Reading · Barr Sinister: The Suspenseful World of D.M. Barr

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January Raffle: Win a Copy of The Baron of Bad Behavior!

Why not start the year right by winning a print copy of my good friend Elf Ahearn’s latest Regency romance: The Baron of Bad Behavior. Published by Wild Rose Press, this is a fun story about a wild child and the trouble she gets into…here is the blurb:

As Lady Nefertiti Albright—Snap to those who don't want a punch in the smeller—prepares for her London come out, she encounters her childhood crush, the alluring Gareth Hart. Snap impulsively decides she will marry him. Her family is horrified. So is her quarry. Gareth Hart is a man with a reputation. He's a rake, a rogue, and a thief. He also has a history with her family, and it's not a good one. Under the thumb of his nefarious uncle, Gareth doesn't need a problem like pretty Snap. His sights are set on escape via marriage with a rich widow. But there's something irresistible about a girl who will climb out a window or into a ship's bowsprit for you...

You’ll love this story, I promise. To win a paperback copy, send me an email between now and January 31st with the subject line: “Baron of Bad Behavior raffle. “ That’s all there is to it! I’ll pick a winner shortly after the end of the month and will announce that winner in next month’s newsletter. (If you win, I’ll be emailing you for your snail mail address.) Good luck!

NOTE: The winner of November’s raffle was Dianne Kitson, hailing all the way from Australia, who won a paperback copy of Better Off Dead: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Congratulations, Dianne!

FREE BOOKS!

My gift to you: some links to free books offered by some other mystery, suspense, and romance/romantic suspense authors for you to download.

Here are the links:

Time for a Little Suspense: https://books.bookfunnel.com/a_little_free_suspense/pquc5otl67

Dirty Little Secrets:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/dirtylittlesecrets/51fqxsiev4

What am I Reading?

Just finished a terrific book: The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni.

Am Currently listening to the audiobook of City on Fire by Don Winslow.

Thanks for reading Barr Sinister: The Suspenseful World of D.M. Barr! This post is public so feel free to share it.

What have I been up to?

Editing:

I’ve really upped my editing business in 2025, with five anthologies edited as well as numerous books, including a YA short story, a Vietnam War memoir, a political thriller, two police thrillers, and a how-to book for writers. This coming year looks to be even better, thanks to being named one of the editors at Hold Fast Publishing, joining the Editorial Freelancers Association, and launching a new website, https://suggesteddevelopment.com. Stop by and have a look!

New Publisher:

Speaking of anthologies, I had several orphaned when Down & Out Books went out of business. Six of them will be republished by White City Press starting in 2026. I’m still searching for a home for the other two. I’ll let you know more when I know more.

Personal Appearances:

Lots of parties during the holiday season, including those for Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Hudson Valley Scribes, and the Travel Writers Association of New York. Hope your holiday season was as much fun as mine! Here are a few pics:

Above: Holiday Party for Hudson Valley Scribes featuring our very own Santa.

Above: Sisters in Crime Holiday Party featuring crime authors Cathi Stoler, Me, Lori Robbins, Nina Mansfield, Richie Narvaez, and Suzanne Trauth.

Above: Author’s Meetup at Big Red Books in Nyack featuring Elf Ahearn (red sweater), pictured with me and then with Michael Geraghty, author and founder of Hold Fast Publishing.

2026 Personal Appearances (subject to change):

February 21: Book Launch for Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States, Sparkles Bookstore, Sparkill, NY 3pm

February 28: Author Meet & Greet for Vacations Can Be Murder/Mid-Atlantic, Big Red Books, Nyack 1-3pm

March 14: Library Event, John C. Hart Library, Shrub Oak, NY 10:30am - 2:30pm

March 27-29: HVS Writers Retreat, Poughkeepsie

March 31: Library Panel with Mavens of Mayhem, Goshen Library, NY, 5pm

May 2: Mavens of Mayhem Library Panel at Putnam Valley Public Library, 1pm (tent.)

May 14-16: IBPA Publishing University, Hyatt Regency, Portland, OR

August 21-24: Killer Nashville, Franklin, TN

October 21-25: Bouchercon, Calgary, Alberta

November 10-14: Author Nation, Las Vegas, NV

I love interacting with readers! If you’d like me to speak at your organization or appear at your book club (in person if in the NY Tristate area, otherwise via Zoom) please contact me at dawnbarclayauthor@gmail.com.

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Do you know someone who needs a good editor? Refer me, and if they use me, you’ll get a referral payment as a thank you! Contact me for more details. You can see information and pricing at http://suggesteddevelopment.com. I edit everything except science fiction, fantasy, poetry, and anything with discriminatory or hateful content. I am also a book coach, if you need accountability, hand-holding, and someone to walk you through the querying process.

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Upcoming releases:

Vacations Can Be Murder Volume 2: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States: release will debut January 27th. Preorder here.

Vacations Can Be Murder Volume 3: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to the Capital Region: release slated for October, 2026.

My next post from Miss Demeanors (www.missdemeanors.com) will run on January 15th and will discuss how to adapt the book Atomic Habits to Jumpstart Your Writing in 2026. Be sure to check it out here. Miss Demeanors is a great blog that was voted #25 in the Top 400 Mystery/Suspense Blogs list for 2025, so be sure to subscribe!