A Very Warm Welcome Back to my Friend, Penny Zellar!

Penny's offering to give her latest release to someone who leaves his/her email address and comment!

Tell us about your latest release. The cover looks fantastic!

Thank you, Carole. It is an honor to be a guest on your blog. I am thrilled about the release of Kaydie, the second book in my Montana Skies Series.

Here is a short blurb:

Haunted by her painful marriage, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer is determined never to fall in love again, and it will take the grace of God to change her mind—the same grace that works in the heart of ranch hand Jonah Dickenson, a confirmed bachelor who has unhealed wounds of his own to overcome.

What was the hardest part to write?

I would have to say that the hardest part to write was the ending. I didn’t want it to be over!

We all have choices of items that help us write. What’s yours? Can you give the readers a glimpse into your writing space?

I am fortunate to have a nice-sized office. I have a desk that is lined with my children’s photos and artwork. I also have an exercise bike for when I need a break and a cozy fireplace for when I sit and have my quiet time with the Lord.

However, we won’t talk about the closet, which is lined with shelves and filing cabinets full of a lot of paperwork that needs a good going-through!

If you had to choose one person to go with you for encouragement to a secluded cabin, who would that be?

I would pick my husband, Lon, and my two daughters.

What are you working on now?

I just finished the third book in the series, Hailee, which is scheduled for release in September. I'm also working on a second historical romance series that takes place in the Post-Civil War Era. I recently finished book one in the series and have started writing book two.

Every day before I write, I re-devote my writing to the Lord and ask that He would guide me in typing each and every word so that, as a completed book, it would glorify and honor Him.

What is one of the happiest moments of your life or an accomplishment that you’re especially proud of?

The happiest moments in my life were marrying my husband, Lon, and, years later, the births of my children.

A more recent event, for which I am praising God, is the spiritual growth of my children. I pray daily that they continue on this course and grow to be Godly women, which is such a challenge in today’s world. (I am terrified of the teen years, LOL!) Every time I hear my ten-year-old daughter sing in church or hear my youngest daughter talk of her ministry, I am humbled how God uses us, no matter what our age, or our stage, in life.

How do you choose names for your characters? Do you do a lot of research on them?

I pick what I feel are masculine names for my male characters, and I especially like Bible names. For female characters, I pick names that I really like that I might have named my children, had I had a dozen more daughters. Smile. This is a bit funny, but when I choose lead female names, I always like to make sure they mesh well with the lead male character’s name and that it is a good combination with the male character’s last name, just in case they get married and live happily ever after. *grins*

Can you tell us some of your favorite books or characters that you cherish?

As a child, I was a little bookworm and loved reading Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew. I still have some of those books and my girls are reading them now, which is exciting to see. As an adult, my favorite book is the Bible, and is the one book I wouldn’t want to be without. I also have a sizeable collection of Christian fiction from some of my favorite authors and also some devotional books and Bible studies.

Any fun things about yourself that the readers might enjoy knowing?

When I was a teenager, I performed on stage in several lip sync contests, most of the time at the local mall. Those days were such fun days and often included my sister, brother, and cousins as part of the act.

Just this week, I dug out the old videotape (Videotape?! Yikes, I’m dating myself here!) and played it for my daughters. My youngest, who is eight, told me, “Mom, you had such a pretty voice. You sounded like a real singer!” I laughed at her comment because for one, I can’t carry a tune, and for two, it was the real singer signing and I was only lip syncing!

Is there one piece of advice that’s been especially valuable to you?

I am a Beth Moore fan and have led several women’s Bible studies using her materials. I recall one time she mentioned that “No amount of success in ministry will make up for failure at home.” What a wonderful and valuable piece of advice!

Please share information where readers can check out and buy your books:

Kaydie is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Kaydie-Montana-Skies-Penny-Zeller/dp/1603742174/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Also, Cindy Sproles produced a fantastic book trailer for Kaydie, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwihs6rsqDk

Where can fans find you on the internet?

I love to connect with my readers at my website www.pennyzeller.com,

my blog 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 again, Carole, for allowing me to be your guest. I appreciate your encouragement and support of fellow writers!

And, thank you, Penny, for visiting. I've loved having you!
Don't forget your comments, readers, for a chance to win Penny's latest book!
Blessings

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!