Poor, poor men. They’re always being judged on their appearance, shape, and size instead of their personality. The pretty ones have it the worst because people assume they are all beauty and no brains. Just imagine how unappreciated romance heroes feel with their broad shoulders, thick hair perfect for a good hand rake, and ideal amount of scruff. Throw in the dreamy green eyes and husky voice and no one will ever see beneath the surface.
For a few minutes, let’s shift the focus toward some categories that highlight traits we love about our fictional heroes, then stick around and take the quiz to find out which of my heroes is your perfect match!
Archetype: Why the hero does what he does determines which of the classic archetypes he is. The Lost Soul, The Best Friend, The Charmer, The Bad Boy, The Professor, The Warrior, The Swashbuckler, The Chief?*
Fears: Maybe they are afraid of losing something. Maybe gaining something. The fear might be specific to his relationship with the heroine or something that goes back to his childhood.
Strengths: We aren’t discussing corded muscles here, but inner strength. What helps them face challenges? Moral integrity? Courage? Persistence? Personability? Intelligence?
Weaknesses: Humility is an attractive feature, so our heroes have to know they aren’t perfect. Plus, it makes them realistic and relatable.
Uniqueness: They all have that one weird thing. Maybe they collect ceramic unicorns or collect recipe magazines (“It’s just for the articles!”). This uniqueness keeps them from becoming two-dimensional characters.
Goals and Dreams: Now that many of them have achieved being the cover model on a romance novel, they need something else to live for. What wakes them up in the morning and drives them into action?
Now that we’ve gotten our minds out of the gutter (or six-pack abs), take this quiz to find out which of my fictional heroes would suit you best and enter the giveaway.
QUIZ: WHICH OF MY HEROES IS YOUR PERFECT MATCH?
Which of the following hero archetypes appeals to you most?
- The Chief/The Boss
- The Lost Soul
- The Best Friend
- The Bad Boy
- The Charmer
- The Warrior
Which of the following fears pulls your heartstrings the most?
- He’s afraid of not living up to his family’s legacy
- He’s afraid of failing those who are counting on him
- He’s afraid of not being there to protect his loved ones
- He’s afraid of people finding out about his mistakes
- He’s afraid of losing his loved ones
- He’s afraid of not being good enough
Which of the following strengths excite you most about a hero?
- He’s rich, sensitive, and gives generously to those who don’t have a lot
- He’s protective, courageous, and hard-working
- He’s brave, loyal, heroic, and thoughtful (and he’ll let you have the armrest on the airplane)
- He’s charismatic, multi-talented, flirty, and great at karaoke
- He’s fun-loving, adventurous, and wears his heart on his sleeve
- He’s patient, understanding, honorable, and always there when you need him
Which of the following weaknesses would you most likely be able to put up with?
- He’s a workaholic
- He doesn’t trust people
- He doesn’t communicate his needs, wants, or feelings
- He’s a poor judge of character
- He’s impulsive and lets his emotions drive his actions
- He lets other people take advantage of him
Which of the following unique traits could you learn to appreciate?
- He loves children’s toys
- He actually likes dancing the Cha Cha Slide
- He has a codependent relationship with his dog
- He, like, really loves roller coasters and will make you ride them with him
- He throws up whenever he gets stressed or scared (and that happens a lot)
- He’s a little too crushable. ie. Your little sister has a big crush on him
Which of the following dreams would you be most willing to support?
- To make sure every child has access to imaginative and educational toys
- To provide new lives for victims of sex trafficking
- To live a quiet small-town life with his family and friends
- To share the love of God with people who need it most
- To be a great father and a loving and supportive husband
- To make a difference for his family, community, and country
If you answered mostly 1s, you should meet reclusive millionaire toymaker Joey Kiljoy from “Dreams in Toyland” in the Christmas in Mistletoe Square Novella Collection
If you answered mostly 2s, you should meet farmer and victim advocate Jace Daring from Aspen Crossroads.
If you answered mostly 3s, you should meet brooding firefighter Thomas Beck from Glory Falls.
If you answered mostly 4s, you should meet former famed (and shamed) pastor Shane Olson from Wildflower Road.
If you answered mostly 5s, you should meet single daddy Robbie Matthews from This Wandering Heart.
If you answered mostly 6s, you should meet World War II hero Benjamin Wise from “On Angel Wings” in the Love’s Pure Light Novella Collection
*From Tami D. Cowden’s The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes
kim says
I got the most 2’s
Kathleen Mattingly says
I really had a hard time choosing, but Wildflower Road seems to be my choice. I’m a pastor’s daughter, so I like to read about pastors. There aren’t too many books about pastors.
Jcp says
Glory Road seems to be my pick
Kendra Muonio says
I had a tie between 2 and 5
Elizabeth Litton says
I had 3, 3, 6, 6, 1, and 5. So…I have no idea who the closest match would be. :D
Megan says
I got mostly 6’s, though it was hard to choose.
Jessica B. says
I had three 3s, one 6, one 2, and one 5 so my match is Thomas Beck.
Andrea Conner says
I was equal 3 & 6, so Thomas Beck or Benjamin Wise
Priscila Perales says
This was so much fun! I’m all about reading “brooding firefighter” Thomas Beck’s story. :) Thanks for the chance!
Lori Smanski says
World War II hero Benjamin Wise from “On Angel Wings”
This was a good post. Thank you.
A fun little quiz. Thank you.
Winnie Thomas says
Thomas Beck. Don’t enter me in the drawing, though, because I already have all your books! I’ll let someone else have the chance to read them.
bn100 says
Jace Daring
Alicia Haney says
I got 6 the most , so it is “Loves Pure Light” This was alot of fun, thank you for the chance. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Vickie Escalante says
I got mostly 2’s and 6’s. The only one I’ve never read of yours is 6 so that makes sense! ❤️
Pam says
Thomas Beck from Glory Falls. The funny thing is that I come from a family of firefighters. Guess that makes sense! Lol!
Gretchen Garrison says
3’s!
This was so fun!
Tara Kolker says
While I answered some other numbers too, I had mostly threes, so.. Thomas Beck.
Amy Bradsher says
I got mostly 3s, though there were a few other numbers thrown in.
Merrillee Whren says
Fun, but I had a different number for every question. Guess I’m not a match for any specific hero.
Mimi says
Mostly ones, although I’m not sure I’d want to be reclusive with him! lol I’d need to pull this fella out of his sanctuary.
Emily says
I took the quiz and had mostly 2’s. This was a fun quiz!
Debra Pruss says
Firefighter, Thomas Beck. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Terri Sweetland says
I was told I should ‘meet’ Benjamin Wise.
Teri DiVincenzo says
I was all over the place, so I guess that means I have to read them all! 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Lilly says
I thought of a good friend! he’s really cute but everyone assumes he’s an idiot! It’s a shame because he’s very smart but everyone just assumes he passes his college classes by cheating or because of his good looks.
Hahaha of the things in this post I would really like to see a “bad boy” type hero (well maybe not bad but he loves motorcycles, tattoos and is an unconventional Christian in that sense) who is also the best friend of the heroine and they collect ceramic unicorns together since they are children that would be adorable.
I must say I have an eternal soft spot for best friend mixed with any other archetype, your best friend can be a bad boy, charmer, boss or lost soul. But I got 2 on all the questions…let’s just say that although I love best friend love stories more than that I realized that your best friend sometimes is an archetype that you don’t like and he doesn’t like you lol.
Amy Perrault says
Mostly 3’s
Sylvain P says
3’s but also 5’s
Stacey Ulferts says
Tie between 3 & 4 so I’m picking 4 because Shane 😍
(You don’t have to enter me because I have all of your books already.)
Ausjenny says
I tied with 4 and 6. Would have had more 3 than 4 if it had been a cat not a dog as his companion. (being I have a fear of dogs) but hey I am happy to go on the roller-coaster with someone.
Alisa Welsch says
I most mostly 3 but a few 6. Fun Quz!
Lisa says
I tied with 2’s and 6’s
Sarah Taylor says
3’s and 6’s
Natalya Lakhno says
Benjamin 🙄
Lisa says
Glory Falls’s hero
Angeline says
I got Benjamin Wise
Janine Rosche says
Hi Kim! You’ve won a copy of #2 Aspen Crossroads! Please email me your choice of paperback or ebook and either your mailing address or email address (for ebook)!
Janine Rosche says
I really enjoyed writing Shane’s story. He certainly faces a lot of junk that pastors have to deal with (and then some!)
Janine Rosche says
Thomas is a quiet, brooding one, but he sure has good reasons!
Janine Rosche says
Ooh, Robbie and Jace. You must really like self-sacrificing protectors because they have that in common.
Janine Rosche says
Well, it’s a good thing I pulled your name! Send an email to janine@janinerosche.com with your mailing address and I’ll send you a copy of Christmas in Mistletoe Square!
Janine Rosche says
Send the email to janine@janinerosche.com
Janine Rosche says
Hi Natalya! I drew your name to win a copy of Benjamin and Elodie’s story in Love’s Pure Light. Email me at janine@janinerosche.com with your choice of ebook or paperback along with your mailing address (for paperback) or email address (for ebook)
Janine Rosche says
I love Thomas! He’s most like my husband so I guess that’s a good thing!
Janine Rosche says
Benjamin is such a great guy, and he’s perfect for Elodie!
Janine Rosche says
Thomas and Benjamin? I’m guessing you love a best friends to more story! They’re both so good to their heroines.
Janine Rosche says
Jace and Benjamin both put others’ needs before their own so you must love the sensitive guys (who are also good dancers!).
Janine Rosche says
Both Glory Falls and my story in Love’s Pure Light are best friends-to-more stories so you must really like that storyline!
Janine Rosche says
Shane is very happy that someone can appreciate his love for roller coasters! lol
Janine Rosche says
Shaaaaannnnne, sigh. I love him, too!
Janine Rosche says
Uh oh… Thomas and Robbie are best friends so this might get messy! lol
Janine Rosche says
Thomas is such a sweetheart beneath his brooding facial expressions!
Janine Rosche says
Well, Jace (from #2 Aspen Crossroads) had a really rough childhood, but in other circumstances, he totally could have been in a friends-to-more story. He has all the traits that the typical best friend archetype has (like loyalty). He and Haven have my favorite meet-cute of all my stories :)
And as far as your badboy, unicorn collecting Christian hero goes, I think you need to write that book!!!
Janine Rosche says
He’s a good one!
Janine Rosche says
Great answer, Teri!
Janine Rosche says
Thomas is a lot of my readers’ favorite hero. God bless you as well, Debra!
Janine Rosche says
Thanks, Emily! I had fun making it!
Janine Rosche says
Aww. Joey is feeling your love. He wants to get out more so you’re just what he needs!
Janine Rosche says
We’ll let them fight over you!
Janine Rosche says
Thomas is such a good man!
Janine Rosche says
Thomas is an excellent hero, as long as you can get past his brooding, quiet nature!
Janine Rosche says
Thanks for playing!
Janine Rosche says
I do, too. In fact, Thomas’s life is largely based on my brother. I wanted to highlight those people who are heroic to their core.
Janine Rosche says
Man, I was so blessed to be in that collection with Deb Raney, Susie Dietze, and Shannon McNear. Each one of their novellas won an award, so Love’s Pure Light is worth checking out.
Janine Rosche says
Jace is such a sensitive soul. I love him. Plus, when he (rarely) releases the weight on his shoulders, he’s flirty and fun.
Janine Rosche says
Thanks, Winnie! I appreciate you!
Janine Rosche says
Thanks for playing along, Lori! (Btw, the current heroine in the book I’m writing is named Lori)
Janine Rosche says
You must like a good “friends to more” story!
Janine Rosche says
Thomas is a true gem…covered by a lot of rock. He’s worth the effort to see inside, I think!
Janine Rosche says
Haha. They can all fight over you. How’s that?
Janine Rosche says
Benjamin’s a good one to end up with :)
Janine Rosche says
Thomas is a good one, for sure!