By the Light of the Moon series: “Readers who love being trapped in a character’s mind should relish this finely written, gripping series. A must read for fans of historical fiction.”–The Prairies Book Review “Ruby Moon is entertaining, fast-paced, and features characters that are real.”–Readers’ Favorite ”Knipfer’s characterization is stellar in this novel, and she skillfully ties in the … Favorite
”Knipfer’s characterization is stellar in this novel, and she skillfully ties in the themes of faith, forgiveness, and trust.”–Wisconsin Writers Association
Ruby Moon embodies a tale of grief, guilt, and redemption…
On the shores of Lake Superior in Ontario during the mid 1890’s, Jenay, a young woman of mixed French and Ojibwe descent, must survive the trauma of causing a horrific accident.
Amidst this drama, Jenay is caught in a web spun by Renault, a rich, charming man who once threatened ruination of her father’s shipping company but now seeks something even more valuable…
Jenay must find where her strength lies in order to face the challenges life brings her or be washed away like driftwood on the tumultuous shores of Lake Superior. Life’s richest dramas are played out under the banner of two ruby colored moons and become the hidden gems which forge her into a mature strong woman. Jenay realizes God is by her side, using even the harsh events of life to create something precious in her.
Fans of historical fiction, Christian historical fiction, split-timelines, and mystery will enjoy this stimulating read!
”Ruby Moon is the type of book that hooks you from page one… and have you quickly turning the pages to discover more.”–Ya It’s Lit Blog
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This is a great book for anyone looking for something different from a variety of cultures from Canadian to Ojibwe. I love how the cultures were described and shared throughout the story, as well as the recipes at the end. This was a lovely touch that I rather enjoyed.
There were many verses from the Bible throughout the book that I really enjoyed. It went beautifully with Jenay’s search for her path in life.
Jenay was a character one couldn’t help but fall in love with. Even those who wronged her, she cared for and treated with respect and love. When she is accosted by a man who claimed to care for her, she could only see what she may have done to cause it.
This book is complete with culture, romance, suspense, drama, and information. It is a stand-alone book with a complete end, but I was pleasantly surprised in the end to find that there is another to follow!
I would certainly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Jenay’s story and more by Jenny Knipper!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Ruby Moon is the start to Jenny Knipfer’s By the Light of the Moon series. I found this book to be uniquely written. It took me a little bit to get used to it but once I did, I could not put it down. My heart ached for Jenay. I enjoyed watching her grow throughout the story. I believe many other readers would feel a connection to her and relate to her struggles. There were several life lessons that we all could learn from.
Ruby Moon is getting four and a half stars from me. I look forward to reading the next books in the By the Light of the Moon series, Blue Moon, Silver Moon and Harvest Moon. I recommend this for readers who enjoy clean Historical Fiction. It is not one to be missed.
I received Ruby Moon from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Setting. Lake Ontario in the 1890s. Okay, I’m hooked. I really want to visit the Great Lakes and I love historical fiction so of course, this was going to be one book that I couldn’t put down. This is also book one in a series so you’re going to want to look for the others books as well and read the whole series.
Where is her strength? Where is her God? Jenay causes a horrific accident. Her enemies become her friends and her whole world is upside down. How does she know what to do? Who can she trust?
This is a great book and you feel so much for Jenay as you go through the struggles with her. The language was a bit too modern for the book but that happens a lot. This book does have some scenes that aren’t quite what I’d want my daughter reading but nothing that would make it a bad book. I will personally be reading the rest of the series.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
It was easy to be intrigued by this story with an opening of Jenay holding a knife in her hand trying to remember what happened. That sent shivers down my spine. It did take me a bit to catch on that details matter in this book. I learned that I needed to be alert to dates that are at the beginning of each chapter. The author cleverly takes us back and forth in time and slowly unravels who Jenay is. Oh how I cried about the mother she never knew. She sometimes wondered if her mother would be proud of her as she realizes she is a bit different than others around her.
I loved her free spirit and how comfortable she was with her heritage. It was just the right combination to make her unique but very in tune with nature. Her thirst for knowledge is witnessed throughout the story. I loved the faith element and how the author used it to compliment the story with biblical principles. Her father is a blessing with his wisdom of God.
Jenay is learning new things everyday about her heritage and I was very interested in learning about her culture. As she experiences new things she embraces the thought that God has a plan for her life. I loved reading how Jenay became more confident and allowed her heart to open up to new adventures. I was unprepared for the darkness that overcame Jenay after a traumatic event happens. The story takes a turn as we discover what the beginning of the book was about.
The author depicts a young woman who becomes a fixation for someone. This person is angry that her affection is bestowed upon someone else. Even though I thought the character was despicable I liked how the author used him to show us what greed and jealousy can do to someone. There are moments that I wanted Jenay to realize that the enemy was slithering into her life and tempting her to betray someone. Her memories of a certain event will cause an avalanche of guilt as she relives an unthinkable encounter. Through everything she faces, her faith grows as she is surrounded by family and friends. The ending is good but leaves readers with a bit of a cliffhanger. I know I will be reading the next books available in this series so I can see where the author takes us next on our journey.
God measures a person not from outward appearance, like mankind does, but looks at the heart of an individual to truly see what is there.”
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Jenny does a fabulous job of crafting realistic characters and bringing their world to life. Ruby Moon is definitely on my read again list because I enjoyed it so much. I am starting Jenny’s next book, Blue Moon, next. She is a talented author and I highly recomment Ruby Moon!
Ruby Moon is a unique story about a girl of mixed heritage coming of age in the 1800s, overcoming grief, tragedy, injury, & even memory loss.
I enjoyed Jenay’s independence, her free spirit, and her relationship with her father that permitted such freedom. I loved how she learned from her native aunt. In fact, much of this book was about Jenay’s relationships with those in her world: her aunts, her teacher, her husband, people in her town, & even the villain.
I debated giving this book a lower rating as it was extremely difficult to read. Multiple switching of points of view with long descriptions from that character’s POV leaves the reader confused about who the main characters really are supposed to be. Time switching really threw me for a loop as well. I had to keep going back and forth between sections to figure out what was going on and where I was in the timeline. Long paragraphs of thick dialect was also distracting. All of the above issues, if each were just a small part of the book, wouldn’t add up to a negative review. However, these distracters overwhelmed the story itself.
The saving grace of Ruby Moon is the story itself. It really is a good story & shows the author’s gift for poetic storytelling. Every time I wanted to give up out of frustration from the above issues, something about Jenay’s story drew me back in. If the author could tame those distracters, she would have an even larger audience for books in the future.
Ruby Moon is the first book in a trilogy. I enjoyed the story. Jenay went through do much in a couple of years. We see her strength, how she learned to trust the Lord and how she did her best to uphold her standard. What I enjoyed most was learning about the Ojibwe. I like historical fiction and the author did not disappoint. The book shows the labour of love that was put into the story. The detail, the style and the plot twist are commendable. The author shed light on the effect of trauma. It’s important to always advocate for your health. The story is unique. I didn’t really like the flashbacks at first but I got used to it. All in all, it was a pleasant book to me.
I received a complimentary copy from the author via Just Read Tours. All opinions are mine.
I gave this story a five star because of the setting of the book and the way the author has described the scenes in the story. In turn, that made me feel like I was there feeling the frustrations of Janay as she comes of age and learning right along with her.
The Bible verses that were in there the author managed to somehow make them fit perfectly.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story even as I was skeptical at the beginning. But, now I’m glad I finished it all the way through along with the theme of faith and forgiveness.
Janay has led an interesting life. There have been many times that I’ve felt much like she does while growing up. I’ve asked myself many times why we women have to go through certain things in life.
It’s great that this book has a little bit of everything woven in to make a perfect read!
How wonderful it would be to see Lake Superior then for myself. To think how untouched and unspoiled it would look. Thanks to this author I was able to “see” that.
Lake Superior is the most beautiful lake of the five and my favorite place to visit.
I wouldn’t have come across this book if it weren’t for JustReads tours. I’m glad I did.
It was a fresh and delightful read all at the same time.
I highly recommend. You won’t regret it one bit. Hours will have flown by before you know it.
I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
This is an enchanting story set on the shores of Lake Superior in Canada in 1893-94 and follows Janay with her life struggle of loss and grief, love and faith. Janay is a mix of Ojibwe Indian and French and as such her life is woven together of both cultures. This is historical fiction at it’s finest as it is well written and well researched and a wonderful storyline. This is the first book of a series with Blue Moon the next in line and Silver Moon is the third book in the series and is a new release. The books will be much better read in order.
Nature is Life
Jenay lost her mother at an early age and was raised by her father and her father’s sister, her aunt Angelica. She was also taught much by her Ojibwe aunt , her mother’s sister Maang-ikwe. The book is set in Ontario, Canada in the late 1800’s
Through growing up, marriage, living through a traumatic event she proves to be a strong willed girl and finds solace in her faith in God and her love for her husband.
I love how this book is written, this author has a refreshing unique writing style. The wonderful inserts of verses from the bible and other works of literature was amazing in how they fit with the story. I loved reading those verses.
The descriptions of the land, the plants and flowers were such I could picture them In my mind. The clothing down to the detail of fringes and bells on a skirt. The history came alive as life in the small town was captured on these pages. I did also love the salve recipe at the end of the book made with plantain and yarrow.
This book was an inspiring read and I would recommend it.
Thanks to Jenny Knipfer and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Ruby Moon is a unique, compelling, and entertaining historical fiction novel that will delight as well as thrill readers for many hours. Never before have I read a book like Ruby Moon because the book is a historical fiction/romance tale with a twist. The story laced between the pages of this book is one that captivated me from the beginning, to be honest even the description of the book fascinated me, so that is why I have to recommend that all of you lovely readers read Ruby Moon because I promise that you will not have read anything like it before!
Ruby Moon is a book unlike anything I have read before; never before have I read a book with so much pent-up excitement that compelled me to read the fastest I ever have. Ruby Moon can only be described as the kind of book that is addictive; it is addictive because you will find yourself always thinking about it when it is not in your hands and you will long to read it and immerse yourself in it thanks to the message at the heart of the story.
Ruby Moon is a phenomenal book that will take the reader back to the mid-1890s and will introduce the reader to the protagonist of the story, Jenay. Jenay is a young woman who has to survive the trauma of the fact that she caused an accident that had disastrous consequences. However, soon, Renault enters her life. Renault is rich, charming and he once nearly ruined Jenay’s father’s shipping company, but now he has his eyes on Jenay. The reader will follow Jenay and Renault as they grow closer together, and this book lovers is the premise of the incredible Ruby Moon that should not be missed!
The story of Ruby Moon is sensational, and I applaud the exceptional author Jenny Knipfer for putting a twist on the romance genre. The fact that the story is so original and unique and incredibly entertaining at the same time shows us that Jenny is a talented wordsmith who knows how to be creative and brazen with her thoughts and think outside of the box. I adore how Jenny took risks with Ruby Moon and decided to put a twist on a much-loved genre; this is incredibly hard to do and even harder to pull off, so it is safe for me to write that I adore Jenny’s literature!
The story of Ruby Moon is quite simply amazing; amazing however is just one of the words I would use to describe Ruby Moon as it is so much more than this. It is an adorable, heart-warming, addictive and entertaining novel that will have you compelled as well as captivated from the start. I adore historical fiction, but some historical fiction/romance stories can be lackluster thanks to the predictable nature of them. Knipfer’s novel, however, will keep its readers guessing and I challenge you, readers, to guess where the plot goes when you read this excellent book, I would be interested whether you were able to guess the outcome correctly! I tried my hardest, but Knipfer continuously keeps her readers on edge with her sheer brilliance!
As Ruby Moon is a brilliant, mesmerizing and thrilling story that will take you on an incredible adventure I, of course, have to award this excellent book five stars! So please, if you are looking to get lost in a romance, historical tale then read this book because you will not regret it!
I loved this novel! I was captivated by the mystery in the very first paragraphs! Jenny has a way of gripping you right at the beginning of each section.. luring you into the lives and hearts of these characters that you come to love. Jenny is an insightful writer.. letting us glimpse the world in unique and beautiful ways. I enjoy the way she uses words much like a paint brush.. beautifully portraying a landscape, a budding relationship or a hearts angst. You can tell by her writing that she has been an avid reader of good literature and that she is working toward writing a timeless tale. I’m looking forward the the next book in the series!!
I wanted to know more and kept reading because there was something mysterious going on in Ruby Moon. I kept reading to find out what had happened to the person who was feeling guilty. The author then does a lovely job of telling the back story of young Jenay growing up on the shores of Lake Superior. We finally understand what happened and the mystery of the first pages becomes clear. Usually when a mystery is cleared most authors sign off on the story, but the author continues with other events perhaps leading, I suppose, to book #2.
I didn’t quite know what to expect when I picked up this book. A debut novel can be a risk. But this story defied every fear, immersing me into the lives of each character. However, this wasn’t the only draw. Knipfer’s ability to weave a plot so multi-dimensional, so ripe with meaning, so full of depth, told me that this story was something special.
I highly encourage you to pick up this book. You will run the gamut of emotions, from laughter, to sorrow, to fear, to hope. Take a chance on this one. It does not disappoint!
I gave this book 4 stars because of the purposely misspelled words used to convey dialect were difficult to read and took me out of the story more than the Ojibwe language. I believe a little goes a long way.
This debut novel is almost poetic in its telling. The blend of Ojibwe with 1890s Canadian society with Biblical and other famous quotes.
“God has destined me for a purpose?” Young Janay asks as she wanders the fields with the medicine woman, Maang-ikwe. Her affinity with plants and desire to learn the ways of her mother making her unique among the citizens of town. She walks a fine line of two worlds.
“Remember, what you leave and tend will grow. Weeds will not produce a harvest of good things.” Jacques’ father admonishes as he teaches him to pluck the weeds from the family garden, though the lesson will be one he will use throughout many areas of his life.
When Janay attracts the attention of a man who believes there is nothing he cannot possess for a price, prayer and the love of her family see her through these trials and temptations.
A copper or ruby moon is one of joy.
Strong female characters, Godly characters and realistic characters. A lovely story.
Ruby Moon began with quite a mystery. Scenes went back and forward in the life of young Jenay with the reader trying to piece together the pieces of the puzzle. Along the way, the reader gets to know Jenay and the depth of who she is. As she is trying to make her way as a young lady, different aspects of her unique heritage make her ponder the next part of her journey.
I must admit at first I felt like the scenes going back and forward in time left me in confusion to begin with. As I got further into the lives of the characters and the story line, it became easier to go back and forth. If you are hesitant, don’t let that get in the way. Push through so you can enjoy the full story line. The unique way the author weaved the story adds to the mystery to create an imaginative story.
I liked how the characters were written as well as the real struggle between Jenay’s feelings and thoughts. I enjoyed how God was written throughout the story with redemption for a character that I didn’t expect. I also liked learning more about the French/Canadian and Ojibway People as I was reading. It is one reason I enjoy reading historical fiction because it expands my horizons.
I would highly recommend reading this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
Ruby Moon by Jenny Knipfer stands as the first novel in the By the Light of the Moon series. This unique literary fiction novel features multiple character POVs, but the main character is young Jenay Follett. Her tale is truly a coming-of-age journey involving joy, heartache, trauma, and family. I felt that the author captured the essence and experience of trauma with Jenay’s thoughts and actions. Jenay’s pain felt terribly authentic, but wise statements, often from Maang-ikwe, pepper the story with hope for healing.
As I mentioned, there are multiple POVs in Ruby Moon. Additionally, part of the novel is written as split-time with both timelines containing flashbacks. This complicated story structure forced me to read very slowly. Though the book is a little over 400 pages, it took me over three weeks to read. Without carefully reading, the narrative jumps are potentially confusing.
I recommend Ruby Moon to readers who enjoy literary/women’s fiction. The novel can be challenging both in content and reading experience; however, it will likely appeal to fans of coming-of-age stories.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
Thank you HFVBT and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Ruby Moon
By The Light Of The Moon Series
By: Jenny Knipfer
*REVIEW*
Ruby Moon is a unique story. The heroine, Jenay, is a 17 year old girl who is deeply divided. She is half Ojibwee from her late mother, and Jenay is drawn to this heritage. Unfortunately, this is to Jenay’s detremint, as her father expects a proper society girl. The year is 1890 in Ottawa, and girls were expected to adhere to societal norms. Jenay, however, goes the unpopular way, remaining true to her self. She feels at home in the forest with Maang-ikwe and her mother’s people. Jenay learns the skills of a medicine woman. This is not, however, a peaceful coming of age story. It begins in tragedy and confusion. Jenay learns the lessons of loss, grief and abhorrence in tragic heartbreaking ways. Jenay’s life is a kaleidoscope of the fractured pieces of her heart and soul representing the entire spectrum of emotions. I felt so much everything while reading this book because Jenay is a genuine relatable and sympathetic character. She is strong and steadfast as much as a young girl can be. So many obstacles fall in Jenay’s path, and it is difficult to see a way out. How will Jenay not only survive, but thrive? The prose is just beautiful with a lyricism that ebbs and flows perfectly. I love a story that sounds to me like a song, and this one certainly did. The incorrect misspelled dialogue is an excellent representation of the time and place and lends much authenticity. I like this style of writing, and I hope the author continues such in the future.
Jenay is a lovely, smart and headstrong young woman who has a foot in two very different worlds – one in 1890s prim & proper Canadian society and the other foot encased in a moccasin in the world of the Ojibwe. She finds it difficult to be herself and find acceptance in “normal” society. She feels most at home in the wild with Maang-ikwe and the other Ojibwe, the people of her late mother. Jenay unknowingly catches the eye of a ruthless businessman who believes anything & anyone can be bought for a price. And so begins the intriguing story of Jenay’s 17th year…
Something is haunting Jenay and it begins to eat at her soul, robbing her of the joyous life she’s begun to live with her husband, Jaque. As she wrestles to put all the pieces back together of that fateful day, she must put her faith in God, trusting Him & her family to help see her through this difficult time.
I enjoyed the Bible verses and famous quotes thoughtfully placed before each chapter. I felt they added to the story. I found the purposely misspelled words that were meant to convey dialect of the time, such as ‘dis’, to be a distraction and often made it difficult for me to concentrate on the story at hand. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s use of the Ojibwe language and felt that I came away with new knowledge of the natives. I look forward to the author’s next book.
Special thanks to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
OVERALL RATING:
BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS
Plot: 4/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine): Jenay & Jaque – strong, faithful & realistic characters
The Feels: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Addictiveness: 4/5
Theme or Tone: 5/5
Flow (Writing Style): 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Originality: 4/5
Ending: 5/5
Series: By the Light of the Moon
Source: Kindle eBook
Would I recommend this book? Yes.
Would I read more from this author? Yes.