Title- The Pendulum Files
Series- Black Swamp Mysteries # 5 (Can be read out of order)
By- P.M. Terrell
Genre- Romantic Suspense
Expected Publication Date- March 17th, 2014

Blurb-
Irishman and CIA operative Dylan Maguire joins psychic spy Vicki Boyd for another harrowing adventure, this time on the high seas. Merchant ships en route from China to the United States are being bombed, plunging America into critical shortages. It’s Dylan’s and Vicki’s jobs to find out who is bombing them and why. Their mission takes them into Black Sites, covert activities and international politics. And while the romantic side of Dylan ramps up his relationship with Vicki, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a hired assassin, which not only places their lives in danger but also that of their unborn child.

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My Review:

Awesome book, awesome story. This is book 5 in the Black Swamp Series but the series by no means needs to be read in order (I didn’t). It is such a good read. It starts out with a bang, a real attention grabber. Then it settles down for a bit so that you get involved in the characters lives and get to know them, get a sense of what’s going on and potentially what the mystery is. Then things soon pick up again and you have ships being blown up, people being chased and shot, hidden cameras seeing things they shouldn’t be. You feel like you are a part of this story, of the characters’ lives. It’s really well written, it starts with the CIA trying to solve one mystery only to discover that there are a couple of others ones going on.

I love this series and the real-life people who make it so engaging. It was great to see what was happening with Brenda – I think my favorite character – who is in trouble big time with the authorities. She doesn’t care about the rules just in getting things done, her way. Her sister Vicki works with the CIA so it makes things awkward at times when family loyalty gets in the way of catching the bad guys. Then there’s Chris, a nice political guy, who goes from not breaking rules to breaking many. And then there’s Dylan – who can resist a guy with an Irish brogue? Oh yeah and there’s Sam too, their contact in the CIA, who’s a bit grumpy but quite likeable.

This book can be read on its own but is a great culmination of all the Black Swamp Mystery series. Ms. Terrell is one of my favorite authors as she weaves an interesting and intriguing mystery that includes elements of the psychic world, romance, intrigue, suspense. Well done.

Here are links to her other novels, in the Black Swamp Mysteries, I have reviewed:

Exit 22
Vicki’s Key
Secrets of a Dangerous Woman
Dylan’s Song

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The top ten favorite things about being an author

I can’t imagine doing anything other than writing. It’s been a lifelong dream for me to write full-time, and since 2002, I’ve been able to fulfill that dream. My favorite things about being an author are:

1. I love to create things out of nothing, from the characters to the plots to the backdrops;

2. Writing suspense, whether it’s international intrigue, political thrillers or detective crime, keeps me learning. My research involves 3-4 hours for each hour of writing, and I believe that constant learning keeps a mind young.

3. I love the commute, especially when it’s raining or snowing. I simply walk from my house to my office, and when I enter my office and see my computer waiting for me, I can’t wait to sit down and start typing.

4. I love creating drama in my characters’ lives. I dislike drama in my own life and live a “safe” existence, but my characters are completely the opposite.

5. I love hearing from fans who tell me my book touched their lives in some way. It’s the pleasure it gives them, the thought-provoking ideas or concepts that touches them, or the inspiration it provides, that keeps me writing.

6. Life often throws curve balls and it’s anyone’s guess how things will end up in the long run. But within the pages of a book, I can create whatever trials I’d like and resolve them in any manner I choose. There is something very powerful about that.

7. I enjoy the freedom that writing provides me. I have no boss micromanaging my work. Though deadlines are always there and production staff is waiting in the wings for me to finish my part so they can do theirs, I can write at any time of the day or week.

8. I can work surrounded by my favorite things: my dogs and my angelfish. I am never concerned that my dogs are in a house all day by themselves, because they follow me to my office and hang out while I type.

9. I love the emotions words evoke; the places they can take you; the hearts they touch; and the minds they challenge.

10. There is something about finishing that last page or that final edit that is deeply rewarding. Knowing the book is out of my hands while the editor and production staff do their magic is a feeling like no other – except, of course, holding the book in my hands when it’s hot off the presses.

p.m.terrell is the internationally acclaimed, award-winning author of more than 18 books, including Vicki’s Key, a 2012 International Book Awards and 2012 USA Best Book Awards finalist and River Passage, winner of the 2010 Best Drama Award. A full-time writer since 2002, p.m. previously founded and operated two computer companies with a specialty in computer crime and computer intelligence. Her clients included the CIA, United States Secret Service and the Department of Defense as well as local law enforcement agencies. Her expertise in computers and intelligence often finds its way into her books. She is also the co-founder of The Book ‘Em Foundation and founder and chair of The Book ‘Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair, which raises money to increase literacy rates. As a hobby, she raises freshwater angelfish – the same thing her characters do as their front for the CIA. For more information about p.m.terrell, visit www.pmterrell.com and for more information on the upcoming Writers Conference, visit www.bookemnc.org.

Links-
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