Simple Tryst of Fate

Tryst #1

by D.M. Barr

A desire for a more conventional life once propelled travel writer Dani Barrett into a disastrous marriage. Ten years later and newly divorced, she’s back on the road with a series of rules to protect her heart and a secret sideline as an erotica author.

On a press trip, she meets James Aldridge, a charming yet cynical publisher who arouses her interest. Little does Dani know James is secretly an investigative journalist with his own kinky streak, and that rather than writing a travelogue, his undercover probe into political corruption will suck her into a treacherous journey across South America that could either end at James's gravesite or in his loving arms.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

WHO IS D.M. BARR?


By day, a mild-mannered salesperson, wife, mother, rescuer of senior shelter dogs, happily living just north of New York City. By night, an author of suspense, satire, and sweet romance.

My background includes stints in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations and real estate. I was, for a long and happy time, an award-winning magazine writer and editor. Then kids happened. And I needed to actually make money. Now they're off doing whatever it is they do (of which I have no idea since they won't friend me on Facebook) and I can spend my spare time weaving tales of debauchery and whatever else tickles my fancy.

The main thing to remember about my work is that I am NOT one of my characters. For example, as a real estate broker, I've never played Bondage Bingo in one of my empty listings or offed one of my problem clients.

But that's not to say I haven't wanted to...

Reviews

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple tryst of fate is my first book by D.M. Barr. The quick wit and intriguing storyline kept me turning the page to find out more.

Dani’s not willing to jump heart first into love again. After a failed marriage, she wants to learn from her mistakes. When her work takes her on a trip, she meets James whose in a similar line of work. The pair hit it off and find they have more than work in common.

Can Dani overcome her past and risk her heart to find love?

I enjoyed this. I haven’t been reading much at the moment, and I found this a little different to my usual romance choice. I would recommend this book.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious quip-filled 5-star adventure that left me turning the pages, and rooting for the main characters to find their happily ever after.
During the budding romance between Dani, a travel writer, and Johnathan, publishing mogul, the banter is sharp with an endearing playful edge. Once again, D. M. Barr has transported readers into a world filled with intrigue and possibility, leaving the reader satisfied. D.M. Barr has a way of allowing us to peek into the bedroom without being over the top and giving us readers just enough to let our imagination run wild.
Warning!! There is lite BDSM play, more on the D/s side with a large dose of a swoon-worthy emotional connection. Thank you. *Wink*

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Trouble brewing even before we’d even boarded the plane’ – a romance mystery!

New York author D.M. Barr has worked in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations, and real estate. After success as an award-winning magazine writer and editor she became a mother, and now writing is her business. Her books to date - EXPIRED LISTINGS, MURDER WORTH THE WEIGHT, SAVING GRACE, THE QUEEN OF SECOND CHANCES, and now SIMPLE TRYST OF FATE, the initial volume of her new The Tryst series. She lives in the Hudson Valley.

Having read all of Barr’s books, becoming involved in this new novel turns on lights illuminating even more of her strong values as an author. She moves from psychological thrillers to complex romance cum mystery and proves she can manage both thriller and romance genres in a fine blend. As always the polished quality of her prose shines.

Barr’s irresistible flair for unfolding a story is evident as she opens this new novel: ‘A gal’s passion for a certain man might waver – or even disappear – but her hunger for travel never fades. I realized that upon arriving at the American Airlines counter at JFK Airport where Miguel, the effusive P.R. person for Turismo Argentina, greeted me. His excitement over escorting our two-week excursion from New York to South America matched my own as a member of the press group attending…Back in the day, before my post-wedding ten-year hiatus, one of my favorite parts of any press trip was discovering who would make up my new, short-term family…’ With appropriate and sensitive words, the tryst of the title is suggested.

Having anchored our attention, the plot is well distilled in the synopsis: ‘A desire for a more conventional life once propelled travel writer Dani Barrett into a disastrous marriage. Ten years later and newly divorced, she’s back on the road with a series of rules to protect her heart and a secret sideline as an erotica author. On a press trip, she meets James Aldridge, a charming yet cynical publisher who arouses her interest. Little does Dani know James is secretly an investigative journalist with his own kinky streak, and that rather than writing a travelogue, his undercover probe into political corruption will suck her into a treacherous journey across South America that could either end at James's gravesite or in his loving arms.

D.M. Barr continues to impress as an author of note. This is one romance mystery – with some fine underpinning messages. Another winner from this fine artist.

[Kat Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dani, a travel writer and her alter ego, Fuller Cox, who writes erotic stories, and James, an investigative journalist who uses his publishing house for cover are the main characters. Both have major baggage. She's divorced and her number one rule is never to date or sleep with anyone on these trips when doing a travel writing gig. James uses many disguises while doing his investigative journalism. A great depiction of the places for this tour they were on.

Dani, recently divorced and 35, is ADHD and this is portrayed aptly in this story. James, who has been divorced twice, doesn't want to date someone who is recently divorced. He also fears for their lives as his 2nd wife was caught in the crosshairs of his investigative journalism and was injured.

He is a Dom and Dani is quite attracted to him. There is good banter between them. Many characters in this story with stories of their own as they form part of Dani's life.

Danger lurks everywhere for James and he brings it to Dani during this investigation.

The suggestions and talk of BDSM thrill Dani as she wants to be controlled. Does that equate to love in one week? Then James ghosts her when someone tries to kill him and he fears for her safety. Does that give him the right to not let her know he is okay? After 4 months, he is in New York to promote the book when Dani finds out he is there and wants answers. They talk things over and he wants her to live with him and travel with him? She wants this as well.

This is a series and their love story could be continued.

[Silke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I was very excited to get into it after reading the blurb. I love to travel and reading about well-described exotic locations is a great plus for me in any novel. In this, I was not disappointed. For the rest, I have to admit to I would have preferred the focus of the book to be on James' and Dani's developing romance/love, with a side of mystery, suspense and drama. Instead, a big - too big in my opinion - part is spent on the amorous intentions of their fellow travellers as well as on a sub-plot involving Dani's friend Liam. There is quite a bit of playful banter between Dani and James, filled with hints towards BDSM and an D/s relationship, but we don't actually get to read about a scene. All we do is get a peek into the bedroom and then the door closes. No real sense how they can find themselves in love after knowing each other only a week and not having shared any real time alone together. But my main disappointment was James. He started out as a strong man and self-admitted DOM, but I lost my patience with him about halfway into the book during his presumptious lectures to Dani about her alleged shortcomings regarding men. Him ghosting her and then at their reunion dissolving into tears didn't help me like him any better and so I couldn't quite get the Happy Ever After vibes. It will still be interesting to see where this series goes and maybe we will get a peek at their happiness in future books.

[Amber Keehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I would like this book from the blurb and I was not disappointed! It had all the makings for a great read- spice, plot, adventure and some awesome travel writing to boot! The best part was that our FMC is 35, which most books lean toward much younger women (no matter how old the MMC is) and Dani was so much fun to read. She also struggled with ADHD, which spoke to me as a mom to a super awesome, smart and all around amazing kid who also had ADHD. Obviously it didn’t take away from how great she is (even if she is fictional) as it certainly doesn’t diminish the many wonderful things about my boy. James was also a great alpha in the book and I sincerely hope we see them both in future novels.

I can’t finish this review without also stating that I laughed out loud more than once at her pen name. Laughed like an 15 year old boy. Thanks for that DM Barr!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and am leaving my honest review.

[Kaylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for good writing because the story sounded interesting, but I just wasn’t impressed. I didn’t like the dialogue or the banter - it felt very cheesy. I think the story had potential, but I did not finish the book because of the writing style. That’s just my personal opinion. I also felt like I didn’t really connect with the characters. I got annoyed by Dani with her constant inner monologue. I’m all for inner monologue, but Dani’s thoughts were just weird to me. And the texting parts made me cringe. Lastly, the POV changes were super crazy! It went from Dani in first person to James in third person. It really threw me off.

I think that if you’re looking for an easy, no brainer read and are not bothered by POV shifts, this book would be good. It ultimately fell flat for me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Dani is trying to get back into being a travel writer after a divorce- while writing erotica on the side. James is an investigative journalist. Both have their reasons to decide they are not getting involved with anyone. Until they meet each other and sparks fly. The banter between these two was amusing, quick witted and at times just suggestive enough to make you swoon a little. There is very, very light BDSM- and I have to say the lead up to it was pretty hot! BDSM isn’t typically my cup of tea but James way of determining if Dani is submissive and what she would or wouldn’t like? Wow. All in all, great book!

I received a copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion

[Fae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genuinely loved this book. I love this genre and this read was a great change of pace! It feels like a lot of the adult fiction books I read are written for younger adults, but not this one! Smart! Witty! The repartee! And the relationship between the two main characters was great to experience. The only critique I’d have for this book is that it seems like the main character is really down on herself for having ADHD which might be a slightly triggering headspace to experience for some. I also could’ve done with a little bit less gaslighting(? Maybe just outright deceit?) from the MMC, but other than that it was a fun read.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dani Barrett was the divorced travel writing. She was also known as Fuller Cox, erotica author—the alter ego allowed to explore her sexual fantasies. Still, she lived by the hard-fast rule: never fool around with the other reporters. Then the British prick comes along.

For James, the rule was: never date a divorced woman. But, hey, rules were meant to be broken, right?

Story had a nice narrative, but it was slow at times. There were some witty quips and some fun flirting. Overall, this was a fairly nice read with an interesting premise.

[prollybusyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean where do I begin? This is the first time I have read a book by the author. When I went into it, I was intrigued by the characters, and their past.
The story switched between first and third person, which was executed so perfectly!
I loved how they overall developed their emotional connection, and ofc the bedroom scenes were just about enough information.
Overall, I will definitely be reading more of this stunning author.
Xx

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book, but the execution wasn’t there. A romance book with more tension than sex is usually my favorite, but it felt disjointed and not fully developed; it’s like it hinted at the themes (travel, mental health, bdsm, danger, and falling for the guy she’s not supposed to) but all of them could have been fleshed out more.

Overall, it was an entertaining read, but not one of my favorites.

Voracious Readers Only book

[Ursula Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A diverting read. An ideal travel or holiday novel. Just light enough. Just complex enough. A little intrigue, with a side of kink, and some underlying political tones I personally appreciated - without being too heavy handed. Enjoyably written. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only and am happy to recommend it to other readers.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good, and enjoyable dark romantic suspense read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rach3l · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I liked the chemistry between Dani and James as well as James’ investigation and the consequential incidents.

Side note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters were well written and easy to become involved with. The added thriller element kept the pace moving. The D/S element shown a lot of depth and vulnerability between the Dom & sub.
Great quick read

[Kathy-Joe Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. it was a quick read, lots of spicy teasing!!! my only issue was that I first thought it was going to be a 50 shades kind of thing (it is not) and I had an issue with the main characters issue with having ADHD.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all. Travel envy, friendship, romance, and spice. You aren’t just handed a HEA. The push and pull in their relationship is fantastic. Throw in running for their lives and you have a book I couldn’t put down! There were two or three moments when Dani seemed a bit immature, but as a character who is being encouraged to break from societal and familial constructs I guess it’s impulsive growing pains. Personal growth is hard, and it was satisfying to see Dani blossom.

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of Voracious Readers and the author. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the narration from Susan Marlowe. Who brings the characters, drama and romance all to your ears.


After a failed marriage Dani’ is not willing to take the leap into love again. Her marriage may have been disastrous but she picks herself up goes back on the road as a travel writer and her secret as an erotica writer.
On a work trip Dani meets James who says he is a publisher, but he is secretly an investigative journalist with his own erotic streak. With both of them having a special erotic kink these two find a lot in common. As they get closer to each other, James undercover investigation into political corruption, pulls Dani into a world of danger.

Drama, spice, romance and great characters.