That awkward moment when you go to write about a character
who survived polio, only to realize it wasn’t called ‘polio’ back then.
In Mesmerizing the Marquis, the hero, Noah Hesterton has
polio as a child and still bears his scars in the form of a weakened limb. However,
in my research, I realized it was not referred to as ‘polio’ until the early
1900’s. However, it is believed to have been around in pre-history based off
Egyptian carvings depicting people whose limbs appear shriveled by the effects
of polio.
Mesmerizing the Marquis takes place in 1816 when the disease
is referred to as a “debility of the lower extremities”. Though later in the
century, you may see it referred to as Heine-Medin disease after two physicians
working with sufferers and studying the effects.
Through the centuries this disease continued to plague our
children, leaving some dead and many survivors bearing the tell-tale sign of twisted
and shrunken limbs. America was not immune and suffered a terrible outbreak in
the mid-1900’s that killed thousands and left tens of thousands with permanent
milt to severe paralysis of the limbs as well as many other issues.
However, in doing my research on polio, it gave me an
appreciation for what survivors had to overcome following their illness. One of
the things I love about all the research I do for these books is the incredible
people and circumstances I learn about along the way. There was the 32nd
president of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt, of course, but there were so many
others. Like Ray Ewry who won ten Olympic gold medals in jumping despite having
spent part of his childhood in a wheelchair, and Wilma Rudolph who had polio as
a child and had to wear a leg brace for years just to walk – she went on to win
three Olympic gold medals for and set two world records.
 |
| President Franklin D. Roosevelt |
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| Olympian Ray Ewry |
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| Olympian Wilma Rudolph |
Ray Ewry and Wilma Rudolph and so many more like them are
exactly the reason I love delving into research, to remember the names of
people who overcame so much and persevered against the odds stacked against
them.
Who are some admirable people you know of in history who
defied great odds?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Madeline Martin is a USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scottish set historical romance novels. She lives a glitter-filled life in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions) and a man so wonderful he's been dubbed Mr. Awesome. All shenanigans are detailed regularly on Twitter and on Facebook.
Madeline loves animals in sweaters, cat videos, wine and Nutella. Check out her FB page on any given Friday to see what great new book she's giving away by one of her fellow authors.
She also loves connecting with her readers, so feel free to follow her on any one of her social media platforms, or send her a message :)
Author website: www.MadelineMartin.com
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
Noah Haskett, the Marquis of Hesterton, is a recluse. His
late brother's actions in battle have forced him to shy away from the ton. When
the sole survivor of his brother's company begins speaking, Noah is lured out
of hiding. But the answers he seeks are slow to come and it appears someone
might be trying to kill him. Of course, being enchanted by a woman is not part
of his plan and is making matters rather complicated.
Miss Helen Craig has spent a lifetime hiding her ability to see the future. Despite her reluctance to accept her gift, she has also begun to have visions of the past. Concerned her gift may lead to madness, she volunteers at a hospital for the sick and insane in the hopes of learning how to avoid such a fate. But when an omen of death comes to her after an encounter with a sullen, brooding marquis, she is compelled to do something she's never done before: attempt to change the future.
Miss Helen Craig has spent a lifetime hiding her ability to see the future. Despite her reluctance to accept her gift, she has also begun to have visions of the past. Concerned her gift may lead to madness, she volunteers at a hospital for the sick and insane in the hopes of learning how to avoid such a fate. But when an omen of death comes to her after an encounter with a sullen, brooding marquis, she is compelled to do something she's never done before: attempt to change the future.
When the past and future collide, will love be enough to save them or will the
sins of others be their doom?
