Thursday, March 27, 2014

Review of 'The Pendulum Files' by p.m. terrell


Book Info-

Title- The Pendulum Files
Series- Black Swamp Mysteries # 5 (Can be read out of order)
By- P.M. Terrell
Genre- Romantic Suspense
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.

Read an excerpt:
Brenda jerked the door open as the shot rang out. She felt something sharp and hot against her shin as she kicked herself away from the car. She tumbled onto the pavement before hitting the shoulder, the gravel feeling like a million razors slicing through her flesh. She heard her own voice as if it was disembodied, screaming as she forced herself to roll across the sharp gravel before plummeting down the incline, compelling herself to continue rolling even as she realized she’d been shot in the leg.

She heard the car’s brakes slamming, the tires squealing as the man struggled to bring the car to a stop. At seventy miles an hour, it should have taken the car further from her even as she rushed to escape. But when she came to her feet and looked back at the road, she estimated he was about three hundred feet further down the road—not far enough.

She ran toward the tree line, which now appeared too far away. As a second shot rang out, she knew his sights were set on her back, and she struggled to run straight, fighting the impulse to run opposite of him. It kept her profile smaller but when he shot a third and then fourth time, she could almost feel the bullets whizzing past her.

The third and fourth shots sounded increasingly louder and she knew he was running after her. Her breath was loud and labored, her blood pounding in her temples. Even as she drew closer to the shadows of the trees, she could feel herself slowing down. The adrenaline that propelled her down the slope and to her feet was fighting against the pain in her leg.

She could feel the blood oozing down her shin and pooling in her shoe, causing her to slip and slide along grass already slick with dew. Another shot rang out, whizzing so close to her hair that she thought it had passed through it.

She threw herself into the shadows, pushing herself beyond her leg’s endurance to keep going, to get into the pine forest, weaving and bobbing forward and eastward, away from the car, away from the interstate. Hopefully, away from him.

She wanted to stop; she wanted to pull some article of clothing off herself and wrap it around her shin to keep the blood in, to keep the flesh together, but she didn’t dare hesitate. She heard the branches cracking behind her; he was there and he was closing on her. Even as she propelled herself forward, she knew all he had to do was follow the movement of the branches ahead of him to know exactly where she was.

**My thoughts**

The Pendulum Files is another action-packed thriller from the Black Swamp Mysteries by p.m. terrell. While it is the fifth book in the series, enough hints about the past four books are sprinkled throughout the book to keep you up to speed. Also, the characters are constantly learning new things about themselves and each other, so they keep evolving. You don't need to read the first four books before this one to understand it, but you will enjoy them if you like this one.

Dylan and Vicki are definitely at a new point in their relationship, with the baby on the way. I have to admit that Dylan was annoying me at times with his constant over-attention to Vicki and her needs with the baby. I kept yelling at him to back off a little bit! Yes, she has some worrisome episodes and it's good to be involved, but give her a bit of a break! At the same time, it's kind of cute how paternal and worried he has quickly become.

Vicki continues to put together more pieces of herself. Her psychic abilities continue to be very interesting to watch. Brenda is still naughty and needs an eye on her at all times. The sisters are an interesting combination, as they are so different.

International trade and terrorism is at the heart of this book, with a presidential election on the line and political debates that ring true. Another fun read.



Buy links



About the Author-
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.


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1 comment:

  1. Thanks for hosting me here today, Andi! And thanks for the review. I'll be sure to tell Dylan to back off in the next book. :) Vicki has proven she can take care of yourself. I'll be checking back later and answering any questions anyone might have for me.

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