Hot, new Dawn Atkins book for Kindle

I did it! I placed a never-before-published Dawn Atkins sexy novela on Kindle. It's about two lawyers who turn out to be really hot for each other. Sex in the office...who knew how great that could be? I mean getting stabbed by letter openers, bruised by paper weights, oh, the possibilities. Check it out. Only $1.99! The title, Letting Go, turns out to be a popular one, so search for it as "Lettting Go by Dawn Atkins." The heroine has trouble with letting go, if you catch my drift. You can buy it here

This was so cool to do, I have to say. I got so excited I also posted one of my first published books from Kensington. It should appear in two days. It's a romantic comedy. Here's the cover I had designed for it.

What do you think? Let me know if you get a chance. I'll write again when it's up and ready for purchase.

Now back to the SuperRomance due soon. Yikes!

 All my best,

 Dawn

Rubbernecking a Car Wreck--new season of Real Housewives of Orange County

My name is Dawn Atkins and I'm addicted to The Real Housewives of Orange County.

It's on it's sixth season and every time I see the teasers for a new season, I swear I'm going to stop. But I can't peel my eyes off the continually crazier high-school antics of this crowd of fake-boob-bedecked, Botox-puffed, gaggle of conspicuous consumers.

Of course, after each episode, I have to take a shower, but I come back for more next week. I'm not alone. I coaxed my husband into watching the first season with me, all the while listening to him say how dirty it made him feel, but he couldn't take his eyes off the screen and he watches every season lying right beside me, bugging his eyes at me, saying, "Can you believe she said that?"

Why am I like this? Every season when the women turn into mean girls and harpies and the show devolves into a scream fest between narcisists I tell myself, this is not good for me. This damages my soul. I must stop watching.

But, next week, I'll be right there with my DVR clicker to rewind to resee the most outrageous moments. It's like childbirth. You forget how much it hurts until the next time.

What gulity pleasure shows do you watch? Please share. Make me feel less depraved.

For now, I'm going back to writing fiction, where my characters could never get away with that behavior. Unlike real life, fictional characters have to earn their successes and grow and change in the book. The Real Housewives only seem to get worse.

Can you believe that Alexis spent the whole dinner party crying because her husband wasn't there?
Sigh.
Best,
Dawn

The Biggest Loser Mania

I'm late to the party on The Biggest Loser, but I adore this show. It keeps me from trotting down to the kitchen for ice cream late at night and gets me through a tough workout in the gym remembering the earnest expressions, the glee and thrill when the participants cross a new weight milestone or push through pain like they never thought they could.

I think I need a personal trainer for my writing--someone to urge me onward, read my doubts in my eyes and remind me how much I've achieved and how far I've come. What motivates you to push on when you're ready to give in?

I recently signed up at Author Central on Amazon and realize how cool it is. I also saw a bunch of reviews of my books I didn't know were there. If you care to give a thumbs-up to any of my books, I'd love it. Also, I'm now a Good Reads author, so take a visit and friend me if you'd like.

Now back to pushing through my blocks!
Best,
Dawn

Of Nooks and Books and Writing Hooks

I did it. I succumbed to the urge and purchased an e-reader. The NookColor. I adore paper books, of course, but love the luxury of adjusting the font size and having a whole library at my fingertips. Had a little trouble with the backlight bothering my eyes, so I ended up taking the brightness down to nothing. Anyone else have this experience? I bought a cover that doubles as a stand, too, which is cool.

Also, just turned the revision for the September SuperRomance called THE BABY CONNECTION. I am soooo proud of this book. It's got great characters and powerful story and lots of heart. I know I shouldn't brag, but this book really kicked my butt. I had to do research on Iraq, on newborns, on Salvador, on embedded journalists, on J school, on photography, on the Army and more...Fingers crossed that readers will find it as lovely as I think it is--and my editor, of course. It's a secret baby book with some interesting twists, by the way.

Now the new book is driving me nuts. What made me think there was a story here? Who are these people and why do I care enough to put them in a book, much less spend MONTHS living their lives with them?
Help! Drop me a note of encouragement, pleeeeeeeze!
All my best,
Dawn 

Make Love, not Fat

Evidently, you use up twice the calories making out as you do watching TV. Make Love, Not Fat, I guess, should be the slogan. This matters because, sure enough, I packed on the poundage over the holiday party season....sigh. This despite great tips I got from people on an earlier post. So hug someone before you turn on Mad Men maybe?

HOME TO HARMONY has been on shelves for a week now, I reckon, and I'm hoping it's selling well. The four-star review from Romantic Times Book Club was nice to get. I was thrilled when a fan told me she thought my first Super, A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, was her fave of my 20+ books, so that's good news.

In honor of the release of my second Super, I'm giving away A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS to five commenters. Just share a New Year's Resolution or explain why you don't make them. Mine is obvious--more making out, less couch potato-ing.

I've joined the new SuperRomance Author blog. Check it out for news and book giveaways.



I got the title for the next book, coming out in September, THE BABY CONNECTION. It's about a baby surprise between an investigative reporter embedded in Iraq and a photojournalist in Phoenix and the title is spookily right on because their career and soul connection is boosted by the baby that hits the reporter between the eyes when he learns he exists. The cool thing is that the editor came up with this perfect title without having read a word of the book. Talk about psychic. I hope that means the book will sell like magic, too.

In the meantime, I'm off to find my husband. Gotta work off those Paradise Bakery cookies, doncha know.
All my best,
Dawn Atkins

Tickled Pink over January Review

I just got the Romantic Times review of HOME TO HARMONY, the book that wouldn't die.

It had several versions and plot twists and turns and cuts until my head spun, but it came out pretty good in my humble opinion. I'm delighted to discover that the reviewer at Romantic Times Book Club agrees, giving it 4 stars. Here's the review:

Christine Waters returns to Harmony House with her young son, David, after 18 years away. She plans to stay just for the summer to help her mother recover from surgery, but meeting fellow Harmony resident Dr. Marcus Bernard may change her mind.

Living there while he finishes a book, psychiatrist Marcus agrees to help her son with his emotional problems. Soon Marcus and Christine are unable to resist a powerful attraction.

Atkins combines a great use of description with well-drawn characters for an interesting read.

Not sure I'm in love with the cover. The dog's perfect, the setting's right, but Marcus just looks...well...kind of blah. Sigh. There's always something.

The book comes out in January, which is supposedly not a good release month, since post-holiday empty pockets means people don't spend much...but one little book? Come on...You know you want to....Just this once... You can read it slow, make it last all month...

Best,

Dawn

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