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Glamorous Illusions, Historical Fiction

June 11, 2012 by 5 Minutes for Books

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Glamorous Illusions is the first novel in Lisa T. Bergren’s new Grand Tour series. The year is 1913, and Cora Diehl returns from her second year of college to find her father struck down by illness and the crops on the family’s farm failing from drought. It seems unlikely that she will be able to continue her education, and it’s not even certain whether they will be able to hold onto their house and land. Into the midst of this turmoil comes a stranger, Mr. Kensington, with a revelation that will change her life forever.

Cora is stunned to learn that the wealthy copper baron who has arrived at her farm is actually her natural father, and that she was conceived while her mother was a maid in his home. Although a complete stranger to her, he has been keeping track of her through the years and has come now to offer help to her parents and to invite her to join the rest of his children this summer for their European Grand Tour.

Thus begins Cora’s whirlwind adventure, as she is whisked away to the Kensington estate and introduced to her half-siblings, who have only learned of her existence a few days earlier. After being outfitted with an entirely new wardrobe and assigned a maid to help her adjust to her new situation, Cora finds herself on a ship to England as part of a group including her new family as well as their friends, the Morgans, and their paid tour guides, Stuart and his nephew Will.

Glamorous Illusions takes the reader on a journey of cultural discovery against the backdrop of Europe’s historic castles and treasured landmarks while also showing us Cora’s journey to discover who she is and where she belongs. Begren’s writing is fluid and engaging, deftly mixing the subjects of class and status with the interpersonal relationships of the group.

While Cora struggles with these questions of personal identity, she also finds her heart being drawn in almost equal measure to Will, the young tour guide, and Pierre, a charming French nobleman who takes an interest in her. And as much as I enjoyed seeing her find peace within her spirit as she settles into her new identity, I am also looking forward to the next book in this delightful series to find out where her heart will end up.

Leave a comment right now if you’d like a chance to win a copy. We’ll announce the winner in our June 25 book review column.

  • The winners of Up! A Mother and Daughter’s Peakbagging Adventure are #13 Joni and #4 Julie.

5 Minutes for Books Reviewer Trish loves a good story, especially one that can transport her to a different time and place while also touching her heart. You can see more of what she loves at her blog In So Many Words.

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38 Comments

  1. april yedinak says

    June 24, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    Ooo…sounds like a book I would love! And the cover art is great!

    Reply
  2. nannypanpan says

    June 21, 2012 at 6:23 pm

    sounds like a book my sister would like
    [email protected]

    Reply
  3. Chuck says

    June 20, 2012 at 10:29 am

    I know my wife would enjoy this book.

    Reply
  4. Alison S. says

    June 19, 2012 at 5:53 pm

    Would love to win this!

    Reply
  5. Lori D. says

    June 19, 2012 at 10:50 am

    Sounds romantic, thanks

    Reply
  6. Betty says

    June 19, 2012 at 12:04 am

    I am so glad that I stumbled across this post. I just finished another great historical fiction titled, “The Romanov Stone” by Robert C. Yeager, and have been dying to find something new to read. This looks like just the book. Thank you for suggesting it.
    http://www.robertcyeager.com/

    Reply
  7. Beth C says

    June 18, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    Enjoy historical fiction and I know I would enjoy this.

    Reply
  8. Anita Yancey says

    June 18, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Sounds like a great story. I would love to read this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    Reply
  9. Garrett says

    June 18, 2012 at 11:49 am

    I have someone in mind to give this book to.

    Reply
  10. Jeff says

    June 17, 2012 at 10:10 am

    What a great read.

    Reply
  11. Jessica T says

    June 15, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Looks like a great book for the summer!

    Reply
  12. Liz Riggs says

    June 15, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Lisa Bergren is great and I can’t wait to start this book!

    Reply
  13. paige says

    June 14, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    i adore historical fiction.

    Reply
  14. Don says

    June 14, 2012 at 7:57 am

    The wife says she’d like to win this book.

    Reply
  15. Barb: 1SentenceDiary says

    June 13, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Sounds interesting… Europe in 1913.

    Reply
  16. Jennifer Thomas says

    June 13, 2012 at 12:08 pm

    sounds like a book I’d enjoy!

    Reply
  17. June says

    June 13, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Another good book for this summer.

    Reply
  18. Barbara H. says

    June 13, 2012 at 9:06 am

    This definitely sounds interesting!

    Reply
  19. Merry says

    June 13, 2012 at 4:50 am

    I’m excited about Lisa’s new series, a Grand Tour of Europe sounds terrific.

    Reply
  20. Mary Preston says

    June 12, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    I would love to read GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS thank you. It looks wonderful.

    Reply
  21. Daniel M says

    June 12, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    i’d love something new to read!

    Reply
  22. Christine Jensen says

    June 12, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    I would love to win a copy, thanks!

    Reply
  23. Sandra K321 says

    June 12, 2012 at 5:07 pm

    Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I LOVE the cover for this one.

    Reply
  24. Angela E. says

    June 12, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    I would love to read this book.

    Reply
  25. Hailey L. says

    June 12, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    I would love to win!

    Reply
  26. Van says

    June 12, 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Good historical fiction book.

    Reply
  27. Susan Heim says

    June 12, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Historical fiction is my favorite genre. This sounds like an excellent book!

    Reply
  28. Tammy Gordon says

    June 12, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Sounds like a good book!

    Reply
  29. Beth says

    June 11, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    This looks great! I’d love to win!

    Reply
  30. Jen E says

    June 11, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Ohhh this sounds really good!

    Reply
  31. AEKZ2 says

    June 11, 2012 at 1:14 pm

    This sounds really interesting!

    Reply
  32. melissa n\ says

    June 11, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance

    Reply
  33. Staci A says

    June 11, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I would love to read this!

    Reply
  34. Denise M says

    June 11, 2012 at 10:24 am

    i love historical fiction, sounds great

    Reply
  35. Jenn says

    June 11, 2012 at 10:02 am

    I would enjoy reading this book!

    Reply
  36. samantha says

    June 11, 2012 at 9:47 am

    this sounds like a good book

    Reply
  37. Garrett says

    June 11, 2012 at 8:41 am

    Good story, takes you back into the past.

    Reply
  38. Krista says

    June 11, 2012 at 1:09 am

    Yay, I want to read this!

    Reply

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