"... 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 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.
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Available on Kindle Unlimited
Audio Narrated by Jenn Lee
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Excerpt
Edward put his paper down and studied her profile. “I can tell something is wrong, Beryl. Will you tell me what it is?”
As much as he thought Beryl a most beautiful woman, he hadn’t thought being married would be this challenging. This constant wondering what she really thought of him wore him out.
She finally turned to him, her lips tucked into a thin line. Her eyes reflected a pain he could not name. “Am I only allowed something if you say I may?”
The question caught him off guard. What is she getting at? “I don’t think I understand,” he voiced.
“Must I ask your permission for everything?” Beryl set her cup on the end table between them. She sounded disappointed, hurt. Her eyes softened. “Oh, Edward.” She sniffed and pulled a hankie out of her sleeve cuff. She dabbed at her nose. “I’m sorry. I think I’m just overtired.”
Beryl made to rise from her seat, but Edward held out his arm, blocking her way, his hand against the rise of her slightly rounded belly.
“Please, tell me what troubles you.”
He could feel the well-known frustration rising. Stay calm, he kept telling himself. After all, he loved his wife. He wanted her to be happy, but it had become more and more apparent to Edward that she wasn’t.
“You . . . you said you won’t stand in my way. What did you mean by that?”
Edward couldn’t help his voice rising in pitch. “What? When? I don’t remember.”
Beryl didn’t elaborate. “At the Johnsons.”
Edward thought back through the conversations. They had talked about Beryl going to a quilting bee. Is that what this pouting is about?
His voice edged on a shout. “Oh, well, I only meant to say that you’re free to do what you wish with your time of a Sunday afternoon. Is that wrong?”
Beryl cringed. “Why are you yelling at me?”
He let go of her and stood up. “Sometimes, woman, I just don’t understand you.”
He paced to the far wall and turned back.
She stood stiff as a poker in the spot he’d left her. “My name . . . is not woman. It’s Beryl.”
Her eyes darted—hard and focused—his way, her cheeks red and brow broody.
Darn’d if she isn’t prettier when she’s angry. It wasn’t the first time he’d thought so. The image before him almost warranted the trouble.
She tipped back her head and moved to walk away. Edward crossed the room quickly and grabbed her arm, twisting her around. She crashed into his chest. Not long ago they had been in the very same proximity, but now the tension between them differed.
“Listen to me and listen good. I’m not your lord or master but your husband.” He gripped her arms more forcibly. “I would like for you to consult with me on how your or our days are planned, but I won’t keep you from something you would like to do. Nor will I command you follow my wishes.” He released his hold and gently, loosely put his arms around her. “Understand?”
Edward looked her in the eye.
Beryl visibly swallowed, rolled her lips, and cleared her voice. “Yes.”
She didn’t argue or ask him to explain further, which relieved him, but some inflection in her tone left him doubting her assurance.
What will it take to make her believe—I love her?
Edward sighed and tipped his head down to kiss her cheek. She let him.
He didn’t try for more. “It’s been a long, hard day. Let’s turn in and get some rest.”
Beryl gave a slight nod and a giant yawn. He laughed, which made her chuckle. They both ended up laughing together, but Beryl’s laugh turned into a cry.
Edward led her over to the bed in the corner of the room, helped her sit down, and took her boots off. He helped her undress and tucked her under the covers. All the while, she sniffed. He shed his boots and outer layer of clothes, blew out the lamp, and settled next to her. Scooting close, he gathered her back to him and wrapped his arms around her until his hands crested her belly and their child. He had to make sure she knew.
“Never doubt again that I love you, Beryl.”
“I . . . I’ll try not to.”
Her sniffing had stopped, and her muscles felt less tense. After a few minutes of listening to their breathing and the crackle of the fire, Edward felt sleepiness take effect. His eyes closed and opened several times until, resting his chin at the base of her neck, he let sleep take him to a more perfect place.
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.
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Thank you so much for posting about In a Grove of Maples and hosting a tour stop today!
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