Kim McMahill

Contemporary Romance/Chick Lit author, Lindsey Paley, has recently released The Wish List Addiction . This book will strike a chord with nearly everyone – who doesn’t make grocery lists, to-do lists, bucket lists, and the ever-popular wish list? To find out more about Rebecca Mathews’ list addiction, please keep reading. Rebecca Mathews is a Listoholic—you name it, she has a 'To Do' list for it. Coupled with her daily 'Must Achieve' List, she possesses a mid-term, creatively drawn 'Wish List' and an exhaustively-researched 'Bucket List'. But so far, they have delivered nothing but spectacular failure. With her much-loved career exploded in her face, her marriage terminated in an acrimonious divorce and her frail father's pleas to return to her native Northumberland ignored, Rebecca concludes that if it wasn't for her beloved four-year-old son, Max, she would be adding a trip to a Swiss clinic to her list. A sparkle of light appears in Rebec...

Check out these upcoming conferences and events for writers around the West and hone your craft while networking with agents, editors, publishers and fellow writers.   The Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference September 5 – 7, 2014. Westminster, CO. Learn more at http://rmfw.org/conference/   The Equality State Book Festival September 11 – 13, 2014. Casper, WY. Presented by Casper College and ArtCore. Learn more at http://www.equalitystatebookfest.com/   Southwest Christian Writers Association hosts its annual conference September 19 & 20, 2014. Durango, CO. Topics include Creating Compelling Characters and Fundamental Story Building Steps . Learn more at http://www.southwestchristianwriters.org/SCWA/Home.html   A Weekend for Words, the Southern California Writers Conference September 19–21, 2014. Los Angeles, CA. Authors & editors of mysteries, thrillers, screen plays & nonfiction, among others, will conduct workshops & ...

As mentioned in an earlier blog post, I have a tiny garden, but I get a lot of produce out of the small space.   The garden is an evolutionary work in progress. Each year I experiment with different configurations and a variety of vegetables to maximize yields. Not only does the tall bean-trellis in the center and back allow for a lot of beans in a tight spot, but it’s a decorative focal point. I also consider harvest times. Peas are generally here and gone before many plants really get going, so they can be planted close together. This year I miscalculated the size of Beefsteak tomatoes, plants and produce, which have provided too much shade for the neighboring chili peppers, but it’s hard to complain when I see the size of the tomatoes. I’ll make a few changes next year and maybe someday I’ll be satisfied.   

While cruising up the Rio Frio River in Costa Rica, we motored past this group of cows standing belly-deep in the river. Maybe the cows are large enough where they have no predators, but I interpreted their calm demeanor to indicate this section of the river to be relatively crocodile-free.   

I am pleased to introduce multi-award-winning author Josie Riviera. She spends her days teaching piano, lending an ear to her teenage daughter’s ongoing drama, and, of course, writing. Josie and her family are transplanted upstate New Yorkers, now living in the sunny state of SC. She writes character-driven novels filled with inspiration and emotion.   Her latest novel, Seeking Patience , is an inspirational historical romance about a Gypsy man and widowed noblewoman. To learn more about Josie, visit http://josieriviera.wordpress.com or on Facebook at   https://www.facebook.com/Josie.Riviera .  A nd, for more on Seeking Patience , please continue reading .   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 wh...

When I’m not writing and reading about adventure, and trying to find little adventures of my own, I garden. Not like I did while growing up rural, but I am compelled to grow things nonetheless.   When I was young we grew enough for multiple families (though not officially, it just turned out that way), and then some. We ate vegetables in mass quantities during the summer, gave produce to family, friends, and co-workers, canned, froze, and stockpiled enough gunny sacks of potatoes in the well-pit to last all winter. Now, my garden is only as big as I can carve out of my much more urban lifestyle. Despite its small size, my garden is mighty, and it brings me great enjoyment and satisfaction. It might sound silly to someone who hasn’t tried to garden, but fresh vegetables just taste better, last longer, definitely put a noticeable dent in the grocery bill, and instills a sense of confidence in knowing no fertilizers or pesticides are used.   So, with August well underway...

Reviews are already trickling in for Hush in the Storm , a new Christian Suspense novel by Julie B. Cosgrove, and they’re very positive.   I’ve included the blurb from the novel and a review for this must read book. Please keep reading to learn more about Julie and her work.   Blurb: Jen, a young widow floundering in the storm of mourning, whose only lifeline is her humdrum job, is tossed into a maze of deceit and intrigue by a coworker named Tom...at the request of her late husband, or so Tom says. He kidnaps her and fakes her death to keep her safe from the cartel who he thinks caused her husband's "accident." Together, they are thrust into a tempest of danger and deceit where no one is whom they claim to be. The list of people Jen can believe in keeps diminishing. Who can she trust while dodging the Feds, human traffickers and the press who've discovered she's alive? How will Jen rescue the two held-captive girls she befriends without drowning them, Tom...

Few images are more recognizable in American culture or more loved than Smokey Bear. Carrying a shovel and dressed in jeans and a ranger's hat, Smokey has been reminding people, especially children, to be careful with fire since 1944, and on August 9th Smokey turns 70. Even after all these years, not only has his legacy endured, he and his message have evolved with the times, staying relevant. In fact, Smokey has his own Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smokeybear and website at http://smokeybear.com .   HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMOKEY!

Welcome to this week’s Marketing For Romance Writers Book Hooks blog hop. Here’s a little teaser from my contemporary western romance novel, Big Horn Storm. I hope you are eager to learn more about Deuce and Niki, and share their adventure as they fight to survive a deadly invasion.   Niki couldn’t see Robert Mitchell Blackburn II, known to friends and family as Deuce, but his deep voice gave away his location. No doubt his tall muscular frame stood just inside the barn door, concealed in the shadows. Even though he was hidden from view, she could describe every detail of his unruly hair peeking out from under his beat-up and sweat-stained straw cowboy hat, the scrutinizing look in his hazel eyes, his tanned complexion, and the scuffs on the heels of his boots where his spurs had worn on the leather. Dark stubble would shadow his chin and above his lip, and his sleeves would be rolled up on his denim shirt. She hated the fact that not only could she see him clearly in her min...

Check out these upcoming conferences and events for writers around the West and hone your craft while networking with agents, editors, publishers and fellow writers. A River of One’s Own adventure, a river journey for women. August 10 – 16, 2014. Moab, UT.   Join Page Lambert and others. Theme is A Heroine’s Journey into the World of Story. Learn more at http://www.pagelambert.com/river2014.html   Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference August 14 – 17, 2014. California’s Bay Area. Features magazine editors and publishers, food writers, photographers, and others. More at http://www.bookpassage.com/travel-writers-photographers-conference   Sisters in Crime Desert Sleuths Mystery and Crime Writers presents WriteNow! 2014 August 15 & 16, 2014. Phoenix, AZ. Learn more at http://desertsleuths.com/conference   The Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference September 5 – 7, 2014. Westminster, CO. Learn more at http://rmfw.org/con...

Thank you to Gay N. Lewis for sharing a bit about herself and Sarah, her well-intentioned dyslexic angel.   I would also like to thank everyone who stopped by for a visit and those who commented. Congratulations to Judy, who commented on the post and will receive Sarah: A Mission of Love for her Kindle.   I hope everyone is having a great weekend.