Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

“How well can a wife ever know her husband?


Paula Arnett would swear she knows everything about hers, that is, until she gets the call that the love of her life was involved in a freak accident. She doesn’t think things could possibly get any worse. But, after his funeral, she’s blindsided when their lawyer informs her that, several months before, her husband liquidated their assets and purchased a run-down fishing resort in East Texas!

Worse yet, while searching for answers, Paula discovers a note from a mysterious woman whose name gives her reason to believe that her husband may have actually been married to this woman at the same time he was married to Paula! Determined to learn the truth, Paula enlists the help of her best friend, Cassie, and together they go undercover on the road trip of a lifetime.”




I grew up in a small Texas farming community very much like the one my main character, Paula Jean Purdy Arnett, resides in. Floydada, Texas, is one of those places where everybody knows your business, and where people pull together in times of need. I’m very lucky to have been raised there by two loving parents.
A second grade teacher in Floydada put the idea in my head that I should become a writer, and while it took me most of my life, I’ve finally accomplished that goal. In the meantime, I’ve been a secretary, a dental assistant, a teacher, and a research assistant. I married my high school sweetheart, who I affectionately call Studly Doright, many, many years ago, and we have two beautiful, brilliant, grown children, and five equally beautiful and brilliant grandchildren. My cup truly runneth over.




Now for a little snippet:
From Chapter Eight:
Paula turned off the radio mid-song. “Tell me the story of why Cal called me Goldilocks.”
Cassie’s eyes twinkled. “You know darned good and well why.”
“I know. I just need to hear it today.”
Cassie shifted in her seat. “The fishing guys came up with it. Cal, Delbert, Mel, and someone else, I can’t remember who, went fishing right after you two got married. Cal couldn’t stop talking about you. Everything you did was just right. Finally, Delbert or Mel, one of the two, said, “Sounds like you found yourself a Goldilocks. Everything is always just right.” Cal thought that was hilarious and started calling you that. The name stuck.”
Paula shook her head. “I still can’t imagine what it was he thought I was doing right.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “C’mon now, Goldilocks, even you can’t be that innocent.”
A rosy blush covered Paula’s cheeks. “Oh my gosh! Surely Cal didn’t talk to the guys about—you know—sex!”
“Probably not, but then again, men will be men. I’m sure they ribbed him about it. And he really thought you could do no wrong. That never changed as far as I could tell.”
Paula hung her head. “I always thought that about him, too. Until yesterday. Yesterday kind of changed everything, even if I’m willing it to be otherwise.”
“It’s all going to be okay. It really is. Hey, could you pull over at the next rest stop? I need a potty break.”
A few minutes later, they came to the town of Gallo and Paula pointed to a Dairy Queen sign. “How about there? It’s a little early for an ice cream, but we could get a little snack.”
“Suits me, but who says it’s too early for ice cream?”
Paula parked and raised an eyebrow. “First burritos, now ice cream, and all before noon. None of my pants are going to fit.”
Cassie opened the door. “It wouldn’t hurt you to put on a few pounds, Goldilocks. I’ll bet you’ve lost five just since…Well, since Cal’s—Um, speaking of that, have you heard from the highway patrol?”
Paula pulled the Dairy Queen door open. “They’re still investigating, but the preliminary report is that he just went to sleep and drove off the road. Apparently, the way his car landed in that ditch, his airbag didn’t deploy.
They remained silent as they took their place in line. Paula gestured to a narrow corridor down the side of the dining area. “You go on to the ladies’ room. I’ll order your usual: Hot fudge sundae, extra fudge, a smidge of whipped cream and a cherry on top. No nuts. Right?”
Cassie smiled. “You know it.”
As Cassie headed to the restroom, Paula watched a table of coffee drinking men turn their heads in admiration. There was no doubt her friend was eye-catching. She was a couple of inches taller than Paula and curvier. Her gorgeous raven hair hung to her shoulders in soft waves, and the headband she wore added a touch of innocent sexiness.
Paula always joked that if she was Goldilocks, Cassie must be Snow White. She always thought it was a shame that Cassie had never married. She’d never even had a long-term boyfriend after high school, as far as Paula knew, and she knew Cassie better than anyone.
As the line moved along, she became caught up in her daydream….”There probably is a right man out there for her, but he’d have to be one perfect Prince Charming to match Cassie’s Snow White.”
Paula was seated with their food by the time Cassie returned. She nodded at the ogling men at the back and said, “Don’t look now, but those men are checking you out.”
Cassie rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I noticed, too. Tried not to. Obnoxious asshats.”
Paula stifled a grin as she pushed Cassie’s sundae across the table, and they ate in silence until George Strait started singing about all of his exes living Texas as the juke box lit up in neon colors.
Cassie pushed away her empty ice cream cup and wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin. “You want me to drive awhile?”
“I’m good, but let’s plan on switching just before we get into too much Dallas traffic. I sure don’t want to deal with that mess.”
“No problem. We’ll need to stop again anyway for gas pretty soon. Maybe have a light lunch then you can nap while I navigate the jungle.”
“We’re eating hot fudge sundaes at 11 a.m. and you’re already planning lunch? I like the way you think.”
They turned their heads when a man from the coffee drinkers’ table approached them.
The man tipped his head and held his hat in his hand. “Mornin’, ladies. My name’s Derek Tuttle. I’d like to welcome you to the fine town of Gallo, and invite you to attend services at the First Baptist Church on Sunday morning. I’m the minister there.”
Cassie pursed her lips. “Thank you very much, Derek, but we’re just passing through. And we’re heathens.”
Paula’s hand covered her unexpected giggle.
Derek’s jaw dropped open and he steadied himself on the back of the booth. “Well, we welcome heathens. Everyone is welcome.”
Cassie collected her trash as she said, “Oh, we’re also communists. Heathen commies. And Wiccans, to boot.”
Paula’s eyes grew large and she blushed. “Uh, I think it’s time to go. You know, before they bring out the pitchforks.”
Cassie stood and batted her eyes at Derek then sashayed out the door.
Paula, unable to make her feet move, or even find her voice, looked back and forth between Derek’s look of shock and Cassie’s confident strut out the door. “Um, I’d better go chase after my heathen commie friend.” She jingled her keys. “It’s my car.”

I’m a terrible cook and baker, but this is one even I can’t mess up.
“Southern Pecan Balls”
1/2 cup margarine
3 T. Sugar
1 C. Flour, sifted
1 T. Vanilla
1 C. Chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. (148.889 C)
Cream the margarine and sugar together. Add vanilla, flour, and then the nuts and mix well. Roll into 35-40 small balls.
Nothing like heathen, commie Wiccen women to light a young preacher’s wick! It sounds like a good mystery with all kinds of fishy shenanigans.
It gets fishier….
Doesn’t it just? Sounds pretty ace actually .
The book looks like such an adventure, and it’s so compelling. The dudes were funnier than ever. The excerpt is perfect and hooks me, and the recipe: YUM!
A nice taster of a post for this time of year I thought Ka, nice to see you.
Sounds like good fun! Heathen commie Wiccans? That’s a combination I haven’t encountered before. That’ll set the tongues wagging!
Me neither Cat, but I am glad I have as I am glad to have encountered Leslie. Your good self too. x
Quel adversity!! Sounds like a great book! Good luck with it, Leslie.
Thank you!
Nowt like a bit of adversity Lady Pam. Certainly plenty of it about right now ! x
😂🙌
Sounds like a fun book. Even the dudes seem to like it, and they are very discerning critics. Or maybe they were bribed by a yummy recipe?
I strung them by the whiskers to get their good behaviour. Seriously Leslie is indeed, as she ses below, so they knew better, Dolly. Nice to see you. (oh and yes they are suckers for recipes.)
Always delightful to read about the dudes’ shenanigans, dear Shey.
And always lovely to see you Dolly x
I’m a huge fan of the dudes.
They are big fans of yours. x
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You have got a great story here, Dudes! Best of luck with the book, Leslie! I have been waiting for it since I started to follow your blog ❤
I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Oh of course I will! That’s YOUR book 😊
Yes, but it’s my FIRST book. Warts and all.
That’s the spirit! It is your FIRST book! Keep them coming! 😊
😊
I am looking forward to reading, Inese, it looks wonderful and great to see you x.
This is delightful! Much success to you, and bag hug to you Shey for sharing this! Love the recipe too. 🍪💫🌟⭐️
Thank you so much!
My pleasure!
It is wonderful to have leslie here. I am fair tickled she’s done this book and that she’s here. xxx
The book sounds fabulous. Love that you covered it Shey! xxx
I love Leslie’s poetry and her blog posts so it’s a great pleasure to have her here.
Shehanne, a FABULOUS presentation on Leslie Noyes’ “Mayhem…” novel — including that very compelling excerpt from what sounds like a terrific book. The Dudes acquitted themselves extremely well, and acquittals are important when hamsters are guilty…of being hilarious!
I agree Dave – love those Dudes!!!!
They’re sublime, Clanmother. 🙂
They behaved for once Clanmother. Well they did their best. Of course their beadies are on Christmas. Lovely to see you.
Aren’t they the best?
They are! 🙂
LOL, what a brill comment Dave. Had to laugh at the idea of them aquitting themselves. It’s great to have Leslie here. She’s got her book out. YAY!
Great dialogue – felt Derek’s shock. And Southern Pecan Balls sound absolutely delicious. This is the sentence that gave me pause: “A second grade teacher in Floydada put the idea in my head that I should become a writer, and while it took me most of my life….” How wonderful to have someone affirm your talent, Leslie – especially at such a young age. Teachers have a very special place in our world. Thank you for the introduction, Shehanne – love the Dudes!!!
Thank you! Oddly enough, that teacher was one of my least favorites, but she had a huge impact on me.
Isn’t it interesting that some of our greatest influences are not those we choose as favourites.
It certainly is.
Glad you liked the post Rebecca. A great teacher whom spotted Leslie’s talent. I am a huge fan of her blog and her poetry and I know her book won’t disappoint. xxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxx my friend x
Leslie, this sounds like a real hoot! I think it will suit me nicely as holiday reading. I like the sound of the wiccan, commie, heathens. It’s no wonder the cheeky hamsters didn’t fluff your feathers, even though they tried hard. Cheers, Noelle.
Thank you, Noelle!! I hope you enjoy it!
xxxxx Noelle. They were well warned to play nice with Leslie. She’s a big fan of theirs . they were told not to spoil it The wicken commie heathens is pure brilliance. xxxx
The dudes are on form…you got me at commie, heathen Wiccans in any order it made me smile …I could just picture it…Happy festive season dudes …
It is a brilliant bit. Rather the way to deal with certain pushers shall we politely say? Happy Christmas season to you Carol. Good to see you.
Thank you…Happy Christmas to you and yours 🙂 x
Yours too xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hope you are cooking up a storm with all your wonderful recipes.
Thank you!
Lovely, Leslie, Shey and The Dudes. This sounds like quite a story, and the snippet was very tantalizing – I anticipate lots of feisty interactions!
I do too. It was wonderful having leslie here. Thank you for coming by Cath,.xxx
Thank you, Cath. Feisty is my middle name. Not really, but it could be.
The snippet is quite funny! They really are heathens, I mean eating sundaes just before lunch, and it’s not even Sunday!
Sounds like a fun book, Leslie!
Thank you for the recipe! It looks super easy. I think the only thing easier would be eating them!
Shey, the dudes must quite like Leslie, as the have behaved quite well today. Or, are they going for Christmas vodka, instead of lumps of coal? xo
Leslie is a big fan of the dudes so they were of course flattered and then Christmas is coming so they don’t want ton the naughty list. Also i said to her, just give thema recipe and they will adore you forever and she did. Great to see you Resa xxxxxxxxx
Ahh, I’ll have t send the dudes a recipe! Do they like pie?
Finally back working on ep. 3.
Lol, I have 2 more drawings to send you. xoxoxoxoxoxoooxo
They are most partial to a recipe. They eat it and the food of course… xxxxxx Your drawingare beyond gelief. you got me in every way.
Thank you!
Sounds like a fun read, and I’m adding to my big fat TBR. Congrats to Leslie. And lol, the dudes were in fine form today. ❤ xx
They behaved bigtime cos Leslie is a big fan of theirs, so they knew better. I ahve it on by TBR. Sure to be good. Great to see you.
They know where their bread is buttered LOL. Hugs 🙂 xx
Oh they do and they love their bread xxxxxx
Thank you!
What a great idea for a book. The dudes are awesome. Hope your smiling x
Good to see you Gary. The dudes well behaved today.
Thanks!
Paula and Casey are such fun characters and the the Southern Pecan Balls, well I bet you can’t just eat one.
I love the photo of the hammies as the three wise men..ah, I mean hammies…:)
Lol..brill. Th 3 wise hammies. xxxx Great to see you Carol. I bet you can eat more than one and yep These ladies sound fun.
Ice cream sundae at 11 am sounds good to me! Love the sound of that story xxx
Me too. I just got my copy. I got to say the ‘galz’ sound right up my street .
They certainly do, I detect a touch of your wildness about them😉💖 xxx
Moi??? Why I would NEVER come out with anything like that ……
another rollicking romance!! All the best Shey!!
All the best to you my lovely Cybele. And the best of the season. I’ve just started reading Leslie’s book and got to say it’s a good ‘un.
SHEY!!! So good to hear from you and the Hamstah crew. We can all use a little fun mayhem in our Christmas cheer, I think. It’s lovely to meet you, Leslie, and all the best on your new book!
JEAN..where yah bin, lady?? So good to see you here. Saw you had retweeted this and wondered. All good wishes to you and yours. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I finally dug myself out of the mountain of grading!!! The new term starts shortly after New Year’s, and Biff and Bash will still be learning from home, BUT they’re to return to classrooms in late January, thank the Lord, and I can maybe, just maybe, get my creative groove back. Hope you and yours had a most blessed, Happy Christmas! You’ve got such beautiful trees and decorations that your house must feel full of Christmas magic xxxxxxx
Of course you will get your groove back. Be kind to yourself about it. Truly. Truly creative people with families and bills to pay etc are struggling. We had a wonderful Christmas Day . Hope you did too my lovely friend xxxxxxx
Hope you and yours had a most blessed, Happy 2021! You’ve got such beautiful hope trees xxxxl llll greetings to the team., Have a nice weekend ..XXXXXXXXXX((*L*))
You too my friend. The very best to you and all of yours. We did indeed have a great time. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I am very pleased !!!! Thanks alot. Have a nice weekend.((*L*))
You too, my friend. The very best xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx