Dawn Atkins...sizzle...smile...sigh

Hot Guys and Facial Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:26:00 +0000

This is the cover of my January SuperRomance. The artist went to a lot of trouble to match it to the characters, even giving Gabriel his chest tattoo--TERCO--which means STUBBORN in Spanish. That said, I'm not sure the moustache works. I'm afraid he looks kind of, well, scuzzy. What do you think?

I mean, tell me I'm wrong. I love this story, by the way. It takes place in a school. It involves a biracial relationship and a sad history and healing and redemption and troubled kids who get a fresh start.

The Romantic Times Book Club review gave it 4 STARS and said

"This is a well-written story with lots of great chemistry."

Here's the book description from the review:

When Felicity Spencer begins her new job as magnet school principal, she reconnects with Gabe Cassidy, older brother of her high school boyfriend whose gang activity led to his death.

Gabe’s running a martial arts gym out of her school, and Felicity wants the space for an after-school program.

At first, Gabe’s still angry over Felicity’s abandonment of his brother, and over her decision to eventually close his school, but the two soon find themselves working together and unable to resist each other.

Here's hoping readers agree.
Best,
Dawn Atkins

Babies, Balloons and Birthdays, oh, my!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:45:00 +0000

It's here! The cover of my September Superromance, and it's perfect. The hair color, the faces, the little boy--even the gold earring. I'm really proud of this book. It was complicated and emotional and not easy to write, but I'm hoping readers will enjoy it as much as I do. It's a secret baby book that's a little different...at least that's what I intended it to be. Once you love the characters it feels all new, I guess.

I'm also celebrating that I got my next book turned in, HIS BROTHER'S KEEPER, out in January. This one has a tough-guy martial artist, Gabe Cassidy, and Felicity Spencer, a new principal at a failing inner-city school with something to prove. Two two share a painful history--she was his younger brother's girlfriend when he got in trouble with the law, then ended up killed in a gang fight. Working through their issues was tricky. I hope I handled it well. My editor will let me know.

In the meantime, I'd better get back to percolating new ideas. Tell me what you think of the cover. Come on, September!
Best,
Dawn Atkins

Two NEW e-book releases...Wahoo!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 17 May 2011 00:24:00 +0000

This is so cool! I published two books--an erotic novella and a sexy romantic comedy on both Amazon for Kindle and Barnes & Noble for Nook--and already the sales are coming in. Way, way cool. Check them out. On Amazon for the Kindle, here's Letting Go, an erotic novella and Cross My Heart.

For the Barnes & Noble Nook, check out Letting Go and Cross My Heart. You can always search by "(title) by Dawn Atkins, of course, and get there, too.

I'm curious about what you think of the covers, too, which I had designed. Let me know.

So now I'm part of the wild and wonderful world of e-publishing.

Wish me luck. Enjoy your e-readers. I'm loving mine.
All the best,
Dawn Atkins

Hot, new Dawn Atkins book for Kindle

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:19:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:55:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:12:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 21:46:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:43:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 22:02:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:39:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:04:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:59:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:46:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:06:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:40:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:33:00 +0000

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

Of Demon Dogs and Fresh Starts

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:06:00 +0000

I just saw the cover of my November SuperRomance and got that old jittery feeling from when my first book was on the shelves--that was 24 books ago, by the way. This is my first SuperRomance and though it's solidly a Dawn Atkins book, with the same sensuality, emotion and type of story, it has a slightly different flavor.

I love this story. It has a long and complex history and has gone through many changes over the years since it first popped into my brain and demanded to be written.

It's about a girl who basically grew up in a one-of-a-kind shopping mall and the man who's about to sell it out from under her.

It's about more than that, of course, but just to give you a taste. Shopping mall, Christmas shopping, threatened job loss, sabotage and, um, Satanic puppies. Sigh.

I'm nervous. Will readers of my Blaze stories pick up this new book? Do people even BUY Christmas books? How about new readers? Will they take a chance on a "new" SuperRomance author? And, perhaps most importantly, will they choose a cover with a demon dog leering up at the couple?

This made me laugh--the weird dog picture--since the reason a Cavalier King spaniel is even in the book is because I think they're the cutest puppies EVER. I mean, melt-your-heart, stuffed-animal darling. Where this possibly rabid beast came from is beyond me. Sigh.

So, somebody reassure me that even spawn of Satan spaniels won't scare away buyers, okay? And what do you think about new/old authors writing for different lines? Oh, and Christmas books? Do they get you in the spirit or are they overkill?

Anyway, watch for this book to hit shelves in early November.
Okay, time to lie down with an ice pack on my head.

Best,

Dawn

Good-bye and Hello to New Story People

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Fri, 28 May 2010 01:41:00 +0000

I just sent HOME TO HARMONY to my editor! That's the SuperRomance that will be out in January. (A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS releases this November, by the way.)

It's set in an old Arizona commune called HARMONY HOUSE and it features a woman who returns to the Arizona commune where she grew up with her troubled teenage son, only to fall in love with a man and the place.

It was an emotional story for me, since it's based on the idea of letting go of expectations and accepting love and people as they come to you--a personal, um, issue of my own.

I have to say Christine, Marcus and David (the teenager) have been in my mind since I finished. I miss them, you know? I'd been working on that book off and on for five years or more. I'm so glad their story will be on the shelves. January can't come too soon.

So that means I've been working on new story ideas. My brain feels like a popcorn popper shooting out ideas right and left--some fluffy, some burnt seeds. It's always a relief that I have new ideas and can find characters I fall in love with whose stories I want to tell.

I'm excited about an after-school program in a mixed neighborhood and the man and woman trying to rescue it for different reasons and in different ways. Gabriel Golden is Mexican-Irish and tough as nails. He offers an athletic program that kicks ass. Blond and bubbly Felicity Sanders wants to change the program AND Gabriel... I'm talking SPARKS.

Then there's Tara Wharton dragged back to the small town named after her family when her sister and father die in a suspicious accident...that might have been murder. Her high school soul-mate, Dylan Ryland, now the town manager, seems to be protecting the chief suspect--his own father.

I'm starting to get attached to these folks and can't wait to fish their stories out of my fevered brain. It will be a struggle, I promise you. At times like this I need the address of that warehouse in Schnectedy--you know, the one where they store the good ideas?
All my best,
Dawn Atkins

No Man is an Island of Worry

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 20:15:00 +0000

There is an island somewhere in the Caribbean that two countries have been hotly fighting over. There was diplomatic tension, ongoing threats of attack, etc.

Enter global warming and last month the island dropped into the sea.Gone...glub, glub, glub. No more dispute. Case closed.

That got me thinking about worry.

(Of course. Everything gets me thinking about worry.)

Specifically thinking about all the things I've worried about over the years that never happen at all. What's the saying? Worrying about tomorrow only sucks the joy from today.

So true.

A friend of mine is very, very popular. She's on numerous on-line groups, is active in clubs, well known and beloved everywhere she goes. Recently, her mother, a psychiatrist, mused, "You know, if I'd know how popular you would end up being, I wouldn't have worried so much about you being lonely in college."

That mother endured hours, months and years of needless worry. And she was a shrink, who, no doubt, knew better!

Meanwhile, the real troubles slam us out of left field. We're wringing our hands and sweating in the completely wrong direction.

That means that when I worry about whether my son will do well in college, find a good job, be loved his life long, or whether my first SuperRomance, A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, coming in November, will sell well, or if my editor will love the one I'm working on right now as much, I'm simply poisoning many lovely days, weeks, months and years. Right?

Absolutely. Gotta stop that.

Maybe I'll worry about how much I worry for a while...

What pointless worries do you have? How do you banish them?

My advice is Bobby McFerrin's: Don't worry, be happy.

I double dog dare you.

Best,

Dawn Atkins

www.dawnatkins.com

A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS, HQ SuperRomance, 11/10

The Love That Needs No Valentines

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:01:00 +0000

I want nothing from my husband on Valentine's Day.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't turn down roses or a card or anything. I guess I mean I don't need anything from my husband on Valentine's Day.

That's because he makes me feel loved, needed, wanted and appreciated all year long. That sounds hokey, I know. He's no saint, believe me, but he brings home flowers for no particular reason, buys me athletic socks after overhearing me mumbling about the holes in mine, and the words "I love you" roll off his tongue pretty regularly.

There have been periods of time over the years when I've felt lonely, under-appreciated, taken for granted maybe. If that went on very long, you can bet I'd be tapping my foot on my birthday or Valentine's Day, expecting some tangible proof that he'd thought about me. And it better not be from a Seven-Eleven, either.

There are also bad Valentine's Day gifts, as I'm sure you know. One year, he brought home a big box of chocolates and I wanted to throw them at his head.

Why? Because I'd been fighting a hard battle with about twenty pounds of post-baby cargo I had just begun making headway on losing The last thing I needed was a box of chocolates I would plow through without even sitting down first. That was no gift. It was an assault.

Which brings me to the question of what makes a good gift, for Valentine's Day or any day. My theory is it should be personalized, something your loved one noticed about you, only you, a secret wish or a longed-for treat.

What do you think about celebrating Valentine's Day and gifts and cards? What was your best Valentine's Day? What made it that way?

In honor of the holiday, I'm giving away a few books. Tell me your Valentine's Day tale and you'll be part of my drawing.

May you have the Valentine's Day of your dreams.

Best,

Dawn Atkins

Your First Bad Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:32:00 +0000

Do you remember your first bad Christmas?

As a child, I loved listening for--and hearing--Santa's sleigh bells from my twin bed where I lay trying to fall asleep so I could wake up and see what he brought me.

No doubt this was actually a trash can adventure of one of the dozens of cats that seemed to roam our Tucson neighborhood at night, but to me it was the magic of Santa's visit. I remember seeing the passing shadow of the sleigh and reindeer taking off from our roof. Now, keep in mind, we did not have a chimney, but somehow I knew Santa worked it out just fine.

I pictured all the gifts he'd brought--just what I wanted, plus some he magically deduced I needed, but hadn't thought of--all cozy under the tree, with one special one--usually with some assembly required the night before--unwrapped and on display for immediate use.

Even when I was old enough to realize that Santa was really my parents I still retained the anticipation, the thrill, the delight of the days before and especially Christmas Day itself.

Then I turned thirteen.

I started with the usual excited feeling, anticipation, buying gifts my loved ones would enjoy, guessing what my loved ones would choose for me. Then it hit me...what's the point?

All this fuss and excitement, then a flurry of unwrapping and it's all over in a half-hour. After that, the letdown. A dress that has to be taken back because it has darts and I have no breasts to fill them with, the flicker of disappointment when I get the silver ID bracelet instead of the classier gold one all the cool kids have. And then, nothing, ordinary world, boredom, it's all over except taking the wrappings out to the trash.

Of course, most of my concerns at the time were petty and selfish and material, certainly not in the spirit of Christmas. I knew it then and I know it now, but that didn't help the feeling.

And even if we all got exactly what we wanted, soon enough the magic is gone and they're just objects. They don't love back. They don't last.

So what was all the fuss about? The excitement and anxiety? The thrill, the warm glow?

That awful Christmas, I longed to be small again, when the thrill seemed to go on and on and getting the baby doll who wet itself was the be all and end all of the season. Or, failing that,to be an adult who didn't care any more, who was content to open up a tie or a pair of slippers--can you IMAGINE?--and be content, vicariously enjoying Christmas through the shrieks and kisses of the young ones in the family.

Ah, adolescence. What a painful time. I still remember that hollow feeling in my stomach, that floundering around for real meaning beneath the tinsel and lights. This is not about religion, by the way or the birth of Jesus and all that. That's a separate consideration. I'm talking about Christmas in all its secular glory--Santa, surprises, chestnuts roasting, caroling, the whole magilla.

Gradually, of course, Christmas loosened its grip on me and my existential "what's it all about, Alfie?" angst faded. I was thrilled to see little kids open gifts and thought more about the love I felt for family and friends, the luck of being healthy and all together, the games we played, the jokes we told, the hugs we gave each other, the meals we shared, than the booty I hauled in.

But I'll never forget that one angsty 13-yr-old Christmas. It reminds me of that old Peggy Lee song "Is That All There Is?" It was when I first learned that I had to make meaning in my own life. It wouldn't arrive like a package on Christmas all wrapped up in a bow for me. Happiness and contentment take work and attention and time.

An important lesson. At the time, however, I really wanted that gold ID bracelet.

Tell me about a disillusioning Christmas you experienced and how you handled it. How do you make Christmas work for you?

My wish for you is a meaningful holiday season and all the gold ID bracelets you desire!

Best,

Dawn

http://www.dawnatkins.com/

A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, HQ SuperRomance, 11/10

The Author as Therapist

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:13:00 +0000

I just turned in HOME FOR CHRISTMAS to my editor at SuperRomance and I'm feeling delighted! And nostalgic. I miss these characters and their struggle.

I miss Starlight Desert Mall, which is the setting for the book, the place that Sylvie had turned into a home. I've grown to love it, too, especially the island of plants in the center where my characters, um, got to know each other, um, better.

This is my first SuperRomance and I so want it to be fabulous!

It took me the longest time to wrangle Chase and Sylvie into shape. Actually, what I was wrangling was my own understanding of them--what they really wanted, why they'd hidden their true desires from themselves for so long.

It's hard to write about people who are different than you are. I'm pretty much out there with my feelings, but these two played their cards close to their vests and it took some time to convince them to spill to me, the author of their story.

I hope that doesn't sound too woo-woo. Sometimes being an author feels a lot like being a therapist, only you choose your "patients," they don't choose you. (Or maybe they do...now that's woo-woo.)

Anyhoo, you invite the characters onto your couch and ask them questions about their past, their parents, their goals and dreams, help them discover self-defeating behaviors and overcome them.

But, better than therapy, where the psychologist sends the client off with insights and tools to work it out for themselves, as an author I'm charged with doing the fixing. It's an honor and a responsibility. I hope I did Chase and Sylvie justice.

I hope you agree when you read the book, coming next November.

Best,

Dawn

The Thrill and Horror of Being in the Newspaper

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:16:00 +0000

When Karina Bland, a reporter at our daily paper, called me for an interview about how romance book sales are up in a down economy, I was thrilled...and horrified.

Thrilled because it's an honor to be quoted or written about and the chance to advance the cause of reading romance is important to me.

Horrified because I'm going to be quoted and written about in the NEWSPAPER!!

Where people will READ my WORDS and FORM OPINIONS about me. That can't possibly be good, can it?

See, I am an introvert with extrovert tendencies, which is agony, believe me. I love talking and meeting people and saying outrageous things and making people laugh and gasp, but then I'm mortified afterward.

Why did I say that? What was I thinking? I looked like an idiot or a fool or whatever. Weird, huh?

How do you feel about public speaking, cocktail party chatter, karaoke, and, oh, getting hypnotized to squawk like a chicken?

If you're curious how the story came out, here it is in her online column, where it was reprinted from the Sunday Arizona Republic: http://tinyurl.com/ya2ehvl. The cover of the book she mentions is here. It's still available online, by the way. The book offers a last hit of summer when the fall is upon us!

Best,

Dawn, who is now working on a Christmas book...jingle, jingle...

Love the Book You're With

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:11:00 +0000

I recently sent the book I've been working on to my beta readers for their feedback.

The book's working title is A HOME FOR CHRISTMAS and it's my first SuperRomance. It's set in a small, family-owned mall and it brings up all the joys and agonies of the holiday season--the traditions, the traumas, the surprises and disappointments, the lost loves reunited.

I loved that story as I wrote it. It was like a member of my family. And now I would be handing it over to strangers. (Well, not strangers, wise readers, but you know what I mean)

They'll look over my book with care, noting the good features, the broad shoulders, the kind eyes, the sensible attitudes, and they'll seek out his flaws and weaknesses--his muddy motivation, his unresolved conflict, his clunky dialogue. That is the point, after all.

The idea is painful to me as I stand in the post office with the red-white-and-blue Priority envelopes holding the pages still warm from the printer. What if they don't like it? I'll just die.

Luckily, time passes, during which my readers read and guess what I do?

I go to work on another book! Forgetting entirely about the story I loved so much. And guess what, I adore this one, too. Each morning I can't wait to take the characters a few pages farther on their life-changing journey.

That will all change next week when, armed with the critiques from my readers, I must set aside the shiny new book and fix up the book I so lovingly mailed away. Time to fix those flaws, spiff up those scenes, sharpen that dialogue, go for those missed moments.

Luckily, I'll fall right back in love again (cheating on the new book, of course), eager to spiff up my tattered beloved, smooth all the rough edges and soothe all the boo-boos before sending it to my editor for a last loving chance to make it better.

Then back to the new guy with, I hope, renewed love. And the entire process starts over.

It's a rollercoaster ride, all right, but then I've always loved a wild ride....

Here's hoping readers enjoy the results.

All my Best,

Dawn

The Sunshine Effect

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Atkins) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:25:00 +0000

First, news: If you entered my new-reader contest, watch your emailbox as I'll be sending out prizes soon. (I'll do this again, so check back.)

Onto my topic.... Here in Arizona, we're having the monsoons. These aren't the tropical horrors that make CNN. They're mostly friendly bursts of wind, rain, thunder and lightning. Just enough to be thrilling.

They can be awful, of course, with deadly dust storms and horrific flooding, power outages and downed trees, but on this early morning, I enjoyed coffee, an engrossing book and the brilliant colors of a rainbow against gray clouds, sunlight turning the mountain a painted gold. It was gorgeous and the smell of creosote and ozone are intoxicating to me.

Of course, I live in a place that has more days of sun per year than any other major city. Here, rain and clouds are an exotic delight.

I love Seattle and Vancouver and often wonder if I could take so many gray days and as much cold as they offer. I'm not sure.

In the meantime, I read an article about research on the effect of weather on attitudes and behavior.

Sunshine makes us nicer, according to research. On sunny days, people answer more survey questions and tip more generously.

Cloudy days make us drink more alconol, coffee, tobacco and cholcate to elevate our mood.

Consider college admittance. Applicants who are more academic get admitted more often on cloudy days. Social butterflies get ushered in on sunny days.

Sunshine boosts the stock market. Cloudy days make more people buy lottery tickets.

Here's something grim: Suicides go up in warmer months as depressed folks see what they're missing and have the sun-generated energy to take action. Yikes!

Do you buy any of that? How do the seasons, sun, rain or snow affect your moods and behavior? How do you compensate for bad weather?

Sun or rain, I hope you have lots of time to read.
Best,
Dawn Atkins
www.dawnatkins.com