About the Book:

Book: An Unpresentable Glory
Author: Eleanor K. Gustafson
Genre: Christian, contemporary, literary fiction
Release Date: July, 2018

My Review:
I love picking up books from authors that I haven’t read before. Not that I do it too often as I get comfortable with my favorite authors. This is the first book that I have read from Eleanor K. Gustafson.

I love gardening and just don’t have time to dig in the dirt much lately so I guess I’ll have to dream while reading a book that has lots of garden reminders within its pages.

The story starts out pretty dramatic when the two main characters are introduced Linda and Jay. Linda takes Jay into her home when she finds him a stranger hurt in her garden. That didn’t sit well with me in today’s world as not many people would help a strange man and especially not a single woman.

I was intrigued by the authors writing as she writes beautifully. It builds upon itself with the climax of the story. It reads slowly at times and it has a few surprises that I didn’t expect. Her words and descriptions make some of the places vivid in your imagination.

One of the main things I like in a book is how the characters come across and does it make me feel like the characters could be someone I know. Is their depth in the characters? I felt that Jay was more of a focus rather than Linda. That is not a bad thing I think I expected more inside on Linda.

Overall, this has been an interesting story with a unique plot and a lot of depth in the writing itself. I have mixed feeling about it. There are some things that I don’t agree with-I can agree to disagree like the overall premise of the book. But that isn’t a something that would keep me from reading this book or this author.

This story is a bit more edgy than most Christian books in this genre. Several times it mentions thoughts about s*x, or thoughts of adultery. Nothing is acted on nor is it graphic and kept very clean and doesn’t cross any boundaries that would make me throw the book in the trash. I feel I have an obligation to let other know that do not want anything to do with this sort of thing or if you have a teenager who you don't want to read it. However, I do feel that mature teenagers could read this with some parental guidance talking about it. It doesn't cross any lines and the characters have struggles like everyone else does in a fallen world. Which really makes them more realistic. So just a heads up to parents.

All I can say is that this is a story that you will have to read for yourself and see what you think. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t a horrible story by far- just different and not what I expected.

I received a free copy of this product from Celebrate Lit Bloggers in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information accordance with the FTC Regulations.

“I trusted you, and some day, you may know just how much you hold in your hands.” Linda Jensen leads a relatively quiet life in Westchester County, New York, as the owner of a highly acclaimed garden. Inherited from her parents, the garden is her pride and joy. It is not so joyful finding a strange man sprawled near her delphiniums! The mysterious man is sick, unable to do anything more than drink water—and beg for secrecy. Ignoring all alarm bells, Linda sees to his needs, but her caring act takes on unexpected significance, and unpresentable glory. Seeds of trust, and perhaps love, are planted in Linda’s garden haven. But as secrets are revealed and scandal hits the headlines, the act of caring for this man threatens to tarnish both of their reputations. Like weeds in Linda’s garden, circumstances threaten to choke out their fledgling relationship, and small moments prove to be the biggest influencers—on a national scale.

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About the Author

Ellie grew up in Branchville NJ, in a county with more cows than people. She attended Wheaton College in Illinois as a music major, then married a pastor/college professor/tree farmer/organist and writer. Together, they have three children and eight grandchildren. Music was Ellie’s first love until she tried on the cloak of writing and found it a comfortable fit. However, early writing attempts saw friends—and even her mother—advising her to stick to music as a career. She pushed manfully along, though, and An Unpresentable Glory is her sixth novel. “God first touched me through story,” Ellie says, “and made the bigger Story come alive. I love Him passionately!”

More from Ellie

What’s An Unpresentable Glory about? Here’s Linda’s point of view: Linda Jensen, a noted gardener, finds a stranger sprawled near her delphiniums, obviously ill. She gets him into her house and puts him to bed, deciding that water is the only safe thing to give him. Water in, however, must come out. He is helpless; she must serve him; but in doing this unpresentable task, she feels the presence of angels. [See the book Preface for my personal experience with this.] Jay’s point of view: Jay finds himself ill and helpless on the lawn of a wealthy but caring gardener. He can’t even reveal his real name. When he leaves at week’s end, he sees the relationship as hopeless because of who he is and enormous repercussions if the hidden week comes to light. Tragedy and disaster haunt him, but a dual set of mentors leads him through churning waters. Will he ever get back to the garden? * * * Linda’s sun tea was “mostly Darjeeling with lemon and a sprig of mint.” After reading her description, I tried it and found it tasty, indeed!