Glamorous Illusions

Title: GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Publisher: David C. Cook
July 2012
ISBN: 978-1434764300
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Cora Deihl’s has just returned home from Normal School, where she’s studying to be a teacher. But when her parents fail to meet her at the train station she catches a ride home with someone else, only to discover her pa has suffered a stroke. When Cora learns that they are on the verge of loosing the family farm, she takes matters in her own hands and takes a beautiful necklace she’s received as a gift to the mercantile in order to buy seed…

But things don’t improve. Instead, a man comes forward who claims to hold answers to questions Cora never knew she had. He buys the family farm, finances the trip to Minnesota for her parents and spirits Cora off to Europe…with kin she never knew existed. But all isn’t sunshine and roses – unless you count the burns and the thorns.

GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS is unexpected. The back of the book says “Cora is about to discover who she truly is.” And that is what the book is about. The journey of discovery. Is she as strong as she believes she is? Is she willing to face the greatest challenges she’s ever known?

I couldn’t help but care for Cora, and other characters that had point of view. Ms. Bergren did a stellar job bringing them all to life in the pages of this book. Cora’s point of view is in first person, everyone else’s is in third. I don’t see that done much in books, but Ms. Bergren did it well. There are little headings above each scene letting us know who’s point of view we’re in.

There’s an afterwards included in this book, which includes a chat with the author, discussion questions, and historical notes. Fans of historical romance won’t want to miss GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS. The ending is a bit abrupt without clear resolution. 4 stars. $14.99. 403 pages.