Jenny Knipfer–Author

I’m excited to announce that I’m a few steps closer to releasing my next novella, Violet’s Vow. I set the release day for May 6th and am planning a fun book release party in my Facebook group, Journeying with Jenny. My gears move a lot slower these days, but this release gives me something positive to look forward to.

THE BLURB:

A springtime novella of a secret love and a passionate vow

In the late 1890s, intuitive flower shop owner Violet Brooks opens up her heart and business to the Moore family but yet has vowed to get justice for her deceased husband, Roger, whom she believed had died as a result of bucking the Moore lumber company. 

Handsome lumberbaron Devon Moore frequents Violet’s shop with his niece, Holly, who’s preparing for her upcoming wedding. Running the shop herself after her husband’s death a year prior exhausts Violet, so she hires Holly, surprising herself by hoping to have more chances for her path to cross with Devon’s.

In the meantime, a secret admirer leaves Violet messages in the language of flowers. Her heart blossoms to the sentiments within.

She’s torn between her growing attraction for Devon and her admirer, or are they one in the same?

Journalist Frankie Dermot, an old classmate and flame of Violet’s, comes back to town. Violet enlists his help in her search for the truth about Roger’s death. But when they uncover who’s really responsible for her husband’s  passing  one year prior, Violet is shocked.

Will Violet shut herself off from newfound love, or will she allow her past vow to her deceased husband to dictate her future and keep her from the man who wins her heart?

Readers of Christian historical fiction and Christian historical romance with a twist of mystery will find their hearts set aflutter by Violet’s tale of discovering romance and be inspired by her path to grace.

“Knipfer has created intriguing plots in previous books and this one is no exception. Readers are sure to enjoy this sweet historical tale filled with mystery, interesting twists and mercy.” Dawn Kinzer, inspirational author of The Daughters of Riverton series

~ COVER REVEAL AND PREORDER LINK COMING SOON! ~

WRITING FROM EXPERIENCE:

As the case in most of my books, I write from some semblance of experience with Violet’s Vow. Violet is a flower shop owner, and I worked as a designer in a retail flower shop for many years. Most of the shop scenes in the book were inspired by my actual experiences. I laughed out loud yesterday when reading a few of the scenes. Here’s one such scene. A tip for the wise: never go into a flower shop and order a “pretty” arrangement. You’ll never know what you’ll get, because the meaning of the word pretty has become so generic; it means something different to everyone. Use specific words to describe what you want, or if you don’t know ask the shop staff for ideas.

The painting pictured on the right is an example of the arrangement style of the day—full and often a little haphazard.

A SCENE FROM VIOLET’S VOW:

After Violet had arranged the sale flowers to her satisfaction, she went to start on the orders she had for the day. Almost done with the first order, six yellow roses in a vase with greens, Violet glanced up when the door’s bell clanged. A handsome, heavy-set woman, dressed smartly in navy blue and lavender, marched into the shop, holding a clear vase of flowers. She set it down with some force upon the counter. 

“I specifically asked for something pretty.”

Violet blinked in shock and took in the arrangement she had made yesterday. It looked the same to her, stylized and more simplistic than the usual full-blown, English-garden-style variety of arrangements. That word pretty had gotten Violet in more than one fix with an unhappy customer. Everyone had a different meaning for the word, and what was pretty to one customer might not be considered so by another.

Holding back the sigh she longed to spill out, Violet asked, “And what is it you find fault with, ma’am?”

The woman had no qualms about expelling a heave of air. “Well, anyone can see it’s much too tall and thin. It should be more…full.”

The woman flapped her hands in the air on either side of the vase. 

“I am sorry this is not to your taste. Please excuse me while I check the order.” Violet leafed through the orders from yesterday, still stacked by the register. She pulled out an order she recognized with the name Mrs. Woodford at the top. “Ah, I see you ordered a large-vase arrangement for your home in pastel shades. Is that correct?”

“Well, yes, but this is not what I wanted.” Mrs. Woodford huffed and had the audacity to roll her prominent, brown eyes. 

“And could you specify exactly what you would like?” Violet reminded herself that the customer was always right, but it rankled against her spirit, regardless. 

Mrs. Woodford pointed to the arrangement Violet had finished minutes ago.  “Like that one, there. In fact, I’ll take that one.”

Smiling with premature satisfaction, Mrs. Woodford nodded, wobbling several of the peach-colored, silk roses on her hat.

“I am sorry, but it’s not for sale.”

Mrs. Woodford narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me? You are selling flowers here in your shop, are you not?”

Violet counted under breath, using the numeric scale to calm her nerves. “You misunderstand me. This arrangement is for a special order for a funeral.”

“I see.” Mrs. Woodford’s words came out less snide, but she still looked put-out to Violet. 

An ache started to throb in Violet’s jaw from her clenching her teeth. She focused on trying to relax.

“However, I could make something similar for you. Would that be to your satisfaction?” she asked her customer.

Shrugging her well-padded shoulders, Mrs. Woodford said, “I suppose that will have to suffice.” 

Really, would it hurt some people to be more gracious?

“Will you be waiting for the arrangement, or do you want it delivered?”

Mrs. Woodford sniffed and lifted her nose in the air. “Hmm, I’m certainly not going to be carrying a large arrangement five blocks back to my home, now, am I?”

“Delivery then?” Violet double checked, losing patience by the second. 

“That is what I said.” 

God grant me patience, Violet silently prayed, but she said, “I’ll have that to you tomorrow by early afternoon.”

“Hmm, I suppose that’ll do.”

There was no pleasing the woman, it seemed.

“Same address as before?” Violet asked. 

“That’s right. My husband and I live next to the Moores. Such comings and goings on there of late—ever since Devon Moore came back.”

“Back from where?” Violet couldn’t help asking.

She searched Mrs. Woodford’s prominent eyes for what she hoped would be the truth.  “You don’t know?” Mrs. Woodford leaned toward Violet…

THANKS FOR READING!

I hope you enjoyed that little excerpt from Violet’s Vow and look forward to learning more about Violet, her shop, and her secret admirer.

J