Monday Morning Gratitude

That there really are a lot of second chances
That most people have a least one good thing to be said about them
That the sun is always shining--somewhere
That God's in his heaven
That death is not the end of the chapter
That we're not the lone fish in a tank
That we can have "ah ha" moments
That there is always, always hope
That I live where the snow eventually melts
That there really are silver linings to dark clouds.


Better late than never blessings!

Today I Have Guest Blogger, and my Friend, Rose McCauley!

Waiting, patience, prayer...and receiving my first contract!


I have been writing for over nine years and joined ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) 8 years ago. My writing has steadily improved since then, but the elusive first contract had remained out of reach until Friday evening, September 17, 2010.

God has taught me many things over the past nine years, the main things being patience and learning to wait. When I awoke that morning and read my chapter in Jeremiah, there was a devotion by Catherine Marshall on the facing page, so I read it, too. It was entitled "Waiting" and here are a few snippets from it that spoke to me:

"Waiting...is God's oft-repeated way of teaching us that His power is real and that He can answer our prayers without interference and manipulation from us."

She then goes on to give the example of a child who brings a broken toy to their father but gets impatient and snatches it back still in the broken state, then reminds us that if we leave the "toy" in His hands, "not only do we eventually get it back gloriously restored, but are also handed a surprising plus. We find for ourselves what the saints and mystics affirm, that during the dark waiting period when self-effort had ceased
, a spurt of astonishing spiritual growth took place in us. Afterwards we have qualities like more patience, more love for the Lord and those around us, more ability to hear His voice, greater willingness to obey." Those qualities are ones I still desire more of, even if it means I have to wait again.

Now for the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say. I told my roommate , Jennifer Johnson, about my devotion, then we attended a class, ate lunch, shopped at the mall, and went to the opening worship session at 3:30. The worship leader Rachel Hauck, chose the song "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller for us to sing at most of our sessions:

"I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait
I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting"

Are you getting the message with me? Wait with patience! And keep serving and worshipping while you are waiting!

Next our president, Cynthia Ruchti, read from Colossians chapter three, and verse 12 was very familiar since it is posted on my bedroom mirror: "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." That last word jumped out at me and I leaned over to Jennifer and told her God was still telling me to wait and learn patience.

Then Becky Germany, editor at Barbour Publishing, took the stage and said she was ready to announce the 3 new authors who would receive their "first contract", something Barbour has done at each conference. When she announced the name of one of the stories as Nick's Christmas Carol, it sounded vaguely familiar but I still didn't realize it was a story I had written until she said my name! Then I went up on stage in front of over 600 people, amid cheers and shouts, and was handed an envelope with my name on it and a letter offering me a contract for my first fiction story! Jennifer took my picture but the flash didn't work so she motioned for me to go back up on the stage and she took it again. Then Donna Rich was announced, again amid cheers and shouts, as the recipient of a contract for a Heartsong book, also pubbed by Barbour.

Of course, I couldn't wait to call my husband and children and a couple friends, but the story doesn't end there. I got to attend the Barbour Banquet at PF Chang's that evening and kept receiving hugs and congratulations all weekend, but the best part was when one of my dear friends and prayer-partners, Connie Stevens who had received her first contract in 2009, told me that God had impressed on her heart to pray for the ones who would receive their first contract the following year. So, she prayed that prayer that whole year and didn't know she was praying for me (and Donna and one other lady)!

Later that evening, I told Donna about the prayer cycle Connie began, and we both agreed to continue it by praying for the persons who will receive their first contract in 2011. Kind of paying it forward by praying the prayer that was prayed for us. So, the cycle continues. Can you think of a better thing to pay forward than a prayer for someone? I can’t.

I hope you will check out my blog at http://www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com/ and/or website, http://www.rosemccauley.com/ and check back again when my first book hits the shelves next September! I do a monthly book drawing among those who leave comments, and I will definitely do some giveaways of my first book later on! Until then, let's all keep waiting patiently and praying and worshiping the One who deserves all our praise


Wonderful, Rose! Thanks so much for visiting.

Blessings!

Please Welcome Writer, Tessa Afshar!

Don't forget your comments and email addresses for a chance to win her book!

How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

There’s never been a time that I didn’t want to write. The real question is why I waited so long to get serious about publishing.

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?

I write historical and biblical fiction. Most of my stories take place over two thousand years ago! I grew up in an ancient country with a rich history that stretched back for thousands of years (Persia). When I was almost fourteen, I moved to England, another nation seeped in the glories of the past. It’s easy to grow fascinated with the lives of people who lived long ago when their impact is still so visible all around you.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

To start with, most of my pants don’t have any seat left. My writing style is driven more by instinct than plan. I do try to set goals regarding daily word count, but I don’t always meet them. Between the research the writing, and the editing, a full novel can take me as long as a year.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

Pearl in the Sand is based on the story of Rahab, the Canaanite harlot who is famous for having saved Israel’s spies from death. She then went on to marry one of the leaders of Judah, and is in the lineage of Jesus. Think about that: some of the DNA of this former harlot swam in Jesus’ blood stream!

Pearl recounts the tale of a woman whose world was a mess, whose life was a mess, whose heart was a mess, but in encountering God, she found to her shock that her life was salvageable. More than that—it was valuable. She found that she was lovable. For her, much of this process happened through the love of a godly and persistent man.

You can buy Pearl in the Sand through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders.

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

That God never gives up on us. He pursues us into the most heart-breaking valleys of our lives, and restores what seems irredeemable. And His love gives us the kind of worth that nothing can rob or besmirch.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

This reminds me of what Ruth Bell Graham said when she was asked if she had ever considered divorce. “Never,” she said. “Murder, maybe. But divorce never.” I guess I would never consider giving up altogether. But I certainly have struggled with discouragement. Writing is solitary business and for long stretches of time you have to act as your own critic. It’s so easy to feel inadequate sometimes.

Who’s inspired you the most?

God. Have you noticed, He’s a pretty good writer Himself?

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

I was definitely chosen, and it was an unforgettable thrill. Moody Publishing’s Acquisitions Director was present at the first writers’ conference I attended. He happened to be at a workshop in which I participated where the first two pages of my book were minutely examined and pulled apart. I thought I stank. But apparently he liked it! (There’s no accounting for taste.)

In my experience, being published just means your work is tripled. You work on marketing your last book, while researching and writing your new book, on top of thinking and planning for the one after that. Does that sound relaxing? I didn’t think so.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I’m a bookworm. My favorite pastime is curling up on a sofa with a marvelous book and a good friend to share the best lines with. Throw in food and a fire, and I might never leave. Why would I want to travel anywhere?

I’ve always been a bookworm. But when I was a child, I read my books in Persian. Tom Sawyer, Les Miserables, Uncle Tom’s Cabin (which made me cry for hours)—I read all of this marvelous literature in Persian, because I grew up in Iran for the first fourteen years of my life.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

Thank you so much for inviting me to hang out with you. It’s been an absolute pleasure. If you would like to visit me on my website, the address is http://www.tessaafshar.com/ or visit me on my Facebook author page where there is always some new discussion going on: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tessa-Afshar/337761827820?ref=ts

Here is an author bio in case you are interested:

Tessa Afshar was born in Iran to a nominally Muslim family. When she was fourteen, she moved to England where she attended Princess Helena College, a boarding school for girls. Her conversion to Christianity came through a series of events that can only be described as a move of God. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale University, where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship at the Divinity School.

Thank you so much, Tessa, for visiting today.

Leave your comments, readers, for a chance to win her book!
Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

For a beautiful Saturday morning to go to a writer's workshop
Clean roads
A generous, sharing hotel clerk who shared a notepad with me
A warm, delicious lunch with old friends and new
A good car to drive
A wonderful brother-in-law
A sweet husband who cleaned my house while I was gone
A mother who baked a cake and prepared a roast
Sunshine that helped keep me cheerful
A safe, good trip

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace       
Think about who you are becoming and where you are going, rather than thinking about who you are and where you are now. Many times we get so bogged down in our current situation, we take time and effort away from our efforts to become someone else. Worse still, is that when we are bogged down, we take who and where we are as given, robbing us of our motivation to become someone else. The fix is to keep our eye on the prize and never, never forget who you are going to become.
       --Ed Smith, One Minute Motivator,
                  via Linore Rose Burkard (http:www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com)

He Holds You in His Hand

My agent Diana shared this with her clients a few days ago and suggested we pass it on. So today, to you who may be facing problems, dealing with discouragement, or at a low point in your life: this is for YOU.
“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you...I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand...”

(Isaiah 41:10, AMP)


TODAY’S WORD

We all face situations in life that feel out of control. During times like these, it’s easy to get discouraged and allow fear to creep in; but instead, why don’t you focus on the fact that God is holding you in the palm of His hand! There is nothing too difficult for Him; nothing’s impossible; nothing is beyond His ability. When God holds you in His hand, you are safe; you are cared for. In His hand, there is victory. In His hand, there is strength. In His hand, there is provision. In His hand is everything you need.

No matter what you may be going through today, you can trust that God is for you. Instead of getting down and depressed over your circumstances, look up and get a vision of God turning that situation around. Let faith arise in your heart and focus on His favor, promotion and blessing. As you keep your heart and mind focused on Him and choose to obey His Word, you’ll see those supernatural breaks that will launch you further ahead than you ever thought possible because He holds you with His victorious right hand!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for helping me and holding me in Your victorious right hand. I choose to trust You even when things don’t make sense, even when things seem beyond my control. I release my cares to You knowing that You work all things together for my good. In Jesus’ Name. Amen

Blessings!

It's a Wonderful Privilege to Have Latayne Scott on my blog this week! 

Two Giveaway books: Latter Day Cipher and her newest nonficion.
Let's jump right into this interview:


Q: Do you mentor beginning writers?

A: I don't do much author mentoring, because I have learned a painful truth: The vast majority of people who say they want to write a book for publication are not willing to submit to 1) the discipline of learning to write well and 2) then going through a frustrating and time-devouring process of personal inactivity (that's code for "waiting and waiting and waiting") to see it through.

Q: How was your first book published?

A: I'm not a good example of the norm for getting your first book published by a major Christian publisher, because as a young author with a few magazine article credits, I made a chance comment about being a former Mormon to a published author I'd just met. She said, "I have a publisher who would love to publish a book by you," -- and within a few months I had a contract with Zondervan for The Mormon Mirage (now in its third edition). http://www.amazon.com/Mormon-Mirage-Former-Member-Church/dp/0310291534/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233546122&sr=8-1

Not the norm. Did I say, "not the norm"? (I see it as the power of God, operational and irrepressible. And the book has stayed in print, with only one small hiatus, for 30 years.)

Q: How are your books published today?

A: Now, even with over a dozen published books, I submit myself to the process that may have only slightly fewer steps than that for a complete neophyte. For the sake of those of you who wonder what you might reasonably expect (divine intervention excepted, that is), here is an approximate timetable of the process.

I begin by saying that two things must precede this process: You must have something unique and compelling and marketable to say (and if for the Christian market, inner assurance that you've been called to be a writer), and you must be able to write well. Please do not inflict yourself upon the overwhelmed professionals of the market if you have not fulfilled those two requirements.

Since most Christian publishers today do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, and if you do not win a contest (like the "Audience with an Agent" contest at Novelmatters.blogspot.com where I blog with five other published Christian writers) or meet an editor or agent who requests your materials personally at a conference such as Mount Hermon, I will start the process steps with the acquisition of an agent.

Please bear in mind that this is an approximation of the process which any number of factors can greatly lengthen or shorten.

1. Author completes a non-fiction proposal (including polished sample chapters) as per the style sheet or instructions on an agent's Web site. This must be as perfect as he can make it because rarely does an agent ask for a rewritten proposal. At this point a very wise (and relatively inexpensive) strategy could be to pay a publishing industry professional to read and evaluate your proposal before sending it. (Our own Sharon K. Souza offers such a service which I highly recommend.)
2. Author seeks that agent with the completed proposal. If submitting to multiple agents, the author carefully fulfills each agent's specific guidelines that may include parameters such as word count, line length, and manner of submission; and indicates in the cover letter that the author is pursuing multiple agents.
3. Agent typically takes several weeks/months to respond to proposal. Many proposals which have not followed guidelines, are inappropriate for the agent's profile, are unremarkable, or are poorly written are never seen by the agent. An assistant weeds them out and rejects them.
4. If the agent likes the proposal, the agent will typically research the author’s Web presence, confirm any claims the author has made about himself if possible, and use any other resources the agent has (including talking to other agents.) If agent likes what he sees, he signs an agent's contract with author. Author may want to have a lawyer look at this contract. (An author should never sign with an agent who also offers editorial services for hire, or who works with a vanity publisher.)
5. Agent will correspond with author for additional information such as specific marketing plans, then tweak proposal. Agent then asks editors if they want to see the proposal (this action is called a pitch.) Sometimes an agent will not pitch to editors with individual projects, but will wait until making appointments with editors at an industry event like ICRS (the Christian book industry's annual conference), where the agent will maximize the editors' time with one-on-one sessions in which the agent tells the editor of multiple authors' projects appropriate for that publishing company. Therefore, a pitch can be inactive for several months before such a conference.
6. At a conference or other face-to-face meeting, an editor will usually tell the agent which ideas are appealing and she would like to pursue by seeing a proposal. If the pitch was via email or phone conversation, the editor expresses interest, sometimes quite a while after the conversation.
7. The agent sends the proposal to the editor. If the agent has pitched multiple projects to multiple editors, this may take a week or more as the agent returns home and tries to catch up on emails, etc.
8. If editor wants to pursue the proposal he/she received, he/she takes the proposal to a publishing committee. These meet sometimes only two to four times a year, some more often. Sometimes a publishing house has more than one committee to evaluate a book.
9. Marketing people do analyses, publishing committee members all read proposal.
10. If the publishing committee(s) decides to publish the book, the publisher sends a book contract to the agent.
11. Agent negotiates the publisher's contract. (This sometimes takes quite a while because of such things as electronic rights, royalty rates, and delineation of publisher’s commitment to marketing.)
12. Agent sends final publisher's contract to author.
13. Author reads carefully and then signs contract -- and only then can author correspond directly with the editor who is assigned to work on the book (sometimes not the acquisitions editor who first asked for the proposal or book.)
14. The author completes or rewrites the contracted book as per company guidelines. The contract specifies a deadline, and since many processes (such as catalogue listings) depend on this deadline, the author must never miss the deadline. Often first-time writers have to do extensive line edits or revisions after submitting what the author considered to be the "final" manuscript. (Here, too, is where a publishing professional’s evaluation and pre-editing can help. Some of us Novel Matters writers use such professionals to tweak our manuscripts before submission, even though we are experienced writers.) The writing/rewriting process can take months to complete -- or longer.
15. Editor approves the final draft of the book. Author may or may not be included in such decisions as cover art, though an agent usually insists on this.
16. Author looks at page proofs to catch last-minute errors.
17. Usually several months, sometimes much more time--even over a year-- transpires before the book appears in print. Some books are not scheduled for release for years or more after the contract is signed because of full publication rosters. Other projects get “bumped” by higher-profile books with time-sensitive subject matter.

Sometimes the process has "extra" steps. For instance, since my first book, The Mormon Mirage, was controversial and I was relatively unknown, the publisher sent my proposal (and then later the entire manuscript) to an expert in Mormonism to read. This evaluation (completely separate from the selection and editing processes) held up the publication for several months.

Thank you, Latayne, for the information!

Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Crisp air
Laughter from loved ones
Nice phone calls
A quote that resonates
The scent of pine
Clean homes
Mittens
My favorite boots
toothpaste
My special rocks from some special friends

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

He meets all your needs,

      not all your greeds.

             --Rick Warren

Check Out Author Alice Wisler's Interview!

If you leave a comment and your email address, you'll be entered to win her book!
Now on to her interview:


How long have you known that you were a writer? Did you receive a clear “call?” Or have you just loved writing all your life?

Ever since I could write, I wrote short stories. You know the kind stapled together with the stick figures as illustrations. My fellow missionary kid friend, Josephine, and I would spend Saturdays writing romances when we were in middle school. She always cried when I read mine. She claimed they were good, and that encouraged me to continue on!

What is the genre you write in? Would you explain what it is?
I like to think I write literary fiction, and want to do more of that. My three novels by Bethany House Publishers are women’s contemporary fiction. They all take place in the South and they have some romance.

How do you spend your writing days? Do you set goals to reach a certain number of words per day? Can you give us a general idea of how long it takes you to write a novel?

I like at least eight months to write a novel from start to polished product. I’m slow at writing because I procrastinate and spend too much time promoting my novels instead of writing new ones. But on a good day, I like to set word count goals. I’m all about being able to check my goals for the day off my To Do list, so that helps me get my writing done.

You recently had a book published. Would you take this time to describe it to us? How and where can readers buy your books?

My most recent novel is HATTERAS GIRL. This story takes place on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and is about a young woman’s desire to find a man and run a bed and breakfast. The main character faces lots of obstacles along the way.

You can order all my novels—HATTERAS GIRL, HOW SWEET IT IS and RAIN SONG, from Amazon, CBD, Books A Million, or Barnes and Noble.

What is the spiritual message in your book? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

Sometimes dreams take time to come about. Be patient, wait on God, and don’t give up! I also hope that readers find humor in the pages, as well as some sorrow. Life is, after all, a mixture of humor and sorrow, and God is in the midst of it all.

Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

I have to protect my mind and heart from dwelling on negativity or from looking over the fence and seeing what other authors are doing or getting. I have to fight every day with believing those who say they really like my work, and striving hard to continue with my work in progress to make it shine.

Who’s inspired you the most?

My first grade teacher, Miss Terwilliger was a great boost to my ego. She liked my stories and had me read them to the third and fourth grades in my elementary school in Kyoto, Japan.

Would you explain how you “chose” (or were chosen by) a publisher? Do you just go “inny, minny, miny, moe?” Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced?

My agent sent my first novel, RAIN SONG, to a bunch of publishers and the first one to say, YES! was Bethany House. From there, I was offered a two-book contract and then another contract for two books. (My fourth novel, A WEDDING INVITATION, comes out this October.)

When RAIN SONG first came out, I was excited. I suppose I did sit back and enjoy that moment. But now, I have so much more I want to accomplish that I am pushing myself more than anything. I’m fifty this month, and have miles to go before I sleep.

Do you mind telling us some of your likes and dislikes? Hobbies, interests? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I love licorice (in fact, I’m eating some my husband got me for Christmas as I write this), sushi, cheesecake, and chocolate. I like picnics on our boat named Rain Song, cooking, and meeting friends for coffee. Okay, onto likes that are not food-related—I love trains and traveling. I’d like to go to Alice Springs, Australia one day. Dislikes? Ungrateful people and mice.

Would you give us your blog or webpage so everyone can check it out? Anything else you’d like to share? Promotional information?

My website is: http://www.alicewisler.com/ and my two blogs are: http://www.alicewisler,blogspot.com/ and http://www.writingtheheartache.blogspot.com/

Thanks, for this interview! I had fun doing it! And many thanks to all who read it.



There you have it, readers. Another fun interview from a grand author. Leave those comments and email addresses for a chance to win her book.

Many blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

(Note: I prepared these before Christmas, and somehow, in the rush, I overlooked them. I'm still grateful for each and every one of them, so if you can forgive another mention of Christmas, I'm going to post these for today.)

(And one more note! Sigh. I thought I'd hit publish, but obviously didn't. So . . . you're getting these either later Monday night or whenever you read them. Sorry!)

The laughter of children in my home.
The pleased look in my brother's eyes with the lemon pie I prepared for him.
Amanda's pleasure with our fireplace.
Babies' smiles
The sound of packages being opened.
My husband's voice as he reads the Christmas story.
The beautiful cards from Son #1.
The words of love from my husband's romantic card.
A warm furnace.
The tired, satisfied feeling a well-accomplished day brings.

Blessings!

Sunday Morning Peace

Take heart. Why would we want to reach eternity with energy left over?
Not much point in that, is there?

Blessings!

Be An Adventurer!

We all go through hard times. I read this some time back and thought it might give you a little inspiration. Enjoy!

From Julia Cameron, The Sound of Paper:
For an artist, "I don't know" is the hard time. It is the season between seasons when you are not sure what you are making and if you are making anything worthwhile.

All artists go through seasons of rooted joy and seasons of rootless restlessness and doubt. It goes with the territory. If we knew, always, what it is we know, there would be no new land to push forward to. We would do and redo what it is we do -- and that is not the artist's life. Ours is a life of invention.

Invention demands that we expand our creative horizons. This is not always comfortable. We are called to write, paint, dance, and sculpt new territories. We are asked to explore new forms, to willingly relinquish the old, safe, and familiar. In short, we are asked to be explorers, pioneers, traveling always toward and past the known rim of our universe.

Go exploring today! Look for something you've never seen before. Relinquish the safe and embrace the uncomfortable.

Blessings, you wonderful artists!

A Warm Welcome to Author Penny Zeller!


Leave our comment and email address, readers, for a chance to win one of Penny's lovely books!


Hello, Carole! Thank you so much for having me here!
Hi, Penny, it's so good to have you here this week!


How long have you known that you were a writer?

I was bitten by the writing bug at age seven when I began writing Bible stories in my own words. (I suppose you could call it grade-school commentary!) My second grade teacher, Mrs. Vernon, encouraged me to continue writing about Jesus. In fourth grade, I began to write fiction stories about a dog named Muffie and her adventures, as well as, other short stories neatly composed in homemade wallpaper-covered cardboard books.

Years later, my inspiration continues to come from the Lord and I pray daily that the path I have chosen in life will glorify Him. I get ideas from the Scriptures often and I build my book around certain biblical themes, such as, forgiveness and redemption. My Christian characters pray and seek God for direction. And as a writer I am in constant prayer for wisdom, guidance, and that my books would be life-changing – that they would bring others to the Lord or closer to the Lord. Writing is my ministry, and I have chosen Psalm 19:14 as my life verse: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

What is the genre you write in?

I have written historical Christian fiction romance, contemporary Christian fiction romance, children’s fiction, and general nonfiction. My favorite to write and to read is the historical fiction, but I love all four types.

Tell us about your new book. What is the spiritual message in it? What can readers expect to get from reading it?

My latest book is titled McKenzie and is the first in my Montana Skies Series. It is a Christian historical romance and was released September 1, 2010 by Whitaker House. My hope is that readers will find in McKenzie the power of God’s love, redemption, hope, and forgiveness. Readers will get a glimpse inside McKenzie’s life and see that God can and does change hearts.

Below is a short blurb:

Desperation to rescue her younger sister from an abusive husband prompts McKenzie Worthington to run away from her stately Boston home as a mail-order bride for a rancher in the rugged Montana Territory.

Desperation also prompted Zachary Sawyer to post the ad for a bride, and he eagerly awaits the woman God has chosen for his wife.

When they meet, McKenzie tries to keep her distance, but she can't help feeling attracted to Zach and his selfless ways. What will become of her plan to annul the marriage when she finds her sister?

Sounds great. How did the plot for McKenzie come to you?

My family and I were in a car accident a couple years ago where I suffered neck and leg injuries. During that time period of seven months, I was also hit with back-to-back bacterial infections. Because of the injuries and illness, I was pretty much homebound and my active athletic lifestyle suddenly became limited. I look back now and praise God that He gave me McKenzie, as well as two other manuscripts (another historical and a contemporary) I wrote in that seven month period of pain and illness. God took what was a difficult time for me and turned it around to something positive that can be used for His Kingdom – taking the time to write the books that I had always wanted to write.

He has since healed me and I pray daily that the path I have chosen in life will glorify Him. I think that’s why Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “’For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” is so close to my heart.

Isn't it marvelous how God uses our trials for good? Do you ever feel like giving up? Most people don’t understand the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer. How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone through?

Writing is my passion and my ministry and I find so much joy in being able to share the love of Christ through the written word. It is a rewarding job and I feel blessed that God has called me to write. My fingers can’t type fast enough when I’m working on a new book and I love to create new characters! However, that being said, there have been two times in my career when I felt like giving up. One of those times was when I first started writing. The other was when I had a very bad experience at a writer’s conference that made me seriously consider giving up writing altogether.

I spent considerable time in prayer during those times of wanting to quit. I asked that the Lord make it clear if He has chosen a different path for me. His answer came in the form of a new idea for a new book. I was reminded once again with a fresh perspective why it is I love to write and to whose glory it is that I am writing - and what a blessing it is! As such, I have made it my goal to encourage other writers and have even started a new writer’s group/Bible study with a close friend. Through that study, writers at all levels have been brought together and we encourage, mentor, and pray for each other.

Who has inspired you the most?

I couldn’t name just one person who has inspired me the most. It has been a combination of many, including my husband, children, friends, editors, fellow authors, readers, and even bloggers (who, by the way, are some of the nicest people I have ever met!)

Now, that you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve experienced? *grins*

No, I have found that the hardest and most consuming part of being an author comes after the book is published!

I'd say you're right about that. What are some of your hobbies and interests? Where would you most like to visit? Where would you like to travel if you could?

I love spending time with my family and friends and camping, hiking, canoeing, volleyball, and gardening. Some of the places I would love to travel to include Hilton Head Island, Alaska, and Glacier National Park.

Alaska's on my to-be-traveled-to list. Where can readers find your books?

All of my books are available everywhere books are sold. The specific links for McKenzie include:

• http://www.amazon.com/McKenzie-Montana-Skies-Penny-Zeller/dp/1603742166
• http://www.christianbook.com/mckenzie-montana-skies-penny-zeller/9781603742160/pd/742160

What’s next on your agenda?

I am excited about book two in my Montana Skies Historical Romance Series. Kaydie is set for release in April, but is already available for preorder.

Below is the blurb:

For the first time in years, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer can breathe easily. Although she is still haunted by memories of her abusive husband, Darius, she takes comfort in knowing the man is dead. Staying with her sister McKenzie and brother-in-law, Zach Sawyer, at their ranch, Kaydie is still wary of men, especially now that she has another life inside of her to protect. As she looks forward to her baby's birth, she builds a protective wall around herself that won't be easy to tear down.


Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach's new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there's something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.

When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie's, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?

I am currently working on the third book in my Montana Skies Series and just completed book one in another historical romance series set in the Civil War era.

Where can fans find you on the internet?

I love to connect with my readers at:

• my website--   http://www.pennyzeller.com/,
• my humor blog--A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author:     http://www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com/
• on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller
• on Facebook at:   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penny-A-Zeller/96391560959?ref=ts

Thank you, Carole, for hosting me on your blog. It has been an honor and a privilege to be here!

 
And I've enjoyed having you, Penny! Best wishes!
Don't forget those comments and email addresses, folks. You won't want to miss a chance on winning her book!

Blessings!

Monday Morning Gratitudes

A brand new year with opportunities looming before me
The years God has given me
That I have a fresh new outlook at counting my blessings
A working furnace
Dates with hubby
Gift certificates
Children who aren't afraid to let their curiousity show
Cards that convey what I mean
That I still have my mother
My brothers

Blessings!

And thou shall be secure,
because there is hope!
--Job 11:18