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Come to the Garden: A Novel

Jennifer Wilder Morgan (Goodreads Author)

3.82 · Rating details · 92 ratings · 28 reviews

A novel based on true experiences, Come to the Garden is a story about a woman's journey with a mysterious angel that encourages readers to believe heaven is closer than they think.
Years ago, author Jennifer Wilder Morgan served as a hospital volunteer, visiting critically ill patients--praying with them and listening to their stories. As she created a safe space for those ...more

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ebook, 240 pages

Published February 23rd 2016 by Howard Books (first published March 26th 2013)

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Jun 21, 2016 Gail Welborn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews

***Caution--Read "Come to the Garden" with spiritual discernment...***

Jennifer Wilder Morgan's debut release, Come to the Garden explores dreams and visions of a lay hospital minister's profound encounters with the Divine framed around imaginative conversations with a mysterious guardian angel. Because the story is based on personal experience the bible-based orientation is sometimes blurred and the book should be read with discernment.
The inspirational story begins with Jenn waking to a myster ...more

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Nov 28, 2013 Dawn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

My friend wrote this book and it was a pleasure to read. I found it very inspirational and loved Jennifer's use of her Angel to tell her story. ...more

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Jun 10, 2013 Jennifer Morgan rated it it was amazing · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Reviewed by by Patricia Day for Readers' Favorite: Received Five Star Review from Reader's Favorite http://readersfavorite.com/book-revie...

Jennifer Wilder Morgan’s book "Come to the Garden" is a uniquely pleasant story. For many years, Jennifer has experienced visions in her dreams. Some she has understood, some have been prophetic, while others remained somewhat mysterious. One day she meets a spiritual creature who claims she is her guardian angel. God has sent her to enlighten Jennifer on th ...more

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Feb 27, 2016 W. Whalin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Jennifer Wilder Morgan has written an engaging novel from the opening page until the final chapter. In her garden, Jenn meets her guardian angel named Margaret. Each chapter is a different encounter with this angel. Relevant Scripture begins each chapter and is integral to the text. While fiction, this book is based on true events from the author and helps every reader make a more tangible connection with their daily connection to the divine. I loved the writing for this book and the Scriptural ...more

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Jan 26, 2017 Kim Mahfood rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Loved this book could not put down till I finished it. A feel good book about angels and life in heaven

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Apr 23, 2018 Mary K. rated it it was ok · review of another edition

A friend suggested this and I found it boring and not inspirational, flat and not resonating.

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Mar 28, 2016 Victor Gentile rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Jennifer Wilder Morgan in her new book, “Come to the Garden” published by Howard Books introduces us to Jenn and Margaret, an angel

From the Back Cover: A novel based on true experiences, Come to the Garden is a story about a woman’s journey with a mysterious angel that encourages readers to believe heaven is closer than they think.

Years ago, author Jennifer Wilder Morgan served as a hospital volunteer, visiting critically ill patients–praying with them and listening to their stories. As she crea Jennifer Wilder Morgan in her new book, “Come to the Garden” published by Howard Books introduces us to Jenn and Margaret, an angel

From the Back Cover: A novel based on true experiences, Come to the Garden is a story about a woman’s journey with a mysterious angel that encourages readers to believe heaven is closer than they think.

Years ago, author Jennifer Wilder Morgan served as a hospital volunteer, visiting critically ill patients–praying with them and listening to their stories. As she created a safe space for those of all faiths and backgrounds, patients began confiding in Morgan about the mysterious ways God speaks to them–from encounters with angels to reassurances from loved ones who’ve passed on. She witnessed the profound healing that occurs when people are permitted to talk about these experiences, and as a result, Morgan was inspired to share her own personal encounters with God in a novel.

In Come to the Garden, the main character Jenn wakes up on her birthday to find an angel introducing herself as Margaret in the backyard garden. Lately Jenn has been struggling to make sense of the mysterious ways God has been speaking to her and is trying to understand what he wants her to know. The angel takes Jenn back through her memories and life experiences, revealing how God has been connecting with her all along. Under the angel’s guidance, Jenn finally understands the messages God has been speaking to her, in her dreams, divine promptings, and unexplained coincidences. It becomes clear that God is a faithful and persistent pursuer of the human heart.

Framed as a series of conversations between Jenn and her guardian angel, this unconventional and charming narrative will strike deep into the hearts of anyone seeking a greater understanding of God. Based firmly in scripture, Come to the Garden is an inspirational fictional story about the surprising ways God works in our lives and affirms that heaven is truly closer than we think.

In the Book of Daniel when Daniel prays, we are told an angel is sent with the answer immediately and that the two of them talk. This angel’s name is Gabriel. I mention all this because “Come to the Garden” is based on “true events”. Ms. Morgan had her own encounters with an angel and, based on these encounters, Ms. Morgan was able to build this book. So, while this book is a fiction story, it was written with the purpose of letting us know that God is at work in our lives and that He uses His angels to bring us messages and to protect us in all kinds of ways. I think that this book is a lot of fun. The characters are so easy to identify with and relate to. The events that Ms. Morgan takes us through in this book are there to help others experience the same kind of Godly love she knows. I think you will really enjoy this book and I look forward to more from this talented author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Howard Books for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ...more

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Feb 19, 2016 Joan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Morgan has created a novel as a way to share her personal experiences and those she witnessed or heard about while she was a lay minister. She has had profound encounters with the Divine during her life and was looking for a way to help others experience the same kind of godly love she knows. In a dream she heard the Lord tell her to use an angel. She began exploring creating a fictional angel and spiritual encounters. Morgan's garden became the place where Margaret, her coffee drinking guardian Morgan has created a novel as a way to share her personal experiences and those she witnessed or heard about while she was a lay minister. She has had profound encounters with the Divine during her life and was looking for a way to help others experience the same kind of godly love she knows. In a dream she heard the Lord tell her to use an angel. She began exploring creating a fictional angel and spiritual encounters. Morgan's garden became the place where Margaret, her coffee drinking guardian angel, would help Jenn, Morgan's character, understand the spiritual experiences she has had.

Morgan has created a fascinating novel. Margaret meets with Jenn several times and the two explore the dreams and experiences and reveal their spiritual import. There are several meaningful messages that come through the story. One is that God knows us intimately and gives us gifts accordingly. Another is that God speaks. We must learn to hear, to listen, to obey, and to discern what He is saying. We are reminded of the reality of the spiritual realm and that angels are constantly by us.

A book like this begs to be evaluated theologically. Margaret and Jenn talk about many spiritual concepts. Morgan has been very careful to provide Scripture, especially at the back of the book, to give the biblical foundation for their discussions. There was only one area that made me a little uncomfortable, that of our existence before birth. Morgan uses Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you...” I think she goes beyond the general understanding of that verse when the angel says, “Every single person who has walked this earth began their journey in heaven, and each of you has been lovingly and joyfully bounced on your Father's knee.” Children retain their memories of heaven for a short time during childhood, she says. The angel also comments that the music humans create is an attempt to recreate the music our souls have already experienced in heaven and remember.

Other than that, I found the novel to be grounded in biblical truth. Reading it has given me a desire to pay better attention to what God is doing in my life. Margaret says, “People all over the world, every day, experience Divine encounters in many different ways. Some recognize the truth of these encounters and give wonderful testimonies, but a great many more do not. Their experiences are discounted as conscience, coincidence, intuition, or imagination.”

I do recommend this book to those who want to be challenged to better understand the role of angels in their lives and how God communicates to us. Just remember this is a novel and is one person's thoughts on spiritual experiences as related to Scripture.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review. ...more

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Mar 03, 2016 Kathleen (Kat) Smith rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-literature, christian-fiction, christian-inspirational-fiction, contemporary-fiction, religion

We can always look back at our life in times of struggle and hardship and find growth there. There is a clarity that comes with time we might miss if we aren't too careful to pay attention. Life experiences are often the best teacher. However we can fail to learn from them as well and wonder where God was in the midst of those times as well.

In the inspirational book, Come to the Garden by Jennifer Wilder Morgan, she incorporates the fictional story of an interaction between Jennifer and her gua We can always look back at our life in times of struggle and hardship and find growth there. There is a clarity that comes with time we might miss if we aren't too careful to pay attention. Life experiences are often the best teacher. However we can fail to learn from them as well and wonder where God was in the midst of those times as well.

In the inspirational book, Come to the Garden by Jennifer Wilder Morgan, she incorporates the fictional story of an interaction between Jennifer and her guardian angel Margaret who she encounters one morning in her garden. Margaret shows Jenn through a retelling of events, dreams and visions she has had over her life, how God has been using those experiences to teach her more about the great love that God has for her as His daughter. While some situations clearly point these things out, others remained cloaked in a bit of mystery that Margaret walks Jenn through. Not everything that happens in our life can seem relevant until we can often gain some much needed godly perspective in them.

For me, this novel took me to those spiritually dry places in my own walk with God when I failed to see how He was using those times for me to grow in ways I couldn't have any other way. Only in that hindsight can we see with the clarity that God can provide when we seek Him with all our heart. Now being in my garden definitely will bring to mind this book and the ideas behind what goes on in our life. We might not always gain the insight this side of heaven, but knowing that God never leaves us in any situation despite how dark things look is a definite spiritual boost.

I received Come to the Garden by Jennifer Wilder Morgan compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation, aside from a free copy of this book for my fair and honest evaluation. Now perhaps I know why I am always drawn to the quiet of a beautiful garden. Perhaps my own angelic encounter awaits one day, but for now I am willing to trust God in all things. For me, this one was a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. ...more

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Feb 23, 2016 Lisa Johnson rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Title: Come to the Garden
Author: Jennifer Wilder Morgan
Pages: 240
Year: 2016
Publisher: Howard
My rating is 4 stars.
Come to the Garden is an allegory based on the author’s personal experiences in her walk with Lord from childhood to adulthood. The story reflects how she has felt through various seasons of her life whether they were times of joy or sorrow. In the novel, the author tells of she felt God revealed Himself to her, spoke to her and walked with her through life.
As a reader, I would have p ...more

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Mar 21, 2014 Andrea Hintz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Jennifer Morgan’s 'Come to the Garden' is an absolute, must read. Its storyline is not only gripping and compelling, but truly inspiring as well. The narrator is Jennifer Morgan herself, who discovers her beautiful guardian angel, Margaret, waiting for her in her own garden. The reader instantly becomes absorbed in the enthralling storyline as her angel takes Jennifer on a journey that involves looking back on many of her important life events. As one reads the novel, the reader really feels co ...more

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Mar 03, 2016 Andi added it · review of another edition

Shelves: empty-shelf-2016

Honestly, I don't know how I feel about this book. I have had two encounters with angels, once in Hawaii. The angel notified EMS when my car stopped at a stop light died and I wasn't coherent. We didn't know then that I had epilepsy. The second time was in 2007 when I had a seizure after being seizure free and I ran into a tree. Her name was Heather and she was an EMS worker that put me on the back board and kept me as calm and pain free as she could. When I went to thank her we found out that n ...more

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Apr 13, 2016 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

"Come to the Garden" is a must read for anyone! If you love to read, you don't want to miss this one! I was so sad to see it end because of it's powerful message. The reader feels deeply connected to the main character, Margaret in this novel as you discover a journey that you didn't think would be possible. Not only do you connect with Margaret, but you also get this feel that you're sitting in this beautiful garden with Jenn. I can't really explain it, unless you read the book. Jennifer Wilder ...more

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Feb 24, 2016 Sarah-Vita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own, christian, favorites

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I cannot express my love of this book enough!! I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway, and though I am a Christian, I must admit... I read more fiction and mysteries than Christian novels. The only thing centered on God that I really read is my Bible. But I was blessed with this book, and I truly felt God pushing me to read it. I'm so glad I listened to Him.
I cried several times reading this. The experiences and memories the author described - especially ones where sh ...more

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Apr 29, 2016 Tom Law rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Using beautiful word pictures Jennifer Wilder Morgan shares her pilgrimage with Jesus. In what is styled as a novel, based on true events, she talks about her dreams and promptings. These have moved her and have marked her walk. In a courageous attempt to “spread seeds of hope” she shares what she has seen and experienced with the heartfelt desire that these stories will be transformative in the lives of her readers. The joy of her relationship with her Lord and the faith she has in His guiding ...more

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Feb 12, 2016 Laura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

COME TO THE GARDEN is more memoir than fiction. Based on fictionalized real accounts the author tells about meeting her guardian angel and discussing her whole life with her - which made it a little too memoir-ish for me (I'm not a fan of memoirs.) I believe in guardian angels and I believe God connects with us and that things happen to us for a reason. COME TO THE GARDEN is a good reminder of that. I'm glad Ms. Morgan was among the blessed who met angels, knew it, and was brave enough to tell o ...more

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Apr 16, 2016 Katy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So inspirational

I loved this book from the beginning to the end. I haven't ever read a novel where I felt so at peace. I seen Jennifer Morgan promoting this book on Kathy Lee and Hoda morning show. It sounded really good and it is. I have a few questions I would like to ask Jennifer about this book that would help me grow in my faith. If you haven't read this novel yet and want a stronger relationship with t h your faith, I recommend reading this one. Just had me wanting more! ...more

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Mar 20, 2014 MichelleRae rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

Reading this book was a great experience for me. You have a lovely, witty, coffee-loving angel, and a spiritually in tuned, wisdom seeking main character. This book is based on real experiences and is basically conversations about how the main character has seen God interact in her life.

Reading this book helped me to remember all the times God has interacted in my life. This book helped me remember that He is always there. Reading this book brought joy to my life.

This book is spiritually uplift ...more

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Aug 08, 2016 Shawna Fox rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I found Come to the Garden intriguing and bit repetitive in spots. While I love the overall story line of Jenny's experiences of being able to communicate with God and hearing other's experiences, I found the entire book pretty predictable with the Guardian Angel coming into play. I would have loved the book to be more in depth with Jenny's actual experiences. Otherwise I enjoyed it and particularly enjoyed the chapter about Heaven and how it really is closer than we think. ...more

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Oct 28, 2016 Lynette Alshanski rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I truly enjoyed this book. When I think of it, I feel peace in knowing my Savior truly loves me more than I can imagine and excitement for Jesus Christ's plans for my like. The novel discusses gifts of the spirit, some of which I have experienced. This was a book that blessed me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. ...more

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Feb 22, 2016 Sharon Chance rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A charming story of one woman's encounter with her guardian angel, and how that meeting changed her faith in God and Jesus. Written in story form, this novel is based on the life events of the author, making it all the more powerful and inspiring.

"Come To The Garden" will change your spiritual outlook on the power of angels and God in your life. I loved it, and highly recommend it! ...more

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Apr 19, 2016 Jamie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing story of what it would be like to encounter and be a friend to your guardian angel! Loved the story and it kept me intrigued and in awe of the moments that this person had with her true angel. I would recommend this to anyone! No matter if you think of it as fiction or nonfiction it is wonderfully written and the audio book is fabulous as well.

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Feb 17, 2016 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Come to the Garden is a novel based on true experiences the author encountered with an angel. A good, inspiring, and uplifting read.
4 stars.
I received this book from Howard Books in exchange for my honest review, which was given.

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May 17, 2016 Rubie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wonderful

Come to the garden is a inspiration to me and beautifully written story . I plan to read it again

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Jan 15, 2016 Jamie Holloway rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Last night I stayed up and read while snuggling with my Nicholas. I will be posting my review on the blog tomorrow. I recommend this book highly. It is just as profound as "The Shack". ...more

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Jun 07, 2016 Jena rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Hard to get into this book but I made myself finish it. I feel like a lot of the focus was on the guardian angel instead of God.

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About Jennifer Wilder Morgan

Jennifer Wilder Morgan

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Jennifer Wilder Morgan graduated from Kent State University and is a member of the Delta Gamma Fraternity. She resides in Houston, Texas, where she served in Methodist Hospital Houston's lay ministry. She is a member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
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