Kim McMahill

Hopefully everyone survived Halloween. It’s probably my least favorite holiday, so I’m glad it’s in the rearview mirror. Now we’re looking toward Thanksgiving. It’s hard not to like a holiday that revolves around family, good food, and giving thanks.   WRITING I was a little surprised that the first round of edits has already come back for A Recipe for Revenge , the fifth novel in the Risky Research series. I’m hoping that means that I’ll have a cover to reveal and a release date sooner than I anticipated, so stay tuned. And, don’t forget, all of the other novels in the series are free to read with Kindle Unlimited, and the two short prequels are always free to download from your favorite online book seller.  This month is also the one-year anniversary of the release of the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence . The first novel in the series, Refuge from the World, has been permanently discounted to $0.99 to download, making it inexpensive to give ...

The second chapter in A Dose of Danger is loosely based on a Christmas morning adventure my husband and I experienced nearly forty years ago. The drive by the story’s heroine, Grace Talbot, wasn’t quiet as perilous as ours, but she was alone, which makes any situation more suspenseful and dangerous. But, as you will find out if you read her story, she is one tough lady. In the Christmas morning in question, we were newlyweds and were trying hard not to disappoint either family, so we participated in my family’s traditional Christmas Eve Mexican Fiesta, and agreed to join his family at a cabin in the mountains of northern Wyoming in time to open gifts on Christmas morning. We barely made it out of my parent’s place as the snow drifted in the lane, which should have been our first clue to abandon the expedition, but we were young, fearless, and accustomed to driving in bad weather. Heading out of town we quickly found ourselves ahead of the snowplows. After turning off the main highwa...

Happy Halloween! I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday. And Sunday, November 1, 2026 is Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to move your clocks back one hour.

Many of my books begin with a place, and I love reading and writing stories of survival. After spending time in the Big Bend area of Texas many years ago and gazing across the river into Mexico, I decided I needed to write a story about trying to escape into Mexico which required creating a society that people were willing to risk everything to flee. About the only reality in this young adult dystopian adventure are the locations. The book begins in New Mexico, where we used to live, and ends in Mexico after a perilous journey through Texas. Big Bend National Park is a diverse and amazing place. There are mountains, rugged desert, cultural and historic resources, and an out-of-place Palm tree along the banks of the Rio Grande. You can visit fascinating places and go on a perilous adventure at https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Exodus-Kim-McMahill-ebook/dp/B07NMV448G/ .

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone* (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Only two remain. The next free day will be on October 27 17, 2026 in celebration of Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday. The remaining date is Veterans Day, November 11, 2026. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

I grew up in rural Wyoming and life in those early years revolved around horses. We rodeoed, rode nearly every night in the summer, and my dad’s idea of a family vacation was a pack trip into the wilderness. I’m sure I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but looking back, we had some great adventures.  Fast forward to 2012 when I published Big Horn Storm . There are a number of crazy horseback escape scenes that I couldn’t have written without those childhood experiences and the time spent in the Big Horn Mountains. One in particular involved helping neighbors move cattle to their grazing lease (not in the Big Horn Mountains). They were farmers, not ranchers, so my dad and I were nearly the only experienced horseback riders in the group. We were nearing the end of a long cattle drive, but had to push the herd up one last steep dirt road in order to leave them at the watering hole. Halfway up the slope the tired cows decided it would be easier to veer off the road and slide down the l...

As you may know if you follow any of my writing or social media, travel, exploration, and adventure are huge parts of my life.  I’ve seen some remarkable thinks in 2026, and I would like to share a few of those images which were taken along the Danube River between Budapest, Hungary and Bucharest, Romania. I hope you enjoy these images.

When I caught the international travel bug decades ago, I spent quite a bit of time in Mexico and occasionally ventured into Belize. I was, and still am, fascinated with Mayan ruins and never pass up an opportunity to visit these amazing archeological sites. I have visited Tulum, Cobá, Chichén Itzá, and Ek Balam in Mexico, and several sites in Belize. Each is unique and special in many ways, and two have found their way into my stories. In Marked in Mexico a burnt-out lawyer, who happens to be the daughter of a powerful U.S. Senator, an ex-army Ranger, a couple of college students, and an obnoxious businessman are kidnapped at the Sacred Well while visiting Chichén Itzá. The Sacred Well is a large cenote about 65 yards in diameter, which is set-off from the rest of the ruins. Legend has it that the well was used for human sacrifice, which is quite believable as the skeletons of about 50 people have been found in the well. What better place for the action to explode in an adventure-sus...

  I’m rapidly approaching a half-million visits on my Blog. There are so many social media options available and blogs to follow that I can’t express how much I appreciate you spending a little time with me. If other social media formats are more your thing, you can also find me at the following sites. Thanks again for stopping by! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimMcMahillAuthor/ Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-mcmahill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmcmahill/   Threads: https://www.threads.net/@kimmcmahill Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/849945.Kim_McMahill Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/

Fall is in full swing. The garden is cleaned out for the season, days are getting short, mornings are cool and crisp, and the tree leaves are turning colors, painting the landscape in beautiful hues of red, orange, and yellow. College sports are here, which is always an exciting time. My favorite sport is volleyball (more on that wandering below). And, the holidays will be coming fast. WRITING A Recipe for Revenge , the fifth novel in the Risky Research series, just went under contract. I don’t have a release date yet, but I’m guessing late 2027. I’m very excited to have a new novel coming out in the foreseeable future. All of the other novels in the series are free to read with Kindle Unlimited, and the two short prequels are always free to download from your favorite online book seller. Now’s the time to get up to speed before the next novel in the series is released. Here’s a bit about the series. What if a powerful organization secretly controlled the multibillion-dollar diet...

People often ask how much of the content in my adventure novels is based on real life. Well, it depends on the story. Other than a visit many years ago to the Sphinx and the Giza pyramids in Egypt, there is very little in Shrouded in Secrets that resembles places I’ve been or things I’ve done, so it required a lot of research. The story is an over-the-top action-adventure romantic thriller that takes readers on a high-stakes race around the globe to stop a group of deadly terrorists searching for thirteen mythical relics capable of epic destruction. It was a challenging book to write and involved a cork board, note cards, photos, maps, timelines, and lots of pushpins. Almost all of my other stories contain settings from places I’ve been and/or embellished adventures I’ve experienced. I thought it might be fun to share a little bit about how much reality is included in each of my novels, so please check back often for more behind-the-scenes information. https://www.amazon.com/Shroude...

In 2026 the fall or autumnal equinox arrives in the Northern Hemisphere on Tuesday, September 22. The autumnal equinox is an astronomical event that marks the start of fall. This occurs in the Northern Hemisphere when the sun crosses the equator while traveling from north to south. After the sun crosses the equator, days become shorter than nights. This shortening of days continues until the winter solstice, after which the days start to grow longer once again.  Most of us probably don’t think much about why fall is occurring, but rather focus on what it brings. The brilliant orange, yellow, and red colors of leaves on trees and shrubs are highly anticipated. Life seems to slow down as we enjoy cooler temperatures, the enticing aroma of cinnamon in apple cider, and celebrating quintessential fall holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. Whatever your favorite fall activities, enjoy!

FREE to Read! Now included in Kindle Unlimited, Refuge from the World (The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 1).  When nature turns against them, survival means facing the cold—and the darkest dangers of humanity. Taut with suspense and driven by unbreakable bonds, The Beartooth Chronicles are powerful stories of survival, love, and the fight to create a future worth living for. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1HL6RK/

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All Nati onal Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone* (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply) . Five have already passed. The next free day will be on September 17, 2026 in celebration of Constitution Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11:  Veterans Day *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

  I can’t believe September is already here. Where has summer gone? I know the first day of fall isn’t until September 22 this year, but once school is back in session and college sports are in full swing, it feels officially fall. Weather wise, this was a crazy summer. Temperatures went from cold to hot and the smoke from wildfires in the west was heavy at times. My garden did okay, but I think it was as confused by the wild temperature swings as I was. I’ve definitely had better production.     WRITING I’m pleased that the first novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Refuge from the World , is now included in Kindle Unlimited. If you have a KU membership, now’s the time to get started on the series for free. Most of my other novels are also free with Kindle Unlimited, and my two Risky Research micro-reads are always free to download for everyone. WANDERINGS August was a smoky month in the west which limited some outdoor fun, but we did get out to play golf on a few ...

Garden production for 2026 wasn’t a complete failure, but I’ve definitely done better. I think the biggest issue was a cold and very windy late spring and early summer followed by a month in the upper 90’s to over 100. Tomatoes, corn, and cabbage were the winners. Beans, zucchini, and Big Jim chili peppers were the biggest losers. Cucumbers were doing okay until the voles found them. Apparently they love little cucumbers. Lettuce and peas were average, so at least we had lots of fresh salad greens during a time when I wouldn’t have been comfortable purchasing lettuce from the store. Despite the marginal success this year, I still enjoyed the garden and I’m already planning for next year.

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone* (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Four have already passed. The next free day will be on August 25, 2026 in celebration of the 110 th Anniversary of the National Park Service. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm September 17: Constitution Day October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11: Veterans Day *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees. 

“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

I’m rapidly approaching a half-million visits on my Blog. There are so many social media options available and blogs to follow that I can’t express how much I appreciate you spending a little time with me. If other social media formats are more your thing, you can also find me at the following sites. Thanks again for stopping by! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimMcMahillAuthor/ Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-mcmahill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmcmahill/   Threads: https://www.threads.net/@kimmcmahill Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/849945.Kim_McMahill Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/

July was a crazy month with the holiday, garden, and travel, so it’s time to take a deep breath and chill. The garden is finally starting to really produce after a cold start to the summer, but my thoughts are already turning to the fall sports season, especially pre-season college volleyball. WRITING I’m still waiting on news on a couple of irons I have in the fire. Hopefully, I’ll have something to share soon. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter using the link on my blog to have it emailed directly to you so that you don’t miss any upcoming announcements. WANDERINGS In July we took a couple weeks to explore eastern Europe via the Danube River. Due to persistent drought, several sections were experiencing historic low water levels and were no longer navigable, turning some of our river journey into a bus tour. Despite a number of interruptions, it was still an educational and wonderful trip. Seeing and learning about the struggles in the area with communism ...

The 18 th annual Smashwords summer sale ends on July 31. So, if you download your books from Smashwords or would like to give them a try, don’t miss this opportunity to get incredible deals. Discounts range from 25% off to completely free. The first novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Refuge from the World, is free during this sale and the rest of the series is deeply discounted. Just go to https://www.smashwords.com/sale and search by Kim McMahill to see all of my books included in the sale or to find other great reads at discounted prices.

  “Discovery is adventure. There is an eagerness, touched at times with tenseness, as man moves ahead into the unknown. Walking the wilderness is indeed like living. The horizon drops away, bringing new sights, sounds, and smells from the earth. When one moves through the forest, his sense of discovery is quickened. Man is back in the environment from which he emerged to build factories, churches, and schools. He is primitive again, matching his wits against the earth and sky. He is free of the restraints of society and free of its safeguards too.” William O. Douglas

JULY 2026 WRITING AND WANDERING NEWSLETTER July is huge in Wyoming. In some towns it feels like the tourists outnumber the locals during this time. The Fourth of July is probably the biggest holiday of the year in the state with celebrations lasting weeks. You’ll find parades, rodeos, fireworks, community music venues, and other activities in nearly all towns. Some years I get in the spirit and some years I head for the mountains for a little calm and quiet. This year, I’m leaning toward quiet. No matter how you choose to celebrate Independence Day and our country’s 250 th birthday I hope you have a safe and enjoyable experience. WRITING I generally post on my own blog, https://kimmcmahill.blogspot.com , about twice a week, and I will be a “Fearless Friday” guest on Brenda Whiteside’s blog at the end of the month. You can find her blog at https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/ . I’m still waiting on news on a couple of irons I have in the fire that I mentioned last month. Hop...

In 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All Nati onal Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply) . Three have already passed. The next free days will be from July 3-5, 2026 in celebration of Independence Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   August 25:  110th Birthday of the National Park Service September 17:  Constitution Day October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11:  Veterans Day *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

"We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost's familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road / the one less traveled by / offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth." -  Rachel Carson

This year Father’s Day and the summer solstice fall on June 21 st . The first day of summer always makes me happy, but memories of my dad outshine the sun on this day. He was stern, but loving. He taught me to be independent and true to my principles. He also opened up a world of mountain adventures, which has given me the background to create realistic settings for many of my books. I miss him a lot, but I’m grateful for all of the great times and lessons. Wishing all fathers a great Father's Day!

I n 2026, the National Park Service is waiving entrance fees eight times. All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). The first two have already passed. The next will be on June 14 in celebration of Flag Day. The remaining dates are listed below. For more information visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm   July 3–5:  Independence Day weekend August 25:  110th Birthday of the National Park Service September 17:  Constitution Day October 27 : Theodore Roosevelt's birthday November 11:  Veterans Day   *Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.