Writing Strong Christian Women Without portraying them as abrasive

If you're anything like me, you’ve probably read a Christian romance or two where the heroine falls into one of two extremes—either she’s too passive to root for, or she’s so tough that she loses what makes her feel real.

When I wrote The Bishop’s Daughter, I wanted to create something different. I wanted a story that felt true to the quiet, complicated way many Christian women live out their faith—full of love, restraint, strength, doubt, obedience, and longing.

At the heart of this novel is Martha Beiler. She’s soft-spoken, deeply faithful, and careful with her words. But don’t mistake that for weakness. Her strength comes in quiet moments—in how she carries burdens without complaining, how she listens more than she speaks, how she questions without losing her reverence.

For Christian romance readers who are tired of heroines who either yell their way through life or stand silently in the background, I wrote Martha for you.

She’s a warrior not the rebellious type. She doesn’t want to run away from her faith. But she does want something deeper—something that can’t be found in blind obedience or forced romance.

When her father arranges a courtship with a man who sees her more as an obligation than a partner, she tries to accept it. Because that’s what good daughters do. But then, she meets Daniel King—a man with a past, and a soul that’s been broken and rebuilt in quiet ways. He doesn’t chase her without respect for her community, he truly sees her. And for Martha, that changes everything.

This isn’t a love story of rescue—it’s a story of recognition. Two people who have been misunderstood by their communities, trying to figure out if grace can really make all things new. And if it can... whether they’ll have the courage to accept it.

If you’ve ever longed for a romance that holds onto faith without ignoring the ache, the fear, or the doubt—The Bishop’s Daughter is for you.

💬 I’d love to invite you to listen for free to The Bishop’s Daughter on my YouTube channel, where I’m reading the book chapter by chapter.

🎧 Start with Chapter One today — no cost, no catch.

📖 Prefer to read? You can also download a free chapter.

I hope Martha’s story brings you the quiet kind of strength your heart has been looking for.

With love and grace,

Amy Yoder/Amy Amayo...