Ever since great-grandma told me she envied me, being born when women could choose any profession, I developed a deep respect for the women throughout history who have held unconventional roles. I am drawn to books featuring powerful women characters who show a zeal for making their mark on the world in roles like surveyors, ranchers, telephone operators, historians, horse trainers, and more, long before their choices became socially acceptable. As a woman software engineer (and now part-time author), I’ve gained an appreciation for all the women who paved the way for the modern woman.
What I loved about this book was the strong female main character, Eunice Holbrook. She held the unusual job of owning an Inquiry Agency (private detective). What drew me to her character was her powerful personality. From her expert marksmanship with a pistol to her analytical reasoning, she embodied everything unconventional. I instantly connected with her and her plight, so much so that I couldn’t put the book down.
The layers of intrigue, combined with the sweet romance of a couple reunited, warmed my heart and made me smile. The author kept me guessing in this murder mystery historical romance. I especially enjoyed the witty banter between Eunice and Arthur.
When a man arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire them to find a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her . . . and that she may no longer be able to hide under the disguise that has kept her safe for so long.
Arthur Livingston's goal in life is to make his mark on the world as a mining industrialist, but after the man who could help him achieve his goal is murdered, Arthur feels compelled to seek justice for the family--but he's left with more questions than answers…
Georgie Gail is one of the most colorful characters I’ve ever read. There is nothing conventional about her personality, profession, or her bird-watching hobby. The author made me feel like Georgie was an old, dear friend very early in the story. I felt her pain over failed relationships and loved her gumption as she tried to provide for herself. The way the author brought a mix of romance and action, while pairing up two opposite main characters with plenty of comedic dialogue, made the story come alive for me. It was one of the most entertaining novels I’ve read in a long time.
In 1904, Texas Ranger Luke Palmer arrives in Brenham, Texas, with one goal-to capture the gang of outlaws led by Frank Comer. Undercover as a telephone repairman, he uses his days on the range to search, not realizing there's another pair of eyes watching him. Georgie Gail, switchboard operator and birder, heads out on a birding expedition, but instead of sighting a painted bunting, her opera glasses capture her telephone man, armed and far away from telephone lines. Palmer is forced to take this alluring troublemaker into his confidence and unwittingly puts her in harm's way. The closer he comes…
In the western territories in 1870, very few authors choose a woman rancher as the heroine. But this author did. She built a strong female rancher full of personality that embodied the complexities of a real woman. I found Cheyenne very relatable. Sometimes she struggled with the balance of being tough and feeling emotion—just like I do in my technology career. I loved experiencing the danger, mayhem, and even the sweet romance right along with Cheyenne. This book has a permanent home in my library, along with the entire series. I loved it that much.
Falcon Hunt awakens without a past, or at least not one he can recall. He's got brothers he can't remember, and he's interested in the prettiest woman in the area, Cheyenne. Only trouble is, a few flashes of memory make Falcon wonder if he's already married. He can't imagine abandoning a wife. But his pa did just that--twice. When Falcon claims his inheritance in the West, Cheyenne is cut out of the ranch she was raised on, leaving her bitter and angry. And then Falcon kisses her, adding confusion and attraction to the mix.
Even though authors frequently write about women doctors during the Gilded Age, Dr. Josephine (Jo) is one of my favorites. She is one of the few who had the full support of her father and was his favorite child, more so than her younger brother. What made this story so memorable for me was the lifelike way the author portrayed Dr. Jo and her struggle to be accepted in a man’s profession. The author paired her up with a traditional cavalryman, which added just the right amount of tension to their attraction. I loved everything about this story, from the rich characters to the action to the faith woven throughout. One of my top five favorites of all time.
Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.
Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his…
Cymbeline Barnes is one of the most unconventional female characters I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Not only was she a veterinarian in the early 1920s, but she also had the aspiration to become a world-champion ski jumper during the Gilded Age. Talk about gumption! I fell in love with her character immediately and rooted for her as she fought against preconceived notions of her family and peers. Her sweet, slow-to-develop romance also drew me into the story. Like myself, she struggled with the right balance between a career and family, at a time before that became a normal struggle for women. I loved how the balance played out, making this another of my favorite stories.
Cymbeline Barnes declared Viktor Olofsson her arch-enemy when they were children. When he saved her beloved sister, she started to see him as a hero instead. Still, she can't let go of the idea that her destiny is waiting somewhere else in the world.
Viktor Olofsson has cared for Cymbeline his whole life. However, when she continues to rebuff him, he allows himself to entertain the idea of newcomer Emma.
Will Cymbeline come to terms with her life and wake up to the idea of love before it's too late?
In 1890, Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett had spent six years as an assistant surveyor under her father’s watchful eye. When her father suggests she give up her career for “normal womanly pursuits,” she runs away to Prescott, Arizona Territory. She disguises herself as a man and hires on as an Assistant Surveyor. As the team surveys new routes through the rugged territory, Jaclyn proves her mettle.
As Boone Colter starts his new surveying company for his brother’s railroad, he hires the small, odd Jack Bennett. Once he sees Jack in action, he’s impressed with his skills. An untimely accident reveals Jack isn’t what he seems, forcing Boone to make a tough choice. What will become of Jaclyn when her secret is revealed?
From the time I was a girl, I’ve loved stories that put a lump in my throat even as I’m laughing. As a fiction writer, that funny-sad tone is the one I go for in my own work. I gravitate toward female protagonists of all ages who break the mold—women who are intelligent and strong but who also have unconventional, quirky personalities. Women who can be hilarious, infuriating, and heartbreaking—sometimes all at once. Because they are complex and unique, these women tend to struggle with life’s challenges more than their contemporaries. That’s what makes their stories so interesting, and why I have chosen the books on this list.
When Mar’s husband divorces her, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy starting over, she’s ready for new adventures—as long as she can keep things casual. Each month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical consultant. . . and a handsome novelist who wants more than she can give. Mar learns from each encounter. But can she open herself up to true connection?
Surrounded by quirky, endearing characters, Mar navigates her…
"A fun, entertaining novel! I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't enjoy this book as much as I did." -Leslie A. Rasmussen, award-winning author
When Mar Meyer's husband divorces her for another woman, she reacts by abandoning everything in her past: her home, her friends, even her name. Though it's not easy to start over, Mar is young-looking, fit, and ready for new adventures-as long as she can keep things casual.
With each passing month, Mar goes from one acquaintance to the next. Among them: a fellow gym member down on her luck, a flirty hip-hop instructor, a bossy but comical…
