Delia Latham's Blog, page 49
April 12, 2011
Interview: Penny Zeller
I want to welcome Penny Zeller to My Book Bag, and I'm so excited about the chance to talk to her about her new release. Penny is giving away one copy of her book, Kaydie, to someone who comments on this post. (Comments will be included in the drawing from today through Tuesday, April 20.) So be sure to leave your comments by clicking on the "Reader Responses" link at the end of this post.
Hi, Penny! Your most recent book, Kaydie (Book 2 in your Montana Skies Series), is scheduled for release this month. We'd love a brief synopsis!
Hello, Delia! It's great to be here. I am thrilled about the release of Kaydie. A short synopsis is as follows:
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 S
awyer, 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?
Cindy Sproles produced a fantastic book trailer for Kaydie, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwihs6rsqDk
Sounds like it's full of hooks to keep us turning pages! Who has been the srongest influence in your writing journey?
When I was in second grade, my teacher, Mrs. Vernon, encouraged me to never stop writing stories about Jesus (I began my writing career rewriting Bible stories and publishing them in homemade cardboard books).
In addition, my husband and children have been strong supporters of my writing. As far as influencers or mentors, I would have to say authors Sharlene MacLaren and Amanda Cabot have been wonderful mentors to me.
Having a writing mentor is so important—having at least one really good one is certainly a treasure! Why do you write the kind of books you write?
Writing is my ministry, and I pray daily that the path of writing that I have chosen in life will glorify the Lord. 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. 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."
I love when other authors feel (as I do) that their writing is not only a career, but a ministry. And what a wonderful life verse! (But then…they all are, aren't they?) When you were a child, did you have a favorite book or books?
I was an avid reader as a child. I loved Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mysteries and read every copy of those books I could get my hands on!
This is funny and not something I have shared much, but beginning when I was 10 years old, I also loved the romance stories in the back of "Good Housekeeping Magazine." In those days, the stories were wholesome and I would sneak outside with my mom's copy into our playhouse to read. I loved the stories because they would have pictures of the characters drawn by an artist with a little tidbit under each picture, such as "Lydia thinks she'll never love again – that is until James unexpectedly walks into her life…" I laugh when I think of those early days reading those stories! I suppose I have always been a romantic at heart!
Sounds a bit like you were peeking in on my childhood! J Do you have a favorite genre to both read and write?
Historical romance is my favorite genre to write, followed by contemporary romance. In third place would be nonfiction, which I also enjoy writing as well. As for reading, I would have to say my favorite is historical romance. There's something neat about being able to pick up this genre and escape into a simpler time.
I love to read historicals, but I don't enjoy all the extra research involved in writing them. So glad someone is willing to do it! J Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The happiest days of my life were the day I married my husband and the times we became parents to our two daughters.
What inspired you to write McKenzie and Kaydie: The first two books in your Montana Skies Series?
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.
It is often through the hardest trials of our lives that we gain the biggest blessings. I'm certainly glad to hear God worked His healing power in you, Penny! What prompted you to write about the Montana Territory?
Our family has traveled extensively through Montana on road trips. We have visited two well-preserved ghost towns, which provided me with so much inspiration! I love the scenery and the history of Montana and couldn't wait to base my characters in that setting.
Do you have another book in the making? Can you give us some insight on what it's about?
I just finished the third book in the series, Hailee, which is scheduled for release later this year. Here's a little teaser about what's to come:
Times in Pine Haven have changed over the past few years. The town has doubled in size and Montana has become a state. Bethany Ethel is now the older sister to spunky seven-year-old twin brothers who find great delight in providing trouble for the new teacher, Miss Hailee Annigan. The Sawyers have added to their own family with daughter, Chloe; and Lucille Granger continues her antics as the town busybody.
Faith. Love. Hope. Forgiveness. This recent installment of the Montana Skies Historical Romance Series explores all four in the continuing saga of a peek into the lives of those who call Pine Haven their home.
I'm also working on a historical romance series that takes place in the Post-Civil War Era. I've finished book one in the series and have started writing book two.
Where can readers purchase a copy of Kaydie?
Kaydie is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon.
Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to connect with my readers at my website, my blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.
Thank you so much for being with us on My Book Bag, Penny. Any parting comments?
I would like to thank you, Delia, for having me here, and also thank my readers for their support and encouragement. I couldn't do it without you! Secondly, I would like to let everyone know that from April 1 – May 15 is my official blog tour for Kaydie. I will have all the details on giveaways (including a chance to win Hailee, the third book in the series) on my FB author page, so be sure to stop by!
About Penny:
Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous magazine articles in national and regional publications. She is also the author of the humor blog "A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author" (www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com). She is an active volunteer in her community, serving as a women's Bible study small-group leader and co-organizing a women's prayer group. Penny devotes her time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. Her passion is to use the gift of the written word that God has given her to glorify Him and to benefit His kingdom. Kaydie follows McKenzie in Montana Skies, her first series with Whitaker House. When she's not writing, Penny enjoys spending time with her family and camping, hiking, canoeing, and playing volleyball. She and her husband, Lon, reside in Wyoming with their two children. Penny loves to hear from her readers at her Website, www.pennyzeller.com.
April 11, 2011
COTT: Clash Conqueror
Attention! Ann Gaylia O'Barr has been crowned CHAMPION at
Clash of the Titles!
For her excerpt from Singing in Babylon, Ann Gaylia O'Barr garnered favor in a Clash against fellow contender Dee Smith for Best Antagonist. Both excerpts showcased sinister adversaries.
As one reader put it:
Both antagonists were well described, and both gave me a chill up my spine.
Another assures us:
Both are VERY creepy!
But only one can claim victory, and that honor falls to O'Barr this time around. How did she do it? Ann believes a good antagonist elicits a measure of sympathy from the reader so that we are both drawn to and repulsed by his character. It must be true because it secured her the win.
In her interview with COTT staff member Amanda Flower, Ann shares how she spent years country-hopping for her work as U.S. Foreign Service officer and collected plenty of raw material for her antagonists by her immersion in Muslim-dominated culture. Wow!
Want to know who her favorite fictional bad guy is? Read her interview to find out.
Ann says: I've thoroughly enjoyed the contest. Answering the interview questions sharpened my ability to explain the novel. Writing is a continuous learning expreience, and I love it!
About her book: <! -- more -- >
***
Singing in Babylon:
Recent grad Kate McCormack, saddled with college debt, has limited options…until she accepts an offer to teach English in Saudi Arabia. Plunged into a foreign world, she's homesick and lonely, stuck in a gilded prison where women aren't even allowed to walk around the block by themselves. The future stretches before her like a leaden sky.
Journalist Philip Tangvald, on the trail of a story about illegal immigration routes through the Middle East and North Africa, is intrigued by the feisty Kate, but wonders if he deserves to find love again. Too much loss and betrayal has burdened his life. First, his father, when he was eleven. And, a year ago, his wife. Now he's free of everything—except the guilt from his past—and wants to stay that way.
Two worlds, two hearts in exile, are about to collide. And when they do, might they find a new song to sing … in Babylon?
***
Read more about Ann and her body of work at her website
COTT's current Clash is on Best Opening Hook. Visit today to read the two selections, vote for your favorite, and enter to win one of the competing titles! (Mentioning my name gives me an extra entry, so if you don't mind I'd appreciate it!)
bio: Michelle Massaro is a homeschooling mom and aspiring novelist, as well as Assistant Editor for the literary website Clash of the Titles . Connect with her on twitter @MLMassaro, facebook, and her blog Adventures in Writing
April 5, 2011
Why Attend a Writers Conference?
I attended the Called to Write Conference in Pittsburg, Kansas last week. It was phenomenal! Great workshops - informative and fun. Wonderful "instructors" (is that what you call someone who conducts a workshop? LOL). Good food. Beautiful devotions I'm still thinking about. But as much I enjoyed all of those things, something else stood out to me as a reason all writers should attend conferences when they can.
Other writers.
It's an environment in which you're surrounded by many people who get the whole writing thing. All those individuals gathered in one place, all caught up in the same obsession to which you've also succumbed...writing. (And, in this case, it was also wonderful to know they were all Christian writers!)
Writing is such a solitary occupation. It can become downright lonely sometimes. Most writers don't really mind it - they're OK with being by themselves. But occasionally, it's nice (and really a good thing) to be around people. It's especially nice - at least once in a while - to have those people "speak your language."
I met so many new writing friends, for which I'm immensely grateful and blessed. AND...I was able to meet a few writers I already felt I knew from online contact. Meeting them in person was a special blessing!
By the time I left, I was tired. Yep. I admit it. And I was also a little overwhelmed by all the information trying to slide itself into the proper slots in my poor, overloaded brain. But I was also fired up and ready to come home and WRITE. I felt spiritually refreshed, blessed with new friends and networking contacts, and geared to GO!
That's reason enough to make the effort to attend the next conference, don't you think?
THANK YOU to all the coordinators of Called to Write...all the workshop leaders, and the many people behind the scenes who kept the wheels oiled and rolling. You are appreciated!
The settings on my digital camera were "off " somehow (I am utterly ignorant of photography stuff!) and my pictures all turned out a bit blurry. This is me (left) with my sweet friend, Susan Hollaway, whom I got to meet in person at the conference. Suzy and I are critique partners, and have become very close, but we'd never actually met. This conference made a meeting possible, and it was SUCH a blessing!
April 4, 2011
Why Do We Love Bad Guys?
Every story needs a good bad guy or well-crafted antagonist. Both of our Clashers this week have created great ones. However, my question for you, dear readers, is "Why do we love bad guys?" What is it about them that makes us keep turning the page?
I'll tell you why I love them.
1. They demonstrate the ongoing battle between good and evil, between justice and injustice. Hopefully good/justice prevails in the end.
2. They give you someone to dislike. I love disliking characters in books. These characters don't have to be truly awful people either. It could be a character as simple as a snippy next door neighbor or a rude co-worker.
3. They are flawed. In some cases, horribly flawed. However, they reminded us all that we are flawed as well.
4. They keep the story more interesting. Of course, we want our protagonist to triumph in the end, but antagonists cause conflict and conflict creates a plot that gives us a story to read.
5. Sometimes, they transform and leave their antagonistic ways. They can be forgiven and demonstrate God's power to forgive even the worst of humanity.
Those are my reasons. Now, share yours.
Get to know this week's authors all week at Clash of the Titles and be entered to win a free book.
Bio: Amanda Flower is an academic librarian for a small college in Ohio. Her first novel, Maid of Murder, was released in 2010. When she is not at the library or writing her next mystery, she is an avid traveler, aspiring to visit as much of the globe as she can
She is the author of Maid of Murder
March 30, 2011
FREE E-book! Cross My Heart
Cross My Heart by Elizabeth Pina
The judicial system may have cleared Kate Carlson, but those she thought loved her still doubt her innocence. Finding strength in her faith, she hopes a fresh start in glorious Colorado will restore peace and serenity to her broken heart. When history repeats itself, will her new friends stand by or desert her? Robbie Sutherland's secret threatens to tear him apart, so he's learned not to rely on God for anything. Kate may appear sweet and innocent, but he's been fooled before. Either her selfless love will help him find forgiveness, or his anger and bitterness will destroy their relationship and suffocate him forever. How can Kate convince Robbie her love is real and, like God's love, will endure no matter what?
