My Friend Penny – Heroine Interview & Giveaway

by Roseanna White | Jun 24, 2011 | Uncategorized

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.

Check out her book trailer!

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.