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Vicki's Key
After a botched CIA mission, Vicki Boyd leaves the CIA, moves to a new town and tries to start over in a new job working for an elderly woman. But when she arrives, she learns Laurel Maguire has suffered a stroke and her nephew Dylan has arrived from Ireland to care for her. Vicki quickly falls in love with Dylan but all is not what it seems to be at Aunt Laurel's house. And when the CIA recruit her for one more mission, her past and her new future are about to collide... in murder.
324 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2012
About the author
P.M. Terrell
24 books241 followersp.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 2012 USA Book Awards nominee, and The Pendulum Files was a national finalist for the Best Cover of the Year in 2014. The Tempest Murders was one of four finalists in the 2013 International Book Awards, cross-genre category.
Her historical suspense, River Passage, was a 2010 Best Fiction and Drama Winner. It was determined to be so historically accurate that a copy of the book resides at the Nashville Government Metropolitan Archives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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 2012 USA Book Awards nominee, and The Pendulum Files was a national finalist for the Best Cover of the Year in 2014. The Tempest Murders was one of four finalists in the 2013 International Book Awards, cross-genre category.
Her historical suspense, River Passage, was a 2010 Best Fiction and Drama Winner. It was determined to be so historically accurate that a copy of the book resides at the Nashville Government Metropolitan Archives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 26, 2017
I found the true aspects of the government use and involvement in the psychic truly amazing.
I love everything about the book, the swamp for burying bodies, secrets to be revealed and remote viewing to exotic locations…and into danger. But, sometimes, danger is closer than you think.
The CIA wanted her to stay, but after her last mission, she knew it was time to move on. Does she really believe they would let her walk away?
She was an orphan, with siblings she knew nothing about. She didn’t know how the CIA found her. She grew up in an institutional setting under their guidance and control, treated like nothing more than a lab rat, taught to perform. They wanted her psychic ability, not her, the person. It’s a wonder she didn’t go mad or turn to the dark side.
She wanted a life…a normal life and she was going to Lumberton, North Carolina to find it. She would serve an apprenticeship, of sorts, with an old lady and her tropical fish. Easy peasy, right?
She immediately runs into Dylan Maguire, the fish lady’s nephew. Woo hoo to the hottie, but Vicki’s spidey senses are tingling, just a little for her, but a lot for me. I think there is much more to him than meets the eye, but I like him nonetheless. He has an air of danger, yet a sweetness and desire to please her.
It’s a good thing Dylan can cook, because Vicki can’t even brew a cup of coffee. Who is this man Dylan, loving, caring, thoughtful, romantic and sweet, yet fiery, passionate, protective and beware those who wish Vicki harm
Vicki can psychically project herself to a specific place and time, able to tell everything about the place, the people, and the events taking place. Better than GPS.
So…I wonder how long Vicki will contain her curiosity about the elusive Auntie and open the door to the forbidden room.
I love that the mystery and problems popped up early. Gets me involved, invested in the story and the characters. I really do think thing’s are ‘fishy’, but who is the guilty party and what it’s all about I can’t say for sure…yet. Will she be in danger? And from whom?
The mystery is slow building. It is no surprise they both have secrets, baggage that has followed them to Lumberton. P M Terrell has created mysteries within mysteries and I am unable to figure them out. She weaves intrigue and danger into a suspenseful romance with characters I love to hate and love to love. I am a sucker for happy ever after endings and I am waiting for Vicki’s knight in tarnished armor to come to her rescue. Now…that’s a surprise!
P M Terrell keeps the romance light and sweet.
Vicki’s Key by P M Terrell had everything I could want and more. Some truth, some fiction, woven into a rich and complicated tale that left me wanting more.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Vicki’s Key by P M Terrell.
To see more visit fundinmental
I love everything about the book, the swamp for burying bodies, secrets to be revealed and remote viewing to exotic locations…and into danger. But, sometimes, danger is closer than you think.
The CIA wanted her to stay, but after her last mission, she knew it was time to move on. Does she really believe they would let her walk away?
She was an orphan, with siblings she knew nothing about. She didn’t know how the CIA found her. She grew up in an institutional setting under their guidance and control, treated like nothing more than a lab rat, taught to perform. They wanted her psychic ability, not her, the person. It’s a wonder she didn’t go mad or turn to the dark side.
She wanted a life…a normal life and she was going to Lumberton, North Carolina to find it. She would serve an apprenticeship, of sorts, with an old lady and her tropical fish. Easy peasy, right?
She immediately runs into Dylan Maguire, the fish lady’s nephew. Woo hoo to the hottie, but Vicki’s spidey senses are tingling, just a little for her, but a lot for me. I think there is much more to him than meets the eye, but I like him nonetheless. He has an air of danger, yet a sweetness and desire to please her.
It’s a good thing Dylan can cook, because Vicki can’t even brew a cup of coffee. Who is this man Dylan, loving, caring, thoughtful, romantic and sweet, yet fiery, passionate, protective and beware those who wish Vicki harm
Vicki can psychically project herself to a specific place and time, able to tell everything about the place, the people, and the events taking place. Better than GPS.
So…I wonder how long Vicki will contain her curiosity about the elusive Auntie and open the door to the forbidden room.
I love that the mystery and problems popped up early. Gets me involved, invested in the story and the characters. I really do think thing’s are ‘fishy’, but who is the guilty party and what it’s all about I can’t say for sure…yet. Will she be in danger? And from whom?
The mystery is slow building. It is no surprise they both have secrets, baggage that has followed them to Lumberton. P M Terrell has created mysteries within mysteries and I am unable to figure them out. She weaves intrigue and danger into a suspenseful romance with characters I love to hate and love to love. I am a sucker for happy ever after endings and I am waiting for Vicki’s knight in tarnished armor to come to her rescue. Now…that’s a surprise!
P M Terrell keeps the romance light and sweet.
Vicki’s Key by P M Terrell had everything I could want and more. Some truth, some fiction, woven into a rich and complicated tale that left me wanting more.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Vicki’s Key by P M Terrell.
To see more visit fundinmental
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June 20, 2013A little slow at first. I think the "romantic" part was a little forced in the beginning...it was jarring to me, nothing seemed to lead up to it. Some "soft pornish" scenes...not the reason I read the book...was not even aware this was part of the book. With those caveats, I do recommend this book...very intriguing and hard to put down (at least after the first 1/4 of the book for me.)
March 29, 2018
I loved this book. It was exciting, romantic, and so well thought out from beginning to end. It ties in slightly with the first book in the Black Swamp Mysteries, and I can’t wait to read the next one, to find out how these connections develop.
For a bit of context:
Vicki, a psychic, remote viewer for the CIA has had enough. Her last mission left her traumatised and she left the CIA for a quieter life doing … something. She applies for a job caring for angel fish, in exchange for bed and board, thinking it will give her time to figure things out.
Dylan Maguire, her host’s nephew meets her at her new home and shows her around the run-down house, warning her off visiting Aunt Laurel who lives, hermit like, in a room on the top floor, unable to get around after her stroke.
It seems like a happy and peaceful existence, until her old life turns up and reasserts itself. She doesn’t want to get involved with the CIA again, but they are very persuasive.
As her psychic work increases, and a series of hauntings plague her, the mysteries deepen, and Vicky has to work out who she can trust, what is real, and what she wants out of life.
This book was a wild ride, with an exciting ending. I definitely want to see what happens next, and I have a hunch that there is infinitely more to come.
For a bit of context:
Vicki, a psychic, remote viewer for the CIA has had enough. Her last mission left her traumatised and she left the CIA for a quieter life doing … something. She applies for a job caring for angel fish, in exchange for bed and board, thinking it will give her time to figure things out.
Dylan Maguire, her host’s nephew meets her at her new home and shows her around the run-down house, warning her off visiting Aunt Laurel who lives, hermit like, in a room on the top floor, unable to get around after her stroke.
It seems like a happy and peaceful existence, until her old life turns up and reasserts itself. She doesn’t want to get involved with the CIA again, but they are very persuasive.
As her psychic work increases, and a series of hauntings plague her, the mysteries deepen, and Vicky has to work out who she can trust, what is real, and what she wants out of life.
This book was a wild ride, with an exciting ending. I definitely want to see what happens next, and I have a hunch that there is infinitely more to come.
August 2, 2012
Vicki Boyd is a twenty-eight year old woman who is one of the best CIA Agents that the US government has in its employ. Since childhood she has possessed the psychic ability of seeing premonitions, and at the age of twelve, the CIA learned of her abilities and brought her to Langley where they trained her to develop her psychic abilities as a remote viewer, where she can project her mind to go on a mental journey to any location in the world as a psychic spy and gather intelligence for the US government.
Vicki's last mission in the Ecuadorian rainforest gathering intel on drug cartels went horribly wrong and left her with traumatizing nightmares. Knowing that she couldn't return to the field, she resigns from the CIA even though they try to persuade her to stay, and seeks to start her life over in a new place. Vicki answers an online classified ad from Laurel Maguire, an elderly widow from Lumberton, NC, who is a successful tropical freshwater angelfish breeder. Laurel needs assistance maintaining the aquatic operations, and Vicki thinks this is the perfect stress free job for her.
When Vicki arrives in Lumberton, she meets Laurel's Irish nephew Dylan Maguire, who informs Vicki that Laurel has suffered a stroke, is a shut-in on the third floor of her house and is a very private person. Thinking that she would find normalcy, Vicki soon discovers that living there is anything but normal ... she never sees Laurel but hears her moving around in the middle of the night, the nephew is reluctant to give Vicki a key to the house, and the CIA has found her and demands that she agrees to a new mission.
A new mission focusing on an Afghan village, a budding romance with Dylan, and murder lurking around the corner will complicate Vicki's life even more than before ...
Vicki's Key is a riveting suspense thriller with enough thrills, chills and action packed adventure that will give you an adrenaline rush! Written in the third person narrative with settings in Washington DC, Lumberton, NC and a Hindu Kush Afghan village, the author weaves an intriguing tale of mystery and suspense with a touch of romance that draws the reader in and holds them spellbound and captive to the very surprising conclusion. Rich in vivid details and descriptions, the reader is transported to the picturesque town of Lumberton, NC and to the remote Afghan mountain village. The author's background and research into the CIA and psychic abilities is phenomenal, she masterfully creates an intriguing storyline that will fascinate the reader and engage them to ponder the possibilities if psychic spying really does exist.
The author has created a cast of characters that are realistic and complex, their intensity and interactions make the story that much more compelling and powerful. I was fascinated by Vicki's psychic abilities, her tenacity and strength peaked my interest, it felt like I was right by her side during her remote mental journeys. I absolutely fell in love with the handsome Dylan Maguire, who wouldn't fall for an Irishman with a lilting Irish brogue? I really liked how the author balanced the suspense thriller with a passionate romantic twist, it left me completely satisfied.
Vicki's Key is the first book in the Black Swamp Mysteries Series. In the southeastern corner of NC, the black water of the Lumber River snakes its way through Robeson County. When it frequently recedes, it leaves behind an almost impenetrable black swampland, the perfect place to hide a body ...
If you're in the mood for an adrenaline rush from a suspense thriller with a mixture of international intrigue, CIA psychic spy program, murder and romance, then Vicki's Key is a must read, you won't be disappointed!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
Vicki's last mission in the Ecuadorian rainforest gathering intel on drug cartels went horribly wrong and left her with traumatizing nightmares. Knowing that she couldn't return to the field, she resigns from the CIA even though they try to persuade her to stay, and seeks to start her life over in a new place. Vicki answers an online classified ad from Laurel Maguire, an elderly widow from Lumberton, NC, who is a successful tropical freshwater angelfish breeder. Laurel needs assistance maintaining the aquatic operations, and Vicki thinks this is the perfect stress free job for her.
When Vicki arrives in Lumberton, she meets Laurel's Irish nephew Dylan Maguire, who informs Vicki that Laurel has suffered a stroke, is a shut-in on the third floor of her house and is a very private person. Thinking that she would find normalcy, Vicki soon discovers that living there is anything but normal ... she never sees Laurel but hears her moving around in the middle of the night, the nephew is reluctant to give Vicki a key to the house, and the CIA has found her and demands that she agrees to a new mission.
A new mission focusing on an Afghan village, a budding romance with Dylan, and murder lurking around the corner will complicate Vicki's life even more than before ...
Vicki's Key is a riveting suspense thriller with enough thrills, chills and action packed adventure that will give you an adrenaline rush! Written in the third person narrative with settings in Washington DC, Lumberton, NC and a Hindu Kush Afghan village, the author weaves an intriguing tale of mystery and suspense with a touch of romance that draws the reader in and holds them spellbound and captive to the very surprising conclusion. Rich in vivid details and descriptions, the reader is transported to the picturesque town of Lumberton, NC and to the remote Afghan mountain village. The author's background and research into the CIA and psychic abilities is phenomenal, she masterfully creates an intriguing storyline that will fascinate the reader and engage them to ponder the possibilities if psychic spying really does exist.
The author has created a cast of characters that are realistic and complex, their intensity and interactions make the story that much more compelling and powerful. I was fascinated by Vicki's psychic abilities, her tenacity and strength peaked my interest, it felt like I was right by her side during her remote mental journeys. I absolutely fell in love with the handsome Dylan Maguire, who wouldn't fall for an Irishman with a lilting Irish brogue? I really liked how the author balanced the suspense thriller with a passionate romantic twist, it left me completely satisfied.
Vicki's Key is the first book in the Black Swamp Mysteries Series. In the southeastern corner of NC, the black water of the Lumber River snakes its way through Robeson County. When it frequently recedes, it leaves behind an almost impenetrable black swampland, the perfect place to hide a body ...
If you're in the mood for an adrenaline rush from a suspense thriller with a mixture of international intrigue, CIA psychic spy program, murder and romance, then Vicki's Key is a must read, you won't be disappointed!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
October 1, 2013
**Original post on http://ginsbooknotes.com**
Vickie’s Key, Book 2 of the Black Swamp Mysteries series, doesn’t pick up where book 1, Exit 22, leaves off. At first this was a little jarring and I went back to check the end of book 1 to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Once I realized I hadn’t I quickly settled into the story as Terrell introduced me to a brand set of characters with new mysteries to solve.
Book 2 introduces us to Vicki Boyd, a CIA remote viewer with a painful past and Dylan Maguire a man with a whole lot of secrets. There are some characters that will surprise you and once again the ability of Terrell to write such unique characters amazes me. In this story the character of Laurel Maguire was the stand out unique character for me. I can’t go into why without spoilers but I will say that this was the character that made me say “WHAT!!!” I love when an author offers up these moments of surprise for the reader.
Vickie’s Key, has all the action, mystery, romance, and suspense as book 1 and by the end of the story Terrell reveals how the two books connect in the series. I have turned into a huge P.M. Terrell fan. I love her unique writing style and the fact that she is not afraid to do something different than the norm in series writing. I’ve already picked up Book 3, Secrets of a Dangerous Woman and Book 4, Dylan’s Song and can’t wait to see where all of Terrell’s unique and engaging characters end up.
Black Swamp Mysteries Series
Exit 22 (Book 1)
Vickie’s Key (Book 2)
Secrets of a Dangerous Woman (Book 3)
Dylan’s Song (Book 4)
Vickie’s Key, Book 2 of the Black Swamp Mysteries series, doesn’t pick up where book 1, Exit 22, leaves off. At first this was a little jarring and I went back to check the end of book 1 to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Once I realized I hadn’t I quickly settled into the story as Terrell introduced me to a brand set of characters with new mysteries to solve.
Book 2 introduces us to Vicki Boyd, a CIA remote viewer with a painful past and Dylan Maguire a man with a whole lot of secrets. There are some characters that will surprise you and once again the ability of Terrell to write such unique characters amazes me. In this story the character of Laurel Maguire was the stand out unique character for me. I can’t go into why without spoilers but I will say that this was the character that made me say “WHAT!!!” I love when an author offers up these moments of surprise for the reader.
Vickie’s Key, has all the action, mystery, romance, and suspense as book 1 and by the end of the story Terrell reveals how the two books connect in the series. I have turned into a huge P.M. Terrell fan. I love her unique writing style and the fact that she is not afraid to do something different than the norm in series writing. I’ve already picked up Book 3, Secrets of a Dangerous Woman and Book 4, Dylan’s Song and can’t wait to see where all of Terrell’s unique and engaging characters end up.
Black Swamp Mysteries Series
Exit 22 (Book 1)
Vickie’s Key (Book 2)
Secrets of a Dangerous Woman (Book 3)
Dylan’s Song (Book 4)
June 24, 2012
Vicki Boyd, a remote viewer, suffers from nightmares and doubts following a CIA mission. Trying to leave the agency, she accepts a position helping an elderly disabled woman, Laurel Maguire, as a caretaker for her home and tropical fish business. There, she meets attractive Dylan, Laurel’s nephew. Her sensitivity to the spiritual tells her that something is wrong in Laurel’s house, and her government boss won’t let her take her psychic talents away from the CIA. The combinations of a CIA mission, a ghostly mysterious presence, an alligator swamp, an Afghan village, and the romance with Dylan create a thrilling adventure with many twists.
Terrell’s narrative about how the book got its name is touching. Her writing is terrific. She aptly switches from the tense conditions in the first scenes (before the reader realizes that Vicki is a remote viewer) to the budding friendship/romance with Dylan. The comic/horrific circumstances around crabby Aunt Laurel add mystery and humor. Who wouldn’t want a handsome, cheerful Irishman in the kitchen fixing her breakfast? I didn’t expect to enjoy Terrell’s tale so much. If you like romance, intrigue, and a touch of the otherworld, you’ll be surprised at how entranced you will be with the story.
Four Stars
Terrell’s narrative about how the book got its name is touching. Her writing is terrific. She aptly switches from the tense conditions in the first scenes (before the reader realizes that Vicki is a remote viewer) to the budding friendship/romance with Dylan. The comic/horrific circumstances around crabby Aunt Laurel add mystery and humor. Who wouldn’t want a handsome, cheerful Irishman in the kitchen fixing her breakfast? I didn’t expect to enjoy Terrell’s tale so much. If you like romance, intrigue, and a touch of the otherworld, you’ll be surprised at how entranced you will be with the story.
Four Stars
September 18, 2013
Yesss! I love a writer who can write mysteries and have none of them sound the same or follow the same line of unfolding the mystery. Vicki's Key is a really good book. Book 2 in The Black Swamp Mysteries but it can be read on it's own. This novel has a couple of mysteries you're aware of and another one kind of brewing in the background. The characters are well developed, easy to identify with. Even those who don't exist. Dylan is everything you want in a hot male character but wow does he have some hidden secrets. Vicki is an interesting character, she can do remote viewing but wants to change her life and get away from that part of it. She is nice and kind-hearted always wanting to help and protect others but wow she really gets pulled into some interesting twists.
The best part of this book was, I kept thinking I had it figured out but... nope I didn't. This is a very different book then the first in the series but just as intriguing and interesting. I highly recommend it.
The best part of this book was, I kept thinking I had it figured out but... nope I didn't. This is a very different book then the first in the series but just as intriguing and interesting. I highly recommend it.
September 11, 2012
A strong mystery needs a strong detective and P.M. Terrell doesn't disappoint in giving that to us. As the pages turn and you find yourself lost more and more into the mystery, the romance and adventure of finding out the truth you won't remember your reading a book. You will picture infront of you the events as your mind sees the words. The picture will play and you will feel the emotions and connection with each character as you continue and search for more clues. This book will cause you to lose sleep, neglect work, and forget to feed the dog. You won't want to stop until you finish and then you will be begging for book two.
I highly recommend this book to you and suggest you give your shelves the privilege to have it set upon them.
I highly recommend this book to you and suggest you give your shelves the privilege to have it set upon them.
July 15, 2014
This book has so many things in it that take you into foreign places and government actions you can't imagine in your day to day life. The concept of mixing that with an area that I am so familiar with geographically was especially thrilling.
The twists you don't see coming... oh pm Terrell can weave a good one.
The twists you don't see coming... oh pm Terrell can weave a good one.
May 30, 2012
Won this book. Dealt with psychic spies and the CIA.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews