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Collision at the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort
The Good, The Bad, and The Deadly
Wrapped in a cocoon of marital bliss, Paula Fields and her husband Mark, a.k.a. Dr. Hunky, couldn’t be happier. New home, great friends, and a wonderful secret that promises to change their lives forever. But outside their cozy bubble, trouble is brewing. Their dearest friends are reeling from a worrisome secret of their own, while the Big Lake County sheriff’s department tackles a major case with far-reaching consequences. And when a deadly crash near the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort triggers an investigation that unearths more questions than answers, Paula is determined to stay well away from the action. But will the action keep its distance from her?
Wrapped in a cocoon of marital bliss, Paula Fields and her husband Mark, a.k.a. Dr. Hunky, couldn’t be happier. New home, great friends, and a wonderful secret that promises to change their lives forever. But outside their cozy bubble, trouble is brewing. Their dearest friends are reeling from a worrisome secret of their own, while the Big Lake County sheriff’s department tackles a major case with far-reaching consequences. And when a deadly crash near the Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort triggers an investigation that unearths more questions than answers, Paula is determined to stay well away from the action. But will the action keep its distance from her?
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2025
19 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 29, 2025
Loved it!
This is the best book in the series so far! I don't want to spoil anything but there is happiness, danger, death, smuggling and more! I can't wait to read the next one!
This is the best book in the series so far! I don't want to spoil anything but there is happiness, danger, death, smuggling and more! I can't wait to read the next one!
September 9, 2025
Loved the whole series.
And this newest one follows the same path as the previous. Many giggles, some anxiety and a few tears. A great way to put pleasure in your day!
And this newest one follows the same path as the previous. Many giggles, some anxiety and a few tears. A great way to put pleasure in your day!
August 30, 2025
Make time
I was sure to read this book when I had lots of time so I could read as much as possible in one clip! I've missed Paula, Cassie, Mark & Star! Keep the books coming! Looking forward to more!
I was sure to read this book when I had lots of time so I could read as much as possible in one clip! I've missed Paula, Cassie, Mark & Star! Keep the books coming! Looking forward to more!
August 24, 2025
Collision is a Hit!
Leslie has done it again! Another fabulous story with exciting new and returning characters from the first six books. I love a series that keeps me connected to all my favorite characters that feel like friends and family.
There were some great twists and turns in Collision that made it hard to put down. In ready for Book Eight!
As I said before, every book is a treasure filled with laughter and excitement!
Leslie has done it again! Another fabulous story with exciting new and returning characters from the first six books. I love a series that keeps me connected to all my favorite characters that feel like friends and family.
There were some great twists and turns in Collision that made it hard to put down. In ready for Book Eight!
As I said before, every book is a treasure filled with laughter and excitement!
August 26, 2025
Collision at Happy Valley Motor inn and Resort
I love this book and this series. I hadn't read any of these books in awhile, so it took.me a little bit to catch up with the regular characters. This was a real good mystery.
I love this book and this series. I hadn't read any of these books in awhile, so it took.me a little bit to catch up with the regular characters. This was a real good mystery.
August 14, 2025
From the first page, Leslie Noyes grabs your attention in this small-town, heart-pounding drama. Collision at Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort is a well-written, layered narrative about human resilience. The characters are authentic, though there was one glitch in Paula’s personality—she seemed very scared and hesitant until almost the last few chapters, when she was back to her normal self. I would have liked to see that transition start sooner—maybe nearly three-quarters of the way through the book.
I loved that she mentioned a mutual author friend, Darin Miller and his mysteries.
This was a great addition to the first six books in the series!
Excellent plot twist with surrounding Olivia!
Highly recommend the whole series, especially if you love a story with a couple of mini plots tied into the main plot.
I loved that she mentioned a mutual author friend, Darin Miller and his mysteries.
This was a great addition to the first six books in the series!
Excellent plot twist with surrounding Olivia!
Highly recommend the whole series, especially if you love a story with a couple of mini plots tied into the main plot.
August 15, 2025
Now anxiously awaiting book 8!
Service book took me 24 hours to read, well not a full 24 hours, but 24 hours from start to finish. But then I am a voracious reader. And just as with the previous six, I loved it. I was sad to finish it. And I simply cannot wait for book 8. I really hope the author is listening!
These books help me remember why I love reading.
Service book took me 24 hours to read, well not a full 24 hours, but 24 hours from start to finish. But then I am a voracious reader. And just as with the previous six, I loved it. I was sad to finish it. And I simply cannot wait for book 8. I really hope the author is listening!
These books help me remember why I love reading.
August 17, 2025
This is one of those series you don't want to end. I am so happy Ms. Noyes is writing another book in this series. If you are looking for an entertaining, humorous at times read, please do yourself a favor and read this series. It needs to be read in order. I rate it as one of the best I have ever read. Thanks for great entertainment Ms. Noyes. Keep on writing.
October 30, 2025
For Paula Fields, née Arnett, life has never been better than in Happy Vale.
Newly married and residing in a recently completed custom-built lakeside house with a little Baby Fields on the way—it’s hard to believe how much has changed in just a few short years. The Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort is thriving, as is best friend, Cassie’s, Luscious Longhorn food truck that occupies a permanent position on the resort’s property. In fact, it’s very difficult to find fault with much of anything—well, except for the sad state of furnishings in her beautiful but largely empty new home. A bed, a borrowed sofa, and a TV don’t exactly comprise the showplace you’d like to share with friends and family.
When her husband, Mark, aka Dr. Hunky, suggests a day trip to neighboring Lufkin to remedy the situation, it sounds like the perfect excuse for a little retail therapy. Paula wonders if it might be a good idea to invite Cassie and the resort’s co-owner, Melinda Arnett, along. Paula has only recently discovered the cause of the ladies’ recent edgy behavior. Worried that their relationship might be on the rocks, Paula was almost relieved to discover that wasn’t the case at all. There’s a keyboard warrior somewhere out there waging a homophobic campaign against them, sending a string of anonymous letters that use Bible verses coupled with hateful rhetoric to pass judgment on others which, last time I checked and according to the Gospel of Matthew, is a big no-no. Judgment is reserved for the Big Guy Upstairs, not some poorly educated backwater hatemongers, and the newest missives are beginning to take a worrisome turn, implying threats that might be interpreted as physical. But who could be responsible for the letters? Most everyone in town has been warm and welcoming. Could it be a couple of snooty members of the local country club whose gracious director has been actively courting Paula to expand on her own swim membership and open a business membership that would be available to all of the members of the Happy Valley workforce? Maybe. They certainly haven’t made their disdain for the pending membership a secret. Paula is relieved to learn that Cassie and Melinda have already reported the letters to Sheriff Hill and Detective Lydia Gray, but they don’t seem overly concerned. Of course, their plate is rather full with some sort of smuggling operation that can’t be discussed with the general public, and by general public, I mean Paula—no matter how nicely she asks.
It’s just as well; Paula has promised her husband she’d be on her best behavior for the duration of her pregnancy, but her penchant for finding herself in dangerous situations isn’t always her fault. A relaxing afternoon of shopping for furniture and art nearly ends in disaster as a speeding red sportscar traveling in the wrong lane causes a large SUV to veer into the foursome’s path, swerving back into its own lane with only inches to spare. Luck doesn’t hold a little farther down the road where police and ambulances race to the scene of a single-car rollover, its adult passengers critically injured. Fortunately, the four-year-old child in the backseat is securely fastened into her car seat and escapes without injury. Witnesses report seeing a sporty red car fleeing the scene…
When Paula makes a point to attend church services the next morning, she isn’t exactly surprised to find that Pastor Terri Lawrence has welcomed the child from the accident, Olivia, into her home, offering to care for her until other family can be found. But Olivia isn’t Pastor Terri’s only tenant. John, her prodigal son, has recently rolled up, looking for a place to stay while he puts his life back together. There’s an underlying tension between mother and son that Paula can hardly miss, and did I mention that John rolled up in classic red Mustang?
Hmmm.
If you think you’ve got it all figured out, think again. Leslie’s plot is more intricately layered than a set of matryoshka dolls, more commonly known as nesting dolls, and whether Paula likes it or not, she once again finds herself at the very center of it all. Fast-paced with equal parts heart and humor, Leslie once again reminds us of the value of friendship and family, and while she brings closure to most of the story, there are certain aspects that are left unresolved, which only feels natural. Let’s face it—when was the last time real life tied everything up in a nice, neat package? These threads provide a natural entry point for the eighth book, which I, along with countless other fans, must now eagerly await. (And no, it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that a certain mystery writer whose name I won’t drop here nearly fell out of his chair when he found himself in the story. It’s in the first paragraph of Chapter One Hundred Three, if you’d care to take a peek…😶)
Like with any good vacation, my time in Happy Vale felt entirely too short. Here’s hoping Leslie won’t keep us waiting long for a return engagement.
Newly married and residing in a recently completed custom-built lakeside house with a little Baby Fields on the way—it’s hard to believe how much has changed in just a few short years. The Happy Valley Motor Inn and Resort is thriving, as is best friend, Cassie’s, Luscious Longhorn food truck that occupies a permanent position on the resort’s property. In fact, it’s very difficult to find fault with much of anything—well, except for the sad state of furnishings in her beautiful but largely empty new home. A bed, a borrowed sofa, and a TV don’t exactly comprise the showplace you’d like to share with friends and family.
When her husband, Mark, aka Dr. Hunky, suggests a day trip to neighboring Lufkin to remedy the situation, it sounds like the perfect excuse for a little retail therapy. Paula wonders if it might be a good idea to invite Cassie and the resort’s co-owner, Melinda Arnett, along. Paula has only recently discovered the cause of the ladies’ recent edgy behavior. Worried that their relationship might be on the rocks, Paula was almost relieved to discover that wasn’t the case at all. There’s a keyboard warrior somewhere out there waging a homophobic campaign against them, sending a string of anonymous letters that use Bible verses coupled with hateful rhetoric to pass judgment on others which, last time I checked and according to the Gospel of Matthew, is a big no-no. Judgment is reserved for the Big Guy Upstairs, not some poorly educated backwater hatemongers, and the newest missives are beginning to take a worrisome turn, implying threats that might be interpreted as physical. But who could be responsible for the letters? Most everyone in town has been warm and welcoming. Could it be a couple of snooty members of the local country club whose gracious director has been actively courting Paula to expand on her own swim membership and open a business membership that would be available to all of the members of the Happy Valley workforce? Maybe. They certainly haven’t made their disdain for the pending membership a secret. Paula is relieved to learn that Cassie and Melinda have already reported the letters to Sheriff Hill and Detective Lydia Gray, but they don’t seem overly concerned. Of course, their plate is rather full with some sort of smuggling operation that can’t be discussed with the general public, and by general public, I mean Paula—no matter how nicely she asks.
It’s just as well; Paula has promised her husband she’d be on her best behavior for the duration of her pregnancy, but her penchant for finding herself in dangerous situations isn’t always her fault. A relaxing afternoon of shopping for furniture and art nearly ends in disaster as a speeding red sportscar traveling in the wrong lane causes a large SUV to veer into the foursome’s path, swerving back into its own lane with only inches to spare. Luck doesn’t hold a little farther down the road where police and ambulances race to the scene of a single-car rollover, its adult passengers critically injured. Fortunately, the four-year-old child in the backseat is securely fastened into her car seat and escapes without injury. Witnesses report seeing a sporty red car fleeing the scene…
When Paula makes a point to attend church services the next morning, she isn’t exactly surprised to find that Pastor Terri Lawrence has welcomed the child from the accident, Olivia, into her home, offering to care for her until other family can be found. But Olivia isn’t Pastor Terri’s only tenant. John, her prodigal son, has recently rolled up, looking for a place to stay while he puts his life back together. There’s an underlying tension between mother and son that Paula can hardly miss, and did I mention that John rolled up in classic red Mustang?
Hmmm.
If you think you’ve got it all figured out, think again. Leslie’s plot is more intricately layered than a set of matryoshka dolls, more commonly known as nesting dolls, and whether Paula likes it or not, she once again finds herself at the very center of it all. Fast-paced with equal parts heart and humor, Leslie once again reminds us of the value of friendship and family, and while she brings closure to most of the story, there are certain aspects that are left unresolved, which only feels natural. Let’s face it—when was the last time real life tied everything up in a nice, neat package? These threads provide a natural entry point for the eighth book, which I, along with countless other fans, must now eagerly await. (And no, it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that a certain mystery writer whose name I won’t drop here nearly fell out of his chair when he found himself in the story. It’s in the first paragraph of Chapter One Hundred Three, if you’d care to take a peek…😶)
Like with any good vacation, my time in Happy Vale felt entirely too short. Here’s hoping Leslie won’t keep us waiting long for a return engagement.
September 15, 2025
Another winner in the Happy Valley series!
I so enjoy getting to know these characters even better. Paula's life changes haven't stopped her innate curiosity and desire to solve crimes. This is a remarkably likable protagonist, surrounded by characters I also love (except the villains, of course, which are also well-drawn and three-dimensional). The plot kept me turning pages as I tried to guess how things would wrap up. It's a terrific book, and I highly recommend the entire series.
I so enjoy getting to know these characters even better. Paula's life changes haven't stopped her innate curiosity and desire to solve crimes. This is a remarkably likable protagonist, surrounded by characters I also love (except the villains, of course, which are also well-drawn and three-dimensional). The plot kept me turning pages as I tried to guess how things would wrap up. It's a terrific book, and I highly recommend the entire series.
January 3, 2026
Love this series. My only issue with this particular book was the overuse of snort/snorted/snorting. According to Kindle it was used 39 times.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews