Welcome

I am thrilled to announce Elk Lake Publishing is releasing my new Sweet County Secrets Series book, May 14, 2025!

For Free Book opportunity Read on.

Sweet Double-Cross

A scientific mission turns into a harrowing day of death and destruction. 

Dedicated biologist Trudy Fields is passionate about her invasive plant species research in northwest Florida. When real estate developer Kirt Mayfair arrives in Sweet County to learn how to eradicate a kudzu infestation on property he plans to purchase, Trudy is assigned to assist him. Their instant connection surprises them both—especially when Kirt impulsively proposes marriage.

But research and romantic interest takes a deadly turn when a colleague of Trudy’s is shot and killed on the way to the isolated kudzu experimental island. On the run from a ruthless killer with precision sniper training, Trudy and Kirt must navigate treacherous terrain, dangerous wildlife, and a shocking conspiracy.

As bullets fly and bodies pile up, Trudy discovers Kirt is hiding his own secret. Amidst unexpected attraction and lethal betrayal, can the two survive this double-cross? 

Although this is book#2 in the series and has cameo visits from book #1 characters, the book can be read as a stand alone. 

Free Book Opportunity. Leave a Comment for chance to win. 

To celebrate the launch of Sweet Double-Cross,  I am offering the opportunity to win and copy of book #1, Sweet Deceit. Read below to discover how to enter. 

Sweet Double-Cross deals with the invasive kudzu plant known as the “vine that ate the South.” Did you know there are over 1000 identified invasive plant species in the U.S.? I’m interested to hear from readers if you have dealt with kudzu or any invasive plant species. Please comment below and I’ll enter you for a chance to win Sweet Deceit. 

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from R. F. Whong’s book 2 dual-time novel, Thunders over Idle Land.

In this excerpt, characters discuss the discovery of a manuscript while preparing a favorite chicken recipe.

 Here’s the Scene:

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting intricate patterns on the wooden floor. Debra stretched. “That sounds perfect. It so happens I’ve bought some rhubarb. Should we make Grandpa’s favorite ginger rhubarb chicken wings? It’d be a nice way to feel closer to him.”

Uncle Brian’s face lit up. The crinkles on his forehead deepened. “Great idea. I’ll prep the chicken. Jason, please handle the marinade. Debra, can you prepare the side dishes?”

Everyone dispersed into the kitchen. Pots clattered, and sporadic laughter burst out. Soon, the aroma of chopped herbs infused the air. As they worked, Mom paused, a distant look clouding her eyes.

“Mom? You okay?” Debra set down the spinach bag she’d been rinsing under the tap.

“Sorry.” Her mother’s fingers shook as she sliced ginger. “Your uncle Brian and I have been discussing how to ready this house for tenants. The biggest job is to sort through your dad’s collections in his study. Brian suggested we move everything to Grandpa’s bungalow to allow us more time.”

Did her mother think of her past with Dad again? Debra’s heart grew heavy. Was it the right time to share her latest discovery about her father’s writings? She pulled out a barstool to sit on. “Mom, I want to tell you something.”

Her mother quirked an eyebrow. “What is it, sweetheart?”

Uncle Brian set down his knife. “Must be something interesting.”

Debra shifted on the barstool. “While Jason and I surveyed Dad’s study two weeks ago, we found a folder containing a manuscript. A new one. Perhaps he wrote it before his other unfinished book and never told anyone about it.”

Mom’s hand flew to her mouth. “He wrote another book?”

Uncle Brian stared at Debra. “Wow. What’s the plot?”

Jason pushed aside the bowl of marinade he was mixing. “I made a copy for myself and already read a few chapters. It may be related to his incomplete manuscript Deb helped finish last year.”

Debra brushed her fingertips over the countertop. “I’m into the second chapter.” She glanced at Jason, searching for a connection. “Don’t you think it’s tragic? Jun and Ann-Sue were about to get married. Then his world fell apart.”

“Relax, Deb. It’s only a story.” Jason turned on Google Assistant to play soft jazz, then summarized the first few chapters for Uncle Brian. “I got the idea someone aimed to frame the poor guy. Dad captured the moment’s emotional depth well.”

Debra leaned on the kitchen counter. “Han Tao came across a conflicted character. It made me wonder if he harbored feelings for Ann-Sue.”

“I bet it’s a classic setup. Jun woke up with San-Niang, his host’s concubine. Everyone witnessed his supposed vile action. His behavior disgusted his betrothed.” Uncle Brian stared up at the ceiling. “Who would go to such elaborate lengths without having a motive? If it was Han Tao, maybe he didn’t mean for the situation to spiral out of control but couldn’t stop it once it started.”

Try this delicious recipe from Ruth for chicken wings featuring ginger, rhubarb, sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice wine.

                     Ginger & Rhubarb Chicken Wings

For the recipe click here.

For additional recipes on this blog, click here.

More About Thunders over Idle Land:

Two eras, one troubled land, two men bound by parallel existences across centuries. Book 2 in this dual-time odyssey series showcases the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Jason Guan, an assistant director dedicated to environmental conservation in pandemic-stricken Hong Kong, is worried about job-related pressures and petty quarrels threatening his marriage to Debra. Amidst the chaos, they discover an unpublished manuscript by Debra’s late father, a celebrated writer, about a wronged man in nineteenth-century China. While Jason grapples with corruption and lax regulations in wetland preservation, he is thrust into dangerous waters.

In 1834, systemic corruption cripples China and ruins lives. Two weeks before Wang Jun is to marry his beloved fiancée, he is thrown into a maximum-security prison on a remote island without a trial. His only ally? A kung fu master and medical doctor imprisoned because of a riddle linked to the buried treasure of the pirate chief, Cheng Po-Tsai.

When greed and exploitation overshadow justice, these men must navigate their respective perils. With a suspenseful connection between the past and present, how do they fight against the insurmountable tides?

Ebook $3.99 or  Free on KindleUnlimited, also available in paperback.

About the author:

Dr. Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city.

She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.

In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.

The Minnesota Anoka County Library has chosen her as a 2025 Featured Author.

Connect with her at  www.ruthforchrist.com

The winner of N.Y. Dunlap’s The Misadventures of Itchy Izzy is:

                            MsElle

Congratulations!

For more books and food scenes, click here.

For more recipes inspired by novels, click here. 

Visit me again as I Investigate Foods Used in Novels!

Blessings, 

Sally Jo

Author of Sweet Deceit, book #1 in the Sweet County Secrets series

Watch for book#2, Sweet Double-Cross, coming soon