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. 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...

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...

Here is an excerpt from my most action-filled romantic suspense novel (light on the romance, heavy on the suspense), Shrouded in Secrets. It is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from most on-line book retailers or the paperback can be ordered from your favorite bookstore. Here is the Amazon link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NMV5V1L/   Light filled the grotto, temporarily blinding Pete. A thin woman stood, staring at him with haunting green eyes and a confident smirk. Ebony hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, she wore a black thigh-length diving suit that clung to her ample breasts and accentuated the gentle curve of her hips and trim waist. In her hand, she clutched a glistening dagger. But, what kept Pete transfixed were her eyes. The unique and beautiful shade of green didn’t exist in nature. Their almond-shape held ice and evil, and the soulless chill in her stare made him shudder. Pete detected another figure filling the tunnel behind the woman. The...

If you love Indiana Jones type stories check out Shrouded in Secrets, today’s featured Monday Memes.

We recently finished watching all of the Indiana Jones movies in order. The last movie , Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull , was entertaining but it has always been my least favorite of the series for several reasons. First, I’m not a huge fan of alien stuff. Second was its timing.  I had finished Shrouded in Secrets and had just started shopping the manuscript around to publishers when I saw the promo for the movie. I was devastated. I quit sending the manuscript out and shelved it until many years later. When I mentioned it to my publisher, who had published Marked in Mexico, she wanted to see it. Thankfully, it was accepted and published.  Even though my novel was set in current times rather than the 1930’s, has nothing to do with aliens, and has very little else in common with the movie, it is based on the same thirteen legendary crystal skulls. I’ve always been very proud of the novel. It is the action-packed archeological thriller I dreamed of wri...

Shrouded In Secrets is an archeological thriller that takes the reader on a wild ride around the globe, from Egypt, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and more. The premise of this story revolves around thirteen mythical crystal skulls. The skulls in actual existence have always been surrounded with speculation, uncertainty, and legend, though most recently experts are leaning toward the relics not being truly ancient. No matter what the truth is concerning the skulls the myths surrounding them have made great fodder for fiction and an extreme adventure. Click on the book title to be taken directly to Amazon.

I just finished an adventure novel from one of my favorite best-selling authors. It had a cave-in scene that kind of reminded me of one I wrote in  Shrouded in Secrets .  There’s nothing more terrifying than being trapped underground unless, as in Cash’s case, it's being drug out of the crumbling cavern by a panicked mule. Here’s a scene from  Shrouded in Secrets . Cash yanked the closest timber and caught the bundle as it fell. The ceiling groaned and rocks dislodged in a hail storm as he ran toward the first pit. He cleared the hole with room to spare, landed on his feet and kept running, hunched over. The sound of gunfire grew louder as he neared the sharp turn in the tunnel. As soon as he rounded the corner, he was forced to lie down and shimmy forward. He pulled himself along the ground with one arm while holding his prize tight to his side with the other. He scooted past the second pit and slowed as he reached the exit. He set the bundle down, planning to retri...

I just finished an adventure novel from one of my favorite best-selling authors. It had a cavern cave-in scene that kind of reminded me of one I wrote in Shrouded in Secrets . There’s nothing more terrifying than being trapped underground, unless as in Cash’s case, being drug out of the crumbling cavern by a terrified mule. Here’s a scene from Shrouded in Secrets . Cash yanked the closest timber and caught the bundle as it fell. The ceiling groaned and rocks dislodged in a hail storm as he ran toward the first pit. He cleared the hole with room to spare, landed on his feet and kept running, hunched over. The sound of gunfire grew louder as he neared the sharp turn in the tunnel. As soon as he rounded the corner, he was forced to lie down and shimmy forward. He pulled himself along the ground with one arm while holding his prize tight to his side with the other. He scooted past the second pit and slowed as he reached the exit. He set the bundle down, planning to retrieve it once h...

“Here. Let me check your injuries.” He nodded, but made no effort to take off the souvenir t-shirt he’d purchased in Mexico to replace the shirt destroyed at Señorita Ruiz’s hacienda. Olivia eased the shirt over his head and dabbed at the scratches on his chest with a warm washcloth. Not until her fingers began tracing some of the deeper wounds, trying to determine if any debris still remained imbedded that might cause infection, did Cash acknowledge her close proximity. He reached up, grabbed her hand, and brought it to his lips. He kissed her palm so gently that Olivia could taste his pain. Tears filled her eyes and slid down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure why his agony touched her so deeply, but it did. “I’m sorry,” was all she could think of to say, knowing it wasn’t enough. They sat for several minutes in silence, hand in hand. Olivia hated to free herself from Cash’s warm touch, but she doubted he was ready to talk about Zara, and the guilt and fatigue in his lost eyes tore...

“Here. Let me check your injuries.” He nodded, but made no effort to take off the souvenir t-shirt he’d purchased in Mexico to replace the shirt destroyed at Señorita Ruiz’s hacienda. Olivia eased the shirt over his head and dabbed at the scratches on his chest with a warm washcloth. Not until her fingers began tracing some of the deeper wounds, trying to determine if any debris still remained embedded that might cause infection, did Cash acknowledge her close proximity. He reached up, grabbed her hand, and brought it to his lips. He kissed her palm so gently that Olivia could taste his pain. Tears filled her eyes and slid down her cheeks. She wasn’t sure why his agony touched her so deeply, but it did. “I’m sorry,” was all she could think of to say, knowing it wasn’t enough. They sat for several minutes in silence, hand in hand. Olivia hated to free herself from Cash’s warm touch, but she doubted he was ready to talk about Zara, and the guilt and fatigue in his lost eyes tore...

Love audiobooks, romantic suspense, and adventure? Three of my novels are now available in audible audio edition on Amazon. I’ve posted the blurbs below and just click on the title to go directly to each book’s page on Amazon. Enjoy! A Dose of Danger :   When researcher Grace Talbot and her team discover a possible solution for weight loss they are targeted by a group dedicated to controlling the multi-billion dollar a year diet-product industry. Her unsanctioned testing methods bring tragedy to the family ranch and the attention of the local sheriff’s deputy. With her colleagues either dead, missing, or on the run she soon realizes she must trust the deputy with her life, but can she trust him with her heart?    Shrouded In Secrets : The massacre of an unarmed South American village, destruction of one of the greatest manmade wonders of the world, and multiple museum thefts ignite a desperate scramble to locate a deadly group of terrorists. An internationa...

She rubbed the ache in her neck, thinking over the project’s progress, while the sounds of honking horns and the smell of rotting food from the encroaching city assaulted her senses. At one time, the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza overlooked ancient Cairo, carrying on its business at a respectful distance. Now the structures appeared to be losing the battle to avoid being swallowed up by the growing metropolis of nearly twenty million people closing in on the Giza Plateau from all sides. In the second chapter of Shrouded in Secrets I was able to use a visit to the pyramids to describe the area. Although Egypt plays a minor role in the novel, I wanted to give the reader a realistic vibe for the area. I was surprised that something so famous and grand was being swallowed up by the city and the best way I can think of to describe Cairo is an assault on the senses. The sites, smells, and sounds create a magnificent chaos. 

Love audiobooks, romantic suspense, and adventure? Three of my novels are now available in audible audio edition on Amazon. I’ve posted the blurbs below and just click on the title to go directly to each book’s page on Amazon. Enjoy! A Dose of Danger:  When researcher Grace Talbot and her team discover a possible solution for weight loss they are targeted by a group dedicated to controlling the multi-billion dollar a year diet-product industry. Her unsanctioned testing methods bring tragedy to the family ranch and the attention of the local sheriff’s deputy. With her colleagues either dead, missing, or on the run she soon realizes she must trust the deputy with her life, but can she trust him with her heart?    Shrouded In Secrets: The massacre of an unarmed South American village, destruction of one of the greatest manmade wonders of the world, and multiple museum thefts ignite a desperate scramble to locate a deadly group of terrorists. An international ...