Author Spotlight: LJ Evans, Where Music & Stories Collide
I’d like to be able to tell you I remember the exact moment LJ Evans entered my brainspace, but I’d be lying. I may remember it right after I hit publish on this blog post, though, so stay tuned. But anyway, LJ Evans is one of those authors- nope, one of those people- who feels like they’ve always been there. It’s weird to look back and realize I’ve been reading her books for less than a year.
Yep, I read LJ’s Branded By A Song last Christmas. She was on my radar before then, because I read Song after I signed up for the release tour and ARC/ review copy of Tripped By Love. I think I kinda did things backwards with LJ. Although, I can’t even say that, because it seems to be exactly how I’ve been doing things for the past year. I find someone I connect with, someone whose energy meshes with mine, and then I dive into their books.
And boy did I dive into them! I clearly and vividly remember reading Branded By A Song. I remember crying within the first few chapters. I remember realizing I was several chapters in and totally immersed in the story, and didn’t even realize it was a slow burn because it was so perfectly emotional and intense I didn’t realize the main characters hadn’t had sex yet. I remember comparing her writing to another one of my favorite authors (A.M. Johnson) because of the depth of character development and the sheer poetic beauty of her writing. I remember thinking, this is an author to watch, and a person who really gets it. All of it- the story, the characters, the emotions, the everything.
And part of the everything I absolutely love in LJ’s books is how she treats children as characters of consequence in her stories. To be honest, I know it’s really hard to write realistic kids into non-kid intended books. Because kids are really so freaking different- from adults and from each others. And writing a child into a book that’s emotional and intense and yes, seggsy, is something I know a lot of authors struggle with. How do you write a kid into a story, have them become part of the story but not the story itself, and portray them in a way that isn’t an overgeneralized stereotype? Well, you may want to ask LJ- because the kids in her books are essential and consequential elements of her stories, not afterthoughts or interruptions. They are often just as much main characters as the heroes and heroines. And in some cases, they may even steal the show a little bit. But either way, they enhance the plot, help develop the characters around them, and move the story forward in a purposeful and elegant manner that is engaging and realistic.
I credit a huge part of her ability to write those characters with her background as a teacher. And honestly, thinking about it, I believe I first connected with LJ through a “get to know me” post on FB. Quite possibly in another author’s group. I remember checking off so many things we had in common besides being addicted to love stories- Chai tea lovers, former teachers, country music fans, Disney addicts- and thinking, huh, there are others out there like me. Cool!
I think what I’m really drawn to in LJ and her books is her humanity. How she can take even a romantic suspense story and make it believable, realistic. How her rockstar stories have deep elements of home and community. How family and loss and courage and new beginnings become a character’s guidestones, creating connections with readers beyond just what the characters’ simple story implies. Her characters stick with me. Her main characters are all so human and beautiful in their honesty and flaws and strengths and vulnerabilities. And her supporting characters create beautiful depth to the themes of family (genetic and found), community, and growth written into the lives within the pages. Her books are immersive. I want to climb right into her stories and live there.
Beyond the beauty and humanity LJ writes into her stories and her characters, she has a fantastic connection to music, and I think it brings an even greater depth to her books. Open an LJ novel and you’ll find playlists, chapter titles, and chapter intros built around meaningful song titles and lyrics. Her books read like a song, because quite often their inspiration leaps from the lyrics. I love the tie-ins and the visuals the songs add to the stories- because yes, I do get visuals as much from listening to song lyrics as I do from reading words on a page. And I have found quite a few new songs and artists to love (and add to my personal playlist) thanks to LJ’s books.
As of the day I’m writing this, Charm City Romanticon will be my first opportunity to actually meet (and hug) LJ, but I feel like I know her already. And in a way, I guess I do. She writes so much of her heart into her books, it’s easy to feel connected to her. But beyond that, LJ and I have become friends through our love of great stories and the Romancelandia community. She has supported me by donating to fundraisers, sharing my blog and podcast, and listening to me when my imposter syndrome rears its ugly head. We talk about our kids, our pets, our favorite authors, and of course music and books we both love. Yet one more reason I will be forever grateful for the connections I’ve made these last couple of years
I am so excited that LJ will be joining us as an attending author at Charm City Romanticon in March 2023. The fangirling will be in full effect!
Just the facts:
First book I read by LJ: Branded by a Song
What I love most about her books: Deeply intense slow burn done right! Her language is seriously poetic and beautiful, too.
Fave book by LJ: The Last One You Loved
Fave character: Ooooh… Ok, stay with me on this one- Mila Hatley from The Last One You Loved. Talk about a “minor” character being a serious catalyst! LJ does kids as supporting characters right, and Mila is a stellar example of that.
Fave cover: Disguised As Love The energy is this cover is spectacular. It’s just the perfect blend of everything.
Get all the info about LJ on her website: https://www.ljevansbooks.com
You can get her books on Amazon
You can find LJ on social media here: Facebook Instagram TikTok
Facebook reader group: LJ's Music & Stories
