Kim McMahill

Last week was a wonderful time with family. I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday and will enjoy a new year filled with exciting adventures, whether actual experiences or virtual encounters through a good book. Friday, December 28, Desperate Dreams was featured at http://BlurbsinBloom.com . Thank you to those who stopped by to check it out.   In other writing news, After the Storm is now available for free download at the Prism Book Group website. After the Storm is a romantic novella and a sequel to, Lightning Strikes , also available for free download.   What could be better? Have a safe and happy 2013.

Please stop by  Blurbs in Bloom  ( www.blurbsinbloom.com ) today, December 28, to explore Desperate Dreams .   Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday new books and authors are featured and it’s a great way to see what’s new in romantic fiction.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by http://justromanticsuspense.com on December 22 and left a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of Big Horn Storm. This past week leading up to Christmas has been consumed with tying things up at work, trying to kick a stubborn cold and finishing that last minute shopping. Now it’s time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends while finding a few minutes to finish up the initial round of edits for my next novel. I hope everyone has a Christmas filled with happiness, joy and love. Be safe!

Please join me today at http://justromanticsuspense.com where I talk about how the unpredictable elements of nature and the diverse, and often unforgiving, natural landscapes provide an extra layer of suspense to a story. A winner will be chosen at random from those who leave comments to receive a free digital copy of Big Horn Storm.

I was asked recently why I write adventure stories. My initial response was, “it’s what I enjoy reading and watching at the movie theater.”   Many questions later I realized my bias toward the action-adventure genre goes deeper and developed at an early age.     I grew up with unlimited access to open spaces. I rode ponies, horses or dirt bikes from as far back as I can remember.   My dad’s idea of a family vacation involved a pack trip into rugged mountain country, and I was an avid downhill skier. I probably took those experiences for granted, but each one helped shape my perception of entertainment.   Even as my leisure-time exploits inevitably tame, I can always live vicariously through my stories and I hope everyone who picks up one of my books can escape into a world of action-packed adventure.

It was bound to happen.   I was hoping this year would be different, but keeping true to form I’ve caught my Christmas cold. On the upside it’s a week earlier than usual so maybe I’ll feel human by the big day.   I’ve begun round one of many of the edits for my international adventure thriller this week, which is due to be released in early 2013.   Edits are always a mixed bag for me. It’s exciting to see the final product take shape, but frustrating when I realize that perfect final manuscript I submitted to my editor isn’t so perfect after all.    On December 22, I’ll be a guest blogger on Just Romantic Suspense . I’ll provide more details closer to time, but be sure to stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win a download of Big Horn Storm.

I wanted to share the following offer with everyone. I haven't read all of these books, but the ones I have were wonderful. Shelia has a special way of telling a story and I'm sure you will enjoy her work. Merry Christmas! Wishing all of you the special joys of the season. As a special gift I am offering all four of my novels (eBooks) FREE to you and yours now through midnight Sunday, December 17. You may electronically download all of my novels for yourself and any individual on your Christmas list simply by clicking here: http://tiny.cc/9y61ow     And please, if you enjoy any of my novels, leave a review on Amazon. TRANSMUTARE . A good girl gone bad. Erotic. Dark. Romantic. Redemptive.   BAGGAGE . Modern-day Fairytale. Widowed mother, divorced father learn to cope with their teenage daughter’s chaos. CHILD OF MY HEART . Childless pediatric nurse discovers atypical motherhood.   AUSPICIOUS DREAMS . Three children come...

In keeping with the theme of this blog here’s an ode to Christmas Adventures. We’ll start with decorating, which often involves forays into those dark places most try to avoid—under the stairwell or house or in the attic, where dust, cobwebs and spiders make the jaunt feel like a Halloween dare rather than a Christmas ritual. Next, there’s shopping. Surviving the mobs, high-pressure sales tactics and parking lot demolition-derby is like preparing for battle—outline your objectives, don’t get distracted from the mission and if shopping as a team using the divide and conquer method, be sure to have a communication plan and an exit strategy.   After shopping you may look forward to a day at home with your holiday baking, but don’t get lulled into complacency. There are choppers, blenders, mixers, knives, scalding bubbling sugary mixtures, hot ovens and the ever present temptation to overindulge. So get a good night’s sleep, stay hydrated and keep the fire extinguisher handy. Finally...

Yahoo! I’ve finished my Christmas shopping early this year and it wasn’t too painful. Though I’ve always been a fan of the tactile, touching before buying, I must admit I do understand why some prefer to shop online. And, if you’re one of those, don’t forget that Big Horn Storm , Desperate Dreams and Marked in Mexico are not just inexpensive ($2.99) eBooks available from your favorite online retailer, but all my books are also available in paperback and make great gifts. With my not-so-subtle plug out of the way, here’s the, “week in review.”   It’s finally starting to feel like Christmas. We still haven’t seen any of the white stuff, but the temperatures have dropped low enough to make it possible. On the writing front, not much to report, but I did get to see one of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Regional Tournaments. The matches were exciting and the crowd was amazing. It was a great time, but I can’t help but feel bad for those eliminated after so much hard work. I’m not sure...

Every now and then I like to give a shout out to an artist, singer or author who surprises me and who isn’t widely recognized for their talent or potential. So rather than jump on the bandwagon and downloading the latest sensation, I recently put a couple I-Tunes votes behind Colby Yates. This former professional bull rider turned country singer is an unexpected surprise and anyone who loves traditional country music might just find what they’re looking for in Colby.

Three Gifts by Claire Sanders is not only a great holiday read, but this inspirational novella has particular relevance during these difficult economic times our country is facing.   The main characters, Molly and Jack, seem like a perfect couple, completely in love, dedicated to family and sharing common goals and beliefs.   So what could be holding up a long-awaited wedding?   Jack wants to start his life with Molly on solid financial ground, but even with a college degree finding a good-paying job is proving elusive. He is also driven by the need to care for his grandmother, who raised him after the death of his parents, making relocation a less than attractive option. On the cusp of losing the love of his life, Jack receives three Christmas gifts which open his eyes and his heart to the blessings of true love. Three Gifts is a heartwarming story of hope, love, and keeping one’s faith when facing the inevitable curveballs life throws.

I can’t believe it’s already December. To get into the holiday spirit I’ve been reading Christmas novellas (see post below and stay tuned for my review of Three Gifts ). We dug out the Christmas decorations from under the stairwell and spent the day decorating. I’m exhausted, but the house really looks festive. In continuing with the theme of getting into the holiday mood, I spent a day at a local artists’ Christmas open house signing books. It’s always fun to get out and talk to readers about my work and learn more about other crafts such as glass blowing, painting, sculpting, weaving, metal work, wood carving, etc.   The weather continues to be too mild to feel like Christmas, but I’ve experienced enough white Christmases to last a lifetime, so I won’t complain and I’ll continue to enjoy the temperatures while they last. Have a great week.

Lightening Strikes, a romance novella collaboration by Prism Book Group authors (including me), has been available for free download directly from the publisher’s website at www.PrismBookGroup.com , but now it is also available for free kindle download at Amazon.com.   Just in time for the Holiday season, Prism Book group has three Christmas novellas available for just .99 downloads through your favorite online retailer. More on The Christmas Answer in my last post below.  

The Christmas Answer is an inspirational novella about Donna Dubois, a successful gospel singer, who finds herself questioning the strength of her marriage and her faith as she struggles with depression and loneliness.   A spur-of-the moment decision to accompany her best friend on a missionary trip to the Appalachian Mountains places her in the midst of a very special family.   Witnessing the strength, love and generosity of the widowed mother of four, forces Donna to reexamine her life and trust in God’s plan.   Kimberly B. Jackson’s, The Christmas Answer , is a must read for the holiday season, but keep the tissue’s handy. For more information visit Prism Book Group. Downloads of the book are available for just .99 through your favorite online retailer.

This post is actually two weeks in review since last week was usurped by “The Next Big Thing,” a blog circle where authors have a chance to discuss their current works in progress. See the blog post on November 19 below for more and be sure to check out the authors I have tagged for November 26. I came across a great website to help readers find low cost eBooks called, Addicted to eBooks. Marked in Mexico ($2.99) is currently on their homepage. All books listed on the site are priced at $5.99 or less and must have at least five book reviews, so for great eBooks at great prices check out http://addictedtoebooks.com In case you missed it, please visit  Jacqueline Hopper's Blog for her Promotion Monday Trivia extravaganza from November 19 where Prism Book Group authors offered up bits of trivia about their work and I discussed the difference between grizzly and black bears – good information to know for the characters in Big Horn Storm . As always, I can’t say enough about Ja...

Hard day of Christmas shopping? Curl up with a regency romance tonight! Download your copy FREE from Amazon 11/23 & 11/24 only! Do people prove their self-worth by strength, or by character? A Romany leader confronts the English heritage he has denied when he lands, beaten and powerless, in the path of a high-spirited young widow. Will the prim countess agree to hide the charismatic rogue in her home and jeopardize her safety while her stepson accuses her of murdering her elderly husband? Patience Blakwell is not beautiful. As a dutiful young countess in Regency England, she endures her husband’s cruelty. She struggles with her faith, trying to understand why God is not following the plan she had for her life—to be loved and cherished by her husband. After her husband’s unexpected death, her grown stepson charges her with her late husband’s murder. Luca Boldor, more Gypsy than English, is determined to prove that he is strong and capable and doesn’t need anyone. But once he i...

The Next Big Thing: What I'm Working On Now By Kim McMahill – November 19, 2012 Author Judy Baker was kind enough to tag me in an ongoing game of The Next Big Thing, a blog circle where authors have a chance to discuss their current works in progress, giving everyone a sneak peek into, “The Next Big Thing.”   THE NEXT BIG THING: What is your working title of your book? Guardians of the Sacred Relics Where did the idea come from for the book? I was watching a program on the Travel Channel counting down the twelve greatest mysteries. One of the mysteries focused on a group of legendary crystal skulls. It was fascinating and the short tidbit on the many different theories surrounding the skulls sent my mind whirling with all the wonderful possibilities. What genre does your book fall under? Adventure/Suspense, International Thriller Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? There’s almost no role I wouldn’t like to...

Please check out Blurbs in Bloom starting tomorrow afternoon, November 17, where Big Horn Storm will be featured.   Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday different books and authors are showcased and it’s a great way to see what’s new in romantic fiction.

With today being Veterans Day, I would like to begin by extending my deepest gratitude to all those who have, and currently serve our country. I would also like to thank all the emergency services workers and volunteers who have responded to the devastation created by Hurricane Sandy. These selfless and amazing people are what make America Great.   This past week also saw the close to a very contentious campaign season. My house has seemed unnaturally quiet in the aftermath, making me check the phone and answering machine to make certain both are still in working order.   On November 8, Victoria Pitts-Caine welcomed me to her  Blog and posted a thorough review of Marked in Mexico . If you haven’t seen it, please check it out.   Next week looks to be a quiet week, which I hope is the case since Thanksgiving week promises to be a bit hectic with family and writing. Stay tuned next week for a schedule of upcoming events.

Every author finds inspiration in different ways. Some observe, watching life unfold around them, absorbing the possibilities and twisting reality into fiction; others feed off emotions, using the writing process as an outlet for grief or dealing with life changes, or accepting blessings; and many embrace the simple joys of nature, allowing it to soothe the soul and encourage artistic endeavors. I accept inspiration whenever and wherever it presents itself, but the natural world is my greatest muse. Not only does the solace of empty spaces incite creativity, but the places I visit often capture my attention and imagination, compelling me to write a story befitting the scene.    I’m sure those who follow my work have noticed that I’ve set multiple stories in Mexico or have at least maintained a strong tie.   Though I haven’t been to Mexico in a few years, I have spent considerable time exploring its Mayan ruins, enjoying pristine beaches on both coasts and I’ve done...

I’ve been thinking about doing a “week in review” blog every Sunday, and what a time to start. Last week will always be remembered as the week Hurricane Sandy hit leaving a massive path of devastation across sixteen states. The amount of destruction and suffering is beyond comprehension and all those affected continue to remain in my thoughts and prayers.   Halloween came and went with less fanfare than usual. Despite the natural disaster hitting the East Coast, it seems like the campaign advertisements and phone calls never waned.   I must admit I won’t miss those next week.      On the writing front, the free Kindle down load promotion for Marked in Mexico on October 26 and 27 was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who participated and to those who have followed up with reviews and interest in my other books.   Big Horn Storm was featured on The Logline Blog . It will be on the main page until November 15. The Logline Blog hosts a monthly co...

The story below is from Carlene Havel's Blog  on October 31, 2012. When I read it I was transported back to my childhood and all the wonderful, interesting, and sometimes, sad stories passed down from my parents and grandparents.   Carlene’s reminiscence made me smile, so I wanted to share it with my readers and followers. I hope it takes you on a nice trip down memory lane too. Telling Stories My grandparents were common folk. Yet their ordinary lives made for some wonderfully entertaining stories. My great-grandfather claimed the automobile put him out of business. What business was that? He would laugh, slap his knee, and reply, "I was a horse thief." Stories of Model A Fords, switchboard telephones, and chopping cotton put life into bygone days. Watching Grandpa roll his own cigarette, sharpen his razor on a leather "strop", milk the cow, and slop (feed) the hogs are precious memories. But the best times were after dinner, nestled in someone's ...

I’m always excited when I find a new way to learn about new books and authors. My latest discovery is The Log Line Blog . Check it out for the low-down on Big Horn Storm and other great reads from a variety of fantastic authors.  Readers are eligible for a chance at an Amazon gift certificate monthly, and the winner is announced on the first Wednesday of each month.   Also, I’d like to extend a very sincere thank you to everyone who took advantage of the free Kindle download promotion for Marked in Mexico on Amazon October 26 and 27. I truly hope you enjoy the story and want to check out Big Horn Storm or another of my adventures.

Marked in Mexico can be downloaded for free on Amazon this Friday and Saturday— a perfect time to find out if a deadly manhunt will lead to love. An idyllic Caribbean vacation turns deadly when hostages are taken at one of Mexico’s most popular Mayan ruins. The kidnappers believe the abduction will be a simple way to negotiate the release of a colleague from a Texas prison, but matters become complicated and the stakes much higher when they realize one of their hostages is the daughter of a powerful U.S. Senator and another is an ex-Army Ranger who has no intention of playing by the rules.

October has been a busy month as far as my books showing up around the Web. Check out C.R. Richards’ 2012 Halloween edition of Books and Banter .  Topics in this issue include a recap of Killercon, featured authors, including my latest novel, Big Horn Storm , and news and issues from the publishing industry.    This past Friday, Marked in Mexico, was featured at Blurbs in Bloom . It’s still there, but you’ll need to scroll down a bit since Saturday and Sunday’s blurbs are now listed above it.  Jacqueline Hopper  dedicated the October 8 th Promotion Monday to Marked in Mexico . She’s a very prolific blogger so you’ll have to search a bit since it’s long buried with other interesting and exciting promotions, reviews, advice and information on submitting a manuscript to Prism Book Group , which you don’t want to miss. And, on October 15, part two of my interview with Anna Sugg posted at Canyonland Press .   And, it’s not over yet. Stay tuned for a...

I recently came across a great blog with a catchy name, Blurbs in Bloom , which features short blurbs and book covers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s a great way to sample new authors. Today my novel, Marked in Mexico , will be featured, so stop on by, have a look, leave a comment, and maybe discover a new read for the Fall season

Thank you to Ciara Knight and Ninja Captain Alex for organizing this fun blog-hopping event and all those who stopped by to comment. Sorry to say, so far Beth hasn’t found her book.   I am challenged as far as social media goes, but I had fun participating. If I’m wrapping up early, please continue to comment below, and maybe it isn’t too late for Wicked Eddies to be noticed by its creator.

What makes a new book jump out and beg to be read even if you’ve never heard of the author?   A great cover or a catchy title can grab the attention of a potential reader, and Beth Groundwater’s Wicked Eddies did just that.   It’s difficult to ignore, Wicked Eddies , and not be just a bit intrigued. Did I notice your book? If so, please comment. If you’re just curious, here’s the blurb. Fly fishing is dangerous?   River ranger Mandy Tanner had no idea until days before a huge tournament in Salida, Colorado. True, the Arkansas River can be a man-eater, but the rapids weren’t responsible for driving a hatchet into the neck of would-be competitor Howie Abbott—a secretive man who may have been cheating. While casting about for suspects, Mandy seeks clues from Abbott’s family members, including her best friend, bartender Cynthia Abbott. But when Cynthia becomes the prime suspect, Mandy realizes that trolling for the true killer has plunged her way too deep into wick...

Please join me today at Canyonland Press for part two of my interview with Anna Sugg on characterization and research.   Canyonland Press is an e- magazine for readers with inquiring minds, focused on bringing entertaining information to readers.

After writing research papers in college it was never a goal of mine to continue this practice, accept under duress, after graduation. But, in order to make fiction believable it is often necessary to learn more about places, cultures, technology, time periods and even science as is the case in a couple of my books in progress. When it comes to science I must confess I don’t always understand everything I read, but hopefully I grasp the general concepts enough to make the story realistic. Some investigation is hands on. I’ve visited Mayan Ruins, national parks, and decommissioned missile silos all in the name of research. Observation is another key tool in order to develop realistic characters and scenes. Sometimes I come up with a concept I’d like to incorporate, but need to do a little digging to see if it’s feasible. In Marked in Mexico I wanted something to push the characters even closer to the edge, something beyond their control. I thought about malaria. I’ve seen the de...

I hope this wets your appetite... The sound of a man’s voice made Niki’s head whip around as she tried to bring Storm under control. The man was not speaking English and the insignia on his uniform did not belong to the United States military, nor did the uniform sport a maple leaf such as the one she had seen on the helicopter the previous day. Thoughts swirled through her head, making no sense at all, but the one thing she was certain of was that she was in deep trouble. Niki reined Storm around, now surrounded by five more men. Her body went rigid as the horse’s legs suddenly stiffened. Storm snorted at the closest man and then pawed angrily at the ground. The men began advancing, smiling and laughing. Niki couldn’t understand what they were saying, but as she spied two more dead bodies on the ground, she felt certain they had no intention of helping her. Her eyes darted from man to man. She scanned the area and noted that she was still very close to the edge of the ravin...

Join me today on Jacqueline Hopper's Blog blog for Promotion Mondays where she will feature interviews, reviews and everything, “ Marked in Mexico .”  Click on the arrow below for a preview.

After a storm, a major power outage leaves two at-odds neighbors dependent on each other. Forced to unite, will their animosity for each other crash like thunder or will they discover love as lightning strikes? Download Lightening Strikes, a collaboration by Prism Book Group authors , directly from  Prism Book Group . Formats for most e-readers are available.

Each month Prism Book Group features one of its e-books for 99 cents. The books can be downloaded directly through the Prism Book Group website in formats for nearly all e-readers. September’s “Book of the Month” was my romantic adventure, Desperate Dreams .   This month check out Trinity Hart’s, Accident Waiting to Happen. Devastated to learn her fiancé is nothing more than a con artist after her inheritance, Hope Pearson is seeking refuge at the Circle C ranch when her brakes give out, sending her careening into a gully and Caleb McBryde’s life. Though her lines don’t appear cut, the ex Texas Ranger finds the circumstances surrounding her crash landing in Serenity Cove, Texas highly suspicious. For calamity seems to shadow the woman… One might say she’s an Accident Waiting to Happen.

This past weekend I went to a rodeo featuring the top professional cowboys in the nation. It brought back a lot of childhood memories, but I was also struck by the changes. Like so much anymore, it had turned into a Vegas-style spectacle complete with a laser light show, fireworks and overly loud rock and roll music playing as the cowboys performed. I wondered how our horses would have reacted. I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy it, because I did, but I was a little stunned – this was definitely not my daddy’s rodeo.    Growing up, my family spent nearly every weekend during the summer months at team roping and barrel racing events. The prize money was a division of all the participants’ entry fees, not the tens of thousands up for grabs at last weekend’s rodeo, and the stands were filled with families. The participants were dressed the same way they would be to bring in their own cattle from the range, without a sponsor logo in sight. The competition was tough, but it was a...

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures get cooler I can no longer live in denial – summer is over and winter is just around the corner. I love summer, always have, but there is something to be said for the seasons. Some traditions just aren’t the same without them. Apple cider is best enjoyed when steam rises from the cup cradled in your mitten-covered hands and the Thanksgiving table demands a centerpiece of brightly colored fall leaves, pumpkins and gourds, not a bouquet of tulips. And Christmas—I’ve spent a Christmas in the South Pacific and a couple in Hawaii and I missed the snow. Santa just looks wrong riding a surfboard in shorts. So, as I lament the end of long warm days, I know I wouldn’t enjoy the holidays or appreciate summer as much without the changing seasons.

Niki Garat tolerates her job and the city, but she lives for her summer vacation with her grandfather at his sheep camp in the stunning Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming—until this year. When the U.S. comes under attack, including an aggressive attempt by foreign invaders to locate nuclear missiles hidden throughout remote western lands, the serenity of her mountain refuge is shattered. As area ranches are commandeered, neighbors and friends, including Deuce, her childhood infatuation, band together. Throughout their struggle to stay alive, Niki begins to understand what came between her and Deuce, but before past mistakes can be corrected they must endure a terrifying manhunt and a desperate fight for survival.   Big Horn Storm, Released August 2012, is currently available in trade paperback or e-book through your favorite on-line book retailer.

I haven’t done a lot of book reviewing, but I thought I’d give it a shot. When I saw the cover for Brenna and the Horses of Lusayana , it caught my attention, reminding me of my great aunt’s art work, and I was further interested when I learned the author, Lee Landes, was a continent away in the United Kingdom.    I was a little hesitant when I realized that Brenna and the Horses of Lusayana was a children’s book, thinking the plot would be overly simple. Not the case, in fact this book requires the reader’s full attention as the main character, a twelve-year old girl named Brenna, is drawn into a complex quest to learn about her past in the hopes of breaking a centuries-old family curse and saving her mother’s life.    The story is a fantasy set in a rugged coastal landscape in the United Kingdom where Brenna is guided through a treacherous journey by the mystical White Horses of Lusayana. Throughout this amazing adventure she unlocks the family secret...

Courtesy of Jacqueline Hopper - Thank you!

Please join me at http://canyonlandpress.blogspot.com for the first installment of a two part interview focusing on my inspiration for my romantic adventure novels, the writing process and upcoming projects (you’ll need to scroll down a bit). The second half of the interview is scheduled for October 1, 2012.

 Big Horn Storm is also a hodge-podge of experiences and ideas. I’ve always loved the Big Horn Mountains, so I wanted to set a story in that area and something involving horses made sense. Some of my favorite books and movies have those scenes in which you find yourself holding your breath until it’s over, such as when Nullah, in the movie Australia, stands at the cliff edge facing down a stampeding cattle herd or when the Man from Snowy River follows the brumbies over the edge. I wanted to write those scenes and I believe I have accomplished this, in part due to my own horseback experiences. But what would force a person into daring actions far outside their comfort zone? It would have to be something extreme, a “do or die” situation, such as a widespread invasion by a foreign enemy. But, why would any foreign military care about a sparsely populated area in Wyoming? That answer came to me after taking public tours of decommissioned missile silos at the South Dakota Ai...

Big Bend National Park It seems logical that a storyline for a novel would follow a linear path, but that’s not always the case. Most of my ideas develop through a more haphazard route. Desperate Dreams was born from a snippet of a dream. I woke one morning and the only detail I could remember was of a small group of people huddled under the camper shell in the back of a small red pickup truck, trying to sneak into Mexico. I muddled this over for a while trying to decide what must America be like to encourage a reverse border run? It seemed like there was plenty of post-apocalyptic stories out there, so I eased back a bit and created an America where current technology had become mainstream. Most citizens embraced the safety and security of the new society while a few found the loss of privacy and freedom unbearable. But was this enough to make anyone challenge authority? Probably not, but what if men were being exterminated once their usefulness was over? For the men at risk and ...

Quote of the day. . .   “You only live once, but if you do it right once is enough” Mae West  

This week I will be interviewed on  Jacqueline Hopper's blog for her weekly “Promotion Monday” feature. Please stop by on September 10 and every Monday for her fun and in-depth look at new authors and books.

For a free download of Lightening Strikes, a short-story collaboration by Prism Book Group authors, click here on Prism Book Group .   Also, Prism Book Group offers a “Book of the Month.” September is my romantic suspense novel, Desperate Dreams, which you can download for just .99. Check back on the first of each month for the newest featured release.

I just got back from my latest adventure, which was fun and exciting, but not as adventurous as I anticipated. Maybe I watch too many action flicks or police shows, because what I found in New York City wasn’t what I had expected. I’m sure an in depth probe of the city would turn up movie fodder and newscast footage, but the New York I encountered was fairly user-friendly and full of interesting opportunities, unique sites and a vibrant atmosphere. From the must-see sites of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial, the Empire State Building and Times Square to the everyday experiences such as riding the subway, strolling through Central Park and enjoying great street-cart food in the wee-hours of the morning, New York surprised and awed me at every turn. Images of the city are everywhere and I feel it calling me back.