Kim McMahill

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...

For those of you who are new to my blog, welcome. For those who have been following along, thank you! For anyone who is unfamiliar with my writing, here’s a little bit about what I do. I started out writing non-fiction, publishing over eighty travel and geographic articles, but my passion for exotic world travel, outrageous adventures, stories of survival against the odds, and happily-ever-after endings soon drew me into a world of romantic suspense and dystopian adventure fiction. My current project, The Beartooth Chronicles , is dystopian adventure. My previous series, The Risky Research Series , is crime fiction, a bit of a deviation from my adventurous norm.   All of my novels are available in print and ebook, and several are even available in audiobook. My writing goal is simple—to entertain readers with stories of survival against the odds and take them on outrageous adventures around the world. Thank you again for your interest and I hope you’ll continue to follow ...

My first book was published in 1999. I can’t believe I’ve been writing for over twenty-five years. The rapidly changing face of publishing and marketing has been a struggle, but I’m still trying to learn how to reach readers. After dedicating nearly every free moment of my time for over two decades it has become a part of who I am as much as what I do, and the thought of giving up is difficult to ponder. I’m proud of my body of work and I believe that each project has evolved in the right direction. I can only hope that some piece of it has touched someone or at least provided an escape from the everyday by taking the reader on an exciting adventure. Thank you for sharing in my journey and I hope you will continue along for the ride.

When May arrives, my thoughts turn to gardening. I plan, diagram, buy seeds and plants, and watch the weather closely for a window of opportunity to plant with minimal risk of frost. Spring is probably my favorite season. It is full of possibilities, and the weather is generally pleasant. I hope that everyone gets out and enjoys this lovely time of year.     WRITING Marketing The Beartooth Chronicles is an ongoing activity along with looking for ways to keep my backlist out there. I’m not sure what’s next, but I hope you’ll come along for the adventure. WANDERINGS So far this spring, following high school track around the state has been the extent of our wandering, but more exciting trips and camping are on the horizon. WHAT I’M READING, NOTABLE NOVELS, and INSPIRING AUTHORS I’m currently reading, Primordia: In Search of the Lost World , by Greig Beck. I haven’t read anything by this author before. So far, I’m enjoying it. It’s kind of a mix between Amazonia ...

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 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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. With that holiday in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas. I haven’t decided how much decorating I’ll do this year, but I better decide soon.    WRITING The fifth and final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence , was released on November 24, 2025. I am so excited about this novel, but sad the series is ending (unless Hollywood comes calling-ha, ha). It can be read as a stand-alone action-adventure dystopian thriller, but you’ll miss watching Ashley and Caleb’s love story unfold. Here’s a bit about this newest installment: In the shadow of a crumbling world, Ash and Caleb have helped build something rare: a community that thrives against the odds. High in the rugged Beartooth Mountains, they’ve forged a life with those they hold dear, far from the chaos of a society on the brink of collapse. But survival has never been simple. A volcanic eruption rains ash down on the community, the gov...

Fall is in full swing and winter is just around the corner, at least in Wyoming. Thanksgiving will soon be here, and I have faith that it will be better than the last. A little over a year has passed since I lost my mom. I didn’t think it would be possible to heal, but as each day passes, I have a little more hope that I can find myself again. WRITING The first couple rounds of editing are done for the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence . There is still another proofread to go and formatting, and the cover should be coming soon. I’ve enjoyed the editing phase since it reminded me of what an epic novel this is. Simply, it’s just more—more action, adventure, danger, drama, love, and emotion. It will keep you on the edge of your seat, and you may even shed a tear or two. Surprisingly, I did, and I wrote it. WANDERINGS We had a busy October. We went to Helena to see family, went camping for probably the last time of the season, and went to Mexico. We enjoyed...

  OCTOBER 2025 WRITING AND WANDERING #Newsletter Happy Fall! It would be my favorite season if it weren’t for the reality that winter is just around the corner. But until it freezes and snows, I’m enjoying the slower pace in an otherwise tourist town, reaping the harvest from my garden, watching college volleyball, and transiting to seasonal flavors like apples, pumpkin, and cinnamon. WRITING I’m waiting for the edits from my editor on the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence . I’m very excited about this story, but sad that the series will end. I will miss Ash, Caleb, and the rest of the resilient residents of Beartooth. If you haven’t started the series or aren’t caught up, I hope you will come onboard. It will be worth the time investment. WANDERINGS We took a road trip in September. We were anxious to go to the 2025 Pueblo Chile Festival and were lucky enough that we could attend University of Wyoming volleyball matches coming and going. We stock...

When something excites me, I tend to fixate on it. Since the first novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Refuge from the World , came out, I’ve been so thrilled about the series and focused on getting it out there that I have neglected my backlist. I’ve had fifteen novels published (twelve of which are still in print) and the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence , is coming late fall 2025. So, starting with my next blog post I’ll randomly post a bit about my other novels until I’ve mentioned them all. I hope everyone will enjoy learning a bit about my other work. Thanks so much for your continued interest and support. It's been an exciting journey.

I hope everyone is enjoying the last remnants of summer. It went too fast, and my garden was a huge disappointment. On the upside, we did have some epic adventures. WRITING I’m waiting for the edits from my editor on the final novel in The Beartooth Chronicles, Winter Resurgence . I’m very excited about this story, but sad that the series will end. I will miss Ash, Caleb, and the rest of the resilient residents of Beartooth. I hope if you aren’t caught up on the series you will do so soon. WANDERINGS My husband and I spent most of July in Alaska. It was an incredible adventure involving trains, boats, float planes, and buses. We saw gorgeous scenery and lots of amazing wildlife. Here are a few of my favorite photos, and others have been included in the August 16 and 30 blog posts. WHAT I’M READING AND NOTABLE NOVELS I finished Burning Sky by John Darnton. It was a good dystopian novel, but it didn’t really have me on the edge of my seat. Next, I read The Darkest Winter: A ...

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. I’ve been enjoying my garden, though it seems to be way behind last year, and all the fun community events happening in our small town. It’s been hot, but I’m not complaining since, in Wyoming, winter is never far away. WRITING Evil Under the Mountain ( The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 4 ) has been well received, but I’m anxious to share more about the fifth and final novel in the series, Winter Resurgence . Until then, here’s a review for Evil Under the Mountain .   Posted by an Amazon reader on June 28, 2025 “Another gripping story from an author who never disappoints. This one will keep you turning those pages to find out what happens. But the best part of McMahill's writing are the characters she creates. It's as if I'm living the adventure right along with them and experiencing their emotions as the story unfolds. Another winner! Don't miss out on this exciting book.” WANDERINGS Late June and July were excitin...

With a full month of summer behind us, it’s time to enjoy. The garden is up, and I’m already harvesting lettuce and a few other veggies. Mostly though, I’m just loving the warm temperatures and watching the landscape transition from winter brown to brilliant shades of green dotted with colorful flowers. I hope everyone is having a fun and exciting summer. WRITING The release of Evil Under the Mountain ( The Beartooth Chronicles, Book 4 ) has been going well, but there’s no time to rest. I’ve been working on the fifth and final novel in the series, Winter Resurgence . In the meantime, here’s more on Evil Under the Mountain . Summary: After Beartooth’s first encounter with an extremist faction turns deadly, a small group embarks on a mission to prevent the fanatics from returning. They discover a much more disturbing place than they ever imagined; however, predators, natural disasters, and an environmental crisis may prove more difficult to overcome than the evil under the mountai...