Jenny L Knipfer

Blue Moon by Jenny Knipfer stands as the second novel in the By the Light of the Moon series. I highly recommend reading Ruby Moon first as the setting and characters from the first novel carry through in this story. Having read Ruby Moon, I knew to expect Blue Moon to be filled with multiple character POV’s. The story and the characters are complicated. While Vanessa and her relationships take center stage, other characters received plenty of page time. I confess that I did not like Vanessa right away. Her actions were questionable, especially in the beginning. However, I came to understand her and her situation more as the deep hurt she struggled with was exposed.

I recommend Blue Moon to readers who enjoyed Ruby Moon and want to continue with the series.

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.… (más)

A work of historical fiction, this second book in a series chronicles part of the lives of two twins – Vanessa and Valerie. Vanessa became pregnant out of wedlock and their father forces Vanessa to allow her twin and brother-in-law to raise the child.

I enjoyed the storyline and how the author handled the situation between Valerie and Vanessa. However, this story jumps around from character to character too many times for my liking. Vanessa provides the main focal point of the story along with her relationship with her son Luis, who believes she is his aunt. Jumping from characters to characters and from past, present, and future, I sometimes had to reread in order to know whose view I was reading. Yet in the long run, I have to say I am glad I read this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

So check it out for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.… (más)

Teach me how to live this life and live it unafraid of what may come.

Identical twins, carbon copies but are they really? Vanessa and Valerie have always been easily mixed up, until life sets them on completely different paths. Unmarried and pregnant, Vanessa must give her newborn son to Valerie and her husband Felix to raise as their son. You must remember this is 1885 so a great deal of stigma is associated with being a single mother, something that we perhaps do not understand today. I expect I would be most unhappy to be considered an auntie to the child that I carried and gave birth too, so the bitterness Vanessa feels seems almost acceptable.

Every now and again, I’m sure everyone imagines what they might do if they won that windfall. Vanessa did and made some decisions that affected the rest of her life and the lives of those around her. What would you have done in her circumstances? Between temptation, illness and new friends you will certainly want to read until the end.

Blue Moon is my introduction to the By the Light of the Moon series. It can be read as a standalone, but I’m sure reading book #1 first would make many things easier to understand. I received this ARC through CelebrateLit. All impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.… (más)

Blue Moon, by Jennifer L Knipfer, has a distinctive and dramatic plotline. The story features identical twins, Vanessa and Valerie, who are able, like many anecdotal tales, to intimately know and intuit each other’s feelings. Also, the historical and medical accuracy of the time and of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are impressive. I am sorry that Knipfer has first-hand experience with MS, thereby giving her great insight and comprehension of the disease.

I had a hard time, however, getting into the book. Knipfer jumps constantly between different time frames and POVs. This can be a great tool for revealing more about a character or characters. However, when a point of view is introduced, then changes when a character reminisces or time and locations change, then again in the span of a few paragraphs or pages, then the changes become redundant. I know for many readers this probably isn’t a vexation, but for me the story becomes ponderous. I admire the author’s ability to write a novel this way.

Blue Moon works as a standalone, as enough backstory is covered you don’t feel you have missing pieces.

I enjoyed the story overall for its uniqueness and historical accuracy.

Due to a minor amount of adult subject matter, I would not recommend this to those under 13.

I received Blue Moon from Celebrate Lit. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.… (más)