Customer Reviews

Morning Glory

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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...

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.

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.

Sweet, satisfying, with complex characters and a well-constructed plot, this is my favorite modern romance novel. Both hero and heroine undergo vital transformations as their relationship deepens, and in the process they affect those around them. An excellent story of redemption and healing.

Morning Glory is a book I read, loved, but put off reading for the second time. I was afraid some of the magic would go out of a re-read. I was wrong. This is a book I will never grow tired of. Elly and Will are so good for each other. Each made the other shine. Truly a book to treasure for a lifetime.

This is a heartwarming story that will make you laugh, make you cry and make you cheer! When the personalities in a book stay with you, when you wish that you could actually meet them, actually get to know them, wish you could live along with them, you know your time with the book has been well spent. This is a fun read - a moving read - simply excellent!

I absolutely loved this book! Being an incurable romantic this story made me smile a lot, laugh quite often and even cry. This is a love story with real life people and problems and adjustments. It is the story of Will Parker, an ex-con who had a difficult life growing up. He was abandoned by his mother, spent many years going from foster home to foster home when he finally ran away at the age of 14 to become a loner drifting here and there doing what he needed to survive. He comes to a small town in Georgia to try to start over when his past comes back to haunt him. He answers an ad "for a husband" trying to find some way to start over. The woman who placed the ad is Elly Dinsmore - a woman the town believes is crazy, she is simply trying to keep her farm and raise her 2 sons with a baby on the way after her husband dies. At the beginning their relationship is strictly practical, Will is able to do the heavy work on the farm while Elly provides him with meals and a place to sleep - the barn. They soon begin to like each other as they go along their ways and realize how special each are as people as to each other. I really liked this book because they are real people, each with a past that keeps coming up to hinder their progress and taint their futures. They get to know each other and realize how special the other is and how much the other can do to fill a void in their lives. The book also doesn't end with them falling in love but continues to show how they grow together to love each other, to overcome the continuous obtacles in life that seem to want to keep them apart. It is definitely a love story but also a story about second chances and how important it is to give people a chance, not to believe what is said or to judge simply on their past but to judge a person by themselves and what they are today. A wonderful book, you won't be sorry you've read it.

I have never read a book quite such as this. I fell in lovewith each and every character in such detail that I felt so in touchwith each one. This story sums up to me in real life that everyone needs a chance given to them in this world. I also felt that this was an incredible self-esteem building novel and the two characters who fell in love, did so with such special love for each other. This book was so well written, capturing the patience, understanding and loyalties when two people start falling in love. The year in which this story was written were under difficult times and circumstances. Even though the year this book was written in (the olden days!) I felt the morals were what they should still be today. When starting to fall in love you take the good with the bad, you don't judge the other person, there is that bit of awkardness and shyness and there is that key word - TRUST! I was truly captivated by this novel. Sincerest thanks for writing this novel LaVyrle - your inspiration never ceases to amaze me - your novels make one's heart just a little bit warmer!!!!!!!

Will Parker has had one hell of a life. Recently paroled for a murder he committed in defense of a friend's safety, all he wants is a fresh start. After just being fired from another good job because of his criminal record, he moves on to search for the next opportunity. Amongst the want ads, he sees an unusual post: "Wanted - A Husband." Thinking himself a fool, Will makes the trek to the top of Rock Creek Road to apply for the craziest job he's ever heard of. When he arrives, he finds Ms. Eleanor Dinsmore on the front porch with two children in tow and a third one on the way. Anxious for a meal and a roof over his head, Will takes the biggest chance of his life.

Eleanor is desperate. Her young husband recently died leaving her with two children and pregnant with another mouth to feed. She needs help managing her farm and her children...she needs a husband. Will is certainly different from her departed husband Glendon, but after some time together, they realize they work very well together. Never mind the tender feelings they have for each other, Will and Eleanor are becoming a unique family. Like all families, this couple will be tested. Their happiness will be put up against a horrific war and if that isn't enough, both will have to face their pasts in order to claim their future.

There are those stories which leave you mildly content after reading them and there are those that leave you looking like a fool with the biggest smile on your face. Morning Glory is the latter. This book will certainly warm your heart and make you a believer in overcoming the odds and happily ever after. The novel will take you on the journey of a sweet and poignant love story that you will treasure always. Will and Eleanor's story is one that truly defines the term `second chances' in life. You can't help but admire these two emotionally sensitive and compassionate characters who change each other so drastically for the better. Two people who didn't realize how truly lost they were until they found their other half.

One of the most charming aspects of this book was experiencing the inner thoughts of these characters. Spencer writes these thoughts right next to each other as to give light to the rejection they expect to find. Never did they expect to find feelings for each other, and utterly embarrassed to let the other one know, their awkward uncertainty was absolutely charming.

This story takes place during World War II and you are taken through the effects it has on this new family. The heartache and uncertainty of war time cannot be pushed aside and takes a prominent position for a good part of the novel. This time period only makes the romance more dramatic and wonderful. You can't escape the magic theses two have created when you experience the letters they write to one another. No matter what they go through, you are always surprised by the extent of their feelings for each other and how they display that affection.

Morning Glory was unlike anything I have ever read before. These two were such an unlikely couple, yet they needed each other so desperately, and you become addicted to reading about their story. So much so you never want the novel to end. Spencer crafts a story that will bring tears to your eyes and a smile to your heart. The story isn't overtly passionate, but completely romantic. If you want a love story about two lost souls who overcome many obstacles to help each other find their way to a true family and happily ever after, then Morning Glory is the story for you.

Overall Rating: 5/5
Heat Level: 3/5

Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter

I truly loved this book! I wish I could have given it more than 5 stars that it deserves, this story made me smile, laugh and even cry. Will Parker, an ex-con who had a difficult life growing up, his past comes to haunt him. Elly's husbands dies leaving her with two boys and another on the way, The town thinks of her as crazy Elly but Will thinks of her has a beautiful person that he wants to get to know, I love these two characters. You will fall in love with Will, reading this book leaves you feeling good. I wish that LaVyrle Spencer would come out from hiding and start writing again. Her words are missed so much.
Happy Reading Lisa : ) Smile