Resilience is also a key theme. Despite their injuries, whether physical or emotional, the heroes show great resilience. They are able to face the challenges of their historical time period, like political unrest or social expectations. In a story set during the French Revolution, for instance, an injured hero might still fight for what he believes in while also falling in love.
The 'Wallflower' series by Lisa Kleypas has elements of this. In these novels, the heroes sometimes face various hardships that can be seen as a form of being 'injured' in a metaphorical sense. The series is set in the Victorian era and is full of historical details and charming romances between the different characters.
One great injured hero romance novel is 'The Viscount Who Loved Me' by Julia Quinn. In this book, the hero has some emotional 'injuries' from his past that he has to overcome as he falls in love with the heroine. It's a story full of charming banter and sweet romance.
One common theme is redemption. The injured hero often has to redeem himself, either from a past mistake or from the self - doubt caused by his injury. For example, he might have been a playboy before getting injured and now has to prove he can be a better man for the heroine.
One common theme is the struggle for recovery. The hero has to deal with the physical and mental pain of the injury, which often makes the relationship more complex. For example, he might be moody or insecure about his future in sports.
One such novel could be 'The Comeback Kiss'. In this story, the sports hero gets injured right before a big game. His physiotherapist is a woman who he initially clashes with, but as she helps him recover, they fall in love. It's full of the drama of his struggle to return to the sport and their budding romance.
In older hero historical romance novels, the hero is typically well - established in society. He might have a profession or a position of power. This is seen in 'Gone with the Wind' with Rhett Butler. His status affects how he approaches the heroine. The historical aspect means the story is set in a time when values and courtship rituals were different. The older hero often has to balance his own desires with the expectations of the society he lives in. His age also gives him a different perspective on love compared to younger heroes, often being more cautious yet more deeply passionate once he falls in love.
Yes, there are. For example, 'Outlander' has elements of historical romance with a strong female lead and her relationship with a man who could be considered a hero in a way within the context of the historical events. It combines historical details, adventure, and romance quite well.
Strength is a key factor. If a hero in a historical romance is physically strong and an excellent fighter, like a knight or a warrior, that can make him 'killer'. For example, a hero who can defeat multiple foes in a sword fight. Another aspect is his confidence. A self - assured hero who can charm the heroine and outwit his rivals easily can be seen as 'killer'.
The damaged hero often has trust issues in these novels. Due to their past experiences, they find it hard to open up to the heroine. This creates a lot of tension and conflict in the story. The historical elements like social norms and cultural values of the time also play a role. For instance, in a Victorian - era novel, the damaged hero may be restricted by the society's expectations while trying to pursue a relationship with the heroine. And the way the author resolves these issues makes the story interesting.