Terry Odell's Blog, page 248

WPA #8 — Police Gunfighting

[image error]Back to the Writers Policy Academy for a recap of a session on Police Gunfighting. Our speaker for this presentation was Rick McMahan of the ATF, who talked to us about the use of firearms by Law Enforcement Officers. According to an FBI study in the 1980s, most shootings took place at distances of under 3 yards, took about 3 seconds, and about 3 rounds were fired. The hit ratio was about 20%. He pointed out that in the 80s, revolvers were the primary weapons.

Training has improved markedly si...

What’s Cooking Wednesday — Pumpkin Loaf

[image error]Another reminder — the Passionate Cooks Cookbook is a FREE download from All Romance eBooks. Click on the image to find the download site.

Seeing pumpkins for sale reminded me of a recipe for a Pumpkin Loaf I used to make and give as holiday gifts. You can freeze these loaves, so it’s something I could get a head start on. (And no, I don’t use fresh pumpkins–they just triggered the memory!)

Holiday Pumpkin Loaf

Ingredients:

3 c biscuit mix

1 c sugar

1 egg

1 can (16 oz) pumpkin

1 t pumpkin pie spice

½...

The Grand Adventure

Today I welcome Becky Barker to Terry’s Place. And while Becky is here, I’m over at The Blood-Red Pencil with my monthly post–it’s all about fear today.

Becky is a veteran romance author, wife, mother, mother-in-law, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt and grandmother. She wears many hats and enjoys them all, but is especially fascinated by the adventures of being a grandparent.

She’s also offering a giveaway of one of her back list titles to a lucky commenter (must be in the US). You have...

Author Fest 1 — Rules of Writing

What I’m reading: Until There Was You, by Jessica Scott (Nook): Rough Country, by John Sandford (Library)

First things first: Dave Fymbo has created yet another terrific cover (at least I think so) for my next release, DEADLY BONES, which is the second book in my Mapleton Mystery series.

[image error]I’m looking at an early November release date. If you’re one of my newsletter subscribers, you still have time to get your free copy of the first book, DEADLY SECRETS. Check your newsletter for how to claim the...

Friday Field Trip — France and Italy

I hope you read Karla Brandenburg’s guest post about doing research. In it, she mentioned some of her travels. She’s been kind enough to share some of her photos–and I’m sure you can find inspiration in them.

First stop, Eze-Village, a medieval town, walled city, located in the mountains on the French Riviera

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

[image error]

the Duomo in Florence, Italy

[image error]

the Duomo in Florence, Italy

[image error]

the port of Toulon, France

[image error]

the port of Toulon, France

[image error]

arch detail in the Forum — Rome

WPA #7 — Going Undercover

What I’m reading: Mulholland Dive, by Michael Connelly (Nook)

[image error]Back to the Writers Police Academy. This session was given by Detective Marco Conelli. He gave us some insights into what it was like during his undercover days with the NYPD. Much of what he did was drug related.

When you’re working undercover, it’s vital that you remain “in character” which means you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position. You can’t reveal you’re a cop. He did say that he’d have backup, but they’d be at a dis...

What’s Cooking Wednesday — Sweet Potato Pie

[image error]All Romance eBooks has published a free downloadable cookbook, Passionate Cooks. One of my recipes (Spicy Aztec Chocolate Drops, from SAVING SCOTT) is included in the book. There are 150 other authors who have contributed recipes, including Sabrina York, who’s offered today’s recipe for her Sweet Potato Pie. This one is a bonus–it’s not in the cookbook, so enjoy. And then download the book for so much more! (Click on the banner above)

Sabrina York’s So Sweet Potato Pie

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked...

Why Texas?

Today I welcome Mark Danielson to Terry’s Place. Mark is a retired Navy fighter pilot and active international airline pilot whose travels inspire many of his characters. He recently moved back to Fort Worth, Texas, where his Maxx Watts detective series is centered.

[image error] I am frequently asked why I would move from beautiful Colorado to Tex-Ass. That question seems fair enough, assuming that the person pronounces it TEXas. After all, Colorado has the majestic Rockies and is blessed with clean air mo...

WPA #6 — Forensic Identification

What I’m reading: Assault With A Deadly Glue Gun, by Lois Winston

[image error]Friday afternoon sessions wrapped up with a presentation by Dr. Elizabeth Murray, who spoke to us about forensic identification. The topic was of special interest to me, because it’s at the core of my newest book. The book begins when a dog discovers a bone, which turns out to be human. My chief of police character has to figure out where it came from, and who it belonged to. Of course, that’s only the beginning. And, as Dr. Mur...

Friday Field Trip — More Things With Wings

More pictures from my neighbor’s father, Stewart Rowe. Enjoy!

[image error]

Clodius Parnassian

[image error]

White-tailed Kite

[image error]

Mute Swan and cygnets

[image error]

Great Horned Owlet

[image error]

Monarch Butterfly

[image error]

Lesser Goldfinch

[image error]

Western Tiger Swallowtail

[image error]

Yellow Warbler

Have a great weekend, everyone!