​Today's Campfire Guest-Wyoming Author Kim McMahill

What’s your preference, coffee, tea, cocoa, wine? The camp fridge is like the Starship Enterprise. You speak it, you get it.
All of the above. I must have my morning coffee, I often enjoy afternoon tea (perhaps my English heritage), wine with dinner, and if it’s cold outside or I’m having chocolate withdrawals, I want cocoa.  
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Tell us, have you ever camped, or as I call what I do, Glamp. If you’re not the camping type. Tell us about your favorite adventure or vacation. What made it special to you.
Growing up in Wyoming, camping is a given. As a kid, my dad’s idea of a family vacation was a packtrip into the mountains. One of the most memorable was a trip into Eagle Creek Meadows. I was probably only six at the time but rode my pony the entire way (I believe the meadows are about 10 miles from the trailhead), except for when my dad thought a river was too deep or swift for me to safely cross he would put me in front of him on his big black horse. My mom would have to lead my pony since my dad was leading the packhorse with all our gear for a week in the wilderness. Over the years, I’ve done all kinds of camping. Recently my husband and I got a camper van, which is a little more my speed nowadays than a packtrip into the remote grizzly country on horseback.

Tell us about your latest project and what's on the horizon.  
I’ve just released the fourth installment in the Risky Research Series, A Measure of Madness (blurb, excerpt, and buy links below). Since finishing A Measure of Madness and waiting for it to be released, I’ve written a novelette (A Formidable Foe) and a micro-read (Midnight in Montana). Both are prequels to the series and free to download. I’m also working on the fifth and likely final installment in the series.   

Do you have a tagline? Life Motto?
I came across a quote a while back by Wilferd Peterson that I’ve adopted as my motto and aspiration as I move forward into the next phase of my life, “Practice the art of adventure by breaking the chain of routine, renewing your life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.”

How long did it take you from conception to publication?
Writing the novel didn’t take long (Probably only 6 months) since I already had it sketched out when I conceived the Risky Research Series. However, the publication process can be lengthy. My publisher sets the timeline for editing, cover design, and ultimately when the book will be released, so it can take a while, and it’s pretty much out of my control once I hand it over.

Are there any mentors, authors, or books you would like to give a shout-out to?
One of my favorite authors is James Rollins. I’ve read all of his books that he has written under James Rollins and solo. I also had the opportunity to meet him at a book signing, and he was great – funny, personable, and informative.

What does literary success look like to you?
I’ve had ten novels published, which feels pretty good, but one day I would love to see one of my novels in a bookstore at the airport as I browse titles between flights.

Do you have any tips, tricks, or anything you specialize in that you would share with others. 
Try to keep expectations reasonable. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked to believe that just because you have a book published, you’re raking in the dough. For most writers, nothing can be further from the truth. You really have to write for the joy of writing.
 
Now the fun questions  What is your favorite mug or teacup, if neither, T-shirt with graphic or Meme?
I have a coffee cup with a classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation quote on it. It makes me chuckle, so I use it year-round, not just during the holidays.

Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours?
My wedding photo. We had an outdoor wedding just outside of Yellowstone National Park – it was stunning. I will be celebrating 35 years with my soulmate this June, and every time I see our youthful faces in that photo, it brings back a flood of wonderful memories.

What’s your favorite cookie?
I love ginger snaps, but not just any old ginger snap. They must be homemade, really gingery, and super soft.

Last book or movie that made you cry?
Pretty much everything makes me cry, which is why I write and read adventure and suspense. I’m not particularly fond of crying, so I avoid sad books and movies as much as possible, but one that always sticks in my mind because I cried the entire movie was P.S. I Love You. After that, I’ve asked more questions before agreeing to a “girl’s night” at my neighbors.

What’s your favorite ‘90s jam?
Although I believe it was released in 1989, The Dance by Garth Brooks was and still is my favorite Garth tune. I like rock music equally as well as country, but the ’90s fell a little short in the rock genre for me. My high school years were more about Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Heart, and Journey. 

Kim, thank you so much for stopping by the fire. Before you head out on your next adventure will you leave us with a book teaser and where readers can find out more  about you?

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FBI agent Devyn Nash’s pursuit of a deadly organization heats up in this fourth installment of the Risky Research series.
​by Kim McMahill

The FBI locates the mastermind behind Coterie, but attempts to bring him in result in a shootout that sends Coterie’s members scrambling for cover. When Devyn’s partner is left fighting for his life in a Puerto Rican hospital, she becomes more determined than ever to bring them to justice.

Devyn’s decision to ignore her orders and pursue the head of Coterie to Brazil puts her job and her relationship with Sheriff Gage Harris in jeopardy, but she is unwilling to allow those responsible for so much death to live out their lives in paradise.
 
Further Tease
Devyn did as ordered as tears streamed down her checks. She felt like a coward running, but knew it was retreat or die.
Bullets rained around her as she ran in a zig-zag pattern, trying to avoid being hit. She had almost reached the truck when a bullet grazed her ankle, sending her tumbling to the ground. She scrambled to her feet. Fueled with adrenaline, she ignored the pain as she hobbled the last twenty feet to the truck.
As Sofia’s arm lowered, J.R. walked toward her. He knelt on the ground and placed his lips to hers for a long and tender moment. He then slowly rose to his feet and pointed the gun at Sofia.
Devyn couldn’t watch. She threw the truck into reverse and hit the gas. The truck’s tire’s spun and skidded on the dirt and gravel as she raced backwards until she reached a spot wide enough to turn around. Cranking the wheel hard, she spun the vehicle and barreled toward BR-116.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Madness-Risky-Research-ebook/dp/B08TX7C1BZ/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-measure-of-madness-kim-mcmahill/1138684987?ean=9781522398837
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-measure-of-madness
 
Blog: http://www.kimmcmahill.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kimmcmahill
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KimMcMahillAuthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmcmahill/
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/849945.Kim_McMahill
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kim-McMahill/e/B007IK0EJW/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kim-mcmahill
 

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