Book Review (and sweepstakes): Glamorous Illusions

Glamorous Illusions is the newest release from one of my favorite authors.

SALE: As of today (June 21st) the Kindle version is on sale for only $3.82!

Through the story of Cora Kensington, Bergren takes her audience on a European adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awareness, and self-discovery.

A person often identifies themself by their family, profession, or circumstances. However, as Christians, what would happen if we began to better understand our true identity in Christ? It is this spiritual journey that author Bergren guides readers through in Glamorous Illusions.

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. “Glamorous Illusions is not only Cora’s journey toward understanding true identity in Christ, but it will help every reader understand it better too,” explains Bergren. “It’s an examination of the bond between the Father and his child.”

Each member of the traveling group expects an outer cultural journey of refinement, but each will also wrestle with their own sins and inner conflicts. Ultimately, they explore what truly informs a person’s sense of identity. Readers will be able to join Cora and the other Kensingtons and Morgans as they continue their Grand Tour, discovering new lands, new cultures, and new aspects of themselves, in the upcoming installments Grave Consequences (Spring 2013) and Glittering Promises (Fall 2013).

About the Author:

Lisa T. Bergren is the award-winning author of over thirty-five books, with more than 2 million copies sold. A former publishing executive, Lisa now divides her time between writing, editing, parenting three children with her husband, Tim, and dreaming of her next trip to Italy. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

My Thoughts:

The book starts with a quote from Luis Palau that sets the tone for the story.

“God is not disillusioned with us.  He never had any illusions to begin with.”

Cora’s journey of discovery leads from the rural farmlands of America through the European countryside.  The setting and details of the story would make this book fascinating even without spiritual depth of the novel, but the tale is made richer by the characters’ own discoveries along the way.

I connected deeply with this novel.  The discovery of who I am in Christ, apart from all external measurements, has shaped my life and worldview more than any other discovery.  So, as I walked this journey of glamorous illusions with Cora the story resonated in my soul.  Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“He was so infernally optimistic.  He never held back, never tried to protect a portion of his heart.  He saw me staring at him, read the question in my eyes.  “Love believes all things, hopes for all things, Cora.  God loves us.  Sees us.  He’ll see us through.”

“As I see it, each of our lives is a journey, Miss Cora.  A path that takes us over the mountain or down through a dark valley.  But He never abandons us.  Never.  That is how He cares for us – walking with us every step of the way.”

“It didn’t matter if my understanding of who I was had changed – God’s understanding of me had not.  He saw it all, held it all.  He held me. Through the bad.  The good.  He was holding me even now.”

And there is more…enter to win:

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a pre-release digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.