From Terror to Tranquility: Fearless Friday with Kim McMahill

FEARLESS FRIDAY

Whoa, boy, love it when Kim McMahill is my guest. Always a fun read. Enjoy!

I’m thrilled to be back here to share my latest adventure. Spending time in Türkiye was an incredible experience, from the ancient ruins of Troy and Ephesus to the chaotic and exotic city of Istanbul. Each site elicited a vast range of emotions, but none so much as the Cappadocia region.

The thought of climbing into the basket of a mammoth hot air balloon for a flight over the Cappadocia region in central Türkiye was a little intimidating to say the least. I’ve never been afraid of heights, but watching other balloons soaring so high in the sky that they were mere specks got my adrenaline pumping, and I couldn’t help questioning my decision to undertake such an adventure.

After the initial moment of terror as we climbed higher into the sky (over 5,000 feet according to our pilot), a tranquility began to embrace me. The sunrise bathed the area in an exquisite glow. The unique landscape below dotted with fairy chimneys and rugged features appeared straight out of a sci-fi or fantasy movie.

The balloon glided gracefully over a magnificent array of natural features, somehow avoiding collision with the dozens of other craft in the sky. When our pilot finally broke the trance that the enchanting scenery put on me to instruct us on the correct landing position, my nerves returned. Fortunately, the moment of concern was unwarranted as we touched down with hardly a bump.

Touring the Cappadocia region is more than hot air balloons. We went underground to explore cities burrowed out of rock to protect residents from invaders. The immense subterranean cities were unbelievable. We also explored cave homes and churches and hiked through fairytale landscapes. I loved the history, archeology, culture, food, and people. It was an adventure of a lifetime.

Often in my travels and nearby adventures, I come across a landscape that begs to be featured in one of my novels. I’ve written stories set among ancient Mayan ruins, areas with great archeological treasures, and most recently the Beartooth Mountain area of Wyoming outside the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park.

I don’t know what role the rugged and unearthly Cappadocia region will play in a future novel, but I have no doubt it will be incorporated. In the meantime, check out The Beartooth Chronicles and be transported to an amazing place that is not only beautiful, but deadly. This series, taut with suspense and driven by unbreakable bonds, tells a powerful story of survival, love, and the fight to create a future worth living. The entire series is available to binge from your favorite online bookseller or download from Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1HL6RK/

THE BEARTOOTH CHRONICLES: In a world unraveling from relentless natural and human disasters, a determined group form a 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—both from within and beyond their borders—that will push their resilience, unity, and will to survive to the brink. Will their vision of a better future endure, or will the chaos of the world consume all they’ve built?

Follow Ashley and Caleb as they embark on a remarkable journey. Together, they learn about tragedy, grief, love, joy, and hope as they fight to survive in a hostile world.

Novels in this completed series in order: Refuge from the World, Above the Abyss, Isolated from Anarchy, Evil Below the Mountain, and Winter Resurgence.

Bio:

Kim McMahill started out writing nonfiction, but her passion for adventure, stories of survival against the odds, and speculating about the future of humanity and our planet, soon turned her attention towards fiction. Along with numerous novels, she has published over eighty travel and human-interest articles and contributed to a travel story anthology. Growing up in a small community surrounded by mountains, traveling the world, and enjoying a rewarding career with the National Park Service has given her the opportunity to live in amazing places, experience incredible adventures, and witness many changes in our world, all of which have helped shape her stories.

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