Please join me in welcoming Kathleen Denly to the blog today to share some of the fun – and dangers (yikes!) – of location research for her new historical romance, Murmur in the Mud Caves!
MURMUR IN THE MUD CAVES by Kathleen Denly
SERIES: Chaparral Hearts #4
GENRE: Inspirational Historical/Western Romance
PUBLISHER: Wild Heart Books
RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2023
PAGES: 342
More Books in this Series
The Dangers (And Fun) of Location Research
by Kathleen Denly, author of Murmur in the Mud Caves
Too often, writers have to settle for remote research into the settings of their novels. In February of 2022, I was blessed to be able to devote an entire week to exploring the Eastern desert region of San Diego County. While I was there, I explored several historically significant and geographically unique locations, many of which I have incorporated into the final three novels of my Chaparral Hearts series.

One of the best adventures was had when I explored an area within the Carrizo Badlands known as Arroyo Tapiado (Spanish for “walled wash”). This area is filled with canyons, hills, arches and even caves all formed by mud. As many as twenty-two caves and nine slot canyons have been identified in this area, making it one of the most extensive cave systems in the world. However, these caves are far less stable than others you’ve likely heard about. They were formed when heavy rainfall caused water to flow through a thick deposit of silt and the mud structures change with each storm—sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.

There has been at least one known death and several injuries caused by overestimating the stability of these fascinating and unique structures. If you choose to visit, don’t go alone, avoid the wet season, bring more water than you think you need (the canyons are deceptively long & winding), and use caution if traveling above or below any structures. (Walking on top of caves or along ridges is a very bad idea. The danger is akin to walking on a frozen lake, except you can’t see through to judge its thickness.) If you’re looking specifically for caves, you should also be prepared to search for a while since finding one can be trickier than you might think. Some cave openings appear to be nothing more than cracks, but they can run as long as 1,000 feet and have ceilings as high as 80 feet.


Today, I’d like to share with you some of the highlights from my explorations of the many slot canyons and caves branching off of Arroyo Tapiado in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. You’ll notice I brought two of my children along on the excursion and we each carried everything we might need in case of emergency. We also made sure people knew where we were (updating every one to two hours) and when we planned to leave the area (if they didn’t hear confirmation that we were safely back on the road by then, it was time to worry). We were also very cognizant of the risks and made careful decisions as we went (something you’ll hear us discussing frequently in the videos).

Of particular note in these videos, you’ll see slot canyons, mud arches, low mud ledges, and a mud cave. Each of these structures plays a significant role in Murmur in the Mud Caves, book 4 of my Chaparral Hearts series which released May 16, 2023.
Had you heard of Mud Caves before? Would you want to visit them?
PSST! Are you new to my Chaparral Hearts series? If so, you may be happy to know that members of my Kathleen’s Readers’ Club can download a free copy of the prequel novella, Ribbons and Beaus. Click here to join!
Kathleen Denly writes historical romance to entertain, encourage, and inspire readers toward a better understanding of our amazing God and how He sees us. Award winning author of the Chaparral Hearts series, she also shares history tidbits, thoughts on writing, books reviews and more at KathleenDenly.com.
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Kathleen Denly is offering the following prize bundle to one of my readers: 1 faux leather bookmark, 1 hand altered pocket journal, 1 Scripture keychain, 1 faux leather cord wrangler, 1 faux leather key wristlet, and 1 ebook copy of Waltz in the Wilderness! (US shipping addresses only for prize as described. International winner must accept a $5 Amazon gift card in lieu of the bookmark, journal, keychain, cord wrangler and wristlet. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read Murmur in the Mud Caves by Kathleen Denly? Had you heard of Mud Caves before? Would you want to visit them?
I look forward to reading this.
yay!
I’m so glad! 😀
I have never heard of Mud Caves before. They would not be on the top of my list to visit.
haha mine neither, Nancy 🙂
They’re actually a blast to explore, as long as you’re careful. 🙂
I’ve never heard of them but as I will be going to Southern California next year, I’ll put it on my wish list to do/visit.
oh fun!
Yay! If you make it there, I’d love to hear how your trip goes!
love the storyline.
it does sound good, doesn’t it? 🙂
I’m so glad! 🙂
I had not heard of the Mud Caves! How exciting it must have been for the pioneers to discover them!
What a great thought! It’s fun imagine what their first reactions might have been. 🙂
This book looks like it’s something I will thoroughly enjoy.
Oh, I hope so! 😀
A captivating and memorable historical. A real treasure to enjoy. I had never heard of Mud Caves.
This book has some interesting characters I’d like to check it out.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the story! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts here.
That’s fascinating! I’d never heard of the mud caves before today.
They are a very unique geological feature. I’m not aware of them occurring anywhere else in the world.
I have not heard of the mud caves before. I am not interested in exploring them.
Ha ha. I understand the hesitation, but they were very fun to visit, and even more fun to incorporate into my story.
I have not heard of this before. Sounds really good
Most people haven’t heard of the mud caves. They are extremely unique. Thanks for reading! 🙂
I had not heard of the Mud Caves before this. I watched all of the videos, but I would never explore them myself. The book is definitely much more “my cup of tea,” though.
Ha ha. Armchair adventures are definitely a safer option. I’m glad you enjoyed the videos!
The book sounds very interesting. I have never heard of the Mud Caves. I am a bit claustrophobic so I don’t think that I would like to visit them.
For some reason, my claustrophobia doesn’t seem to activate in caves. Crowded airplanes are a bigger issue for me. I’m so glad you find the book’s premise interesting. Thanks for reading! 🙂
What a fun exploration and I would love to read the story!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I hope you do get to read the story. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
Murmur in the Mud Caves sounds like a good book, I would love to read it. I’ve never heard of the mud caves before. I don’t think I would want to visit them, I’m not really comfortable being in caves.
Caves are not for everyone. Have you explored any slot canyons? Those can be fun, too. I hope you get a chance to read and enjoy Murmur in the Mud Caves. That is definitely a safe way to “explore” this fascinating geological feature.
I think the plot sounds really interesting. No, I have never heard of mud caves.
I’m glad you are interested in the plot of Murmur in the Mud Caves. I hope you get to read it. Few people have heard of mud caves. Their extremely unique.
No, I’ve never heard of Mud Caves but I think it would be fun to visit.
Aha! I sense an adventurous heart. You’ll have to let me know if you make it there. 🙂
I love Historical Romance books and this one sounds great! I’ve never heard of Mud Caves!
me either!
I’m so glad you’re intrigued by Murmur in the Mud Caves! Thanks for reading!
from the cover to the blurb i am drawn in! I must read this!
right??
Yay!!!
After reading the book excerpt I would like to read this book Murmur in the Mud Caves-thanks – I love historical romance books
Thanks for reading! 😀
I haven’t heard about mud caves. I always like to learn need things while reading!
me too, Julie!
I hope you read Murmur in the Mud Caves. Many of the early reviews mention being happy about learning new things, both historical and geological.
I have heard of mud caves. Thanks for sharing about this book and the author.
you’re welcome 🙂
Wow! You’re among the few. I’m curious if you’re from Southern California or how else you might have heard about them. 🙂
I haven’t heard of them, but it sounds interesting.
it does, doesn’t it?
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Sounds good!
Yay! 🙂
I have not heard of Mud caves before and yes, I would want to visit. The book sounds fun to read.
yay!
Wonderful! Don’t forget a flashlight! 😉 And thanks for reading. 🙂
I had not heard of the Mud Caves before…since I am not sure I would be able to visit in person, I would love to read a story in that setting.
exactly! me too 🙂
That’s what stories are for, right? It’s also a big part of why I try to incorporate unique locations into my stories. I love letting people have adventures from their armchairs. 🙂 I hope you get a chance to read Murmur in the Mud Caves.
For me it was just the title. I am intrigued. Thank you
I love reading that! Titles can be so tricky and I always work hard to make sure whatever title we choose makes sense with the story. As a reader, I love that moment when you recognize, “Oh, that’s where the title came from!” and as a writer, I love creating that moment for my readers. 🙂