Kim McMahill

I often download novels from writers I’m unfamiliar with when I see books that sound interesting and that are deeply discounted. Sometimes the story doesn’t pull me in enough to finish it, but most of the time I’m introduced to a new author that piques my interest. Either way, a $0.99 download is a small risk for a potentially satisfying reward. Many times, authors discount the first in a series to hopefully hook a reader into downloading the next. I recently finish a post-apocalyptic novel that was good, not fantastic, but enough was left unfinished that I was contemplating downloading the next in the series. When I located it on Amazon, I saw that I just finished the first of twenty-six novels in the series. I’m not sure if any story could be good enough to entice me to commit to that many books, so I stopped at just one. So, how many books in a series is too many? It probably depends on the series. If each novel has recurring heroes or heroines and contains a complete story, at ...

The Merriam Webster definition of fiction is, “something invented by the imagination or feigned; specifically: an invented story.” To me this means that fiction is limited only by the author’s imagination. As long as the story conveys its intended message and entertains the reader, almost anything goes.  One of my favorite movies is, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty . This story is riddled with implausible and unrealistic scenes, but to me it doesn’t matter—it makes me laugh, it makes me smile, it reminds me to live life, just don’t sit around and dream about what’s out there. So, the next time you pick up a novel go all in. Don’t worry about if something can really happen, just relax your mind and let yourself be entertained.

The first day of spring fell on March 20, and it sure feels like it in Wyoming. Trees are budding out, birds are singing, and the temperatures have been beautiful. As much as I’ve enjoyed it, I fear we may be being lulled into a false sense of the season. Generally, snow and freezing temperatures are common through April. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is the real deal.    WRITING There isn’t a lot of new news on the writing front. I still continue to search for ways to get the word out on The Beartooth Chronicles . The series is complete. I’m looking for new readers and constructive reviews, which are crucial to a novel’s success. The entire series is available from your favorite online bookseller or just click here for Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1HL6RK/ WANDERINGS We managed a major road trip in March. The main goal was a few days of tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament in California. We made it there, enjoyed the tennis, and made a large ...

I occasionally like to share the link to the YouTube trailer for my Risky Research Series. It’s pretty cool! If you haven’t seen it, you can check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clZIRJ1s-Fo&feature=youtu.be . The series includes, A Dose of Danger (book 1), A Taste of Tragedy (book 2), A Foundation of Fear (book 3), A Measure of Madness (book 4), and two prequel micro-reads, A Formidable Foe and Midnight in Montana are always FREE to download.

The Beartooth Chronicles was published by Fire & Ice Young Adult Books, which is in an imprint of Melange Books, LLC, that focuses on young adult/new adult books. The series was primarily marketed under young adult since there don’t seem to be many new adult (between 18 and 25-30 years old) specific marketing option, though I sometimes wonder if that was the correct approach. Similar to The Hunger Games which garnered the interest of teens and adults alike, the primary characters, Ashley (Ash) and Caleb are eighteen and twenty respectively in book one. The supporting cast fall in a wide range of ages. The series takes place in a small isolated community, so the founders of Beartooth are adults who established the community only decades ago to give their families a better life. Ash and Caleb’s age group came to Beartooth at a young age so have varying recollections of life before Beartooth. Those born in Beartooth know no other way of life. My original vision for the series was ...

Fishing stories have become synonymous with exaggeration. No harm is ever intended, but after countless retelling of the story, it often morphs into something much more interesting and exciting than the original. The two-pound fish that took several minutes to reel in evolves into an eight-pound monster which battled valiantly for hours before succumbing to skill.  This is how many of my real-life adventures have infiltrated my adventure novels. I’ve explored numerous Mayan ruins tucked into steamy bug-infested jungles in several countries, yet I’ve always managed to avoid running into looters or ruthless kidnappers; I’ve pondered the current of the Rio Grande, but have suppressed the urge to jump into the churning mud and attempt an illegal border crossing; and I have ridden horseback down a terrifyingly-steep slope in which stopping was not an option as scenes from Man From Snowy River flashed through my mind, all without a single gunshot from a foreign enemy aimed at me or...

In nearly all novels, especially mine, there are multiple themes that determine the genre. All of the books I have written contain an element of romance or a love story, an epic adventure, and a third element which is the commonly expected elements of the genre the book is categorized under. I love the romantic element. It makes the characters more relatable and provides a strong motivation to do things that may be risky, extraordinary, poorly thought out, or outside the hero’s comfort zone. Watching a relationship progress provides pacing, a logical thread to tie the story together, and something to cheer for. Adventure just comes naturally. I grew up in an area where outdoor activities ruled. My family hunted, fished, hiked, camped, rode horses into the wilderness, and grew our own food, just to name a few. Not only are many of my stories set in my “backyard,” I’ve had the opportunity to travel and work across the U.S. and around the world. All of which have provided inspiration ...

Here’s an Irish Blessing for you. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day!   May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.  May there always be work for your hands to do, May your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane, May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

I hope you have been enjoying these posts on my backlist. The next one, A Measure Of Madness (RISKY RESEARCH, BOOK 4) , is the last in the Risky Research series. I had a lot of fun writing this one because it takes the reader to Puerto Rico and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This installment of the Risky Research series delivers danger, betrayal, and a heroine who refuses to quit. It is available at all the major online book sellers including here on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Madness-Risky-Research-ebook/dp/B08TX7C1BZ/ . FBI Special Agent Devyn Nash has spent years chasing Coterie, a shadowy organization profiting from death and deception in the multi-billion-dollar diet and nutrition industries. When a high-profile fundraiser in Washington, D.C. exposes key members, Devyn seizes her chance to strike. But bringing down Coterie won’t be easy. In Puerto Rico, a joint FBI operation to capture the group’s elusive mastermind erupts in a violent shootout—leaving Devyn’s partner...

When March hits, I always feel like we are on the downhill side of winter. Unfortunately, Wyoming weather doesn’t necessarily agree. Often it is the month with the highest snowfall and most unpredictable and harsh conditions. Nonetheless, the days are getting longer which gives me hope that spring is on the way.    WRITING My main focus continues to be promoting The Beartooth Chronicles . The fifth and final novel in the series, Winter Resurgence , was released late in 2025, so I’m trying to spread the word. Any help with that would be much appreciated. Here’s a bit about the series. In a world unraveling from relentless natural and human disasters, a determined group form a cooperative community built on sustainability and hope. Their mountain haven, Beartooth, offers safety and solace, but as environmental catastrophes escalate and humanity's darkest instincts emerge, their fragile sanctuary is threatened. Now, the residents must confront an unyielding wave of challenges...

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, checking off iconic sites, or participating in exciting activities. It’s also about changing how we see the world and our place in it. In one of my favorite PBS travel shows, the host closes each episode with the following quote. It struck a chord with me. I saw a lot of truth and wisdom in these words.     “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

Continuing with my backlist is A Foundation of Fear (Risky Research, Book 3) . In this novel, FBI Special Agent Devyn Nash follows Coterie’s trail to Washington, DC where the dirty political side of the health and nutrition industries is exposed. High-stakes suspense, relentless action, and tangled loyalties drive this gripping installment of the Risky Research series. Keep reading for more. A series trailer was made for the first three novels and can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clZIRJ1s-Fo&feature=youtu.be. This novel is available at all the major online book sellers including here on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PVL4391 ) FBI Special Agent Devyn Nash has one mission—take down Coterie, a ruthless organization determined to dominate the multi-billion-dollar diet product industry. But when the Bureau’s plan to expose the shadowy network puts Devyn’s best friend—and her partner’s fiancé—directly in the crosshairs, the case turns personal. Inj...

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

  Valentine’s Day has always been associated with love and romance. I don’t consider myself a romance writer, but every novel has a budding relationship. I write adult and young adult dystopian, suspense, and crime fiction, and there is no stronger catalyst to encourage characters to take risks than to protect the ones they love. So, if you’re looking for a Valentine’s read that has lots of adventure, suspense and just enough romance, check out one of my novels. For teens or anyone who loves dystopian fiction, check out The Beartooth Chronicles (series complete with five novels) or Deadly Exodus. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope your new year has started out great. Mine has been quiet, which isn’t unusual for this time of year, but it does give me a chance to work on jigsaw puzzles and read lots of books. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get the opportunity to get out of the cold soon and explore new places.    WRITING My main focus at the moment is promoting The Beartooth Chronicles . The fifth and final novel in the series, Winter Resurgence , was released in November 2025, so I’m still in that phase of excitement and trying to get the word out. Here’s what is being said (from a five-star Amazon review): “Kim McMahill has written her best book yet. The final installment of the Beartooth Chronicles…held me captive from start to finish. During the death hunt, my heart pounded for Caleb and his friends, and when danger rained down on the community, I simply couldn’t stop reading. Ms. McMahill has delivered a gripping, well‑written story.” If you’ve read Win...

Next on my backlist is A Taste of Tragedy (Risky Research, Book 2) . Book One in the series was set in the high mountains of Wyoming in the winter. To flip the script, Book 2 takes the reader on a wild ride in the desert southwest. Pulse-pounding, emotional, and filled with unexpected twists, this romantic suspense will keep you hooked until the final page. Keep reading for more on this novel. A series trailer was made for the first three novels and can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clZIRJ1s-Fo&feature=youtu.be. This novel is available at all the major online book sellers including here on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PWJ3RLD/ . Morgan Hunter built her reputation on ambition and sacrifice—there was nothing she wouldn’t do to get ahead. But when her latest campaign for a powerhouse food corporation reveals evidence that their so-called “healthy” products may be deadly, her climb to success comes to a screeching halt. As Morgan digs deeper, trou...

  “It is a wilderness that is beautiful, dangerous, abundant, oblivious of us, mysterious, never to be conquered or controlled or second-guessed, or known more than a little. It is a wilderness that for most of us most of the time is kept out of sight, camouflaged, by the edifices and the busyness and the bothers of human society.” ~Wendell Berry~ “An Entrance to the Woods,” in Recollected Essays, 1965-1980 , 1987

This week’s novel from my back list is A Dose of Danger. It’s the first novel in the Risky Research series. Each novel dives into the underbelly of the immensely lucrative diet and nutrition industries, a topic nearly every person in America has some experience with. Fast-paced, suspenseful, and laced with romance, A Dose of Danger delivers a gripping blend of danger, deception, and desire. A series trailer was made for the first three novels and can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clZIRJ1s-Fo&feature=youtu.be. This novel is available at all the major online book sellers including here on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Dose-Danger-Risky-Research-Book-ebook/dp/B07PYPQ9T5/ ).  Here’s more on the story. When researcher Grace Talbot stumbles onto what could be the breakthrough weight-loss discovery of the century, she expects scientific debate—not deadly pursuit. But the diet industry is worth billions, and powerful players will stop at nothing to con...

“A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.” Wilferd Peterson I couldn't agree more!

The idea for Shrouded in Secrets came from a documentary I watched many years ago on thirteen mysterious crystal skulls. At the time they were shrouded in mystery and myth, but modern technology now agrees that they are more modern than originally believed. Keep reading to learn more about this fast-paced, action-packed, globe-trotting thriller, laced with intrigue and romance.   It’s available through most of the major online booksellers or read more on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NMV5V1L/ A village slaughtered. A world wonder reduced to rubble. Priceless artifacts stolen without a trace. When a wave of ruthless attacks shocks the globe, CIA operative Cash Luker is thrust into the chase of his life. Haunted by his past yet driven by duty, Cash leads an elite international team against a shadowy network of terrorists determined to unite thirteen mythical relics—a power that could unleash devastation on an unimaginable scale. From remote jungles to glittering mus...

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday season. I’m always a little relieved when it’s over, and we have a new year in front of us full of possibilities. 2025 was a year of intense contemplation and rediscovery. We’ve tried to simplify our lives including downsizing wherever we could, dealt with a few medical issues, and took a couple of great trips which I was actually able to relax on for the first time in a very long time. I’m not sure what 2026 will hold. I already know that it won’t all be roses, and I anticipate more changes, but I’m hopeful. I pray that those who have sought to destroy this country along with democracy can rediscover their goodness, and we can mend, heal, and move toward a society that is marked by kindness, empathy, opportunity, and freedom for all. WRITING The final installment in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence , was released in November 2025. I hope if you haven’t checked out the series you will do so. It is my best writing yet, as it should be a...