When Morning Glory Blooms

Title:  When the Morning Glory Blooms

Author:  Cynthia Ruchti

Pages:  352

Year:  2013

Publisher:  Abingdon Press

                Collins English Dictionary 2009 defines discovery as “the act, process, or an instance of discovering”.  Here is a word that describes discovery as something that entails participation on our part.  Simply not moving might cause the act or process to be missed even in the smallest details of everyday living.  As a reader, discovering is part of every book I am privileged to be able to open up.  The real joy comes in discovering what is between the covers as well as what picture the words paint in my mind as I read.  Sometimes in the daily grind of life or the rush from one appointment to another, we miss the pure pleasure of discovering.

                As I started to read When the Morning Glory Blooms, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  While I appreciate the beauty of God’s creation, I don’t plant a lot of flowers at all mostly because I am allergic to them or to the bees they tend to draw.  After enjoying this novel however, Morning Glories will probably be grabbing my attention a lot more!  Why?  I will remember the hope they bring each spring and the novel about them.

                In using flashback and current dating, the tale unfolds to speak of hearts redeemed, hope restored, and grace found.  The women in the story are reflections in one way or another of women all over the world.  The themes are wrapped around the lives of unwed teenagers, and a woman who dares to believe the Lord, resulting in lives changed forever.  Just so you know it isn’t all happy endings, which is also a reflection of real life because of choices made and their repercussions felt for years.  Friends who were close at one time, can have a life-changing event affect their friendship.  One unwed teen longs to know if the man she loves also loves her, but he is fighting in a war.  Will she ever know whether he loves her or not?

                Another aspect to the tale is unemployment and the changes it brings to another generation, as well as the loss of a son to the Iraq War.  Parents are sometimes blindsided by the choice their children make, and wait to see if their daughters will respond to wisdom given.  Teenage pregnancy is a hard topic to write about in a novel, at least it would be for me.  However, Cynthia Ruchti does a masterful job pointing out the choices before all parties and possible outcomes when the decisions are made.

                I read the novel in its entirety in one day; I simply was enthralled with the truths of God’s love, grace and redemption woven in the characters.  It was interesting to see how the author showed that sometimes the right choice isn’t always the easiest whether the character raises her child or gives it up for adoption.  Just like flowers in the winter, which appear dead at that time, have new life come from the seeds planted as the weather changes.  Hope springs eternal because God gives us eternal hope!

                My rating is 5 stars.

Note:  I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book.  The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.  Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/.  Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457