That poem is only my meagre way of describing L.J.Smith's books.
   It doesnt do her writing justice really. Neither does this site
   in general, but maybe I can provide a little introduction before
   sending you on your way to more meaty websites ;)

   The first books I read of hers were, appropriately enough, the 
   first ones she wrote: The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor
   However, this was before I was conscious of the actual author.
   They were just two of many books I picked up at the library as
   a kid. I only realized later that they were written by L.J.Smith,
   and associated them with her other books I'd fallen in love with.
   I don't own them, unfortunately. I have a fleeting, faint memory 
   of seeing them in a bookstore years ago, and passing them by. I
   could be wrong though ... it could just be a false memory I've 
   manufactured to torture myself ;)

   Anyway, that's really how I discovered this author, by borrowing 
   her books from the library (usually out of order, which drives me
   nuts but you take what you can get). That's how I read her famous
   series: The Vampire Diaries, as well as The Secret Circle and
   The Forbidden Game.

   Gradually I realized I was addicted to these books and it wasn't 
   enough to come across them randomly on the library's shelves. I 
   wanted to own them and read them in the _right_ order for once! :)

   The very first book I ever tried to order from a bookstore, was an
   L.J.Smith book. I still do today because I dont want to rely on 
   _maybe_ finding the latest one on the shelf. I'd rather reserve a 
   copy. Which is how I've come to own the later series', Dark Visions 
   and Night World, which are my favorites so far. And incidentally 
   that's where I got the name for this site: Night Vision. Of
   course the title can mean a few other things too. (I just love 
   layers of meaning, don't you? :)

   Many of her books are out of print and hard to find. I felt so 
   disappointed when I was told some weren't available anymore. I
   remember thinking, "dang it, they're not _that_ old! Why don't 
   they just reprint them like they do with Pride And Prejudice?!"

   Thus, although I've read all her books, my collection's incomplete.
   Anyway enough of this boring background info...you're wondering 
   about the author right? Well, there's a great biography of her on
   The Night World - Circle Daybreak website that I don't want to copy.
   So go there to read it, and let me continue my self-absorbed story ;)

   Why do I like her books so much? I can believe in her characters, 
   the plots are interesting and I love the themes she explores. The 
   psychic/supernatural elements, the soulmate principle... Also the 
   idea of forbidden love and people following their hearts though it
   means going against tradition and/or family/society's expectations.

   I'm a sucker for a good love story, with conflict and obstacles to
   overcome, but with a happy ending. I'd like to believe in soulmates 
   (a recurring element, especially in the Night World series. And I'd 
   love to experience this passage from the book Soulmate:

     She was with her flying companion--her playmate. The one who
     was sacred to her, who was the other half of the mysteries
     of life for her. The one who would always be there for her,
     helping her, watching her back, picking her up when she fell 
     down, listening to her stories--no matter how many times she 
     told them. Loving her even when she was stupid. Understanding 
     her without words. Being inside the innermost circle of her 
     mind. Her soulmate.

   For all you guys out there gagging...rest assured these books aren't 
   just romances. I guess you could classify them as teen horror books
   in the vein of Christopher Pike or R.L. Stine for instance. (I've
   read some of theirs too and I think L.J.Smith is a much better writer, 
   because I think her stories and characters have more depth. I also 
   think her books aren't just for pre-teens and teens. I'm almost 21 
   and I know many of her fans are even older.) 

   Also I tend to feel protective of the authors/actors/singers I admire
   so it upsets me a bit to see store shelves devoted to and overflowing 
   with books by the abovementioned authors, while L.J.Smith's books 
   are usually nowhere to be found. Sigh. Unreasonable as it may be, this
   fact doesn't endear the more famous/successful authors to me. 

   Well have I proven the truth of the title for this essay? Didn't I 
   promise I'd ramble? ;) 

   Night Visionary: Chris Petrovic
                    
   a.k.a. Hellewise A. Witch - of the Virtuous Variety
           -- Circle Twilight
 
   a.k.a. Euterpe A. Muse - of Lyric Poetry & Music
           -- Circle Daybreak 
                
   a.k.a. "You Twerp!" (but an amusing and bewitching one ;)

                                                            05/26/98