Welcome multi-published author, P M Terrell!

Welcome, P M! I just had a quick browse of your website and impressed to see all the books you've written. Fantastic! I am really happy to be a part of your ongoing tour and hope you enjoy your time at my blog. Okay, let's get on with the questions!

1)   Did you set any goals for 2012?

My goal this time last year was to complete two books in my new Black Swamp Mysteries romantic suspense series. When I landed a new agent earlier this year, I had to revise that to writing three books in 2012. Previously, I had been writing just one book per year but spending far more time on the road with marketing and promotional efforts.

2)   What is the best part of the writing process for you?

I love losing myself in the story. I very rarely have writer’s block. I live and breathe the main characters’ lives while writing and I often have a period of mourning when the book is finished akin to empty nest syndrome.

3)   The worst part?

The worst part is the amount of work placed on authors to do their own marketing and promotional campaigns. I now have people to help me and I am hoping to replace physical tours with a lot more blog tours. I love meeting fans around the country but living out of suitcases can get old in a hurry. It is not a glamorous life.

4)   What is the book you wish you’d written?

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. It was the first true crime book I’d ever encountered that read like a fictional suspense. I think the writing was brilliant.

5)   Favourite author/s & book/s?

I love Erin Quinn’s Haunting series. I’ve read the four books in the series each twice and have started on them a third time. I love the romance, the paranormal element and the time travel. Not to mention they all take place in Ireland, where my ancestors are from, and I love reading about that country. Plus, there is just something about an Irish accent that gets me every time. I am eagerly awaiting more books in this series.

6)   Tell us about your latest release?

In Vicki’s Key, Vicki Boyd is a psychic spy with the CIA whose last mission went horribly wrong. She decides to leave the agency and take a summer job with an elderly woman in a small Southern town. But when she arrives, she finds that Laurel Maguire has suffered a stroke and her nephew Dylan has arrived from Ireland to care for her. Vicki quickly falls in love with the charming Dylan Maguire. But when the house begins to come alive with dark secrets, Vicki begins to doubt her own sanity. And when the CIA arrive to recruit her for one last mission, she finds her past and her future are about to collide—in murder.

7)   What is your favourite attribute of the hero and heroine?

My favorite attribute of Vicki Boyd is she is a good person who genuinely cares about other people. My favorite attribute about Dylan Maguire is his easy-going resilience and ability to roll with the punches.

8)   What’s next?

Vicki’s Key launched the Black Swamp Mysteries series. The next book in the series, Secrets of a Dangerous Woman, will be released in September 2012. And I am currently working on the third book in the series, Dylan’s Song, which is scheduled for release in the spring of 2013.

I am also writing a stand-alone suspense/thriller that begins in Ireland and ends in America. I plan to travel to Ireland to do some research that is needed for this book as well as Dylan’s Song.

9)                  Tell me where you write?

When I am working at home, I have a home office where I work about 6 hours a day. Then I move to the living room for some fresh scenery and work another 6 hours. When I am on the road, I write in whatever hotel room I find myself.

10)                  Where would you like your career to be in 5 years?

I would like to continue writing 2 or 3 books per year. I don’t have aspirations of becoming a New York Times bestselling author but I’d love to know my writing career will sustain me financially through my elderly years. I particularly enjoy writing romantic suspense and I believe Vicki’s job as a psychic spy and her love affair with the Irishman, Dylan Maguire, can make for some great plots.

11)                  Where can we find you?

My website is http://www.pmterrell.com/ I can be found on Twitter @pmterrell and on Facebook under Patricia M. Terrell, Author. I also have a blogspot, http://pmterrell.blogspot.co.uk/ and a website devoted to my historical suspense, http://maryneely.com/

VICKI'S KEY

By

p.m. terrell

BLURB:  

Following a flawed CIA mission, Vicki Boyd leaves the Agency to begin a new life in a new town assisting an elderly woman. But when she arrives, she finds Laurel Maguire has suffered a stroke and her nephew has arrived from Ireland to care for her. Vicki quickly falls in love with the charming Dylan Maguire, but all is not what it seems to be at Aunt Laurel's house. And when the VIA arrive to recruit Vicki for one more mission, she finds her CIA past and her new future are about to collide... in murder.

EXCERPT: 

Vicki let the end of the towel drop so it brushed against her knees as she held the top against her breastbone. With one hand, she pulled the shower curtain back.

Dylan stood barefoot in the doorway, his back against the doorframe, his long legs stretching toward the opposite side, one hand planted against the opposite doorframe as though he’d been semi-reclining there for some time.

She gasped instinctively. “How long have you been there?” she asked, tugging the towel to cover herself.

“Long enough.” Without taking his eyes off hers, he moved deliberately across the bathroom until he stood in front of her. Without speaking, he took her towel and wrapped it around her. As the bath sheet was draped around her slender body, he took the corner and began to gently rub her hair with it. He stopped after a moment, his hand against her face and gazed at her cheek as he brushed it with his thumb.

“What were you cryin’ for, Woman?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

“‘I don’t know,’ she says. Same thin’ me mum used to say. ‘What are you cryin’ for, Mum?’ I’d say. ‘I don’t know.’ ‘Well, you do it every night. Seems like you’d have figured it out by now.’”

She didn’t answer and after a few seconds, he stopped rubbing her cheek and looked into her eyes.

“I have to tell you, Darlin’. I can’t handle a woman’s tears. Never been able to. Most likely never will. Does somethin’ to me heart that I just can’t abide.” He spoke with his lips pressed close to hers, as if he could smother the tears.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

p.m.terrell is the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of thirteen books, including six suspense/thrillers and two historical suspense. Suspense Magazine says "p.m.terrell gets better with each and every book she writes" and Midwest Book Review says, "p.m.terrell is a master at skillfully combining drama, action, suspense and romance to engage the reader in an adrenaline rush of page turning adventure." PBS television host Barbara Berlin says, "p.m.terrell is the next John Grisham." A full-time writer for more than 12 years, her latest series, Black Swamp Mysteries, combines international intrigue and adventure with the CIA's psychic spy program, resulting in a series that appeals to lovers of suspense, romance or the paranormal. Prior to becoming an author, terrell operated two computer businesses focusing on computer intelligence and white collar crime. Her clients included the CIA, Secret Service and Department of Defense. For more about terrell and her books, visit www.pmterrell.com.

P.M. will be giving away gift baskets from the real town of Lumberton, where Vicki's adventure takes place--one for a randomly drawn commenter and one for the host with the most comments, excluding the host's own or p.m.'s. (US/Canada only)] 

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-book-tour-vickis-key.html. 

Good luck!!