Today I’m delighted to be sharing an excerpt from Jenny Knipfer’s new novel In a Grove of Maples as part of a blog tour hosted by The Coffee Pot Book Club. In a Grove of Maples is the first book in the Sheltering Trees series.

April 5th, 1898

Dear Diary,

We buried Lyle today. Not near the maples but in the Catholic cemetery. His body may be there, but I will always think of him as being in the grove of maples. Father Henry read some scriptures and spoke a prayer over him. My heart literally hurt, seeing his little, wooden box lowered into the cold spring earth. Paul and Nola came, Cedric and Olivia too. St. Joe’s graciously allowed me a cemetery plot even though we are not members.

Cedric paid for the arrangements, and I am most grateful. I couldn’t bear to ask Edward for the money. I know we need everything he is making to pay back our loan and fund the spring planting.

Our son is born and gone, and Edward hasn’t seen his face. Lyle came out molded like a fresh new version of Edward. My tears dampen the pages as I pen this. How utterly horrible that Edward did not get to meet his likeness! I grate at the injustice of it.

Another kind of injustice rankles me. I love Edward, I do, but what he has put me through by this separation has wounded me. If I did not value the meaning of a vow, I might cleave to the person who has been my helper these last months. But I know that I cannot, for it would be a lie. My heart belongs to Edward.

“… a heartfelt tale of the struggles of married life on a nineteenth-century farm. Edward and Beryl are both relatable and sympathetic. Knipfer expertly captures the emotion and stress of their lives and relationship. It’s a touching and realistic portrayal of love, loss, and friendship.” Heather Stockard for Readers’ Favorite five-star review

A HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE PERILS OF NEWLYWED LIFE AND OF ALL THAT COMES TO DIVIDE LOVERS

In 1897 newly married Beryl and Edward Massart travel more than one thousand miles from Quebec to farm a plot of land in Wisconsin that they bought sight-unseen. An almost magical grove of maples on their property inspires them to dream of a real home built within the grove, not the tiny log cabin they’ve come to live in. 

Misunderstandings and tempers get the better of them when difficulties and troubles arise. Just months after they wed, Edward leaves pregnant Beryl in the midst of the coming winter to tend the farm and animals while he goes to be a teamster at a northern Wisconsin logging camp. 

Will Beryl and Edward walk into the future together to build their house of dreams in the grove of maples, or will their plans topple like a house of sticks when the winds of misunderstanding and disaster strike?

Readers of Christian historical fiction, Historical fiction, Women’s fiction, and Christian historical romance will be endeared to this slice of late 19th century farm life.

In a Grove of Maples is available on Kindle Unlimited and at
Universal Amazon Link • Amazon UK • Amazon US • Amazon CA • Amazon AU

Jenny Knipfer

Jenny lives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken, and their pet Yorkie, Ruby. She is also a mom and loves being a grandma. She enjoys many creative pursuits but finds writing the most fulfilling.

Spending many years as a librarian in a local public library, Jenny recently switched to using her skills as a floral designer in a retail flower shop. She is now retired from work due to disability. Her education background stems from psychology, music, and cultural missions.

She holds membership in the: Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Wisconsin Writers Association, Christian Indie Publishing Association, and Independent Book Publishers Association.

Jenny’s favorite place to relax is by the western shore of Lake Superior, where her novel series, By The Light of the Moon, is set. A new historical fiction, four-part series entitled, Sheltering Trees, will be released in 2021 and 2022. Jenny is currently writing a novella series entitled, Botanical Seasons.

For more information about Jenny and her books click on the links below
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram
Pinterest • BookBub • Amazon Author Page • GoodReads

More information on the Coffee Pot Book Club and other works of quality historical fiction can be found on Twitter and Instagram.

Book Title: In a Grove of Maples
Series: Sheltering Trees: Book 1
Author: Jenny Knipfer
Audio Narrated by Jenn Lee
Publication Date: 1st July 2021
Publisher: Jenny Knipfer–Author
Page Length: 264 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction