‘Tribute’ another gem from Nora Roberts

“Tribute”

by Nora Roberts (Putnam, 464 pages, $26.95)

Warning: Do not begin this book late in the day – unless you plan to pull an all-nighter. Because once you start “Tribute,” you won’t want to put it down.

Which, of course, makes it no different from any other Nora Roberts’ book.

“Tribute” is precisely what readers have come to expect from Roberts’ annual hardcovers: a good idea spun into a captivating story with engaging characters that will quickly become a favorite.

Cilla is the granddaughter of a bigger-than-life movie star, who famously committed suicide at her farm house retreat in Virginia. Cilla earned her own fame and fortune as a child TV star and heroine of a few horror movies.

By the time Cilla arrives at her grandmother’s Virginia farm, she’s a carpenter intent on restoring the house and grounds where grandma once burnt cookies and allegedly romped with Steve McQueen.

Across the street lives Ford, famous himself in comic book circles as the creator, artist and author of a super-hero series. He has firm opinions on what kind of kryptonite is more deadly to Superman and has an “active dislike of Jar Jar Binks.”

And he meets his soul mate the day he saunters across the street to check out Cilla.

Her grandmother had legendary parties at the farmhouse and was a celebrated presence in the small town. People there were either awed by her, or hated her.

Cilla encounters both. Apparently one in the latter group doesn’t want her to bring the house back to life, and she starts getting harassed, to escalating degrees.

Roberts does a great job of making Cilla self-sufficient enough to handle the nastiness herself, but turning Ford into an acceptable knight-in-shining armor as well.

The dialogue between Ford and Cilla is snappy, witty and just plain fun. And Roberts inserts enough light-hearted scenes to balance the suspense.

In summation, this is a must-read. Which should really come as no surprise.