Free book!

I’m super excited to announce that Love from Afar is free on Kindle today and tomorrow only! Click here for the Amazon link.

Written especially for those who love sweet Christian historical romances with plentiful humor.

Below is the blurb:

What happens when two little sisters become self-appointed matchmakers?

Best friends Tillie and Lula are tired of watching Tillie’s older sister and Lula’s older brother admire each other from afar. Determined to bring their siblings together, they hatch a most brilliant plan. After all, it’s perfectly acceptable to indulge in mischief if it’s for a good cause, right?

Meredith Waller has an excellent reputation as a wedding dress seamstress in the frontier town of Ellis Creek in 1880s Montana Territory. There’s just one problem: all of the wedding dresses she has sewn have been for others. The eligible bachelor options—or at least decent eligible bachelor options—are next to nil in Ellis Creek, and Meredith worries spinsterhood is God’s plan for her.

Gabe Kleeman has recently returned to Ellis Creek. In those three years away, his affection for Meredith Waller, a woman he’s admired from a distance since their former school days, has remained steadfast. But Meredith doesn’t know Gabe exists, and if he doesn’t figure out a way to use the mouth God gave him to tell her his intentions, Meredith may never know.

Can Tillie and Lula’s clandestine plot bring two lonely hearts together?

Feel free to spread the word and happy reading!

a huge thank you to readers

Dear Reader,

A huge thank you on behalf of all authors…

Thank you for sharing in our love for quirky characters.

Thank you for recommending us to your friends.

Thank you for encouraging us by writing reviews.

Thank you for joining our “street teams” and being first-line readers.

Thank you for spreading the word about our books, whether it be through posts, retweets, “likes”, or word-of-mouth.

Thank you for hosting us on your blogs and podcasts.

Thank you for choosing to take a chance and read a book by an unknown-to-you author.

Thank you for supporting us by buying, borrowing, and uploading books.

Thank you showing us grace when you come across a typo in our books. Despite our best efforts (and dozens of rounds of editing by both us and professional editors and proofreaders), picky-petty errors still manage to find a way into our books.

Thank you for your encouraging enthusiasm.

Readers, we could not do it without you. You are the reason we write. The reason we stay up late to perfect that “problem” scene. The reason we put ourselves “out there” for others to read our creations. And the reason that currently-only-a-dreamed-up-story will find its way onto the pages of a novel or the screen of an ebook.

And you are worth it.

Love Under Construction Blog Tour: Kickoff + Sneak Peak + Meet the Characters

I’m super excited to announce the Love Under Construction mini blog tour! **

First, a bit about the book…

She builds websites. He builds houses. Together, can they build a family for two orphans?

Irelynn agreed two years ago to help raise her best friend’s twins should anything happen. When she is called upon to fulfill that agreement, there is only one problem—Irelynn must share the responsibility with the arrogant but handsome Quinton Gregory.

Quinton takes the role of raising his niece and nephew with all seriousness. He will do anything for the twins, even if it means putting up with the beautiful but stubborn Irelynn Brady.

When forced to be in each other’s presence far more often than is comfortable, things slowly begin to change. Will the unexpected attraction between Irelynn and Quinton become a love under construction?

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Available for purchase:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

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Scroll down for the following:

1. A sneak peek from Chapter One.
2. Meet four of the characters from Love Under Construction.
3. A glimpse into who inspired me on my “Love Under Construction“ Pinterest board.
4. Bio and links. Be sure to follow for updates on future books.
5. A list and links of some awesome bloggers who have agreed to host me each day with interviews, book spotlights, giveaways, reviews, and guest posts.

Thanks for stopping by and helping me celebrate this momentous occasion of Love Under Construction going from an idea, to my computer screen, and finally to an ebook and paperback.

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Sneak peek into Chapter One

Tears pricked Irelynn Brady’s eyes. “Please help me,” she whispered. Not her first prayer for this situation, and likely far from being her last.

Because God’s help was the only way she had any hope of handling the insurmountable task set before her.

Irelynn gripped the steering wheel and glanced in the rearview mirror. The children in the back seat had fallen asleep, exhausted from their hectic day. Their precious round faces weren’t the only thing that reminded her she must succeed.

It was also the promise she’d made to their mother, Nicole.

Raindrops splattered on the windshield, and Irelynn flipped on the switch for the windshield wipers. If only the noise of the wipers, combined with the pattering rain, could drown out the emotions that warred within her.

The death of her best friend.

Suddenly becoming a single mom to twin three-year-olds.

A house too small for the unanticipated addition to her family.

And that pesky nemesis, Quinton Gregory, thrown into the mix for good measure.

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Meet the Characters

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A glimpse into who inspired me on my “Love Under Construction” Pinterest board.

Pinterest is an author’s dream come true when it comes to creating characters, settings, and even clothing choices, houses, and vehicles for characters. This is especially true for those of us who are visual writers. When you visit my Love Under Construction Pinterest board, you’ll find, of course, Irelynn and Quinton, as well as, secondary characters Mia and Max, Cynthia (Mom), Gram, Mrs. Caruthers, and Mr. and Mrs. Potter, along with Irelynn’s house (the top house picture).

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My 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 several inspirational 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 www. pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at http://www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.

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Let’s connect!

Website: https://pennyzeller.com/

Blog: www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennyZeller

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pennyzeller/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/zellerpenny/

Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/pennyzeller

MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/pennyzeller

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Love Under Construction Mini Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 6:

Blog Tour Kickoff/Sneak Peek/Meet the Characters | Penny Zeller

Author Interview | Kristina Hall

Book Spotlight and Giveaway| Chat with Vera

Tuesday. December 7:

Book Spotlight | Joy Hannabass

Book Spotlight | Penny McGinnis

Wednesday, December 8:

Author Interview | Vanessa Hall

Thursday, December 9:

Book Spotlight and Guest Post| June Foster

Friday, December 10:

Book Spotlight and Review | Madi’s Musings

Book Spotlight and Guest Post | Kathy McKinsey

Saturday, December 11:

Book Spotlight/Ebook Giveaway | Patti’s Porch

Blog Tour Wrap-up/Love Under Construction Quotables and a signed copy giveaway | Penny Zeller

** Regularly-scheduled posts will return next week.

the big day is here!

When an author pens a novel or a novella, it can seem like an eternity before the book is released. But there is much work to be done behind the scenes during that time frame…

Finish writing the book;

Get a sneak-peak at the cover artwork (one of the most exciting things!);

Receive edits and make any changes;

Read through the final copy for any last-minute corrections;

Stalk the UPS man waiting to receive author copies (another super-exciting event!); and,

Celebrate the day the book is released to the masses (the most exciting!)

Just a couple of days ago, my novella Freedom’s Flight, became a reality. Included in the fabulous new Barbour Collection, The Underground Railroad Brides Collection, I was joined by eight other authors, as we told stories of those seeking to escape slavery and those assisting them on their way to freedom.

One of the things from a reader point-of-view that I love most about Barbour Collections is that the novellas are short enough to devour in a sitting – even if your time is limited.

From an author point-of-view, I love the camaraderie between authors, as we seek to pen novellas that will combine to make an anthology that readers will savor and desire to read again and again. And most importantly, produce a product that glorifies God. For that is the ultimate purpose for any Christian writer.

Check out the official book trailer:

Here is a tidbit about the stories and their authors that you’ll find in this collection:

Emma Underground by Barbara Tifft Blakey 
Schenectady, New York—1851
Emma Trebor desires to reconcile with her husband, but he is hiding something from her. How could she know the investigator she hires is secretly a bounty hunter and her husband is his target?

Follow the Christmas Star by Ramona K. Cecil
Madison, Indiana—1850
Deeply involved in the abolitionist movement, Edith Applegate struggles to reconcile her desire to help bring people out of bondage and her growing affection for a former Southern slave owner.

Under the Sails of Love by Lynn A. Coleman
Savannah, Georgia—1860
Charlotte Kimbrel, a Southern Belle, has been smuggling slaves. Captain Zachery Browne’s ship sails slaves to freedom. Hostilities between the states are developing. Will Charlotte successfully travel the Underground Railroad by sea?

The Bakery Bride by Cecelia Dowdy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—1859
Grieving over her beau’s unjustified death, Ruth—a recently manumitted slave who is illiterate—assists her upper-class boss as an abolitionist. Can she heal from the pain of slavery and learn to love again?

Place of Refuge by Patty Smith Hall
Abbeville, South Carolina—1857
Underground conductor Hudson Wallace is surprised when Jorgine Emerson asks him to transport her slaves to freedom, but is it a trap? Can Jorgine’s deep conviction win Hudson over?

Free to Love by Terri J. Haynes
East Towson, Maryland—1850
Winnie is hiding a secret—Hiram, a fugitive. Their lives cross at an Underground Railroad station. Can they overcome danger and find freedom in love?

The Winter Quilt by Debby Lee
Newport, Indiana—1840
Relocated to an unfamiliar town, Coral Martin yearns for stability. Carpenter Josiah Williamson helps her find meaning working on the Underground Railroad. Will their love survive when forces threaten to tear them apart forever?

The Song of Hearts Set Free by Darlene Panzera
Jersey City, New Jersey—1851
Budding abolitionist, Annie Morrison, discovers the man she’s fallen in love with may be a slave catcher in disguise.

Freedom’s Flight by Penny Zeller
Tennessee—1850s
When she discovers the handsome Reverend Matthias Sorenson assisting runaway slaves, can Annalise Van Houten convince him to allow her to help? Or will mistrust prove fatal for all involved?

If this novel sounds like an awesome read…it is!

The Underground Railroad Brides Collection is available at your favorite local bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

 

 

 

Exciting Book News!

When she discovers the handsome Reverend Matthias Sorenson assisting runaway slaves, can Annalise Van Houten convince him to allow her to help? Or will mistrust prove fatal for all involved?

I am super excited to announce that my latest novella Freedom’s Flight is set to be released June 1! I join eight other fabulous authors in Barbour’s latest novella collection: The Underground Railroad Brides Collection.

And good news! It’s already available for pre-order at Amazon, Christian Book Distributors, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore.

I love Barbour novella collections because they include so many different voices all with a common theme. The Underground Railroad Collection is no different. All set prior to the Civil War, heroes and heroines come together to help this within the bonds of slavery.

Check out the official trailer for The Underground Railroad Brides Collection here.

 

 

 

And the winner of the Starbucks giftcard giveaway is…

Ok…I have to keep you in suspense for a minute longer! A HUGE thank you to everyone who visited my website at www.pennyzeller.com for my Website Remodel Party and left an encouraging comment about what they liked about the site. I SO appreciate all of you!

Secondly, I am SO thankful for www.random.org because there would have been no way I could have chosen a winner on my own. Your comments and your kindness blessed me so much that I wish I could give you all a Starbucks giftcard! But, since I can’t, I let random.org choose a winner and that winner is…

JULIE LIPPO !!!

So congratulations, Julie! I will be in touch with you to get your address.

Be watching because I have more awesome giveaways coming up, especially during my 12 Days of Christmas Celebration beginning on December 1 where you can enter to win awesome books by some of my favorite author friends.  I’ll also be doing another Starbucks giveaway in the very near future.

Thank you again to everyone who entered. I hope you have a blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A side note: If you’re in a quandary on what to purchase your wife, daughter, sister, mom, grandmother, or friend for Christmas, I just discovered that Christian Book Distributors has all three of my Montana Skies Books available for $19.99! At that price, that’s almost like getting one free! Here’s the link: http://www.christianbook.com/montana-skies-series-volumes-1-3/pd/742744?item_code=WW&netp_id=916458&event=ESRCN&view=details

All three books are also available at your favorite bookstore and at most online retailers. For more information about my books, please see http://www.pennyzeller.com/books.html