McKenzie

A wonderful story

McKenzie by Penny Zeller
McKenzie Worthington knew you don’t build a marriage on shaky ground, so when she signed up to be a mail-order bride she planned to divorce the man as soon as she accomplished her goal and go home to find a man she could love.
I don’t read books if I don’t like the main character. Ordinarily I’d toss a novel aside with the protagonist planning before the vows were even said to divorce the bridegroom . Ah, but McKenzie’s goal shows she is a person with redeeming qualities.
We discover early that McKenzie’s sister, Kaydie, is being abused and beaten by her husband who forces his wife to assist him in robbing banks and other crimes. Now McKenzie fears her sister’s life is in danger. McKenzie needs to slip away to Montana without her parents knowing to see if she can find Kaydie and get her away from the man.
No one else in the family will help. All they’ve done is condemn Kaydie for running off and marrying the guy when they had a nice rich man picked out for her.
So McKenzie sees an advertisement from a Montana man who is looking for a mail-order bride and devises her plan. She is chosen by Zachary Sawyer to be his wife and the mother of his young adopted son. Amazing thing, Sawyer, a rancher, prayed diligently before deciding on McKenzie over other women who applied by mail.
McKenzie, however, didn’t expect him to be young, personable and handsome.
As a reader, I already knew about the pain Kaydie was going through because I read that book first (I recommend it) although Kaydie was second in the Montana Skies Series. Now we find McKenzie and Zach hurting from trouble that keeps rippling over people’s lives from wrong decisions.
But Penny Zeller skillfully takes us through the rough waters, although we feel at times we think there is little hope. That’s the way a novel should be and that’s why I lost sleep reading into the night to see what happens next.
Although she has attended church all her life and believes she is a Christian, we discover why McKenzie was able to lie when she repeated her marriage vows before God and everybody. She has no idea what’s in the Bible, but Zach introduces her to the truths through reading the Word to her every day, and it makes her hunger for more and desire to know God.
If you like historical Christian fiction, you’ll like this book. I recommend it.
Note: I was provided a review copy by the author.

"This Is Not a Small Thing!" McKenzie Worthington is a

"This Is Not a Small Thing!"
McKenzie Worthington is a desperate woman. She lives in a world of such wealth and privilege she has never even had to spoon food onto her own plate. She is willing to give it all up. Temporarily, at least. Someone must rescue her sister from a truly terrifying marriage in the wilds of frontier Montana, but McKenzie has no reason to hope for her family's help.
McKenzie grew up in the comfort of Boston high society but she has known heartache. The "perfect" man jilted her for her best friend. She struggles to trust and love in a world of the proper and dutiful. There's no example of open love or personal sacrifice or pain.
A mail order marriage doesn't seem "binding." Marriage is only for convenience and comfort. She travels to Montana only to find to a man who might help her find her sister. Zach Sawyer, however, teaches her the difference between her social customs and empty religion back home and the real God and His Word straight from his father's worn-out Bible. He teaches her honor, duty and real sacrifice.
This story contains gems of greatness. McKenzie's first dinner in Zach's home had stunning potential to show how ill-equipped McKenzie would be. But, while we get description of Boston life, down to the wallpaper patterns, there is little of the hardness of life in Montana. Vague references to learning to cook didn't satisfy.
When Zach cries out to God about the difference between a wife's small shortcomings and the "big thing" McKenzie has done to him, it is another gem of greatness in the book.
Over all, though, it was a sweet, gentle lesson in replacing what the world teaches us about family, duty and what's "proper" with truth, honesty and love based on God and His Word.

Love this Historical story!

In the attempt to find her sister, Mckenzie Worthington answers an ad for a mail order bride in Montana because she thinks that is where Kaydie is living with her abusive husband. She never intends to stay married once she finds Kaydie, but no way will McKenzie tell her husband until she’s found.

Since Zachary Sawyer’s neighbors passed away and he adopted their son Davey, her realizes that Davy needs a mom in his life. And because there are just no women in the little town in Western Montana, Zachary decides to place an ad for a mail order bride. Zachary believes God will send him the right woman, and he will love her no matter what.

Zachary and Mckenzie’s marriage did not start of on the right track because of the deception of Mckenzie, though Zachary thought everything was fine and dandy. Of course Mother Worthington will be happy to have her two girls back home because they couldn’t possibly have a life in the Western Territory and her girls were use to the best of life. Join Zachary and Mckenzie on their journey as husband and wife on this Montana ranch. Will Mckenzie find Kaydie? And if so how will her husband take it when he finds out she is leaving town and was only there to find her sister?

McKenzie is the first book in the Montana Skies Series by Penny Zeller. I love this sweet little Montana town that everyone knows everyone else. Penny detailed description of the Montana Territory is so vivid and clear I felt as though I had been there while reading this book! I could feel the love between the people living there, almost taste the food they eat, experienced the different seasons and the difficult times they sometimes had. Lucille even felt like a neighbor! The characters were so unique and exquisite that woven into this wonderful story you wanted to be living in the house with them, experiencing their everyday lives. And I love and appreciate that Penny’s books have Christian characters with the ups and downs and struggles each of us face in the Christian life, showing the love, grace and forgiveness of our Lord.

Even if you don’t care for historical fiction, I think you will love this series. And if you’re a Historical fan, then this book is a Must for you! Grab you a copy of McKenzie, a cup of coffee, sit down and enjoy a wonderful read. Then pick up Kaydee and Hailee and finish out the series. It will be well worth your time!

I rec’d a complimentary copy of the book from the author. Thank you so much Penny! The opinions are mine alone. I was not ask to write a positive review of this book.

A Beautiful Story of Love and Forgiveness

McKenzie, by author Penny Zeller, tells the story of the depth of one sister's love for another. McKenzie Worthington loves her younger sister, Kaydie, so much that she is willing to risk everything in order to rescue Kaydie from a disastrous marriage to an abusive and evil man. McKenzie goes so far as to enter into a marriage via the venue of becoming a mail-order bride as a means to travel to the Montana Territory in search of her younger sister. Having come from a wealthy and privileged background in Boston, McKenzie was not prepared for the lifestyle that she encountered when she moved to Pine Haven to marry Zach Sawyer. Zach was looking for a wife and mother for his son; McKenzie was looking for a place to stay and a means of support while she attempted to rescue her sister. The master plan was to have her father, who was a lawyer, annul the marriage, leave Zach behind, and return her life in Boston once Kaydie was found. Penny Zeller has created a beautiful love story and shown how the best laid plans are often foiled when God steps into the picture and reveals His plan. In spite of all the obstacles that Kaydie, McKenzie and Zach had to overcome, the author has shown that, as the Bible states in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (KJV) I have always been interested in the concept of mail-order brides and, in the story of McKenzie, Penny has revealed a realistic picture that vividly portrays this process. Her main male character, Zach Sawyer, is the same age as my middle son so, as I read, I could not help but compare Zach to my own son. This contrast helped the story to come alive in a very real way. In the rapidly-growing field of extremely talented Christian fiction authors, Penny Zeller has excelled and has distinguished herself with her superb ability. She uses the tools of her trade with surgical precision to craft believable and captivating stories filled with a message of love and forgiveness. McKenzie was provided to me by the publisher, Whitaker House, for review purposes. I was not obligated to give a positive review nor did I receive any other form of recompense for this review.

Zeller's McKenzie a great read!

McKenzie Worthington is a spoiled, wealthy, socialite who is on a mission to rescue her sister from the clutches of an abusive husband. Only thing is, her brother-in-law is on the run and the last place she knew her sister to be was in Montana territory. When her best friend marries the man she thought she was destined to marry, she decides to go find and bring home her sister. When a Wyoming rancher, places an advertisement in the Boston newspaper for a mail-order bride, it seems the answer to her dilemma. She'll simply answer his inquiry, marry him, enlist his help, rescue her sister, annul the marriage, and come back home.
Zach Sawyer prays to God to send him a wife. He needs a helpmate and someone to help raise his adopted son, Davey. He places an advertisement in several newspapers for a mail-order bride and receives several responses. But only one truly stands out. When this woman named McKenzie agrees to marry him, he thinks her motives are sincere.
But when McKenzie arrives, she is not prepared for what greets her. His simple ranch house and humble furnishings repel her. She's used to being spoiled and not lifting a finger to do anything, even for herself. She does not make the best of impressions, but Zach is a man like she's never met. He is a man after God's own heart, not that she'd have much experience with that. The most she'd ever done with her Bible was carry it unopened to church. Attending church was a social function for her prominent family. But Zach is patient, kind, forgiving, and teaches her about God and His Word. She falls in love with his son immediately, despite her best laid plans. Zach is making it difficult for her to avoid developing feelings for him. The ranch hands are kind and forgiving, despite how she treated them upon her arrival.
When Zach finds out about her plans to find her sister, he helps her on her quest, and she finds herself becoming more endeared to him each and every day. Guilt begins to prick her conscience and her well-laid out plans don't seem so well-thought out now. How will she be able to walk away?
When her mother suddenly shows up to rescue her based upon a letter filled with untruths she'd sent during her first few days in Montana, her original plan is disclosed to Zach and his heart is crushed. She realizes she's fallen in love with Zach, and has no desire to leave the ranch. But will he ever forgive her for what she's done? The very place that months before she couldn't wait to escape is now the only place she wants to be. Can she make her mother understand that the wealth, status, and benefits of Boston no longer hold any appeal for her? Can she win the back the heart of her husband? Will she ever find her sister?
God has a plan and He works all things together for good. But I'm not going to tell you how He goes about that. You're just going to have to read it for yourself. Believe me, you'll be grateful I didn't spoil it for you. And hold on to your bookmark, because Kaydie, Book 2 in the Montana Sky Series is already out. Plus, Hailey, Book 3, will be released in the fall. I love a good series and Penny's certain written one. I know you'll enjoy it too. Keep your eyes peeled for more of Penny Zeller's books.

True Love Requires Patience

Penny Zeller brings readers a sweet love story in this historical fiction. She weaves deep moral lessons into our hearts through her interesting cast of characters. I particularly enjoyed Zeller's underlying themes of patience and forgiveness. "McKenzie" paints an exceptional picture of God's vast love for us. McKenzie Worthington is a scheming Boston socialite with a goal to rescue her sister and head for home. She undergoes enormous changes as she learns to express love for the people of Pine Haven and the boy who calls her Ma. In turn, she finds that God loves her and has a better plan for her life. Her new husband, Zach Sawyer, displays extreme patience as he teaches McKenzie how to have a personal relationship with God. I appreciated the way Zach gradually wooed his reluctant mail-order bride into a loving marital relationship. His tenderness, understanding, and willingness to forgive, mirror God's never-ending patience and forgiveness for us.

Great First Book of Historical Western Series - Unique Mail Order Bride Story

Penny Zeller has a unique and refreshing style of writing. I plan to keep this book in my personal library. McKenzie was not my idea of a heroine I'd want as a role model until I learned her heart. This book has a great set of inspirational characters and a super twist on my favorite type of historicals - the Mail-Order-Bride stories - I encourage my family and friends to read this book and hope my children and grandchildren will!

McKenzie is truly a winner!!!

Oh my goodness. How do I even start? I LOVED this book! Penny has written a remarkable love story. She has written about faith, hope, and God's unchanging love for us. McKenzie Worthington was born into a rich, sophisticated, well to do family in Boston. She is the middle daughter of three. She is used to having everything done for her by servants. Her parents are hoping for her to marry one of her own kind. McKenzie is used to beautiful clothes, tea parties, balls, etc. Zachary Sawyer is a rancher. He loves God with all of his heart. He lives in a small town in the Montana Territory. His home is rather crudely built, according to some standards. Old, worn out blankets cover the windows. Zach works hard on his ranch. He has been praying for a wife, someone to share his life, his dreams, and his young adoptive son with. Thanks to a nosey store keeper, Zach runs ads in several newspapers across the country advertising for a mail order bride. Back in Boston McKenzie is desperate to find her younger sister, Kaydie, whose abusive husband took her across the country away from her family. Kaydie has written a few letters to McKenzie, the last of which she mentioned being in and around Montana Territory. McKenzie sees Zach's ad for a mail order bride and decides to answer it. She sees it as the perfect way to find her sister. She will go there, marry Zach, find her sister, then her and Kaydie will both return home to Boston where she will have the marriage annulled. Sounds like the perfect plan until she gets there and finds Zach to be a very kind, gentle, loving man. His son, Davey, falls in love with his new Ma. The towns people accept her with open arms. All of this begins to change her heart and ruin her plans! What will McKenzie do? She wasn't supposed to actually have feelings for these people. She wasn't born to live like this, she was born to live in high society. Penny did an excellent job of writing her characters! They come alive on the pages! Her descriptions of the surroundings are so vivid you are there! This book is definitely one I will want to read again! And the sequel, Kaydie, is coming out next year! Can't wait for that one. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my review.

Mail Order Bride & Desperate Acts Make McKenzie A Good Read

Penny Zeller in her new book, "McKenzie" Book One in the Montana Skies Series published by Whitaker House gives us a look into the lives of individuals in the West of 1881.

The heroine of this story is McKenzie Worthington who is desperate to rescue her younger sister from an abusive husband who robs banks for a living. She runs away from her stately Boston home as a mail-order bride for a rancher in the rugged Montana Territory. Desperation also prompted Zach Sawyer to post the ad for a bride, and he eagerly awaits woman God has chosen as his wife. When they meet, McKenzie tries to keep her distance, but she can't help feeling attracted to Zach and his selfless ways. The question of the day is.what will become of McKenzie's plan to annul the marriage when she finds her sister?

What prompts us to do desperate things? What moves us to sacrifice our own comforts for those of someone else? In this case it is the love McKenzie Worthington has for her sister, Kaydie. She gives up her home in Boston to go all the way across the country to marry a man sight unseen just to deliver Kaydie from her abusive husband. What makes a man desperate enough to post ads for a wife? His love for God and his family and his trust that God will send him a suitable mate so that they can build a future together. Ms. Zeller does a marvelous job of showing us what happens when we have plans and God has plans and He shapes us into His way.

Ms. Zeller is a good writer and is funny too. I liked this book and am now looking forward to the next book which will focus on Kaydie. It is well worth your time to read this book; you will be glad you did

To listen to 24 Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Whitaker House through FIRST Wild Card Tours.*. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Can love grow in the Montana wilderness

McKenzie, a wealthy Boston socialite, decides that the best way to find her sister in the Montana wilderness is to become a mail-order bride. Her intention right from the beginning is to marry and then use any means possible to find her sister, return to Boston, have her father annul the marriage and get on with life. What she doesn't expect is to be greeted with kindness and love from the man, his ranch family, and the small town. Her idea of a relationship with God is attending church on Sunday as a social obligation, she is unprepared for the serious and loving relationship that Zach has with God. As she learns more about God she is changed on the inside, changed so much that when she becomes the one rescued by her mother she has to seriously consider just exactly what it is that she does want. An excellent book to start off a series. Well written, good character development, loved the daydream vignettes, definitely a page turner.

No text was provided for this review.