I have an excerpt for you today, from Jenny Knipfer's book, In a Grove of Maples (Sheltering Trees: Book 1).
In a Grove of Maples
(Sheltering Trees: Book 1)
By Jenny Knipfer
Audio Narrated By Jenn Lee
A HISTORICAL NOVEL OF THE PERILS OF NEWLYWED LIFE AND 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.
Myrtle Berger placed a loaf of bread and a tin of cookies on the table. “There we are.”
Beryl lifted her head and briefly let her eyes rest on her loving neighbor. “Thanks.”
She appreciated Myrtle’s kindness, but all she wanted was to be alone with her grief. She recognized sympathy in Myrtle’s eyes but also something else more solid than empathy.
“I know how it is when one is grieving. Household tasks can be overwhelming.” Myrtle pointed to Edward’s armchair. “May I?”
“Of course.” Beryl nodded and dropped her gaze to her chest, where her pale hands tightly clutched the ends of her tattered shawl.
“I have a full home now, but it wasn’t always so.” Myrtle paused and took a deep breath. “I lost two babes before Timothy, Titus, Rebecca, and Phoebe came along.”
Her statement hung in the quiet of the cabin. The crackle of the fireplace was the only sound besides the gentle creak of Beryl’s rocker and a random whimper from sleeping Buster.
So, it was experience I saw in her eyes.
“Did you?” Beryl almost whispered.
She turned to look at Myrtle, who extended her hand. Beryl unclenched her hands and let one rest in Myrtle’s.
“I did. I know what it’s like to lose a child.” Myrtle squeezed Beryl’s hand fiercely for a few seconds before letting go. She explained, her voice tinged with sadness. “One died in the womb. The other a month after birth. We never found out why. We named them David and Paul.” She tilted her head to the side. “Did you name your little one?”
“Yes. Lyle.”
It felt good saying his name to another person. When people are remembered, they don’t truly pass away. A portion of them remains.
The thought gave comfort to Beryl.
“A lovely name for a boy.”
“How . . . how did you cope?” Beryl sighed and uttered a
quiet groan. “How did you keep on . . . living?”
Myrtle shook her head. “I wish I could give you a magic solution, but there is none. You get better with time and the good Lord’s help. One thing I did learn: let yourself grieve.” Myrtle brushed at her brown, wool skirt, smoothing out the fabric over her knees. “With the first, David, I tried to be brave and didn’t talk about him. Didn’t let myself cry, but that was a mistake. I ended up hurting worse and for a longer time. After Paul died, I allowed myself to grieve. To remember him. To cry.” “Did you blame anyone? Did you blame yourself?” Beryl didn’t care if her question was tactless. She had to know if she had done something wrong.
“Oh, honey.” Myrtle turned to Beryl. “You are not to blame.”
“But what if I am? What if I did something wrong? What if all this hard work I’ve done somehow weakened him?” Beryl’s voice rose in frustration. Her fingers balled into fists.
Myrtle rose from her chair, extended a hand to Beryl, and pulled her up. She wrapped soft arms around Beryl, who couldn’t hold back any longer. Sobs shook her shoulders as Myrtle hugged her and rubbed slow circles on her back.
Finally, Beryl stepped back, shocked at her lack of decorum. “I’m so sorry . . . I didn’t mean . . .”
“Now, think nothing of it. We all need a shoulder to cry on once in a while.” Myrtle grasped Beryl’s arms firmly. “Just know that it will get better.”
If that excerpt has wet your appetite then head over to Amazon. You can also find this novel on #KindleUnlimited - so what are you waiting for?!
Jenny Knipfer
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.
Social Media Links:
Website • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest • BookBub • Amazon Author Page • Goodreads
Tour Schedule
(part of the tour, part of the ship)!
You can follow this fabulous tour HERE!
Thank you so much for being a part of the tour for In a Grove Of Maples! 🧡
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