My Reading Journeys: Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder by Mary Cunningham-Great Escapes Tour

About the book

Andi’s step-mother is a real piece of work!

But is Ruby a murderer?

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent/amateur sleuth, puts aside her resentment of her father’s widow and books a 60th birthday cruise to Cancun for Ruby and three friends. Never does Andi imagine the cruise will lead to the murder of a has-been lounge singer—or that Ruby will be the main suspect.

Flirting with more than danger after arriving in Mexico, Andi connects with the charming local sheriff, Manual Rodriquez. After an embarrassing night involving the sheriff, too many margaritas, and a Mariachi band, a chance to check out an eyewitness to the murder leads her to Las Vegas.

In Vegas, a mysterious meeting in the Bodies Exhibition, a body preserving in the prep-room, and an evasive owner of a dance studio, give Andi clues to help Ruby. But when Andi is mercilessly drugged and locked in a storage room, she realizes dear old step-mom isn’t the only one in jeopardy.

And others are saying

. an enjoyable escape read and sets things up for potential continuation.
~Laura’s Interests

. . . a comical investigation that introduces us to some crazy characters that really keep the story flowing.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

And I thought

Gosh as of today book 1 isn't even released and I am ready for book 2. You will be too! As the last page is turned you'll be

antsy with anticipation to read more Andi.

Andi is a charming and delightful character even though she isn't such a great sleuth or travel agent.

She is honest and trustworthy and takes care of those she loves

or tolerates.

As in the relationship with her step mother who drags her down to Mexico after she gets accused of murder. All isn't a loss though because the Mexican law man isn't too bad to look at! And a little romance begins to bloom.

What's a girl to do? Move to Mexico? We can only wait to see how all that unravels in book 2.

As Andi follows leads and clues to save Ruby her step mom she winds up in Vegas and gets herself in a fix.

All the mayhem that follows is a fun and funny read!

I loved my introduction to Andi and her friends.

I got a chance to interview the author how shared a little more about how the series began and what might be in the future. Check out the interview below.

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.

This review will appear on retail sites and Good Reads.

Author interview

Welcome Mary. I am delighted to have you visit the blog!

Thanks for hosting me!

You must be so excited to have Margaritas Mayhem and Murder completed and ready to release on November 30th!

Excited is an understatement! The writing, editing, and publishing experience (Imajin Books) has been, not only exciting, but very rewarding.

I notice you have a wonderful children’s book series.

I’m so proud of the Cynthia’s Attic series. It’s based on a recurring dream I had for almost twenty years about a mysterious attic. After repeating the dream one morning, I realized it took place in the home of my children friend, Cynthia. Let the writing begin! I’ve loved time-travel from the time I could read, so the chance to combine family stories, ancestors, and a little fantasy, was the ideal writing experience. Besides the friendship between the two main characters, Cynthia and Gus (Augusta Lee (but, don’t call her that unless you want a kick in the shins), the bond that’s formed with their grandmothers is one I wish I had nurtured when my grandmothers were alive. Family tales and ancestors are scattered throughout the five books.

Is this your first tour with Lori at Great Escapes?

Yes, this is my first with Lori and the experience has been amazing. Cozy mystery author, Nancy J. Cohen (Bad Hair Day Mysteries) highly recommended Great Escapes! She wasn’t wrong.

What is your favorite part of the tour? (interviews, quest post etc.)

I love it all! The most challenging are the character interviews. Although I wrote an entire book about travel agent/amateur sleuth, Andi Anna Jones, to get inside her head to pull out her thoughts about the story, her career, and her adventures, was a daunting task.

Before we get into the new book I have a few fun questions. At least I hope they are fun!

Ask away!

Do you have any little guilty pleasures that you indulge in when you writing?

Dark Chocolate! When I’m dragging a little, or encountering writer’s block, nothing beats a small piece (or three) of dark chocolate and salty caramel.

Which is more intriguing as a place to write? A private island? A cabin in the woods?

The busy city? Have you ever written in any of these places?

I’ve done a small bit of writing in a cabin in the woods, and would love to do more. While I do love water, being a Pisces, I suppose my ideal location would be a cabin in the woods beside a lake.

Can you tell a little bit of the behind the scenes in the new series. How you came up with

your main character and a little about her?

Did you ever wish you could take a horrifying job experience and turn it into something positive? My main character, Andi Anna Jones, and the series, is my way of coming to terms with a short-lived career as a travel agent. Oh, yes, I was truly awful, and often wished I could disappear into the life of a fictional confident, efficient protagonist who could think on her feet. Unfortunately, my crowning achievement was pretending to be as invisible as possible when customers walked through the door. Although I went on to teach travel and the airline computer reservation system with much more success, my time as an agent haunted me! Andi is my alter-ego, in a way, and she allows me to tell my story, laugh at all the mishaps, and heal from the experience.

If you were to have a little time for a chit chat and maybe a little dinner or a drink with one of the cast who would you choose and what would eat or drink?

Oh, definitely Sheriff Manual Rodriquez! Wouldn’t you? Of course we’d start with margaritas on the rocks, salty rim. Maybe a nice Mexican shrimp cocktail, then the restaurant “special” as long as it didn’t include fried armadillo. Of course I’d never turn down music and dancing to a Mariachi band; then, who knows?

I couldn’t help but notice in the description about Andi meeting a handsome Mexican policeman.

Does anything come out of their meeting? Is he or will he be a central character in the series?

Speaking of Sheriff Manny Rodriquez! Ha! He may not be in the next book, but I’m trying to decided when/if he’ll return. I’m just not sure, at this point, how settled Andi wants to be. While she envies her sister Georgia’s marriage and motherhood (4 kids!), she also fights against it and treasures her independence. Andi is a complicated woman.

I know you’re busy working on that second book but I have one more fun question!

You got the call Margaritas Mayhem and Murder is going to be made into a movie. And you get to cast the main characters! Who would you choose?

Oh, great question! Maybe Emma Stone or Bryce Dallas Howard as Andi. Annie Potts would be the perfect stepmother, Ruby! Javier Bardem might make a gorgeous Sheriff Manny. As to the ambulance-chasing lawyer, Bert, maybe your readers can give me some ideas. I’m stumped! Andi has a love/hate relationship with him.

This has been so fun! Thank you for taking the time to visit.

No, thank YOU!

Congratulations on the new book and series!

Thanks for hosting me and the book!

Thanks so much for chatting today. I hope you have a Great tour!

I hope your readers enjoy the interview and will be excited to read the first book in the Andi Anna Jones Series! After all, Book # 2 is already in process!

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