An Interview with Penny Zeller and giveaway

Penny is willing to give away a copy of her book, Kaydie. Leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win.
Thanks for joining us today, Penny. It's great to have you here. We have a few questions for you. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Thank you for having me here, Laura. 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.”

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.

How has being published changed your life?

Life is a lot busier! I also discovered rather quickly that the hard work begins after publication.

What are you reading right now?

I am reading a fantastic love story by Christian Author Melinda Evaul titled Grow Old With Me. I’m also reading and studying Acts in the Bible.

What is your current work in progress?

I am currently working on book two in my second historical romance series, which takes place in the post Civil-War era.


What would be your dream vacation?

Hmmm….well there’s a four-way tie of places I would love to visit for a dream vacation with my family: Hawaii, Alaska, Hilton Head Island and Prince Edward Island.


How do you choose your settings for each book?

I choose places that intrigue me or places that I have visited. I am a very visual person, so if I have visited a place, I can easily integrate my characters into that setting.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Let’s see…family and friends aside, I would say the Christian band Kutless because they’re my favorite music group and I love their hearts for God.


What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I also enjoy playing volleyball, gardening, camping, hiking, canoeing, and spending time with my family.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

I would say my most difficult writing obstacle is setting priorities and sticking to them and not wasting time on less important things on my “to-do list.”

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

God calls us all to do different things for His Kingdom. If He has called you to write, seek His guidance. Never give up, even when you feel like it or when someone has unkindly criticized you. Seek to please and honor Him in whatever you write, whether it be for the secular or nonsecular market; whether it be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, song lyrics, or a screenplay. Find a mentor and be open to ideas and suggestions from one who’s “been there, done that.” One final note, join forces with other Christian writers. After all, we are all working for the same Boss.



Tell us about the featured book?

I am thrilled about my featured book, which is set for release this month. It is titled Kaydie and is book two in my Montana Skies Historical Romance Series (Whitaker House). Here is a short 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?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwihs6rsqDk

What do you want readers to take away from the book?

I hope my readers will get from Kaydie- and all of my novels- the power of God’s love, redemption, hope, and forgiveness. I want them to catch a glimpse inside my characters’ lives and see that God can and does change hearts. In addition, in Kaydie, I hope that readers will take away from the book the importance of depending on God and putting our full faith and trust in Him. As Psalm 46:1 tells us “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” What a reassuring promise!


Thank you so much for having me here, Laura. I appreciate your enthusiasm and encouragement and am honored to be a guest on your blog!

How can readers find you on the Internet?

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