Historical and Contemporary Author Penny Zeller

 Hello, we are so glad you are here. This week, we welcome historical and contemporary romance author Penny Zeller. Before we get into the interview, here's a little bit about our guest. Be sure and read to the end because Penny is generously giving away a copy of her book to one reader.

About the Author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.

Today Penny is a multi-published author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, biking, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com and on her blog at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

SW: Welcome to the Diamond Mine, Penny. We’re thrilled to have you visit us this week. I always like to start with a couple book- and writer-themed would you rather questions. Would you rather write in a rooftop garden surrounded by city noises — or in a quiet studio with cows as your neighbors?

PZ: Thank you so much for having me as your guest. It is great to be here! I would definitely prefer a quiet studio with cows as my neighbors. I’m a small-town girl who loves the country landscape.

 

SW: Country landscapes do offer wonders you’d never see in the city, don’t they? Would you rather read a book with no page numbers or no chapter numbers?

PZ: What a great question! I would choose to have no chapter numbers rather than no page numbers.

 

SW: Agreed! Otherwise, how would we know where to pick back up if we had to set our book down, right? Alright, that’s enough of those. Tell us a little about you—family, hobbies, day job, or whatever you’d like to share that’s not in your bio.

PZ: I am a wife to my husband, Lon, and the mother of two daughters. Writing is a full-time job for me, and I also am a fitness instructor, avid blogger, and volunteer.

 

SW: It sounds like you keep plenty busy. What are three books on your current tbr?

PZ: Shattered Reaction by Madisyn Carlin, Make You Feel my Love by Robin Lee Hatcher, and Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin.

 

SW: I haven’t read a single one of those titles yet, either! What does your writing space look like?

PZ: Right now a little chaotic with some crazy deadlines. 😊 My husband completely remodeled one of the bedrooms in our house and turned it into a home office for me. I have my computer, printers, folders, phone, research books, and pictures of my family on my desk. I also have a bookcase that he built into the former closet along with filing cabinets. To round it out, I have a fireplace, elliptical, and exercise bike. I am so blessed and so grateful for the time he took to create this wonderful writing space for me.

 

SW: Everything you enjoy close to you. Would you share with us a little about your road to publication?

PZ: At seven-years-old, I was bitten by the writing bug, and began penning stories about a dog’s adventures. For a writing assignment, I wrote my own second grade Bible story commentary of sorts for “kids.” In fourth grade, I “published” my fictional stories in homemade wallpaper-covered cardboard books. A poem published in a national magazine and a Young Author’s Award sealed the deal, and thus began my dream of becoming an author.

Later, when our children were babies, I began writing for both national and regional publications to help supplement our income while staying home with our daughters. Magazine writing soon gave way to writing books, beginning with a children’s book titled Hollyhocks, and followed by 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others. McKenzie, my first Christian historical romance was written during a particularly rough time in my life while recovering from a car accident. I soon wrote the other two books in the series. After a hiatus due to nearly losing my husband after open heart surgery, I wrote novellas for Barbour Collections. In 2021, I released a Christian contemporary romance and a historical romance, followed by several releases in 2022 and 2023. God is faithful. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined He would bless me with the honor of writing books for His glory.

 

SW: That’s quite the catalog of books. Love that God keeps bringing you back to writing. You write both historical and contemporary romance. Do you prefer one over the other? What do you like most about each genre?

PZ: I love writing both but do prefer writing historical over contemporary. What I like most about each genre is that historical novels take us back to a simpler, less stressful time. Contemporaries are easier to write, however, because of less research.

 

SW: Another great thing about historical books is that sometimes they bring history to life (I was never a fan of the dry facts given in history class!). Tell us more about your newest release.

PZ: I have a couple of new releases. Love in the Headlines just released May 9 and is a lighthearted and

fun Christian contemporary romance. It includes a small-town America setting with two reporters trying their best not to fall in love, an ornery shih tzu, a chew-happy German shepherd, and a cast of memorable characters.

My other new release was released in March and is the second in my Wyoming Sunrise Series. Dreams of the Heart is a tender romance about a handsome deputy sheriff, a woman in search of freedom, and an unconventional situation. It’s a reminder that God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life.

SW: A reminder we all need from time to time. What are you currently working on?

PZ:  I’m preparing for the release of Over the Horizon, Book #1 in a brand new series that takes place in 1870s Idaho Territory. The blurb is as follows:

A most unusual proposal...

Alone in 1870s Idaho Territory, Paisley Abbott has nowhere to turn. With no other options, she finds herself consenting to an unconventional, but mutually beneficial agreement.

During an unplanned return to his family’s farm, prodigal Tyler Shepherdson inherits three orphans. When Tyler finds a woman hiding in the back of his wagon, an idea begins to form and he makes a rash decision that results in perhaps one of the most spontaneous marriages of convenience ever.

Despite an unorthodox beginning to their marriage, will Paisley and Tyler trust God as they forge ahead to create a home for three children? Will love arise from a desperate situation?

In the first book in the Horizon Series, travel to the late 1800s to the town of Horizon in the Idaho Territory with a cast of unforgettable characters, journeys of faith, and abundant humor.

 

SW: Adding all three of those books to my to-read list!! How can we pray for you?

PZ: Thank you so much for your willingness to pray for me. I would love prayers for time management as I meet upcoming deadlines. Thank you again for having me as your guest. It’s been an honor to be here!

SW: It’s been an honor to have you as a guest and learn more about you. Thank you for visiting the diamond mine! Readers, here more about Penny's latest releases

About the Books

Can paper and paw prints draw these two nemeses together?

All Carleigh Adams wants is a relaxing evening. But Sullivan Theodore IV, her wayward shih tzu, has other plans. After escaping from home, Sullivan Theodore unlawfully enters what Carleigh assumes is a stranger’s house via a doggy door. Much to Carleigh’s horror, it is actually the home of her coworker and nemesis, Trey “The Irritating” Montgomery.

Trey Montgomery has competed with “Quirky Carleigh,” his top competitor, for the best articles at The Oakville Daily for the past two years. It’s safe to say that she and her criminally-minded pet are his adversaries. Trey’s attempts to keep his distance from her are demolished when their boss thrusts them together as The Oakville Daily Duo, forcing them to work as a team on every. Single. Article.

Petty crimes and crazy shenanigans in Oakville soon draw Carleigh and Trey into doubling as detectives. When dogs, including their own pets, begin to mysteriously disappear, Carleigh and Trey join forces to uncover the culprit. As they work to report the daily news and solve the crimes in Oakville, can these two stubborn reporters find love in the headlines?

Faith, plentiful humor, and tender romance round out the latest Christian contemporary romance novel by Author Penny Zeller. Order here.

Sometimes the hardest battles take place in the heart.

Poverty and abuse at the hands of her drunkard father leaves Hannah Bane trapped and alone. Without hope, she prays for a miracle just on the off-chance God will hear her. Will the handsome new deputy, who seems to be watching her every move, be Hannah’s one chance to escape the only life she’s ever known?

For as long as he can remember, John Mark Eliason has wanted to be a deputy sheriff. When a job opens in the nearby town of Poplar Springs, he eagerly accepts, but finds his greatest mission won’t be tracking down criminals and bringing justice to the ruthless Wyoming town, but saving a beautiful young woman he barely knows.

Will an unexpected answer to a difficult situation show how love can endure—and even thrive—in an unconventional situation? Or will fear and uncertainty keep two hesitant hearts apart?

A handsome deputy sheriff.

A woman in search of freedom.

An unconventional situation.

In the sequel to Forgotten Memories, author Penny Zeller weaves a tender tale of faith, romance, and humor in a memorable story that reminds us God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life. Order here.

Giveaway

Penny Zeller has graciously giving one of our readers a copy of Love in the Headlines (winner's choice of paperback or ebook). Open to US mailing addresses only. Giveaway ends Tuesday, 5/30/23 at 11:59 PM EST.

To enter, leave a comment and tell us whether you prefer historical or contemporary novels. Be sure and leave a way for us to contact you if you win.