Glamorous Illusions

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From Lisa's website

It’s the summer of 1913 and Cora Kensington’s life on the family farm has taken a dark turn. After enduring crippling personal losses, she struggles to make it through, day to day. But then a stranger comes to call. And in one fateful afternoon, Cora discovers that a terrible secret has been kept from her…a secret that will radically change her future. Cora is invited to take the “Grand Tour” of Europe, a journey intended to finish a person’s eduction, to solidify an understanding of culture, history and personal refinement. As she travels from England to France, with kin she’s never known, Cora encounters the blessings of the family name, as well as the curses. But when an unbidden love begins to form, she realizes the journey is only beginning…

From Goodreads

When Cora Kensington learns she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king, her life changes forever. Even as she explores Europe with her new family, she discovers that the most valuable journey is within. The first book in the Grand Tour series takes you from the farms of Montana through England and France on an adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awakening, and self-discovery

My Review

5 of 5 stars!

First off, let me say how I love Lisa's books. I was fortunate to stumble on a kindle version of Waterfall last August and found a read a long group for the book. I had never thought about blogging, writing a review, being in a book club, conversing personally with an author or much less, even knew what an ARC was before reading Lisa's work. I flew through her YA series and found myself wanting more. When she announced her adult novel, Glamorous Illusions, I was absolutely thrilled and wanted to share it with everyone. I knew it was going to be as exciting as her previous books I had already read. I was not disappointed.

Glamorous Illusions encapsulated me from the first line. A young girl, in 1913, coming home from College, expecting a warm homecoming at the station, is unpleasantly surprised by her father's ailment. This caused the beginning of life-changing events for young Cora. Once just a farm girl from Montana, who had to work for everything she had, Cora is greeted by a mysterious stranger who could change her life forever. A stranger that has a secret to share and it involves Cora.

Cora was quite content with returning to College before this man abruptly entered her life. Now, to save her father, she must accept this man's generous offer of going on such an excursion she could never dream of attending, The Grand Tour. The Grand Tour involves a group of young adults touring foreign countries, attending balls, historic sites, and other cultural experiences with an experienced tour guide. Cora begins the tour heartbroken for leaving her parents.

On The Grand Tour, Cora must make numerous decisions. Decisions that will determine her now open future. No longer the poor farm girl, she must use this experience and God's guidance to discover who she really is, who she wishes to become, and who she loves.

This book was exceptional, easily transporting the reader into Cora's head and I immediately felt comfortable in 1913. It was as if I were actually Cora, myself. It truly made me stop and think about what decisions I would make if placed in her situation. The book inspired me to take a look at my own life and view the world from an entirely different perspective. How would the world be today if each person first had to work hard for everything they had and then experienced life as one who was just given everything. Or reverse the roles. How would that change us? Thought provoking, wouldn't you say? Which decisions would you make?

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Bergren Challenges Readers to Face Their Own Identity Crisis

(via press release)

New series from Lisa T. Bergren leads readers through a journey of inner discovery

Colorado Springs: Glamorous Illusions (David C Cook/June 1, 2012/ISBN: 978-1-4347-6430-0), the first release in Lisa Bergren’s new Grand Tour series, is a beautiful exploration of the covenant connection between God the Father and His children. Through the story of Cora Kensington, Bergren takes her audience on a European adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awareness, and self-discovery.

A person often identifies themself by their family, profession, or circumstances. However, as Christians, what would happen if we began to better understand our true identity in Christ? It is this spiritual journey that author Bergren guides readers through in 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. “Glamorous Illusions is not only Cora’s journey toward understanding true identity in Christ, but it will help every reader understand it better too,” explains Bergren. “It’s an examination of the bond between the Father and his child.”

Each member of the traveling group expects an outer cultural journey of refinement, but each will also wrestle with their own sins and inner conflicts. Ultimately, they explore what truly informs a person’s sense of identity. Readers will be able to join Cora and the other Kensingtons and Morgans as they continue their Grand Tour, discovering new lands, new cultures, and new aspects of themselves, in the upcoming installments Grave Consequences (Spring 2013) and Glittering Promises (Fall 2013).

About Lisa

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the best-selling, award-winning author of over 35 books, with more than 2 million copies sold. She recently finished a teen series called River of Time (WATERFALL, CASCADE and TORRENT) and soon will release a follow-up e-novella called BOURNE. She's currently writing a New Adult series called The Grand Tour, and the first release is GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS (June 2012).

Lisa’s time is split between managing home base, 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 (16), Emma (13) and Jack (9).

All five of the Bergrens make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Twitter: @LisaTBergren or @TheWorldCalls

Facebook: Lisa, Author Page, The World Is Calling

Goodreads: Goodreads Author

Website: http://lisatawnbergren.com/

Publisher: David C. Cook

I would like to thank David C. Cook and Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced reading copy of Glamorous Illusions and thrilled to write a review for such a wonderful novel.