Kim McMahill

People often ask how much of the content in my adventure novels is based on real life. Well, it depends on the story. 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 a totally 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 by far my most complex 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 and I’ll share a few of those from time to time. 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 ...

Loreto is one of my favorite cities in Mexico. It’s located on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula on the Sea of Cortez. Its colonial buildings and tree-lined cobblestone streets make this small city a joy to explore and the perfect place to sit back, have a margarita and hot homemade tortillas, and enjoy the scenery.

I've never thought of Mexico as coffee country, so I was surprised to find a darn good brew in San Sebastian del Oeste located at the foot of the Western Sierra Madre in West Jalisco. The best part of travel is discovering something new and interesting. I came for the tequila and left with the coffee.

The road to San  Sebastián del Oeste  is lined with spectacular scenery and wonderful rest stops where you can get fresh baked goods and hot homemade tortillas. San Sebastián del Oeste is an old colonial town and municipality located on the western part of Jalisco state . It is steeped in history and feels caught between the past and the present. Its cobblestone streets provide a thoroughfare for horses and cars alike, and both look equally in place. 

La Paz, Mexico is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important commercial center. The city itself is worth taking time to explore, but we especially enjoyed getting out on the water and enjoying the wildlife and beautiful beaches.

One of the best reasons to head to Mexico’s Pacific coast this time of year is for the opportunity to see migrating humpback whales. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but if luck is on your side it can be a humbling experience. Just wish I had a better telephoto lens.