by: Michelle L. Clifton
Series: Taryn O’Kelly Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: April 6, 2025
Publisher: Salty Inspirations
Trapped in a sinister plot with a vengeful drug cartel is a killer vacation.
Taryn wanted sun, cocktails, and relaxation. Instead, she and Alex found themselves tangled in yet another deadly puzzle.
After months of chaos and a near-death experience, Taryn and Alex are desperate for a break. A romantic cruise seems like the perfect escape. Adventurous excursions, tropical drinks, and uninterrupted passion. But their dream vacation takes a dark turn when a danger from the past resurfaces, and bodies start piling up.
Trapped in the middle of a sinister plot, Taryn must unravel the mystery before the killer strikes again. With a vengeful drug cartel lurking in the shadows, the stakes are higher than ever. Will Taryn’s sharp instincts be enough to outmaneuver the enemy, or will their dream getaway become a deadly nightmare?
Fans of Janet Evanovich and rom-cozy mysteries will love this fast-paced escape filled with murder, romance, and laugh-out-loud moments.
Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses is the second book in the Taryn O’Kelly Mystery series—but it can be read as a standalone. Perfect for readers who love strong female sleuths, tropical twists, and a splash of snark.
I am doing fantastic. Traveling from blog to blog has been way more relaxing than the cruise I just finished. And I haven’t found any dead bodies yet, so that is a plus! Thank you for inviting me to stop by.
You’re welcome. Please introduce yourself to readers.
I am 26 years old, I was born to a large Irish Catholic Family whose weekly gatherings are a must. I have been engaged, but that didn’t end well. My mother wants me to find the perfect man to father as many grandchildren as I am willing to provide.
I own Amazing Memories, an event coordinating company. I love all things party and holiday planning, so starting the business was a dream come true. I have been told many times that I am a workaholic, and I get hyper-focused on the task at hand until it's completed to perfection. Some would say it is a flaw, but I like to think it means I know what I want and how to get it.
I am a committed runner, dragging myself out of bed early each morning and sometimes in the frigid cold to run a few miles each morning. It clears my head and keeps me focused. I love cooking, making everything from scratch. My mother and grandma taught me how to cook. I love looking back at the moments we have had together. Coffee, wine, and whiskey are staples in my house, and if I don’t get coffee in the morning, I can be a bit cranky.
I have a guard cat named Giselle. She is a Maine Coone/Ragdoll mix. The problem is, I do more of the guarding and she does more of the sleeping.
Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
Alex is my boyfriend. He is a couple of years older than me. He is very level-headed, which can balance my Irish temper. He is quickly becoming my rock, someone I can truly depend on. And of course, my mother has already decided that he will be my path to motherhood. I hope she is right! We met during difficult times, and things looked a bit rocky for us; that’s what this vacation was supposed to be, an escape from. Unfortunately, for us, we made some people mad with the first body I found, and let’s just say revenge was real and the cruise was anything but relaxing.
Kandice is my very best friend. We have known each other since kindergarten. Neither of us has sisters, so we are each other's stand-ins. Kandice is feisty, trained in jiu-jitsu, a risk taker, and an all-around badass. When I grow up, I want to be a little more like her. Until then, she is the distraction that pulls me out of my tunnel vision for work. She would travel to the end of the earth for me as I would for her. She actually got on a plane and joined me at one of the cruise ports because she didn’t want to be left out of the investigation. She may be more into sleuthing than I am. But for whatever reason, I have become the dead body magnet.
Robert is my ex-fiancé, and honestly, he is my stalker. He inserts himself into my life whenever it’s convenient for him. He is a narcissistic trust fund baby. I have come to terms with the fact that there is no getting rid of him no matter how many times Kandice threatens to kick his butt. He’s not all bad, though he has helped me many times, to my surprise.
Detective David Parker of the Silver Springs Police Department doesn’t know what to do with me. I am pretty sure I drive him crazy, and not in a romantic way; he is friends with Alex. He wasn’t on the cruise with us, but we were in contact with him whenever we had service. David and I have figured out how to work with each other, and someday he will see me as an SSPD asset. Until then, we will circle the crime like lions trying to get the last piece of meat.
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
When I found out Robert was cheating on me, I took a huge blow to my self-esteem, my life choices, and how I would move forward. I like controlling things, and I never felt so out of control as I did in that moment when I found out the man I was in love with, the one person I should be able to trust, wasn’t who I thought he was. It was then that I decided I wanted to count on myself and only me. I started my business, didn’t date for two years, and became the workaholic that I am. It was my way of processing my grief. I liked the control I had over my events. I still do. The planning of every detail and making someone's memory perfect.
When disaster struck at the bachelor party of the high-profile wedding I was planning, I quickly discovered that you can’t go it alone. Time had started to heal my wounds, and I needed help. Close friends and family are what we all really need in life.
What’s your most prized possession?
My family and my cat. I can think of nothing that brings me more value and joy in life. Even when they may be slightly annoying, I am so thankful for them. That and coffee.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
I really did not want to be a sleuth, I was very happy planning my parties, but finding dead bodies is quickly becoming a favorite pastime for me. I resisted investigating at first, I tried not to get involved, but when you are the target, you'd better do something about it.
Fighting for justice has become my side hustle. Someone needs to stand up for people who have lost hope. Plus, I must have a superpower or something since I keep finding bodies, getting death threats, and haven’t died yet. I call that a win!
What can readers expect from Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses?
My latest adventure was a roller coaster of passion, excursions, and sneaking around the cruise ship. What I uncovered was a much bigger story than your typical revenge story. It was very hard to know who I could trust and who was the enemy. At times, my choices appeared to be irrational and borderline insane. But when you are backed into a corner and the only way out is through the fire, you say a quick prayer and go for it. If you like shenanigans, romance, and creepy bad guys, you will be in for a fun escape. I am just glad to be back in my small town of Silver Springs, it is much easier to face off with a bad guy on your own home turf.
Taryn, thank you so much for your time.
‛The other guests were fleeing the scene with their drinks still in their hands. At $10 a drink, you can’t waste those babies.’
‛That man needed coffee or something. Good grief, I barely touched him. He should not have been standing so close to my door. What right did he have to stare me down? Beginning to feel annoyed with the encounter, I took a moment to breathe and tell myself this was not worth my energy. He can not control my feelings or my day.’
‛I had never been so happy to see them standing together. My heart leaped; no one had been snatched or killed. Yay! What has my life come to?’
‛The ECS team did not want to panic the other passengers. Probably to keep the appearance that cruising is safe and people don’t die.’
“Who said anything about wasting it? If I am going to die, I am not going down without my drink. I’ll finish it. To justice!” She gulped the Aguardiente and coughed again. “It burns,” she wheezed.
‛That man needed coffee or something. Good grief, I barely touched him. He should not have been standing so close to my door. What right did he have to stare me down? Beginning to feel annoyed with the encounter, I took a moment to breathe and tell myself this was not worth my energy. He can not control my feelings or my day.’
‛I had never been so happy to see them standing together. My heart leaped; no one had been snatched or killed. Yay! What has my life come to?’
‛The ECS team did not want to panic the other passengers. Probably to keep the appearance that cruising is safe and people don’t die.’
“Who said anything about wasting it? If I am going to die, I am not going down without my drink. I’ll finish it. To justice!” She gulped the Aguardiente and coughed again. “It burns,” she wheezed.
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The Taryn O’Kelly Mystery Series:
Michelle was raised in Southwest Colorado in the great valleys of the Rocky Mountains. There she married the love of her life and raised two beautiful kids, a cat, two dogs, and chickens! She has worked in the dental field, dance and theater industry, athletics, and event coordinating. She created Salty Inspirations to pursue her passion for writing.
However, her favorite job is being MOM. Her family made a major move to Cape Coral, Florida, just in time for Hurricane Ian. When not crafting tales of intrigue, Michelle can be found spending time with her family hiking and camping in Colorado and boating and beaching in Florida. Oh! And writing of course!
Places to find Michelle L. Clifton:
You can follow the Cruises, Cocktails, and Corpses Blog Tour here.
Thanks for letting Taryn stop by! She’s not used to the spotlight unless there’s a crime involved 😅 Readers, do you enjoy character interviews? I think they’re such a fun way to learn more!
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