Good day, my bookish peeps. I hope you’re all recovered from the weekend, especially those of you in the US that had a three-day holiday weekend. I spent the weekend reading (but then I always spend the weekend reading). If you follow me on social media, you’ve probably noticed that most of the items on my bucket list are visits to bookstores and libraries around the world (yes, I’m book obsessed). I’m pleased to welcome as our guest, D. M. Barr, author of the recently released The Queen of Second Chances. Ms. Barr will be discussing with us today items on her bucket list. I hope you’ll enjoy what she has to say, follow the blog tour to read some great reviews, and perhaps add The Queen of Second Chances to your TBR list. Thank you, Ms. Barr for joining us today, the blog is now yours.
What’s on your bucket list?
Thanks for such a great question!
One of the things that was on my bucket list was writing a nonfiction book I’ve thought about for over ten years, a book about travel for those on and off the autism spectrum. I’ve experienced autism in my extended family and as a travel writer, it’s something that I was surprised to find hadn’t been written about in a general way before. There were books involving specific methods of travel (Like Cruising with Autism), and personal family accounts, but nothing the way I wanted to write it. I’ve completed that book now, I’m thrilled to say, and I have an agent and a publisher interested so hopefully you’ll see that book on the shelves next year.
Also on my bucket list, along with all of my family being blessed with continuing health, I’d like to have a bestselling novel published by a Big 5 publisher, go on a worldwide book tour, and have that book turned into a blockbuster movie. Isn’t that what’s on every author’s list? But I’d also like a beach house somewhere, and to visit certain parts of the world I haven’t seen yet, specifically Morocco, Spain, and Portugal; the Norwegian fjords; South Africa; the Maldives to name a few. I’d like to adopt a few more dogs, especially a Bloodhound and an Otterhound, if we could only find a way to keep the drool off the ceilings when they shake their heads and fling. I’d like to see both of my children get married (shopping trip to Kleinfeld’s!) and if they choose to have children, enjoy my time as a grandmother.
But I’m really happy with what I’m doing now—writing, writing, writing. Punning and making my friends laugh. Serving as the president of the Hudson Valley Romance Writers of America and co-vice president of Sisters in Crime/New York-Tri-State. I’d like to do some more editing, maybe edit another anthology like I did for our SinC chapter’s upcoming Murder New York Style: Justice for All (coming out in September of 2021 from Level Best Books.). More books to follow up The Queen of Second Chances (I still want to tell Kiki’s story, Nikki’s story and maybe Jamie’s story), and also to follow up Simple Tryst of Fate, which comes out in September. Try my hand at screenwriting and more short stories. Maybe write a children’s book. So many ideas—I hope I get to live long enough to bring all of them to fruition!
The Queen of Second Chances
by D.M. Barr
July 1-31, 2021 Tour
Synopsis:
Carra’s memoir-writing class teaches seniors to resolve the regrets of their past. But to win over elder attorney Jay, will she follow her own advice? Carraway (Carra) Quinn is a free-spirited English major confronting an unreceptive job market. Desperate for cash, she reluctantly agrees to her realtor stepmother’s marketing scheme: infiltrate a local senior center as a recreational aide, ingratiate herself with the members, and convince them to sell their homes.
Jay Prentiss is a straitlaced, overprotective elder attorney whose beloved but mentally fragile Nana attends that center.
More creative than mercenary, Carra convinces Jay to finance innovations to the Center’s antiquated programming. Her ingenuity injects new enthusiasm among the seniors, inspiring them to confront and reverse the regrets of their past. An unlikely romance develops.
But when Carra’s memoir-writing class prompts Jay’s Nana to skip town in search of a lost love, the two take off on a cross-country, soul-searching chase that will either deepen their relationship or tear them apart forever.
Reviews:
Charming, funny, and heartwarming, The Queen of Second Chances is not just a love story where two people discover each other, it is a story of self-discovery. Like all good romances, this one starts with the two main characters loathing each other before slowly realizing that they are perfect together. But before either Jay or Carra can come to that realization, they have to work through their personal shortcomings. Carra feels like a failure and is unable to get past her mother’s desertion of her as a child. Jay, while his helping people who desperately need rescuing demonstrates his fundamental goodness, puts a little too much emphasis on wealth and status. Helping a group of seniors find fulfillment is the catalyst that allows both the main characters to embrace changing their own lives and then ultimately embrace each other. A joy to read, The Queen of Second Chances is the perfect mood lifter in these stressful times.
– S. Lee Manning, author of the critically acclaimed thriller, Trojan Horse
FIVE STARS!
The Queen of Second Chances by D.M. Barr is a beautifully written story of two lost souls brought together by fate. Carra was such a wonderful character, her warmth and kindness towards others were admirable. She also put others’ needs before her own safety and this was highlighted during the car scene outside the Garrison house. She was perfectly matched to Jay. Although he seemed to enjoy a materialistic lifestyle, I feel he had a really good heart and when he met Carra, he found the missing piece in his life. My absolute favorite character was Helen; she was extremely insightful and wise even though she was suffering from the onset of dementia. Her words of wisdom throughout were poignant and powerful, especially her views on looking back in life: “It’s more important to heed the present because that’s what it is, a gift. Nothing lasts long in this life, which is why every moment matters. You can’t take anything or anyone for granted.” I found the relationship between Jay and Carra developed gradually and the dialogue exchanges between them were very realistic. I loved the twist towards the end concerning Jay’s background and the nail-biting ending was brilliant. I feel there are so many underlying messages throughout too. For example, live for the moment, never be afraid to chase your dreams, and forgive yourself for mistakes you have made in your past. I highly recommend this novel.
– Lesley Jones, for Readers’ Favorite
FIVE STARS!
The Queen of Second Chances by D.M. Barr is a lovely, deftly written romantic comedy that fans of the genre will love.
– Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite
Book Details
Genre: Contemporary Sweet Romance, Romcom, Chicklit
Published by: Champagne Book Group
Publication Date: June 7th 2021
Number of Pages: 204
ISBN: 2940165375545 (ASIN B094GFWG3K)
Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads
Author Bio:
By day, a mild-mannered salesperson, wife, mother, rescuer of senior shelter dogs, competitive trivia player and author groupie, happily living just north of New York City. By night, an author of sex, suspense and satire.
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 anyone at my local diet clinic. And I haven’t run away from home in fear that my husband was planning to off me.
But that’s not to say that I haven’t wanted to…
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Giveaway:
This is a Rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for D.M. Barr. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card (U.S. ONLY). The giveaway runs July 1, 2021 through August 1, 2021. Void where prohibited.
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