Coffee And Books: with award winning author Sally Jo Pitts

I met Sally Jo Pitts at a writer’s conference in Florida about ten years ago. Fascinated to find out she and her husband were private investigators, I asked her about the role of a P.I. for research in my novel, Stealth.

Her insight and advice for this character helped shape my novel and she has been a wonderful support since.

Sally Jo is an award winning author of the Sweet County Secrets series. I’ve read the first two books in the series and thought you might be especially interested in one character in her latest release, Sweet Dare.

To find out more, I caught up with her at her writer’s desk.

Her answers to my questions are intriguing. Can’t wait to read the entire story!

1. In your novel, Sweet Dare, one of your characters, a young boy, is in foster care. You bring attention to the real danger of human trafficking in the foster care system. What motivated you to include this social issue in your book?

Honestly, the danger of human trafficking came from the character and the plot as they unfolded in my mind. I had a rough idea for this story to have some kids that would make a dare. But initially I didn’t know what the dare would be until I created the legend of White Feather and the firefly warriors. The idea of Zeke being a foster child came to me as I wrote him and pictured how he might get into trouble. The ensuing danger in the story flowed from there. As a high school guidance counselor I’ve dealt with foster children. They carry insecurities and an extra need to belong. Because of less stable family attachments, these children are more vulnerable and can be seen as easy marks for human traffickers.

2. What is your favorite part in writing clean suspense books like Sweet Dare?

My favorite part of writing is the creative process—asking the “what ifs” and then fleshing out the story. Because of my late law enforcement husband and serving as a private investigator with him, I have a heart for and a desire to portray the work of a lawman in a positive light. I choose to honor the world of investigation, and it doesn’t take vulgar language, explicit sex or blood and gore to do that.

3. Sweet Dare is the final book in your Secrets in Sweet County Series. What’s next for you?

Because Zeke from Sweet Dare still sits with me, I am noodling a Christmas story with him. And it just may include a dog.

For more information and books from Sally Jo you can visit her at https://sallyjopitts.com/.