Kaydie by Penny Zeller

A fresh start and a new life

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 guard. 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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Kaydie

 

We get to know both Kaydie and Jonah in the first book of the series, McKenzie. I love books that carry on with the same characters because I have a hard time letting go of them when they become so real to me. The books that Penny Zeller writes are like that for me. I can't get enough of the characters she has created. And I love that they are not limited to adult readers. Young readers can read them without fear of inappropriate situations and words. Even young preteen girls will enjoy these books. And still adult women will enjoy it just as much.

 

Back story: Kaydie is a shy girl who dared to go against her parents to marry a man who talked of adventure and daring. She didn't know at the time that it was all a lie and he was not the man she thought he was. As soon as they married and were away from her family he allowed his true colors to show. He was a cruel man and his death was a welcomed escape for Kaydie. After his death, she is taken in by a Christian woman who leads her to the Lord. When she sees a notice that her sister has married and moved to Montana Territory looking for her she makes plans to travel where her sister is. She goes there to recover from the years of abuse her husband put her through and have her baby, the one blessing from her marriage to Darius.

 

Kaydie struggles with the pain she went through and wonders if she can ever trust another with her heart. When she meets Jonah for the first time there is an attraction between them but Kaydie cannot accept it as that and it turns to fear. She becomes uncomfortable and avoids him.

 

Jonah understands her pain and doesn't blame her for how she is reacting to him. He prays for God to help him show her she can trust him as a friend. He has no intention on it getting any farther than friendship. He doesn't want to get married because his mother left his father when he was three and his father didn't treat him well. But that doesn't stop him from caring for Kaydie and wanting to be her friend.

 

They grow closer in their friendship. But there is so much history for both of them that it holds them back from what they truly want, each other. All the while her parents are planning for her to go back to Boston and marry someone there. But the life she wants is the one she has in Pine Haven.

 

Both of them seek God's guidance throughout the story. They allow themselves to become the best of friends. Kaydie learns to laugh and have fun again. But...

 

Can she overcome her fears of the past? Can she go against her parents again or will she move back to Boston to make them happy? Can Jonah take a step of faith and trust that God will guide him in being the husband and father he needs to be? You'll have to read and find out! You won't be sorry.

 

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Want More?

The Montana Skies Series

McKenzie available now 

Kaydie due to be released in April 2011

Her Blog: http://pennyzeller.wordpress.com

Her Website: http://www.pennyzeller.com