Kim McMahill

Are you anxious for August? Here are a few silly dates coming up this month. Except for Left Hander’s Day, it seems to be all about the picnic. Enjoy! August 3 – National Watermelon Day August 10 – National S’mores Day August 13 – Left Hander’s Day August 30 – National Marshmallow Toasting Day

I’m pleased to introduce Tracy Wainwright. Tracy has always loved reading, but didn’t become a writer until she was almost 30. Words became an outlet for her through a trying time, grabbed hold of her, and never let go. Tracy works her writing in-between and around raising and homeschooling four children, squeezing in time for her hubby, and now entertaining a new puppy. She always has her hands in multiple ministries and enjoys speaking to church, women’s and writer’s groups. To cope with a very full, blessed life, she consistently works on perfecting naptime. Learn more about Tracy and her new novel,   In an Instant , by visiting www.tracywainwright.com or download her book from Amazon by clicking here . Blurb The Clock is Ticking...  Julie Montgomery left for work but never arrived. Her husband, Luke, reports her disappearance, but Officer Terrence Cooper isn't convinced anything's amiss. As he looks into the case, he discovers that not only are Luke Montgomery...

Chimayo, New Mexico is best known for its chili, weaving, and its pilgrimage site, Santuario De Chimayo. An easy day trip from Taos or Santa Fe, this small village is definitely worth a stop. Lunch at Rancho De Chimayo showcased the chili in a variety of delicious dishes, Santuario De Chimayo was inspirational, and the abundance of fine quality woven goods was amazing. This area was a surprise I’m glad we didn’t miss.

The fourth short story in my Super Summer Shorts series is Willow , the first in a series of contemporary American Gypsy Romance short stories by Alessa Martel. Here’s more on Willow . Two boys, one love – does Willow have the courage to follow her heart? Willow has always been a good girl, working hard to make her mother proud. Staying within the rules of Gypsy culture has never been a problem, but Duke and his sweet smile make her question the arranged marriage that lies ahead. Download for just $0.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited) from Amazon here . 

Bandelier National Monument is located near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but stunning canyon and mesa country and preserves the dwellings and territory of the Ancestral Puebloan People. A visit to Bandelier shows off petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, remnants of masonry walls, and amazing scenery. From May 16 through October 16, access to the monument and the Frijoles Canyon Visitor Center is by shuttle bus only (9:00 am to 3:00 pm), seven days a week, with shuttle pickup at the White Rock Visitor Center, or at the shuttle parking in Juniper Campground. There’s a short one-mile loop trail that winds past many of the dwellings and petroglyphs, but don’t let the distance fool you. When it’s hot, take plenty of water. For more information visit https://nps.gov/band.

The third in my Super Summer Shorts series is Martha , by Phillipa Clark. Martha is the prequel to The Stationmaster's Cottage. Read first, or alongside any of the books in the series. 1972. It is four years since Martha Ryan's world crashed around her. Fleeing to England to study teaching, she had left everything behind. Her beloved seaside town of River's End, her big sister, Dorothy, and the one man she loves beyond reason. She finds a new home in Ireland. There, she buys a cottage, embarking on a career as a teacher in the small town, and travelling during school holidays. She finds friendships, relationships, and adventures. But dreams haunt her. Deep down, she longs for her home town in Australia, and to see Dorothy. Will a life well lived be enough, or is one letter the turning point to risk everything she's come to love? Download for just $0.99 (or Free with Kindle Unlimited) from Amazon here . Bio:   Phillipa lives just outside a beautiful town...

Book reviews are very important for authors for a number of reasons including increasing a book’s visibility and chances of being found by readers. On many websites, books with more book reviews are more likely to be shown to prospective readers than books with few or no reviews, and reviews may help increase a book’s reach among bookstores, book clubs, blogging communities, etc. So, if you like what you read, please consider penning a few simple sentences. Authors everywhere, including me, will be eternally grateful. Thank you! Recent releases include the third novel in the Risky Research series, A Foundation of Fear, and a free prequel download to the series, A Formidable Foe. 

The second in my Super Summer Short series and first in the Movement of Crowns series is,  The Movement of Crowns by Nadine C. Keels. Read on for more. Is it the perfect or the worst time for the kingdom to...change? The nation of Diachona rejoices as the king's daughter and heir, Constance, turns twenty. Yet, not everyone approves of Constance’s desire to sit on the National Council: a Council run solely by men. What’s more, oppressive threats from a neighboring, powerful empire are rousing the people’s fears. Amid rumors of war and personal doubts about her future, Constance suspects that her growing love for one Commander Alexander may be ill-timed. Especially if this is the end of the kingdom as they know it... Download for free from Amazon here .

Thomas Jefferson led a committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence between June 11 -28, 1776. The Declaration was voted on and approved on July 4, 1776 by Jefferson and representatives from the thirteen colonies, declaring freedom for the colonies from British rule. Celebrate, enjoy, and remember the sacrifices so many have made since our countries inception to guarantee our freedom.