Kim McMahill

I can’t believe it’s only twelve days until Christmas and I haven’t sent my cards out, put up a single decoration or finished shopping. I usually mail cards the first week of December and I’ve occasionally found all my gifts by the end of the summer. But, the snow and cold last weekend reminded me to get into the holiday spirit and tackle everything on my list. So, first on my list is to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and to thank you all for another year of encouragement and support.

Every day has the potential for adventure. I’m not talking necessarily about a jungle trek, deep-sea diving or even climbing mountains, but merely those small discoveries that take us by surprise and keep our imaginations fueled. I try to see or do something new as often as I can and this has sustained me for quite a while and may be more than adequate for many people. But, no matter how rewarding small adventures can be, I’m in the mood for something big. I’m not sure exactly what or where or when, but as the temperatures fall I’m consumed with the need to mix things up a bit and find an adventure to inspire new stories. When I think of riding elephants in Thailand, standing in awe in front of the Pyramids of Giza, climbing to the top of a Mayan temple, snorkeling over colorful reefs, watching an active volcano light up the night or listening to the eerie shrieks of howler monkeys I feel restless. But, the most rewarding adventures are those that just happen, so for now I’ll enjoy th

All my books, except possibly The Lodge, are available on-line at Amazon.com and other on-line retailers, at each publisher’s individual website and can be ordered from any bookstore. Amazon lists The Lodge, but since the publisher has been out of business for over five years I have my doubts as to its availability. For those who prefer to browse the bookstore and see the actual book before buying, you can find copies at the following locations. I’ll post updates as outlets change, so check back often. Thank you for your continued support. THE WATCH (Suspense/thriller. 2009, ISBN: 978-1-59663-650-0) Publisher’s website: www.rockpublishing.com Bookstores can order through wholesalers such as Ingram The Bookworm at 8702 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska The Wild Burro Bookstore, Hot Springs, South Dakota (www.thewildburro.com) DEADLY RUINS (Suspense/thriller. 2009, ISBN: 1-60836-544-1) Publisher’s website: www.publishamerica.net The Bookworm at 8702 Pacific Street, Omaha, Nebraska Probst

Fall is here. It's one of my favorite times of the year. The temperatures are mild, the trees are alive with color, college athletics are in full swing and the holidays are just around the corner. I can't help but feel a little anxious to spend as much time outside as I can before the weather turns. But, the window of opportunity to enjoy the pleasant autumn season is always too short and soon I'll be curled up once again with a few good books - one I'm reading and always one I'm writing.

I decided to take a break from my usual writer's conferences this year. I've been a bit overwhelmed as of late with all those trying to make money off writers - magazines, editing services, computer programs, contests, marketing, how-to books, conferences - and the list goes on and on. I've read one horror story after another from writers about being hood-winked and I've experienced my share of frustrations while relying too heavily on the honesty of my fellow man. I felt it was time to step back and assess which goods and services are truly helpful and which are products of unscrupulous operators praying on writers' dreams. Unfortunately, the conclusions I arrived at weren't all too flattering. I do believe there are still individuals and companies out there who are passionate about the craft and committed to long-term growth, but it's becoming more difficult all the time to sort through the predators and scammers. So, even though it isn't January first

The randomly occurring fireworks explosions over the past few nights announce the approach of Independence Day. I look forward to time with family, watching baseball and enjoying all the summer festivities as I celebrate living in this great country of ours. I hope all my friends, family and readers have a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend.

The move is done and I’m excited about all the new adventures to come. I’m anxious to explore all that western Iowa and eastern Nebraska have to offer. Omaha’s metro area will no doubt provide many new writing opportunities and the surrounding rural areas will offer a change in geography that is sure to be educational and recreational. In the short time I’ve been here I’ve already enjoyed the downtown farmer’s market, outdoor concerts and festivals and numerous restaurants. The biggest challenge will be finding time to write amid all the activities available and new sites to see.

I’ve finally put the finishing touches on my latest adventure novel, Big Horn Storm , and I need to start sending it out to agents and publishers. Big Horn Storm is a contemporary western military thriller set in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, with a touch of romance thrown in for good measure. I had such an amazing time writing this story and many scenes took me back to my childhood--from the majestic scenery of one of the most beautiful places on earth to riding my horse down slopes so steep that turning or stopping was out of the question. I’ve always loved the ranching lifestyle and after writing about it I feel compelled to write more. My next adventure, yet to be named, will take place on a ranch in northwestern Wyoming in an area I’m intimately familiar with. The story has barely begun, but I can already feel the excitement building. Like in Big Horn Storm , I aspire to create scenes that compel the reader to hold his or her breath until it’s over. Hopefully I’ll be able to

As the sun set, the evening transformation began at its usual pace. The jaguar god allowed itself one last glimpse before descending into the mouth of the cave and entering Xibalba , the place of fright. He sensed that the conscious world was out of balance and its dwellers would soon be joining his flight through the nine-tiered underworld, their souls desperate to escape. He had made this trek many times and was confident he would be reborn at dawn. The lost souls would not be so lucky. They would dwell in this place wrought with danger and peril until they were able to traverse the nine levels. If they failed to elude the evils of Xibalba , they would be forced to spend eternity trapped in the Mayan underworld. The jaguar god watched the earthly struggle for survival play out between unlikely foes. He felt no emotion, and even if he did, he would be unable to alter the outcome. Once the threads had begun to unravel, no being, mortal or otherwise, would be able to challenge destiny a

The birds are returning and their songs have begun to fill the crisp air with warm music. As snow fluttered down all weekend and temperatures dipped into single digits, I feared they had returned home too soon and would pay the ultimate price for an unpredictable winter. But, today the sky is blue and I have faith the birds were correct in their timing and spring is just around the corner. With warmer temperatures comes renewed optimism and inspiration. I think its time to tie up old adventures and dive into a new story.

I vowed to post at least two entries per month on my blog, but here it is the 29th of January and my mind is blank. I’ve never experienced writer’s block when it comes to my novels, which is a very good thing and understandable. My stories can start anywhere and I always try to follow the most unusual path possible. I can bring the Cold War back with a new twist ( The Watch ), dig deep to survive a superior enemy in the jungles of Mexico ( Deadly Ruins ) or try to outrun dirt-bike riding terrorists on horseback in remote mountain country in Wyoming (work in progress). But, my blog is a non-fiction endeavor and life is seldom as exciting as a novel. I guess that’s why I write and why we all read--to go places we can only dream of, experience the unusual and escape to wherever our individual imaginations can take us.

It seems like only yesterday when many thought Y2K would be the end of the world, but here we are a decade later. Call me an optimist, but I never bought into it. In fact I flew on January 1, 2000. The ticket was dirt cheap, the plane was nearly empty and the flight completely uneventful. Unfortunately the decade to follow the infamous Y2K cannot be categorized as uneventful. But, instead of focusing on the hardships and tragedies our country and world has faced over the past ten years, I try to look ahead. Though the challenges we encounter personally and as a society may seem insurmountable, I have faith many good times are still in our future. So, as we move forward remember those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom and those who have survived difficult times, but never lose hope, the ability to love or the desire to find the goodness still plentiful in our world if we choose to open our hearts and minds.