I am on tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club, and today's I have the utmost pleasure in interviewing historical fiction author, Jenny Knipfer. But before you do, let's check out Jenny's book.
In the wilds of 19th century Ontario, Maang-ikwe, a young Ojibwe woman, falls into a forbidden love, breaks her father’s honor, and surrenders her trust to someone who betrays it. The abuse she suffers divides her from her tribe and causes her to give up what she holds most dear. Niin-mawin must come to grips with his culture being ripped away from him. Brought up in a “white man’s” school, he suffers through an enforced “civilized” education and separation from his family. When a man he respects reveals a secret about Niin-mawin’s past, he embarks on a search for the person he hopes can mend the part of his heart that’s always been missing.
Both Maang-ikwe and Niin-mawin wonder how a harvest of pain and sorrow will impact their lives. Will they find the blessings amongst the hardships, or will they allow the results of division and abuse to taint their hearts forever?
Fans of historical fiction, Native American fiction, Christian historical fiction, clean romance, and literary fiction will be moved by this deep, heartfelt novel.
Praise for Harvest Moon
“A moving and authentic work or historical fiction, while this series is a testament to Knipfer's skilled and versatile storytelling.” Self-Publishing Review
“Knipfer does an outstanding job of cementing place, time, and culture against the backdrop of evolving relationships.” D. Donavon for Midwest Book Review
What inspired you to start writing?
The wonderful works of fiction I read as a girl—the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, the Anne of Green Gables series, Narnia, and Madeleine L’Engle’s books—fed my love for books and inspired me to write my own thoughts and stories in my journal.
Fast forward many years later and journaling became a big part of my life, helping me process through some difficult circumstances. Around this time I also started writing poetry and my first novel, which I would finish and finally publish twenty years later.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
Writing usually rolls along well for me without too many bumps. I just need to listen and make the time to write it down. Research takes a lot of time and can be challenging, but I also enjoy it. Learning something new fuels my reason for choosing to read and write historical fiction.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
Yes, Maang-ikwe. She’s a feisty, free-spirited Ojibwe woman, who’s wise, but the hard paths her feet have had to trod crafted her that way. I admire her, if an author can say that about their character.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
Gosh, I’m not very good at knowing current-day movie stars. I could maybe see Jane Seymour or Sandra Bullock playing Maang-ikwe and Keanu Reeves for Niin-mawin.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
It’s my hope that readers find Harvest Moon not only a passionate, entertaining novel but also an encouragement to find the blessings amidst the hardships in their own lives.
Buy this Book
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.
Her By the Light of the Moon series earned five-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite, a book review and award contest company. Their praise: “Ruby Moon is entertaining, fast-paced, and features characters that are real. Blue Moon continues a well-written and highly engaging saga of family ties, betrayals, and heartaches. Silver Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of historical wartime fiction, powerful emotive drama, and excellent atmospheric writing. Harvest Moon is probably one of the best historical fiction novels I have ever read. I have come away deep in thought, feeling somewhat like I’ve had a mystical experience and one I will never forget.”
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 is currently writing a new historical fiction series entitled, Sheltering Trees. The first title in that series, In a Grove of Maples,—inspired by the lives of her grandparents in the late 1890’s—is slated for fall of 2021.
Connect with Jenny:
Thanks so much for being the tour host today and doing an interview with me!
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