A swoony hero. A relatable heroine. What would romance be without these two characters?
If you are anything like me, there are two must-haves in romance: a male lead I can’t help but admire, and a female lead I can either live vicariously through or one who makes me feel seen. If I can’t relate to the heroine in some way, I usually struggle to get through the book.
This makes me curious. Which female lead in my Hometown Holiday Heartstrings series is most relatable to you? If you haven’t read any of the books in this series, you can still play, but I’ll provide a quick summary of who’s who: Kim Williams (The Trouble with Tulips), marketing professional discontent with her small-town life, age 24; Stacy Kallisto (The Fault in Firelight), small-town police lieutenant who loves her locale, age 37; Marcy Delaney (The Miracle of Mistletoe), dyslexic hair stylist trying to save her marriage, age 24; Kendra Keller (The Loophole in Lilies), busybody wannabe matchmaker math teacher who can’t say no, age 32; Lisa Appleton (The Promise of Picnics), single mom to three with a big secret, age 34.
Let the fun begin! Keep track of how many points you get for each character. If you strongly identify with more than one answer to a question, choose more than one and give the appropriate number of points to each character.
Question 1) The garden in your soul:
1 point for Kim: I am decidedly a black thumb, but I love to admire flowers from a distance.
2 points for Stacy: I am far too busy controlling the populace (my own household/workplace) to even think about gardening.
3 points for Marcy: Flowers make wonderful gifts. I’d love some! Pretty vase included.
4 points for Kendra: I’m not sure if I’m good at gardening, but I will give it a try!
5 points for Lisa: Total green-thumb here. I can grow anything.
Question 2) Let’s talk appearances:
1 point for Kim: I’m insecure about my looks or weight, and I know I need more self-acceptance.
2 points for Stacy: Good looks are a pain in the behind and garner unwanted attention.
3 points for Marcy: At least I have decent looks in my favor since all else is failing me.
4 points for Kendra: I am simply too busy to worry about my appearance. Take me or leave me.
5 points for Lisa: After [X] number of kids, I consider my current looks a major win.
Question 3) Number of children to your name:
1 point for Kim: None yet—still hoping! (Or okay with none)
2 points for Stacy: Only one (and maybe that’s okay with me)
3 points for Marcy: One on the way right now.
4 points for Kendra: None—unable to conceive, and striving to accept that.
5 points for Lisa: Lots! (This counts for 2 and beyond)
Question 4) Reading preferences:
1 point for Kim: I love to read romance!
2 points for Stacy: Romance? Ugh. Give me suspense.
3 points for Marcy: I prefer audiobooks, whatever the genre.
4 points for Kendra: I will read anything, as long as it’s well-written, clean, and uplifting.
5 points for Lisa: I just can’t keep up with my TBR pile! How do you people read so fast?
Question 5) Let’s face it: We all have issues. What is yours?
1 point for Kim: I struggle with insecurity over a perceived body image issue.
2 points for Stacy: I am haunted by the mistakes of my past.
3 points for Marcy: I have a mental or learning disability and am trying to work with it.
4 points for Kendra: I have a physical limitation that holds me back.
5 points for Lisa: I have trust issues and/or struggle with fear or anxiety.
Question 6) Current faith level:
1 point for Kim: I am learning that God is ENOUGH; I don’t need a man or good looks.
2 points for Stacy: I am learning that God is ENOUGH; I don’t need a perfect past or future.
3 points for Marcy: I am learning that God is ENOUGH; I don’t need to be mentally perfect.
4 points for Kendra: I am learning that God is ENOUGH; I don’t need to be physically perfect.
5 points for Lisa: I am learning that God is ENOUGH; I can trust Him when I am afraid.
All done? Tally your points per character.
Drumroll please….
Which character are you most like? Comment below with your answer, and you will be entered into a drawing for a digital copy of my entire Hometown Holiday Heartstrings boxed set collection. Five full-length small-town Christian romance novels are included, along with bonus content not available elsewhere. Only one winner, international entries allowed, delivery via emailed link. Entries are valid through August 16, and a winner will be announced no later than August 20.
So tell me: Which Hometown Holiday Heartstrings heroine are YOU?
Emily Dana Botrous is an east-coast transplant who now calls San Diego home. She is a wife and mom of four. When she’s not busy doing laundry, packing lunches, and picking toys off the floor, she enjoys reading, cooking, music, long walks, and writing. Always writing. It is her goal in all things to make Jesus first, last, and always.
Hi Emily! Fun Quiz! Your heroines in Hometown Holiday Heartstrings are in the prime of life. I am a retiree with 3 grown sons and 4 grandchildren. Reading habits and outlook on life changes in the course of a lifetime. I have 16 points for Kendra. While not a matchmaker, I am a retired high school German, English, and Creative Writing Teacher; who at times had difficulty saying NO. Especially during my years as a pastor’s wife. Best wishes and Happy Writing.
Hi Emily,
I really enjoy reading your books. I am retired with 4 grown children, 12 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
In reading about the leads, I felt like Stacy was most relatable to me, because of loving where she lived, not because of being a police officer. After taking your little quiz, I got 20 points for Lisa.
Have a beautiful day!
I have 12 points for Kendra but in many ways identify more with Kim. Fun Quiz
I am most like Lisa with a little bit of Kim.
Hi Emily, I love quizes! I got 12 points for Kim, I think I’m a little like Stacy too though as my twenties are a long way behind me and I do have 3 kids!
Kim
Well, according to this, I have 12 for Kendra and 10 for Lisa. Question 3 was a hard one for me to decide on, as I don’t fit any of them! lol!! I always wanted kids, but I never married. I definitely am NOT still hoping for them at my age! I’m very thankful that that is one prayer of mine that God said NO to, though at the time I wasn’t.
So, I tallied 17 points, and I’m totally Stacy. Reading most of her responses was like being in my head. This was a fun post. Thank you!!!
I’m a mixture of Kim, Kendra, and Lisa.
What a fun quiz! I am Stacy….which was my instinct when I first read all your descriptions ☺️
I think I’m a little bit of all of them.
You’ve had a full life, Renate! How many years were you a pastor’s wife? I’m a pastor’s daughter. I know about the trouble with saying no!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this little quiz, Andrea. I had fun making it! Both characters are a delight. :)
Sounds like a balanced blend to me, Joannie!
Hi Bonnie, thanks for playing along with the quiz. Lisa loves her hometown, too. So it makes sense! And thank you for reading my books. I’m so glad you love them. I do, too. ;) What a big extended family you have! Such a blessing.
Hi Lori, that’s a great combo! Thanks for taking part in my little quiz. :)
I love quizzes, too, Ruthie. And surveys. My husband thinks I’m a little crazy because I always agree to take those customer satisfaction surveys!
Cool! Thanks for doing the quiz.
Hi Trudy, on question 3 it was hard to adequately cover all possible sentiments in only five answers. I’m sorry that one was difficult for you. I’m glad when you look back now, you can see your life has been blessed the way it is. God has a way of doing that!
That’s so neat, Nicole! I guess you know which character you would most identify with. Stacy is one of my dad’s favorite characters out of all of my books. Thanks for taking the quiz!
Then you know which book to read first! You aren’t the only one who got Stacy. She’s a great character!
Oh, me too! I put a little bit of myself into each character in some way so I can identify with them as I write. :) Thanks for doing the quiz!
I am primarily Lisa.
Awesome! She’s one of my favorites!
I have 25 points. I am not sure which character that makes me. Thank you for the fun quiz. God bless you.
Hi Debra, thanks for taking the quiz! If you scored that high, you are mostly Kendra or Lisa. Both amazing characters! God bless you, too.
I’m Lisa and Kim together hahaha I had 20 points but about 2 or 3 answers with Kim. I’m 26 single and childless still in college so I guess I can’t be like Lisa there…yet.
this was a lot of fun. I love books now where the characters are older. May have something to do with me being retired. LOL I had 10 for Lisa and 8 for Kendra very close here.
One day! Thanks for taking the quiz!
There are lots of great books out there with older characters! I don’t feel like I could create those characters well enough until I am older, too, so all of my main characters are in the 20-40 range…for now! Lisa and Kendra are best friends, so you have a good mix going on. Thanks for taking the quiz!
I have 15 Lisa point with Kendra close behind at 12. But I think I’m kind of an amalgamation of everyone though!
That’s fun! They ARE best friends, after all. Thanks for playing along with the quiz!
Hi Emily! This was a fun quiz. :) It seems I got Kim, though I could relate in some way or another to the other characters in every question.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Priscilla! Kim is a great person to be. ;)
Mixture of Kim, Kendra and Lisa.
Awesome, Kim. Great name! ;)
I’m a real mix, but I have most in common with Lisa.
That’s neat, Kara. Thanks for participating in my little quiz!