R.F. Whong Explains How Deadly Vitamin D Can Be
Multi-published and award-winning author R.F. Whong recently stopped by my newsletter to share about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels?
I want to explore different genres as a writer. Friends say my PhD in biochemistry belongs in suspense. Yet my heart belongs to romance. Both impulses shaped my novel Allure of Elegance, book 3 in the Paradise PA Mystery series.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels?
In book 2 of the Paradise, PA Mystery series, someone dies from vitamin D analog poisoning. I believe it’s the first such case in a suspense novel.
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books?
As a biochemist, meticulous research is second nature to me, whether I’m working on a scientific book or integrating creative concepts into a fictional narrative. Before beginning a book, I spend a considerable amount of time delving into relevant literature, both scientific and creative, to ensure a well-rounded understanding. The length of the research phase varies depending on the complexity of the topic, but it often spans several weeks. I also enjoy speaking with friends in different fields, which can offer new perspectives and enrich my work.
How do you pick the location/setting of your romantic suspense novels?
During my student days, I dedicated a summer to serving as a volunteer at Ambassadors for Christ (AFC, a Christian organization) in the picturesque town of Paradise, Pennsylvania. Immersed in the serene beauty of this idyllic location, I often walked to nearby Amish farms to engage with their unique way of life and procure fresh eggs and various other necessities. I also discovered that the vast tract of land on which AFC now stands was originally owned by the Leaman family. In 1874, Charles Leaman and his wife answered the Lord’s calling and went to China to serve as missionaries. Charles’s two daughters, Mary and Lucy, later also served as missionaries in Nanjing.
Now, many years later, I serve as a board member at AFC and visit Paradise every year for the board meetings. I’m still in awe today about God’s wonderful work in the formation of AFC and the Leaman family’s legacy. They inspired me to write a book series set in Paradise. This book, the third in the series, sheds light on luxury goods in our world and how ordinary Christians deal with temptations.
What did you want to be as a child (and did that dream come true)?
I always wanted to be a scientist. By God’s grace, the dream did come true for me.
About Ruth
Ruth Wuwong has published 120-plus scientific books/papers (under her legal name) and several Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. The Minnesota Anoka County Library has chosen her as a 2025 Featured Author. Her book, Echoes over Stormy Sea, won several awards, including the HOLT Medallion Contest.
Allure of Elegance by R.F. Whong
In tribute to Agatha Christie, this modern mystery series weaves together atypical tales set in the idyllic Amish country of Paradise, Pa.
Two years ago, still haunted by the tragic events of September 11, Tina Sheng reluctantly served as a Christian summer camp counselor in Paradise. Now, she works as an insurance fraud investigator in nearby Lancaster and is pulled into a web of lies and luxury when a bold theft targets expensive designer items. Despite her training, she struggles with self-doubt and is swayed by the allure of the opulent world.
Tina’s company assigns her to look into the insurance claim. While she navigates the treacherous path between justice and desire, temptations taunt her. After a tragedy strikes a friend with whom she tries to share the gospel, her intensified search traps her in a secret network involving the mysterious Baroness Hermès, who specializes in procuring Birkin bags for wealthy clients.
Facing tough choices, can Tina break into a dangerous underground operation and emerge as a beacon of resilience?
