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Tuesday, August 5, 2025

CHRISTIAN, CLEAN OR GENERAL FICTION?

 By Patricia Bradley


I'm getting ready for a writing retreat with fourteen other romantic suspense writers in the Great Smoky Mountains, and so I thought I'd ask what type of fiction your prefer and share your answers with my writer friends: Christian, clean or general fiction.

I hesitated to tell you my preference since I didn't want to influence you, but you would probably figure it out since it's what I write. Or not. This is from someone who has always read almost anything, even the backs of cereal boxes when I was a kid (haven't grown up yet, either). 

And the answer is...I read all of the above, but I prefer Christian or clean. I usually only read general fiction when I'm doing research and I know the author had done their work...like for Deadly Revenge. I needed to research how to blow up a dam so I read Wet Desert: Tracking Down a Terrorist on the Colorado River by Gary Hansen, a general fiction book. Boy, did I learn a lot about dams and how to blow them up! And it was an interesting book.

Okay, Suspense readers, which do you prefer and why (If you don't mind saying so)? Leave your answers in the comments along with your contact information and I'll enter you in a drawing for Deadly RevengeYou can click on the graphic below to read about it.


 

 

 

57 comments:

  1. general
    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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    1. L, I mostly read books like those by Lynnette Eason, Elizabeth Goddard, etc.

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  2. I like both.
    dianah7272 at gmail dot com

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    1. It depends on the author for me, Diana.

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    2. Me, too. See my reply above, Diana.

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  3. Christian,clean mysteries with a bit of humor! Thanks,Mark (chicowill57@aol.com)

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  4. Christian and clean, but I already have the book and read it 3x
    Barbara Diggs

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    1. Then if you win, I'll have to think of a different book, Barbara...

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  5. Carlienpeens@gmail.comAugust 6, 2025 at 10:12 AM

    I prefer Christian. After years of reading "smut" the Lord got ahold of me about it. Now, I like my faith to be stirred by what I read. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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    1. I totally understand! I was watching a program on TV once and suddenly realized I didn't need to put that content in my mind. My TV is now turned off period.

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  6. I prefer Christian. I’m grateful that God can use the gifts of the writer to bless me and teach me more about Him.

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  7. I prefer Christian. linda-henderson@att.net

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  8. I read Christian Fiction in the romantic suspense genre. terriandricky@gmail.com

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    1. That's exactly what I red Terri unless I'm doing research.

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  9. Both cheetahthecat1982@gmail.com

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    1. Kim, I'm finding it harder and harder to find good, clean general fiction. :-/

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    2. I still find good clean fiction in the amish category.

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  10. I read all of them but my preference is Christian because they have a faith foundation. watts.vickie@gmail.com

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    1. What I like about Christian fiction, Vickie, is there is always hope at the end.

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  11. I prefer my books to at least be clean, if not Christian. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. I prefer Christian fiction - I want the faith element and so thankful for all the great authors that provide that! Have read this book and it's amazing! 😍

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  13. I have no preference because I'm like you I grew up reading everything that I could get my hands on just so I could read, cereal boxes included!
    Msredk @ aol . com

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    1. Cindi, I often wondered why I read the backs of cereal boxes and realized that's probably all I had to read at breakfast. lol

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  14. I love reading just about anything but sci-fi and fantasy IF it's a clean read. Love it when a story has a thread of faith, even if it's almost invisible. I think it's what makes you stop and think or to figure out who it applies to you maybe as well. Love suspense when it keeps you on the edge of your seat and guessing. Add in a touch of romance to make it even better. I love cozies because they are fun to see if I can figure out whodunit before the reveal. Plus most times they are in small towns, which I can definitely relate to. Give me a regency romance from time to time and give me a glance of who things use to be. Face it, I love them all!
    Any by the way, don't knock reading cereal boxes (for the young and old). It got kids to eat breakfast and got them to reading (always a good thing) and keep us oldies entertained and up with what's "hot" plus we learn what we are eating - good or bad. I did it as a kid and I still do it. :)
    Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy of DEADLY REVENGE, which is already on my TBR list. Would love the opportunity to read and review it.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. You're right about it getting kids to read and eat breakfast. A twofer! And I'm warming to some sci-fi and fantasy. lol

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    1. I prefer Christian or clean but will read general fiction if I don't encounter words I don't want to put in my head.

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  16. I prefer Christian. It is more aligned with the way I think and live. I have read all 3 kinds for many years and decided that reading Christian fiction is the best for quality reading!
    Janice M.

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    1. I agree, Janice. I think Christian publishers hold their authors to a higher standard than general fiction.

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  17. Christian fiction is my go-to. I love the spiritual truths woven amongst the pages.

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  18. I enjoy both! tWarner419@aol.com

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  19. I read all three as long it’s not gratuitous alysap at yahoo dot com

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  20. Thank you so much for asking. I read all the above. I prefer to read clean or Christian fiction. I dropped out of a book club because some of their books were too graphic. God bless you. dpruss@prodigy.net

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    1. Not reading a graphic book or watching a graphic TV. I stopped watching more than one TV show that insisted on showing autopsies or graphic shootings.

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  21. I read all, but I prefer Christian. ceedee1958@gmail.com

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  22. Anything romance. I love a happily ever after. I do love paranormal too! Ty for the chance! Dreadrake1@gmail.com

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    1. I loved The Twilight Zone, Dreaa! When I get a chance I'm going to watch a few episodes.

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  23. I enjoy reading all these categories - Christian because I love reading about God's love, guidance and faith; clean because I am not thrilled about curse words or spicy romance; and general fiction because I enjoy reading fictions. Thank you.
    cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. I prefer Christian but definitely clean. I don't want other junk in my head, and since I read a lot, I want what I read to include good messages.

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  25. I mostly read Christian, and definitely clean. VERY rarely, if ever, do I read general fiction. I like to read books that I know I can finish without encountering spicy scenes, graphic content, or cussing. Once I start a book, I have a hard time putting it down, so I think that if I read general fiction and encountered any of the above, I would have a difficult time stopping when I know I should not be reading that content.

    Your books sound so intriguing! I can't wait to read them! Heather Mitchell crhbmitchellfam@duck.com

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    1. Thank you, Heather! I feel the same way, but will sometimes be surprised when what has been a clean read turns spicy. I turn the page (or two) and go on, but if it continues, I'll put it down.

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  26. Christian! Glorify the Lord in everything you do.

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