Maracas from Mexico: Instrumental to a Plan

In this postmenopausal comedy and romance novel, readers follow the journey of two old friends, Melicent and Paulette, who reunite at an early bird’s dinner and comedy show. As they catch up, Melicent recognizes Paulette from their high school days, and the two decide to take a much-needed holiday together. Their trip takes them south to an Indian casino on the Colorado River, where they have a great time and decide to extend their adventure by crossing the border into Mexico for some shopping. While in Mexico, Paulette reveals that she plans to resell some of the items she’s buying, including vanilla, contact lenses, and pharmaceuticals. As they drink wine and reminisce about their pasts in their hotel room, Melicent learns that Paulette has been struggling financially since her sixth husband was arrested and waiting for trial. To make ends meet, Paulette has been seeing old flames for $300 each, scheduling them for “”Trashy Tuesdays”” at her house. Melicent also confides in Paulette about her own struggles with money and mentions that she’s seeing a married cop, Det. Rateliff, whom she believes she’s in love with. However, she doesn’t mention her job at Girls-n-Grits, fearing that Paulette might try to take it from her. Their trip takes a dramatic turn when Paulette convinces Melicent to cross back over the border into the US so she can retrieve her lost phone. However, as they go through border security, Melicent is detained when it’s discovered that she’s carrying illegal drugs on behalf of Paulette. Melicent tries to call various people for help, including SD (who she works with at a nursing home), Marvin (her lawyer), and Det. Rateliff (her lover), but none of them are available. Meanwhile, Paulette steals wallets from men she’s been with and goes on a shopping spree. Melicent is arrested and detained while Paulette waits to see if she makes it through border patrol. Melicent eventually finds herself in a cell with other women who have also been detained for smuggling drugs. She feels betrayed and tries to reach Paulette, but to no avail. SD and Det. Rateliff team up to find Paulette and make her confess to her crimes so they can get Melicent out of jail. However, they soon discover that Paulette is headed straight for them. As the story unfolds, readers are taken on a wild ride full of twists and turns, including a shower scene between SD and Det. Rateliff, a riot at the detention center, and Melicent’s escape with a pregnant woman named Rita. Ultimately, Melicent turns herself in at a police station in Parker, Arizona, feeling tired and defeated. The judge ultimately dismisses the charges against her but issues a warrant for her arrest for fleeing justice. In the end, readers are left wondering what will become of Melicent and Paulette’s friendship, as well as their relationships with the other characters in the story. —- ISBN: 9798324587369