About Glamorous Illusions …
It was the summer of 1913, and Cora Kensington’s life on the family farm has taken a dark turn. Not only are the crops failing, so is her father’s health. Cora is carrying on, helping her mother run their Montana farm until a stranger comes to call, and everything changes. Cora then learns a secret that will radically change her future: she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king who has come to claim her.
Cora is invited to take the “Grand Tour” of Europe, a journey intended to finish a person’s education, to solidify an understanding of ancient culture and contemporary refinement. As she travels from England to France with half-siblings she’s never known, Cora encounters the blessings of the Kensington family name, as well as the curses. But when an unbidden love begins to form, she realizes the journey is only beginning.
Faced with the challenge of accepting her father, new family, and the identity that comes with it, Cora also struggles to accept that she is also the daughter of the one true King-a Father who is the only One who can truly heal.
Cora is invited to take the “Grand Tour” of Europe, a journey intended to finish a person’s education, to solidify an understanding of ancient culture and contemporary refinement. As she travels from England to France with half-siblings she’s never known, Cora encounters the blessings of the Kensington family name, as well as the curses. But when an unbidden love begins to form, she realizes the journey is only beginning.
Faced with the challenge of accepting her father, new family, and the identity that comes with it, Cora also struggles to accept that she is also the daughter of the one true King-a Father who is the only One who can truly heal.
When it all comes right down to it … I really liked this book. Couldn’t put it down, in fact – I stayed up half the night to finish it. Cora is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of girl, and I like that. She’s very honest and hardworking, dedicated to her family, and yet she sees life with the same kind of rosy glow that most of us do who have not yet been fully on our own.
The drama of Cora’s situation is intense, and Bergren well describes the emotional roller coaster that Cora experiences. Beyond the family drama, Bergren does a fantastic job of taking the reader on a tour through parts of beautiful, traditional, luxurious Europe. I loved reading about the grand buildings and the history from the tour’s perspective. While I’m glad I don’t need to be ‘finished’ by such a tour, it was really exciting to read about.
Glamorous Illusions is the first in the Grand Tour Trillogy. Caught up in the excitement of the Tour, I forgot that – and was enthusiastically reading along, anticipating the conclusion of a love spark, when suddenly the book ended! That was definitely my only negative to the book. To learn about the next segment in the series, we’ll have to wait for the next book – and I’m waiting quite impatiently!
I received a free copy of Glamorous Illusions from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review. You can read other reviews in this blog hop here.
**Also, through this Friday, Glamorous Illusions is available as a free download! I just got mine from Barnes and Noble. Be sure to check it out!
About Lisa:
Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 30 books, with more than 1.5 million copies sold. She just finished writing a Colorado historical trilogy (the first book, Breathe, Sing and Claim), and has begun a teen series called River of Time.
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing (including a fair amount of travel writing), consulting and freelance editing (with a little speaking here and there). She’s married to Tim, a liturgical sculptor, graphic designer and musician. They have three kids-Olivia (15), Emma (12) and Jack (7).
All five of the Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
For more information on Lisa and to view other books written, please visit her website: http://lisatawnbergren.com
Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, writing (including a fair amount of travel writing), consulting and freelance editing (with a little speaking here and there). She’s married to Tim, a liturgical sculptor, graphic designer and musician. They have three kids-Olivia (15), Emma (12) and Jack (7).
All five of the Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
For more information on Lisa and to view other books written, please visit her website: http://lisatawnbergren.com
