The leading ladies and gentlemen in these love stories have already been swept off their feet by disability, join them as they release the brakes on love.
Accessible Love Stories features six tales of wheelchair-bound characters and the people who fall in love with them. Get caught up in the love and passion of couples facing challenges, taboos, and social pressures. These tales tackle a wide spectrum of couplings and characters that will be sure to capture reader’s hearts.
Authors include Christy Leigh Stewart, Ruth Madison, Jess Gulbranson, Amanda Dier, DC Graham, and Esther Day.
This book was my brain-child that I approached the newly forming Good Mourning Publishing with, and it was selected as the publisher's first release! I'd like to thank them, the editor Amber Dearinger, and all the other authors involved
The idea for this book came after numerous discussions about how disabled people, mainly people in wheelchairs, were depicted in fiction. No one was happy with it. I was dedicated to the idea of a romance anthology based on this type of character written by writers of different genres and varying points in their careers; writers who are disabled people, able-bodied people (those not disabled), and devotees (those with a fetish for disabled people). I also wanted a spectrum of romances featuring heterosexual couples as well as gay and lesbian ones...I'm proud to say my vision was achieved.
If you do read the book, please give it an honest review. If you love it, good. If you hate it, good. It was created as a response in this ongoing dialoged of literature, romance, disabilities, and diversity; your opinion matters.
I also hope it inspires you to write your own stories with disabled characters. If you think "I want to try this" or "I can do this" or "I can do a better job than this" do it! Write, publish, and tell me about it so I can get a copy.
*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS* Usually when I read an anthology I only read the story of the author I know and that's it. This time, however, I read the whole book. I intrigued by the theme of the book-- the leading characters were all in wheelchairs, it was unlike any book I've ever read before. I enjoyed the first story "Bad Hotel Art" alot, it was one of my favorites from the book. It had a funny real-life kind humor to it. I also liked how I got to see the perspective from both Abott and Ophelia, it made the story well rounded. I enjoyed this story to point where I did't want it to end. The second story, "Meet Cute" is a very cute love story that made me smile alot, it was fun to see their romance blossom over time. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The next story "To Stop Now", confused me. I understand this is a snap shot of a life or a story, but it just depressed me. I suppose this story is just not for me. To each their own I guess. On a positive note, this story was well written and easy to visualize. The story itself just left me feeling sad, which may have been the intent, but I don't like to feel sad. The fourth story "Fire on Babylon" was a very interesting story. It was nice to see Lisa and Susan's relationship grow and the story added depth with side storylines of the man who caused Lisa's accident, Susan's brother joining the army and struggling with his sexuality. I teared up when her brother died. This story is probably on the borderline for being considered a short story as it was much longer than the rest, but I enjoyed the whole thing. On a side note, I don't understand the title to this story. The fifth story "Why Not?" was another favorite from this anthology. I just loved this story. It had a nice twist to the friendship-turned-romance kind of story with the addition of custody of the unknown nephew caused by the death of his unknown sister. Very cute story. I loved how this man in a wheelchair was so independent and didn't need help with anything until this child, and then had a hard time asking and receiving help. The last story "On Saturday Afternoon" was a good story. It was cool to see the main character, Em, come out of her shell finally after living a life of being invisible and igniting her fire. I enjoyed all the stories, and keeping in mind this is the first book published by this publishing company, I say job well done! Can't wait to see more from Good Mourning Publishing!
I really enjoyed Accessible Love Stories. Each story features a character in a wheelchair, and whether gay or straight, their stories of love are honest, real, and human. Each author gives us a glimpse into her/his world, into a new perspective, and into a unique, thought-provoking story.
Already a fan of Christy Leigh Stewart's, I was swept up by the tale she wove in "Bad Hotel Art". Her writing always makes me smile. Another favorite story was "Meet Cutie" by D.C. Graham. I not only enjoyed the solid writing, but weeks later, I'm still thinking about the ending. Another favorite was "Fire on Babylon" by Amanda Dier. Her characters drew me in and made me care about their happiness. Truly, each author in this anthology brings something special.
The characters in Accessible Love Stories have challenges that many of us never think about because we haven't had to do so. I love that this book was published and I hope that it is followed by many more books like this that include wonderful, interesting people that we don't always meet in books. Kudos to the authors and publishers. Bring on the next book!
A very original well written thought provoking read. I am a big fan of Christy Leigh Stewart, so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. I was not disappointed. This is a book of short (love) stories told through the voices of disabled people, with emotions and feelings. It brought knowledge to the reader of a little bit of what it feels like to live life in a wheel chair. It shows the reader that "disabled" people are just regular people, not delicate flowers or an injured puppy to feel pity (for them). Each story shows how a non-abled person can and does lead a normal life, filled with love, romance, and lust as well.
I loved this concept, Ms. Stewart introduced me to new Authors, who are just as talented and who just happen to be disabled them-self. I hope to see more from these Authors, I am sure as I write this Christy is working in her next masterpiece.
This is a compilation of various stories containing protagonists that are disabled. I only read one of the stories in this compilation; "Fire on Babylon". I was hoping to see how the author portrayed a relationship with a disabled person, knowing that it involves a plethora of emotions deeper than most can fathom. The story seemed to just scratch the surface for me. It didn't really explore the feelings of guilt and inadequacy etc that often have the disabled often pushing others away. AND, at the end of the story, the protagonist becomes more able-bodied (the power of love?) It seems like a romance that just happens to have someone disabled, and just didn't ring true enough for me. I still appreciated the story, it was "ok". The author is talented and the story had depth with background stories and supporting characters. but i'm rounding up to 3 because the idea of the book is excellent. it would be nice to give a view of all the psychological barriers to romance that face both sides of the relationship. At least this is a start.
mind you, i haven't read the rest of the stories that might be more realistic. i just put the book aside for now. but i wanted to review the longest story of the book before it got lost in my list of books and forgotten. if i go back and read the others, i will change my review as needed.
(I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads)
This was a book of short stories that was a quick and easy read. Easy in that it did not take long to finish the book, not so easy as only one author intrigued me. Five of the six short stories made a quick read seem to last forever. Of the six authors, Christy Leigh Stewart's story was the only one that kept my attention. Her writing made me feel for the characters and enjoy the time I spent reading. In fact, were she to take this short story and write a full-length novel solely based on these characters I would totally purchase the book. For such a short read, I fell in love with the characters and wanted more; the other stories, not even close.
Finally someone is willing to allow the thought that people with disabilities still have sexual needs. Although the scope is limited to just wheelchair users... the author still manages to at least address the spectrum of human sexuality... and does so with style