Kim McMahill

When I write a series, I focus on a different topic in each novel while building on the previous book. With this method, each novel can be read as a stand-alone, but a deeper connection with the recurring characters builds if read in order. In the Risky Research series, the first novel, A Dose of Danger , unveils the discovery of a potential miracle weight-loss drug. The suspense builds when those who want to steal the formula and those who want to keep it off the market collide. The second focuses on artificial sweeteners, the third on the political side of the diet and nutrition industries, and in book four the deadly criminal consortium begins to unravel and the chase is on. Note: there are also two free prequels for this series to download. The Beartooth Chronicles conforms to a similar pattern, following the lives of Ashley and Caleb as they confront a myriad of threats to their survival. In book 1, Refuge from the World , they endure tragedy and grief and learn about love. Th...

I hope everyone is able to enjoy the holidays any way they wish and the season will be filled with peace, joy, and happiness. My hope for the new year is for everyone to find compassion, understanding, and empathy for their fellow citizens. As Theordore Roosevelt once said, “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.” Working together, we can make this happen. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

  “Wilderness has noise as when great winds make treetops roar, setting up the cadence of a pounding surf. Wilderness noise is also the murmur of brooks, the chatter of squirrels, the scolding of camp robbers. Wilderness noise is the sequence of birdcalls just before dawn, the ecstatic music of the whippoorwill at dusk, and the deep quiet of a darkened forest. The noise of wilderness is varied; it has no monotony; it is the music of the earth of which man is an integral part whether he knows it or not. The healing effects of wilderness are well known. Cares slough off; the conscious springs that create tension are relaxed; man comes to an understanding of his relation to the earth from which he came and to which he returns. —William O. Douglas, A Wilderness Bill of Rights , 1965

THE WAIT IS OVER! The fifth and final installment of The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence , has been released. I’ve included the book blurb, a short quote, and the Amazon buy link. This novel can be read as a stand-alone action-adventure dystopian thriller, though I hope you’ve had the chance to read the preceding novels in the series and have fallen in love with Ash and Caleb’s story. ABOUT THE NOVEL In the shadow of a crumbling world, Ash and Caleb have helped build something rare: a community that thrives against the odds. High in the rugged Beartooth Mountains, they’ve forged a life with those they hold dear, far from the chaos of a society on the brink of collapse. But survival has never been simple. A volcanic eruption rains ash down on the community, the government’s desperate geoengineering plan threatens untold consequences, and the wilderness teems with predators both animal and human. To make matters worse, their nearest neighbors are an extremist faction whose ...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. With that holiday in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. I haven’t decided how much decorating I’ll do this year, but I better decide soon.    WRITING The fifth and final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence , was released on November 24, 2025. I am so excited about this novel, but sad the series is ending (unless Hollywood comes calling-ha, ha). It can be read as a stand-alone action-adventure dystopian thriller, but you’ll miss watching Ashley and Caleb’s love story unfold. Here’s a bit about this newest installment: In the shadow of a crumbling world, Ash and Caleb have helped build something rare: a community that thrives against the odds. High in the rugged Beartooth Mountains, they’ve forged a life with those they hold dear, far from the chaos of a society on the brink of collapse. But survival has never been simple. A volcanic eruption rains ash down on the community, the gov...

I hope everyone enjoys Black Friday and is ready for a more relaxing Cyber Monday. If you’re in the mood for dystopian, action, adventure, romance, or crime fiction, please check out my Amazon page. There is something for everyone—cowboys, former Army Rangers, FBI agents, CIA, archeologists, and living in a dystopian world. Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/  

In keeping with what has become a bit of a blog tradition, I’m sharing my pumpkin cheesecake recipe with readers. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE Crust : Crush 10 whole graham crackers and mix with 3 tablespoons of sugar and 3 tablespoons of butter. Press into a 10 inch cheesecake spring pan (bottom and 2 inches up the sides). Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove. Filling : Beat together until smooth, 2 (8-oz) packages of cream cheese (works best if softened), 1 cup of light cream, 1 cup of canned pumpkin, ¾ cup of sugar, 4 egg yolks (save whites in a separate bowl), 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon each of ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff and gently fold into the pumpkin mixture. Pour over prepared crust and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Baking times vary, so make sure the center is set. I’ve found it often takes longer than the 1 hour noted in the recipe. Topping...

  “The love of wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond our reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth, the only home we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need . . . ” -Edward Abbey- Desert Solitaire , 1968

The plot for Deadly Exodus came to me in a dream. A group of people (not sure if I was there since most of my dreams feel like third person) huddled in the back of a really old Datsun pickup trying to sneak into Mexico. When I woke up, I thought about why Americans would be unable to get into Mexico and what was driving the desire. What came out of that bizarre dream was a heart-wrenching dystopian tale of survival and forbidden love, steeped in danger and tension, that will hopefully leave you breathless. Here’s a short blurb. It’s available through most of the major online booksellers or read more on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Exodus-Kim-McMahill-ebook/dp/B07NMV448G/ Their love is forbidden. Their lives are in danger. In a shattered America where men are hunted and relationships outlawed, Nyla has only one choice: defy the regime or lose everything. Protecting Ethan means risking her grandmother’s safety and abandoning her imprisoned mother, but Nyla refuses to su...

  “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”   Henry David  Thoreau

In 2025, the National Park Service waived entrance fees on six days. The last free day in 2025 will be on Veteran’s Day, November 11. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

Fall is in full swing and winter is just around the corner, at least in Wyoming. Thanksgiving will soon be here, and I have faith that it will be better than the last. A little over a year has passed since I lost my mom. I didn’t think it would be possible to heal, but as each day passes, I have a little more hope that I can find myself again. WRITING The first couple rounds of editing are done for the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence . There is still another proofread to go and formatting, and the cover should be coming soon. I’ve enjoyed the editing phase since it reminded me of what an epic novel this is. Simply, it’s just more—more action, adventure, danger, drama, love, and emotion. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, and you may even shed a tear or two. Surprisingly, I did, and I wrote it. WANDERINGS We had a busy October. We went to Helena to see family, went camping for probably the last time of the season, and went to Mexico. We enjoyed...

Whether you are a kid or a kid at heart, I hope you have a happy and safe Halloween.

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself.”  Edward Abbey 

The inspiration for Big Horn Storm came from multiple places. Storm, Niki’s trusted steed, is loosely based on a horse we had when I was young, and I’ve spent a lot of time in the Big Horn Mountains on horseback and ATV. While helping my dad move cattle while riding Storm’s inspiration, he sent me over a steep hill after a small group of stubborn cows. The descent seemed terrifying at the time (though I’m sure it was not as scary as I remember) that helped me write Niki’s harrowing horseback escapes. The name Deuce is a longer story than I have room for here, but when I heard it, I knew I had to write a book with Deuce and a tough and handsome rancher. The novel is set against the rugged backdrop of Wyoming’s mountains. This pulse-pounding survival story blends danger, resilience, and a second chance at love in a world turned upside down . Here’s a short blurb. It’s available through most of the major online booksellers, including Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Big-Horn-Storm-Kim-...

Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day are observed on the second Monday of October, which falls on October 13 this year.   Columbus Day is a U.S. federal holiday that recognizes the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. It is also increasingly marked by Indigenous Peoples' Day, which recognizes the contributions and history of Indigenous peoples in the Americas. Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrates and honors Native American peoples and their histories and cultures. It recognizes the resilience and strength of Native Americans throughout history, while acknowledging the negative impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities. While Indigenous Peoples' Day is not a federal holiday like Columbus Day, it has been recognized as an official holiday by various cities and states. Indigenous Peoples' Day is for recognition, reflection, and promoting understanding and respect for the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

  OCTOBER 2025 WRITING AND WANDERING #Newsletter Happy Fall! It would be my favorite season if it weren’t for the reality that winter is just around the corner. But until it freezes and snows, I’m enjoying the slower pace in an otherwise tourist town, reaping the harvest from my garden, watching college volleyball, and transiting to seasonal flavors like apples, pumpkin, and cinnamon. WRITING I’m waiting for the edits from my editor on the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence . I’m very excited about this story, but sad that the series will end. I will miss Ash, Caleb, and the rest of the resilient residents of Beartooth. If you haven’t started the series or aren’t caught up, I hope you will come onboard. It will be worth the time investment. WANDERINGS We took a road trip in September. We were anxious to go to the 2025 Pueblo Chile Festival and were lucky enough that we could attend University of Wyoming volleyball matches coming and going. We stock...

“There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and the wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.” Franklin D. Roosevelt (Photo: Grand Teton National Park)

In 2025, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees on six days. The next entrance fee-free day will be September 27, 2025, National Public Lands Day. The last free day in 2025 will be on Veteran’s Day, November 11. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm  (Photo: Theodore Roosevelt National Park)

Marked in Mexico is still one of my favorite novels and continues to be my best-seller. It has 97 ratings/reviews on Amazon with an average of 4.5. This romantic thriller is fast-paced, gripping, and steeped in danger, and will hopefully keep you turning pages long into the night. Here’s a short blurb. It’s available through most of the major online booksellers, including Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXLNWC9/ What begins as a dream vacation in the Caribbean turns into a nightmare when armed kidnappers seize tourists at one of Mexico’s most famous Mayan ruins. Their plan is simple—trade the hostages for the release of a jailed comrade in Texas. But when they discover their captives include the daughter of a powerful U.S. senator and a battle-hardened ex-Army Ranger, their scheme spirals out of control. Jessica never imagined her escape from paradise would leave her running for her life through the dense, unforgiving jungle. Jack has survived warzones before, and he refuse...

When something excites me, I tend to fixate on it. Since the first novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Refuge from the World , came out, I’ve been so thrilled about the series and focused on getting it out there that I have neglected my backlist. I’ve had fifteen novels published (twelve of which are still in print) and the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence , is coming late fall 2025. So, starting with my next blog post I’ll randomly post a bit about my other novels until I’ve mentioned them all. I hope everyone will enjoy learning a bit about my other work. Thanks so much for your continued interest and support. It's been an exciting journey.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last remnants of summer. It went too fast, and my garden was a huge disappointment. On the upside, we did have some epic adventures. WRITING I’m waiting for the edits from my editor on the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence . I’m very excited about this story, but sad that the series will end. I will miss Ash, Caleb, and the rest of the resilient residents of Beartooth. I hope if you aren’t caught up on the series you will do so soon. WANDERINGS My husband and I spent most of July in Alaska. It was an incredible adventure involving trains, boats, float planes, and buses. We saw gorgeous scenery and lots of amazing wildlife. Here are a few of my favorite photos, and others have been included in the August 16 and 30 blog posts. WHAT I’M READING AND NOTABLE NOVELS I finished Burning Sky by John Darnton. It was a good dystopian novel, but it didn’t really have me on the edge of my seat. Next, I read The Darkest Winter: A ...

The vast and stunning landscapes are truly amazing. Here are a couple of my favorite photos from a recent trip.  

“Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it.”   Eudora Welty, One Writer's Beginnings

We recently spent some time in Alaska. The scenery was spectacular, but the wildlife in the waters, espcially in Kenai Fjord and Glacier Bay national parks was stunning. Here are a few of my favorites. An Orca swimming alongside the boat, a group of sea otters, and a pod of Humpback wales bubble feeding nearby.

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.”   Henry David Thoreau

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." Mark Twain

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. I’ve been enjoying my garden, though it seems to be way behind last year, and all the fun community events happening in our small town. It’s been hot, but I’m not complaining since, in Wyoming, winter is never far away. WRITING Evil Under the Mountain ( The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 4 ) has been well received, but I’m anxious to share more about the fifth and final novel in the series, Winter Resurgence . Until then, here’s a review for Evil Under the Mountain .   Posted by an Amazon reader on June 28, 2025 “Another gripping story from an author who never disappoints. This one will keep you turning those pages to find out what happens. But the best part of McMahill's writing are the characters she creates. It's as if I'm living the adventure right along with them and experiencing their emotions as the story unfolds. Another winner! Don't miss out on this exciting book.” WANDERINGS Late June and July were excitin...

“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.” Theodore Roosevelt  

Book Reviews serve a variety of purposes and are very important to readers and writers. Reviews help other readers choose books. A review provides information about a book that a marketing blurb may not. Sales and reviews factor into a bookseller’s algorithm. More book sales and reviews help a book achieve a higher ranking on a bookseller’s site, which provides more exposure for a book and its author. Additionally, more reviews may get authors noticed by book clubs, blogging communities, book review sites, and other promotional venues. Lastly, many authors do read reviews and may find helpful feedback in articulate reviews to improve their craft. For example, saying “I hated the book” isn’t helpful, but explaining that you find multiple points of view confusing, there were too many grammatical errors, there was too much detail and it slowed the story down, or there was too much profanity, gives the author feedback to consider. Conversely, pointing out what you liked about a book is...

Here’s the first review for Evil Under the Mountain . It was posted on Goodreads on June 16, 2025. Another great read from one of my favorite authors. I love the worlds Kim McMahill creates and populates with memorable characters who melt your heart, scare you to death, and make you want to scream, "No, don't do that!". Yet, there is an underlying optimism that reassures the reader that the bad guys won't win. Ash and Caleb will stay with me for a long time. Don't miss the experience of this excellent book. You can find all of my books at your favorite online book seller or on Amazon at  https://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/  

With a full month of summer behind us, it’s time to enjoy. The garden is up, and I’m already harvesting lettuce and a few other veggies. Mostly though, I’m just loving the warm temperatures and watching the landscape transition from winter brown to brilliant shades of green dotted with colorful flowers. I hope everyone is having a fun and exciting summer. WRITING The release of Evil Under the Mountain ( The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 4 ) has been going well, but there’s no time to rest. I’ve been working on the fifth and final novel in the series, Winter Resurgence . In the meantime, here’s more on Evil Under the Mountain . Summary: After Beartooth’s first encounter with an extremist faction turns deadly, a small group embarks on a mission to prevent the fanatics from returning. They discover a much more disturbing place than they ever imagined; however, predators, natural disasters, and an environmental crisis may prove more difficult to overcome than the evil under the mountai...