Archive for July 16, 2018

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Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder

by Mary Cunningham

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Genre: Mystery

Synopsis

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.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Tell me what’s going on. Slowly, and about fifty decibels lower. Why are you in jail?”

“Well, honey, I’m not sure. Oh, I know what they’re saying, but I didn’t do anything. I swear. Well, at least nothin’ I can remember. You see, it all started on the cruise ship dance floor, quite innocently, mind you.”

“What started?” I located my slippers and shuffled to the bathroom.

“As I was saying before you interrupted, it all started on the dance floor. You know, they play such romantic music on these cruises like, Shadow of Your Smile and Mandy. Oh, don’t you just love Manilow? Well, anyway, Lenny and I were having a lovely time, and he was obviously enamored, if you catch my drift.”

I knew this was a mistake. Still, I asked, “Lenny who?”

“Why, Lenny La Mour, of course!”

I drew a blank.

“Lenny La Mour,” Ruby huffed, “The famous Las Vegas performer? He’s the reason I picked this cruise. He had his own humongous nightclub and everything. Oh, Andi Anna, don’t tell me you’ve never heard of him. Why, women my age swoon at the sound of his voice. But, I suppose your generation only has eyes for that Bon Ami person.”

“Uh, are you, by any chance, talking about Bon Jovi?”

“Well, you know who I mean.”

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Author Mary Cunningham

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Author, Mary Cunningham, grew on the northern side of the Ohio River in Corydon, Indiana. Her first memories are of her dad’s original bedtime stories that no doubt inspired her imagination and love of a well-spun “yarn”.

Childhood experiences, and a recurring dream about a mysterious attic, inspired characters, Cynthia and Augusta Lee, for her award-winning middle-grade series, Cynthia’s Attic. The setting is in her childhood home in Southern Indiana. Family stories and ancestors comprise the storylines. There are currently five books in the series: The Missing Locket, The Magic Medallion, Curse of the Bayou, The Magician’s Castle, and Legend of Lupin Woods.

Through a horrifying stint as a travel agent, the character, Andi Anna Jones, travel agent/amateur sleuth, inspired her latest adult mystery series. Book # 1, Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder was released Nov. 30, 2017. The author is currently writing Book # 2 of the series, along with another middle-grade series, The Adventures of Max and Maddie, a historical time-travel, and the biography of a former Army brat/University of Connecticut women’s basketball player who started a non-profit foundation to create scholarships for children of deployed veterans.

Cunningham is a member of The Georgia Reading Association, and the Carrollton Writers Guild.

When she gives her fingers a break from the keyboard, she enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where she makes her home with her husband and adopted, four-legged, furry daughter, Lucy.

 

Review Blurbs for Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder!

 

“If Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum were a travel agent, she’d fit right in working this case alongside Andi, a wanna-be detective readers are sure to love.” —Regan Black, USA Today bestselling author of the Escape Club Heroes and Knight Traveler novels.

Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder…WOW. Snappy dialog, quirky characters, opens with a curious bang and yanked me through the pages. A fun, fantastic read. —Jean Rabe, USA Today Bestselling author, Piper Blackwell Mysteries.

“Grab a margarita and hold on tight; you’re in for a wild ride.”

—Karen MacInerney, Agatha Award nominee and author of the Dewberry Farms Mysteries

“Charming, lively, and unpredictable, Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder excels in a vivid story mystery fans will relish.”—Diane Donovan, Senior Editor Midwest Book Review

 

 Purchase Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder:

Amazon / B&N / Smashwords / Google Play / Kobo

Special Promo!

My publisher has a special promo going on Smashwords. Through July MM&M is half price. Click on the link HERE

 

Find Mary on Social Media:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / Goodreads / Amazon

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Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

Today it’s all about thrills and romance with Katie Ruggle’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit.

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My Review

I got hooked quickly in the first book in this series and while the author wrapped it up nicely, she introduced a new character and a new twist to lead to the next story. And I enjoyed this one every bit as much.

Old characters dip into and out of the action as they all work together in one way or another. The ladies may play the part of a damsel in distress, but they don’t wait for one of the sexy alpha’s to rescue them. They get right in the thick of things.

And the part I’m sure you are waiting for. The dogs! Not only can Katie give us genuine human characters, she also does this with her four legged ones. you’ll fall in love with each one. You’ll fear for their lives as much as their human partners. They are working dogs, trained for specific duties and highly intelligent, yet also gentle, loving, and up to some silly antics.

A series like this is made to order for me. I met all of the character’s in the first book and each one that comes after has a secondary character step up and have their own story.

Suspense, romance and sharp and witty dialogue keep the story moving at a fast clip. I’d love to this made into a movie or series. there would never be a dull moment.

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 Read by Callie Beaulieu

Callie does such a great job narrating. I’m happy to see she will continue to do this series. I’ve come to recognize her vocalizations for the characters and feel comfortable with her telling their stories.

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Synopsis

The sole witness to a horrific crime, Kaylee Ramay flees to the Colorado Rockies to start a new life. There she becomes Grace, a dog kennel employee desperately trying to avoid attention—especially from dangerously attractive K9 Officer Hugh Murdoch.

Because Hugh is tall, dark . . . and nothing but trouble.

Hugh is anxious to get back in the field after an act of heroism left him warming the bench.Until then, he and his K9 partner Lexi spend their hours teasing the town’s mysterious newcomer. But when their simmering attraction is nearly cut short by a sniper’s bullet, Hugh’s mystery woman must come clean about the secrets she keeps . . .

Or both of them will pay the price.

Amazon / B&N / Tantor

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My Review

i can’t get enough of  this series. And I love ones like this where each new book brings forth some secondary characters, letting their stars shine. Double tough women in danger, alpha men with soft spots for their women and animals, dogs that risk their lives for their humans yet also get up to fun antics, makes this a golden series for me.

It’s new danger, new romance, and the suspense keeps the plot edgy and fast. In fact, I’d say this one had the most thrilling scenes yet. When I wasn’t anxious for the safety of the characters, I was tickled by the blooming romance, the snappy, sometimes snarky dialogue, and the antics of the dogs and one crazy goat.

I can’t decide who I love more. Katie’s human character’s or her canine ones. Good thing I can love them all!

Still an addictive series and one I very much recommend.

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 Read by Callie Beaulieu

Callie did another super job narrating this story. Her vocalizations of the characters are familiar and something I’ve come to look forward to. It was a pleasure to listen to her and I’m happy she will be continuing with this series.

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Thanks so much to Tantor Audio and the author for the complimentary copies.

My reviews are voluntarily given.

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Synopsis

K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen always had a soft spot for anyone in need. As Monroe’s very own Dr. Doolittle, he dedicates himself to rehabilitating the injured souls that cross his path—but for all his big heart, he’s never been in love.

Until he meets Sarah Clifton’s haunted eyes. Until he realizes he’ll do anything to save her.

All Sarah wants is to escape a life caught between ambitious crime families, but there’s no outrunning her past. Her power-mad brother would hunt her to the ends of the earth . . . but he’d never expect Sarah to fight back. With Otto and the whole of Monroe, Colorado, by her side, Sarah’s finally ready to face whatever comes her way.

Amazon / B&N / Tantor

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And you can catch my review for the first book  HERE.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.