A Novel (Grand Tour Series Book 1) - Glamorous Illusions

I did like this book. It was entertaining and even a little suspenseful. However, it really doesn't stand alone as a book. It only takes you through the first part of the Grand Tour. It would be quite educational to go on a Grand Tour, but not so much fun to keep spoiled rich heirs in line.

Wow, I love this author's style! Her storytelling abilities seem effortless, just drawing you in before you even realize it. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I didn't dislike the entire book because of it. And the cover... Gorgeous! Can't wait to read the next in the series!

I loved this book ... it has romance, adventure, personal trials and tribulations and suspense with an underlying foundation of faith that is intertwined. This book kept building my interest and included several twists which were unexpected. Truly enjoyed the read.

I was thoroughly captivated by the way the author wrote this wonderful novel. The scenes were well-developed and so well written that I felt like I was with the family on the trip. Ms Bergen has researched her subject well and this makes for an exciting read.

This was a very enjoyable read! This was much different from the River of Time series but was still quite good. It was a different time and genre book and was interesting to read about this time period. I'm hoping the next book will pick up where this one left off so I can learn more about these characters! I also hope Lisa will include more suspense in the next two, that's where this book really picked up!

I just finished Glamorous Illusions and enjoyed every paged. It was beautifully written with Cora's faith being a large part of the story. I thought it was the perfect balance between love story and story of faith. I can`t wait to read the next book.

Lisa Bergren captures your attention with the first paragraph! This tale takes your imagination to from farmland to European grandeur. The thing I love about her novels is that they don't come across as vulgar, rather she maintains "tastefulness" throughout the story, and keeps you riveted as she threads the this tale of adventure of a young lady with a dubious future.

This was the most fascinating story of Cora and her changing life ;when a discovery of a "birth father and sisters & a brother "(all spoiled and upper class snobs she learns she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper baron. Living on their dirt poor farm, wondering if they will survive Cora learns the bitter truth.Enter her Extremely wealthy father ,with investments in Montana copper. And a tour of Europe as a playing card, she is sorely tempted but refuses to accept his offer until her mother insists .When Cora's papa suffered a stroke, and they were about to lose everything, Cora departs for an extended trip to Europe with Will as her guide and her only friend all To give her papa a chance to heal in a nice hospital as the condition. Later in the story, she meets Pierre, in Paris and falls for him also but not without discovering her true nature which is what her parents have wanted all along ,unfortunately this is only part one and I'll have to buy the next book to find out who she chooses as a husband. I hate cliffhangers so deducting one star

I enjoyed reading this book and was disappointed to come to the end. Of course, I knew that it was part of a series (subconsciously) so I was a bit shocked that it ended like it did. I eagerly look forward to the next in the series.

This book is light reading, escapism. It allows you to take a glamorous trip through Europe without ever leaving your arm chair. I found the finish to the book a bit abrupt but I guess it worked because it meant I went and bought the second book in the series immediately.

This novel was a fun read especially for summer. She covered a different part of history that I did not know much about. The characters were well developed. I will most likely read the next book in the series when it comes out.

I really enjoyed this story. I have read this book twice and I rarely read books twice. I love the characters and the changes in setting as they encounter the adventures of the Grand Tour in Europe. This is a book that will keep you up late at night or sitting on the couch with that cozy blanket wanting to know what the characters will experience next.

The book was really easy to get completely sucked into. I took the kids to Disney World and could only think about getting back to Cora and Will and the rest. It was written beautifully and I felt like I really knew some of the characters. However, my only complaint is a HUGE one. When I felt I was really at the climax of the book it just ended. I turned the page expecting a new chapter and there was nothing!! Now I keep thinking of the book and have no way of continuing the story. Instead, I am left wondering if she was writing and her publishers forced her to turn it in before she finished. I want to read "book 2" but am afraid of the same let down!!

Yes, the title of this review is unfinished, on purpose. More on that in a second.

I sat down hoping to read a well written, light Christian romance and escape into another world for a while. The author delivers. While slightly shallow, the book was nicely done and good enough to keep me steadily reading. The author changes POV's quite often, which did cause a little distraction, especially when the main character was the only one to speak in first person when it switched to her. It's a cinderella story, with our beautiful heroine being swept away from her rough life on the farm into a lavish life of the rich and famous. She immediately embarks on a 'grand tour' of Europe, and spends the rest of the book trying not to lose herself or sight of her faith in the ensuing storm.

There is some nice romantic tension, a well-done self discovery plot, and quite a bit of interesting facts about famous historical sites. I did find myself scanning over a few descriptions because they became rather tedious, which should not be the case when describing'The Louvre', but overall, it was entertaining. As I got nearer to the end, the character development really started to shine, and I found myself fully invested in the characters and unable to stop reading. I couldn't flip through my kindle fast enough, especially when the author threw in some danger and action.

Then, right as the book hits it's climax, BAM! Nothing. No kidding. There is no ending. If I would have been holding a physical book, I would have thought it was a joke and that someone had ripped out the last pages. I haven't felt my time was so wasted since watching the end of 'Lost'.

I'm aware this is going to be a series, but I won't be picking up the other books. I LOVE a series, because I hate for a story to end. But in every series I've read, there are at least a few resolutions, with just enough loose ends to keep you wanting more. Every string was left dangling in this book, as if the author was worried you wouldn't buy the next book if she even hinted at which direction it might go. Speaking for myself, the plan backfired. I won't buy another book because a) I won't remember or care about the characters in a year, when the next installment is released and b) I'll be scared the second book will end as badly as the first because it's a three-part series.

I would have given this book four stars if not for the ending.

Main character (Cora) a smart, well-grounded young woman. Not flighty like some main characters can be. Historical descriptions and culture of the time were described well. I would prefer a little less of the gushing over her beauty.

Again, I love the story but writer used explicit sex scenes not just one but in the middle of book and after they got married. I' would never purchased this series if I knew this. Yet, it really wasn't needed. It also categoried in the wrong group.

I just finished the first book. Glamorous Illusions was a wonderfully written book with well developed characters and a perfectly organized plot. The combination of action, romance, and humor made this book intriguing and exciting to read!

I can't wait to get my hands on book two!

This is a well written, interesting, romantic and exciting book. It's clear that LIsa does her research in every book I've read. It's relaxing and enjoyable to read being free of the usual heavy duty violence and sex. You are left eager for the second book in the trilogy, "Grave Consequences".