Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose Archive

Cover of Death by Blueprint by Terry Ambrose

How Writing Mysteries Kept Me Out of Prison

Okay, I admit it—I’m basically a chicken. The thought of spending my life locked up between four walls, surrounded by big guys whose tattoos have more storylines than my novels, absolutely terrifies me. Orange is NOT my color, and I look terrible in stripes. That’s why I write instead of committing felonies. Well, not exactly. […]

Kobi Schutz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Vanishing Red Pistachio: A Tasty Mystery Solved

Unless you’re “of a certain age,” you probably don’t remember the red pistachio. Red pistachios, you say? What kind of balderdash is that? For National Pistachio Day, which occurs on February 26, I thought we might solve this tasty little mystery. Let’s dive in and find out why today’s green nut was once very different. […]

Why I Killed My Contractor—On Paper, Of Course…

They say “write what you know,” but in the world of mystery writing, it’s more like “write what makes you want to scream into a pillow until you see stars.” As an independent writer, I’m used to managing my own plot twists. I like order. I like outlines. I like Chapter One coming before Chapter […]

Burney Falls is called the 8th Wonder of the World

A Month of Discovery, Wonder, and Reality Checks

We just returned from an epic month-long road trip that stretched from San Diego all the way up to Astoria, Oregon—and back again. What started as a dream adventure quickly became a masterclass in both the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Coast and the harsh realities of extended travel. Talk About Plans Changing In License […]

The Beauty of a Staycation

Sometimes, you just gotta escape the daily grind! In our case, my wife’s latest birthday was the perfect excuse. Instead of creating a crazy weekend full of honking cars and hair-pulling plans, we went for the easy route. Carlsbad, our chill beach town neighbor just a quick hop from home, was the perfect spot for […]

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been taking my blog readers at terryambrose.com on a virtual road trip along the iconic Route 66. Our tour began in Chicago on May 9, and concluded last Friday in Santa Monica, CA. Covering 2,448 miles, we began at the incredible Buckingham Fountain and finished up at the […]

Sandcastles to Galleries: What Does Your Next Vacation Hold?

Ah, summer at the beach! There’s something magical about this time of year in California’s vibrant coastal towns. Just the other day, we were walking along the seawall in Carlsbad. It felt like the waves crashed with just a little more zeal, the scent of sunscreen and sea breeze filled the air, and families from […]

Old Loves, Rediscovered

Have you ever stumbled across something from your past that made your heart skip a beat? That old photo, a dusty box of childhood treasures, or maybe even a musical instrument tucked away in the corner of the attic? For many of us, the passions we once cherished so much get paused somewhere along life’s […]

It’s the First Day of Spring! Flip Flops or Not?

Can you believe it? It’s the first day of spring! And, at least here in SoCal, spring brings some weighty decisions. Flip-flops or boots? Warm, toasty feet or cool and carefree? It’s a tough call. I tend to gravitate to the warm-and-toasty side, but all around me, the spirit of spring is in the air […]

Cozy Mysteries and Cocoa — the Perfect Pairing

Picture this: Snow blankets the streets, muffling footsteps while turning the world into a giant, frosty crime scene waiting to happen. That peaceful hush? It’s just nature’s way of saying, “Brace yourself, someone’s about to get murdered—or at least lose a glove.” Throw in a snowstorm that traps everyone inside, and suddenly every guest looks […]

Beachtown Detective Agency #2 - The Case of the Beguiling Brooch

Secret codes, art thieves, and more

Let’s be honest, when you were a kid, Pig Latin was probably the coolest “secret code” this side of the playground. Turning “hello” into “ellohay” made you feel like a master codebreaker from an old spy novel. But here’s the thing: while Pig Latin can be a fun little twist on language, it doesn’t really […]

Cover Reveal for The Case of the Beguiling Brooch

I can’t believe it’s been two years since the first Beachtown Detective Agency mystery was released. It’s taken me far longer than I expected, but I finally have the second book in the series ready! The Case of the Beguiling Brooch will be available on November 19. I just received the cover from my designer […]

National Relaxation Day photo credit Srresume from Pixabay

Five ways to have a happy National Relaxation Day

Back in the days when I held down a Real Job, I was used to a fast pace and stress. It was normal to burn the candle at both ends, run on empty, get caught up in the rat race—okay, you get the idea. Now that I’m gainfully unemployed, i.e., I keep thinking I need […]

A king, a battle, and shades—what a combo!

From the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 to National Sunglasses Day today, June 27th has seen its fair share of memorable moments. Who knew a single day could juggle historical battles and trendy eyewear?Whether you’re shielding your eyes from the sun or just trying to look cool, don’t forget to don your shades and give […]

Missing Sock Day

Ah, National Lost Sock Memorial Day. It’s that special time of the year again when we pay our respects to the brave socks that have ventured into the abyss of our washing machines, never to return. Let’s all gather around to commemorate the fallen heroes of our laundry baskets—the missing socks. Once upon a time, […]

New York : Federal Art Project, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Harmonizing History on National Barbershop Quartet Day

On April 11, we celebrate barbershop quartet music’s sweet, interweaving melodies. But National Barbershop Quartet Day is more than a mere homage to vocal harmony; it’s a celebration of an art form that has transcended time and continues to bring joy to its listeners. If you’re intrigued by the enchanting echoes of a cappella harmonies, […]

I found my joy…what’s yours?

I began writing fiction more than 35 years ago when the pressures of work overwhelmed me. Quite honestly, I was ready to kill someone, but the age-old adage—don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time—held me back. Too chicken to take my chances with the justice system, I did the next best thing—I […]

Henri Camus, CC BY 1.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

A storm is coming

I’ve always been captivated by technology. While some people find it intimidating, it’s like a thrilling adventure for me. These days, artificial intelligence (AI), is making loads of headlines. Just like a mythical creature from long ago, AI is shrouded in mystery, fascination, and a lot of misunderstandings. The fact is, the storm is coming […]

Sgt. Quentin Johnson, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Kicking off the season with ugly Christmas sweaters

It’s the end of November, Thanksgiving is behind us, and we’re kicking off the Christmas season here at Booklovers Bench. That means binging on Christmas movies, cookies, and eggnog. Another highlight is the Ugly Christmas Sweater! It’s time to embrace this holiday fashion staple and get into the festive spirit, whether you’re a fan or […]

Exploring a community forest and finding wonder

We spent nearly a year planning a road trip that would take us through Northern California, Oregon, and Washington. But a month before our trip, it appeared that forest fires raging in all three states would kill the trip. Disheartened, but hopeful, we canceled the latter half of the trip and focused on Redwoods National […]

Our Next Adventure: A Road Trip up the California Coast

Kathy and I are getting ready to hit the road again, and this time, we’re heading up the stunning coast of California. I’m excited to share our plans and maybe even give you some ideas for your own future vacation adventures. Our trip will start in North San Diego County, the place we call home, […]

A haiku for the sun to rise

Happy Fourth of July Week! It’s hard to believe another Independence Day is done. The fireworks, barbecues, and picnics of the day are all now just Instagram moments. For us here in San Diego, July 4th also means something else, it marks the beginning of the end of the gray season. And the end of […]

Let’s talk language…no, not that kind

Let’s talk language. No, not the kind that requires asterisks and exclamation points to make it printable. I’m referring to the lexicon of our lives—the words we use and that very unwriterly obstacle called slang. As a writer, I’ve adopted slang with open arms. But my language wasn’t always so flexible. In high school, I […]

What’s your park’s personality?

One of the cool things about living in San Diego is that we have a lot of parks. They come in sizes ranging from neighborhood slivers of land nobody has ever heard of to world-renowned giants like Balboa Park in San Diego. While Balboa offers multiple museums, gardens, activities, and more, I personally prefer the […]

Return of the road trip

Ah, the Great American Road Trip. Depending on your taste in movies, it might conjure up images of Easy Rider, National Lampoon’s Vacation, or Rain Man. But the once-popular road trip died off for a time. Air travel became faster and cheaper and the road trip became a tedious way to get from Point A […]

New Year Thoughts

For 2023, our author collective resolves to take positive actions to make the world better in some way. There’s so much we can do for the people we already know and for those we haven’t met yet. Here are a few thoughts about how one kindness often begets another. First we shouldn’t worry about what […]

Happy Holidays to All of You from All of Us!

Happy Holidays to all of our friends, fans, and writing communities! Our authors are here to share their self-care tips that help them make it through the busy holidays. When your schedule gets overloaded, remember to take time for yourself. It will get better. Plus, what fun it is to de-stress with us! Maggie Toussaint: […]

Real or fake? The Great Christmas tree debate is on!

Real tree or fake? That is the question. Twenty years ago, Kathy and I were solidly in the real-tree camp. We loved finding the perfect Christmas tree. Our annual tradition became even more fun when we moved to Idaho, bought a 4×4 (long before it was fashionable), and braved the elements. In those days, I […]

Photo credit: Thoughtco Photographer: Manfred Gottschalk / Getty Images

It’s National Office Chocolate Day!

October 20 might have just been elevated to being one of my favorite holidays. That’s because it’s National Office Chocolate Day! That’s right. Chocolate has its own day (actually, it has at least three because there’s also World Chocolate Day on July 7 and International Chocolate Day on September 13. Whew! That’s a lot of […]

Meet the Beachtown Detective Agency setting of Carlsbad, CA

On October 18, my new Beachtown Detective Agency series launches with the release of The Case of the Amorous Assailant. The main character is Jade Cavendish, who is twenty-six, spunky, and not quite ready to call herself a grown-up. But after inheriting the family business, Jade figures she’d better hurry up. In honor of Jade’s […]

Let’s hit the road!

Summer’s in full swing. It’s a great time to take in the great outdoors. In fact, according to a survey by The Vacationer, about 80% of us will hit the road for summer road trips. Count me in! We’ve already taken one trip to Avila Beach, which is about 280 miles north of where we […]

On the road again…

Today, we were supposed to be on the road somewhere between Bakersfield and King City, California. I say supposed to be because I strained a ligament in my right knee six weeks ago and am still in physical therapy. As a result, the trip this post was based on has been postponed. However, I’ve decided […]

Edvaldo LL Souza, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Ain’t it funny how time slips away?

It seems like it was yesterday that I was beginning the process of plotting Lies, Spies, and the Baker’s Surprise, the sixth Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery. But calendars don’t lie, and mine says it was actually October when I started. Early October. Here I am, six months later, scrambling to finish edits. Where […]

Міністерство молоді та спорту України, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Talking about the Winter Olympics

Are you a Winter Olympics fan? I tend not to be much for watching sports on TV, but somehow I found myself caught up by some of the sports. The half pipe competitions, slaloms, even ice skating were exciting and fun to watch. Curling? No go. Cross-country skiing, ditto. The last one is odd because […]

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Terry Ambrose

Perfect holiday moments by Terry Ambrose It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I’m glad we’re fully into the holiday season now. Christmas is my favorite holiday Unfortunately, I’m one of those people who remembers very little about my childhood. So even though we lived in Connecticut when I was really young, I […]

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Terry Ambrose

Favorite Places and Their History by Terry Ambrose Have you ever visited a place for years and eventually learned something fascinating about it? In my case, that place was Hawaii and the something fascinating was the fall of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. The events of 1893 were nothing short of a coup designed to […]

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose

Posted on September 2, 2021 by Terry Ambrose

Labor Day Celebrations by Terry Ambrose “A lovelier day for a national holiday could not have been asked for. The smoky haze that filled the air kept off the hot rays of the sun, but it was still warm enough to make out-door life attractive.” — The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 3, 1894. Next […]

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Terry Ambrose

From a historic flight to a necessary evil by Terry Ambrose If you were to check the calendar for what happened on July 15 in history, you wouldn’t find a lot of good news. There was the Mars Mariner 4 flyby in 1965 that gave us our first look at the red planet. As a […]

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Terry Ambrose

Scam tip savvy by Terry Ambrose The phone call. This afternoon, my phone rang from a number I didn’t recognize. I almost didn’t answer, but I had sent my doctor a request for a prescription refill, so I felt compelled to take the call. Cautious, I answered. A pleasant, male voice greeted me. “Hello, I’m calling […]

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose

Posted on April 8, 2021 by Terry Ambrose

National Library Week by Terry Ambrose Did you know that this is National Library Week? That’s right! Those places with thousands of books and magazines and computers and… I love libraries and my connection to them goes back many years. I got an early start with libraries because my mother was a librarian in her […]

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Terry Ambrose

A socially distanced Valentine’s Day By Terry Ambrose Valentine’s Day, aka The Day of Love, is in our rearview mirror. And in the good old days, like maybe two years ago, many couples would have celebrated in the traditional fashion—fancy dinners, candlelight romance, candy and flowers. But, coming on the heels of 2020, and with […]

Let’s Talk about Resolutions

Posted on December 31, 2020 by Terry Ambrose

We hereby resolve to… by Debra H Goldstein, Nancy J Cohen, Lois Winston, Cheryl Hollon, Diane A.S Stuckart, and Maggie Toussaint I’ve given up resolving to do things like exercise, lose weight, or be a kinder person; so, my resolutions for 2021 (beyond hugging family and friends again) are 1) embrace my tendency to procrastinate […]

Let’s Talk about Light

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Terry Ambrose

Happy Holidays to All! What a strange year 2020 has been! And there’s good news-we’ve all survived the pandemic thus far. Keep up the great work of protecting yourself and your family by wearing masks and social distancing until we get through the vaccination process. Meanwhile, your friends at Booklover’s Bench want to help shine […]

Holiday Let’s Talk

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Terry Ambrose

Happy Holidays! Today, we’re sharing how holiday traditions changed over the years. New birth and Hanukkah for Nancy. December holidays for our family in the earlier days meant gathering around the menorah each evening in the dining room, lighting the candles, and then watching our kids open one of eight or more gifts for Hanukkah. […]

Let's Talk with Terry Ambrose

Let’s Talk with Terry Ambrose Archive

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