The Pendulum Files by p.m. terrell - Interview and Giveaway

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If someone were writing a story about you, what would your blurb say?

p.m.terrell’s life story is inspiring. Like so many others, it has taken twists and turns that never could have been anticipated. Some were devastating, some uplifting, and all led to where she is today. From homeless to the founder of two computer companies awarded millions in government contracts… to retiring to pursue her dream of being a published author, her story resonates with anyone who refuses to give up in the face of adversity.

Would you tell us a little about your newest release that isn't in the blurb?

The plot of The Pendulum Files involves merchant vessels bringing goods from China to the United States. It’s the second book I’ve written about trade between the US and China; the first was The China Conspiracy. It’s a subject that fascinates me, because every person in America is affected in some way by the trade deficit, and yet our elected politicians (whatever your party) seem to be blind and deaf to the effect it has on our economy. I began thinking about a politician who might want to change this dynamic, which brought in a political tone to the book (though I want every reader to come to their own conclusions; I never preach my own politics) and to what extent someone might go to in order to change our present policies. In adding the high seas to the adventure, it opened up a world I’d previously known nothing about, which was fascinating—the way the ocean is laid out in grids for those traversing it, maritime laws, and how governments react to crimes on the high seas.

What was your favorite scene to write in this story?

I love ghost stories and I’d have to say my favorite scene was when Vicki and Dylan were in their bedroom; Dylan was fast asleep and Vicki awakened to find his grandmother’s ghost in front of her. Vicki is not only a psychic spy but often sees ghosts, though she is still trying to come to terms with this part of her life. And of course any scene involving Dylan Maguire is a juicy one, in or out of the bedroom.

If you could trade places with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

I would want to be Vicki Boyd. Her psychic skills are enormous, she has the complete and faithful love of Irishman Dylan Maguire, and she will travel around the world with him. Their next stop in the sixth book in the series (due out in the spring of 2015) will be Ireland for their wedding and honeymoon.

CIA operative Dylan Maguire joins forces with psychic spy Vicki Boyd to find out who is bombing merchant vessels bound for the United States from China. Their mission will lead them to Black Sites, the high seas and into covert operations. And when an assassin escapes from prison determined to finish the job he started, they find their personal lives and their missions are about to collide in ways they never could have imagined.

Enjoy p.m.'s favorite scene:

She wasn’t quite sure what roused her from sleep. But as Vicki slowly opened her eyes, she became aware of her nude body lying on one side with Dylan’s larger, muscular form curled up behind her. One arm was stretched over her protectively and her derriere rested against his lap, their legs intertwined.

Normally some moonlight found its way inside, but the room was so murky that she wondered if there was any moon at all this night. She narrowed her eyes in an effort to adjust to the darkness as Dylan’s measured, soft breathing remained against her ear.

She nearly gasped as her eyes fell upon a figure just a few feet from the bed. She frowned as it swayed in front of her; it was not flesh and blood—that much was obvious. It was almost opaque and as she continued to stare, it grew more luminous until a tiny woman stood in front of her with long, flowing white hair billowing about her as if blown by the wind.

She wore a thin nightgown that reached from the base of her neck all the way to her feet, and as Vicki continued to stare, she smiled.

“Mam,” Vicki breathed as she recognized Dylan’s grandmother.

Dylan murmured something incomprehensible and held her more tightly against him.

“Be careful what you do, child,” Mam said in a clear voice. “There are eyes on you.”

Vicki gasped and grabbed at the bed covering. “You shouldn’t be watching us!” she exclaimed.

Dylan awakened and leaned over her to look at her face. “What is it, Darlin’?”

Vicki could feel the heat in her cheeks. She half-turned to Dylan to see him watching her with sleepy eyes. “I—” She turned back to where his grandmother had stood, but she was gone.

“Another bad dream, mayhap?” he asked before settling back. “There’s nothin’ at’al to be frightened of, Darlin’. I’ll take good care o’ you.”

She tried to relax against his body once more. She kept her eyes open and her ears on alert but she was met only with silence and a darkness that reminded her that she’d had precious little sleep. Still, she pulled the bedcovers over them, covering their naked bodies.

The grandfather clock downstairs ticked off the seconds, the sound reminding her of just how silent the rest of the house really was. She finally felt herself snuggling into that warm cocoon of sleep.

She could feel Dylan’s breath against the back of her neck; it was the steady breathing of a man deeply asleep. Then she became aware of something else, something against her nose as if someone was breathing on her face.

Her eyes flew open to find Mam leaning down in front of her, her face just inches from hers.

“It isn’t me you need to be concernin’ y’self with, child,” she said. “Other eyes are watchin’.”

About the Author:

p.m.terrell is the pen name for Patricia McClelland Terrell, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than 20 books in five genres. A full-time author since 2002, Black Swamp Mysteries is her first series, inspired by the success of Exit 22 in 2008. The books include Exit 22,Vicki's Key, Secrets of a Dangerous Woman, Dylan's Song, and The Pendulum Files. Vicki's Key placed as one of four finalists in the 2012 International Book Awards. Her historical book, River Passage, won the 2010 Best Drama Award, and her romantic suspense, The Tempest Murders, placed as one of four finalists in the 2013 USA Best Book Awards.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, she founded and operated two computer companies in the Washington, DC area. Her specialties were computer crime and computer intelligence and her clients included the CIA, Secret Service and Department of Defense. Computer technology often weaves its way through her contemporary suspense/thrillers.

She is also the co-founder of The Book 'Em Foundation and the founder of The Book 'Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair, an annual event to raise money for literacy campaigns. She also serves on the boards of the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library and the Robeson County Arts Council, and served as the first female president for the Chesterfield County/ Colonial Heights Crime Solvers.

website: www.pmterrell.com
blog:www.pmterrell.blogspot.com
twitter: @pmterrell
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.p.m.terrell
amazon trade paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Pendulum-Files-Black-Mysteries-Volume/dp/1935970097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395929941&sr=8-1&keywords=the+pendulum+files
amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Pendulum-Files-Black-Swamp-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00INC34Z0/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1395929941
Smashwords (all ebook formats): http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/412506