Glamorous Illusions Book Review and Giveaway

I realized recently that I don’t read much Christian fiction. Honestly, I don’t read much fiction at all – even though I prefer it over non-fiction in general. It seems I’ve been in research mode for several years now and it’s rare that I curl up with a book that I can lose myself in.

When I heard about LitFuse and learned that they needed bloggers to review Christian books, I decided to attempt to make room for a bit more escapism in my life. :)

Glamorous Illusions was one of the first books that came up as an option for review and, while I was still a little skeptical about reading Christian fiction geared toward women, they didn’t have to twist my arm to get me to read a book with a main character named Cora!

About the Book

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.

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

My Review

Ya know, I worried in the first chapter that I wasn’t going to like this book. I had a hard time getting a feel for the time and place. I worried that the characters and dialog weren’t going to be adequate to pull me INTO 1913 and I was going to be bored. I said I was skeptical, didn’t I? ;)

Thing is, I COULD NOT put it down. Even if I wasn’t positive I was going to love the book, the pictures she painted in my mind and the immediately tense plot kept me going. By chapter 3 I knew I was going to lose sleep in order to get through this book!

Indeed, I did. I read Glamorous Illusions (which isn’t short, by the way) in just over two days. That’s a HUGE feat for me! It’s not that I read slowly, it’s just that I am easily distracted and I like to move on to the another project every hour (haha – or few minutes) or so.

By the end of the book, I was in love with Cora and the journey God is taking her on. I was deeply invested in the relationships she tried to form with her new family and friends. AND it killed me that this is the first in the series and I have to wait for more! :)

This book has everything – high emotions, an understanding of the need for God’s grace and peace to be our foundation in life’s storms, and even some romance (without there being entirely too much). I’d recommend it to anyone needing a break from the mundane (or stressful, or what-have-you), and will love to share it with my own Cora someday.

If you’d like to read others’ thoughts on this book, you can view the entire blog tour schedule here: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13465876/glamorousillusions

Get it for Free TODAY Only!

There’s an e-book release promotion going on that ends today. Get Glamorous Illusions free for your Kindle!! If you don’t have a Kindle (I don’t) – you can still read it with the Kindle for PC app. Click here to download from Amazon.

If you miss today’s free promo, you can still get it at deep discount for a few more days. It will be available for $2.99 from 6/9-6/15 and $4.99 from 6/16-6/22.

Win a $350 VISA Cash Card from the Author!

What is our “true” identity? Join the conversation at Lisa Tawn Begren’s
Glamorous Illusions Author Chat Facebook Event Page. On the evening of 6/27 we’ll gather to talk about our spiritual journey, share our stories and a few laughs.

In the meantime, celebrate with Lisa by entering her Glamorous Illusions
Giveaway!

One “glamorous” winner will receive a “Glam Prize Pack”:

• A $350 Visa Cash Card
• Glamorous Illusions (by Lisa Tawn Begren)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends
6/26/12. Winner will be announced at Lisa’s ”Glamorous Illusions” Facebook Party on  6/27 {Fun begins at 5pm PDT / 8pm EDT}. Lisa will be hosting an evening of meaningful chat, fun trivia, laughter, and encouragement – bring your friends! She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club and a live chat with Lisa via video or phone.)

So grab a few of your friends and your copy of Glamorous Illusions and join Lisa on the evening of June 27th for an evening of fun.