Terry has spent his adult life soldiering, studying, lawyering and writing, in that order. He was born in Waycross, Georgia, and at age twelve moved to Sanford, Florida. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, and after three years of active duty, began his studies at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.
Terry earned degrees in history and law, graduating in the top ten percent of his law class and serving as an editor of the Mercer Law Review. He was the recipient of the Delta Theta Phi Award for Outstanding Scholarship. Upon graduation from law school, Terry returned to Central Florida where he practiced law for 38 years until his retirement.
Terry was a board certified trial lawyer and a member of a number of trial lawyer organizations, including the American Board of Trial Advocates, a national organization whose membership is open by invitation only to the most experienced trial lawyers in the nation. He is also a life member of the 14th Cavalry Association and holds a United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Masters License.
Terry's first novel, "Longboat Blues" became a regional bestseller following its publication in November 2005. His second novel, the popular "Murder Key" was published in the fall of 2006 and was an immediate hit. "Blood Island" was released on December 1, 2008, and within three weeks went to a second printing. The book was a finalist for the U.S.A. Book News National Best Book of 2008 in the Mystery/Suspense category. It made the American Booksellers Association's (Booksense) national bestseller list for December, 2008. It was a finalist in the Indie Excelleace Awards and in the ForeWord Magazine Best Book of the Year in the Mystery Category. It was runnerup for the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award given by the Independent Book Publishers Association.
"Wyatt's Revenge" which was released nationwide on November 16, 2009, is a pre-publication Okra Pick of the Southern Independent Booksellers Association. It was recently named National Best Book of The Year (2009) in the mystery/suspense category by USA Book News.
All four mysteries feature Matt Royal, who has been described by one reviewer as "Travis McGee with a law degree."
Terry and his wife, Jean, live in Longboat Key and Maitland, Florida.
Pictures of the Author
