Several of the same questions that we always hear were asked, so I won't bore you with that. We DID get to hear firsthand about the book she's working on now with the female bush pilot (is it Meg? geez, I forgot already) in Alaska and Ignatius "Nate" Burke, the hero. [notice how I can remember the hero's first, last and nicknames...remarkable, huh? ] Nora's tentatively set them in "Lunacy," Alaska, but doesn't think her editor will let her keep the name of that fictional city.

Nora also told us that there is no need to fight over Roarke. "Anybody can have him for the price of a book." This was in response to Sangeeta's question regarding how Nora feels about all of her readers who fight over Roarke.

There were about 100 or so people lined up in this mega-bookstore, when actual signing time arrived. Still, as always, I was a bit surprised at that small number. I mean, here Nora is, as close to her hometown (Silver Spring, Md.) as she will get for this tour and only 100 fans? Just SHOCKING!! I think part of the problem is the way the D.C. media handle Nora's writing. Just that morning The Washington Post had a largely unimpressive article by someone who obviously has never read a Nora book. Of course the writer made reference to "ripped bodices" (which Nora has never written about) and such a reference--in my opinion--demeans the romance genre. I want to tell these so-called journalists to do a little research first and then "grow up." But I digress. Also, the writer characterized Birthright as a "straight romance," which it really is not. I mean, I read straight romances too, and love the genre unabashedly, but Birthright is way more than romance.

Maybe I'm being overly sensitive. Maybe D.C. folks couldn't care less about the Washignton Post and other media article. Perhaps all the other Nora fans (and potential fans!) are just waiting to head up to TTP on Friday... Yeah, that's it. Janet Evanovich will be there, too. Should be quite the madhouse.

Oh! One really funny moment came early on, just as Nora was arriving. The ADWOFFers had all planned a really loud greeting for Nora. We were all going to really let her hear it from the front row. However, only one of us--Sangeeta--saw her first. Therefore, Nora was greeted with a really loud, but solo, "WOOHOO!!!" that fell into one of those really quiet times. At that point the lady next to me says, "That girl belongs on Jerry Springer." Of course that sent the rest of us into gales of laughter. Poor Sangeeta. Your timing was just a wee bit early, kiddo... LOL