Today is an exciting time for my guest author, Penny Zeller, as she hops onto the Blog Tour train for her latest release, Forgotten Memories.

The Time I lived in Two Centuries

I consider myself primarily a Christian historical romance author.

So when I recently embarked on writing a Christian romantic suspense novel and a historical romance at the same time, I realized what it truly meant to time travel. No, not in the traditional sense of hopping into one of those homemade time-traveling machines like you see in movies. But to stretch my brain into two radically different genres and into two even more diverse time periods.

This shouldn’t be a stretch, right? After all, I’m a wife and mom. I’m accustomed to having 476 “tabs” open at any given time and multi-tasking, keeping track of everyone’s schedules, and making sure the home runs efficiently while being an author, fitness instructor, and blogger. Such a feat shouldn’t be chalked up as impossible for one already suffering from permanent “mombrain”.

But I found as I began to write the historical and the suspense, both due within similar time frames, it was a stretch.

I should digress. Why am I writing in both genres? I do love to read all three genres of Christian romance— historical, suspense, and contemporary. And I do love to write in all three (just not usually at the same time). But when your agent gently prods you toward suspense, you run with gusto toward the finish line.

So there I was. My historical guy in his plaid shirt and my suspense guy in his cowboy hat and modern-day denim jacket both taped to my computer monitor where I tape all my WIP characters. They were joined by my main female characters, one in a prairie dress and the other in cute modern stylish clothes. Now the challenge was not to get them mixed up in my brain or on paper.

Would I succeed in not allowing my suspense characters to speak in historic vernacular with “reckons” and “much obliged” in their vocabulary? Would my historical characters refrain from speaking as though they were born in 1995? Ask any author and she’ll tell you characters do have minds of their own.

While I had a few mishaps, I did catch myself, and I’m pleased to report that I raced across the finish line for both deadlines. All characters behaved and kept within the lines of their own centuries. My mind may have faltered a time or two between the 1880s and 2022, but I reached my goal with a day to spare.

While I won’t know until October if I will become a future romantic suspense novelist along with my historicals and contemporaries, I will say I won’t soon forget the time I lived in two centuries.

Getting to know Penny:

Do you have a dedicated place to write, or a nook or corner of a room, or the kitchen table? Great question! Several years ago, my husband remodeled a spare bedroom in our house into a home office for me. He is a regular MacGyver/Tim the Tool Man Taylor when it comes to building and fixing things, and his gift of the office has been such a blessing. Everything I need is in close proximity: my computers and other office equipment, reference books, pleasure books, an elliptical, stationary bike, and all of my exercise equipment, a fireplace, and a comfortable rolling chair. We’ve contemplated moving over the years, but I’m not sure I could leave my office behind. 

What can readers expect from you next? I am super excited to be working on the second book in the Wyoming Sunrise Series, Dreams of the Heart. This time, readers will catch a glimpse of John Mark Eliason in his own book. 

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful? Readers, you are so critical to authors. In a way, you are our lifeblood because you have influence over future potential readers. If you enjoyed Forgotten Memories, it would be a huge blessing if you would write a review, or leave a star rating (I realize writing reviews can be intimidating) on your favorite review site.

Another way is to spread the word about our books and encourage your family and friends to read it. Finally, ask your library to order it. As a Christian author, my writing is a calling and a ministry. We never know who might pick up a Christian novel and have a seed or two planted in their minds about the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Thank you for having me as your guest, Donna. It was great to be here!

If you enjoyed this blog post, you might like to check out Penny’s other posts on her blog tour:

Forgotten Memories Blog Tour Lineup

TUESDAY, 9/6

Penny Zeller | Is Forgotten Memories the Book for You?

Penny McGinnis | Book Spotlight

Charity’s Book Escapes | Book Review (Instagram)

Madi’s Musings | Book Review

Julie Arduini | Guest Post

Lee-Ann Brodeur | Book Spotlight

WEDNESDAY, 9/7

Vanessa Hall | Book Review

Saraina | Author Interview

Christian Books and Coffee | Book Spotlight (Instagram)

Quilling in the Pines |Book Review

Suite T | Guest Post

Mary | Review (Facebook)

THURSDAY, 9/8

Penny Zeller | Quotes + Meet the Characters

Cover Lover | Book Spotlight

Christian Books and Coffee | Author Interview (Instagram)

Reading and Flowers | Book Spotlight (Instagram)

t.r.b.e. | Book Review

Chat with Vera | Book Review, Giveaway

Donna Schlachter | Guest Post

Lena Nelson Dooley | Author Interview, Giveaway

FRIDAY, 9/9

Saraina | Book Spotlight

Cover Lover | Book Review

Christian Books and Coffee | Book Review (Instagram)

2friendstalkbooks | Book Spotlight (Instagram)

Abbigail | Book Review (Facebook)

Penny McGinnis | Book Review

Cindy’s Book Corner | Book Review*

SATURDAY, 9/10

Penny Zeller | Tour Wrap-up (Which Character are You, etc.)

Kristina Hall | Book Review

Madi’s Musings | Book Spotlight

2friendstalkbooks | Book Review

Patti’s Porch | Guest Post, Giveaway

About Forgotten Memories:

Some memories are best forgotten…
 
The Wyoming Territory is rife with lawlessness and disorder, something Annie Ledbetter and her parents discover when their wagon train is robbed. Seven years later, Annie settles into her lifelong dream as a teacher in the small town of Willow Falls. When she meets handsome rancher Caleb Eliason through a humorous misunderstanding, she is quickly drawn to his kind heart and charming smile.
 
Former outlaw Caleb Eliason embraces his chance at a fresh start. Gone are the days of robbing stagecoaches and wagon trains. When he falls in love with the new Willow Falls teacher, he doesn’t realize they’ve met before—under much different circumstances. When his past comes to light, will it put the growing love between them at risk?
 
Can forgiveness and redemption heal two broken hearts or will the past keep them from sharing a future?

About Penny:

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 the 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 www.pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.

Connect with Penny online:

Website: www.pennyzeller.com

Blog: www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PennyZeller

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

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/penny-zeller

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

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

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

Newsletter Sign up: https://mailchi.mp/8c1dae400a24/penny-zeller

Add Forgotten Memories to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61166004-forgotten-memories?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=JxLU3k3mt3&rank=2

Where to Purchase Forgotten Memories

https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Memories-Penny-Zeller-ebook/dp/B09VDDPPR4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3M7OU8NJ42H96&keywords=penny+zeller&qid=1660022299&sprefix=penny+zell%2Caps%2C320&sr=8-3

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forgotten-memories-penny-zeller/1142115335?ean=9780976083689