cover image SINCE YOU'RE LEAVING ANYWAY, TAKE OUT THE TRASH

SINCE YOU'RE LEAVING ANYWAY, TAKE OUT THE TRASH

Dixie Cash, . . Avon, $5.99 (384pp) ISBN 978-0-06-059536-4

Authentic dialogue and a strong Texas flavor nicely complement the slapstick tone of Cash's rollicking debut romance featuring Debbie Sue Overstreet. Debbie Sue owns the most unusual hair saloon in Salt Lick, Tex., the Styling Station, which she converted from the old filling station her ex-husband left her in her divorce settlement. Pert and sassy Debbie Sue has no desire to make a permanent career out of giving permanents, however; she still hankers for her old life as a rodeo rider even though her obsession with the lifestyle led to the end of her marriage with Buddy Overstreet. When Pearl Ann Carruthers, the nastiest—and wealthiest—woman in town turns up dead, Debbie Sue sees the $50,000 reward for tracking down her murderer as her ticket back to life in the saddle. There's only one slight problem: Buddy is the town sheriff, and he wants her to keep her nose out of police business. To complicate matters, rich and handsome Quint Matthews, an old fling from her rodeo days, appears on the scene and offers Debbie Sue money beyond her wildest dreams to tour the rodeo circuit with him. It just might be the answer to her prayers, but she can't get Pearl Ann's murder out of her mind or Buddy out her heart. Debbie Sue and her posse are sure to keep readers laughing all the way to the last page. Agent, Meg Ruley. (Sept.)