 |
Nora Roberts's |
|
Nora's Report from Dallas & Houston
Couple of long days. Did get some shopping time with Liz in Dallas. Good scores for both of us. I bagged three pair of shoes. Oh, great shoes. A wonderful necklace, clothes for my grandbabies, a terrific cashmere sweater and a couple pair of pants. Not bad for a couple hours. Then a really wonderful lunch, outdoors in the sunshine. Fun time was over, and it's back to change for the event. The B&N was completely prepared, really smooth. Great crowd of fun people. Met some ADWOFFers, and have already plowed through most of the box of Dots one sweetheart gave me in a gift basket.
Back to the hotel to organize a little and fall into bed.
Car's supposed to pick me up at 8 for the drive to Houston. A little after pick-up time, I call. On hold awhile, then she comes back on. Oops, the car's about a half hour out, it's been overheating, but--
Oh no, says I. I'm not getting in a car that's having trouble for a four hour drive. I'll end up standing on the side of the road with my thumb out. Do better. On hold again. Call Liz's room. Now I've got the hotel phone on one ear, my cell on another. Car company can't seem to help me even though Liz would give up her car to the airport for me. No dice. But the lovely concierge at the Mansion slips a card under my nose, that says: I can help you with a car.
And she does. Liz comes down. Concierge gets me a car within twenty minutes, and I'm on my way with James.
We make great time. I have a phoner in the car, then call home and touch base. Zip down to Houston, then sit and sit in construction traffic. The Sam's where I'm signing in on the south side and we're coming from the north. But he gets through it, and we arrive right on time. He got a really good tip.
Sam's is also well organized, and I have Publicity Donita and the teddy bear of sales reps J.R. to watch out for me here. We have a really big crowd. Bigger than I'd expected. Happy faces, and many multiple purchases at those great prices. In fact, the first woman in line has a dozen copies of NL. Wow.
From there it's off to the hotel downtown where I immediately order food. Starving! Gobble it up while I watch Runaway Jury. John Cusack is so seriously cute. Clean up, change for the drive to Galveston and the Levy Bon Voyage party for the Get Caught Reading At Sea cruise.
We have a stretch and champagne. Hard to complain about another hour drive. Levy throws a hell of a bash. Music, food, drink. Everyone's so excited to be heading out to sea. I bet they're going to have an amazing time. I see some writers I haven't seen in a while, sign books, take pictures, catch sight of some pals, schmooze with the Levy people. And actually have a couple of minutes to chat with Mary Higgins Clark, one of my heroes
Then I head back. Donita and J.R. are going on the cruise, so we say bye-bye.
Home and tired, tired, tired.
But I have a beautiful suite and today, Sunday, off. Slept till 9:30!!!! Went down and got in a good workout. Am waiting for housekeeping to finish up here. Going to shower, look over the schedule for the next couple of days so I can organize my stuff accordingly. I know I fly out early tomorrow for Seattle, but today is mine, all mine.
A couple hours writing, and I'm going to sloth around watching TV or taking a nap.
I survived Week One!!
Nora
ADWOFF > NORA'S TOURS > Northern Lights Tour > Dallas & Houston > Nora's Report
Nora Roberts's Northern Lights' Tour 2004 is
© 2004 by Nora Roberts and ADWOFF
All Rights Reserved