Hi all,
Nora’s deep into the second In Death book for 2026, so I thought I’d share some updates. She’ll be back here soon enough with The Garden updates, a Kentucky Derby recap and, of course, a full Girls Spa Week post. Promise.
A late winter break
The first week in March saw the 3rd annual Do-Puzzles-Do-NOT-Play-Games Week at Nemacolin come to pass. In a fairly new tradition, Nora treated her business manager (and lifelong friend) JoAnne and me to a week of relaxation, treatments and business discussions at one of her favorite destinations – Nemacolin.
We all met at Nora’s house for the ride out. BW mentioned it was the first time Nora was leaving the house since their last visit to Nemacolin in January. I’ve been walking every day this winter so I had a good laugh at that one.
When we arrived after a very smooth drive west, the team at Nemacolin greeted Nora with the news that our first night would actually mark the 1001st night she’s stayed at the resort since 2003. (See? Told you it was a favorite!)
This was what greeted us when we walked into the Presidential Suite. Later in the week, Maggie Hardy, the owner of Nemacolin, and her son, PJ Magerko, sent a lovely gift and note to thank Nora for her loyalty to the resort.
It was the first time JoAnne and I visited the reimagined Chateau (last year we stayed at the Grand Lodge). We were both looking forward to seeing what was new and different. Lighter colors, wood floors, a bit more space added up to a stunning set of rooms.
There’s now a tv above the fireplace (the better to view games, I suppose). Nora and JoAnne used it for their daily workouts. And we all settled in to watch the Oscars on a cold Sunday night. The butlers supplied us with popcorn and a reconfiguration of the furniture so we could all see the screen. A fun night.
At one point during the week, Nora said all she really needs during her stays at Nemacolin are some treatments and a chance to paint. The delightful, talented Claire Hardy and her current co-Artist in Residence, Julia Lamothe, came up to the suite to lead us through an oil painting class.
While we waited for our mani-pedi session, I saw this piece of art in the salon. JoAnne liked it too and we sent a text to Claire that we wanted to try it. Nora went in a more colorful direction and I sent off another text to Claire with a photo of a vivid floral she’d brought along.
We dived in to explore colors and technique. Julia was a fun addition to Claire, bringing along some textured palette knives and suggestions on how to use them. Nora was pretty fine using a variety of paintbrushes.
Her final product was absolutely stunning!
JoAnne and I were pleased with our results as well.
The overall theme to the week was the puzzle. Remember, the first year we did that insane cupcake one? This year was a gorgeous, glowing mermaid surrounded by elements of the deep. And when I say deep, I mean black/purple/crimson colors. It was hard. Nora focused a great deal of her energy on the mermaid while JoAnne and I worked the perimeter.
OK, full disclosure, I popped in and out. Most of my evening time was spent reading The Seven Rings with a notebook in hand so I could create the final Clover’s Clever Playlist. (You’ll find Part 1 and Part 2 on Spotify.) The book was wonderful and Clover communicates through 100 plus songs!
But I digress.
Despite seven days of work, we didn’t finish the puzzle. Here she is in all her final-day confusion.
Nora packed her up in the puzzle bag and planned to let Kat have a go at it. Haven’t heard if that’s happened yet. But I’ll find out.
On our last day, Nora and I sat down for a Facebook live which entertained JoAnne (off camera, working on the puzzle) to no end:
https://www.facebook.com/noraroberts/videos/1161723138867571
Departure day we woke to snow — that fortunately didn’t impeded our travel home. We’ve set the dates for the 2026 stay and that countdown has begun.
Video time
For me, there was work amid the fun. Early in the week, I posted the cover reveal for The Seven Rings. You can find all the ordering options at this link: Pre-order The Seven Rings. As always, you can order a signed copy from Turn the Page Bookstore.
And late in the week, I unveiled a new series of videos: In Death in Depth. When we were at Greenbrier last summer, Nora and I sat down for a video interview about the In Death series to celebrate Bonded in Death (the 60th full-length title).
We covered a lot of subjects from how the series evolved to specific characters. We’ll release a new video every Friday for the foreseeable future. Bookmark that page to check for new episodes.
And that’s the update for now.
Laura
Thank you Laura for your terrific posts .
Sigh. This newsletter update made me miss NR’s books. Yep, the last thing from NR I read was Bonded in Death. Poor Summerset. *sniff*
I got into romantasy books early this year. At some point, though, I had to stop. 😦 I love that so many authors in this space are publishing their books but—
See, some of my favorites from NR is the Guardian and the Circle trilogies. I love the fantasy, the worldbuilding, the characters. I especially love that her FMCs are older. They’re not 18 years old out here saving the world–although we do have Fallon in the one–but yeah, most FMCs in NR’s world are older women. And they’re so alive, so believable, so fully fleshed out.
I guess, I’m just tired of seeing snarky women in romantasy like snark is just their entire personality. It made me go back to Nora’s books because i really love her characters. They’re not just there to fall into bed. They grow, they make mistakes, they make friends. I mean, just take Eve as an example. She’s snarky but dude it’s not forced, not contrived. She doesn’t lash out at people just ’cause.
Sigh. I know. Not all authors are alike. Not all books. Not all FMCs. But i wish we had more characters like hers. NR, thanks for giving us characters we can fall in love with. I’m grateful I grew up reading these characters. It’s been years but some of my faves remain my faves to this day. They’re that awesome.
I could have written this comment myself! I’m on a romantasy break, maybe a permanent one? Nora will always be the Queen of characters in my book; character building, development, relationships, dialogue, all of it!
look up ana hung
Love the puzzle. Please post finished if possible! I am loving the In Death In Depths! Nora seems very relaxed talking about In Death and you know we are all interested in how her brain works. This is a great addition to the websites and gives us all that something to look forward to. Thank you Laura!
Bonded in Death. Who ever imagined that number 60 would be the best! I’ve been doing a re-read of the entire series. Took a break at 50 to read Bonded. I’m now up to 59 and will re-read Bonded next. Thanks for the updates!
Sounds like a great trip! Had to smile at the puzzle selected – it’s a great and challenging puzzle. 😊
Love the paintings! I am so excited for Seven Rings! I also love the In Death in Depth videos. I have loved reading Nora’s books since I was a teenager and re-read them often. I look forward to each book as they come out. Thank you Nora for taking me on so many adventures!
Thank you for the recap of your time. Love Nemacolin. My husband proposed to me in 1998 in the Golden Trout restaurant. I bought a cute little ceramic Tiffany box to commemorate our time there besides the ring.
I can not wait for The Seven Rings and for the song list. I play it all the time.
Let us know if Kat finished the puzzle. 💕
What a fantastic time you all had!!!
Just as an FYI…one may place an order at Turn The Page for each new Nora! Saves a lot of time, and ensures one does not miss a new title. The Staff is fantastic!
Adored Nora’s painting. Thanks for the brilliant recap and the Facebook Live!
Stephanie
#professionalromancefan
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I loved the three paintings. My mother painted, so I appreciate people who can paint. As always, thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Laura! Kudos to each of you for your artistic interpretations. They’re all definitely different and all beautiful. I appreciate you keeping us updated on your getaways, on Nora’s books, and the hints about her garden. 😄
Bonded in Death is one of my top 3 favourites in the In Death series. The books that include more details about Summerset’s past and the colleagues from that time are just so intriguing to me. I love learning about the man who became Roarke’s father. And watching the deepening of his and Eve’s mutual respect and affection. Thank you, Nora!
This is great! Looking forward to what’s next!
I preordered The Seven Rings. Can’t wait to read it in November.
I finished Bonded in Death and was like wow that was fantastic. I did figure out early on who the killer was coming after. But it didn’t keep me from enjoying the book. I have a nephew that started reading the In Death series three years ago. He’s up to number 47 now. He’s getting the ebooks from his local library. He’s a Sgt. Major in the U.S. Army. He’s got his twenty plus years in and is close to retiring this year. I’m so proud of him. His mom would be so surprised if she were still alive to see him reading these books. She had all of them and I had most of them. I inherited her books upon her death.
I love jigsaw’s but I’ve got into to. “ Wasjig” jigsaw’s, the picture at the front isn’t the picture that you’ll do it’s guess work what the final picture will be …It’s fun..
Try it one day
As always looking forward to Nora’s garden update and wondering if she’s planted spring bulbs last year….
Thank you Laura again for keeping us up to date.
Gina
Thanks for all your hard work getting these updates out to us. I have enjoyed this series since the first, although I’m not/was not typically into futuristic fiction.
I love the Fall into the Story page! So many interesting things are learned by yours truly! Can’t wait to read the next books!
Thank you lovely busy ladies for keeping us up to date on your journeys, interests and passions! It’s so interesting and fun finding out what goes on behind those fabulous pages!
I love all three paintings, but esp Nora’s choices of color. I’m totally into jewel tones, saturated colors, like that. The mermaid puzzle makes me want to set up in one of my upstairs rooms (to keep the cats out of “helping”!) and work at least one I’ve never set up (again due to feline “aid) instead of the much less complicated ones on my computer.
Really liked the interview.
After 60 books, understandably we fans are invested in the world Nora created so the back story and insights are great.
I love it that Nora always takes the time to rest and recharge and enjoy her family and friends on these great get-away trips!
That fireplace/TV setup looks so cozy. Sounds like a great time!
My Momma passed away about 2 yrs ago. She LOVED your books as well as JD Robb. I came across one of your books on Amazon and it made me think of her. Your books helped her make it through some tough times. Thank you
I have read and reread all the InDeath books. love them.
I love the characters and cant wait for #61