Happy Release Day and Honoring Vets

My first SuperRomance is hitting bookstores now and I find the thrill never fades. I hope to pop into a bookstore just to see it on the shelves, if you can believe that.

I hope readers enjoy this story, which has humor, tenderness and a little mystery, too. In honor of the release, I'm giving away backlist books. To be part of the November contest, answer the question at the end of this post.

Last night, I met with an Iraqi vet who is helping me with an upcoming book about a reporter embedded in Iraq. He was a sniper scout with the Army and I am in awe of what he endured during his tour.

He's a remarkable man, very squared away and I 'm honored to know him. He reminded me how important it is to remember the men and women who put their lives on the line in the Armed Forces.

In honor of Veteran's Day, I'd love to send him notes of thanks from readers, so that's my contest question: What message do you have for Iraqi vets?

All my best,

Dawn

Wowser! What a week. Yesterday I got my author copies for A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. The thrill never goes away. Then, today I got the cover art for my January SuperRomance, HOME TO HARMONY. They nailed the dog this time. Not sure about the hero. What do you think?

Also, I need a suggestion for a dog to put in the book I'm working on now. Has to be baby-friendly and big.

To celebrate my news, I'm giving away 3 of my backlist to those who make a suggestion and give me reasons why on my blog--get there from www.dawnatkins.com.

The Thrill Never Fades

Here's the cover to my January SuperRomance. They nailed the dog, but I'm afraid the hero looks wimpy. Yikes. What do you think? They've caught the setting nicely, too. It's a commune in high desert country in Arizona. I also got author copies for A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, which will be out in a couple of weeks. The thrill never fades.

Save me from the Ravages of The Fat Season

The Fat Season has officially begun. Help! I have a love/hate relationship with October, November and December. The love is obvious, but the hate is related to food, specifically sweets in my case. Halloween, Thanksgiving (a little, since the traditional holiday foods aren't my favorite indulgences--well, except for homemade rolls), and then Christmas with all the parties and cookies and alcohol and candy everywhere you go just about kills me.

I've maniacally exercised and been militant about staying lowish carb for the last couple months and I'm nearly my target weight.

Yet, I can easily slap on 10 pounds in the next month or so, while STILL exercising madly. Desperately need tips for controlling self at parties, etc., to not lose the ground I've gained. I'm watching THINtervention AND America's Biggest Losers in self defense.... Help!

I've threatened my husband if he brings home any of the homemade or high-end food gifts his patients bring him I will divorce him.

Gettin' Jiggy with a Kid Around

So, I'm writing a scene with a reluctant father observing his previous lover--the mother--giving their one-year-old a bath.

He's only just learned he's a father and the mother insists he isn't needed--or wanted.

I'm having trouble juggling his attraction for the mother looking so lovely there, with his being slowly charmed by the little boy.

Is it possible to feel sexy with a kid around? Or is that just too gross?

Personally, I think a dad caring for a child is quite sexy, but maybe I'm just...ahem...odd that way.

What do you think?

Everyone's a critic

I've been jittering like crazy about my first SuperRomance release, A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, out in November. How will it fit among the wonderful offerings every month? I thought I fit nicely in the Blaze line. Also Temptations, Duets and Flipside.

This story, and the next three I've written or am writing, feel right for Super. My editor loves it, too, but you never know. Readers could be scratching their heads or shaking them or throwing the book at a wall or, worse, not picking it up at all. Who IS this Dawn Atkins anyway?


Then a cataromance reviewer, Deb Gruyette, send me the link to her review. She liked it, she really liked it. She said, among other lovely things, "Dawn Atkins pens a beautiful tale that leaves us all feeling A Lot Like Christmas."

Here's the full review if you're curious: http://tinyurl.com/2w646vd


Can I just say, whew? Of course, she's only one reader, but she's an experienced one, at least, and I feel a little less jumpy in the tummy as a result.

You can't take reviews too much to heart, I guess, good or bad. I have to say my niece's eager expression over an old Temptation of mine makes me feel good, too. She's reading now, but too young for my stories.

Reviews are double-edged swords. If it had been negative, I would have just gritted my teeth and hoped that readers disagreed. What do you think about reviews? Do they guide you or annoy you or do you ignore them altogether?

Let me know to be entered in my contest, with the prize being a copy of my new book. If you're reading from my Website, please note you have to click through to the blog to post
Best,
Dawn

Only Sixty Shopping Days Left

There are only sixty days until my first SuperRomance will be on the shelves and my heart is fluttering and my palms are clammy in anticipation.

This story, A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS was a long time brewing. I've had Sylvie in my heart for years--a girl who grew up in a mall, of all places, and makes it a home for everyone who works there. It was unusual, coming from a non-shopper like moi. I was happy to give Sylvie her happy-ever-after with the guy who learned to love the place as much as she did.

This is a Christmas book, too, which is also a first for me, and lots of fun, too. Nothing like playing holiday music throughout an Arizona summer as I wrote, let me tell you. We're talking serious imagination. Sweat and wool caps do not mix.

To celebrate the upcoming release, I'm giving away five early copies of the book when they arrive next month. Just tell me about your best, worst, funniest or most boring Christmas ever and you'll be entered in the drawing.

Until then...59...58...57...56...
All my best,
Dawn