Sentence 12

"Her mouth moved dangerously close to a pout. 'How come I can't come in?' "-from Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

Pouting-generally suited for two-year olds-is a childish gesture. The often inquisitive children frequently ask questions. But they often wrongly ask Why? as How come?. Roberts uses both to create an image of an unruly, whiny, partly childish moment for her character.

My example: She blew a raspberry in his face. "That's so not fair!"

Sentence 11

" You're about as subtle as nuclear waste."- from Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

The simile of the you to subtle nuclear waste is Nora Roberts touch of sarcasm. By comparing these two opposites, Roberts constructs a paradoxial simile.

My example: You're about as quiet as a jackhammer.

Sentence 10

"Children are actors, you see, and actors, children."- from Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

The balanced, juxtaposed sentence shows that actors and children are on in the same. They are inseparable entities. Both share characteristics of the other. Children their imagination, and actors their longing for play and freedom.

My example: Dreamers are thinkers, you see, and thinkers, dreamers.

Sentence 9

"And he was exactly where he wanted to be. Alone."-from Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

The single word-alone-used as a sentence emphasizes the singularity the character wishes to have. Visually the word is by itself-alone. The character's desire for loneliness is emphasized by making it stand out so.

My example: He was deviously getting closer to what he wanted most. Power.

Sentence 8

"You might even cop a couple tips."- from Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

Roberts takes a playful jab at her character's former profession-a police officer-with this pun.

My example: He preached at her lack of organization in her business affairs. (about a former reverend)

Sentence 7

"He wanted to hit something, someone, pound his fists into flesh."- from Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

The words and phrase offset by commas show the character's chaotic thoughts in his rage.

My example: She wanted to cry, yell, eat too much chocolate.

Sentence 6

"She looked like a successful matron on her way out for lunch at her favorite club. But her eyes, as vivid a blue as his own, were filled with concern." -from Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

Roberts uses a conjunction to begin her next sentence to show a contradiction to cool, aloof exterior of the grandmother.

My example: The teenager had an impeccable resume- flawless GPA, full extracurricular schedule. But he just asked if Thailand was in China.

Sentence 5

"How well the man reasoned; lunatics always do within their own scope." from Dracula by Bram Stoker

Stoker uses a clause to separate the opposing-lunacy and reason- showing they both exist in the same being.

My example: How well she organized; the air head was surprising in the way.

Sentence 4

"Well, he looked so good-humored and jolly that it didn't seem half so hard to refuse him as it did Dr. Seward, so I said, as lightly as I could, that I did not know anything of hitching, and that I wasn't broken to harness at all yet." from Dracula by Bram Stoker

Stoker inserts a dependent clause into the speech of Lucy Wisternia. She is denying an American proposing to her. He often speaks in exaggerated cowboy slang to entertain her. This is a pun denying him marriage and poking fun of a horse handler.

My example: I told him I wasn't blessed with the ability to write to myself into any sort of commitment just yet. (a woman denying an author)

Sentence 3

"Magic is." -from Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts

Roberts uses a simple sentence-a noun and a linking verb without a predicate adjective-because magic is such a huge entity to the Irish people in the novel. There isn't a word that does justice to magic.

My example: Love is.

Sentence 2

"Straight that way it is." -from Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts

This sentence is inverted to use Irish dialect in a selection of dialogue from the novel.

My example: Me mum was a warm soul.

Sentence 1

"It was as stunning as the first time she'd seen it, she realized." -From Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts

Roberts uses an absolute phrase to describe what the character realized, which in effect takes us to two time periods. The present where she realizes, and the past her first encounter.

My example:  The steak was as tender as the first time she cooked it, she tasted.