True Confession: I’m much more easy going about heroine occupations than hero’s. There’s only one that really doesn’t appeal to me at all. Otherwise I’m open to pretty much any kind of job -librarian, teacher, shopkeeper, cafe owner etc. All those typical jobs that so many of us are familiar with. BUT I absolutely LOVE it when a heroine has an unusual career. Could be a non-traditional one – like carpenter, mechanic etc. or something unique for the time like a female doctor in the 1800s. So I thought it would be fun to share some of the most unique careers we have found our fictional heroines working at.
But first: aren’t you dying to know the one occupation that I really don’t want to read about? My feelings are quite intense and I blame Hallmark. 🙂
I just can’t relate to upwardly mobile, workaholic corporate type heroines. Think practically every Hallmark movie where the Scroogey heroine must close a deal by Christmas Day and it always involves a corporate takeover of a family inn or shutting down a toy shop or trying to buy the land out from under a hardworking farmer. I just can’t anymore. And the high powered business world just isn’t something I can relate to in general, so I tend to avoid stories and movies with that occupational trope these days.
Some of my favourite unique occupations for heroines:
Margot De Wilde is a codebreaker in England during the Great War. I wasn’t sure how I would relate to Margot since I have a major math-phobia. I thought it would be hard to connect with her analytical mathematician’s mind but I was sooooo wrong!
Love Michelle’s scientific mind and her canny inventions. She puts both to good use to meet all kinds of challenges Mary Connealy’s heroines are always independent mavericks who thrive in traditional male roles.
Tess O’Rourke is adjusting to to her new role as a small town police chief with a force totalling eight officers.. Her big city experience isn’t enough to win over wary residents…or automatically bring about the respect of those officers. She’s faced with prejudice and resistance both inside the precinct and out.
Love that Kate is the adventuring rodeo cowgirl — nice twist as that’s usually the hero’s claim to fame. And that she’s restless and antsy and unsettled about whether she’s capable of staying put in one place. Again, that’s usually the brooding hero’s role. And while, Kate isn’t quite brooding, she’s definitely sassy and opinionated and often grumpy.
Chloe Humphrey’s is a 24-year-old computer whiz and has just accepted a position as Director of Technology Services at a small town college. She’s just a little bit awkward, a touch nerdy and so easy to like…even for this technology adverse reader!
The carpenter’s daughter is also a carpenter and while her career choice defines Sarah to a certain extent, there’s so much more to her story. Profoundly beautiful. “…if you define yourself with the truth of God’s love, you will always have an anchor. Because his love will never change.”
This has got to be the most unusual job I’ve read about. Ottlie supports her family with the traditional Indian skill of beetle wing embroidery! And that is exactly what it sounds like. Embroidering actual beetle wings onto fabric to create haute couture gowns!
Giveaway Opportunity:
So how about you? Do you have strong likes and dislikes as far as occupations go for the heroines in the books you read? And what’s one of the most unusual occupation you have read about? Share your thoughts in a comment and I’ll enter you in a draw to win a $10 Baker Book House ecard (or Amazon for Canadians).
Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 6 2025
Kav's Best Reads 
Ooh I have to find a copy of that Roseanna M. White book. I actually enjoy math haha. I enjoyed White’s Culper Ring Series with female spies! Another occupation I enjoy reading about is Christian counselors/therapists. I would love to see more biblical counseling in Christian fiction! One of the only Christian fiction that I’ve read and really did not enjoy at all was about a woman mechanic, so maybe in a different book, I would have liked it, but definitely not in that one! Also agree about the corporate CEO type. Not my style. Also, can we see more stay at home moms living life to their fullest in Christian fiction? I work outside the home and don’t think being a stay at home mom is for everyone, but I would like to see more positive examples.
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Keep, yes you do! It isn’t often we get a mathematician heroine so The Number of Love sounds right up your alley. Plus, it’s the first in a fantastic series. You don’t often see counsellors/therapists as heroines…or even heroes. I think Irene Hannon has at least one in one of her suspense books. I enjoy spy novels but usually in historical timelines. I find them more intriguing and less over the top James Bondish I guess. lol Too bad about the mechanic disappointment. I’ve read several I’ve enjoyed…now to think of the title! Stay at home moms are an interesting choice. I guess they are rare in my reading because I’m usually reading romance so if there’s a mom, she’s single and therefore pretty much has to have some sort of job. Homeschooling moms would be interesting too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rebecca. Good luck!
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One of Brenda Novak first books Superromance Harlequin. Female Report, Undercover FBI agent and a serial killer.
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Reporter/Journalist is an interesting one. They tend to be viewed in a negative light (pushy, ruthless, do anything for a story) but an ethical journalist on the hunt for truth would make a great occupations for a heroine. I’ve read a few stellar ones. Good luck, Kim!
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I’ve had The Number of Love and The Carpenter’s Daughter on my backlist reading TBR forever, I need to get on those 2 pronto! I so agree about the overdone Hallmark corporate businesswomen trope. They do this over and over and with the same handful of characters, I’m done with it too!
I read so much it’s a real treat when an author offers an interesting occupation. How about Kit, the long-haul Trucker in Fire Mountain? very unique. There’s no limit to the number of places and situations you could find yourself in if you were a trucker.
Looking at my other most recent reads, in Sense and Suitability, Emmi the country gentlemen’s daughter secretly and scandalously writes romantic fiction and makes her own money.
In A Hidden Hope Amish girl Annie works at a doctor’s office and wants to become an EMT.
In Out of Time Cara is an historical anthropologist, a professor researching an almost extinct language.
Elizabeth Camden is really good at writing unique historical women’s occupations that aren’t typical for the time period.
Thanks for the interesting topic, I’m looking forward to what other jobs come up!
trracey14567 at gmail dot com
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Eeeeppp!!!! You best get reading, Tracey, you won’t be disappointed in either of those books. I’m glad I’m not the only one disillusioned with certain Hallmark heroines. And you’re so right about everything on repeat. It’s impossible to tell if you’ve actually seen the movie before because all the actors are the same. I remember one Christmas hopping around, looking for a movie to watch and coming across three movies with the same actress playing the heroine and all of them the corporate workaholic angle. On the same night! Oh — and when the same actress has been playing the same roles for twenty years, it’s time to switch things up. Either cast a new actor or allow the actress to be the mature leading lady she is instead of still portraying her ast 20 something. 🙂
Slapping myself in the head — how could I have forgotten Kit from Firestorm?! She’s my one and only long-haul trucker heroine. Hmmm…that would make a great cozy mystery heroine occupation. She could run into murders all over the country. Bwahahaha!
And yes, the scandal of a Regency lady writer. There have been a few books written with that theme. Sarah M. Eden’s The Lady and the Highwayman, though that one is set in Victorian England. Still scandalous though!
A Hidden Hope is a great example of an Amish heroine being non-traditional. There are some great Amish stories that feature women stepping out. A horse trainer one comes to mind but I can’t recall the title.
Gah — Out of Time — who is the author, I couldn’t find it. I can see the cover, if it’s the same one I’m thinking of but I can’t grasp the author’s name. And I know she’s a well known author! Historical anthropologist, archaeologist, university professor — all occupations I would love to read about.
I have an Elizabeth Camden’s book on my TBR right now. Just picked it up from the library – When Stars Light the Sky.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tracey. Good luck!
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Out of Time is Irene Hannon’s fall suspense out Oct 7th, really good except I want to discuss one particular point of view once you’ve read it.
I almost mentioned When Stars Light the Sky, a secretary working at an American Embassy in Germany as WW1 starts, so good!
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Ooohhh, now I don’t feel so bad for not recognizing it. And look at you, with a sneak peak into our reading futures? Just three weeks until it’s time for another Reader’s Choice Week! BUT, now I still have to figure out who the author of the book I was thinking about is. Time travel. Modern day heroine goes back in time to the Middle Ages in search of a cure for her ailing father? It’s has a biblical reference…Ezekial maybe? And then in the second book her sister who is terminally ill goes back in time. Does this ring any bells. It’s driving me crazy!
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The time Travel books are from Jody Hedlund. Waters of Time . Excellent series.
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I think the time travel book you are thinking of is Jody Hedlund’s Waters of Time series, starts with Come Back to Me, Never Leave Me then Stay With Me. Good series but I never got to the 4th book, Wait For Me.
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That’s it! Thanks Paula and Tracey! I just checked Jody Hedlund’s website and I’ve only read two of the books and there are four out!
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Good morning, Kav! I’m just about ok with any type of profession for a woman, except the spy deal I mentioned last week. For some reasons spy/espionage books bore me to tears! And I can’t remember the last time I watched a Hallmark movie for the exact reasons you mentioned.
I enjoyed Summerlin Groves where the heroine owns an orange grove. I also like books where the heroine runs a ranch or a farm. The books by Amy Caldwell — Boundless, Steadfast, & Relentless are about a woman who runs Callaway Ranch. Highly recommend!
The Killer’s Therapist by Christy Barritt was a good one! I like heroines who are therapists & psychologists.
Mulberry Hollow by Denise Hunter was one of my faves featuring Avery, a small town Dr. Nurses, EMT workers, anything in the medical profession I like.
Carpenters, architects, interior designers, bakery owners, wedding planners, are all good.
Professions I don’t care for female heroines:
Lawyers (haha), CEOs, Rodeo workers, Circus workers, celebrities (although I’m enjoying a book now by Amanda Wen called The Songs That Could’ve Been, where the heroine is starting to do guest shows on tv from her healthy foodie recipes blog)
dianalflowers at aol dot com
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Really, you are bored by spy novels? I think of them as action packed and full of intrigue — mind you, if the reason for the spying (political, corporate espionage, scientific-y stuff etc) overwhelms the story with reams of boring details, I get it. There has to be the right balance for a spy story (especially contemporary timeline) to win me over.
Yesss…Summerlin Grove was awesomesauce. And I loved the real life struggles the author portrayed. Farming…is orcharding considered farming?…is not for the faint of heart and I love a gritty heroine who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.
Here’s a counsellor/therapist heroine for Rebecca. The Killer’s Therapist sounds intriguing. And quite eerie, actually.
I fleeting thought of that Denise Hunter series because I knew one of them featured a heroine who is a doctor but I couldn’t remember the title! That was a great contemporary romance.
I agree with your list….except maybe wedding planners? Depends on the book. I’m not a fan of bridezilla storylines and it sounds like a wedding planner story would be rife with them. lol
Your dislikes are very specific — I like a reader who knows her mind. Circus workers? But then you wouldn’t have met Charlie in The Lady and theLionheart….but wait, it’s the hero who works in the circus and the heroine doesn’t…shes a nurse or nurses aide if I remember correctly. I’m with you on celebrities too, though there have been so many exceptions now ( Toni Shiloh, Annah Conwell, Nicole Reese) that I had to stop saying never. 🙂 Thanks for the chat, Diane. Good luck!
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I don’t like spy novels except when they’re spying in a suspense novel. They kinda have to then. lol I especially dislike regency spy heroines. Not sure why, but I’ll avoid those books like the plague!
I think orcharding fruit trees would be considered farming. I also enjoy books with Christmas tree farmers!
No bridezillas for me either! lol I read a book recently where a wedding planner had to plan a ceremony when she was suffering her own angst from being left at the altar, plus I think there was some suspense involved. But to save me I can’t think of the book.
And, ooh yes! The Lady and the Lionheart was one of my favorites ever!!
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Another interesting topic that I had to go back into my book shelf to see what I’ve recently read. Here are a few:
CIA Analyst, Wes and Addie had their Chance
Air Marshall, Final Approach
Newspaper Editor, The Sands of Sea Blue Beach
College Professor, The Collector of Burned Books
Marine Biologist, Austen (Minnesota Kingstons)
Egyptologist, Of Gold and Shadows
Propaganda Creator, the Codebreakers Daughter
I don’t think I have any that I dislike or wouldn’t read about!
Sandyavery at comcast dot net
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It’s never a bad thing to have to go back to your bookshelf for a look-see. 🙂 Especially since you’ve significantly added to my wishlist! I didn’t realize Wes and Addie Had Their Chance featured a CIA Analyst And it’s not even a suspense! And, duh, I just read Final Approach! Air Marshall is definitely a unique occupation for a heroine. I wonder how many women Air Marshals there actually are?
Newspaper Editor is another good one. I usually picture a grouch old man chewing on a cigar in that role. 🙂 I’m excited to read The Library of Burned Books — it’s on hold at my library. Love that it’s about a college professor. I haven’t read any of the Minnesota Kingston books but I did just finish One Last Shot which I think seems to be a spinoff of the Minnesota Kingstons? At least I think the heroine is a sibling of the Kingston clan? And some of the names seemed familiar. Anyway, I’m onboard for a marine biologist heroine – even the hero is a billionaire. Yikes!
Propaganda creator – now that’s an intersting one. I didn’t even think that could be an occupation! I’ve heard of the Codebreaker’s Daughter but it hasn’t really been on my radar until now. That’s some nice, eclectic reading, Sandy. Good luck!
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I can always count on Roseanna White to have unique jobs! I do enjoy that, especially when we see women in science or math roles. I do not enjoy women celebrities, but I’ll tolerate it if the book is well written.
kathrynlvossATgmailDOTcom
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Yes, Roseanna M. White can always be counted on for intriguing heroines with interesting professions. I could have listed all of her books, I think! I’m with you on celebrities in general but I keep reading ones that worked for me so now I know to never say never. Good luck, Kathryn!
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Another example could be the Chasing Fire series by Susan May Warren, with some female firefighters. It seems several of us really appreciated or look forward to reading Roseanna White’s The Number of Love (her books are simply good and I was a math minor). Elizabeth Camden is the first author I always think of for women in unusual or groundbreaking roles. I personally don’t care to read about business “sharks”, no matter female or male.
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Fire fighting heroines! Yes, Susan May Warren creates some interesting professions for her heroines. My brain can’t comprehend being a math minor. I can barely add and I could never grasp higher mathematical concepts. The only reason I passed grade twelve math and was able to graduate high school is because our math teacher went into labor on exam day (well the night before) and the school secretary had to supervise our exam. We had a textbook with all the formulas, tables and answers in the back and one intrepid student asked if this was an open book exam like all of Mrs Cassidy’s tests and the clueless secretary said, “um, I guess so.” Imagine my delight when I discovered that all of the exam questions were right out of the textbook which meant the answers were in there too! I was savvy enough not to answer every question correctly but still managed to turn my failing grade into C+ and that’s the last time I had anything to do with mathematics. 🙂
I was thinking about Elizabeth Camden too. She finds the most interesting historical tidbits to build a whole book around. The Gilded Lady came to mind – the heroine is the secretary to the First Lady and foils an Anarchist plot in her spare time! Good luck, CC!
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Oh, how funny! Your math class exam sounds like something straight out of a television sitcom!
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I’ll admit, I’m usually pickier about heroines than heroes when it comes to their professions. It’s funny because I enjoy male doctors as heroes, but for some reason, female doctors just aren’t my thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still read and enjoy those books, they’re just not automatic purchases for me. Also, I agree with you about the workaholic corporate heroine!
Some of the most unique occupations – at least for the time period – I’ve read for a female is a pastor (A Calling for Phoebe by Jenifer Carll-Tong) and a female soldier in the Civil War (Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson & Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. – though the later book starts at the end of the war so it’s not as prevalent). Oh and a pirate! (The Red Siren by MaryLu Tyndall)
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I’m surprised at how unpicky I am when it comes to heroine occupations. Exact opposite to strong opinions on heroes. Interesting about your doctor point of view. We’re all so different in what grabs our attention and sells a book. It’s lucky we have such a wide variety of options to choose from!
I have never read about a female pastor. Had to check out that book and it looks really good — romantically angsty though. I’d forgotten about Where Dandelions Bloom — it was such a struggle to make myself read that book! I kept checking it out from the library and returning it unread because…Civil War story and that’s just not my thing. But, wow, once I finally gave it a chance, I was blown away! Sooooooo good. Wait…a female pirate? That is unusual! Adding it to my list now. Good luck, Sabrina!
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I love unusual women’s occupations in especially historical fiction (though I get a little tired of the “usual” unusual occupations, like female doctors and reporters–there are quite a lot of those). The thing I don’t like is when–because it’s an unusual job–it becomes a story about sexism and proving a girl can do it. One thing I love about Elizabeth Camden’s books is that the women may hold unusual jobs, from statistician to telegrapher to translator, but they’re generally respected in their field and among their coworkers. And Jaime Jo Wright often has women doing creative but not terribly glamorous jobs–an undertaker’s assistant, a post-mortem photographer, an assistant/errand girl at the newspaper. None of these books rely on sexism for the plot and conflict.
Sometimes I feel like there’s a greater variety of careers represented in historical fiction, not because there were more options then, but because there’s so many now that no one wants to bother with the boring and less glamorous careers; I can’t think of a single contemporary novel I’ve read where the heroine is an accountant, dentist, postal worker, or an investment analyst, but I’ve read them all in historical fiction!
rdalquist AT gmail DOT com
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Historical fiction seems to just naturally mesh with unusual occupations for some reason. But I agree, some careers can become repetitive. And though I enjoy female doctor historicals, I don’t want a carbon coy of Dr. Quinn. 🙂 Just think of the research that goes into these historical occupations! On top of all the other research involved in writing a historical novel! It boggles the mind.
Bwahahaha – only Jaime Jo Wright would think of creating a heroine who is a post-mortem photographer! That was such a good book!
Really good insight into careers that we think ho-hum in contemporaries but fascinating in historicals. I guess part of the lure is the ‘antiquated’ way the work is carried out in days gone by. Like dentistry which has made huge strides over the decades. And the reverse applies to postal work — much more of an essential service back in the day. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rachael. Good luck!
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I don’t have very strong feelings on this subject. Of course I always enjoy stories with a librarian or bookshop owner.
Another book I read not that long ago (it wasn’t CF) featured a midwife. I think that it is quite fascinating. Especially in historical times when hospitals and doctors were not readily available. They would certainly get an inside view on the lives of the community!
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Ooohhhh, midwife is a favourite of mine, though it seems to show up in general market books rather than Christian Fiction. The Amish Midwife by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould comes to mind. And Laurie Alice Eakes has a whole historical series called ‘The Midwives’. And she’s written a contemporary one too, “The Mountain Midwife” Good luck, Patty!
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I’m drawn to the traditional jobs usually. Librarian, teacher, healer, caretaker (especially at an orphanage), maid, etc. I’m not really opposed to many jobs though. As with the heroes, I can enjoy most, as long as it’s done well🤷♀️ I do enjoy a unique occupation though! (Not gender-unique, but never-heard-of that-job unique.) Beetle wing embroidery sounds fascinating😃
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Yes, the beetle wing embroidery is fascinating. Google it. There’s tons of information on it. I ended up going down an internet rabbit trail while I was reading A Tapestry of Light because I just couldn’t picture it! 🙂 I love any kind of bookish connection like librarian too. That’s one career that will never get old for me! Good luck, Elly!
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I haven’t seen one of Laura Frantz’s heroines listed yet so I’ll go with Esmee from A Heart Adrift. She was a chocolatier. An occupation that sounds especially yummy to me! 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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Ooohhhh, chocolatier! I think that might be one of my favourite careers now that you mentioned it. Especially if I could get a job taste testing! And the historical twist to that profession is yummy. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Cheryl!
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I want to be a taste tester too, Kav! 🙂
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I don’t have a preference of occupation for heroines but I do like to read about strong, independent women. Fortunately, there are an abundance of them in Christian fiction.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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Strong, independent women make the best heroines for sure. Good luck, Pam!
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Roseanna White, Elizabeth Camden, and Mary Connealy all have several books with unusual heroine occupations. I love their creativity in choosing unusual occupations and situations. A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham has a dental assistant heroine in the late 1900s. She also has a clerk in a dead letter office of the postal service in her book Yours Truly, Thomas.
whthomas13 at yahoo dot com
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I cringed my way through A Lady in Attendance because I hate going to the dentist but it was such a good book. lol I haven’t read Yours Truly, Thomas yet but I hear great things. I like the idea of a dead letter office. Good luck, Winnie.
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Crises Shot is outstanding! I love Janice Cantore’s novels. I need to move the Codebreakers series up on my TBR.
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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I seem to care more about the heroines occupation than the heroes! 🙂 It’s hard to put into words as to what I do and don’t like, but I’ll try my best. Not that I don’t like them, but It seems whenever a woman is in a more traditionally male dominated type career (for the time period of the book) that the heroine usually has to prove herself and it just adds a bit of drama that I’m not always in the mood to read. 🙂 I guess there is also a fine line between a strong female character and one who is trying to be more masculine for the sake of their job/career. It depends on how the book is written. That being said, I truly do enjoy reading many different careers. It brings to life so many occupations I otherwise might not have known existed or didn’t fully understand what all the job entailed.
A few unique occupations that I could think of are: a bookbinder in To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer, a dime novelist in Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill, and a double agent in Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin
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This is so interesting, Bridget – we’re like opposites on the hero vs heroine careers topic. I get what you are saying about woman having to prove themselves in a male dominated field and how that can draw you out of the story if it isn’t handled correctly. Sometimes I get sooo angry and frustrated for a heroine who faces prejudice on the job because she’s a woman. I don’t mind, though, when it’s true to the time and situation and especially if the heroine proves the naysayers wrong. It does add a totally different kind of drama to the story.
Bookbinder was a fun bookish occupation that I haven’t seen a lot of in my fiction so I was thrilled with To Love a Beast as well. I didn’t realize that Written in Secret is about a dime novelist — love that theme. Must check that one out.
I’ve been kinda hesitant to dive into Midnight on the Scottish Shore because of the heroine being a double agent. I associate that with being bad an occupation a villain would have. Guess I need Sarah Sundin to change my mind. Good luck, Bridget!
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I really enjoyed the Jennifer Rodewald book you mentioned. I agree with you about the type you don’t like. I’m also NOT into the rock star or Hollywood thing at all.
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I need to read more Jennifer Rodewald’s books! And yeah, I’m surprised at how many rock star/Hollywood books keep releasing. Clearly there’s a market for them somewhere. Good luck, Tammy!
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i’ve really enjoyed the Kaely Quinn , Profiler series from Nancy Mehl, and this is when I learned about the behavior analysts who are employed by the FBI.
Connie
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
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Yes, that’s an interesting profession for sure. I like a forensic scientist heroine too. So many fascinating facets to law enforcement these days. Good luck, Connie!
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I have found that I (generally) don’t like books with heroines that are extremely naive or super-sunshine-always-positive personalities. Other than that, I’m generally good with whatever profession the heroine works in. LOL.
Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com
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So not a Pollyanna kind of heroine. I’d generally agree except I do love the contrast in a grumpy/sunshine romance — but it’s the way it’s written that make it work. Good luck, Jolene!
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