It might not surprise you to know that I read a lot of contemporary romance. I was a fan of the genre long before I was an author. (Interesting fact: The first, oh, let’s say eight, novels I wrote were all science fiction or fantasy. They may come out of hiding some day, but it seems unlikely right now.) So, while I read a lot of different genres, I always circle back to contemporary romance. You know why?
Strong women. And men who aren’t afraid to love them.
I come from a long line of strong women. Fun fact: before we married, my father-in-law-to-be pulled my now-hubby aside and said, “Are you sure? She’s awfully independent.” Thankfully, now-hubby’s reply was, “That’s one of the things I love about her.”
Of course, being a strong, independent woman doesn’t mean that I never need help. Sometimes I might not admit it to myself, but that’s usually about the time my husband will come along and oh-so-casually mention that he’d be happy to lend a hand. I don’t always love the insinuation that I can’t handle it on my own, but generally I come around to sanity and realize that I don’t have to be super woman.
This is exactly the type of hero/heroine relationship I’m drawn to in my fiction. Both reading and writing. I like sassy women who know their own minds (at least on the outside–a little internal insecurity is okay. And realistic.) And I love heroes who see those qualities as benefits, not something to be scared of. I especially love when the hero realizes that just because his heroine can handle something on her own, she doesn’t necessarily need to. I believe even the strongest woman wants someone who’ll defend her when the chips are down.
Now, I know as authors we’re not supposed to have favorites among our books, but I suspect most of us do anyway. My favorites tend to depend on the criteria I’m using when I think about them. In this case, thinking of strong women and men who aren’t intimidated by that, I came up with the following favorites.
Lydia Brown, in my debut novel Wisdom to Know is a strong woman. So strong, in fact, that she gets herself into some really bad situations because she’s convinced she knows best. No matter what. And Kevin? Kevin has loved her forever, and keeps loving her through those hard times, despite the fact that she continues to resist and refuse his offer of help.
Wisdom to Know is free on all e-book platforms.
The second heroine that came to mind was Gloria Sinclair, from my March release, Donuts & Daydreams. Gloria is a former Marine and a current police officer. She made some significant changes in her life because she knew it was needed to be done. And she hates asking for help. Jonah Baxter isn’t intimidated by Gloria’s profession, or the fact that she knows her own mind, although he really wishes she’d change her mind a little when it comes to certain decisions she’s made.
You can get Donuts & Daydreams on any e-book platform.
My final pick (but by no means the last of my super strong ladies), Deidre MacIntyre in A Heart Restored deserves to be mentioned, I think. She’s faced some pretty serious upheaval, and instead of wallowing, she strikes out on a new venture. She’s most content when she’s up on a roof replacing shingles or ripping out a wall. Something that lets her make her vision a reality. And Jeremiah loves every bit of that knowledge.
A Heart Restored can be found in all formats.
There are a lot of strong women in the books of my fellow InspyRomance bloggers’ books, too. I think of Jo in Raspberries & Vinegar by Valerie Comer. Or Avery in Nowhere for Christmas by Heather Gray. Then there’s Kristy O’Neal in Love is a Battlefield by Annalisa Daughety. And Catriona Maclean in Autumn Macarthur’s More Than Friends. Or Jenna Anderson in Julie Arduini’s Entrusted. Or Veronica Quintana in Lee Tobin McClain’s Joy of My Heart.
I could go on and on — but now it’s your turn! Give us the title and author of a contemporary Christian romance (keep it contemporary please!) with a strong heroine and a hero who loves that aspect of his lady’s personality.
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Alison Hart and Brent Callahan in Dandelions for Dinner by Valerie Comer.
Hi Elizabeth, totally with you on the strong woman thing! The school I teach at is very multicultural and some students/parents get a little surprised (?) unsure (?) with a strong female teacher!! My husband is amazing at knowing when to say “steady on love!”
Hmm, first heroine that comes to mind…Angeline (and her hero Colt) from Ruth Logan Herne’s Back in the Saddle.
Blessings:)
Oh for sure! I stopped with one of Valerie’s, because almsot all of them would apply :)
Yay for a hubby who gets it! I haven’t read any Ruth Logan Hearne – she’s on my list but keeps getting bumped. I hear amazing things though!
Great topic, Elizabeth! I must agree with all your choices, and there are so many to choose from! I will add Evelyn and Ben from Sprouts of Love by Valerie Comer and Maggie and Jacob from Magnolia Storms by Janet Ferguson to the list!
Janet’s book is on my Kindle just waiting. Now I want to read it even more :)
There really are a lot to choose from – I’m grateful today’s romance isn’t primarily made up of whiny women who need rescuing. ;)
First Impressions by Debra White Smith. I just finished it over the weekend and those characters definitely qualify!
Ooh. Thanks, I’ll add it to my list :)
Aw, thanks!
Aw, thanks!
I thought of that one too!
Recently finished Catherine West’s Where Hope Begins. Savannah may not seem like a strong heroine at first but she does become one and both heroes admire her for her strength.
I like strong heroines too. Maybe because I’m not independent. I wish I was, but I’m not.
Fun.
It’s not always everything it’s cracked up to be.
We have Susan May Warren’s books in the church library.
Her newest book, which I’m dying to read, is “Storm Front” # 5 in the Montana Rescue Series.
I would like to know more about Ty and Brette.
Susan May Warren has some great strong ladies!
I do like strong women in stories. I’ve always been one of those women who would jump in and do whatever needed to be done. My dad died when I was eight and my mom had to go to work to support us so my siblings and I had to step up and manage a lot of things that other kids never had to do. It made me a strong women and I’ve raised my two daughters to be the same way. Never be afraid to ask for help, but know you can do it yourself if you need to. I enjoyed the story Moving On by Trisha Grace. And thank you for the free book, I downloaded it and can’t wait to read it.
Your mom is an amazing example of a strong woman. I’ll have to give Moving On a look -it sounds great.
I love strong women.
I think that’s why I have had trouble with relationships.
I always am stubborn and seldom ask for help.
My husband had a heart while giving 3states away from me.
The church help me pack a 35 foot truck,and place my car on a dolly.
I left with 3 dogs ,alone and travelled from Washington state to New Mexico in 2 days.
BTW,I had pneumonia.
Mercy, Linda–that’s strength for sure!
Oh my goodness, Linda! You’re amazing.
Can you believe my my father-in-law-to-be told my now-husband (in front of me and all) that I was also awfully independent and probably was not going to be a good wife, who stays at home, cooks, cleans, pops babies, and all that? Thank God my husband couldn’t care less about his dad’s outdated morals. We’re very happily married, both with jobs (even though they are not our dream jobs, but those are hard to come these days), and we have an adorable red-hair baby.
I love reading about independent heroins and the man who love them. Kimberly Rae Jordan has a few that I really like. I also enjoy reading about Rachel and Kelsey from Amanda Tru’s Tru exeptions series. A few other authors who write about great independently strong women in no special order, but just getting started are Leah Atwood (like Dani from Come to me free), Hallee Bridgeman (I enjoy reading Madeline’s story in Christmas Star Sapphire), and most definitely Christina Coryell (The Camdyn Series). .. I’ll probably remember others as the day goes by, but these are some favorites that were not yet mentioned in your post nor in anyone’s comments.
What a great list!
And ha, we can make a club for women whose father in law was skeptical :)