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

Praise for A.J.’s novels

"A great love story with hot encounters. … The storyline is excellent and well written. I wish that there were more stories about older women. I definitely recommend this to everyone.”

Loek about Memoir in the Making

“The story is filled with danger, intrigue, and learning powerful lessons about how you perceive other people and how they perceive you.”

C. Melloh about Unbound (Quarter Life #1)

"This book was definitely different, but it certainly kept me on my toes as I read!!! It’s suspenseful and gritty. The storyline was unique and interestingly twisted. I loved the dynamics of the characters as well!"

Melissa Mendoza about Lost & Forsaken: A Detective Grace Story (Missing Persons #1)

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.

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