Carlene Havel's Blog: Carlene - Posts Tagged "adventure"
Meet Kim McMahill
My guest today is Kim McMahill, the talented author of six adventure novels. The three most current, Big Horn Storm, Marked in Mexico, and Desperate Dreams were published by Prism Book Group. Her latest novel, Shrouded in Secrets, is scheduled to be released this summer. For more on Kim and her work visit her website at
http://KimMcMahill.com
or follow her blog, Embrace Adventure
http://KimMcMahill.blogspot.com
.
Question: Do you ever frighten yourself when you’re deeply involved in writing a suspenseful story?
Answer: No. Most of my adventures are really out there, set in the mountains, jungles, deserts or other exotic locals, many of which I’ve visited with no crisis or unpleasant experiences. What I couldn’t write are serial killer or psychological thrillers. Those types of stories show up on the news often enough that they are too entrenched in reality. I like my adventures to be a little less likely to happen in real life. Stories can be incredibly suspenseful using the “what if” scenario.
Q: How long does it take you to write a novel, from start to finish (submission to a publisher)?
A: The time it takes for me to write a novel varies considerably. Big Horn Storm probably took only about two or three months. Others such as my upcoming novel, Shrouded in Secrets, can take years. Most, though, fall somewhere in between. I could easily produce two novels a year, but my goal is to complete at least one high-quality novel annually.
Q: Do you have a favorite character among those you’ve created?
A: I would say Niki in Big Horn Storm is one of my favorite characters. Despite a less than ideal childhood she has always focused on the positives in her life such as her annual summer vacation with her grandfather at his sheep camp in the Bighorn Mountains, and worked hard to provide a stable future by being independent and putting herself though college. She is loving and loyal and willing to do whatever it takes to protect those she loves. When pushed to her limits she reacts with strength she didn’t know she possessed and surprises even the most stubborn of cowboys.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: As I mentioned earlier the release of Shrouded in Secrets is just around the corner. In the novel 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 in an action-packed international thriller. For a sneak peek at the cover stop by my website or blog. I am also very excited about a novel I’m working on where the rural west collides with the pharmaceutical industry in a suspenseful thriller. It’s got ranchers, researchers, blizzards, fires, snowmobiles, explosions, shoot-outs, and, oh yes, a hunky Sheriff’s deputy.
Q: If you could go and live anywhere in the world for a year to write a book set in that location, where would you choose?
A: That’s a tough one. There are so many exciting places in the United States and around the world to choose from. I do love Italy, but there are also many places in Central and South America that are fascinating for their beauty, culture and history. I’ve already written two novels, Marked in Mexico and Deadly Ruins that incorporate Mayan Ruins found in Mexico, so it might be exciting to head further south to Guatemala or Belize for more Mayan adventures.
Again, Kim’s website is found at http://KimMcMahill.com , and her “Embrace Adventure” blog is http://KimMcMahill.blogspot.com . Thank you, Kim, for taking time to share about yourself and your writing!
Question: Do you ever frighten yourself when you’re deeply involved in writing a suspenseful story?
Answer: No. Most of my adventures are really out there, set in the mountains, jungles, deserts or other exotic locals, many of which I’ve visited with no crisis or unpleasant experiences. What I couldn’t write are serial killer or psychological thrillers. Those types of stories show up on the news often enough that they are too entrenched in reality. I like my adventures to be a little less likely to happen in real life. Stories can be incredibly suspenseful using the “what if” scenario.
Q: How long does it take you to write a novel, from start to finish (submission to a publisher)?
A: The time it takes for me to write a novel varies considerably. Big Horn Storm probably took only about two or three months. Others such as my upcoming novel, Shrouded in Secrets, can take years. Most, though, fall somewhere in between. I could easily produce two novels a year, but my goal is to complete at least one high-quality novel annually.
Q: Do you have a favorite character among those you’ve created?
A: I would say Niki in Big Horn Storm is one of my favorite characters. Despite a less than ideal childhood she has always focused on the positives in her life such as her annual summer vacation with her grandfather at his sheep camp in the Bighorn Mountains, and worked hard to provide a stable future by being independent and putting herself though college. She is loving and loyal and willing to do whatever it takes to protect those she loves. When pushed to her limits she reacts with strength she didn’t know she possessed and surprises even the most stubborn of cowboys.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: As I mentioned earlier the release of Shrouded in Secrets is just around the corner. In the novel 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 in an action-packed international thriller. For a sneak peek at the cover stop by my website or blog. I am also very excited about a novel I’m working on where the rural west collides with the pharmaceutical industry in a suspenseful thriller. It’s got ranchers, researchers, blizzards, fires, snowmobiles, explosions, shoot-outs, and, oh yes, a hunky Sheriff’s deputy.
Q: If you could go and live anywhere in the world for a year to write a book set in that location, where would you choose?
A: That’s a tough one. There are so many exciting places in the United States and around the world to choose from. I do love Italy, but there are also many places in Central and South America that are fascinating for their beauty, culture and history. I’ve already written two novels, Marked in Mexico and Deadly Ruins that incorporate Mayan Ruins found in Mexico, so it might be exciting to head further south to Guatemala or Belize for more Mayan adventures.
Again, Kim’s website is found at http://KimMcMahill.com , and her “Embrace Adventure” blog is http://KimMcMahill.blogspot.com . Thank you, Kim, for taking time to share about yourself and your writing!
A Taste of Tragedy
Adventure author Kim McMahill has a new book out! Yay! Here's what she has to say:
I am thrilled to announce the release of my second novel in the Risky Research Series, A Taste of Tragedy The first was A Dose of Danger, the third is in the early stages of being written, and the fourth is still in my head. I’m not sure at this point how far the series will go. I’m assuming the characters will let me know when it’s time to wrap it up. But for now, I can’t thank Carlene enough for hosting me on her blog so that I can share a little bit about me and my new novel. I hope you enjoy the suspense and even a little romance.
A TASTE OF TRAGEDY
Morgan Hunter sacrificed everything for her career. She had yet to encounter anything she wasn’t willing to do to succeed . . . until now. When she uncovers evidence that the healthy foods she’s been hired to promote may be dangerous, she must reevaluate her priorities. As questions mount and the body count rises, she finds herself caught in the crosshairs of an organization that will stop at nothing to hide its secrets and protect its profits. With no one else to trust, Morgan is forced to seek help from the man she drove away, but whom she never stopped loving.
You can find A Taste of Tragedy on Amazon, and if you hurry you may even get in on Kim's special introductory price of 99 Cents:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DTE29U2/
Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite!>
“Here, let me help you,” Morgan said as she draped Devyn’s arm around her shoulders.
Morgan tried to relieve as much weight as she could from Devyn as she helped her hobble to the waiting vehicle. Once Devyn was seated in the cramped back seat, Morgan dug out her emergency supply bag. She handed Devyn a blanket and a bottle of water. “I have a first aid kit, but I think you need something a little more than a bandage.”
“It’s just a few scratches. I’ll live.”
Morgan could see why Nick trusted Devyn with his back. As she looked at the battered and bruised woman, who had taken off into the desert in the middle of the night in bare feet to prevent a criminal from getting away, she had to admire her. Devyn had to be in extreme pain, yet not a complaint escaped her lips.
“Make room in the back,” Nick huffed.
Morgan looked up to see Nick trudging toward her with an inert Aaron slung over his shoulder. She raced to the tiny back cargo area and moved a few items around so Nick could squeeze the body in the vehicle.
“Is he dead?” Morgan whispered.
“Not quite, but we need to get him medical help A.S.A.P. The bullet didn’t hit any vital organs, but I’m not sure how much damage he suffered from the knock to the head”
Morgan watched as Nick set the man down in the vehicle, and then she joined Devyn in the back seat. Turning around and kneeling, she was able to lean over the seat and assess Aaron’s injuries. She folded up a handkerchief and placed it over Aaron’s gunshot wound and applied pressure. She wasn’t sure which was bleeding more, the bullet hole or the bump and cut to the head, but she had to try and slow the blood loss any way she could.
“That’s all we can do for now,” Nick said. “Just keep the pressure on the best you can.”
Morgan nodded as Nick secured the back and then got behind the wheel.
“You okay?” Nick asked as he turned to face Devyn.
“I’ve had better days, but sadly, I’ve had worse.”
Bio
Kim McMahill grew up in Wyoming, which is where she developed her sense of adventure and love of the outdoors. Kim started out writing non-fiction, but her passion for exotic world travel, outrageous adventures, stories of survival, and happily-ever-after endings soon drew her into a world of romantic suspense. Along with writing adventure novels Kim has also published over eighty travel and geographic articles, and contributed to a travel anthology and cookbook. Kim recently relocated to Colorado, and when not writing, she enjoys gardening, traveling, hiking, and spending time with family.
Web contacts
Website: http://kimmcmahill.com
Blog: http://kimmcmahill.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimmcmahill.
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
I am thrilled to announce the release of my second novel in the Risky Research Series, A Taste of Tragedy The first was A Dose of Danger, the third is in the early stages of being written, and the fourth is still in my head. I’m not sure at this point how far the series will go. I’m assuming the characters will let me know when it’s time to wrap it up. But for now, I can’t thank Carlene enough for hosting me on her blog so that I can share a little bit about me and my new novel. I hope you enjoy the suspense and even a little romance.A TASTE OF TRAGEDY
Morgan Hunter sacrificed everything for her career. She had yet to encounter anything she wasn’t willing to do to succeed . . . until now. When she uncovers evidence that the healthy foods she’s been hired to promote may be dangerous, she must reevaluate her priorities. As questions mount and the body count rises, she finds herself caught in the crosshairs of an organization that will stop at nothing to hide its secrets and protect its profits. With no one else to trust, Morgan is forced to seek help from the man she drove away, but whom she never stopped loving. You can find A Taste of Tragedy on Amazon, and if you hurry you may even get in on Kim's special introductory price of 99 Cents:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DTE29U2/
Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite!>
“Here, let me help you,” Morgan said as she draped Devyn’s arm around her shoulders.
Morgan tried to relieve as much weight as she could from Devyn as she helped her hobble to the waiting vehicle. Once Devyn was seated in the cramped back seat, Morgan dug out her emergency supply bag. She handed Devyn a blanket and a bottle of water. “I have a first aid kit, but I think you need something a little more than a bandage.”
“It’s just a few scratches. I’ll live.”
Morgan could see why Nick trusted Devyn with his back. As she looked at the battered and bruised woman, who had taken off into the desert in the middle of the night in bare feet to prevent a criminal from getting away, she had to admire her. Devyn had to be in extreme pain, yet not a complaint escaped her lips.
“Make room in the back,” Nick huffed.
Morgan looked up to see Nick trudging toward her with an inert Aaron slung over his shoulder. She raced to the tiny back cargo area and moved a few items around so Nick could squeeze the body in the vehicle.
“Is he dead?” Morgan whispered.
“Not quite, but we need to get him medical help A.S.A.P. The bullet didn’t hit any vital organs, but I’m not sure how much damage he suffered from the knock to the head”
Morgan watched as Nick set the man down in the vehicle, and then she joined Devyn in the back seat. Turning around and kneeling, she was able to lean over the seat and assess Aaron’s injuries. She folded up a handkerchief and placed it over Aaron’s gunshot wound and applied pressure. She wasn’t sure which was bleeding more, the bullet hole or the bump and cut to the head, but she had to try and slow the blood loss any way she could.
“That’s all we can do for now,” Nick said. “Just keep the pressure on the best you can.”
Morgan nodded as Nick secured the back and then got behind the wheel.
“You okay?” Nick asked as he turned to face Devyn.
“I’ve had better days, but sadly, I’ve had worse.”
Bio
Kim McMahill grew up in Wyoming, which is where she developed her sense of adventure and love of the outdoors. Kim started out writing non-fiction, but her passion for exotic world travel, outrageous adventures, stories of survival, and happily-ever-after endings soon drew her into a world of romantic suspense. Along with writing adventure novels Kim has also published over eighty travel and geographic articles, and contributed to a travel anthology and cookbook. Kim recently relocated to Colorado, and when not writing, she enjoys gardening, traveling, hiking, and spending time with family.
Web contacts
Website: http://kimmcmahill.com
Blog: http://kimmcmahill.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimmcmahill.
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
