Nora Roberts's Blog, page 56

Litograph contest update

I appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked in the expanded time frame for the LitographsNaked in Death design contest. Our thanks to everyone who participated. (And thanks to everyone who backed up an “I can’t design” with “but I’ll buy one!”) Litographs products require a specialized style and formatting. While the submitted designs were beautiful and creative, we (and Litographs) were afraid that they would not be properly recognizable when created from text. But we were so impresse...

‘Twas The Weekend Before Christmas…

And all through the house, kids are on a sugar high. That’s what happens here when we have our annual cookie-baking extravaganza. It’s a day for fun and for not worrying about the dentist or caloric intake. Besides, I planned to hit the gym afterward, knowing my gang had to leave by three as my oldest grandson had a basketball game. I mentioned to my granddaughter I’d make the sugar cookie dough early so it would have its time in the fridge before rolling. She immediately objected–but, but,...

So Much December

Homer

For us this big, crowded, happy month held a hard punch. Last week we had to send our sweet, sweet Homer over The Rainbow Bridge. He went out of our lives as gently as he came into them. He was always our no-fuss, no-drama boy. Kind-hearted, laid back and loving. Twelve years ago this coming spring, I crouched among a litter of frisky, excited pups, wondering how I would ever pick The One.

And while his litter mates all but did handsprings, he walked over, easy and quiet, put his paw...

Brotherhood in Death excerpt

Since it’s 62 days until Brotherhood in Death is in US/Canada stores, 64 until it’s released in the UK/IRE/AUS/NZ/SA, I thought I’d share the excerpt. Click this link.

Then enjoy!

Laura

The Naked in Death Design Contest!

Way back at the April TTP signing, Laura Gorton – in sports radio parlance a long-time friend of the show – wore the coolest t-shirt with the silhouette of a woman on the front and a man on the back. Nora and I admired it — as sensible women do when presented with cool clothes. Laura told us it was a Litographs Pride & Prejudice t-shirt and that the gray and green areas were the text of the entire book. Go visit the Litographs websitenow. I’ll wait.

Immediately after the signing Nora and I pr...

Work-Cation

BW and I are enjoying our last day of our fall week at the spa, which is, for me, a working vacation.

Before we left, I spent several afternoons through the week helping my grandson–Grade Six–with math (God help me) and a complicated English assignment. For the math, fortunately, he’s a lot better at it than I am. I SEE the words ratio and percentage, and my brain freezes.

English assignments, much better. But I swear I’m not sure I knew the definition and practical uses of things like person...

Stars of Fortune discussion thread

This is the place to discuss Stars of Fortune, Book 1 of The Guardians Trilogy. Please note that spoilers will abound.

I knew the basics of this book from conversations with Nora, but even knowing those basics, the way the story unfolded, the way secrets were revealed kept me reading faster and faster until it was done.

Please share your thoughts about the book or about this new group of six we meet or their particular talents. My personal countdown until book 2 is already underway. Laura

New York State of Mind

Every fall we spend a week in the city. I love New York. I love the wonderful mix of old buildings with the new and sleek, the energy and color, the mix of voices, the way the city shines at night, and all the possibilities it offers.

I’m a country girl at heart, and I need the quiet, the alone, the trees and the gardens. But I consider it a real gift to be able to come to the vibrancy of New York once or twice a year, and absorb the contrast.

We’ve stayed at the same hotel for years and year...

The process after the writing

A note from Laura: this post springboards froma little tidbit I shared aboutthe title of the fall 2016 In Death title (Apprentice in Death) and the resulting “why can’t we have it now?” comments. It’s also a preventative measure for the upcoming Stars of Fortune, book 1 of The Guardians Trilogy, and the predictable “why do we have to wait for the second and third books??” (In the latter case, it’s because book 3 is not yet written.) We’re so lucky that Nora has the discipline and fast pace to...

No-Internet Hell

Our cable is out this morning, which means no internet, no phone, no nothing. I’m okay about the phone, and the TV–never much use either most days. But OMG, where’s my internet???? My plans for today are now in flux. This Monday was to be catch-up on everything I’ve ignored the last couple weeks. Which is a lot of email, a lot of internet surfing for specific items and information. Sending in my corrections, via email natch, for the galleys I just proofed. Dealing with the growing chaos of m...