Glamorous Illusions

Grand Tour Series, Book 1

By: Lisa T. Bergren

Narrated by: Jaime Draper

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Cora is about to discover who she truly is. 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 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 audiobook in the Grand Tour series will take you on a journey of cultural refinement - but, moreover, on an inner journey of self-discovery.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Lisa T. Bergren (P)2012 Oasis

Captivating story

What did you love best about Glamorous Illusions?

The best part is when Cora's discovers who her real father is and that she never forgets those who are important to her, even after she discovers she is rich.

What did you like best about this story?

The trip to Europe,Cora's challenges with her new family and becoming adjusted to all that her new things life can give her. I also love the kidnapping plot, it makes the whole story more exciting.

Have you listened to any of Jaime Draper’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have only listen to one other book from this series and she does a great job with both the men and women voices. She also captures the emotions each scene requires for you to experience Cora's journey.

Who was the most memorable character of Glamorous Illusions and why?

Cora is the most memorable. She is strong, feisty and won't back down, but she also equals it out with always taking the others point of view, which is really hard.

Any additional comments?

Great series.

One of my favorites!

This series of three books is one of my favorites of Lisa Tawn Bergren! I read the books the first time and now I'm listening to them! She truly has a way to take you back in time and glimpse the world in that era of time!

Can't wait for next book!

Well written and read! Great story line with enough real life experience with grief, love, loss and shame that makes the reader reflect on their life and coping mechanisms.

Accents are not good.

For a book series that takes place across Europe they should have picked a narrator who can do accents. Some time distracting as the accents literally change mid sentence.

Great! I love the travel!

I have read this before but this is my first time listening to it. It was just as great and the first time I read it. I love the era and the clothes and the travel and the story is so great. I love the little romance between will and then Pierre and I hope she chooses who she wants in the sequel.

wonderful

I enjoyed this story very much. Can't wasut to continue with the he,t book. Hard to put it down.

Loved the adventure and humor.

I really loved the book. cant wait to see what comes next for each character. Each of the author's books gives a glimpse of different time periods.

A good selection for mature adolescents

This book has a sweet, predictable storyline with improbable twists. Naive country girl from hardscrabble background discovers that her loving parents have kept her true paternity a secret. Girl's wealthy biological father sweeps in to rescue her from her parents' growing financial hardship, leaving her longing for her simple life. Girl's inscrutable new father immediately sends her on a grand tour of Europe with her newly discovered siblings, who are hostile to the interloper. Girl suffers identity crisis and her plucky personality emerges. You can guess the rest. A sophisticated, wealthy French nobleman inexplicably falls in love with her at first sight. But the steadfast, handsome young tour guide with no prospects (who seems to be in a constant state of angst) also moons after her -- what's a girl to do? I will never know because I won't be reading the sequel. I would recommend this book to mature adolescents, rather than adult readers.

Not for me..

I could not get past the performance! I felt she was “overacting”. She read with tone and inflection appropriate for small children or the senile. Sing-song and over emphasized emotion as if the listener isn’t going to “get the joke” or perhaps miss the author’s insinuation.
The good reviews didn’t help me out in choosing this title. Maybe this helps someone. Clearly many people enjoyed this book. So take this review as just one person’s opinion.