Kim McMahill

I love to travel, to see the world, to learn about other cultures. But there is so much more to travel than beaches, pretty scenery, or exciting activities, it’s also about changing the way we see the world and our place in it. On one of my favorite PBS travel shows, the host closes each episode with the following quote. It struck a chord with me, so I have part of the quote in my blog header. Here is the rest.    “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” Innocents Abroad, Mark Twain

I hope everyone is finding love this month, in person or between the pages of a great book. And, speaking of love and books, the first novel in my new dystopian series is finally here. Along with action, adventure, and a look at our society in the future, the beginning of an enduring loves story unfolds (more under writing Notes and News). As I mentioned in the January Newsletter, I embarked on an amazing whale watching adventure to San Ignacio Lagoon in Mexico. The protected lagoon provides a perfect habitat for Pacific gray whales to breed and calve. The whales in this sanctuary are curious, and the numbers of tour boats are limited, which allowed us to see the whales up close. It was a humbling experience to interact with these gentle giants. It was a trip of a lifetime.   WRITING NOTES AND NEWS Refuge from the World (The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 1) is scheduled to be released later this month. The plan is for the next three novels in the series to be released every four to