Best-Selling Christian Authors
Tamera Alexander (Romance)
Tamera Alexander writes both standalone and loosely connected series of inspirational novels, generally historical in nature and set in the American West. Her characters are often on the cusp of adulthood, and these coming-of-age stories may appeal to young adult readers as well. In the "Timber Ridge Reflections" series, start with: From a Distance
Terri Blackstock (Fiction)
Terri Blackstock is known for her hard-hitting stories of suspense and love, as her characters are revealed for flawed but persisting Christians seeking to find ways to deal with the bad things happening in life in a way consistent with their religious beliefs. Start with: Cape Refuge
Wanda Brunstetter (Romance)
Wanda E. Brunstetter brings romance and drama to the old-fashioned charm of Amish life. Her novels have become popular for their Christian-centered writing and detailed depictions of modern Amish life. Family, community, and God are at the center of her characters' lives as they overcome tragedies, fall in love, and face mistakes in their pasts. Start with: Kelly's Chance
Melody Carlson (Fiction)
Melody Carlson is an accomplished Christian author for children, pre-teens, youth, and adults, with sales totaling more than two million. Some of her most popular works are the Diary of a Teenage Girl books series and the True Colors book series. For adult fiction, start with: Crystal Lies
Colleen Coble (Romance)
Best-selling author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in multiple awards. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Her books range from contemporary to historical, with heart-pounding plots that twist and turn. Start with: Without a Trace
Lori Copeland (Romance)
Copeland writes faith-based historical romances set in the West or Pacific Northwest, and a humorous contemporary inspirational mystery series full of quirky characters and church politics. Her carefully detailed settings add to the appeal of her heartwarming stories. Start with: The Peacemaker (romance); A Case of Bad Taste (mystery)
Ted Dekker (Fiction)
Ted Dekker stretches the boundaries of Christian Fiction by exploring new subgenres, including Suspense, Fantasy, and Thrillers. Readers who prefer a less conservative Christian perspective or who are not of a Christian faith can appreciate Dekker's page-turning stories, which are moral in purpose though not explicitly religious. Start with: Three
Shelley Shepard Gray (Romance)
Inspirational relationship stories in an Amish setting. Shelley Shepard Gray wanted to write stories about regular, likeable people in extraordinary situations, who just happened to be Amish. Start with: Hidden
Chris Fabry (Fiction)
Chris Fabry is an award-winning author and radio personality who hosts the daily program Chris Fabry Live! on Moody Radio. His novels have won two Christy Awards and an ECPA Christian Book Award, but it's his lyrical prose and tales of redemption that keep readers returning for more. Start with: Dogwood
Irene Hannon (Mystery)
Irene Hannon is well-regarded, among secular and religious readers alike, for her several Christian romantic suspense/mystery series; titles within these can be read alone or as part of a series. Throughout Hannon's novels, faith is subtly integrated into the story, whether fast-paced suspense or sedate contemporary. Start with: Fatal Judgment
Dee Henderson (Romance)
Dee Henderson creates carefully researched, richly detailed, action-packed Christian romantic suspense novels. Her true-to-life characters, who inevitably turn out to be the answer to each other's prayers, are revealed to the reader in tantalizing tidbits of backstory. Never dogmatic, Henderson seamlessly fuses issues of faith into the plotline. Start with: True Devotion
Steven James (Suspense Fiction)
The author of more than 35 non-fiction books regarding Christian life, James has won acclaim for his storytelling abilities and has moved into writing a psychological thriller series, "The Bowers Files," in which young detective Patrick Bowers battles his own demons as he uses his intellect and experience to track twisted killers. Start with: The Pawn
Tim LaHaye (Fiction)
Minister Tim F. LaHaye is best known for the Left Behind series, which he co-writes with Jerry B. Jenkins. With a fast pace and gripping apocalyptic storyline, these books have become the best-selling Christian fiction ever. The characters are realistic and even the bad guys are likeable and human. Start with: Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days
Karen Kingsbury (Romance)
Karen Kingsbury writes emotionally charged, Christian-centered fiction with contemporary settings and built around a strong romantic component. Her characters often face difficult issues, such as illness, abortion, or abuse, but Kingsbury views them through an evangelical lens. With lots of dialog, cliff-hanger chapters, and an episodic style of writing, Kingsbury's novels move at a quick pace. Start with: A Time to Dance
Beverly Lewis (Romance)
Setting her contemporary evangelical Christian family stories among Amish communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Beverly Lewis attracts readers with her authentic details and fascinating insights into the "plain people" and their beliefs. For all her earnestness and old-fashioned values, Lewis's books address very real issues of religious dissension and how to keep oneself from, yet of, the world. Start with: The Parting
Frank Peretti (Horror)
His books are gritty and hard-hitting, though the books ultimately conclude with an uplifting message of faith and hope. While he never includes strong language or sexual situations, violence (sometimes graphic) is present; consequently the tone of his books can be dark and tense. Characters win against evil by fully embracing their Christian faith. Start with: This Present Darkness
Tracie Peterson (Romance)
Tracie Peterson is known for her well researched historical novels, many of which attract young readers and adults. Memorable and unconventional characters take you on a journey to the past filled with romance and adventure. Peterson also writes contemporary novels with intergenerational relationships and non-traditional families. Start with: A Promise to Believe In
Francine Rivers (Fiction)
Though she first began as a Romance writer, Francine Rivers now writes inspirational novels. Her characters, never perfect, battle difficult issues in a real world, such as rape or incest, but their faith allows them to overcome these problems. In her contemporary stories, she relates the modern world and situations to religious dilemmas, while her historical novels explore actual Biblical characters. Start with: A Voice in the Wind
Randy Singer (Fiction)
Randy Singer is a critically acclaimed, award-winning author and veteran trial attorney. He has penned more than 10 legal thrillers. In addition to his law practice and writing, Randy serves as teaching pastor for Trinity Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Start with: Directed Verdict
Robert Whitlow
The Christy Award-winning lawyer writes realistic Legal Thrillers within the broader scope of Christian fiction. Prayer and church are major influences in the lives of the characters, who have varying degrees of religious faith. The storylines are suspenseful and intricate, though no sex or strong language is present. Start with: The List
William P. Young (Fiction)
Famous for The Shack, Young is a relatively new author who writes vivid descriptions of events in an accessible storyteller's voice. Encounters with God include deep theological concepts but would be accessible to most educated readers. Start with: The Shack
