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McKenzie (Montana Skies Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Penny Zeller (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 359 ratings
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Book #1 in the Montana Skies Christian Historical Romance Series

For those who love inspirational romance novels set in the late 1800s...

Desperate times call for desperate measures is the reasoning that prompts McKenzie Worthington, a young lady of Boston's high society, to respond to an ad for a mail-order bride for a man in the Montana Territory. McKenzie is desperate, after all, to save her beloved younger sister, Kaydie, from her evil, abusive husband, who robs banks for a living. And so, it is with reckless determination that McKenzie runs away from the comforts of home and hearth to head West and meet her new husband-whom she'll divorce, of course, after she rescues her sister.

Desperate times call for desperate measures is the reasoning that also prompts Zachary Sawyer, a rugged rancher after God's own heart, to post an ad for a mail-order bride in various newspapers across the country. Managing a ranch and caring for his adoptive son, Davey, has become more than one man can handle alone, and Zach prays for God to send him a wife with whom to build a life and share his dreams.

When McKenzie arrives at Zach's ranch, she immediately puts her plan in motion, searching for her sister and doing all she can to keep her new husband from forming an attachment. But his persistent kindness and significant self-sacrifices begin to change her heart-and ruin her plans. God has a way of working things out to the good of those who love Him, though, as McKenzie and Kaydie will soon see.

If you enjoyed reading McKenzie, you won't want to miss the sequels in this series: Kaydie and Hailee.
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Montana Skies
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Whitaker House
  6. Publication date
    July 26, 2010
  7. File size
    684 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Readers will find McKenzie a step above the rest and will find their own faith strengthened as they reflect on the message of God's sovereign power woven throughout the novel.
--Janice Dakur, Reviewer, Christian Fiction Book Reviews

In this wonderful historical novel Zeller brings her characters alive. As the story progresses, the characters learn from their mistakes and try to make amends with people they never meant to hurt. ~ Romantic Times

From the Inside Flap

What People Are Saying about Penny Zeller and McKenzie...

Penny Zeller writes with wit, brilliance, descriptive clarity, and gentle, inspirational prose. She provides a plentiful supply of intrigue, romance, and drama, truly enough to keep anyone reading during every spare moment. I am eager to watch the impact this book will make on Christian fiction as a whole, but especially on individual readers, as they clearly find a well-defined yet never preachy message of God's unchanging, never-failing, ever-forgiving gospel. This book is intended for your keeper library shelf, with its beautiful cover, endearing story line, and gripping characters who will stay with you. Don't delay in adding it to your to-be-read pile. Matter of fact, lay it on the top! --Sharlene MacLaren, Award-winning, best-selling author, the Little Hickman Creek and The Daughters of Jacob Kane series, Through Every Storm, and Long Journey Home

Penny Zeller's McKenzie is a moving, compelling story that's rich with panoramic beauty and characters you'll identify with. You will laugh, you will weep, you will wish you had taken speed-reading in school so you could find out even faster what happens next! I'm definitely adding this one to my keepers list! --Loree Lough, Award-winning author of seventy-five novels, including Beautiful Bandit (book one in the Lone Star Legends series)

McKenzie is a captivating tale weaved together masterfully with characters that quickly steal the reader's heart. They certainly did mine. --Shirley Kiger Connolly, Author, Flame from Within and the I See God series

McKenzie is a sweet love story that transcends the pages of time and brings a fresh, new voice to the historical genre. --Bonnie Calhoun, Publisher, Christian Fiction Online Magazine, GPCWC Writer of the Year, 2009

With a gentle touch and warm style, Zeller pens a story that looks deep into the heart of love--the kind between sisters that her heroine would do anything to honor, and the unexpected romance that springs up in its pursuit. McKenzie is a novel that will lead you on an adventure along with the title character and touch your heart as Zach touches hers. --Roseanna M. White, Author, A Stray Drop of Blood, Senior Reviewer, The Christian Review of Books

I love mail-order bride stories, and Penny Zeller brought a completely different twist from any I'd ever read. Interesting with a strong spiritual thread. --Lena Nelson Dooley, Award-winning author, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico and Cranberry Hearts

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004IPPEW2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Whitaker House (July 26, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 26, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 684 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 359 ratings

About the author

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Penny Zeller

Penny Zeller

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

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 over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a group fitness instructor. Her desire is to assist and nurture women into a closer relationship with Christ.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, gardening, and playing volleyball.

Penny is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website, www.pennyzeller.com, her blog, www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks. To sign up for her monthly newsletter with book news and other fun morsels, go to https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/262119/74964679867237940/share

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
359 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

g
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it! McKenzie is Heart Warming and a Delightful Read!
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
McKenzie
by: Penny Zeller

I picked up this book because of the name and because it was Christian Fiction. I love Historical Christian Fiction and am partial to the name McKenzie (loved the cover). I also was extremely intrigued by the inside flap! When I read that Penny Zeller writes with wit, brilliance, descriptive clarity, and gentle, inspirational prose. She provides a plentiful supply of intrigue, romance and drama, truly enough to keep anyone reading . I had to find out for myself if any author could live up to this kind of praise.

I have over 2200 books on my kindle and a full home library but I read McKenzie above all the others just to find out if the description above is true, I am so delighted I did, I love Penny Zeller's book McKenzie, and I'm lucky enough to have Hailee on the way. I must also say that Penny Zeller writes with heart, she paints a clear vision for the reader to feel and see what she describes, her characters come to life with feeling. I would love to read every book Penny Zeller has written as I'm certain I will be listing her at the top of my list of favorite Christian Fiction authors.

I encourage you to read this book no matter your favorite genre as it is truly top shelf!
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4.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational romance that was a joy to read.
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2014
Verified Purchase
The author states in the back of her book that, "Her passion is to use the gift of the written word that God has given her to glorify Him and to benefit His kingdom". I feel she did that well in this story. This story takes place in the late 1800's and begins in Boston, but quickly travels to Pine Haven, in the Montana Territory. I call this a "cozy book", because you just want to cozy up on a comfortable sofa and enjoy reading through this story until you reach the end. Then you sigh with a feeling of contentment.

Zach Sawyer is a man any woman would be pleased to find and he is looking for a wife and someone to help him raise his 5 year old adopted son. He is a "25 year old rancher in Montana Territory looking for possible matrimony. Man of integrity with dark brown hair, blue eyes, and shy demeanor seeks a kind, educated, hardworking, Christian woman with good disposition with whom to share his life." (That is what his ad in the Boston papers said.)

McKenzie finds this listing in the paper and found it was just what she needed for her "rescue mission: money for the trip and a place to stay, as well as the help of a man in finding Kaydie." (Kaydie is her sister who ran off and got married and found she had married a cruel man who was in trouble with the law.)

So McKenzie sets out to Montana and finds out how different it is from her opulent lifestyle in Boston. She starts out as a little bit of a snob, but she will begin to change and adapt to the Montana ranch and the people who live there. Zach if a very patient man, who has fallen in love with his mail-order bride and is just waiting for her to feel the same. But McKenzie fights her feelings because she knows as soon as she finds her sister she is leaving. But what McKenzie couldn't get away from was her attraction to Zach, his godly character, his wisdom and his compassion and love for her.

I enjoyed watching these two people get to know one another and fall in love. It is a story that shows how a person can change and how God can make a difference when we wait upon Him and give Him time to work it all out for good. This is the first book in the Montana Skies series and I look forward to reading book two next, "Kaydie". I confess I have already started the story and it picks up right where "McKenzie" leaves off. Sit back, get comfortable and enjoy Montana and the people of Pine Haven.
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Bookbutterfly
5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2011
Verified Purchase
Penny Zeller's historical romance, McKenzie, reaches out and touches the reader's heartstrings. As I read McKenzie I was reminded that God knows the plans He has for us, and they're plans to bring us hope and a future. McKenzie is the story of forgiveness and patience, and the author beautifully shows how God can take a selfish heart and change it by filling it with His love.

McKenzie Worthington is a spoiled member of Boston's upper class. When she learns of her sister's terrible marriage, she agrees to a stranger's mail-order bride ad in order to be closer to her sister and ultimately bring her home. She has no intentions of forever with her Montana rancher husband. Zachary Sawyer is a godly young man looking for a wife and a mother for his adopted son. As he and McKenzie communicate through letters and finally meet, he's certain McKenzie is who God planned for him. Eventually, Zachary's kindness and strong faith begin to seep into McKenzie's heart.

Penny weaves a believable, vibrant historical romance. She creates detailed scenes that pop off the pages and characters who seem real. I was particularly touched by McKenzie's heart change as she learned to love and trust Zachary. Her rancher husband is rugged, kind, and a wonderful example of godly patience. I thoroughly enjoyed their romance and the humor and affection that built up as they fell in love.

I highly recommend McKenzie, and I'm looking forward to reading Kaydie soon!
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Pat B
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and thoughtful
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
I was somewhat put off in the beginning because I thought it was very unrealistic that a protected 24-year old would concoct such a dishonest scheme. Lying to her parents, involving a maid, no thought for what she was doing to the man she agreed to marry or the people who would be involved in the lies. It seemed really unrealistic.

MacKenzie was spoiled and naive but she did learn and grow. Once that happened, the book became much better.

I also thought the "day dreams" were distracting and had to pay attention to know what was real and what was her juvenile day dreams. This just seemed really childish for an adult. I could have done without them and the book would have been better for me.

I enjoyed watching Mackenzie grow and develop a relationship with her husband, son, Mother and others in her small town.

I am not sure I would read anything else by this author if she follows the same kind of pattern.
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JV
5.0 out of 5 stars Book No 1 McKenzie
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Beautifully done read it in one day love all the characters the scriptures and Bible teachings and how it drew me in. It's well written and a very good clean read. Looking forward to her other books in the series thank you for writing such a wonderful story, I love it. I would highly recommend.
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