D.L. Norris
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D. L. Norris is a distinguished author and motivational speaker, widely recognized for her insightful contributions to literature and personal development. Her acclaimed novels—The Long Way Home, Where the Heart Is, Old Books and Faded Dreams, Field of Memories, and The Intercessors—are notable for their vibrant stories and authentic portrayal of real-life events and mindsets inspired by her beloved Scandinavian heritage. Norris’s writing is characterized by warmth and wit and the ability to capture the complexities of human relationships. She and her husband, Quincy, reside in picturesque Hartford, Connecticut.
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The Long Way Home
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Fiction Biographical
Set in the 1950s, The Long Way Home takes readers on a nostalgic journey with the townspeople of Tilden, a quaint community in Madison County, Nebraska. At the center of the story is Maggie Davis, a middle-aged widow, and heiress to a grand Victorian manor. The stately home, which Maggie shares with her spunky nine-year-old daughter Jenna, also serves as a bed-and-breakfast to a once regular, but now transitory, clientele. The kitchen table is the epicenter of lively conversation at the manor, where no topics are off-limits. Maggie’s out-spoken, spinster neighbor delights in keeping everyone on guard with her opinionated tirades, but she is frequently reigned in by an elderly, equally forthright family member who has recently become a permanent dweller at the manor. Maggie finds herself struggling with the painful memories of her husband’s tragic death, as well as the stirrings in her heart associated with a new house guest. A scandalous scheme to swindle Maggie out of her property rides on the heels of a sudden, unexpected death, pointing to a member of the family as a suspect. Set against the backdrop of humor, tragedy, and love, the story culminates with an emotional twist. 
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Where the Heart Is - A Homecoming
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Fiction
Where the Heart Is artfully follows the return of Jenna Davis-Wilson and her two lively children to the nostalgic home of her childhood in Madison County, Nebraska. A spontaneous decision to take up permanent residency at the old Victorian manor following her father's sudden death ushers in a myriad of unexpected twists and turns. Jenna’s husband Marcus, a well-respected obstetrician in New York, also relocates to smalltown Tilden where tensions mount with a longtime family friend and her opinionated, prejudicial tirades. The discovery of a dark family secret locked away for decades in an old attic trunk threatens to overshadow a highly esteemed ancestral image and brings into question everything that Jenna believes about her cherished legacy. Her well-intentioned efforts to reconcile the sins of the past soothe the soul of a local grieving widower—while at the same time jeopardize a treasured family relationship. In a gentle twist of fate, common ground is unearthed, relationships are mended, and a lasting legacy of love without conditions is revealed along the way. Where the Heart Is is a charming, captivating story about life—friendship, loss, reconciliation, and love. 
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Old Books and Faded Dreams
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Historical Fiction
A charming, small-town story of resilience and rediscovery. Old Books and Faded Dreams transports readers on a nostalgic journey with the townspeople of Tilden, a quaint community in Madison County, Nebraska. At the center of the heartwarming story is Maggie Davis, a middle-aged widow and heiress to a grand Victorian estate. The stately home, which Maggie shares with her spunky nine-year-old daughter Jenna, also serves as a bed-and-breakfast to a once regular, but now transitory, clientele. The kitchen table is the epicenter of lively, often contentious, conversation where no topics are off-limits. Maggie's out-spoken, spinster neighbor delights in keeping everyone on guard with her opinionated, prejudicial tirades, but she is frequently reined in by an elderly, equally forthright family member who has recently become a permanent dweller at the manor. Maggie finds herself struggling with the painful memories of her husband's tragic death, as well as the stirrings in her heart associated with a new house guest. A scandalous scheme to swindle Maggie out of her inherited property rides on the heels of a sudden, unexpected death, pointing to a member of the family as suspect. The startling discovery of a sinister family secret locked away for decades in an old attic trunk threatens to overshadow a highly esteemed familial image and cherished legacy. Can relationships be salvaged? Old Books and Faded Dreams is a captivating, small-town tale about friendship, grief, reconciliation and ultimately, unconditional love. 
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Field of Memories: A Tapestry of Heartwarming Short Stories
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Biographical/Historical
Field of Memories is a heartfelt collection of short stories and vignettes chronicling the author’s journey from childhood through adulthood. The book is structured as a tapestry of memories, each thread representing a formative experience, cherished relationship, or poignant lesson. Norris’s writing is deeply nostalgic and centered around the warmth of family, the innocence of youth, and the resilience found in overcoming loss. Central themes include the prevailing influence of the author’s mother, the joys and sorrows of growing up, and the importance of preserving family stories for future generations. The narrative is enriched by vivid character sketches—neighbors, teachers, friends, and relatives—each contributing to the rich tapestry of the author’s life. Throughout, Norris reflects on universal experiences: childhood innocence, friendship, grief, forgiveness, and the bittersweet passage of time. The book is interwoven with poems and reflections, offering readers both laughter and tears. Ultimately, Field of Memories is a celebration of legacy, love, and the power of storytelling to connect generations. 
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The Intercessors: They Walk Among Us
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Fiction/Short Stories/Single Author
The Intercessors: They Walk Among Us by D. L. Norris is a moving and inspiring collection of short stories that celebrates the extraordinary power of intervention. Inspired by real events, each narrative follows individuals confronting adversity—loss, isolation, crisis, regret, and despair—only to be met by timely acts of compassion, guidance, or mysterious encounters that alter the course of their lives. From a struggling writer reignited by a stranger’s encouragement to a homeless man reclaiming dignity through a simple breakfast these stories reveal the profound impact of kindness and human connection. Threaded throughout every tale is a powerful conviction: redemption and renewal remain possible, no matter how deep the sorrow or how complicated the past. The intercessors—sometimes ordinary people performing extraordinary acts, sometimes figures whose presence defies explanation—offer hope, second chances, and unexpected pathways forward. With warmth, insight, and emotional depth, this anthology invites readers to reflect on the interventions that have shaped their own journeys and to find reassurance in the enduring truth that healing and transformation are always within reach. 
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Voyagers: Homeland to Heartland
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Fiction/Biographical
Voyagers: Homeland to Heartland is a sweeping, multi-generational saga inspired by true family history, tracing a Norwegian immigrant family’s journey from the rugged valleys of Norway to the windswept prairies of Nebraska. Rooted in the author’s own heritage, the story follows Kittil and Marte Dyrebu as they leave behind everything familiar—family, language, and homeland—to chase the promise of opportunity in America. Their passage across the Atlantic is only the beginning. What follows is a lifetime of perseverance: carving a home from raw prairie, enduring devastating storms, profound loss, quiet joys, and the relentless demands of frontier life. Told through richly detailed vignettes, Voyagers weaves together the lives of parents and children, siblings and spouses, revealing how love, faith, and tradition are carried forward even as circumstances change. From intimate moments around a family table to life altering crossroads shaped by duty, sacrifice, and longing, each generation faces its own tests—yet remains bound by shared memory and resilience. At its core, Voyagers is a tribute to storytelling itself: the way stories preserve identity, heal grief, and connect past to present. It is a novel for anyone drawn to historical fiction, immigrant journeys, and the enduring power of family legacy. Both tender and unflinching, Voyagers honors the courage of those who came before—and the stories that continue to shape who we are. 
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