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The winner is …

Karen D. of California

Congratulations, Karen!

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Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s food scene and recipe comes from my novel, Sweet Deceit, that finaled in the 2025 Christian Indie Awards mystery/suspense category! To celebrate I’m offering a free signed copy to be drawn from those leaving a comment related to what you enjoy about mysteries.

Heroine Annie McAfee, who has the dubious honor of occasionally being entrusted with the care of the town’s iconic pig, is preparing dinner for hero, Sheriff Will Brice.

Here is the scene:

Annie lifted the pan of lasagna from the oven. Jelly Bean raised his round snout and sniffed the rich aroma of cheese and meat sauce. “The sheriff is coming to dinner.”

Jelly Bean blinked his pink lashes and twitched an ear.

Will had called, wanting to talk, and she’d offered dinner. Then Nettie Sue showed up with Jelly Bean, his pillow-lined kennel, a leash, and a large bag of chopped broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, and kale.

“Papa has an appointment in Pensacola, and I need you to keep Jelly Bean. I’ll likely be late.”

Jelly Bean had been at her side ever since.

She hoped to have a pleasant dinner, allowing Will a time to relax. He’d been under a lot of pressure since arriving in Sweet County.

The doorbell rang. Jelly Bean followed close at Annie’s heels. She paused a moment to fluff her hair and check her makeup in the hall mirror. A peek through the security hole, then she opened the door to Will. He wore a fresh shirt and khakis, but the pallor on his face and low luster in his eyes suggested fatigue.

“Long day?”

“Am I that transparent?”

“Yes.” She stepped back for him to enter. “Say hi to Jelly Bean.”

Will squatted down to pet the pig’s head and glanced up at Annie. “I think you can anticipate my next question.”

“Nettie Sue had to take her father to an out-of-town doctor appointment and declared Jelly Bean was to stay with me. She did the same thing Monday.”

“Presumptuous, wasn’t she?”

“Out of all the people in this town, she entrusted him to me.”

Will straightened. “Ah, you’re honored to be selected?” A glint of amusement touched his eyes and warmed her heart.

Annie smirked and lifted her chin. “I like his company.”

Jelly Bean looked from Will to Annie and back at Will, making a barely perceptible grunt.

“What’s he saying?”

“He’ll tolerate you.” Annie nudged his arm and waved him inside. “After Shag’s introduction of you in the newspaper, I believe the community will do the same. I received a call from Cora Neddles, the high school senior English teacher, asking me to speak about the dangers of drugs and alcohol because of the article in the newspaper. Adam Beck was in her class.”

“Speaking directly to the students is a good idea. I’ve been contacted as a result of the news story too.”

“Come to the kitchen and tell me about it.”

“Something smells good.”

“Lasagna, breadsticks, and salad. I hope you don’t mind eating in the kitchen—the dining table is covered with a pink jumpsuit project on one end and substance abuse materials on the other.”

“You’re making another jumpsuit?”

“I have enough fabric to make three more.”

“I shall not refuse your pink gifts. They should be patented and advertised as jail deterrents. And I’ll eat wherever you say.”

I’m sharing a favorite lasagna recipe modified from one of my Favorite Recipes of Home Economics Teachers cookbooks.

                                  Annie’s Lasagna

For the recipe, go to Investigatin’ Recipes above under Investigator’s News or Click Here. 

Here’s more about Sweet Deceit:

Someone will stop at nothing to keep the secrets of Sweet County hidden.

Public Relations consultant ANNIE MCAFEE hopes to spend a quiet summer in Sugarville waitressing, housesitting, and job hunting. But her plans are upended after she’s run off the road and narrowly escapes with her life.

Rookie state investigator WILL BRICE is looking forward to a bright future with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement until the governor removes the Sweet County Sheriff and appoints Will to take his place.

Propelled into the middle of Sweet County’s dark secrets, Will and Annie find that deceit hides beneath its sugar-coated façade, and the townspeople prefer to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing.

Confronted with a web of mysterious threats, life threatening crises, and the death of a teenager, the two must work together with the help of an unusual sidekick to expose the corruption.

Can this unlikely crime fighting trio crack the town’s sweet cover?

WIN A BOOK:

Leave a comment related to what you enjoy about mysteries to be placed into a drawing for a signed print copy of Sweet Deceit.

About the author:

Sally Jo Pitts is an award-winning author who brings experience as a private investigator, licensed lie detection examiner, high school guidance counselor and home economics teacher to the fiction page. Having worked thirty years alongside her late law enforcement husband in his private investigations agency, she learned to teach by day and snoop by night. Currently, she draws on real-life experiences to pen faith-based stories of romance and mystery. Her works include the Hamilton Harbor Legacy romance series and the Seasons of Mystery detective series. Sweet Deceit is book one in the new Secrets of Sweet County series. Connect with her at sallyjopitts.com

The winner of Cathy’s Christmas Confession by Patti Shene Gonzales is:

                                     Jacqueline G.

Congratulations, Jacqueline,

Check out more books and food scenes here.

Check out recipes inspired by novels here.

Visit me next month for a new novel scene and recipe!