Review - Glamorous Illusions

Glamorous Illusions
AUTHOR: Lisa T. Bergren
PUBLISHED BY: David C. Cook
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6430-0
PUB DATE: 2012
PAGES: 413


    Cora Diehl is on summer vacation from the Normal School in the year 1913. She returns to her families’ farm in Dunnigan, Montana only to find that her father has had a terrible stroke. The doctor tells her that her father will mostly likely not survive the night, but her father is a strong man and he slowly begins to recover. Cora finds it odd that the fields have not been planted yet, and that is when her mother tells her that because of their financial situation, which Cora was never aware of their money problems, they can't buy seeds this year.

    On her sixteenth birthday, Cora had received a necklace from an unknown stranger. Knowing its value, she makes a deal in town in exchange for seeds for the fields. She never discusses the deal with her parents. With her father unable to work, Cora takes to the fields.

    Unexpectedly, a Mr. Kensington arrives at the farm. Cora learns the hard truth that this stranger is her birth father. Her mother has made a deal herself. Mr. Kensington has agreed to buy the farm for more than it is worth and Cora will have to leave with him. His wife has died recently, and he wants Cora to be a part of her half -brother and half-sisters lives.

    Mr. Kensington wants Cora to continue her education and send her on a “Grand Tour” that takes her from England to Europe. She is not alone in her travels as Sir Stuart McCabe and Mr. Kensington’s nephew, William McCabe, accompanies her.

    I don’t normally like novels set in the early 1900’s, but with the dazzling cover and interesting blurb I thought I would give it a try and I’m glad that I did. What a page-turner! Author Lisa T. Bergren has created detailed descriptions and wonderful dialogue that grabbed a hold of me, forcing me to read the novel in one sitting. I emotionally felt for Cora as she was ripped away from the family she knew and thrown into a world of the rich and the inherited. This is a Christian novel, so yes there are Christian characters, but never once were there any preaching as Cora struggled to stay true to her beliefs. Luckily, the two sequels come out in 2013 titled “Grave Consequences and Glittering Promises,” and I cannot wait to read them.

*I would like to thank Litfuse and David C. Cook for sending me a copy to review.

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About the author:

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