How Nora Roberts Inspired My Love of Reading and Writing
- authorllreid
- Jun 18
- 5 min read
TLDR
Every writer can point to a few authors who shaped them long before they ever sat down to write their own stories. For me, one of those authors is Nora Roberts. Her books were part of my life years before I was old enough to read them, and in many ways, they helped inspire the path that eventually led me to become an author myself.
Some of my earliest memories involve bookstores, library visits, and stacks of paperbacks scattered throughout my house. My mother and grandmother were both avid readers, and Nora Roberts was one of the few authors whose books seemed to be in constant circulation between them. Whenever one finished a novel, it would inevitably make its way to the other. Conversations about characters, plot twists, and favorite stories were common, even if I was far too young to understand what they were talking about.
What I did understand was that they were sharing something special.
Looking back, it felt almost like they had their own private book club. There was an excitement surrounding those books that I couldn't quite explain, but I desperately wanted to be part of it. Every trip to the bookstore seemed to end with another Nora Roberts novel being added to the pile, and every time I asked if I could read one, I was told the same thing: not yet.
That answer only made me more curious.
As a child, there are few things more fascinating than being told you're not old enough for something. The books became a mystery. I wondered what made my mom stay up late reading. I wondered why my grandmother was always eager to discuss the latest story she'd finished. Most of all, I wondered what could possibly be hidden inside those pages that made them so important to the women in my family.
I waited years to find out.
When I was fourteen, my mother finally decided I was old enough to read my first Nora Roberts novel. The book was Divine Evil, and I remember feeling as though I had finally been handed a key to a door that had been closed to me for most of my childhood.
What I found inside those pages was unlike anything I had read before.
Up until that point, I had enjoyed books, but Divine Evil showed me that stories could do much more than entertain. The novel blended romance, suspense, mystery, and darker themes in a way that kept me completely invested. Looking back, it was also one of the earliest influences on the kind of stories I would eventually write myself. It was the first book that made me realize how powerful storytelling could be when an author wasn't afraid to explore the uncomfortable, the dangerous, and the emotional.
You can read more about that journey in my article on how I became a dark romance author.
For the first time, I understood why my mother and grandmother loved these books so much.
The story stayed with me long after I finished reading it. The characters felt real. The tension kept me turning pages long past the time I should have gone to sleep. More importantly, the book made me want to experience that feeling again. I wanted to find more stories that captured my imagination in the same way, and eventually I began wondering what it would be like to create stories of my own.
I don't think I realized it at the time, but that curiosity became the foundation for my love of writing.
Over the years, I read countless books across a wide range of genres. Fantasy, romance, paranormal fiction, dark fantasy, and adventure stories all found their way onto my shelves. Every book contributed something to my growth as a reader and writer, but certain authors leave a lasting imprint. Nora Roberts is one of those authors for me, not only because of her storytelling but because of the role her books played in my life long before I ever read one myself.
Nora Roberts novels became part of a family tradition.
Reading was never treated as a chore in our house. It was something to look forward to, something worth making time for, and something worth sharing. Through books, my grandmother connected with my mother. Through books, my mother connected with me. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve wandering bookstore aisles, searching shelves for new stories, and watching the excitement that came with discovering a book you couldn't wait to bring home.
Those experiences shaped me just as much as the stories themselves.
Today, as an author, I often think about the impact books can have on readers. A single story can provide comfort during a difficult time, offer an escape from everyday life, or inspire someone to pursue a dream they never considered possible. I know that because books did all of those things for me.
If you're curious about my work, you can explore all of my books here.
When readers pick up one of my novels, my hope is that they find some of the same magic I found in the stories that shaped me. The ability to lose yourself in another world, to care deeply about fictional characters, and to stay up far later than you intended because you simply have to know what happens next is one of the greatest gifts books can offer.
For me, that journey began with watching my mother and grandmother share Nora Roberts novels across a kitchen table. It continued when I finally opened Divine Evil at fourteen years old and discovered a story that completely captured my imagination. Years later, it ultimately led me to write stories of my own.
Every writer starts somewhere. My story started with a family of readers, countless bookstore trips, and an author whose books were passed from one generation to the next until they eventually found their way into my hands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nora Roberts and Divine Evil
Who is Nora Roberts?
Nora Roberts is one of the most successful and influential romance authors of all time. Since publishing her first novel in 1981, she has written more than 200 books spanning romance, romantic suspense, fantasy, and mystery. Her stories have sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide and inspired generations of readers and writers, including me.
What is Divine Evil by Nora Roberts about?
Divine Evil follows photographer Clare Kimball as she returns to her hometown after years away. As she reconnects with old friends and a former love, she becomes entangled in a chilling mystery involving dark secrets, murder, and a hidden evil lurking beneath the surface of the seemingly peaceful community.
What genre is Divine Evil?
Divine Evil is generally classified as romantic suspense. The novel combines romance, mystery, psychological tension, and darker themes that set it apart from traditional contemporary romance. For me, it was my first introduction to a romance novel that explored darker subject matter, which is one reason it left such a lasting impression.
Did Nora Roberts inspire your writing?
Absolutely. While many authors have influenced me throughout my life, Nora Roberts was one of the first authors who showed me how powerful storytelling could be. Reading Divine Evil helped spark my interest in darker themes, emotional stakes, and character-driven stories, all of which continue to influence my writing today.
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Every story starts somewhere. Mine started with a well-worn Nora Roberts paperback passed between three generations of readers.
I'd love for you to be part of where the story goes next.
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