36 ratings | 29 reviews | avg rating:5.00

more photos (1)

P.M.’s Year In Books

P.M.’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at P.M.’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to P.M.’s 2025 Year in Books

P.M. Terrell’s Followers (242)

P.M.’s Bookshelves

to-read (0)
currently-reading (68)
read (45)

P.M.’s Friends (7)

Crystal

11,080 books | 909 friends

Christina

9,654 books | 3,195 friends

Brandi

13,505 books | 1,867 friends

Bookschatter

5,826 books | 1,509 friends

Anthony Christie

59 books | 3 friends

Amy Bruno

4,859 books | 2,271 friends

MJ Maccalupo

15 books | 88 friends

P.M. Terrell

Goodreads Author

Born

in Washington, DC, The United States

August 25

Website

http://www.pmterrell.com

Twitter

pmterrell

Genre

Suspense, History, Romance

Member Since

August 2013

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/pmterrell

edit data

p.m.terrell is the pen name for Patricia McClelland Terrell, the award-winning, internationally acclaimed author of more than 27 books in four genres: contemporary suspense, historical adventure/suspense, computer how-to, and non-fiction.

Before writing full-time, she founded two computer companies in the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area. Among her clients were the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States Secret Service, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Department of Defense. Her specialties were white-collar computer crime and computer intelligence, themes that carried forward into her contemporary suspense.

She has been a full-time author since 2002. Vicki’s Key was a top five finalist in the 2012 International Book Awards and 20 ...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask P.M. Terrell questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

P.M. Terrell The best advice I can give to aspiring writers is to learn as much as you can about the publishing industry. This is a complex business and writers to…moreThe best advice I can give to aspiring writers is to learn as much as you can about the publishing industry. This is a complex business and writers today must wear several hats.

The first step is to write the very best book you possibly can. Never make the mistake of thinking the first draft is the final. It's only the beginning. Edit it multiple times; be ruthless. Make sure every scene does double duty, and make sure every sentence is structured in the best possible way.

Consider your audience while you are writing. Develop a persona of the ideal reader; whether it's someone interested in history or suspense, an incurable romantic or one that loves exotic settings... Analyze your major competitors; those New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors that have the audience you want to have. What are they doing to attract their followers? What is their website like? What do they blog about and how often do they blog? What social media are they actively involved in? What do they post to get interaction - shares, likes, comments?

When your book is the very best you can possibly make it, buy a copy of the latest Writers Market (or find it in your local library) and begin querying publishers and literary agents that are interested in your specific genre.

When you have a publishing contract in hand, be sure to ask what the publisher will do to market your book; what their advertising budget is for your work; and expect to be a major player in your promotional campaign. This can range from physical book tours to online blog tours, social media campaigns and Internet advertising.

By learning as much as you can about the industry, you'll understand what it takes to bring a book into the public eye; what it takes to be discovered by your ideal audience; and what will be expected of you from the writing to the editing to marketing and promotion - and everything in between.(less)

flag

1 like · like
Comment

What are you currently working on?

P.M. Terrell I took a departure from writing contemporary suspense and began an historical series based on real Irish history. I have a series (Black Swamp Mysteri…moreI took a departure from writing contemporary suspense and began an historical series based on real Irish history. I have a series (Black Swamp Mysteries) that centers around CIA operatives but I found in the political climate in Washington - with Russia, the Middle East and our European allies - readers were becoming disillusioned with current events. What is really popular now is escapism books, movies and television. There is something very comforting about reading the past; even if it involves battles, a political game of thrones, adversity and challenges, we know our ancestors made it through. We're here; we survived.

Following in my family's footsteps has been a fascinating adventure for me. Going to Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland and standing on land that once belonged to my ancestors; standing in the family cemetery overlooking their land holdings, learning of their contributions to the surrounding villages - has been an experience like no other. I wanted to take the names out of the boxes on the neatly drawn family tree and find out who they were, what they did, what motivated them, what legacy they left. I wanted to know why, generation after generation, they left their homes, often for countries they had never been to with foreign customs, a different language, where they had to begin all over again.

The first book in my new Checkmate series (http://pmterrell.com/checkmate-clans-...) begins with William Neely, my ancestor that left Wigtownshire, Scotland in 1608 for Ulster. You can read an excerpt at the link above. He landed in Ulster as tensions were heating up between the last Gaelic Irish King, Cahir O'Doherty, and Sir George Paulet, the English Governor of Derry, and he would be caught up in O'Doherty's Rebellion. He would be witness to love and hatred, courage and cowardice, loyalty and treason, and he would be changed - and his descendants changed - forever.

I am now doing research on the second book in the series, involving the aftermath of O'Doherty's Rebellion and the Plantation era in Ulster, Ireland.

You can read more about my experience delving into my family history here: http://pmterrell.blogspot.com/2017/05...

I'd love to know if you have discovered anything about your ancestors, and how it changed you and made you the person you are today.(less)

flag

like
Comment

See all 3 answers from P.M. Terrell…

Combine Editions
P.M. Terrell’s books

Average rating: 4.37 · 279 ratings · 91 reviews · 22 distinct works • Similar authors

	Songbirds are Free 4.36 avg rating — 74 ratings — published 2007 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	River Passage 4.20 avg rating — 30 ratings — published 2009 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Exit 22 (Black Swamp Mysteries Book 1) 4.31 avg rating — 29 ratings — published 2008 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Tempest Murders 4.42 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vicki's Key (Black Swamp Mysteries, #2) 4.26 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	April in the Back of Beyond 4.17 avg rating — 12 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The China Conspiracy 4.18 avg rating — 11 ratings — published 2003 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Pendulum Files (Black Swamp Mysteries Book 5) 4.60 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2014 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dylan's Song (Black Swamp Mysteries #4) 4.30 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Banker's Greed by P.M. Terrell (Goodreads Author), T. Randy Stevens 4.20 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by P.M. Terrell…

56 posts
P.M. Terrell's Blog

Update on My Latest Writing

I’m finishing up polishing my latest manuscript, Padlocked! I’ve been working very hard on this story, and I’m eager to send it to the advance readers before the end of this month. The story follows ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances as Germany invades Poland in 1939. Their choices will place them on paths that unexpectedly converge in January 1945 when the 60th Army of the F Read more of this blog post »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on January 16, 2026 06:35 • Tags: american-revolution, democracy, germany, ghost-story, poland, revolutionary-war, scotland, world-war-ii

View all 56 posts »

P.M. is Currently Reading

P.M. Terrell is currently reading

The Wicked Lady

by Elena Collins

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jan 11, 2025 06:04AM

P.M. Terrell is currently reading

A Book A Week: How I Outline and Draft a Full Novel in Just A Week (Self-Publishing Success 1)

by Kate Hall

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Aug 28, 2024 07:05AM

P.M. Terrell is currently reading

Before We Were Yours

by Lisa Wingate (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jul 27, 2024 07:34AM

rss
P.M.’s Recent Updates

P.M. Terrell wrote a new blog post Update on My Latest Writing I’m finishing up polishing my latest manuscript, Padlocked! I’ve been working very hard on this story, and I’m eager to send it to the advance readers Read more of this blog post »
Jan 16, 2026 06:35AM · like
P.M. Terrell rated a book it was amazing The Children of Magic (Anu Beginnings Book 1) by P.D. Parker (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
An epic tale of good versus evil-highly recommended It is difficult to believe The Children of Magic is author P.D. Parker’s debut novel, as his writing rivals that of seasoned authors. The action begins immediately, and although we are taken to myth ...more
Feb 07, 2025 06:55AM · like · see review
P.M. Terrell is currently reading The Wicked Lady by Elena Collins	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2025 06:04AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Wicked Lady by Elena Collins. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Wicked Lady by Elena Collins <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell rated a book it was amazing The Witches of Santo Stefano by Wendy Webb (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 20, 2024 04:49AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Witches of Santo Stefano by Wendy Webb. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Witches of Santo Stefano by Wendy Webb <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading A Book A Week: How I Outline and Draft a Full Novel in Just A Week (Self-Publishing Success 1) by Kate Hall	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 28, 2024 07:05AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Book A Week by Kate Hall. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Book A Week by Kate Hall <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 27, 2024 07:34AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell is currently reading Letters in Time (In Time, #1) by Susan Reiss (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 30, 2024 12:30PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Letters in Time by Susan Reiss. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Letters in Time by Susan Reiss <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
P.M. Terrell rated a book it was amazing Widow's Walk by Wendy Webb (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Apr 27, 2024 05:19AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Widow's Walk by Wendy Webb. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Widow's Walk by Wendy Webb <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of P.M.'s books…

Quotes by P.M. Terrell (?)

“Life is all about the journey.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: life-lessons

2 likes

“Among the top ten things I've learned in life: when your hair stylist is having a bad day, reschedule.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: humorous-quotes

1 likes

“Music is poetry in motion.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: music, poetry

0 likes

See all P.M. Terrell's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author game, Round 4	16049	655	Jan 05, 2019 04:49AM
Cozy Mysteries : Mystery ABC's, Round 4	14302	806	Jan 05, 2019 05:39AM
Cozy Mysteries : Title and Author game, Round 5	7285	329	May 14, 2020 09:14PM

More…

P.M.’s Quotes

“Music is poetry in motion.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: music, poetry

0 likes

“Life is all about the journey.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: life-lessons

2 likes

“Among the top ten things I've learned in life: when your hair stylist is having a bad day, reschedule.”
― P. M. Terrell

tags: humorous-quotes

1 likes

P.M.’s Friend Comments

No comments have been added yet.

P.M. Terrell’s Followers (242)

P.M. Terrell

Goodreads Author

Popular Answered Questions

rssP.M.’s Recent Updates

See a Problem?

Preview — The Wicked Lady by Elena Collins

See a Problem?

Preview — The Witches of Santo Stefano by Wendy Webb

See a Problem?

Preview — A Book A Week by Kate Hall

See a Problem?

Preview — Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

See a Problem?

Preview — Letters in Time by Susan Reiss

See a Problem?

Preview — Widow's Walk by Wendy Webb

Topics Mentioning This Author

rss
P.M.’s Recent Updates