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,, 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*

I picked up a copy of Simple Tryst of Fate at a book fair yesterday and started reading it as soon as I got home. I couldn't stop until I reached the end. This would make a great movie! The backdrop for much of the book is a press trip, and I must say that as a travel editor who has taken hundreds of press trips, I found Barr's characterization of these familiarization tours hilarious; her satirical take--while exaggerated--had sprinklings of some of the real-life characters I've met in the industry. Most important, Barr weaves a great tale that entwines romance, exotic settings, mystery, kinky sexuality, and self-discovery. I can't wait to read her next book!

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. Grady Harp, September 21