I so love getting to know the characters in books! So I’m excited to bring you yet another interview with a character, this time the title character of Kaydie by Penny Zeller.
Penny has graciously offered a copy of the book to one lucky reader, so to enter for a chance to win, leave a comment below with an email address. If you’re getting looped back to log-in screens, try going to your Blogger/Google homepage first and logging in, then commenting. If that doesn’t work, feel free to email your comments to me at roseanna at roseannawhite dot com.
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About Kaydie
For the first time in years, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer can breathe easily. Although she is still haunted by memories of her abusive husband, Darius, she takes comfort in knowing the man is dead. Staying with her sister McKenzie and brother–in–law, Zach Sawyer, at their ranch, Kaydie is still wary of men, especially now that she has another life inside of her to protect. As she looks forward to her baby’s birth, she builds a protective wall around herself that won’t be easy to tear down.
Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach’s new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there’s something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.
When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie’s, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?
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Hello, Kaydie, and thank you so much for talking with me today! To begin, could you just tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hello, Roseanna. Thank you for having me as your guest. My name is Kaydie Worthington Kraemer, and I am originally from Boston, but am presently staying with my sister, McKenzie and her husband at their ranch in Pine Haven, Montana. I am the youngest of three daughters born to Arthur and Florence Worthington. My father founded the prestigious Worthington Law Offices, and I grew up being raised by a nanny and other servants who helped to efficiently manage our home.
I am shy, timid, and reserved unlike my two older sisters. My oldest sister, Peyton, always knew what she wanted from life, and easily obtained it. My other sister, McKenzie, is Father’s favorite and the spunky one in the family.
A woman named Ethel recently introduced me to the Lord after I endured a tragedy in my life. What a blessing it has been to learn that I can fully depend on Jesus in all areas of my life!
A blessing indeed! I rejoice with you. Now, what’s one of your most interesting traits?
Hmmm. I would have to say one of my most interesting traits, or shall I say, one of the most interesting things about me, would be that I love to cook. I never realized how enjoyable it was since I grew up in a home with a cook and was never allowed the chance to learn. But now, I love spending time in the kitchen and dreaming up new creations for supper and desserts.
Another interesting trait would be my vivid imagination. McKenzie and I used to act out the story of Rapunzel from the balcony of our parents’ home. I have many treasured memories of the times McKenzie and I would act out the stories we had created.
What fun! And you’re welcome to try out your cooking for me any time. 😉 What’s your favorite indulgence?
I have a fondness for gingerbread cookies, especially now since I’m about to have a baby.
I have delightful memories as a child watching Cook make gingerbread cookies in all shapes and sizes for my sisters and me during the Christmas holidays.
Favorites in my family too! What do you fear more than anything else?
More than anything else, I fear making the mistake of again marrying someone like Darius Kraemer and putting my child at risk. You see, I wasn’t wise when I chose my husband. He made all sorts of promises and pretended to be someone he wasn’t. After we were married and he had spent my inheritance, I realized the kind of man he was – abusive, hateful, and mean. I had been enveloped by his lies and suffered the consequences.
I will never again trust a man to be who he says he is because it’s true that no man can be trusted. I can’t take that chance ever again and allow my child and myself to be placed in jeopardy.
I pray your situation improves! Let’s go back to more cheerful things. Who’s your favorite person in the world (whether they’re still with you or not), and why?
My favorite person in the world is my older sister, McKenzie. She has always been there for me, even when my husband, Darius, took me miles from home to the primitive Montana Territory. McKenzie never gave up the hope of rescuing me. She planned to do whatever it took to bring me safely back to Boston. She even posed as a mail order bride! I can’t begin to explain the admiration I have for her and my gratitude toward her for never once holding my bad choices against me.
This is quite odd and unexpected, but recently, I discovered a friend in a man named Jonah Dickenson. He’s one of the ranch hands on my sister’s ranch. Anyhow, I know I cannot fully trust him, nor would I want to, but he is easy to talk to and has a kindness about him I haven’t seen in a man in a long time.
If you could change one part of your past, undo one decision, what would it be?
If I could change one part of my past, it would be decision to marry my husband, Darius. I would love to undo that decision!
If you could travel anywhere, to any time, where would you go and why?
My ancestors were from Scotland. I would have loved to be on the ship with them during their voyage when they immigrated to the United States. I loved the stories I heard as a child of their journey and the joys and hardships of beginning a new life in a new country.
Oh, that would be grand! What’s the most surprising thing someone has ever said about you?
I have never been brave like my sisters. Instead, I preferred to stay in the background as a spectator of life, rather than a participant. Recently, after a series of incidents I found myself a part of, I was told that I was brave. This really surprised me!
Thank you, Roseanna, for graciously allowing me to be your guest. God’s blessings to you and your family!
It was great having you, Kaydie!
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About Penny
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.
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Readers, be sure and check out Penny at: www.pennyzeller.com , www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, on Twitter at http://twitter.com/pennyzeller, and on Facebook.
You can purchase Kaydie at Amazon.
Void where prohibited. Entry into the contest is considered verification of eligibility based on your local laws. Chance of winning depends on number of entries. Contest ends 7/1/11. Winner will have two weeks to claim prize.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Hi Brittany!
Thank you for stopping by Roseanna's blog and for your kind words. Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Penny
Sounds like a great book 🙂 Please count me in. Thanks
quixoticdreamer(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hello Kat~
Thank you for sharing with me how much you enjoyed reading McKenzie. Your words really blessed me!
Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by to read Kaydie's interview.
Blessings,
Penny
Hello CB~
It's great to see you here! I loved writing Kaydie's character. One of hte neat things I was able to weave into the book was Kaydie's learning to trust and depend on God in all circumstances, even when things seemed at their bleakest.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Penny
Hi Paige~
Thank you for stopping by! I'm glad you enjoyed Kaydie's interview. 🙂
Blessings,
Penny
I loved the interview from the perspective of the character in the book! I loved Penny's book McKenzie, and would love to read Kaydie! Thanks, Penny!
katsaddressATgmailDOT com
Hello Julie~
Thank you so much for your encouraging comment – I just read it – what a great way to start off my week!
I'm excited to see who wins and am honored to be a guest on Roseanna's blog.
Blessings,
Penny
Hi Amy~
I agree, I love to see heroines escape from abusive husbands. Kaydie is such a sweet and tender soul and I was grateful she escaped the clutches of the her hateful husband, Darius.
I hope you have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by!
Blessings,
Penny
Good Morning, Beth M.~
I hope your week is off to a fantastic start. Thank you for stopping by Roseanna's blog and reading Kaydie's interview.
I love it that you are always on the lookout for new authors and good reads. Awesome!!! I also thought it was really neat that you share your books with your daughter.
Have a blessed week,
Penny
Great interview, Penny (and Roseanna!). Thanks for sharing a little bit of Kaydie's personal self with us. I love stories where women conquer abuse. They may look weak, but somewhere they find the strength to survive.
cb
sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/
Great interview!!! I would love to win a copy of Kaydie!
paigemcqueen23(at)gmail(dot)com
Paige at Page by Paige blog
thesweetandthesassy.wordpress.com
Penny, that was a really great interview! I loved reading about your book and am really looking forward to reading it! I would love to be entered to win a copy!
jwitt33 at live dot com
Z
Hi Beth V. ~ I'm a gluten-free gal too, so we will just have to find a gluten-free gingerbread cookie recipe!
I love character-driven books as well and just finished up the last book in the series and am already missing my characters, lol!
Blessings,
Penny
Hello Barb~
Thank you so much for your sweet comments and for your compliment about my book. That meant a lot to me!
Have a blessed weekend!
Blessings,
Penny
Hi, Penny! Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
I like stories where the heroine gets away from an abusive husband and finds true love somewhere else. When she finally does find a man who truly loves and respects her, it's always so touching and sweet. I would love to read Kaydie!
Amy Z.
angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com
Beth (famof4) said…
I am so glad to have found out about you & Penny…I am always looking for new authors and good reading!
I enjoyed finding being able to find out more about the characters through the interview. Thank you for the opportunity to enter. I would enjoy reading this book & eventually sharing it with my daughter. ツ
Blessings~Beth
Hi Amy~
Thanks for stopping by Roseanna's blog. Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Penny
Melinda! It is so wonderful to see you here! Your kind words are such a blessing to me. BTW, I loved your book "Grow Old With Me." Readers, if you are looking for a touching and well-written romance, I urge you to check out Melinda's book 🙂
Thank you again, Melinda!
Blessings,
Penny
Hi Judy~
You are such a sweetheart! Thank you for your kind words and adding Kaydie to your TBR pile. That is such an awesome compliment!
Blessings,
Penny
What a fun interview! If the gingerbread cookies were gluten-free, I'd be tempted to indulge! ;O) I enjoy character-driven stories, so I liked getting to know Kaydie better.
beth@bethvogt.com
Good Afternoon, Rebecca~
Thank you for your kind words! I am excited to see who is chosen as the winner!
Blessings,
Penny
Hello Gwen~
I'm thrilled that you enjoyed reading Kaydie! Thank you so much for sharing that! 🙂
Blessings,
Penny
Penny has wonderful character development in her sweet story. The interview with Kaydie was great and very enjoyable. She caused me to want to know her better. Thanks Penny for the giveaway of your book and to Roseanna for the chance to win it. I hope I winh!
Sister in Christ,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com
Hi Faye~
Thank you for stopping by! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Roseanna is such a gracious host and I appreciate her encouragement of fellow authors.
Blessings,
Penny
Hello Mallorie~
Thank you for stopping by Roseanna's blog. I agree, it is so much fun to be able to bring a character to life with her own interview!
Blessings,
Penny
I would enjoy reading this book! Amy
costaricagirl2[at]yahoo[dot]com
I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Kaydie. Penny is a special lady and talented writer. Thanks for posting the interview so others can learn about Penny's work.
Wow! What a great interview! This book is a must read for me. I would love to win a copy, but if I don't it is on my list of books to read!
Thanks and God Bless!
judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This book looks amazing. I would love to read it. Thanks again.
agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com
I already own this book and I love it! In this interview, it really made Kaydie come to life. It was touching and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks, Gwen.
Great post. I loved it! Thanks Penny and Roseanna!
Please enter me
crazi.swans at gmail dot com
What a fun interview! It really brings the characters to life. Thanks for sharing!
mallorielisabeth at hotmail dot com