Amanda F. (Scooby2) -
Helpful Score: 1
Ms. Bergren has done it again with Glamorous Illusions. This is a wonderful story of discovery and finding one's place in life. The story is full of the history of Europe and is wonderfully written. I couldn't put it down.
The story begins with Cora returning home from school to find her father suffering from several strokes and the farm not doing so well. The family struggles to make ends meet and care for her father, but it's an uphill battle. Then out of nowhere, the family gets a visitor. The visitor turns out to be Cora's real father, Wallace Kensington, a copper king, senator and owner of several businesses. Cora's world is turned upside down with hearing the news.
She is uncertain of her path in life now. Kensington offers the family a great deal by sending her father and mother to the best hospital in Minneapolis, while Cora will return with him to go on the Grand Tour of Europe with her half siblings.
Cora finds the journey to be hard, she is unable to forgive her parents for lying to her all her life, and struggles to fit in with her siblings who do not want her on the trip. Cora finds a friend in William, who is a bear in training. Along the journey she manages to partially befriend her half siblings and meets Pierre, a noble Frenchman.
The reader will find themselves traveling with Cora and feeling like you are with her learning the history of Europe. My only complaint is that I am unable to see the families of the rich listening to all of the history lessons; I feel they would have been doing more fun things like balls and dances, rather than touring historical places.
This story has everything from friendship, love, history, and action in it. I would definitely recommend it to others to read. I can't wait for the sequel to be released, the ending of course left you wanting more.
I received this from the publisher and received no compensation for my review.
The story begins with Cora returning home from school to find her father suffering from several strokes and the farm not doing so well. The family struggles to make ends meet and care for her father, but it's an uphill battle. Then out of nowhere, the family gets a visitor. The visitor turns out to be Cora's real father, Wallace Kensington, a copper king, senator and owner of several businesses. Cora's world is turned upside down with hearing the news.
She is uncertain of her path in life now. Kensington offers the family a great deal by sending her father and mother to the best hospital in Minneapolis, while Cora will return with him to go on the Grand Tour of Europe with her half siblings.
Cora finds the journey to be hard, she is unable to forgive her parents for lying to her all her life, and struggles to fit in with her siblings who do not want her on the trip. Cora finds a friend in William, who is a bear in training. Along the journey she manages to partially befriend her half siblings and meets Pierre, a noble Frenchman.
The reader will find themselves traveling with Cora and feeling like you are with her learning the history of Europe. My only complaint is that I am unable to see the families of the rich listening to all of the history lessons; I feel they would have been doing more fun things like balls and dances, rather than touring historical places.
This story has everything from friendship, love, history, and action in it. I would definitely recommend it to others to read. I can't wait for the sequel to be released, the ending of course left you wanting more.
I received this from the publisher and received no compensation for my review.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed Glamorous Illusions (Grand Tour, Bk 1) (Covenant) on + 811 more book reviews
I loved this suspenseful romance by Lisa Bergren. Farm girl Cora is traveling with her newly found siblings on a world tour during the early 1900's. The siblings don't want her there and treat her with disdain. The tour guide, Will, is kind and helpful and also falling in love with her. She also gets the attention of a wealthy and handsome banker from Paris. Someone along the way means to harm the family, and in the first book, this reader, so far has no idea who this is! I can't wait to read the next book in which their travels continue. i enjoyed how the clothes, tours and travels are so beautifully described. Highly recommended!!
Karen R. (flwergirl) -
The first book in a new series, it takes the main character from her quiet, hard-working farm life in Montana, to Europe as part of an upper class family on the Grand Tour. Interesting characters, well told story, which leaves you hanging at the end, anticipating the next book. There's a bit of history, romance and intrigue. Enjoyed it!
