In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by “Heart of Valor” in 1990, and the 4-volume “Vampire Diaries” series in 1991-2. She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University. In interviews, she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, “when a teacher praised a horrible poem I’d written”, and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. The popular Night World series adds a recurring reality-altering conspiracy theme, enlivened with “romantic soul mate scenarios.” A dark antagonist typically attempts to seduce a heroine into the darkness, and in some cases is instead reborn into the light.

Her books, which combine elements of the genres of horror, science fiction/fantasy, and romance, are populated with young and apparently-young human and supernatural characters locked in dark vs. Smith, is an American author of young-adult literature. Lisa Jane Smith, known professionally as L.J.

The awakening by lj smith