Audible Book Review: When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti

I enjoyed the three character lines of this touching story.

When the Morning Glory Blooms
By: Cynthia Ruchti
Narrated by: Melinda Sward

Length: 9h 27m
Release date: 08-05-15
Publisher: Audible Studios
Gender: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
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.
©2013 Cynthia Ruchti (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Review:
This story follows the lives of three women who have connections through babies born to teens out of wedlock. The reader first meets Becky who is a current day grandmother raising her grandson while her teen daughter finishes high school. Becky loves her grandson but wasn’t expecting to be homebound at this time of her life. The little life they are nurturing impacts the whole family as they struggle with finances, time schedules, and prejudices of even close friends.

Ivy is a young woman in the 1950s whose boyfriend has gone off to war in South Korea. She is afraid to tell him the truth in a letter and can only dream and hope that he will come back and want to marry her. Ivy moves away from her former home to move in with her less than embracing father. She gets a job as a caregiver in a nursing home where she meets Anna.

Anna, a woman in her 80s is the first person to suspect that Ivy is pregnant and alone. Anna has a history that gives her insight into these matters, and she asks Ivy to write down her wonderful story of God’s fulfilling the dream of her youth and how her dram touched so many young mothers – her morning glories.

This was on my list for "Time of Day" goal and I saw that the free audio was expiring. I am glad to have read this sooner than later. The story seemed a little slow, dramatic, and depressing at first, but once I got to the second character, it pulled me in. I wanted to know what happened to each life and how they were connected in the end. I especially loved Anna’s story and how she encouraged Ivy. This is a story of God’s love, personal relationships, redemption, and second chances. I recommend this to readers who enjoy good Christian based, family stories.

Audio Notes: I was comfortable with the narration by Melinda Sward. The voices were distinct and the emotions well conveyed. I note some other reviewers mentioned mispronounced words, but I did not notice this problem. I appreciated having this audio, especially as a free title.

Source: 10/9/2021 Audible Plus Catalog title. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Time of Day reading goals.

MBS May 2023 Reading List Wrap Up

MBS 2023 Reading List - MAY

Code for the list is:
A = Audible; ABB = Audiobook Boom
e = eBook; eA = eBook from Author; eT = eBook from Tour
NG = NetGalley
P = Print; PT = Print from Tour
LBC = Ladies Book Club
TBR = From the TBR shelves prior to 2023
Favorites for the month:

5 Stars =
4.75 Stars =
4.5 Stars =  Titanium Noir

1. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Snow Melts in Spring by Deborah Voghts; Genre: Christian Romance, Country Romance, Small Town Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
   
2. P2023: Book Review: Get Up & Grow, 21 Habits of Successful People by Duke Matlock; Genre: Christian Growth, Christian Self Help, Non-Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.
3. ATBR: Audible Book Review: The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice; Genre: English, Historical Romance, Regency; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
   
4. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Broken by S.J. West; Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
5. NG2023: #NetGalley Book Review: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway; Genre: Cyber Punk, Genetic Engineering, Mystery, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0.
   
6. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Nine Lives: A Lily Dale Mystery by Wendy Corsi Staub; Genre: Cozy, Mystery, Psychic, Woman Sleuth; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
   
7. A2023: Audible Book Review: Kindred by S.J. West; Genre: Paranormal, Romance; My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 4.0.
8. A2023: Audible Book Review: Wild Fire by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri; Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
   
9. ATBR: Audio Book Review: Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
   
10. NG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Wolves & Roses by Christina Bauer; Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
11. ATBR: Audible Book Review: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; Genre: Leadership, Personal Success; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.
    

This Month Total read = 11
TBR = 6
New Authors = 7
Audio/Audible = 9 (8 TBRs)
NetGalley = 2 (1 audio) (0 TBRs)
Author Review books (other than NG) = 1
Nonfiction = 2
eBook = 1 (0 TBR)
Print = 1 (0 TBR)
DNF - 0

Goal Progress (to Date meaning through the end of the given month)
Goodreads Goal Read to Date: 53 of 125
TBR to Date: 43 of 90 total
Audio to Date: 50 of 100
NetGalley to Date: 9 of 10
Author Reviews: 1 of 12
Nonfiction: 5 of 10
TBR ebooks or Print: 2 of 8
New Authors to date: 31

• Series: 40 of 75 (10 continuing, 30 new)
• New to me Series: 30 (16 Yes to continue; 7 likely to continue, 4 maybe, 3 unlikely)
• Finished for me Series: 2 (maybe? Not sure if the Bobiverse is done)

Special Goals
• Seasonal title: 2 of 4: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
• Alphabet letters covered: (22 of 26) -- 9 January (A, C, D, F, H, L, P, R, S); 6 February (B, E, G, I, T, Y); 5 March (K, M, J, O, U) 1 April (W) 1 May (N)
Locations: 6 of 8
      River, Mountains, Kingdoms, Castle, Junkyard, Deadlands, Shore
Numbers: 5 of 12
      Forging Zero, Cat o’ Nine Tales, Six Crimson Cranes, One Heart to Win, The Fifth Victim

Groups of Five: (Places and Numbers above)
Times of Day: 1 of 5
      Moonshine
Occupations: 7 of 5
      Warrior, Cowboy, Vet, King, Cop, Pirate, Instructor
Colors: 4 of 5
      The Far Blue Mountains, Six Crimson Cranes, Silver Dollar Duke; Altered Carbon

Audible Book Review: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

I learned several useful techniques in this audio.
Dare to Lead
Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
By: Brené Brown
Narrated by: Brené Brown

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
Release date: 10-09-18
Publisher: Random House Audio
Genre: Leadership, Personal Success
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best seller.
Brené Brown has taught us what it means to dare greatly, rise strong, and brave the wilderness. Now, based on new research conducted with leaders, change makers, and culture shifters, she’s showing us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead.
Don’t miss the hour-long Netflix special Brené Brown: The Call to Courage!
Named one of the best books of the year by Bloomberg.
Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential.
When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it's necessary to do good work.
But daring leadership in a culture that’s defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.
Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question:
How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?
In this new audiobook, Brown uses research, stories, and examples to answer these questions in the no-BS style that millions have come to expect and love. Brown writes, “One of the most important findings of my career is that daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable. It’s learning and unlearning that requires brave work, tough conversations, and showing up with your whole heart. Easy? No. Because choosing courage over comfort is not always our default. Worth it? Always. We want to be brave with our lives and our work. It’s why we’re here.”
Whether you’ve read Daring Greatly and Rising Strong or you’re new to Brené Brown’s work, this audiobook is for anyone who wants to step up and into brave leadership.
©2018 Brené Brown (P)2018 Random House Audio

Review:
The blurb gives a good summary of much of the book content. Ms. Brown has put together down to earth, realistic observances and suggestions for how best to lead successfully. She addresses subjects that include vulnerability and empathy, courage (including the courage to listen openly to criticism), living your values, and rising above past shames, obstructions, and other struggles.

I appreciated the personal stories and examples that were shared. I didn’t feel that all of the techniques would work in a very small business office but there are many strong elements to be aware of and that can be used in business settings.

My son recommended this, and I did find it inspirational and helpful. I do recommend this as a good addition to a library of self-development and leadership training. The author shares links to great resources on her website.

Audio Notes: The author delivers her work with clear and direct presentation. The listener captures a bit of the feel of Ms. Brown as a conference leader. One con on the audiobook version is that the work is broken into long sections (over an hour on several of them) rather than shorter sections to read and think on before moving on.

Source: May 15, 2022 Audible 2 April Credit picks. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and Nonfiction goals.

Sunday Post June 4, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday June 5, 2023

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I continue to have long weeks juggling my several tasks at work.
We had a great turn out for the Woman's Club & 4 H first week of Summer Camp! The kids had fun and the adults survived. 

Saturday we had a group of 15 attend the GFWC Florida District 2 meeting in Chattahoochee, another Woman's Club 21 miles to the East (in Eastern time).
It was a lovely event of fellowship and food.
Here is a photo of our ladies:

There are six clubs in District 2 and we each get to share what our club has done in the community over the last four months. Here I am (talking) during our "Brag Time".

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations, a calmer social atmosphere, and for revival. We are also continuing prays for family and church.

Temps seem to be warming again. I'm glad to be in the office under AC during the days. Temps will be pushing into the 90s this coming week.

I only finished one audio this past week although I am well along in another. I posted three reviews and my memes.

I only visited 13 blogs last week.
Shout out this week: LESA'S BOOK CRITIQUES. Lesa has a serious background in library management/administration and some expertise as a reviewer of mysteries.

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post May 28, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 29, 2023.

• A2023: Audible Book Review: Wild Fire by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri; Genre: Apocalyptic, Dystopian; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
  

• ATBR: Audio Book Review: Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan; Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Sci Fi; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.
  

• NG2023: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Wolves & Roses by Christina Bauer; Genre: Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Paranormal; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement June 4, 2023 - God Will Do It!

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

When the Morning Glory Blooms
By: Cynthia Ruchti
Narrated by: Melinda Sward
Length: 9h 27m
This was on my list for "Time of Day" goal and I saw that it expires (as a free title) on June 8, so I pulled it to the top of my listening.
I enjoyed the three lines of the touching story.
Source: 10/9/2021 Audible Plus Catalog titles.
Publisher's Summary
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.
©2013 Cynthia Ruchti (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

A Road Unknown: Amish Roads Series, Book 1
By: Barbara Cameron
Narrated by: Coleen Marlo
Series: Amish Roads, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
This is another book expiring 6/8 so I am listening now.
I like the characters I have met so far.
Source: October 2020 Audible Plus Catalog
Publisher's Summary
Elizabeth is at a crossroads. Will rumschpringe lead her away? Or bring her home? She's been given the chance to experience life outside of her community, away from the responsibility to care for her eight younger siblings, but Elizabeth Bontrager can't decide which road to take. Goshen has its charms and pressures, but Paradise, Pennsylvania, sounds...well, like paradise. And it's also home to her Englisch friend, Paula. Decision made. Elizabeth is Paradise bound. But will the small town live up to its name?
When Elizabeth meets Paula's friend, Bruce, she quickly learns he wants more than a friendship. And the same might be true of Saul Miller, her new boss at the country store that sells Amish products to the Englisch community. As the two compete for her attention, Elizabeth is surprised to realize she misses her family and becomes even more uncertain about where she belongs. She has a choice to make: return home or embrace this new life and possibly a new love?
©2014 Barbara Cameron (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

2. NetGalley Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Never-Ending End of the World
By: Ann Christy
Narrated by: Thérèse Plummer, Ari Fliakos
Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins
I am 64% into and enjoying this but put it on hold for the free Audibles that are expiring on 6/8.
Source: May 2023 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Fourth Monkey
Written By: J.D. Barker
Narrated By: Edoardo Ballerini
Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes
I may get to start this one later this week.
I picked this mystery partially because it has a number in the title for my Number goal.
Source: 2/8/2020 Two for One Credit at Audiobooks.com.
Click on book title for full description.

June 4, 2023 - I am doing the daily readings of BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen". I am still enjoying the readings in Job.
No new separate study yet.

I finished one audio title and posted three reviews.  That puts me at two reviews to post to be totally up to date.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I now have two audios left on my NetGalley shelf as I am listening to another one this week. The two remaining are shorter (under 6 hours).
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer. (I need to look back and see which one this is.)
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me, and newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace.
Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review titles and no purchases.
I got 10 free titles through Audible Plus Catalog.
No free Kindle titles last week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

Free

5/30/23 I found 10 titles I wanted on Audible Plus Catalog. Several were brought to my attention in 2 for 1 deals at Audiobooks.com.  (Free is better than 2 for 1.)

Bone to Pick
An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, Book 2
By: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Therese Plummer
Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
I already have book 1 in this series.

Three Bedrooms, One Corpse
An Aurora Teagarden Mystery, Book 3
By: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Therese Plummer
Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder
Countess of Harleigh Mystery Series, Book 2
By: Dianne Freeman
Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
I liked book 1 and want to continue this series.

The Spook in the Stacks
The Lighthouse Library Mysteries, Book 4
By: Eva Gates
Narrated by: Elise Arsenault
Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
I like the option of lighter haunting reads for October.

Pit Perfect Murder
A Barkside of the Moon Cozy Mystery Series, Book 1
By: Renee George
Narrated by: Dara Rosenberg
Series: Barkside of the Moon Mystery Series, Book 1
Length: 5 hrs and 15 mins
This title and cover pulled me in.

Hunting Season, A Novel
By: Andrea Camilleri
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Length: 4 hrs and 18 mins
Again the title and cover caught me on this mystery set in 1880.
(Great narrator too.)

Moving Is Murder
Ellie Avery Mystery Series, Book 1
By: Sara Rosett
Narrated by: Gail Shalan
Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
I expect I will move within the year so I thought this would be a fitting title.

Murder in Galway
By: Carlene O'Connor
Narrated by: Heather O'Neill
Series: Home to Ireland Mystery, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
I like stories set in Ireland. I was blessed to visit Galway in 2005.

Death in Delft
A 17th Century Historical Murder Mystery (Master Mercurius Mystery Series, Book 1)
By: Graham Brack
Narrated by: Alex Wyndham
Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
This is another place I visited in 2005.

Murder at Redwood Cove
Kelly Jackson Mystery Series, Book 1
By: Janet Finsilver
Narrated by: Reba Buhr
Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
This has another nice setting and a dog.

No new titles added to Kindle library. 
Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 4, 2023 -- God Will Do It!

Our Substitute Sunday School Teacher shared a preaching video with a message God’s No Fly Zone. I will save that good lesson for another day.

We had a strong time of worship before Pastor started his Sermon he called: By Your Spirit or God Will Do It! The scripture was Zechariah 4:1-7; plus 8-14.
God’s word is powerful. Consider that God spoke creation into being.
This book reminds us that we will have struggles during life, but God will be with us.

Zechariah was dealing with hard times. The Israelites were facing opposition to rebuild the temple. Zechariah’s prophesy is to Zerubbabel who was the area governor who returned with Joshua the priest to rebuild the temple. Lampstand signifies God is with you and the two olive trees indicates the two witnesses.

The message to Zerubbabel, and God’s people, is that God will be with us and He will finish the work that is begun --- ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’….
God puts each of His people in the time and place that He wants to fulfil the purpose He has planned. Also, God gives enough grace to deal with whatever problem we face.

We cannot/should not rely on the military. As many have often said, government is not the solution; it is the problem.

Humans tend to think “If I do more I can work it out.” But God has made it clear that we cannot accomplish His Will without His Spirit. At end of day, we need Him.
No matter how big the problem, it is not too big for God.
We are not to have a spirit of fear or to be trepidations. We are to walk wisely by faith.
If He can solve our sin problem, He can handle any other obstacle we will face.

Verse 7 refers to the top stone (or capstone) which is the finishing stone of the project. The mountain in front of him will become a plain and he (Zerubbabel) started the work and he will bring forth the top stone “with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!"

God will finish what He starts. He doesn't start without finishing. But the task is finished through His Grace. All that we have is by grace - His Grace. It's the Lord's doing. God works through our obedience but His will and work are a product of His grace.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “’The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42.

We are able to finish the work because the Lord is on our side. As David said:
“Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,” Let Israel now say,…. Blessed be the Lord,…" Psalm 124:1 and 6.

Zechariah further says: Who dares despise the day of small things. Zechariah 4:10.
Small things are important. A hug, a word of encouragement. Great trees begin as small seeds.
We don’t know who will be impacted by our daily actions.

This isn’t the first video I thought of but I found it and it fits really well!
Take You At Your Word!

Verses for today:
Zechariah 4:6-7, 10 (NES)
6 Therefore he told me, “This is the Lord’s message to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
7 “What are you, you great mountain? Because of Zerubbabel you will become a level plain! And he will bring forth the temple capstone with shoutings of ‘Grace! Grace!’ because of this.”

10 For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes will joyfully look on the tin tablet in Zerubbabel’s hand. These are the eyes of the Lord, which constantly range across the whole earth.”


Lord, always help me to remember that you are faithful to complete the good works you have begun!