Dani Atkins wins the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award at the 2023 Romantic Novel Awards

Dani Atkins has won the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award at the 2023 Romantic Novel Awards for her compelling novel SIX DAYS. Dani was announced as winner at last night’s Romantic Novel Award ceremony at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, with actor Peter Davison presenting.

Launched in 2015, the Romantic Novel Awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction, and the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award is for stories featuring a substantial thriller, suspense, mystery or crime story, alongside or fully entwined with a romantic story. Dani is already a recipient of three Romantic Novel Awards, with THIS LOVE winning the Goldsboro Romantic Book of the Year Award 2018 and the Epic Novel of the Year Award 2018, and A SKY FULL OF STARS winning the Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2022.

SIX DAYS was published by Head of Zeus in the UK in hardback in April 2022 and in paperback in January 2023. It follows one love story between two people across six days.

In SIX DAYS, Gemma knows that she and Finn are destined to be together. They are soulmates. But then, on their wedding day, he never arrives at the church. Gemma is convinced Finn wouldn't abandon her like this, even though he has disappeared once before. But back then he had a reason. She feels sure something terrible has happened, but no one else is convinced. Even the police aren't concerned, telling Gemma most people who disappear usually turn up in a week... assuming they want to be found, that is.

For the next six days Gemma frantically searches for Finn, even though every shocking revelation is telling her to give up on him. Before long, even she begins to doubt her own memories of their love. How long can she hold on to her faith in Finn if everyone is telling her to let him go?

Dani is currently writing her next novel for Head of Zeus.

Praise for SIX DAYS

An Apple Books Favourite Read

‘A well-paced, good-natured and emotional novel.’ – Wendy Holden, The Daily Mail

‘A page-turner that packs a real emotional punch.’ – Zoe West, Women’s Weekly

‘Emotional and compelling.’ – Claire Frost, Fabulous Magazine

‘A tender and emotional tale, SIX DAYS will have readers frantically turning the pages to see if Gemma's faith in Finn is justified.’ – Sinead Crowley

‘Guaranteed to keep late night page-turners agog, Dani Atkins gives us a heroine who takes nothing lying down, not even being abandoned at the altar. I loved Gemma’s tenacity. Trusting the power of love is tougher than it looks, as this delicious romantic mystery proves.’ – Fiona Walker

‘This engaging and expressive relationship story examines love, trust, and resolve when a groom goes missing, leaving his bride at the altar. A gorgeous and thoughtful relationship tale with bite and intrigue as well as love and friendship. This novel takes you by the hand and expands through your thoughts as you live alongside Gemma when her fiancé fails to turn up at their wedding… Dani Atkins has the most thought-provoking pen, her words don’t just reach inside and touch my heart, they also shake emotions, hit thoughts, and leave the characters and story a part of me. I always look forward to her novels, she is such a consistent writer, though she certainly knows how to keep your feelings hovering on the edge of free-fall... This is most definitely a story about a love, it also successfully balances tension, particularly as it weaves its way towards the end. SIX DAYS is a page-turning, stimulating absolute beauty of a novel, that I can recommend heart and soul.’ – Liz Robinson, LoveReading

‘I couldn’t put it down… [a] truly captivating romantic read…It’s an emotional character-driven weepie that I absolutely adored.’ – Janet Gordon, Annabel & Grace

‘A heart-tugging romance with lovely characters.’ – The People’s Friend

About Dani Atkins
Dani Atkins was born in London, and grew up in Cockfosters, Hertfordshire. She now lives in a 350-year-old cottage with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie.

Dani has been writing for fun all her life but, following the 2013 publication of her novel FRACTURED (Head of Zeus), she has made writing her full-time career. FRACTURED has since been published in sixteen languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK.

Follow Dani on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SIX DAYS by Dani Atkins shortlisted for 2023 Romantic Novel Awards

SIX DAYS by Dani Atkins has been shortlisted for the Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers in the 2023 Romantic Novel Awards.

Launched in 1960, the Romantic Novel Awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction in all its forms, while the Jackie Collins Award specifically rewards stories that intertwine romance with thriller or suspense elements. The other shortlisted titles for the Jackie Collins Award are: COLD SILENCE by Toni Anderson, MY OTHER HUSBAND by Dorothy Koomson, THE SERIAL KILLER’S GIRL by L.H. Stacey and A MURDER OF CROWS by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett.

Dani is already a recipient of two Romantic Novel Awards, with THIS LOVE winning the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2018 and A SKY FULL OF STARS winning the Contemporary Award for Romantic Fiction in 2021.

The winners of the 2023 awards will be announced on the Monday 6th March 2023.

SIX DAYS was published in paperback by Head of Zeus earlier this month, and in hardback in April 2022. It follows Gemma in the aftermath of her disastrous wedding where her beloved fiancé didn’t show. She is sure that Finn would never jilt her – so where is he? She has six days to find him before it's too late…

Dani is currently working on her next novel, which will be published by Head of Zeus in 2024.

About Dani Atkins

Dani Atkins was born in London, and grew up in Cockfosters, Hertfordshire. She now lives in a 350-year-old cottage with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie.

Dani has been writing for fun all her life but, following the 2013 publication of her novel FRACTURED, made writing her full-time career. FRACTURED has since been published in sixteen languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK.

Dani is the author of many other bestselling novels (THE WEDDING DRESS, A SKY FULL OF STARS, A MILLION DREAMS, THE STORY OF US, OUR SONG, THIS LOVE and WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING) and PERFECT STRANGERS, a standalone eBook novella.

Praise for SIX DAYS

‘SIX DAYS starts where most romantic fiction ends, at the altar, but this is neither a straightforward wedding day, nor a straightforward love story. Gemma and Finn have hit several speed-bumps during their lives but she is convinced that he genuinely loves her and when he disappears on their wedding day, may be the only one who still believes in him. A tender and emotional tale, SIX DAYS will have readers frantically turning the pages to see if Gemma's faith in Finn is justified.’ – Sinead Crowley

‘Guaranteed to keep late night page-turners agog, Dani Atkins gives us a heroine who takes nothing lying down, not even being abandoned at the altar. I loved Gemma’s tenacity. Trusting to the power of love is tougher than it looks, as this delicious romantic mystery proves.’ – Fiona Walker

‘A well-paced, good-natured and emotional novel.’ – Wendy Holden, The Daily Mail

‘A page-turner that packs a real emotional punch.’ – Zoe West, Women’s Weekly

‘Emotional and compelling.’ – Claire Frost, Fabulous Magazine

 

Follow Dani on Twitter and Instagram.

DANI ATKINS WINS RNA CONTEMPORARY ROMANTIC NOVEL AWARD

The biggest of congratulations to Dani Atkins who has won the Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in the 2022 Romantic Novel Awards for her captivating novel A SKY FULL OF STARS.

Launched in 2015, the Romantic Novel Awards celebrate excellence in romantic fiction and this year’s winners were announced during an awards ceremony at the Leonardo Royal Hotel London City, 8-14 Cooper’s Row, London EC3N 2BQ, on Monday 7th March 2022. Best-selling novelist Jo Thomas led the ceremony, whilst BAFTA-longlisted film producer Lizzie Gillett presented the Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers, and Eastenders actor Larry Lamb presented the remainder of the awards.

Dani is already a recipient of a Romantic Novel Award, with THIS LOVE winning the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2018.

A SKY FULL OF STARS was published by Head of Zeus in the UK in February 2021 and follows the heart-breaking story of a family shattered by tragedy.

Alex, overwhelmed by his responsibilities as a single father, doesn’t know how he’ll carry on without his beloved wife Lisa. However, when he meets four strangers whose lives were profoundly changed by her, he begins to realise the world may not be as cruel and senseless as it seems. Perhaps, after all, the future is written in the stars...

And, in further Dani Atkins news, Dani’s latest novel SIX DAYS will be published by Head of Zeus in hardback on the 14th of April. You can pre-order it here.

Praise for A SKY FULL OF STARS

‘The subject matter is sensitively handled though have tissues on standby.’ — Belfast Telegraph

 ‘A powerful story addressing issues of love and loss - and just a hint that perhaps fate has brought them all together for a reason.’ — My Weekly   

 ‘The queen of emotional love stories returns with another gorgeous read . . . Don’t forget the tissues!’ — The Sun

 ‘A beautiful story.’ — Bella

 ‘Dani Atkins' captivating story is a rollercoaster of a read, infused with heart-breaking tragedy and an uplifting sense of hope.’ — Woman’s Own

 ‘It is impossible to get through a Dani Atkins novel without shedding a tear – or 20 –and this rule very much applies to this, her latest heart-wrenching romance… A book about grief and loss that also has a strong feel-good element to it too.’ — Isabelle Broom, Woman & Home, ‘24 of the best romance books to read whether you're after love or lust’

About Dani Atkins

Dani Atkins was born in London, and grew up in Cockfosters, Hertfordshire. She now lives in a 350-year-old cottage with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie.

Dani has been writing for fun all her life but, following the 2013 publication of her novel FRACTURED (Head of Zeus), she has made writing her full-time career. FRACTURED has since been published in sixteen languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK. In 2018, THIS LOVE won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award at the RNA awards in London.

Follow Dani on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Buy A SKY FULL OF STARS here.

JULIET PICKERING WINS RNA AGENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

We’re delighted that Juliet Pickering was named Agent of the Year 2021 at the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Winter Party and Industry Awards ceremony. Blake Friedmann founder, the late Carole Blake, took the RNA Agent of the Year trophy in 2016, and many agency clients have both won Awards, and been recognised on the RNA Awards lists over the years.

This annual award celebrates the literary agent who has supported, mentored, nurtured and promoted their authors’ careers, the genre in general and the RNA in particular.

Juliet has worked in publishing for 18 years. After graduating from university Juliet became a fiction buyer for Waterstones. She then joined AP Watt in 2003 and began to build a varied list there before joining Blake Friedmann in 2013. Since then, she has gone from strength to strength, becoming Vice Head of the Book Department in 2017 and stepping up to the Executive Board in 2020 – all the while supporting clients and staff alike with her expertise and encouragement. She represents an impressive range of clients, including RNA authors Sue Moorcroft and Annie Robertson.

See more about Juliet and her clients here.