The Writer's View: p.m. terrell

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. p.m. terrell will give a gift basket from the real town of Lumberton, where Vicki's adventure takes place to one random commenter. Click the banner above to see the other stops on the tour.

The View Inside My Writing Space

My favorite place to write is in my living room. I pull my laptop into my lap and recline and begin to lose myself in the world I am creating. A few feet from me is a 70-gallon aquarium with my crowning jewels, freshwater angelfish that are ten inches tall. As I write, they keep their eyes on me and when I begin to rise from my chair, they come to the side of the tank for a treat.

Across the room are two loveseats. In one, my tri-colored collie sleeps and in the other, my Jack Russell feigns sleep but keeps one eye on me. Just outside on the back porch or in the yard is my third dog, a walker hound that lies in wait for the neighborhood cat to appear at our fence line. The doggie door slaps open and shut all day but I barely notice it as I write.

Until recently, I was going blind (medical technology is miraculous these days) so my walls are painted a bright, pastel blue that makes it easy for me to see. The advantage is also a serene atmosphere that makes me feel like I’m at the beach. I will soon add another aquarium to the five I currently have as baby angelfish grow into maturity, which adds to the beach feel.

On occasion, I must leave the comfort of the recliner and do some serious work at my desk—primarily the marketing and promotional duties. My office is contained in a separate building so I walk there with my dogs in line behind me. The office is on the second floor with a 360 degree view and closed circuit cameras of those areas of the property blocked by the main house. I frequently find myself glancing into the cameras, assessing my surroundings, while I work.

In my office, I have a desktop computer and a U-shaped desk. The monitor is in front of a large window, where I can keep an eye on the crepe myrtles, tea tree plants, gardenias and rose bushes just below. My father is building a bird condo which I will erect in the garden just outside this window, and I’ll soon be adding hummingbird feeders.

My books are suspenseful and filled with action but in reality, I dislike drama in my own life. I love the serenity of writing here.

About the Author:

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.

Twitter: @pmterrell
Facebook: p.m.terrell, author and Patricia M. Terrell

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.