Eleanor Gustafson

This story reminds me of a package that you unpack anxiously awaiting the gift that is buried under piles of paper. You have to remove each layer until the gift appears. It is like getting rid of unwanted weeds in a garden so you can see the beauty that God has provided. Each time I think about the book, I realize just how precious the words are that filled my soul with a deep love I have never felt.

Linda is a gifted gardener who takes flowers and makes them works of glory. The gardens provide peace and comfort. When she discovers a man one day in her garden, she didn't know that that one moment would change her life forever. I loved how she took the man in even though he was a stranger. She saw this man as Jesus did. He was in need of kindness and to be shown the love of God. It would be hard to welcome a stranger into my home, but I know I couldn't turn away someone in need. Though their time together was brief, it set the stage for a story that will leave a lasting mark on many.

Lawrie is a senator that has been under tremendous pressure. As he takes time to get his energy back, he senses a kindred spirit with Linda. She is kind, caring and asks nothing from him. Did God bring Lawrie to this woman? Will he find what he has been looking for to heal his broken heart? I loved the time they spent together and how they respected each other without crossing the line. After all Lawrie is a married man and the thought of being unfaithful is not why he was there.

The story does have a political aspect to it and I did enjoy the part about Native Americans. It did show how even today they still have to fight for what was theirs. It really was a great addition to the story and allowed us to see inside the political world. Lawrie is torn when he has to make a big decision about his political career. His life will take a dark turn as rumors mount against him. Can he protect Linda from the medial? What will his wife beleive when she starts to hear the murmurs in Washington about her husband?

There is a lot happening in the story but don't overlook the presence of God in every decision, every word and every unexplained moment that reminds us He will never leave us. Lawrie does seem to go through many hard moments; almost like Job in the Bible. I began to worry that Lawrie would give up and miss out on the most precious gift awaiting him.

The story is also about the love between two people who feel they can't be together but never forget the brief time they spent together. There is some difficult subjects in the book that may be triggers for some such as suicide and depression. The author handles both subjects with grace and compassion. This is not your typical love story but a much deeper story of finding peace, happiness and hope.

I finished the book and sat for a moment soaking in the presence of God. I felt it throughout the book and the message was clear to me. When you need it most, God in his wisdom will send at just the right time, "An Unpresentable Glory.'

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (más)

An Unpresentable Glory by Eleanor K. Gustafson draws the reader into the pages from the very start of the book. The characters demonstrate both Christian love and Christian failings all at the same time.

The relationships in the book have a feeling of truth about them rather than the artificialness that many authors utilize. Truly, this is a book worth reading. The use of gardening as a means of moving the story along brings an interesting twist to the story. Linda Jensen exudes the nature of a wealthy person who does good things with that wealth rather than just accumulating it or using for less than stellar purposes.

Ellie Gustafson does a remarkable job of conveying what it must be like to be in politics and still have real-life issues at home to deal with on a daily basis, both good and bad. Jay, whom we first meet in Linda’s garden, shows a strength of character in the way he cares for his wife, even though the worst of circumstances surround them. His wife seems to be the typical wealthy socialite who is only concerned with herself.

So if you want to read a book that goes beyond being superficial and examines life with all the good, the bad, and the ugly, check out this book for yourself.… (más)

Title: Dynamo
Author: Eleanor Gustafson
Pages: 304
Year: 2016
Publisher: Whitaker
My rating is 5 stars.
Jeth is a man searching and running at the same time. Jeth is a lover of horses, rides well and is knowledgeable, but don’t say a word about God to him. Until he turns on a road that he thought took him somewhere else and he ends up at a small ranch with two people who love the Lord. Rob and Katie take him on though they can only offer him a roof over his head. They lay down some guidelines that Jeth must adhere to.
Jeth is very transparent with the owners regarding his past and what he does and doesn’t believe. However, more than anything, Jeth wants to get back to riding horses and showing them at various events. One would think the story couldn’t be more than a nice tale that leads to redemption and reconciliation, but is it really?
I found the book very compelling to read and couldn’t help myself from turning pages long into the night! Jeth is a very interesting character whose spiritual experiences and questions are deep. He won’t take platitude answers either. Jeth finds an elderly woman in the area’s small congregation that understands him and mentors him some named Maybelle, or I should say she picks Jeth out.
The interactions between various characters kept me very interested because I wasn’t always able to see where the author was leading. What drew me most into the book were the spiritual themes running throughout the story. I am not sure exactly how to explain them, but yes there is faith, spiritual warfare and struggling with understanding suffering. However, Jeth has a spiritual encounter with God that changes him and challenges him in a way I don’t remember reading in a story.
A person doesn’t need to understand the nuances of the various types of horses or shows that occur to really enjoy the tale that will grab your heart and mind. I cannot wait to see what the author offers to audiences next, but until then don’t miss reading a very action-packed and highly engaging story!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.”… (más)