Dawn Lee McKenna is a successful American author, best known for her romantic suspense, mystery, crime, thriller, and fiction novels. She is particularly renowned for her work on the Still Waters series and the Forgotten Coast book series. McKenna's books are celebrated worldwide for their unique storylines and memorable characters, which she often draws from her personal experiences and her love for the Southern region of the United States.
McKenna was born and raised in Florida, but later relocated to Tennessee in her thirties, where she currently resides with her family. She has a deep affection for the quirky small towns and the unique cast of characters that inhabit them in the South. McKenna has a hard time letting go of her Southern roots, and she enjoys describing the region as the central character in her books. Her writing often features atmospheric and darkly funny suspense stories set in Apalachicola, Florida.
In addition to her Southern fiction, McKenna also co-writes the spin-off series, The Still Waters Suspense series, with her friend Axel Blackwell. She is a proud native Floridian and has written several bestselling novels set in her home state. Despite her success, McKenna remains humble and down-to-earth, often referring to herself as an "unrepentant romantic, a caffeine addict, and a true dork." She is also a devoted mother, with three children still living at home and two more just a short distance away. When she's not writing, McKenna enjoys homesteading, spending time with her family, and tending to her cat's wounds. She is also a cancer survivor and a flawed but functional Christian.