Hailee, interview with Penny Zeller, and giveaway

answer Penny's question when you leave a comment to be entered in a chance to win this book

Title: HAILEE
Author: Penny Zeller
Publisher: Whitaker House
September 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60374-218-4
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Hailee Annigan has searched for her two little brothers, Philip and Reuben, ever since she was freed from the Cincinatti “sanctuary” she was raised in after she was caught stealing. She’s always wondered what happened to them—even now, when she goes to Montana after she’s hired as teacher.

Pastor Nate Adams originally came to Montana with his grandmother, and even as a young boy he knew he wanted to live there someday, away from the busy streets of Boston where he grew up. And when he’s older, he is offered the job as pastor in the community he and his grandmother visited so long ago.

When Nate and Hailee meet, she almost literally falls into his arms. Their attraction is immediate. But with her brothers still missing, Hailee doesn’t feel free to find happiness. Will she ever find her brothers? Or will she allow herself to fall in love if she doesn’t?

HAILEE is the third and final book in Ms. Zeller’s Montana Sky series, but it easily stands alone. Several characters from previous books do make an appearance in this book, as do a host of other interesting and realistic characters. I especially loved the nosy Lucille.

Penny Zeller has penned a heart-warming conclusion to her Montana Sky series with HAILEE. This book grabbed my attention from page one and kept it as I prayed for Hailee not only find her two missing brothers but also to find happiness and love in Montana. Ms. Zeller doesn't disappoint with her historically accurate romances. If you are looking for a good historical romance, then be sure to pick up a copy of HAILEE. $9.99. 311 pages.

Interview with Penny Zeller:

It's great to have you here with us today, Penny. 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 Awakening by JoAnn Durgin and A Summer in Oakville by Shellie Neumeier and Lisa J. Lickel. Both are awesome reads! I am also reading and studying 1 Thessalonians 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? My husband, Lon. He’s been traveling a lot these past few months for work, so I’ve really missed him and would look forward to an evening with him.

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.” To help myself overcome that obstacle, each morning before I climb out of bed and face a day of mothering, chauffeuring kids to after-school events, housecleaning, volunteering, and writing books, I ask the Lord to prepare my heart. I ask that He guide my day, that I would use my time wisely, and that I would get accomplished only what He would have me do that day.

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. I give more tips for writers, including sticking with writing and how to prepare for a writer’s conference here: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com/sticking-with-writing/

Tell us about the book. For years, orphan Hailee Annigan was just a ragamuffin in the Cincinnati streets, stealing food to keep her two younger brothers fed. Her thievery landed her in a home for delinquent youngsters, where her life was changed, thanks to her teachers. Now, nineteen-year-old Hailee excitedly heads to Montana to be a teacher, yet she's still plagued by her shameful past and the fear of never seeing her brothers again.

Based on his upbringing in high-society Boston, no one would have guessed that Nate Adams would attend seminary and become a church pastor in rugged Montana. Even now, Nate's parents refuse to put aside their own plans for his future and accept his calling.

When their paths converge, an immediate attraction draws Hailee and Nate together, even as the pressures and demands of others pull them apart. Can the unlikely pair come to terms with their pasts and face the future together?

What do you want readers to take away from the book? My passion is to write books that impact lives for Christ. Readers can expect to share in Hailee’s pain and sorrow, as well as the joy she experiences. They will watch as her faith wavers and her heart breaks at the losses she experiences in life. They will share with Nate as he struggles to release to the Lord burdens he was never meant to carry. My books are character-driven, and as such, throughout the book and with a variety of characters, readers will catch a glimpse of struggles with forgiveness, Salvation, rededication to Christ, and the hope of a new life.

What one question would you like us to ask readers? Which character in my Montana Skies Series so far is your favorite? If you haven’t yet read any books in the series, what character would you most like to meet?

Tell us about the giveaway you’re offering. I am giving away a personalized copy of Hailee. If the winner is a U.S. resident, they will receive the paperback version. If the winner resides outside the U.S., they will receive the ebook PDF version of the book.

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 where I post updates about new books, giveaways, events, and Just-for-Fun Fridays.