Wednesday, April 6, 2011

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

38 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like a good book. I'd love to win!

CarlybirdH said...

I loved the first book in this series. Please enter me for this drawing. Thank you!
carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

Pegg Thomas said...

I read MacKenzie and enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading Kaytie. Thanks for entering me in the drawing.
twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Thank you Penny for the interview. Would love to have your book!
Blessings.....Joy
ibjoy1953{at]yahoo[dot]com

Penny Zeller said...

Hello C.C., Carly, Pegg, and Joy~
Thank you for stopping by Laura's blog and leaving a comment for a chance to win a copy of "Kaydie."

Carly ~ I am thrilled that you enjoyed "McKenzie." Thank you for sharing that with me!

C.C. and Joy ~ Thank you for your kind words. I'm excited to see who wins!

Pegg ~ I'm glad you enjoyed McKenzie's story.

I hope you all have a blessed rest of your week.

Blessings,
Penny

Anne Payne said...

I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of Penny's books. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Kaydie.

homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

Debbie Clark said...

I would love to win the book Kaydie. Thanks for the chance to win.

In reviewing the places that you would like to travel to, I have been to Alaska. Back in the early 1980's my sister & family lived in Fairbanks. I spent 2 weeks up there and had a lot of fun. Then in 2003 my husband and I drove from Oregon to Prince Rupert, BC & then took the Alaska Ferry to Wrangell, Alaska, then back to Ketchikan. We then took a ferry to Prince of Wales Island where two of his brothers & their families live. It was an awesome trip & we saw lots of wildlife. We would love to do it again.

Debbie Clark
debbiemcla[at]msn[dot]com

Jo said...

Thank you for the great interview. I am wanting to read this series. Sounds so interesting!

Blessingz,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Jo said...

This is definitely a book that I am wanting t o read. Actually would love to read the entire series.

Blessings,
Jo
ladij40(at)aol(dot)com

Ann Lee Miller said...

Please include me in the drawing. :)
Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

lorlyn63 said...

I have never read Penny's books, but have heard others say they love her writing and so I would be honored to win a copy of this book Kaydie. Thank you for that opportunity and for the nice interview!

Lori
triplel(at)evertek(dot)net

apple blossom said...

please include me in this book giveaway thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Faith said...

Sounds like an amazing book!

crazi.swans(at)gmail(dot)com

PriviesAndPrims said...

Love the romance novels. :)

Doreen
priviesandprims at yahoo dot com

p.s. Carman sent me over.

Trinity Rose said...

Really can't wait to read this book. I have been trying to win it everywhere. I know it will be fantastic like the first one.
Blessings,
Trinity Rose
wandaelaine at gmail dot com

Karen said...

Thanks for the great interview, I like forward to reading this book.
sonflower277 at gmail dot com

Charity U said...

Please enter me! I've wanted to read this book for a long time. :)

photographer4ever832[at]gmail[dot]com

nickandkatherine said...

Please enter me. SOunds great. Carmen sent me

Penny Zeller said...

Good Saturday Morning Anne, Debbie, Jo, and Ann Lee~

Thank you all so much for stopping by Laura's blog. It is always fun to read each of your comments!

Debbie ~ thank you for sharing your Alaska trip experience with me. Our family would love to go there sometime and I hear that British Columbia is absolutely gorgeous as well. It sounds like you had a fantastic trip!

Blessings to you all!

Penny

Penny Zeller said...

Hello Lori, Linda, Apple Blossom, and Faye ~

It is great to see you here at Laura's blog. Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment for a chance to win a copy of Kaydie.

Lori~ Thank you for your kind words! I am honored that you have heard good things about my books. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. Laura had some great questions!

Lori and Faye ~ Thank you for your enthusiasm regarding my books!

Apple Blossom ~ It is always nice to see you!

Blessings,
Penny

Penny Zeller said...

Hello Doreen, Wanda, Karen, Charity, and Nickandkatherine ~

Thank you all for stopping by Laura's blog. I appreciate her so much for allowing me to be her guest!

Doreen ~ I have to totally agree with you on your choice of genres. I love romance novels too!

Wanda ~ It is always nice to see you. I am humbled and thrilled that you enjoyed reading McKenzie. Thank you for sharing that!

Karen, Charity, and nickandkatherine ~ Thank you for your enthusiam about Kaydie and your kind words!

I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Blessings,
Penny

Anonymous said...

I'd love to read this book.

Anonymous said...

thank you for the chance!
junegirl26 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

If this giveaway is open worldwide, please enter me! Carman sent me.

writer.chicka[at]gmail.com

Nia for Jesus said...

Enter me !

niastrong21 at gmail dot com

Wilma said...

This sounds like a great book; I'd love to read it.

Penny Zeller said...

Good Monday Morning, positivelyplum and Marci,

Thank you for stopping by Laura's blog and for entering to win a copy of Kaydie. I hope you both have a wonderful week!

Blessings,
Penny

Penny Zeller said...

Hello Sugarpech and NiaforJesus~

I hope you are having a great start to your week. Thank you for stopping by Laura's blog and leaving a comment for a chance to win Kaydie.

I hope you both have a blessed week in the Lord!

Blessings,
Penny

MomRedding said...

This book sounds great! After reading this description, I am going to see if our local library has a copy of the first book. It sounds like the kind of book that pulls you in and holds your attention!

Thanks for offering this!

Lisa Nelson said...

I would like to win a copy of this book!
I enjoyed McKenzie and am looking forward
to reading Kaydie!!
Carman sent me.
Thank you!!
Lisa Nelson
storyreader617(at)gmail(dot)com

Penny Zeller said...

Hello Momredding~
Thank you for stopping by Laura's blog and leaving a comment to win a copy of Kaydie.

I think that is great that you will be checking to see if your library has McKenzie. That is a huge help to authors when readers request books at their library, so thank you SO much!

Have a blessed week,

Penny

Penny Zeller said...

Hello Lisa ~
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment on Laura's blog for a chance to win a copy of Kaydie.

I am thrilled that you enjoyed reading McKenzie. Thank you so much for sharing that with me!

Have a wonderful week!

Blessings,
Penny

Carman said...

I read the first book and really enjoyed it!

Please enter me to win! :D

booklovercb at yahoo dot com

Nia for Jesus said...

I've been waiting to read this one so much..

niastrong21 at gmail dot com

Penny Zeller said...

Hello Carman and Nia~
Thank you for stopping by Laura's blog and entering for a chance to win a copy of Kaydie.

Carman ~ Thank you for your kind words about McKenzie. I appreciate you!

Nia ~ Thank you for your enthusiam about my books - it means a lot to me. :) I love your name "Nia for Jesus." Awesome, awesome, awesome!

I hope you both have a wonderful rest of your weekend.

Blessings,
Penny

karenk said...

a great posting/interview...thanks for the opportunity to read this wonderful story :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Penny Zeller said...

Hi Karen~
Thank you for stopping by Laura's blog and for leaving a comment. Karen, I really appreciate your kind words about the interview and about my book.

May God bless your week!

Penny

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed the interview, book sounds great. Carmen sent me.

true_sheila@yahoo.com

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