About the Book

Book: Forgotten Identity

Author: Penny Zeller

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release date: January 14, 2024

Who is he really? And why is someone after him?

Mariah Holzman never imagined a whiteout blizzard would sever all communication from the outside world—communication desperately needed for the injured man Mariah finds near her home. Nor did she imagine helping nurse the man back to health would lead to threats and intimidation. As danger escalates and questions rise, Mariah is left to wonder what kind of person she has allowed into her home.

Grant MacGuire never imagined he would wake up one day in a strange cabin, surrounded by strange people, with no memory of who he is or how he was injured. Nor did he imagine his presence would put the lives of those who saved him in danger. As Grant struggles with distorted memories, he wonders if his life is worth the price the Holzman family is paying.

The growing attraction between Mariah and Grant is hindered by Grant’s unknown identity. Is Grant, as the family’s neighbor assumes, a criminal on the run from the law? Or is there more to his identity—and the reason he was attacked—than they realize?

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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.

More from Penny

Hello, Reader!

Thank you so much for joining us for the Forgotten Identity blog tour. Enjoy the sneak peek into the book below.

Blessings,

Penny

Mariah bit back a sigh as they neared. While grateful Nosy stopped when he did, couldn’t the dog have chosen another place to investigate besides the ravine that could be deadly if someone mis-stepped and fell into it? At least the handful of boulders near its edge warned of the ravine’s proximity.

Nosy’s barking turned to a whine as he pawed at the snow.

No, not just the snow.

The snow covering a shoe protruding from behind a large boulder.

She reached for her son, Jordan, and slowed both of their paces even as her pulse quickened. Maybe the object just looked like a gray tennis shoe. Or maybe it was a shoe, but a discarded shoe Nosy found somewhere, brought home, and forgot about until now.

Still…

“Jordan, stay where you are, please.”

“Aww, Mom.” Despite his protest, Jordan did as she requested.

Mariah advanced. Better be safe than sorry, and on the one percent chance this wasn’t a shoe found, forgotten, and rediscovered by Nosy, Jordan did not need to see whatever, or whomever, was attached to the shoe.

“Mom?”

“Just a minute, Jordan.”

A few seconds later, she saw an image she’d not soon forget.

Partially obstructed by the boulders and surrounding dormant foliage, a man’s body lay face up in the snow, dangerously close to falling over the side of the ravine.

My Impressions

“Lord, help me. Help me not be the man I think I am. Please.”

I knew Penny Zeller pens historical westerns, but before reading Forgotten Identity, I didn’t know she writes and excels at romantic suspense! Don’t miss this one, if you like romantic suspense!

What’s so great about this novel? So many elements. The first line, for starters. “Of all the days for the dog to run off.” Immediately, the reader feels sympathy for the overburdened heroine, Mariah Holtzman, and you want to see why it’s such an awful day.

I would be lying if I didn’t say that the children and the dog play an important part of the story. Zeller uses the children she creates for Mariah to show us Mariah’s character and George(Grant)’s as well. She also uses them for humor, and boy, do they come through!! The kids decide to call their rescued unidentified visitor, “George Washington.” Since Presley, 4, and Jordan, 7, like to talk to George, George asks Presley if she knows his last name. ( He can’t remember anything.) To which she replies, “You mean like I have three names. Presley Ann Holzman. Your three names are George Ann Washington.” “George Ann Washington?” The girl bobbed her head. “Yes. We will only use your second name for when you’re in trouble.” I was laughing up a storm, always glad when the children brought humor into the dangerous situation.

The story is very realistic. Mariah is a divorced, single mom, living with her mother and two young children. She edits books for a job, so she seems very relatable. A bad snowstorm occurs on the mountain, causing the cell and internet service to be lost, just about when Mariah and Jordan find George. Mariah’s and her mother’s cabin is totally isolated by the storm from town.

When various and threatening visitors come to their house looking for their “brother” or their “friend,” how long can Mariah hide their very sick visitor? Mariah’s neighbor is an ex-policeman, who is very suspicious of George as little details emerge. Who is George? Is he as dangerous as the people looking for him? Can he and Mariah guard their hearts until they know his true identity and character? A thrilling story till the end!

I especially loved the way that faith is ensconced in the story. I love the way George seems influenced by Mariah’s faith. I also love the way that in an impossible situation, God brings comfort to Mariah through His Word.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“George compared his mind to a web of wires that had become unhooked from their power source.”

“His life was about to change and he knew not one ounce of what his future held. But God did. And he would have to rest in that, as difficult as it was.”

“What did people do without the Lord to get them through the crazy, evil times of the present culture?”

My Rating

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