McKenzie

Montana Skies #1

by Penny Zeller

Book #1 in the Montana Skies Christian Historical Romance SeriesFor 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 Kaydie and Hailee.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical Fiction, Historical, Westerns, Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith-filled happily ever afters and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. Her books feature tender romance, steady doses of humor, and memorable characters that stay with you long after the last page.

While she has had a love for writing since childhood, Penny 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 two dozen books and is also a fitness instructor, loves the outdoors, and is a flower gardening addict. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, biking, birdwatching, reading, running, and playing volleyball.

Penny resides with her husband and two daughters in small-town America and loves to connect with her readers at her website at www.pennyzeller.com, her blog, www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com, and her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks where she posts faith, funnies, writing updates, and encouragement. All of her socials can be found at https://linktr.ee/pennyzeller.

Reviews

[Madisyn Carlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What lengths would you go to to save your sister?

That is the question McKenzie Worthington must ask herself when she learns of her sister's dire predicament. The book's tagline is, "Desperate times call for desperate measures," and that is exactly what McKenzie does--enacts a desperate plan to save her beloved younger sister.

This is such a sweet, gentle story. Zeller does well crafting a variety of characters, from snotty siblings, loyal ranch hands and mentors, and a wonderful hero and adorable child. Of the main characters, I think Zach was my favorite, but just barely. Of the secondary, how can I choose? I want to snuggle Davey and Asa and Rosemary are gold. And Lucille. Oh, boy. Lucille is one of those supporting characters who provides oodles of humor, and her antics kept me laughing. She means well, but that doesn't mean everything always goes according to plan.

McKenzie is chock full of good lessons, including honesty, love, the importance of true faith, and loyalty. I've seen some of the reviews complaining about McKenzie being selfish and spoiled, and yes, she was to certain degrees at first, but going after your sibling the way she did is the opposite of selfish. And Zeller really did craft a well-rounded character, and used McKenzie's flaws to grow her.

I am quite looking forward to the next book and Jonah and Kaydie's story.

In short, McKenzie is a sweet romance that I can easily envision being made into a movie similar to Love Comes Softly. Fans of Christian historical romance should add this book to their TBR.

[Mary Findley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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.

[Trinity Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

“McKenzie” by Penny Zeller is such a fantastic book. It’s about a mail-order bride. I love stories like that for many reasons. The main reason is I sort of was a mail-order bride.
McKenzie was from a Boston family who had it all, money, a fancy home, all she would ever want. So why did she become a mail order bride. Usually women who don’t have anything become mail-order brides so they can get away from poverty.
We find out McKenzie wants to find her sister who is in a very bad abusive marriage and is in the West. So McKenzie sacrifices many things to go west and marry a stranger.
McKenzie realizes that money can’t buy everything and life is happy if you love and follow the Lord.
This book is full of many surprises, twists and turns.
I was quite taken with the calm assurance in Zach’s life. How he relied on the Lord and gave everything over to Him, as we all should. I really liked the unique names of the daughters in “McKenzie.”
The main characters are McKenzie, Zach, Davey, Rosemary, Asa, Kaydie, and Jonah. One of my favorite characters are Rosemary. She really is patient and kind, willing to help others.
This book is the first in a series and I’m looking forward to Kaydie. I recommend this book for a keeper. It is a sweet love story of the Lord, family and friends. You will love it.


Thank you to Whitaker House for providing this book for review. 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

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this one as a Kindle freebie. It's a Western Christian Romance, heavy on the Christian. It started off really good and then about a third of the way in, I realized what a selfish brat the main character is. I was just going to skim the rest of the book but for some reason I just kept reading. I'm really glad I did. McKenzie matured and I really liked the message about marriage. This made up for any deficiencies in the story.

The only thing that really bothered me about the story was that McKenzie was constantly having daydreams or memories. It was hard to tell when they started and I couldn't tell they were a deviation from the main story until they were over. Then I had to go back and check when they started. I'm not sure if this was a formatting issue with the Kindle edition but it was a little frustrating.

As annoying as that was, I am still really glad that I read the book and would recommend it to others. As I said earlier, it was a little heavy on the Christian but it didn't really bother me. I felt like it was handled really well. The content was clean too, another plus.

[Wyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is yet another marriage of convenience story that I really enjoyed. I enjoyed seeing McKenzie and Zach's relationship blossom along with McKenzie's growing faith in God. I was a little confused at first as to why a wealthy young woman couldn't just hire someone to find her baby sister instead of leaving the comforts of her home for the West and life with a stranger but it ended up working in spite of that! I'm really looking forward to seeing where the next story goes and I have the feeling it's going to involve McKenzie's sister, Kaydie and a certain ranch hand. ;-) If you are a reader of sweet, Christian romance I recommend McKenzie, Book 1 in the Montana Skies series by Penny Zeller.

Review of ARC

Special thanks to Cathy Hickling of Whitaker House for sending me a review copy

[Jim Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pastor, I am always intrigued how God communicates to us. He uses a wide variety of ways to teach us how we should live. “McKenzie” is one of those ways. Author, Penny Zeller, has woven together the Gospel message into a very interesting and captivating story. Stereotypes are addressed and broken down. The foundation of marriage is examined and the reader discovers what the real foundation of marriage should be. McKenzie discovers for herself what meaningful life is and learns to embrace it from her heart.
If you want to learn more how the Gospel message affects real life and changes the heart of people, then I highly recommend “McKenzie” to you. I enjoyed the story as it unfolded and did not want it to end.

[Judith Villanueva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book No 1 McKenzie

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.

[cheryl doerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I loved this book so much. I couldn't stop reading it. I recommend it to everyone who reads. It is awesome.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich, pampered McKenzie Worthington becomes a mail order bride moving from Boston to Montana for one purpose only: to rescue her baby sister from a disastrous marriage. She plans to have her marriage annulled and go back to Boston as soon as she can find her sister, Kaydie. But things don't quite work out the way she plans. Zach Taylor is a gentle, kind, strong, hardworking, faith-filled rancher who is raising his adopted son, Davey.

I loved watching McKenzie change as she found Zach and Davey filling holes in her heart she'd never realized were there in her pampered, spoiled Boston life. As Zach reached out to her and taught her the true meaning of a personal relationship with Jesus, McKenzie grew into a different woman whose values changed drastically. I loved Davey and McKenzie's relationship and how she became a true "ma" to him. Zeller's strong faith thread was wonderfully woven throughout the story line without feeling out of place or forced. Was glad that Kaydie found them and look forward to book 2 in this series which focuses on Kaydie.

FAVORITE QUOTES:
"Time had passed so quickly that the years of her childhood seemed barely a whisper in the conversation of life."

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another author to me. I didn't like McKenzie at all, and for a good portion of the book. Her intent to use Zach and then leave him and Davy after finding her sister was despicable (Yeah, I know...it is fiction).

Zach, however was an extremely likable character. I did end up liking McKenzie, and loved the book. I bought all 3 books at the same time, so it is good thing I liked this one.

In addition to a great plot, the author did a great job of addressing the difference in just going to church, and actually having a relationship with Jesus.

[Ivonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“By the way, how would you like to go riding tomorrow? The leaves are beginning to change color, and they’re quite a sight to see, especially up toward the mountains.”

What a beautiful story! A marriage of convenience. A story of forgiveness and second chances, family ties, friendship, small town charm, and faith. Everything you’d like for an enjoyable read.

McKenzie ❤️ Zach

McKenzie is a mail-order bride from Boston, answering an advertisement to marry a rancher in the Montana Territory. But the only reason she’s answering it is because she wants to rescue her sister from an abusive husband. She loves her sister dearly and is willing to sacrifice so much for her, showing you she has a noble heart. But when she thought it was going to be an easy task, get married, rescue her sister and going back to Boston, things got a little complicated 😉 I wasn’t very fond of her at the beginning since to me she acted like an entitled young girl, but I believe it’d to do more because of her upbringing than her personality. As the story unfolds you fall in love with her caring and loving heart, you get to see her mature as a woman and as a Christian, which I loved to see.

Zach is another story, he’d my heart from the very beginning. His faith, patience and steadfast love makes him an ideal hero.

The town’s people adds charm to the story, and Rosemary & Asa are amazing friends anyone will love to have in real life 😊

I also loved the faith weaved throughout the story and as always, the sharing of scripture.

Again, this story gives me feelings of a Hallmark movie and Oke’s books, and I love it! A cozy and sweet read you’ll enjoy.

Quotes 😉
“He directs our paths in life when we trust in Him, and allow Him to work things out according to His will.”

“Once you place your trust in Him, He’s there for you forever, constantly molding you to become more Christ.”

“And you have every right to be hurt and disappointed. But don’t you go nursing that broken heart too long. If you do, you might miss out on the gift the Lord has given you…”

*I won a giveaway hosted by the author for this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.*

[Carman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did see room for improvements in this book, I also saw potential. I will definitely be reading the second book in this series.

Here are some things I thought could be better… The dialogue could use some work, but that was only in some areas. Occasionally it would seem a bit dramatic or over done, but that is easily fixed. It seemed to miss some opportunities to bring the reader closer to the characters and what was happening in their lives. Or a scene wasn’t played out, when I think it should have been. Such as when McKenzie and Zach get back from their wedding ceremony, you never know what happens. You just know that McKenzie sleeps in her own room, but you never know if they talked about waiting or what! That seemed an odd thing to leave out of the story to me as it is a pretty big deal in the characters lives. Also, when Kaydie tells her sister that she is pregnant. I felt like you waited such a long time for the sisters to be reunited, then you don’t even get to “participate” when they are really together and catching up for the first time.

The hero and heroine don’t meet until 100 pages into the book, but it seemed to pass quickly for me because of the letters passing between them. McKenzie is a spoiled brat when she first comes into the book, but as the story progresses you begin to see her changing into a more loving, God-centered person.

Zach is a first-rate hero! I loved him. He is so patient and kind! Awesome. He is a hero that is truly admirable. I loved how he took his dad’s advice about the “small things” and was ready and willing to please, compromise, and forgive whenever he needed to. Such a great guy!

[ASC Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as good if not better than I had hoped it would be. The story is unique and I must admit that I loved it so much that I immediately plunged into the sequel "Kaydie". Though there are times I can't relate to McKenzie I still really grew to love her character (and I also found there where times when I saw myself in her personality). But I still think she's completely insane to want to leave a man like Zach! LOL! Personally I think that every mother out there needs to buy this book for themselves and then have there sons read it! If every bachelor read this book and behaved just a little more like Zach this dark world would be a far better place and maybe I wouldn't be single! HA! But I digress. Back to the book. McKenzie is amazing! I love the way Penny writes the character's prayers and the way she weaves God's Holy word in with her own. They are both real, conversational, and flawless. Filled with twists and surprises I was shocked at times, and laughed wholeheartedly at others! My recommendation is to get the whole series, curl up on a comfy piece of furniture, and tuck in for some REALLY great reads!

Oh and you may need some music to go with that! : "Sweet Hour Of Prayer" by The Cluster Pluckers and "Mine All Mine" by Shedaisy compliment this book well I think!

Isaiah 9;6

~ASC

[Teressa Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

McKenzie (Montana Skies #1) reminded me strongly of Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series, with a little bit of Taming of the Shrew mixed in. McKenzie Worthington, at the beginning of the story, is a spoiled, entitled young woman who believes in her own goodness because she goes to church, even if, as she admits later, it is for "purely social reasons." When she marries the godly man Zach Sawyer and comes to live in the town of Pine Haven, she slowly begins to discover what it means to "walk with God."

This is a very sweet book with lots of beautiful description of the wide open spaces of Montana and what it was like to live in the 1800s. I especially liked the liberal sprinkling of prayers and Bible verses that were appropriately quoted by the characters. This is not a preachy book at all, but instead shows that none of us are perfect - we all must seek forgiveness from each other and God in order to build long lasting relationships.

I found the book to be a little predictable, and although I enjoyed the ending, I found it slightly implausible for the time period. However, this was a thoroughly enjoyable and easy read which I would recommend to any fan of the genre

[Kym McNabney · Rating 3 out of 5]

MACKENZIE is the first books I’ve read by Penny Zeller. I was given the honor of receiving her second book in this series, KAYDIE. After reading what Kaydie was about and discovering it was the second book in the series, the first one about her sister’s attempt to rescue her, I immediately ordered MACKENZIE.

Penny has quite a way with words. MACKENZIE is a delightful story with wonderful characters. I’ve always been intrigued by mail-order brides, and was pleasantly surprised by the plot. The quaint town in the Montana Territory captured my heart, as did Zach. What an amazingly sweet man.

With relatively short chapters, they read quickly. Where many books end a chapter with a hook, Penny started her chapters with one. Each time I’d finish one chapter, I’d sneak a peep at the next and quickly found myself reading the next.

As soon as I finished MACKENZIE, I started KAYDIE. I couldn’t wait to read her story.

[Melinda Evaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"McKenzie" is the first book in the Montana Series by Penny Zeller. A tender romance novel that starts you out on McKenzie's journey of love, faith and hope. Penny pens her characters realistic and believable in this well developed novel. This is not a quick read, but one that will make you want to stay up and finish the book. Recommended for all romance, Christian readers.

This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.

[Phyllis Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about grace and forgiveness and how God uses all things for Good.
Mckenzie had her plans but God used them to accomplish his will in her life, Zach and her family.
Mckenzie thought she could never love again but Zach showed hed the true meaning of love.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggle with rating this one--

Positives: High Christian values, lots of bible explaining, God teaching. I wasn't expecting that, I thought this was going to be a Western romance but it was more a Christian story than than anything. If this is your type of reading, you'll probably really enjoy this story.

Negatives: While I enjoyed the story, it was first off, way too obvious what was going to happen after the first few chapters. I called the ending before I even going a quarter the way thru the book. There was no twists or turns. The writing was pretty boring for me and I wanted to like this story! Enough where I started skimming pages to get back to the story.
And my 2nd negative is, the author consonantly would all a sudden write a flash back. It took me a time or two to realize that's what was going on. And she did this A LOT. Why didn't you just write in chronological order then if you're going to have that many flash backs? It was every chapter, for paragraphs long. Not just a sentence or a quick memory. These were LONG flashbacks.
And 3: The character McKenzie was a brat. Yes, she changes, but she didn't come off as a brat to start with then all a sudden she was horrible? No...

So, while I enjoy a good clean Christian romance (it's how I got started in romance novels as a teen), this one was not up my alley for other reasons. The writing just made it hard to lean into the Christian part of the story for me.

[Lesley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really tried to get through this book but I just found it extremely boring & slow moving. There were way too many daydreaming scenes & flashbacks that were way too long, extremely boring, and that I felt took away from the storyline. The storyline itself & the characters just did not reel me in.

[Helen Hemingway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading McKenzie's story. There was laughter and excitement as well as a serious tone. I absolutely loved the characters. This was a beautiful love story.

[Amber Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mail order bride

Not a bad novel. A lot of flashbacks and daydreams that take away from the story but an interesting plot that keeps you wondering what will happen.

[Anna Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! Zeller brilliantly weaves the power of God's redemption through this fun story.

[Susan Hollaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I like reading about peoples struggles during those times in the west. McKenzie answers an advertisement for a mail order bride in order to get the funding and help to rescue her sister from her abusive criminal husband. She of course doesn't tell the man whose letters she responds to that sshe is just going to be with him long enough to rescue her sister and then she is going to leavee him and get an annulment. She is past the time that most of her friends are married and is just not thinking that marriage is for her. She has no idea how rough it is to live out west on a farm where everyone works from dusk to dawn to make a living and support a family. She doesn't want to have any feelings for her new husband and step son but that is about to change. There is a lot of the Bible referenced in this book as the man she finds as her husband is very much enmeshed int he church while she just went to church to see and be seen, and because it is just done. She could no more tell you what the minister said ten minutes after leaving church than many of her friends. She has a big change in store for her and that is the story that pulled me in to read it in a daya. I really enjoyed this story and the pace the author told it at.

Here is the description as found here online:
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.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most fans of romance will enjoy this first novel in the Montana Skies series about a Bostonian woman that travels out West as a mail-order bride, yet has an ulterior motive.

The title character of this book, McKenzie, answers an ad for a mail-order bride willing to travel to Montana Territory. The only thing is, she's really not all that interested in becoming a wife, much less to a complete stranger, but she is, however, in search of her sister who is trapped in an abusive marriage and also lives in Montana Territory. Her husband-to-be, Zach Sawyer, believes that God has sent McKenzie to him, and devotes himself fully to this new relationship even though McKenzie keeps him at arm's length. He eventually discovers her reasons for uprooting herself from a cultured lifestyle in Boston, and his initial joy of having her as his wife dissolves into feelings of disbelief.

Truly, the plot alone was worth the read since it's been a long while since I read a mail-order bride story, and this one came with an intriguing twist. McKenzie's snobbish nature early on turned me off, and her family wasn't particularly likeable, either. (In hindsight, I suppose that could be considered a good thing because by book's end, McKenzie had found a place in my heart.) Zach, on the other hand, was a complete and utter dream all the way through, and his young son, Davey, was as sweet as cherry pie. :)

On the flip side, I grew tired of the overdone Christian message throughout the novel. Most of the time, authors subtly include references to Scripture, but in my experience, it's atypical to see Scriptures used in their full context in the middle of a novel. If it had appeared once or twice, I would've thought nothing of it, but after multiple occurrences, I started to skim. Don't get me wrong...I have no problem with the inclusion of Scripture in Christian fiction, but in this case, it felt a little excessive and hindered the flow of the character's conversations in which it was used.

In spite of the preachiness of this novel, I was fully invested in the story, and sincerely wanted Zach and McKenzie's marriage to succeed. Also, there were a handful of great life lessons and nuggets of advice shared between Asa and Zach that were great additions to the story. The ending of this book set the stage nicely for the next book where I'll have the opportunity to get to know Kaydie as well as a certain confirmed bachelor who has already piqued my interest. :)

[Jan Marie Newby · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Zette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I am such a sucker for the mail-order bride story, I was excited to read McKenzie. The reason for McKenzie's choice to become a mail-order bride added a nice twist to the story and her search for her sister added a little mystery. I had a hard time connecting with McKenzie because she was so self-centered in the beginning but I did learn to like her as she changed. Zach was an awesome lead man and every Christian woman's dream. Overall I enjoyed the book but I felt like there were definitely some areas that could use improvement.

1. I felt that there was too much detail in some conversations and not enough in more important conversations between the lead characters. The discussion McKenzie and her mother had when she arrived at the ranch went on for quite a few pages but Zach and McKenzie's final discussion of the book left you wondering about the details of how their life would continue because it ended so abruptly.

2. As this is primarily a romance, there should have been more romantic tension. I don't want explicit details but the kissing scenes left me thinking, "That was it?"

3. The book concluded too quickly. When I pushed "next page" on my kindle and saw the note from the author, I was shocked it was over. We had no look into the future of what their lives would be together.

4. Unimportant scenes that gave you no insight to the lead characters feelings were written in but other scenes that would have helped you connect to the story and make it believable were left out. The bankrobbery scene could have been mentioned briefly and without as much detail since it was a secondary plot (maybe saved for the sequel) but there was definitely a huge gap in some of the scenes that would have taken place between a newly married couple (ie sleeping arrangements, what Zach and McKenzie did during the day together on the ranch, etc.)

I hope I don't sound too critical or negative. I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to reading the sequel to see what happens to Kaydie in the future. Because I know this is a debut novel, I'm sure some of these things will improve in future writings.