You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Audio book. Christian historical book. Enjoy Lisa Tan Bergren books.
Errr, how can it just end like that! It felt like they picked a random spot and was let's end here...took a bit to get into but was fully focused when it just ended abruptly!
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I remember enjoying this series in high school so I picked it up again. i may have liked it better in physical form but my mind kept wandering during the audio.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book--book #1 in the Grand Tour series. It was interesting to see how it would build since it started right out of the blocks. I also enjoyed the way it traded off between the character of Cora, William and Wallace. It added a lot to switch back and forth between them. Cora's is written in 1st person and the other two in 3rd person. I look forward to seeing where this goes in the next 2 books...
This is a great book!!!!
Lisa T. Bergren's writing style is enjoyable.
I can't wait to read the next two books in the series!
Lisa T. Bergren's writing style is enjoyable.
I can't wait to read the next two books in the series!
It's not a secret that I love historical fiction novels. If you were to take a look at the book genres I read in a pie graph form, I'm 99% positive that more than 65% of that graph would be dedicated to historical fiction novels. As I was scouring Netgalley one evening I came across a novel entitled Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren. It was all about a woman finding herself (WIN!) while on a Grand Tour in the early 1900's! For those unfamiliar with that term, back in the day the wealthy would go on tours around Europe to see the sights, meet people, etc. For more info, click here. Excited to see what Bergren had in store for me, I jumped right into Glamorous Illusions.
Cora Diehl's family has fallen on hard times. As farmers in a small town in Montana in 1913, her family can barely keep it together as their crops fail and Cora's father's health declines after multiple strokes. Her life takes a dramatic turn, however, when she learns that she is the illegitimate daughter of an incredibly wealthy man, Wallace Kensington, The Copper King. Through a massive fortune made in the copper business, Cora's new family has more money than she could ever imagine. They take her along as they tour through England and France, and Cora begins to experience sights that she only dreamed of before. Her journey will be filled with danger, discovery, and adventure as she travels across Europe on a journey of self discovery and self acceptance.
Wow. Wow. Wow. This book, in a word, wowed me. From the glamorous locations to the high fashions in early 1900's, this book hooked me. Cora is a character going through deep transformations: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. She's got a lot on her plate, and what better way to figure out what she's made of than a trip around the world. Bergren gives Cora and Will great narrative voices for the reader to engage and connect with. Their emotions are so clearly and eloquently written for the reader. Their anger, their guilt, happiness, and sadness are all there to make the reader connect with these characters.
I'm not the most religious of people, but I can say that I did find the spiritual elements of the book to be moving. God is a major part of Cora's life, and as much as her journey is about finding herself, it's also about finding her place in His master plan. I was also incredibly surprised at how action-packed the end of the novel was. It changed the whole feel of the novel (in a good way) and made me that much more anxious to begin Grave Consequences (book two). In short, Glamorous Illusions is a solid start to the Grand Tour series, and historical fiction fans should definitely add this mainstay on to their reading lists.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1LE
Cora Diehl's family has fallen on hard times. As farmers in a small town in Montana in 1913, her family can barely keep it together as their crops fail and Cora's father's health declines after multiple strokes. Her life takes a dramatic turn, however, when she learns that she is the illegitimate daughter of an incredibly wealthy man, Wallace Kensington, The Copper King. Through a massive fortune made in the copper business, Cora's new family has more money than she could ever imagine. They take her along as they tour through England and France, and Cora begins to experience sights that she only dreamed of before. Her journey will be filled with danger, discovery, and adventure as she travels across Europe on a journey of self discovery and self acceptance.
Wow. Wow. Wow. This book, in a word, wowed me. From the glamorous locations to the high fashions in early 1900's, this book hooked me. Cora is a character going through deep transformations: spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. She's got a lot on her plate, and what better way to figure out what she's made of than a trip around the world. Bergren gives Cora and Will great narrative voices for the reader to engage and connect with. Their emotions are so clearly and eloquently written for the reader. Their anger, their guilt, happiness, and sadness are all there to make the reader connect with these characters.
I'm not the most religious of people, but I can say that I did find the spiritual elements of the book to be moving. God is a major part of Cora's life, and as much as her journey is about finding herself, it's also about finding her place in His master plan. I was also incredibly surprised at how action-packed the end of the novel was. It changed the whole feel of the novel (in a good way) and made me that much more anxious to begin Grave Consequences (book two). In short, Glamorous Illusions is a solid start to the Grand Tour series, and historical fiction fans should definitely add this mainstay on to their reading lists.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1LE
Glamorous Illusions was a wonderful and breathtaking read. Ms. Bergren has such a talent of making the reader connect with her characters; to care and worry, rejoice and then feel sorrow right along with them. I felt as if I was right there alongside Cora, experiencing all of her ups and downs, visiting all the grand places. It takes a very gifted author to do that.
I also, thought it was nice to see the story unfold through the eyes of more than one character. It gave the story an added depth that I enjoyed.
I can't express enough how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I HIGHLY recommend it and am very eagerly and anxiously anticipating the sequel.
I also, thought it was nice to see the story unfold through the eyes of more than one character. It gave the story an added depth that I enjoyed.
I can't express enough how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I HIGHLY recommend it and am very eagerly and anxiously anticipating the sequel.
I liked this. Perhaps it was the narrator, but Cora came off as extremely whiny throughout the book. I liked the premise of the story and will probably read/listen to the next book in the series. Hopefully Cora will get better. I liked Will and the glamorous Frenchman, but don't quite see what they see in Cora other than beauty and a wealthy father.