Really, Christian fiction includes genres you'll find in the general fiction market. Okay, maybe not erotica. But you will find all sorts of genres, from mystery to women's fiction to suspense to romance to even horror.

So how does the Christian market categorize genres and what will you find between the pages of these categories?

SPECULATIVE FICTION - a nice name for Science Fiction or Fantasy, told from a Christian world-view. Think Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia. and Left Behind. Where speculative fiction used to be a rare find in Christian bookstores, today you'll find plenty to choose from. Some speculative authors to check out are: Ted Dekker, Frank Peretti, Karen Hancock, Donita K. Paul, and Sigmund Brower.

ROMANCE - It may come as a surprise to some, but Christians have sex, too! The only difference is that Christian romance saves sex for marriage. But that doesn't mean you won't find normal human desire and romance between the pages of a Christian romance novel. Romance has been the top-selling genre for years. In Christian romance novels, you'll find characters who deal with love, sex, and romance God's way instead of the world's way. There are many romance sub-genres, including Romantic Suspense, Historical Romance, and Chick Lit. Some Christian romance authors you might enjoy are: Francine Rivers, Camy Tang, Beverly Lewis, Denise Hunter, and Judy Baer.

MYSTERY - Intrique, who-done-it's, crime solving...mysteries and crime solving have always been popular and there are plenty of Christian crime-solvers on bookshelves today. Christian mysteries have all of the elements as a general mystery, only God usually plays a key part in helping everything come together. Some recommended Christian mystery authors: Mindy Starns-Clark, Virginia Smith, Sharon Dunn, Rosey Dow, and Andrew M. Greeley.

THRILLER/SUSPENSE - The Bible is filled with action and thrill. Why should novels by Christian authors be any different? After all, good-vs.-evil is a big part of God's Word. And in a Christian suspense novel, a message of hope is always woven throughout the pages. And of course, the good guy always wins!  Christian Thriller novelists to check out: Ted Dekker, Jerry B. Jenkins, Ter ri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, and Steven James.

HISTORICAL - If you love history and long to revisit past time periods and still get a message of Christ's redemptive love, there are plenty of Historical Christian novels to choose from. See God at work in the lives of your ancestors. There are different types of historical novels these days, but one of the most popular is (and possibly always will be) historical romance. Some historical Christian authors you may enjoy: Laura Frantz, Beverly Lewis, Mary Connealy, Linore Rose Burkard, and Janette Oke.

CONTEMPORARY - Contemporary Christian fiction is a novel set in current times. Characters face the issues, dilemas and situations the average person encounters every day. Contemporary fiction may be humorous or dramatic but it's always realistic. Popular contemporary Christian authors: Lisa Samson, Kristin Billerbeck, Karen Kingsbury, Jamie Langston Turner and Angela Hunt.