Kim McMahill

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-...

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 your superior skill. This is how many of my real-life adventures have infiltrated my action-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 aim...

Here’s an excerpt from my contemporary western thriller. It is available in paperback and ebook from most on-line retailers, or the paperback can be ordered from your favorite bookstore. Here’s the Amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PXN5MRY   The sound of a man’s voice made Niki’s head whip around as she tried to bring Storm under control. The man was not speaking English and the insignia on his uniform did not belong to the United States military, nor did the uniform sport a maple leaf such as the one she had seen on the helicopter the previous day. Thoughts swirled through her head, making no sense at all, but the one thing she was certain of was that she was in deep trouble. Niki reined Storm around, now surrounded by five more men. Her body went rigid as the horse’s legs suddenly stiffened. Storm snorted at the closest man and then pawed angrily at the ground. The men began advancing, smiling and laughing. Niki couldn’t understand what they were saying, but as she...

Here’s this Monday’s meme. Big Horn Storm is a contemporary western thriller. Think Red Dawn with adults on horseback in beautiful rugged mountain country.

Here’s this Monday’s meme. Big Horn Storm is a contemporary western thriller.

As I mentioned in a blog post awhile back, readers are often curious about how much from my life shows up in my novels. Probably the book I most enjoyed writing is Big Horn Storm . 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. 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 trek, but had to push the herd up one last steep dirt road in order ...

Two action-packed adventures – one amazing thrill ride. Download your copy now on Amazon at https://amzn.to/2KRqUXs

BigHorn Storm is a contemporary western romantic thriller set in Wyoming. I’ve always kind of thought of it as a modern-day Red Dawn on horseback with adults. I grew up on horseback and one of the most dramatic horseback escapes in the book is an embellishment on a teenage memory while helping out on a cattle drive. Storm is based on a horse from my childhood and the Bighorn National Forest is truly as beautiful and extreme as the story depicts. Click on the book title to be taken directly to Amazon. #Wyoming

What good is a contemporary western adventure without a smoking hot cowboy that makes the reader cheer for a happily-ever-after ending. In Big Horn Storm , Niki finds herself in a fight for survival with her childhood infatuation, Deuce. Here’s a short excerpt from when she arrives at the ranch. Niki couldn’t see Robert Mitchell Blackburn II, known to friends and family as Deuce, but his deep voice gave away his location. No doubt his tall muscular frame stood just inside the barn door, concealed in the shadows. Even though he was hidden from view, she could describe every detail of his unruly hair peeking out from under his beat-up and sweat-stained straw cowboy hat, the scrutinizing look in his hazel eyes, his tanned complexion, and the scuffs on the heels of his boots where his spurs had worn on the leather. Dark stubble would shadow his chin and above his lip, and his sleeves would be rolled up on his denim shirt. She hated the fact that not only could she see him clearly in he...

Today, I thought I’d give you an excerpt from Big Horn Storm that would have been tough to write without a little real life experience to back it up. With a prayer and a swift kick, Niki informed Storm it was time to run for their lives. The horse sensed the danger and cleared the edge of the ravine before the men could react. Niki held on as tight as she could and leaned back to help the horse keep his balance as he lunged down the slope. Rocks dislodged under the fury of his churning hooves as he barreled down the embankment. They had nearly reached the creek when the first series of shots rang out. Storm shied and turned to follow the creek downstream rather than plunging into the water with its slick bottom at an uncontrolled speed. Another barrage of gunfire pelted the ground, narrowly missing Niki, but hitting nearby rocks, spraying the horse with sharp stone fragments. A slight bend in the ravine took them out of sight of the shooters and soon the slope was much less int...

Life embellished has been essential in writing certain scenes in my novels, especially for Big Horn Storm . When I was a teen, my dad and I were helping friends drive their cattle to a high grazing lease for the summer. By the time we reached the steepest, last big push, the cows were getting tired and a few decided it would be easier to slide back down the mountain than to keep climbing. My dad was on a green-broke colt which wasn’t as surefooted as my palomino gelding, and she was getting a little tired with her heavier load. To make a long story short, my dad told me to go after them. I looked at him like he was mad, but nudged my horse, assuming he wouldn’t go if he thought it was too steep. He was a good cow horse, so he didn’t hesitate to plunge over the edge after the cattle. The slope was too steep and the dirt too loose to stop and I ended up beating the cows to the bottom. As calmly as possible with one’s life flashing before her eyes, I gathered the cows up and herded them...

Growing up, I spent my summers on horseback. When my dad wasn’t in a rodeo we were riding in the stunning mountains of Wyoming. I probably didn’t appreciate all the trail rides and pack trips at the time, but looking back I guess I was lucky. We rode all over the McCullough Peaks, in the mountains of the North Fork and South Fork of the Shoshone River, in the Sunlight Basin area, and in the Bighorn National Forest. So, I thought I’d share a couple posts from real life and of the fictional lives of the characters in Big Horn Storm . My story began at a very young age. Here my pony and I are doing a good job keeping up with the pack horse while crossing the Shoshone River. Check back in a few days for more on factual and fictional horseback adventures.

I don’t always understand how publishers and Amazon price ebooks. Sometimes prices are reduced for promos, like A Taste of Tragedy was awhile back, though the price still hasn’t been raised to its original price of $3.99 from its currently discounted price of $0.99. I have no idea when that might happen. As for boxed sets, they’re often a major bargain. I assume this is to encourage readers to try a new author with very little to lose. My Kindle boxed set is only $3.99 and it includes three of my adventure novels. If you downloaded each separately the cost would be $10.97. So, whatever the reason I always like to pass on to readers that if you haven’t tried my books, the Kindle boxed set is a very economical way to go. If you have read these three novels, I'd love to hear which is your favorite. 

Experience epic adventures in the great outdoors with Marked In Mexico , Big Horn Storm , and Deadly Exodus , all for one low price with a Kindle Boxed Set. Whether Mayan ruins and jungle adventures, daring horseback escapes in the stunning and rugged mountains of Wyoming, or a run for the border through the desert southwest to leave a dystopian America behind peek your interest, you’ll find what you’re looking for in these romantic adventure novels. Oh, and did I mention hunky heroes? Meet ex-Army Ranger Jack, the future’s male perfection, Ethan, and one smoking- hot cowboy named Deuce. The Kindle boxed set is only $3.99 and can be found on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1cX2bho

The sound of a man’s voice made Niki’s head whip around as she tried to bring Storm under control. The man was not speaking English and the insignia on his uniform did not belong to the United States military, nor did the uniform sport a maple leaf such as the one she had seen on the helicopter the previous day. Thoughts swirled through her head, making no sense at all, but the one thing she was certain of was that she was in deep trouble. Niki reined Storm around, now surrounded by five more men. Her body went rigid as the horse’s legs suddenly stiffened. Storm snorted at the closest man and then pawed angrily at the ground. The men began advancing, smiling and laughing. Niki couldn’t understand what they were saying, but as she spied two more dead bodies on the ground, she felt certain they had no intention of helping her. Her eyes darted from man to man. She scanned the area and noted that she was still very close to the edge of the ravine. Niki could feel the big horse quiver ...

Storm leapt over logs and wove his way around everything he couldn’t clear. His nose was stretched out as if reaching for the finish line at the Kentucky Derby. His breathing huffed above the pounding of his hooves and the breaking of branches. Niki hoped his strength and endurance would last until they were safely away from the armed men. As the horse finally managed to put distance between them and the sound of the bikes, Niki took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. The noise of the engines had all but faded when she dared her first glimpse up since entering the trees. The sight brought a gasp from her lips. The sheer drop off was the last thing she saw as Storm launched himself over the edge without hesitation. Niki felt as if they were suspended in mid-air. She leaned back until her head nearly rested on Storm’s rump and prayed his feet would soon touch solid ground. The first contact with earth jolted her body, throwing her forward, jamming the horn into her stomach and...