Author LJ Smith, whose best-selling Vampire Diaries novels were turned into a hit TV show, has died at the age of 66.
Lisa Jane Smith published the original four-book series, about a love triangle involving two vampire brothers and an orphaned young woman, in 1991 and 92, before releasing another Vampire Diaries trilogy in 2009-11.
However, she was dropped from her own book series and replaced by new authors by publishers, but Smith continued releasing new instalments unofficially as fan fiction.
The official books were adapted for TV in 2009 and the show became a teen favourite over its eight years.
Described by the Guardian as a “deliciously pulpy supernatural soap opera”, the TV version was part of a craze for vampire stories that also included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight and True Blood.
The show won a total of 30 Teen Choice Awards including six consecutive prizes for best fantasy/sci-fi actress for Nina Dobrev, who played Elena for the first six seasons.
Dobrev starred alongside Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder as brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore. (BBC)
