When the Morning Glory Blooms

by Cynthia Ruchti

Becky rocks a baby that rocked her world. Sixty years earlier, with her fiancé Drew in the middle of the Korean Conflict, Ivy throws herself into her work at a nursing home to keep her sanity and provide for the child Drew doesn't know is coming. Ivy cares for Anna, an elderly patient who taxes Ivy's listening ear until the day she suspects Anna's tall tales are not the ramblings of dementia. They're fragments of Anna's disjointed memories of a remarkable life. Finding a faint thread of hope she can't resist tugging, Ivy records Anna's memoir, scribbling furiously after hours to keep up with the woman's emotion-packed, grace-hemmed stories. Is Ivy's answer buried in Anna's past? Becky, Ivy, Anna--three women fight a tangled vine of deception in search of the blossoming simplicity of truth.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Audiobook

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2013

About the author

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed-in-Hope through her novels and novellas, nonfiction books and devotionals, and through speaking for women's and writers' events. Her books have been recognized by many top industry readers', reviewers', library, retailer, and other honors. Cynthia is the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five (to date) grandchildren.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a tough sell when it comes to Christian fiction. When I was young and full of whimsical dreams about what the world looked like, I gobbled up Christian romance like it was going out of style.

Then I grew up and realized that life is not so cut and dried, fairy tales don’t always end happy ever after, and faith CAN’T explain away all the hurts and pains in this world. It CAN offer a balm for a wounded soul, hope that glows in the midst of the darkest nights, and love to cover a multitude of wrongs.

It can’t fix a person who doesn’t want to be fixed and it can’t heal wounds that repeatedly open and bleed all over the pages of ones life.

So I started to hate Christian fiction. For a long while, it drove me nuts that the writers who COULD offer the world an AMAZING picture of grace and hope and salvation through a work of fiction, somehow just cheapened it with pat answers and a Bible verse every other line of dialogue.

Who talks like that anyway?

Then I picked up a book that made me explore the Christian fiction world with a little caution and a lot more appreciation for the gems in the midst of the rubble.

Which leads me to Cynthia Ruchti and her book, When the Morning Glory Blooms. She’s got a faith that burns like a flame in the darkness and her writing shows that. Even more so, it also shows that just because your faith is strong, doesn’t mean it can’t be shaken by life and what happens in the middle of all your plans. Shaken–not shattered.

The book spans three eras, telling the story of women affected by teenage pregnancy–either directly or indirectly through ministry to those unwed mothers. The first character, Becky is both a grandmother and mother to her daughter’s precious son while her teenager figures out life and dealing with consequences of her choices. Becky struggles through grieving her daughter’s lost innocence, losing her closest friend, and praying hard that her family doesn’t fall apart because of the beautiful baby boy sleeping in her arms. The boy she loves with all her heart, but wishes he’d entered the world under vastly different circumstances.

Then we meet Ivy, a young pregnant woman whose baby daddy is in the middle of war and a whole lot of uncertainty about the future. Her own father is closed off with grief at the loss of his wife and struggles to scrape together the pieces of the relationship he lost with Ivy.

Through Ivy, we meet Anna, an amazing woman of faith who opened a home for unwed mothers during a time when single women in ministry were not looked upon with kind eyes. Through her journey of Grace, she meets others with faith as strong as mustard seeds and a vision to help her succeed in God’s work. Like the tentative growth of the morning glories in her garden, Anna’s faith unfurls and wraps her “daughters” in arms of Grace and unconditional love. Though she never had children of her own, she mothered so many girls in need of the Father’s healing touch, including Ivy.

These women are connected in faith and a fun little twist that just shows how God loves to write our stories in technicolor. The best part about this book though, was that Cynthia didn’t sugar coat the consequences and humanness with faith as the cure for everything.

Faith doesn’t fix us or our messes. God’s in the business of doing the fixing. What faith does offer is Grace and a safe place to rest our weary heads while we wait for the Morning Glories to unfurl in the hope and light of the Son.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1890, 1951 & 2012 Minnesota

Beautiful tale about unwed pregnancy and its impact on the mother to be, her family and those willing to offer support. All three timelines were equally engaging.

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three different women in three different time periods. They all have one thing in common, they need hope. Each woman tells her story in the first person. Such an uplifting tale of these women and how their lives interlace over the generations.

This is a novel filled with deep memories woven with pain as well as tender moments. It's a wonderful story of the importance of faith in what the Lord wants for us. It also depicts the consequences of our earthly choices.

If you enjoy realistic women's fiction, you'll want to read this finely composed book. This author has me hooked. I'll definitely be reading more by Cynthia Ruchti.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed They Almost Always Come Home, I looked forward to reading another book by Cynthia Ruchti. I wasn't disappointed. At first I had a bit of trouble following the three different storylines, but as the book went on, this feeling went away because I became totally absorbed in each one. To be honest, I would have been happy with only Ivy and Anna's story. That was a book in and of itself. I didn't connect as much with Becky and Lauren, the characters in the present day sections. But overall, there are many takeaways in this lovely book, and any woman who has loved and been loved, has been a mother or longs to be one, will appreciate Cynthia's beautifully written words and the seeds of hope sprouted within When The Morning Glory Blooms.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great when you open a novel and find not only one compelling story inside but three all woven together in different ways. In the novel, When the Morning Glory Blooms, author Cynthia Ruchti introduces the reader to three women in different time periods. We meet Becky Trundle in 2013 who is dealing with the unexpected pregnancy and birth of her grandson, Jackson. Her daughter Lauren is still in high school and finds a suitable arrangement with living at home, finishing school and having her mom, Becky babysit and care for Jackson. Becky struggles with wondering how much she is enabling Lauren instead of having her come to terms with being a new mom and how to be a good role model as a Christian. Becky soon has her own struggle when she turns on her friend Monica who can't seem to understand why Becky is catering to Lauren.

Next we are introduced to Ivy Carrington in 1951 who is struggling with the recent departure of her boyfriend, Drew Lambert who has left to join the war in Korea. What she has failed to tell him is that she is now pregnant and fears what might happen to him if she writes him to tell him the good news. So instead she keeps the information to herself and continues to find solace in the company of Anna Grissom, an elderly lady in the nursing home when Ivy is employed. Anna has asked Ivy to capture her life story in a journal before she dies and along the way dispenses much needed wisdom to Ivy in ways she could have never imagined.

The last woman we meet is Anna Grissom who takes us back to 1890 when she was trying to establish a ministry of sorts to care for the young women who needed a place to stay that were pregnant. Back in those days, most families would cast aside the young girls and soon they had no place to go and now home to care for their children. Anna soon learns that no prayer is too little to ask for God's divine intervention when she inherits a dilapidated home belonging to her Aunt and attempts to turn it into something God can use to help these young women find hope again.

Throughout the novel, the story toggles back and forth in each of their wonderful women's lives and we can see not only their struggles but their perseverance to push through when the going gets tough. I especially found myself found of Anna. She was brought up in a time when there wasn't much available to help women who found themselves at the end of the bad choices they have made. Anna showed them what God looked like with skin on, and it touched the lives of so many women who never forgot what she did for them. Truly a wonderful legacy to leave behind.

I received When the Morning Glory Blooms compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my honest review. This is a beautiful novel that inspires hope and shows us what the grace of God really looks like. It's beautifully written and you truly can experience each of these women through the eyes of author Cynthia Ruchti in such powerful ways. I truly believe that everyone will take away something special through their journey in this novel. It has found a permanent place in my own personal library. The wonderful ending is so unexpected you will need a box of tissues to get through this one. For anyone who has ever wondered why life hands us situations we didn't necessarily want to deal with, this one will show you how to inspire hope in those who need it the most. I rate this one a perfect 5 out of 5 stars!!!

[Ashley Basile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not my cup of tea, as I don't really jive with Christian Fiction in general. I didn't love the take on teen pregnancy. I probably would have enjoyed just one storyline better.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: WHEN THE MORNING GLORY BLOOMS
Author: Cynthia Ruchti
Publisher: Abingdon Press
April 2013
ISBN: 978-1426735431
Genre: Women’s fiction

Becky rocks a baby that rocked her world.

Sixty years earlier, with her fiancé Drew in the middle of the Korean Conflict, Ivy throws herself into her work at a nursing home to keep her sanity and provide for the child Drew doesn't know is coming. Ivy cares for Anna, an elderly patient who taxes Ivy's listening ear until the day she suspects Anna's tall tales are not the ramblings of dementia. They're fragments of Anna's disjointed memories of a remarkable life. Finding a faint thread of hope she can't resist tugging, Ivy records Anna's memoir, scribbling furiously after hours to keep up with the woman's emotion-packed, grace-hemmed stories.

Is Ivy's answer buried in Anna's past? Becky, Ivy, Anna--three women fight a tangled vine of deception in search of the blossoming simplicity of truth.

WHEN THE MORNING GLORY BLOOMS is Ms. Ruchti’s second emotion-packed women’s fiction novel. This one deals with three unwed mothers tied together only by the secrets they carry, the hurt they caused loved ones by their decisions, and the uncertainty on how to proceed.

This is a book that every innocent teen girl needs to read before they take that step. It’s a story every mother needs to read and every girl who has succumbed needs to read. And it’s a must have for every crisis pregnancy center in the nation.

I’m donating my copy to the local crisis pregnancy center to pass around – after my daughter reads it. It is hard to read in one setting. This is a book that takes time. And thought. And a box of tissues.

Discussion questions are included at the end of the book.

$14.99. 352 pages. 4 stars.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet, gentle story about hope and the simplicity of truth. And that doesn't mean this is an uneventful novel -- it's just that the ambiance is almost reverential in the way these heroines' stories play out. And discovering the connections between 1890s Anna, 1960s Ivy and present day Becky gave me all kinds of chills and thrills.

When the Morning Glory Blooms was dual timeline before that became a thing -- well triple timeline, really. Each heroine's story is equally compelling and I have to say the way the author brings a unique, era-appropriate voice to each woman gives so much depth to the characterization.

Anna, Ivy and Becky are all facing the same challenges in different timelines -- and they each battle social pressures and judgment as they strive to find the blessings amidst impossible hardship. Definitely a sobering read but it is fused together with lighter moments too. And so many spine-tingling faith moments! And the significance of the morning glories -- honestly, I can't even. Moved me to tears and made me laugh and jump for joy too. Such a brilliant, unassuming tie-in.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Melinda Sward who really breathed life into these multi-generational characters. Perfect match of storyteller and recording artist.

[Cindy Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Morning Glory Blooms is a fascinating story of three women from three different generations. Anna’s story takes place in the 1890’s, Ivy’s in the early 1950s during the Korean War. Becky’s tale begins in 2012.
The symbolic thread throughout the three stories is Morning Glory seeds. They represent hope and new beginnings.
Cynthia Ruchti captured the essence of each time periods response to her main theme-unwed mothers and their families. Anna opens a home for unwed mothers at a time when society scorned these girls. Ivy must deal with unwed motherhood while her sweetheart fights in Korea. Becky is a stay-at-home Gramma who has given up her job in order to care for her new grandson so his teenage mother can finish high school.
The dilemma of the unmarried pregnant woman has been a part of every generation. How it was addressed has changed but the emotional turmoil and altering of family dynamics has not. Cynthia crafts a story that reminds the reader of God’s call to love the unlovely and his grace and mercy that covers sin.
Each story has its unique twists making it easy to keep turning the pages and not want to put the book down.

[Cara Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia is a gifted writer. She writes from deep places and that pulls me deep into the pages of her books. Her first, They Almost Always Come Home, was not an easy read because of the subject. Yet I couldn't put it down. When the Morning Glory Blooms is even better. Between the covers she weaves compelling stories about four women and how in different times they each deal with unplanned pregnancies. Grace stitches the story together while hope sings from its pages. This is a book to savor, weep over, and pray through. I adored it.

[Ane Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covering three women in three different eras, Cynthia Ruchti's When the Morning Glory Blooms will be on my Top Ten for 2013 list. I always look forward to her books, knowing I'll chuckle, I'll shed some tears, and I'll always get a great story. One of my all time favorite authors, Ruchti is at her best weaving together the lives of Becky, Ivy, and Anna in When the Morning Glory Blooms. Novel Rocket and I give it our highest recommendation.

[Eva Marie Everson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple review: LOVED IT!
(And I'm picky...)

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've seen this book recommended on a FB group many times and finally decided to read it (or in my case, listen to it.. good narrator). Oh My! I understand why it is recommended over and over. What a precious story.. really stories as this book has 3 stories going at once. DO NOT let that overwhelm your mind and lead you to not read it. The way the author lay the stories out side by side and then winds them together is beautiful!

Ruchti provides great insight and offers plot lines that aren't the norm. Several times as I read, things did not go the way I expected but the way they went wasn't contrived or implausible. A reminder that life doesn't always go the way we expect.

I saw a couple of reviews that complained that there were issues left unresolved. I disagree. I mean, yes, there are situations were we don't see how everything works out. But the way the author brings the book to a close seemed fitting to me. We don't always get to see every detail work out in life, but I feel she left us with a strong sense of direction as to how things would move forward for these characters.

[April March · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of courage, faith, love and forgiveness. Will encourage you to view others circumstances through grace-filled eyes.

[Mackenzie Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti is a stand-alone novel, but isn’t the first book I have ever read by her. Actually, I have read quite a few of her novels over the last few years, and every time I crack open one of the covers, I know I am in for a wonderful, heart-touching story that I will enjoy every second of. This novel was no exception. When I first purchased this book, I wasn’t even sure which novel I was going to buy, I just had a coupon for a used book website, and I knew I wanted to read more of Cynthia’s books. But the synopsis of When the Morning Glory Blooms really stood out to me, so I decided to get it. I am so, so glad that I did.

The way that these three different stories tied together to make one touching novel blew me away. Each story tied into the other stories in at least two or three ways, which showed the reason behind them being told all together, and the way that they came full circle in the end just blew me away. When I first read the synopsis, I had no idea how the stories would tie together other than the obvious, but I was so surprised when I found out, and I have to say, that was the perfect way to end the story.

The biggest thing that stood out to me about this book was Anna’s part in the story. Every aspect of her journey touched my heart, and I loved reading about how she did so much for all of the young mothers who came through her doors. I can’t tell you how much I admired her for everything that she did, and the way she loved those women and their children as if they were her own, and I honestly want to learn from her example in my own life. Although I may not come into contact with unwed mothers in such large proportions like that in my own life, I do want to learn to just love anyone the way that she loved those women: unconditionally and without judgement.

This story was the perfect combination of truth, reality, love, and unexpected events, and I was completely captivated by every second of it. The transitions and surprises Becky went through, the pain and heartache of Ivy, and Anna’s works of compassion all tied together to make this one of the sweetest stories I have ever read, and I cannot imagine giving it anything other than all five bookshelves. This story touched my heart in ways that no other novel ever has, and I highly recommend it as one that is definitely worth reading.
(This review is from my blog, spreadinghisgrace.blogspot.com)

[Terri Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Legacy of Hope

Author Cynthia Ruchti once again has given us a novel that is as unique as it is stunningly written. Like the delicate vines of the book’s title, The Morning Glory Blooms intertwines the stories of three very different women: Becky Trundle, Ivy Carrington, and Anna Grissom.

The novel spans like an epic with stories from the 1800s to today. Each story begins at pivotal, life-changing moments for the women.

The contemporary character, Becky is dealing with her new normal. She is now grandmother to her unwed, teenage daughter’s adorable son, Jackson. Still in high school, Lauren finds a convenient arrangement with living at home as she completes high school—leaving her mom with the bulk of Jackson’s childcare. Becky’s new routine has impacted her in more ways than changing diapers—her friends and relationships have changed as well—and not necessarily in a good way.

We meet Ivy in 1951. Ivy is a young woman who carries a secret in her womb—a secret she did not share with her boyfriend before he deployed to fight in Korea. She has told no one—not even her father with whom she shares a dreary apartment.

Until, that is, Ivy gets to know one of the residents of the nursing home where she works. The quirky old woman has an uncanny way of reading Ivy like a dime store novel. This odd woman—who nearly bullies Ivy into transcribing her autobiography—is our third character, Anna.

As Ivy writes, Anna takes the story back to 1890. Anna inherits a once-elegant home destined to be more than a place for her to live. God has a unique and significant purpose for Anna and the house that will cause as much controversy as it does good. The home would provide sanctuary and refuge to unwed mothers.

As each of the women’s stories develop, a beautiful thread of hope weaves itself into the lives of Becky, Ivy, and Anna. Not easy answers and platitudes—just pure, sweet hope.

Ruchti writes with heart, reality, and generosity. Readers will come away with more than a great book to keep in their library; they will come away with an itch to examine their own lives to see where God might be leading them.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry so many times--in a good way. Very convicting story about three different women of varying time periods and their experiences with pregnancy out of wedlock.

Ruchti’s gorgeous novel follows three women in different eras, all dealing with pregnancy out of wedlock. The interrelated stories show that time may change some perceptions, but love and faith are needed to reach out to a hurting world. The writing is evocative and laced with heart.
Becky, Ivy and Anna are three women tied together by a similar thread. Becky’s daughter Lauren is the teen mother of a baby, and the balance is difficult for their family. Ivy, whose fiancé is fighting in the Korean war, is pregnant with a baby that he doesn’t know exists. She lives with her father and works in a nursing home. There, she meets Anna, an elderly woman with some fanciful but meaningful stories she shares with Ivy. As each woman experiences trials and tribulations, their love for those around them resonates.
- See more at: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-rev...

[Susan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, the ending could have been more satisfying. If you don't want any spoilers, please stop reading now...

I wanted more from Drew and Ivy's reunion. I wanted more from Becky and Monica than for their friendship to end or be put on hiatus. I understand that this can happen in real-life relationships, but the book doesn't give much hope for them going forward. I liked the hints of things to come - perhaps Lauren will be the next Anna/Ivy, Lauren's relationship with her parents will continue to improve as she shows herself more responsible, Ivy will invest in Lauren's life as Anna did in hers, etc.

I thought the story of what happened to Ivy's mother was somewhat contrived. I also had some difficulty at the beginning of the book figuring out who Becky and Lauren were with respect to Jackson.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, I didn't know this was Christian Fiction when I started it. Not that I am opposed to Christian Fiction, but it wouldn't be something I would normally seek out.

The beginning, with Becky and Lauren, pulled me in. I had my son at 18, so the struggles of teen pregnancy and the ways different families deal with it are always compelling stories for me. I also found Ivy's story interesting-- an unwed woman in 1951, who's life has intersected with someone (Anna) who ran a whom for unwed mothers back in the 1890's. Either of these two storylines would have made compelling books if that had gone deeper. Instead, I feel like we got some serious issues, some biblical quotes, and a glossy, feel-good, movie of the week treatment.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have told everyone that they must read When The Morning Glory blooms because it is such a beautifully written story of real women in real situations. I loved the characters although I doubt I would have handled the modern day situation with as much grace as the main character did. I loved that Cynthia wove together three lives over more than a hundred years to tell one story. I found it uplifting and honest and beautiful and very real. I recommend it highly.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, inside and out. The cover is amazing and the story even more so. Three women in three different eras look for hope in situations where they might be judged by others. I found myself crying several times as I read this well-written story. Author Cynthia Ruchti has a way with words.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Loss and lack are efficient, skilled teachers. At their knee, we learn to appreciate the smallest favors, the briefest joys, the crudest provisions, the simplest blessings." What a lovely interwoven story of three different generations of women facing unwed pregnancies, along with those beautiful Heavenly Blue morning glories. Love this book.

[Kiersti Giron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book--I love how Cynthia weaves together three different time periods and character storylines so skillfully with depth and grace. Moving and real yet hopeful. When the Morning Glory Blooms has definitely made me a Cynthia Ruchti fan. :)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story of three generations of women struggling with unintended pregnancies. I've already recommended this to a friend whose teenage daughter is dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Such sweet redemption and a reminder that love can help smooth over those hard places.

[Peyton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too sappy for me, but if you like Christian fiction that really crams God down your throat &/or like sticky sentimentality, you might like it.

[Stephanie Mccall · Rating 4 out of 5]

After enjoying Cynthia Ruchti's most recent books, I went looking for more and started with Morning Glories. It's one of her earliest works, and as I know, sometimes an author's early work isn't as good as his or her more recent. However, Morning Glories showed just how early Cynthia Ruchti expressed potential, and how much of it she had and still has.

First off, I commend Cynthia for writing split time fiction before it was cool. Her version isn't perfect, which I'll get to. But the time periods she chose, and the characters narrating them, came off beautifully. The unwed mother, unexpected child, theme runs throughout and is never dropped, giving it plenty of room to expand into themes like grace, hope, and mercy. In fact, I found myself convicted when Lydia pointed out to Anna, judging the judgmental is just giving back what they throw at us! I usually devote a separate section to the spiritual threads, but here, those threads were inextricable from the characters and plot. That's not at all easy to pull off, so kudos to Cynthia again.

As for the characters, I enjoyed every one of them. Each one got the page time she or he needed for the right amount of development, and I also loved how some characters carried a lot of surprises.

Ornell Carrington is the big surprise, in that he purposely hides behind coldness, so you think it's going to take a stick of dynamite to get him to act like a human being. But while it kind of does...it also doesn't. Ornell just rolls with life and learns as he goes, as we all do.

Puff was a surprise as well, partially because like Ivy, I expected him to be Anna's husband at first (which led to Josiah, which led to an off-the-beaten-path romance I enjoyed, too). Though the word "angel" was not used in direct connection to Puff, I was surprised and pleased at his understated yet vital presence at the Morning Glory Home for Unwed Mothers. Angel unaware, indeed.

The women, too, had their own surprises. I have to say I rooted the most for Lauren and Monica--because they were the characters I liked the least, at first. Lauren seemed to have no interest in raising Jackson or ability to be a parent, and Monica was self-righteous and immature. But as their stories unfolded, those two women in particular warmed--and broke--my heart. And though she was human and flawed, I loved Becky as a relatable anchor for them both. Her scene with Brianne, and later with Monica, broke my heart.

Ivy and Anna work more as a "team" in the story than Becky or any of the others, so I'll put them together. They brought so much to this book, from the historical backdrops (Cynthia certainly did her homework), to the timeless bits of humanity and life. For example, Morning Glory Home for Unwed Mothers was a new concept in the 1890s, but unwed mothers and the need for grace are timeless. Maple Grove Nursing Home exists in 1951, but the need for compassion and respect for seniors is timeless. I also loved seeing Ivy and Anna talk, write Anna's story, and simply be together.

Finally, although they aren't the focal point per se, I loved the babies in this book, and their moms. I relished every one of Anna's residents' stories, from Elizabeth to Corrie to Marie to Robyn Anita and more. I loved the Christmas scene, the first dinner party, and even some short, undeveloped stories from Anna. For instance, she mentions one Morning Glory baby was born with Down Syndrome, and how she prayed fervently for the life of mother and baby as they left. Down Syndrome in the 1890s, let alone a mom who'd keep a baby with it, was unheard of. Thank God for women like that mom, like Anna, and like Cynthia, who bring our attention to timeless truths, needs, wants, and hopes.

All this said, I hate removing a star. In truth, Morning Glories is probably a 4.5. I docked because there's hardly a connection between Ivy, Anna, and Becky until the very end. Becky almost seems like the odd woman out, and she doesn't need to. She needed stronger threads tethering her to the story.

Additionally, some key plot elements remain unresolved. I'm okay with some ambiguity, such as what happened to Drew, because Cynthia made clear that Ivy was ready to move forward either way. But other threads, such as Becky's friendship with Monica, and the situation with Monica and Brianne, were left too open-ended for me. I'll somewhat excuse it because, well, that's life sometimes--at least for Becky. But since Monica and Brianne dealt with such huge and controversial issues on top of that... I don't know. Their disappearance from the book was too convenient. I might've preferred if Monica, not Becky, was the POV mom for the twenty-first century.

Still, When the Morning Glories Bloom is one of the best books in Cynthia Ruchti's collection. I haven't seen anything recent from her, but if you haven't read this or any of her other books, I invite you to dive in. And if she has anything in progress, I am definitely looking forward to it!

[Pearl Pridham · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not about morning glories. But they do thread through this novel. The morning glories represent life and seeds of life.
It's about Single Mothers
The novel centres around unwed mothers from the 1890s to present times. Starting from the point of view of the mother of a teen mom in 2012, it jumps back and forth between that family and their friends, a young pregnant single woman in 1951, and an elderly woman telling her story of starting a home for unwed mothers in the 1890s. It's interesting to see what has changed over time and what has stayed much the same.
Cynthia Ruchti is an acclaimed author and speaker and is now an agent with Books & Such Agency as well. I met her online a year ago when I attended the American Christian Fiction Writers Zoom conference, and I asked for an interview regarding the novel I've been working toward getting published. I didn't know at the time that she also authored a novel centred around a teen mom. I've been meaning to read it ever since she told me about it. What a privilege and honor to have had that opportunity to communicate with her. Of course, my first-time, as yet unpublished novel cannot compare with hers. But I so appreciate her feedback and tips, and am glad now to have read her novel along the same theme
Sort of the same, but not exactly (as the saying goes)
when the morning glory blooms portrays lives of single mothers over three eras, whereas my novel sticks to the contemporary experiences of one particular teen mom. Both include the mother of the teen as one of the 'pov' (Point of View) characters, but in her novel the teen mother is not a pov character, whereas in my novel she is the Main Character. Both of our books portray the stress the family goes through, and the sometimes hypocritical reactions of the church.
While my novel begins with the Main Character as an adult reflecting back on her teen years, then goes back to tell her story, when the morning glory blooms jumps back and forth between three time periods and stories throughout the book.
I love description in a novel. Cynthia Ruchti uses many similes in this story to make the writing vivid. I'm not so adept at that; my description is pretty straightforward. Perhaps I need to use more similes, but they tend to throw my thoughts off the storyline.
We all got here through pregnancy
Since the beginning of time, pregnancy has been how the earth is populated, whether within the parameters of marriage or not. Every one of us has made mistakes and needs God's grace. Unwed mothers and their babies particularly need the help and support of the church and their families. I recommend reading when the morning glory blooms to gain an inside view of such situations.
If you live here in Nanaimo and attend First Baptist Church, you can borrow when the morning glory blooms from the library. I asked if they had it, so they ordered it. Thank you, Juanita.
To learn more about Cynthia Ruchti, visit www.cynthiaruchti.com.
Visit www.AbingdonPress.com to sign up for their fiction newsletter, read author interviews, and post a comment about when the morning glory blooms.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti explores three different, but related, timelines.

The first one, in modern times, involves Becky, whose teenage daughter had a baby out of wedlock. Becky takes care of her grandson so her daughter can finish high school, but she struggles with how much she’s helping and how much she’s enabling her daughter’s lack of sense of responsibility.

In 1951, Ivy just saw her boyfriend off to the Korean War. Then she found out she was pregnant. Now she’s afraid to tell him. She doesn’t want to put him in danger by distracting him, but she’s also afraid he’ll reject her. Ivy works in a nursing home, and one of her patients is Anna. Anna wants Ivy to help write down her story, and at first Ivy acquiesces just to please Anna. But she realizes that Anna is perfectly clear and not at all the dementia patient Ivy had thought. And Anna’s story is not only remarkable in itself, but it touches her own in many ways.

In the 1890s, Anna inherited some property. Her dream: to turn the old home into a haven for unwed mothers. She had little resource except faith. Her plan was not well-received by the community – except for her pastor and his wife, who helped to bring others on board.

As you can see, each of the stories involves unplanned pregnancies. Even though they were handled in different ways in different eras, they still brought complicated and painful consequences. Yet in each story line, those involved found some measure of grace and some maturity and growth through their circumstances.

The three are also connected by morning glories – but I’ll let you discover what that means.

I thought I’d have trouble keeping up with three different threads of story, but Cynthia wove them together well while keeping each distinctive enough to avoid confusion. I enjoyed the humor especially in Becky’s narrative. There were a few surprises: some of the connections between the women turn out to be different from what I had thought they would be. I enjoyed the unfolding of each woman’s story, and the need to extend and receive grace displayed in each one.

[Deb Haggerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deb’s Dozen: Three generations of women tied together by love and their morning glories.

Cynthia Ruchti has written a fascinating book in When the Morning Glory Blooms. She skips back and forth among three generations of women to weave their stories together.

The book begins with Becky. Her daughter, Lauren, has had a child out of wedlock. Most of the care for their grandchild falls to Becky. Although she loves Jackson, she can help but be exasperated with the laissez faire attitude of their daughter, who won’t disclose the name of the father.

Jump back to 1951 and Ivy. The Korean Conflict is raging and Ivy’s fiancé is there. Ivy is at home and with child. She’s living with her father, who has given her two months to find another place to live as he’s disappointed in her actions. Ivy is an aide at a nursing home where she meets Anna, a delightful old woman with a tale to tell.

Jump back to the 1890s and Anna. Anna is called to start a home for unwed mothers. She has inherited a house she is determined to fix up by herself. Befriended by a man named Puff, who helps her get things back in shape, and the pastor and his wife, Anna is able to open the home.

The three women have much in common and are very real and sympathetic characters. Their stories parallel in many senses. What times them together through time are the morning glories. You will want to buy When the Morning Glory Blooms to read their stories and rejoice in the outcomes. Five Stars.

Cynthia Ruchti is a much-awarded novelist and all around great person. She has thirty-three years of broadcast experience and speaks at many conferences. She is also an agent with Books & Such Literary Management. Cynthia and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin. You can find out more about Cynthia and her books at cynthiaruchti.com.

Abingdon Press gave me a copy of When the Morning Glory Blooms, and I also purchased the e-book, but I was in no way obligated to write a review.

[Tina at Mommynificent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good, but honestly, it could have been so much better! Of the three storylines, the oldest one is my favorite. Anna is the one who kept me reading this book, and because she loved Ivy, I was interested in her story. The modern-day story was the least interesting for me and made it easy for me to put the book down each night at bedtime because once it would switch to that one, I didn't care that much and could go to bed. (That's probably actually a good thing since I tend to lose a lot of sleep over great books!) Once I was about 3/4 of the way into the book, I was really enjoying it, and I just knew the modern-day story was going to be woven into the older ones really beautifully, but (sorry if this spoils it for anyone), it wasn't. The ending fell quite flat for me because the connection I felt it was leading to the whole time never happened. The minuscule connection there was at the end was disappointing. I'm still giving this book 5 stars though just for Anna's story. I found it so inspiring, and I highlighted so much of what she said to go back and remember later. Anna is now one of my favorite book characters.

So do I recommend this book? I'm honestly not sure. For Anna's story, absolutely, 1000 times yes. For Ivy's, yes as well, because of the way knowing Anna changed her life and her dad's. But I guess I'd just give a caveat not to expect too much from the modern-day story and just to either skip it entirely or read it for its own merit. It's a good story if you aren't trying to figure out how it ties in the whole time only to come out disappointed in the end.