Kim McMahill

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...