Morning Glory [Paperback]

LaVyrle Spencer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 3, 2009

From the author of "Vows" and "The Gamble", comes the story of Ella Dinsmore and Will Parker. Ella, widowed at 26 and with two small children, advertises for a husband, through which she meets Will, a drifter. They fall in love, but find this threatened by a sudden, brutal murder.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in small-town Georgia at the dawn of WW II, handsome ex-con Will Parker answers the advertisement of a pregnant widow and mother of two, who is looking for a husband. "Fans will be pleased by Spencer's hardcover debut, again demonstrating her gift for telling a satisfyingly conventional romantic tale in fresh, sprightly prose," wrote PW .
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; Reprint edition (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425229289
• ISBN-13: 978-0425229286
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be disappointed!! February 25, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I think that this is by far LaVyrle Spencer's best book. The story is wonderful and it touches everyone. Elly and Will are misfits that find joy with each other. When Will is accused of a terrible crime, you have to see if Elly and Will's love for each other is strong enough for them to overcome it. Everyone can relate to the characters. Elly is known as "Crazy Elly Dinsmore" and she was always teased as a child. The reader might see themself because they were a child that was teased or they might remember the Elly Dinsmore's that they knew. This book is exceptionally well written and longer than some of Spencer's other books, which is a definite plus. This is a novel that you would definitly want to have a sequel. Read it and find yourself. You won't be disappointed.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Spencer does it again...(4 1/2 stars) March 30, 2004

By M. I. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

It always amazes me how consistently brilliant Lavyrle Spencer is. Even if Im not crazy about all of her books, there is no arguing that the woman can write.... "Morning Glory" is a perfect example of Spencer's enormous talent for making the characters and the scenery enveloping them leap to life. "Morning Glory" was a heartwarming tale of Will and Elly- two lost souls who had known little happiness in their lives, but who found love in eachother. I LOVED this book. I thought that the characters growth was a wonder to watch and I enjoyed every moment. My only quibble with this book was that I felt that there wasn't enough romantic tension...Elly and Will proclaimed their love too early on for my taste, but regardless the story was enthralling. All in all a fantastic read...

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Morning Glory, by LaVyrle Spencer September 1, 2003

By Mellanie C.

Format:Mass Market Paperback

MORNING GLORY is set in the 1940s and is the story of "Crazy" Elly Dinsmore, raised by religious fanatics and teased and tormented by everyone in town; and Will Parker, an ex-con trying to put his life back together. Elly is a young, pregnant widow who, when she finds she can't make ends meet, puts an ad for a husband in the local paper. Will sees the ad and applies for the job. As Will begins making repairs and improvements to Elly's property, their attraction to each other grows. World War Two intervenes, and Will is called up for service, but he and Elly write to each other frequently, and manage a visit when Will has leave.

Shortly after Will comes home from the war, he is accused of murdering the local floozy, and Elly must overcome her personal demons in order to help with Will's trial. How the two misfits find each other and their place in their community is a deeply engrossing story. Spencer excels at emotional writing, and in this book, she outdoes herself with her secondary characters, especially Gladys Beasley, the town librarian, who strikes up an incongruous friendship with Will. This book has everything: romance, humor, pathos, mystery, and history. This is my personal favorite of LaVyrle's books, and it has held up to several repeat readings.