Kim McMahill

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...