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On Bur Oak Ridge (Sheltering Trees: Book Three)
By Jenny Knipfer
About the Book |
A HISTORICAL NOVEL OF FINDING HEALING AND A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE
In the early 1900s, quiet and reserved Molly Lund finds refuge from her past at the Nelsons’ farm in Minnesota. In an attempt to turn a new page in her life, Molly works at making peace with her losses and coming to terms with the disfiguring burns on her face.
Samuel Woodson, the Nelsons’ hired hand, carries his own cares. Split from his family and bearing a burden of misplaced guilt for an act that haunts him, Samuel–seeing past Molly’s scars–draws her out of her self-protective shell.
Molly and Samuel form a friendship, but just as their hearts lead them deeper, an unexpected guest comes calling, demanding what’s his.
Will Molly and Samuel find a way to be together or will they be separated, due to impediments beyond their control? Can they trust in God’s plan and travel a path that heals the hurts of the past?
Readers of historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, and Christian historical romance will delight in this beautifully wrought story of the healing power of love.
“A heartwarming story of healing from external and internal scars. Through some of life’s harder lessons the characters learn to trust, forgive, and find second chances out of the ashes of pain and loss.”
Anne Perreault, author of eighteen inspirational novels, including the Yellowstone series
Trigger Warnings:
Grief, trauma from burns, accidental death, time in an insane asylum
Read An Excerpt |
Molly
After each of us has had a second slice of Thanksgiving pumpkin pie and a cup of tea, Samuel and I curl by the fire. The scent of spice and cedar hangs in the air. Lincoln and Mabel have gone to bed. The clock strikes 9:00, and I am sure Samuel is tired. The routine of barn chores begins early at 5:00 in the morning.
“You never did tell me how you left things with your mother.”
We sit next to each other on the settee. I purposely position a small pillow between us and rest my arm on the embroidered cover, which reads, in black thread, A stitch in time saves nine.
Samuel shrugs and smiles in a ho-hum way. “Not much to say. I told her I wasn’t going back, and the next morning I drove her to the train station.”
I wish I knew how to encourage him. He appears to be trapped in an unmovable situation, but everything is fragile. Perhaps that’s the problem—a broken relationship with his mother. I know about broken relationships. They are difficult to mend but not impossible, at least when the person isn’t physically missing or dead. My mind wanders to Jacob again. If miraculously he were found, would I want to mend things between us? The question grates at my conscience.
Samuel reaches for my hand. I let him enfold his hand around mine, but I have to remind him, “I’m not sure my husband has died.” I let the truth sink in, waiting for him to back away from me, but he doesn’t. I remind him further, “I’m still married, Samuel.”
The truth hurts and causes a deep place of sadness in me. Do I still love Jacob? I don’t know. The pain he’s caused me has certainly dampened any feeling I held for him.
Samuel nods and speaks with care. “Well, that may be, but where is he, this husband of yours? Why isn’t he here caring for you? What kind of man leaves his wife like he left you?”
His voice holds the hurt I often feel when I ask the same questions.
“I wish I knew.” My fingers squeeze his. “But I’m so thankful for our friendship.”
I smile at him reservedly.
A shadow perches on his brow. “Yes. Friends.”
I hear the disappointment in his tone. I’ve gathered he desires to be more than that to me, as I do to him.
“Maybe we should call it a night.” I glance at the clock. “It’s getting late.”
Samuel releases my hand. “Yes, I suppose.”
I rise and move to collect our dishes.
Samuel stops me and takes the plates from me, stacking the cups on top. “Let me do that.”
He’s so thoughtful, kind, and considerate. A sudden burst of emotion over what could be mine causes me to tear up. I gulp back the emotion and hide my face from him.
“Thank you, you’re so kind,” I manage to mumble.
“It’s because I love you, Molly.”
He pivots and
walks to the kitchen, his long strides making short work of it. His words truly
make my tears fall. I struggle not to sob and grieve for what can never be
between us
Buy Links:
Available on #KindleUnlimited
Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3JELBX
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Bur-Oak-Ridge-Sheltering-Trees-ebook/dp/B0B2KXB19F
About the author
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.
All of Jenny’s books have earned five-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite, a book review and award contest company. 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.
She deems a cup of tea and a good book an essential part of every day. When not writing, Jenny can be found reading, tending to her many houseplants, or piecing quilt blocks at her sewing machine.
Her new historical fiction, four-part series entitled, Sheltering Trees, is set in the area Jenny grew up in, where she currently lives, and places along Minnesota’s Northern Shore, where she loves to visit. She is currently writing a four-part novella series entitled: Botanical Seasons and a three-part fantasy series entitled: Retold Fairy Tales.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://jennyknipfer.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JennyKnipfer/
Facebook:
https://facebook.com/jennyknipfer.writer/
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/jennyknipferbrave/
Pinterest:
https://pinterest.com/JennyKnipfer/
BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenny-knipfer
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Jenny-Knipfer/e/B07QV9HPH4%253F
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19133392.Jenny_Knipfer
Twitter : @JennyKnipfer @maryanneyarde
Instagram : @jennyknipferbrave @coffeepotbookclub
Hashtags: #ChristianHistoricalRomance #ShelteringTrees #OnBurOakRidge #HistoricalRomance #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub
Tour Schedule Page:
https://maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/2022/04/blog-tour-on-bur-oak-ridge-sheltering.html
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Amazon: FREE ebook! |
Thank you so much for hosting today's tour stop for On Bur Oak Ridge. We really appreciate all that you do.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Mary Anne
The Coffee Pot Book Club
my pleasure
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