An Interview with Penny Zeller

I would like to welcome Penny Zeller, author of Hailee to my blog today.

Penny, thank you for coming. Please tell us about yourself. Hi Ginger! It’s great to be here. I am a wife, mom, and author of several books (both fiction and nonfiction) and numerous magazine articles in national and regional publications. I also write a humor blog titled “A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author” where I include movie reviews from a Christian point of view. I am an active volunteer and serve as a women’s Bible study-small group leader, and I also lead a women’s prayer group. My goal is to assist and nurture women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. Hailee is the final book in my Montana Skies Historical Romance Series, which began with McKenzie and Kaydie.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with my family and camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, gardening, and playing volleyball.

Speaking of writing, can you give us a blurb about your latest book, Hailee? Sure, Ginger. The blurb for Hailee is as follows:

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?

How did you know you were called to write? I have had a love for writing since I was in second grade and rewrote Bible stories in my own little second grade commentary. Throughout my school years, I would write stories and “publish” them in homemade cardboard books. In high school, I wrote stories where my friends were the main characters.

Fast forward several years to November of 2000 when I surrendered my writing to the Lord. I quit my fulltime job with a social services governmental agency so I could stay home with my infant daughter. That was the start of my career, beginning with writing magazine articles. Writing is my ministry and my passion and I pray I will glorify Him with each word I write.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? I love the creation of characters. My books are character-driven, so I love being able to create situations and dialogue. I enjoy developing how the characters will respond to various situations throughout the book based on their personalities.

What do you love about this story? I love Hailee’s story because it gives such a wonderful example of forgiveness and of second chances. It also reinforces the fact that God is with us always. I also love to infuse humor into my novels, so that, too, would be one of my favorite things about this story.

Where can readers purchase a copy? Hailee can be purchased at your favorite bookstore or at online retailers, such as Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Hailee-Montana-Skies-Penny-Zeller/dp/1603742182/ref=pd_sim_b_58

What was your favorite subject(s) in school? English was my favorite subject (surprise, surprise) after recess, of course! I liked pretty much all of the subjects in school, with the exception of anything related to math. Math and I have never gotten along!

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? I have so many favorite Bible verses, but if I had to narrow it down, I would say it’s a tie between Psalm 19:14 and Psalm 91.

What’s up next for your readers? I am currently working on a series that takes place after the Civil War. I’ve completed the first draft of the first book and am currently writing the second.

I look forward to reading it when it comes out. 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 where I post updates about new books, giveaways, events, and Just-for-Fun Fridays.

Thank you, again, Ginger, for graciously hosting me on your blog. It’s been an honor to be here!

It's been an honor having you. Thanks for coming.

"P" is for...

...Prayer

I have been reading a book on Prayer lately by Paul Miller called "A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World." I'm not finished with it yet, but it is Powerful.

Had you asked me a few weeks ago if I was a cynic, I would have said, "No, absolutely not." But you know what? I am to a certain extent - or, at least, I have become one in the last couple of years. Dictionary.com defines cynic as  "a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view." Mr. Miller believes (and I agree) that many of us, as Christians, teeter on the edge of being cynical. We sometimes feel defeated with weariness. We feel numb toward life. But we have not lost all hope.

I have withdrawn myself from "feeling" because it causes pain. But the withdrawing also causes pain, not only to me but to those around me. It is a cycle that I am TRYING desperately to break.

Mr. Miller states that Jesus offers us six cures out of a life of cynicism. I will list them briefly - for more information, please see his book.

1. Be warm but wary
2. Learn to hope again
3. Cultivate a childlike spirit
4. Cultivate a thankful spirit
5. Cultivate repentance
6. Developing an eye for Jesus

Mr. Miller also suggests praying Scripture, specifically the 23rd Psalm. I haven't done that yet, but as I continue to fight this battle, I will be referring to it often. It may not be a battle for my soul/spirit, but it is a battle for my life and Jesus has promised me an abundant life. I receive that promise as my own and am going to fight to have it, with his help.

Thank you Jesus for your promises. Thank you for the ability to pray powerfully in your name. Amen.

"The Harvest of Grace" by Cindy Woodsmall

What to say, what to say, what to say. Other than I'll never receive an award for the best book review, here are my thoughts on The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall.

Having read books one and two in the Ada's House series (The Hope of Refuge, and The Bridge of Peace), which I highly recommend, I was ready for book three. A short note was included about these two works, in case you haven't had the pleasure, in the beginning of this book. It was so very helpful for reminding me what had happened - as it had been some time since I read them.

Love conquers all, if we let it. Through various trials, three couples work out their love. Cara and Ephraim struggle with Cara's past, her father's reappearance, her fight to forgive and learn German and Pennsylvania Dutch. A year of mourning keeps Lena and Grey from revealing their burgeoning love. And Aaron and Sylvia struggle with heartbreak and addictions - physical, and emotional. Ms. Woodsmall takes us through these struggles, and more, as we watch each couple fight to win and overcome. We see their pain, feel their desperation, and rejoice when they triumph as love holds them fast.

I would highly recommend all three books in this series. Ms. Woodsmall grabs your attention and keeps it page after page. Enjoy!

You can find The Harvest of Grace here.

As always, under HIS wings,
Ginger

PS. I was sent this book free by the publisher for the purpose of review. However, the above opinion is mine and mine alone.