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 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?

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.