"Investigating Stories Steeped in the Mysteries of Life and Love"

Welcome

You have found the site of private investigator Sally Jo Pitts whose sleuthing and other experiences in working with all kinds of people has led to writing sweet romance and private investigator mysteries. You will find my books listed under the books tab, Romance Books and Mystery Books.

I delve into a variety of topics on the website. Currently, I am investigating food used in novels found under the Investigator’s Blog. Each post is accompanied by a recipe found under Investigatin’ Recipes.

Please subscribe below to keep up with the latest investigation news and receive a free short story!

Recent Posts

JOIN A PI TO SOLVE A MYSTERY—GATHER CLUES FOR A GIVEAWAY & BOOK RELEASE
3/17/2024 10:00:00 PM BY Sally Jo Pitts

 

Ready Sleuths?

 

YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

 

WHAT ARE TWO THINGS THAT WILL BRICE AND ANNIE MCAFEE ARE CONFRONTED WITH IN SWEET COUNTY?

SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO [email protected] TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DRAWING OF THREE WINNERS TO RECEIVE ONE OF MY OTHER ROMANCE OR MYSTERY BOOKS!

TO BE A PART OF WILL AND ANNIE’S ADVENTURES IN SWEET DECEIT YOU CAN PREORDER THE EBOOK HERE-- COMING MARCH 26,

THE PAPERBACK HERE-- RELEASES MARCH 29.

TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS, SUBSCRIBE TO SALLY JO’S NEWS HERE

 And receive  The Winter Solstice Bride Short Story FREE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Second Chance Romance and recipe from Jennifer Slattery
3/1/2024 12:15:00 PM BY Sally Jo Pitts

 

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s novel scene and recipe comes from Jennifer Slattery’s Love Inspired novel, Recapturing Her Heart.

Hero CJ is sharing dinner with heroine Harper and her baby, Emaline.

 

Here is the scene:

CJ poked his head through the back door, the aroma of apple, garlic and mesquite wafting over him and causing his stomach to rumble.

“Want to eat out here on the deck? It’s shaded, and there’s a nice breeze blowing, so it’s not suffocatingly hot.” Not to mention, mail, rough sketches, a chunk of wood and various hand-carving tools cluttered his kitchen table.

From the stove, Harper glanced over her shoulder. First at him and then at Emaline, who babbled in her stroller, then back to him. “That sounds lovely.” She opened a couple cupboards in front of her. “Do you have a serving dish?”

“How about we dish ourselves up in here.” He closed the air vents and lid to his grill and stepped inside.

“Efficient.” She smiled and scooped a spoonful of ramen stir-fry onto two plates.

“I’ll take those so you can grab little miss.”

“Thanks.” She handed over the dishes then followed him out, pushing Emaline’s stroller, which she rolled to the wooden picnic table. “This was one of the best investments I’ve made as a mom. Stroller, car seat,

grocery cart when needed.” She motioned to the basket underneath Emaline’s seat. “And a portable high chair.”

“Brilliant.” Steaming steaks distributed, he darted back inside to make a pitcher of lemonade from a powder mix, then returned with it and two glasses. “Hope you’re not craving sweet tea.”

She sat kitty-corner to her daughter. “Nope. I’m just happy for the food.” She laughed.

Her response concerned him. “This probably isn’t any of my business, but are you doing all right?”

“I’m not starving or anything, although I am learning to stretch my buck, as they say.” She explained an upcoming change in her living arrangement with her parents. “I found a website where you can type in a list of whatever you have on hand, and they’ll pull up a series of recipes.” She handed Emaline a glittery pink sippy cup.

He swallowed a mouthful of surprisingly good noodles. “Is that how you came up with the idea for this?”

He pointed at the stir-fry. “Because it’s amazing.”

“Really?”

About to take a drink, he nodded. “Might need to send me a link.” Although what he’d love even more would be for her to come over again so they could cook—and eat—together. He knew his thoughts, and his heart, were treading on shaky turf, but he wasn’t sure he cared.

CJ hated thinking that she was having a difficult time financially and hoped working at the hardware store helped. But a little struggle wasn’t all bad, if it kept her from saving up whatever she needed to return to Seattle.

If it kept her here, in Sage Creek, with him.

That meant, his convincing his mom to hire Harper was actively playing a part in her leaving. And yet, the longer she stayed, the more time he had to win her heart—for good.

 

Jennifer created this recipe she calls Lazy Man’s Stir Fry to share with us.  


                                  Lazy Man’s Stir Fry

 

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

 

More about Recapturing Her Heart :

 

What she’s always wished for… might be right here at home.

When she loses her job, professional dancer Harper Moore returns to her Texas hometown with one

goal in mind—leaving again. But first she needs money for her big move, even if that means working

for her ex-boyfriend. CJ Jenkins is certain he can help the single mom and keep his still-bruised

heart intact. But as old feelings resurface, can they let go of the past for a new dream together?

 

About the author:

Jennifer Slattery is a writer, podcast host and speaker who has addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the lead host of the Faith Over Fear podcast and cohost, with four others, of the Your Daily Bible Verse podcast. She also maintains devotional blogs found JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com and is a regular contributor to iBelieve.com. Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram, and follow her author page on Amazon. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves playing games with her family, working puzzles, and adventuring with her hilariously fun husband. Contact her through her website to learn more or to book her to speak at your next event.

 

 

Southern romance and cornbread come together in Mary A. Felkins' new novel
1/31/2024 12:30:00 PM BY Sally Jo Pitts

Investigating Food Used in Novels

This month’s recipe and food scene is a southern treat from Mary A. Felkins’ latest novel, When You Smile for Me, in the Heart of Moreland Manor series.

Moreland Manor in Louisiana’s Cajun country is the setting for this romantic mystery, exploring the power of sisterhood and the strength of family bonds.

Lettie Thibodeaux, is the manor’s feisty house manager  who knows how to deliver thick scented southern Cajun influenced home-cooked meals.

Following is a scene where Lettie is reintroduced to super model Laurel James. After scrutinizing Laurel’s frame, Lettie declares, “I aim to see our guests keep a full belly, and you lookin’ on the sorry side of skinny, so we got work to do.” (Don’t you love Lettie?)

Here’s the scene:

Moreland’s house manager offered a genteel smile.

“Pleezed to see you again, Miz Laurel.”

“You as well.”

“Supper be out shortly.

“Judging from the wonderful smells from the kitchen,

that’ll be easily solved.” …

Lettie returned with a basket of steamy, buttery

cornbread. She set it on the table near Laurel’s plate. The

dear woman smelled of home cooking and looked like a

mother’s love. Stomach growling in readiness, she unfolded

her linen napkin and draped it over her lap.

“The weightiest question is ... why did my biological

father abandon me?”

Gabe leaned an elbow on the armrest. “Probably never

knew. Happens all the time, unfortunately.”

“Lies are easy to detect with a trained eye.” Jude took a

dinner fork in hand. “Once I question him, I’ll know.”

“Laurel, you have our full cooperation in keeping this

quiet.”

Serenity’s pledge to secrecy tied a cord of solidarity

around the table.

Laurel pinched a cube of buttery cornbread and set it

on the edge of her plate. Her cell rang. Angelika’s ring tone.

Ah. Still alive. She put it on speaker. “Hello, Ange.”

“I have communicated with Monique, and you are due

in LA on the twenty-third of this month for Fresh Face

Cosmetics. You are the face they have chosen to launch

their new product line.”

“Yes, but—”

“I am not asking for your careful consideration, Laurel.

Thus far, I have spared your career so you can see to your

mother and provided explanations to disgruntled clients

until I am blue in the face. This cannot be moved. Call time

is eight a.m. sharp, three weeks from now. You are to arrive

clean face, clean hair.”

Could the dear woman not bring her boiling aggravation

to a simmer?

“I understand, Ange. I’ll be there.”

She ended the call and pasted a smile on her lips.

“That’s my agent. She gets a little testy sometimes.”

As clients go, Angelika’s highly esteemed representation

made the coveted Fresh Face Cosmetics contract possible.

Laurel fought the lure of higher-paying projects when

they went against her values. God had called her to

properly finesse her power and persuasion and model a

life of character. To urge young women to leave a legacy of

integrity, because outer beauty would fade.

Thus, Laurel deeply regretted her decision to accept the

lingerie booking—for all the good it’d done for her to have

abruptly walked from it.

Her mouth watered at the untouched cornbread on

Jude’s plate. If he wasn’t going to eat it ... “Guess this means

you and I will be traveling to LA, Jude.”

He took the cornbread and bit half of it.

Darn.

Mary shares this adaptation of her own cornbread recipe, gives credit to Lettie and includes advice that surely would come from Ms. Lettie Thibodeaux.

                        Lettie’s Cornbread

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

 

More about When You Smile for Me:

A lonely model.

A troubled warrior.

A mystery that begs to be solved.

International model Laurel James has a perfect life—at least in the eye of the world. But her private life is shattered by a secret long-kept by her Dad who confesses he’s not her biological father ... and everything she’s ever known is a lie.

The identity of the man who abandoned her is out there and she’s going to find it, even if she has to put her career on hold. Her only clue is an old photo. But she’s no detective, and worse, she’s the target of a pesky superfan.

Enter Major Jude Buchanan. Stateside after meritorious combat experience, he’s on the hunt for a worthy cause to fight—anything to distract him from pestering syptoms of PTSD. So when the opportunity to be Laurel’s bodyguard while assisting her search for her father arises, he accepts.

But when Laurel’s superfan proves to be the stalker Jude believes him to be, he’s caught in the crossfire. Now, Laurel will have to make a choice—the truth, or the happy ending she never saw coming. What will it take to rescue the man she hired to keep her safe?

And is the answer to the mystery the one thing that can save them both?

 

About the author:

MARY A. FELKINS is an inspirational

romance author, blogger, and contributor to

writer’s blogs and online publications. She

sprinkles hilarity, passion, and truth

throughout her novels. Gardenias, Peanut

M&Ms®, happily ever afters, and—above

all—Jesus, please.

 

 

© 2024 Sally Jo Pitts
g BB Celebration Web Design