Interview With Penny Zeller

Happy Thursday morning, sweet friends! As you read this, I’m getting ready to board a plane for Midland, Texas to speak at a conference at Fannin Terrace Baptist Church and I CAN NOT WAIT to SEE WHAT GOD DOES this weekend! AND, I can’t wait to see, my sweet friend, Kathy Howard!

I’d be ever-so-grateful if y’all would keep me and those wonderful women in prayers this weekend! I’m praying God does exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or think! He is DEFINITELY able and I am SO willing!

Oh…by the way, I’ve also got a post over at Scripture Dig today. So after you read and comment on Penny’s interview, be sure to pop over there and say hi. 🙂

Today, Im excited to have the opportunity to share an interview with my sweet friend, Penny Zeller! She is a woman of God and a wonderful author whose love for Jesus shines through every word she writes! I LOVE her heart for God and I know you will too! Please read through the interview, and leave a comment to enter for a chance to win her new book, Kaydie.

What type of work did you do before you were a writer?
I have worked in the past in a branch of social services as a caseworker; I have also worked as a legal assistant, bank teller, retail clerk, aerobics instructor, bookkeeper, and administrative assistant. My favorite jobs of all are being a wife to my husband Lon and a mom to our two children. Writing is my passion and I feel blessed and humbled that God has called me to write.

What writing goal have you set for yourself that would be the most rewarding to achieve?
My ultimate goal is that a reader’s life would be impacted for Christ through one of my books.

What lessons have you learned through the publication process that you wouldn’t have guessed as a pre-published writer?
That the hardest work comes after the book is published!

Any funny family stories about living with a writer?
Actually, yes! One evening, I sat perched on the staircase in our house, watching for my husband Lon to come home from work. He was scarcely through the front door when I began tugging on his arm, “Lon!” I said.
“Is everything ok, Pen?” he asked me. After 18 years of marriage, he knows about my exuberant, creative, and at times, far-fetched personality.
“Yes, yes, it’s fine. I can’t wait for you to meet Lucille Granger!”
“What? Lucille Granger?” Lon looked at me. “Do we have company?”
I shook my head and laughed while leading Lon up the stairs and into the office. When he saw me pointing for him to sit in the blue “guest” chair in the office, he nodded his head knowingly. He’d been in the blue “guest” chair many times before. Yep, it was making sense to him now – Lucille Granger wasn’t someone visiting for dinner. She was a secondary character in all three books in my Montana Skies Series!

If someone were to give you $5,000 to spend on anything you wanted, what would you buy? (No saving or gifts to charities allowed!)
No charities, saving, or gifts? What about paying bills? *grins* Wow! That’s a hard question. Hmmm…let’s see…I would take my family on a vacation or buy my husband flying lessons, since it’s always been a dream of his to learn how to fly. And if there’s any money leftover, I’d probably buy a cute new outfit since I love clothes!

What is your favorite verse in the Bible?
I have two: Psalm 19:14 and Psalm 91.

What event in the Bible would you like to be at, it can be in the past or in the future? That’s a great question, Stephanie! I can’t just narrow it down to one event. I would say that it would be a three-way tie again between the days of Creation, Jesus’ birth, and the Transfiguration.

Your most recent release is a historical fiction romance, titled Kaydie. Do you write novels exclusively?
No, I have also written two nonfiction books and a children’s picture book. However, historical romance is my favorite genre to write. 

Kaydie was released just this month and is Book 2 in your Montana Skies Series. Can you please give us a brief synopsis?
I am thrilled about the release of Kaydie. A short synopsis is as follows: Since the death of her abusive husband, Kaydie Kraemer’s life has been easier, but she’s wary of men and builds a wall of protection around her, staying with her sister McKenzie as she awaits the birth of her baby. Haunted by her painful marriage, Kaydie is determined never to fall in love again, and it will take the grace of God to change her mind—the same grace that works in the heart of ranch hand Jonah Dickenson, a confirmed bachelor who has unhealed wounds of his own to overcome.

Cindy Sproles produced a fantastic book trailer for Kaydie, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwihs6rsqDk

Where can readers purchase a copy of Kaydie?
Kaydie is available everywhere books are sold, including Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Kaydie-Montana-Skies-Penny-Zeller/dp/1603742174/ref=pd_sim_b_1

What do you hope your readers will get out of the story?
Writing is my ministry and I hope my readers will get from Kaydie – and all of my novels – the power of God’s love, redemption, hope, and forgiveness. And that God can and does change hearts.

What’s up next for your readers?
I just finished the third and final book in the series, Hailee, which is scheduled for release in September. I’m also working on a second historical romance series that takes place in the Post-Civil War Era. I recently finished book one in the series and have started writing book two.

Where can fans find you on the internet?
I love to connect with my readers at my website www.pennyzeller.com,
my blog 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

Bio:
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.

Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win Penny’s new book! We’ll be doing the drawing Tuesday evening and the winner will be announced on Wednesday!