Looking out the Window: Penny Zeller, Known for Heartfelt Stories of Faith, Talks about Her New Book, Dreams of the Heart. Giveaway.
A Warm Welcome to Penny Zeller
Penny will give away either an e-Book or a print copy (U.S. residents only) of Dreams of the Heart. Winner’s choice.
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Hi Penny, Lots of writers were avid readers as children. How about you? If so, what did you read?
I was an avid reader as a child, which I credit to my mom, who read to us and encouraged a love for books. Two of my favorite books were Wacky Wednesday and Harry the Dirty Dog. When I was older, I enjoyed reading Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, and Little House on the Prairie.
Why do you write?
Because I can’t not write. It is my ministry and my passion.
Tell us about your latest book, Dreams of the Heart
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?
What do you love about this book? And what do you hope readers will tell others about it?
I love that Dreams of the Heart is a tender love story with faith and humor. I also love how it reminds us that God hears every prayer and has a plan for every life.
I recently received a review from a reader who said the book was “a joy to read and is a relaxing balm to one's heart and soul." I hope readers will tell others it’s the type of book they enjoyed reading because it takes them back to the days of clean and wholesome books with interwoven faith and an innocent tenderness lacking in many of today’s reading choices.
Ahh, nice. Congratulations! What themes do you write about?
Themes of forgiveness, redemption, and hope find their way into my books. I am a strong proponent for adoption so most of my books also include an adoption thread.
Are you a plotter or a pantzer?
Definitely a pantzer and I rarely write a book in chronological order.
Does your faith affect your writing? If so, how?
Yes, very much so. My faith is an integral part of my writing and I could not write a book without injecting it into the story. I have wanted to write since I was in second grade; it is a calling and I seek to honor God and bring Him glory with each word I write.
What are you working on right now?
I’m juggling multiple projects right now including When Love Comes, the third book in the Wyoming Sunrise Series; Over the Horizon, a book in my new series that takes place in the Idaho Territory in the late 1800s and will be released in July and a short story that includes a minor character in the Wyoming Sunrise Series that I plan to include for free to newsletter subscribers next month.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
I would tell them to persevere. I know that sounds cliché, but it is so critical, especially in those moments when the obstacles mount and it seems like our writing is going nowhere beyond our own computer file. If God has called you to write, He has a purpose for that writing. We may never be best-selling authors, but our writing can still make a difference to those who read it. Joining writing clubs and groups both online and in person can be helpful as well.
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 non-secular 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 all work for the same Boss.
Introduce us to the main character in your new book.
I would like to introduce you to John Mark Eliason, the tall, strong, dark-haired, and hazel-eyed hero of Dreams of the Heart. Readers who read Forgotten Memories will recall him as a thirteen-year-old boy. Fast forward to Dreams of the Heart where readers will revisit John Mark as an adult. He’s now a deputy sheriff in the lawless town of Poplar Springs.
John Mark has come a long way from his pranking days as a youngster. Now a man who takes justice very seriously, he seeks to make Poplar Springs a law-abiding town. John Mark is a godly, kind, and protective man who cares for the downtrodden. He is witty, is a typical bachelor who does not know how to cook but loves snicker doodle cookies, and is loyal and close to his family. He struggles a bit with words flowing from his mouth without a second thought.
John Mark is a multi-faceted character I can’t wait for readers to meet.
A Brief Excerpt:
Tears stung her eyes as Hannah rushed toward the door. She’d never treat people the way she’d been treated by the Roesslers. Never.
Hannah retreated down the boardwalk, the misting tears blinding her vision. So preoccupied with what had just happened, she wasn’t paying attention and bumped into someone.
She tottered and wobbled until a hand on her elbow steadied her.
“Are you all right, miss?”
Hannah looked up at the man who was forever watching her. Only this time it wasn’t from a distance. There was something in his hazel eyes that she couldn’t ascertain. Compassion? Pity? Sympathy?
“I’m all right, thank you.”
Deputy Eliason held his gentle grasp on her elbow for a second longer before releasing it.
What must he think of her?
Buy on Amazon
Bio:
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 fitness instructor.
When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, cycling, 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 website and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author.
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Email address: madisyncarlin [at] hotmail [dot] com
Thank you for the kind words. It's my pleasure to have you.