Guest Blog: Sally Jo Pitts and Sweet Double-Cross *Book Prize to Chosen Commenter **Winner: Sarah Taylor

Dear Readers, it's summer and I'm finally getting some relaxation time and a little bit of time to write! I had a book-signing last Saturday (no new books yet--I'm trying!), teaching a virtual ACFW class this upcoming Monday, and will be in Charlotte next week to talk to their ACFW chapter! I'm excited. :)

Now, please join me in welcoming Sally Jo, a repeat customer, and her intriguing romantic suspense. :)

Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you.

Hi, I’m Sally Jo Landphair Pitts. People often notice my southern accent when we first meet which invariably leads to guessing the origin. Alabama? Mississippi? Georgia? Nope. Florida. I grew up in Ocala, which is central Florida, at a time when Spanish moss dressed the oak trees, orange blossoms scented the air, and thoroughbred racehorse owners dreamed of the Triple Crown. Currently, I live in Panama City in northwest Florida—the Panhandle.

Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.

My latest release is Sweet Double-Cross, book #2 in my Sweet County Secrets romantic suspense series. It’s a love at first sight/survival on the run story when a scientific mission turns into a harrowing day of death and destruction. Here is the back cover blurb:

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? 

 Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.

There were several difficult things I encountered while writing this story but probably the hardest part was creating an island in a river that would be hard to get to so I could isolate my couple and turn a killer loose to prey on them. Since it was set in fictional Sweet County in northwest Florida, to be believable I had to study the confluence of rivers, influence of the Gulf on river flow, water levels rising and falling, river rapids, and how limestone that the state sits on can create tunnels and caves among many other things.

Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two.

The scientific part of this story centers on kudzu--the invasive plant species that has been dubbed “the plant that ate the South.” The vine can grow a foot a day and cover trees, power poles, houses—anything—and smother plant growth beneath it.

By definition an invasive plant is not native to the area. When introduced to a habitat it is capable of moving aggressively and monopolizing resources such as light, nutrients, water, and space to the detriment of other species. In the United States there are more than 1000 identified invasive species.

My quirky question: Have you ever had to battle a plant? 

My worst experience was clearing vines from a fence that turned out to be poison ivy. Though poison ivy is not an invasive species because it is native to Florida, it can sure cause trouble. I had an itchy red rash all over my arms and legs. It was extra miserable because it was summertime, hot, and I was eight months pregnant.

What is your plant story? I’d love to hear it and I’m  offering a free book to one randomly selected commenter!

 Share your social media and buy links!

Sally Jo Pitts  is a former private investigator, licensed lie detection examiner, and retired high school guidance counselor with over twenty years teaching experience in the field of family and consumer sciences. She combines her education and detective know-how to bring inspirational fiction to the page. Married to her late law enforcement husband for 48 years, she resides in the Panhandle of Florida.

https://linktr.ee/sallyjopitts

Buy link:  https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Double-Cross-County-Secrets/dp/B0F6V9WF58

Thank you, Sally Jo! And isn't it too bad I don't allow my name in the hat to be fair to my readers? :) Best wishes, everyone, Christina