Win a 2025 Christian Indie Finalist Mystery/Suspense book, plus food scene and recipe!

Win a 2025 Christian Indie Finalist Mystery/Suspense book, plus food scene and recipe!
Thursday, January 2, 2025 by Sally Jo Pitts

Categories: Books & Food / Recommended Books

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

Comments

Jenny S From At 1/5/2025 1:18:20 AM

I love the excitement of a mystery! I also love trying to figure everything out. Thanks for the chance to win!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Mysteries can be exciting. Good luck on the drawing.

Deborah D From USA At 1/4/2025 5:25:25 PM

I like the challenge of figuring out who committed the crimes.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I love the challenge too.

Rhonda Mayner From Casa Grande, Arizona At 1/4/2025 12:08:29 PM

I like trying to figure out the clues along with the characters

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Following clues is so fun...

Mary Garback From Ridgecrest, CA At 1/4/2025 8:23:44 AM

I think what I like about mysteries is that in most of them the "good guy/gal" solves the crime and comes out on top at the end. It's also fun to pit my intellect against the author's and try to solve the crime before the solution is revealed.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I enjoy the mystery of figuring out who did the crime too.

Jackie Wisherd From La Mesa, CA At 1/4/2025 12:30:44 AM

I like mysteries because I like to try to solve them as I am reading.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

It's a fun challenge.

Shelia Hall From Amory,MS At 1/3/2025 11:38:20 PM

I love mysteries to see if I can solve the crime before the author reveals who did it

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Ah, the challenge.

Beverly Laude From Datil New Mexico At 1/3/2025 10:25:46 PM

I like trying to solve the mystery before the end of the book

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

It's a plot writing challenge.

Patti Shene From SE Colorado At 1/3/2025 10:12:38 PM

Hi Sally Jo. When I pick up a mystery, I like to be sswept into a world of questions to be answered and I always love it when the author surprises me with a conclusion I didn't expect.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

I agree about liking a surprise.

Miranda Summerset From Georgia At 1/3/2025 8:56:38 PM

One thing I love about mysteries is figuring out who the bad guys are.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Me too.

Lisa Sabatini From Pittston, PA 18640 At 1/3/2025 5:51:59 PM

I love mysteries because I enjoy the challenge of figuring out the answer to the puzzle before the denouement.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Denouement. You taught me a new word!

Teresa Warner From usa At 1/3/2025 4:15:57 PM

I like to figure out who the person is who was involved in a murder before the book ends!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

And I try not to give it away!

Jane Squires From Wasola, Mo At 1/3/2025 4:04:23 PM

I love trying to figure out who done what

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes, me too.

Beth Reimer From Maryland At 1/3/2025 3:14:41 PM

Thank you for the chance

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for stopping by.

Karen From Ca At 1/3/2025 3:02:45 PM

I love following the clues and trying to put the pieces together to solve the mystery.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes. Me too.

Judy Haggett From Marlborough MA At 1/3/2025 1:44:44 PM

I love to read at night.. If they mystery is good I end up staying up till it's finished, i love finding out who did it.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Even if it's good, I fall asleep trying to read at night!

Kim Cox From Colorado At 1/3/2025 12:47:50 PM

I love that your books are faith based

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks. That's important.

Linda Anne Gawthrop From Gettysburg, PA At 1/3/2025 12:02:09 PM

I love puzzles! I like to see what clues are left for the reader and how the plot matures to be able to still surprise me in the end!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Puzzles are fun!

Alicia Haney From Texas At 1/3/2025 11:48:07 AM

Good morning, Wow, I love the sound of your book, Thank you for sharing about it. What I love about mysteries is when I try to guess what the mystery is and I just can't get it, I love them because they are great page turners and they keep me on the edge of my seat. Thank you for the chance.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Thanks for stopping by, Alicia.

Jan Tomalis From Pennsylvania, USA At 1/3/2025 10:48:25 AM

I love reading about all that happens to solve the mystery. I especially like cozy mysteries.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Cozies are a favorite of mine too.

Jennifer Hallmark From Alabama At 1/3/2025 9:52:31 AM

I love the tension, the trying to figure it out, and especially if the book has a lot of twists and turns.

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Me too. Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer.

Melissa A. Alexander From Billings, MT At 1/3/2025 8:44:18 AM

I was hooked with my first Nancy Drew book trying to solve mysteries. I haven't stopped! Keep them coming; I will keep reading!

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Yes! Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys were favorites of mine.

Betty Smith From Pa At 1/3/2025 8:35:32 AM

I love mysteries because it challenges me to figure out who did it. I love the twists and turns that challenge me to guess the culprit

Reply by: Sally Jo Pitts

Fun, isn't it?

Cindy Merrill From Lebanon Maine At 1/3/2025 7:51:05 AM

What I love most about mysteries are the sub plots which add more interest to the story. A bit of comedy relief is good also- I don't like plowing through a dark depressing book: I want intrigue, not gloom and doom.