Helpful Score: 4
This story captivates me every time! I want to read it over and over. My favorite L. Spencer book, although they are all great!
Helpful Score: 3
I read this one twice a year. It's that good.
Helpful Score: 3
Not one, not two, but a whole Box of Tissues!
LaVyrle's best!
LaVyrle's best!
Helpful Score: 3
I LOVE this story!! This by far my favorite LaVyrle Spencer novel. It was one of those books I literally could not put down! I was up until 4am reading it slept for a few hours and finished it the next morning. I've reread this one several times over the years and enjoy it each time. I'm totally caught up in the story of Eleanor Dinsmore and Will Parker.The language is so vivid and descriptive that I'm transported into the story.
Helpful Score: 3
I read this more than 15 years ago, and I still remember how I liked it.
Helpful Score: 1
They call her Crazy Widow Dinsmore, but Elly is no stranger to their ridicule. Growing up with eccentric grandparents, pregnant Elly now wants to be left alone with her two boys. But she needs help and advertises for a husband in the local paper. Ex-con Will Parker is a drifter who is desperate for a job. Arriving at Elly's door, he knows he has found a place he can call home.
This pre-WWII book is set in rural Georgia at the end of the Great Depression. Will doesn't expect much. He is just happy to have a barn to sleep in and some decent food to eat. Elly needs help around the farm but doesn't have any money to pay him. These are two desperate people that no one else wants anything to do with...and they're just what each other needs.
I couldn't put this book down. LaVyrle Spencer has written great characters who grow throughout the book. Besides Elly & Will, Librarian Gladys Beasley is a stand-out. I loved the scenes with her. I'll definitely be reading more LaVyrle Spencer books. This one was outstanding. My rating: 5 Stars.
This pre-WWII book is set in rural Georgia at the end of the Great Depression. Will doesn't expect much. He is just happy to have a barn to sleep in and some decent food to eat. Elly needs help around the farm but doesn't have any money to pay him. These are two desperate people that no one else wants anything to do with...and they're just what each other needs.
I couldn't put this book down. LaVyrle Spencer has written great characters who grow throughout the book. Besides Elly & Will, Librarian Gladys Beasley is a stand-out. I loved the scenes with her. I'll definitely be reading more LaVyrle Spencer books. This one was outstanding. My rating: 5 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
This is now one of my favorite stories. I say story instead of romance novel because it is much more than just that. Spencer has written a beautiful story that is rich in detail, with such unlikely and memorable characters that come to life with her gifted pen.
Forget the audiobook (plays like a different story and not a particularly good one). This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to slow down and immerse themselves in a little nostalgia and to meet characters you'd love to know personally.
Forget the audiobook (plays like a different story and not a particularly good one). This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to slow down and immerse themselves in a little nostalgia and to meet characters you'd love to know personally.
Helpful Score: 1
This was the first LaVyrle Spenser book I ever read. Although I love all of them, this remains my favorite. I cannot count the number of times I have read it. Simply superb!
A tremendous story. I think the story line is a little less realistic than some of Ms. Spencer's other books, but because I fell in love with the main characters, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of story. Being Southern, I particularly appreciated the depiction of the individuals who populate every small Southern town - stubborn in their individualistic ways. I highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite of her historicals. There was also a movie made with Deborah Raffin which wasn't bad.
This was my first Lavyrle Spencer book. I simply loved it and have reread it many times since it was first published. A wonderful read!
Entertaining and romantic
Very good book. I will be looking for more books from this author.
Very descriptive word pictures & interesting premise.
Just got done reading this one. Wonderfully written!! It captivates you and holds you there right to the end.
I love L Spencer books but I think this is the best of hers I've ever read. Just couldn't put it down!!
I love L Spencer books but I think this is the best of hers I've ever read. Just couldn't put it down!!
A great example of the tender romance that is LaVyrle Spencer's style.
Elly: in town, they called her "Crazy Widow Dinsmore." But Elly was no stranger to their ridicule--she had been an ousider all her life, growing up in a boarded-up old house under the strict eye of her eccentric grandparents. Now she was all alone, with 2 little boys to raise and a third child on the way.
Will: He drifted into Whitney, Georgia, one lazy afternoon in the summer of 1941, hoping to put his lonely past behind him. He yearned for the tenderness he had never known, the home he'd never had. All he needed was for someone to give him a chance.
Then he saw her classified ad: WANTED-A husband. When he stepped across Elly Dinsmore's cluttered yard, Will Parker knew he had come home at last.
Will: He drifted into Whitney, Georgia, one lazy afternoon in the summer of 1941, hoping to put his lonely past behind him. He yearned for the tenderness he had never known, the home he'd never had. All he needed was for someone to give him a chance.
Then he saw her classified ad: WANTED-A husband. When he stepped across Elly Dinsmore's cluttered yard, Will Parker knew he had come home at last.
if your looking for a good old fashion romance this is the perfect book for you!
Elly was all alone with two boys and one baby on the way she posted a add for a husband! Good looking Drifter Will Parker walked into her cluttered yard and broken down house he knew he was home at last.
Elly was all alone with two boys and one baby on the way she posted a add for a husband! Good looking Drifter Will Parker walked into her cluttered yard and broken down house he knew he was home at last.
Beautiful story! I would highly recommend. It is about two people down on their luck that come together and find they need eachother. The love that develops between these characters is so pure and sweet. This was a big tear jerker, but it made you feel so good.
wonderful story of love
Loved this book. A "crazy lady" outsider of a town with small minds.. a man poor hungry in need. marry against all odds survive the coming war. EXCELLENT!!!
This was a good old romance that I don't think is written any more. The side characters were fleshed out to the extent you could recognize them on sight. It is a story of 2 misfits who finally and unexpectedly find love after both had given up. I just reread this book before I added it to the Bookshelf and enjoyed it again and I don't read romances much anymore.
My absolute favorite of Spencers and a keeper.
My favorite of all the LyVrle Spencer books!
Having just finished another of LaVyrle Spencers books (HUMMINGBIRD), I wasnt really in the mood for the quiet, quaint story of MORNING GLORY. HUMMINGBIRD, also a Rita Winner (see below), is a boisterous, breezy book; it is hard to imagine that MORNING GLORY was written by the same author.
However, by page 10, I was hooked; this story curls into your mind and heart, like the morning glory vine. Readers looking for high drama will be disappointed (until the end); this is a gentle story that I will remember for a long time.
Elly Dinsmore and Will Parker are two throw-aways living in the late Depression years and into the early years of World War II. Will has recently been released from Huntsville Prison (in Texas) and is drifting, looking for a place that will allow him to stay for more than a day or two. Times are hard and strangers are viewed with suspicion.
Elly was labeled Crazy Elly long ago, by the citizens and children of Whitney, Georgia. She met a young man who did not think she was crazy and eventually they married. However, Glendon died in an accident and left Elly with two small boys and 5 months pregnant. She advertises for a husband!
Spencer captures small-town America; the community has plenty of eccentric characters. One of my favorites was Gladys Beasley, the towns librarian. A simple act of kindness enriches her life in ways she could never have imagined. This is a beautiful story certainly beyond my powers to explain.
Spencers RITA Winners
The Endearment (1982) ** Rita Award 1983
Hummingbird (1983) ** Rita Award 1984
The Gamble (1984) ** Rita Award 1988
Twice Loved (1984) ** Rita Award 1985
Morning Glory (1989) ** Rita Award 1990
However, by page 10, I was hooked; this story curls into your mind and heart, like the morning glory vine. Readers looking for high drama will be disappointed (until the end); this is a gentle story that I will remember for a long time.
Elly Dinsmore and Will Parker are two throw-aways living in the late Depression years and into the early years of World War II. Will has recently been released from Huntsville Prison (in Texas) and is drifting, looking for a place that will allow him to stay for more than a day or two. Times are hard and strangers are viewed with suspicion.
Elly was labeled Crazy Elly long ago, by the citizens and children of Whitney, Georgia. She met a young man who did not think she was crazy and eventually they married. However, Glendon died in an accident and left Elly with two small boys and 5 months pregnant. She advertises for a husband!
Spencer captures small-town America; the community has plenty of eccentric characters. One of my favorites was Gladys Beasley, the towns librarian. A simple act of kindness enriches her life in ways she could never have imagined. This is a beautiful story certainly beyond my powers to explain.
Spencers RITA Winners
The Endearment (1982) ** Rita Award 1983
Hummingbird (1983) ** Rita Award 1984
The Gamble (1984) ** Rita Award 1988
Twice Loved (1984) ** Rita Award 1985
Morning Glory (1989) ** Rita Award 1990
One of the best books I've ever read. LaVyrle Spencer rocks!!!
Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer is an unexpectedly passionate tale between a couple who were miles apart yet closer to live forever. 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. Sweet, satisfying, with complex characters and a well-constructed plot, a wonderful 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 by LaVyrle Spencer is one of my favorite books. I pull it out every few years for a reread, and it will always have a space on my keeper shelf. It's about two emotionally scarred people who come together in marriage out of necessity rather than love. They face a great many trials and prejudices together and find that they have the love, family, and good friends that they've always wanted. It's a beautiful novel and in my opinion Ms. Spencer's finest.
I LOVED this book! Couldnt put it down.. Makes you cry, laugh out loud, WONDERFUL read!
I've just discovered this author and I think of the 5 or so of her books I've read, this is my favorite. Very unusual story line, but very good.
I loved this book. When I realized it took place in 1941 I almost put it down but since I loved her book, Separate Beds, I decided I would tough it out. I loved the characters and how she built their relationship. It almost didn't feel like she was telling a story from 1941, just that it took place somewhere more rural. I truly enjoyed this book.
Elly was all alone to raise two little boys and a baby on the way.She place a classified: WANTED--A husband. Will drifted into town in 1941, hoping to put his lonely past behind him,yearning for some tenderness and a home he never had. When he stepped across Elly's cluttered yard, he knew he had come home at last.
"A tender story of longing and fulfillment-a story that tugs at the heart and makes you cheerfor the few times when the good guys really do win."
-Orlando Sentinel
-Orlando Sentinel
My favorite book of all time. In town, they called her "Crazy Widow Dinsmore." A recluse, she's all alone with two children and one on the way. He was a drifter, just out of prison, yearning for a tenderness he's never known. Then he sees her classified as, "Wanted - a husband", and knows he's come home at last.....
pregnant widow and mother of two gets more than she bargained for when ex-con Will Parker answers her ad for a husband.
Back Cover:
Elly:
In town they called her Crazy Widow Dinsmore. But Elly was no stranger to their ridicule-she had been an outsider all her life, growing up in a boarded up old house under the strict eye of her eccentric grandparents. Now she was all alone, with two little boys to raise, and a third child on the way.
Will:
He drifted into Whitney, Georgia one lazy afternoon in the summer of 1941 hoping to put his lonely past behind him. He yearned for the tenderness he had never known, the home he'd never had. All he needed was for someone to give him a chance.
Then he saw her classified ad: Wanted a husband.
When he stepped across Elly dinsmore's cluttered yard, Will Parker knew he had come home at last.
Elly:
In town they called her Crazy Widow Dinsmore. But Elly was no stranger to their ridicule-she had been an outsider all her life, growing up in a boarded up old house under the strict eye of her eccentric grandparents. Now she was all alone, with two little boys to raise, and a third child on the way.
Will:
He drifted into Whitney, Georgia one lazy afternoon in the summer of 1941 hoping to put his lonely past behind him. He yearned for the tenderness he had never known, the home he'd never had. All he needed was for someone to give him a chance.
Then he saw her classified ad: Wanted a husband.
When he stepped across Elly dinsmore's cluttered yard, Will Parker knew he had come home at last.
Will drifts into Whitney, Georgia, one lazy afternoon in the summer of 1941, dragging his lonely past behind him. All he asks is for a chance to love. Then he sees Elly's classified ad for a husband, and when he steps across Elly's cluttered yard, Will knows he has come home at last.
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.
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.
Known as the Crazy Widow Dinsmore, Elly is no stranger to ridicule. She had been an outsider all her life, growing up in a boarded-up old house under the strict eye of her eccentric grandparents. Now alone with two little boys to raise and a third on the way, Elly puts an ad in the newspaper advertising for a husband. Since being released from prison, drifter, Will Parker, drifts into Whitney, Georgia, one afternoon in the summer of 1941, hoping to put his lonely past behind him. When Will sees Elly he knows he has come home at last.. Pure passion, beautiful, old-fashioned love story.
It has been a while since I read this.
