Hey there, I’m AJ!
I’ve been publishing since 2012, which is wild to think about. I started with writing grittier speculative fiction, moved into gritty thriller and police dramas, and finally settled into romance.
It took me a while to settle, mostly because I missed the hard reality of emotions from the other genres. So you’re not going to find cute and fluffy with any of my books. You will find characters that are real, strong, and deeply broken. Most characters are just trying to find healing in the midst of the ordinariness of life.
And that’s what I love about writing romance. It’s real and yet oh so hopeful.
I live a very busy life between working full-time as a minister, parenting two very rambunctious and busy kids who are growing up more and more every day, and being an author basically full-time on top of it. But I’m a morning person, and that’s what saves me every day. Five in the morning wake-up calls are my life, and that’s when I get the bulk of my things done. In the blissful quiet before the rest of the house wakes up.
I love to hear from my readers, so feel free to send me an email or join my newsletter to get to know me a little bit better and so I can get to know you.
My Favorites
Color
Blue
Guilty pleasure
Dirty chai
Mantra
“We’re never completely broken, and we’re never completely fixed.”
Holiday
Christmas
Outdoor activity
Gardening
Sound
Snow shovels on the sidewalk just before dawn
Featured Books
Read some of my favorite (and bestselling!) novels.
Don't Quit Your Daydream
When Laura Finch’s business partner hires millennial Skylar to bring their company to the next generation, Laura sees red. With humor and hope, Skylar bets on her sunny disposition winning Laura over. What she doesn’t expect is her growing crush to go anywhere. An age-gap lesbian romance.
My Boss's Stalker
Zoe has had a crush on her boss Gwen Fudala for the last 3 years. In a twist of events, Zoe drunkenly ends up on the phone with Gwen while in a compromising position. But it sparks a wildfire neither can put out. Still, something isn’t right. Gwen is being stalked... will Zoe end up tangled in the stalker's game?
Inside These Halls
The last thing on Esther Dunja’s mind is falling in love. But she never anticipated falling for her son’s teacher, Melanie Przbyla. Meanwhile, Melanie has her own startling realization: She’s attracted to women. What are Melanie and Esther willing to risk to let their love blossom?
Praise for A.J.’s novels
Contact Adrian J. Smith
Got a burning question to ask Adrian? Want to hire her to speak at your upcoming author or writing event? Reach out using this form, and she’ll be in touch when she returns from working on her next novel.