Monday, June 18, 2012

Glamorous Illusions

GIVEAWAY!

BERGREN, LISA T.
GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS


It's the summer of 1913, and Cora Kensington's life on the family farm has taken a dark turn. Not only are the crops failing, but someone dear to Cora is failing as well.


One fateful afternoon, a stranger comes to call, and Cora discovers a terrible secret about her past...a secret that will radically change her future.


Cora is invited to take the "Grand Tour" of Europe, a trip intended to finish of a person's education and solidify an understanding of refinement and ancient culture. As she travels from England to France with kin she's never known, Cora encounters the blessings of a family name, as well as the curses. But when an unbidden love begins to form, she realizes there are far greater challenges ahead...


The first book in the Grand Tour series takes you on a journey of cultural refinement -- but, moreover an inner journey of self-discovery.


MY REVIEW:


Stunning start to a grand new series from one of my favourite authors! Bergren knows how to transport her readers into a different time and place. Using vivid descriptions and compelling characters she creates a breathtaking picture of life among the wealthiest families in Europe. And in so doing throws her heroine smack into the middle of a moral dilemma. And such a dilemma! We should all be forced to live the life of the idle rich to prove our muster! :-) Seriously, it's a great premise and poses some interesting questions both for Cora and her readers.


But be warned: as in her other series, The River of Time, not all loose threads, including the romantic ones, are pulled tight by the end of the book. We will have to wait until Spring 2013 and Fall 2013 before we have a real conclusion. While I'm not usually a fan of run-on series, I gladly make an exception for Lisa T. Bergren. I'll let her whisk me away and keep me dangling for as long as she wants -- providing she promises to come back with more...and more...and more!


GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:


If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Grand Illusions, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday June 24 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

17 comments:

  1. Oh, I love Lisa's books and this sounds so wonderful and romantic. Please add me, Kav!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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  2. Consider yourself added, Merry!

    :-)

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  3. Lisa is an amazing author! I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. Isn't the cover lovely? Visiting Europe is on my bucket list but I think it's even more exciting to do so historically. I wonder what Cora's secret is and what moral dilemna she's facing. Hmmm :)

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  5. Oh gosh the mystery and romance of Lisa T. Bergren's books leaves a person begging for more of her books....I would love to win a copy of Lisa T. Bergren's new book ...'Glamorous Illusions'...babyruthmac16ATyahoo.com

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  6. I'm happy to hear about this new series. I'd love to read them. Thanks for the chance to win this!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  7. Beautiful cover! Paris is somewhere I would love to visit.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. Please don't enter me...I just reviewed this one. I just wanted to encourage those that don't win here to order this from CBD, Amazon, or local bookstore. I highly recommend it...just hate to hafta wait til next spring for the sequel. :(

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  9. Oh I am SO excited to read this book!
    It looks and sounds amazing!

    dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

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  10. Love the cover. Sounds like a romance with mystery and I can't wait to read. Please enter me.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  11. I know, Diana. It's like you want to wait until all three are out so you can read them all in on go but there's no way you have the willpower to not read them as they come out! LOL. Definitely a worthwhile buy. Bergren knows how to carry her readers away! Blissful sigh.

    Good luck everyone!

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  12. Sounds intriguing! Loved The River of Time books. Count me in!

    gwen(dot)gage(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Sounds like a book my wife and I would enjoy. :) Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    jeremy.p.harder(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Wonderful, wonderful book...I just love it! And If I win, this copy will be going to our local library. Always have to look out after them!
    Blessings......Joy
    ibjoy1953[at]yahoo.com

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  15. Thank you for the great review and giveaway! I would love to have this book in my collection!
    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

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