Since her first book in 1983, she has written more than 150 novels, 115 of which have made The New York Times bestsellers list. More than 250 million copies of her books are in print.

She was here last week signing her newest, Northern Lights (Putnam; $25.95). Cincinnati was the 11th stop on a 3-week, 14-city tour. And yeah, she's writing on the road, too, despite the 12- and 14-hour days. "There are stories to be told. When one comes to me, I go for it.

"I write fast," she says in a voice fueled by the Winston she just stubbed out. "That's how J.D. Robb was invented. My publisher, my agent and my editor all insisted, but I resisted. I dragged my heels for two years, but my unpublished books were stacking up and I finally gave in.

"And you know what? It's been fun. J.D. Robb has allowed me to go from straight romantic mystery to a darker, grittier world with continuing characters. There'll be more of those, too."

Set in Lunacy, Alaska, Northern Lights, is the atypical love story between Sheriff Nate Burke, a Lunacy newcomer, and bush pilot Meg Galloway, a Lunacy native. Their romance is complicated by the discovery of a frozen corpse that turns out to be the father Meg thought had abandoned her.

"I've never been to Alaska, but I feel like I have," Roberts said. "I did a lot of research on the state, on bush pilots, little planes, landing on frozen rivers, all kinds of things. I really wanted Alaska to be a character, not a place."

Before she could get away to her next stop (Philadelphia), we hit her with 10 questions.

One thing I'd really like to write about but haven't:

Nothing. If I want to write it, I write it. I'm sure there are plenty of things I haven't thought of yet, but I'll write about them, too.

One thing I'll never write about:

Never say never. An idea comes to you and you just have to do it. I can't think of any subject I'd avoid.

One thing about my readers that surprises me:

Surprise might be too strong a word, but it's their incredible loyalty. I'm so grateful to them for it. It's so humbling and so gratifying.

People don't know it, but I'm:

An introvert. Everyone thinks I'm this Type A person, out there living the glamorous social life. But the truth is, I spend most of my time in baggy sweat pants in front of a keyboard.

When I need a really good laugh I:

"Mostly these days I play with my (two) grandchildren. Nothing makes you laugh so quickly.

I'm most proud of:

My family. I have two absolutely incredible sons, a wonderful daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and a fabulous husband.

When I can't sleep, I:

Read or work. When I read it's Terry Pratchett, Kasey Michaels, John Sandford, Robert Parker, Sue Grafton, any well done contemporary fiction.

If I could do it all over again I would:

Not change a thing. You don't mess with fate. I'm a firm believer that if you change one thing, you change everything that follows.

Being atop the bestseller list feels like:

It's almost better than sex. Not quite as good, but almost.

One thing I should have asked you:

Nothing. You know, I'd be such a terrible interviewer because I can't think of questions to ask people. I'd have a terrible time. I'm much better at making up answers."

E-mail jknippenberg@enquirer.com