook Affair looks so interesting! As a person with a disability (I have Spina Bifida) I wish there were more books out there featuring heroes or heroines with disabilities they wouldn't magically be cured of by the last page.

    I wish there were more romances with disabled characters in particular. I can and do enjoy romances with "normal" characters. Because, of course, that's what's out there. I wouldn't be much of a reader if I didn't. But, in books, I would like to see people like me have their happily ever after.

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