Dinca’s review of A Lot Like Christmas by Dawn Atkins
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin SuperRomance 9 Nov 10

Well, this is a first for me. I have never read a romance novel that took place in a shopping mall. Dawn Atkins gets an A+ for location. The characters’ names are a little confusing at first, Starr, Stark, and then the Starlight Desert Mall. It would have been easier if the hero’s mother had been someone other than Starr McCann.

Ms. Atkins has created a steadfast, lovable heroine in Sylvie Stark. Her interactions with the shop owners, I felt, are her greatest strength.  After being let down by her boss, passed over for a promotion, and having to work for her former crush, she manages to stay loyal to her new boss, the Starlight Desert Mall tenants and the McCann Development  Company.

I did not feel the McCann men were strong hero types in the beginning, but they came through in the end.  Chase McCann has been through a lot and doubts his judgment, so I will give him a little slack. He is determined to do the right thing by his investors.  When he realizes Sylvie has her hopes set on the general manager job for the mall, he tries to hand over as much of the reins as possible, given the position he’s in.

The interactions between Sylvie and Chase are interesting, especially the campout at the mall and exploring around the place like children.  I felt it’s a good move on Sylvie’s part generating the good memories Chase might have about the mall.

The vandals are also an interesting part of the story. The fact that they are not consistent in their threats had me fingering a lot of different possibilities, including Chase’s brother, since he’s so insistent on selling the mall. I’m surprised at actually who the villain turns out to be.

So take a break from your Christmas wrapping and go to the mall…the story mall that is… Starlight Desert Mall and enjoy your time there. It’s “A Lot Like Christmas” and Dawn Atkins nail it with this delightful read.

Grade:  A

Summary:

A lump of coal landed in Sylvie Stark’s stocking. Bad enough she’s been passed over for promotion, now she learns her new boss is none other than her old love, Chase McCann. No matter. She refuses to let him distract her from her job.

Read an excerpt.

Limecello’s review of No Stopping Now by Dawn Atkins
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Blaze on 1 Apr 08

I haven’t read a book by Dawn Atkins before, but Harlequin Blaze is one of my category go-to lines, and No Stopping Now was a great find. The story wasn’t quite what I was expecting, and it was a pleasant surprise. A thoughtful, well written story with a little bit of everything, I’m glad I picked up this book.

Jillian James is a unique heroine. She’s one of the guys, and never really got over being the “fat girl” or her father abandoning her. However, those are subtly introduced undertones in the story. She’s smart and clearheaded. Jillian knows when she’s emotionally involved, but doesn’t let it affect her work relationship. Or at least, tries not to let that change. I liked how competent Jillian was at what she did, and how she still had compassion, even though she was so career focused.

Brody Donegan, better known as Doctor Nite, is a man’s man. Or at least, a frat boy’s man. He does a travelogue of sorts showing men the hot night spots, and how to be a player. His motto might as well be “hit it then quit it” (it actually is “the doctor is in”) – but Brody isn’t actually that guy. He has a conscience, and is looking to do something else in his life. Brody actually is a good guy. He doesn’t encourage men to be players- he simply wants men who are players not to get into relationships that will end badly for everyone. Brody also cares about people a lot. He notices small things – what they like, how to treat them, he makes every person feel important.

No Stopping Now is complicated in a good way, for being such a short book. The secondary characters are well written, and each character is well rounded. Jillian and Brody have the face they show the world, the one they show each other, and then who they really are inside. It was fun watching each character discover themselves, and the development of the various relationships. In fact, the action, including a gun-toting thug was rather peripheral.

The scenes are all engaging- at times I was worried as to the outcome, but Ms. Atkins controls the story masterfully. The character reactions are realistic, as are the emotions and concerns. Neither Jillian nor Brody are vilified, though they easily could have been. There are arguments, and at times mistakes are made, but rather than taking away from the plot, each aspect adds to it.

I plan to add Ms. Atkins to my list of authors to watch out for. The story was quite enjoyable, and had a lot more substance that I thought it might. For those of you who like the Blaze books, or just a great contemporary novel, I can happily recommend No Stopping Now.

Grade: B+

Be careful what you lust for

Where is the infamous Doctor Nite when she needs him? Sure, Brody Donegan acts the obnoxious cable show host when documentary maker Jillian James shines the camera on him. When the lights go off, however, it’s the man behind the persona that has her libido working overtime. And once she’s had a taste of the real Brody, there is no stopping this fling.

But she’s promised a network the exclusive on Doctor Nite in her film about bad-for-you bachelors. And the more time she spends in Brody’s bed, the more she doubts how bad he is for her. Can she capture that footage…and keep the man?

Read an excerpt here.