Review \\ Glamorous Illusions by Lisa T. Bergren

The Grand Tour Series details the life of Cora Diehl Kensington, a woman of the Montana plains, swept up into a life of riches and privilege. Belatedly finding out a terrible secret about her parentage, Cora struggles to find out who she really is–as a child of God–in the midst of an enlightening, as well as dangerous, trip across Europe. (http://lisatawnbergren.com/books/)

Why I have I waited so long to read a book by Lisa T. Bergren? I have no idea. I would say that her books are a step above Tracie Peterson's and on par with Julie Klassen's (no offence to either author).

Set in the early 1900s, Glamorous Illusions is a beautiful book from cover to cover. I loved every bit of it, which isn't something I say too often about the books I read. From the first pages I fell in love with Cora. She's a spirited, often stubborn, young woman, but she truly wants to trust God in all parts of her life. It's just not that easy. I can relate.

When Cora is told a secret about her parentage, she's whisked off to a new family and a new life, starting with a grand tour to Europe. It's the perfect setting for discovery: of Europe, of her family, of herself. And of course, we have to throw in a couple of love interests to make it all the more interesting. Bergren crafts the most interesting characters like William, Pierre, and, most fascinating to me, Mr. Kensington. I just can't figure him out. At the beginning I did not like him, but when he writes that letter to Cora... I'm having a hard time making up my mind! Hopefully I'll get a chance to figure him out in book two, Grave Consequences, which doesn't come out until (sigh) March 2013. The best part about the characters is that they seem so real. I'm tired of books that idealize people, or make them so one-sided; Glamorous Illusions does not disappoint.

Glamorous Illusions is written in first person but switches from the point of view of Cora to a narrator (third -person) view of Will. That's interesting but at times a bit odd to me. I think it would have been better if both were in first person, but maybe Bergren felt that would be too confusing to the reader (which it definitely could be). Still, I liked seeing Will's perspective. And of course, since this is the start of a series, the ending was unfortunately abrupt and left me dangling off the cliff by a small thread.

Shockingly, I got this book free on my Kindle several months ago. Soon after I finished Glamorous Illusions I looked up when the second book is coming out. So far away! (Ha, not really.) Thankfully, I found Bergren's first book in the River of Time Series, Waterfall, on sale for $1.99. :) A good way to cope, I thought, but it only took me a day to read. Review of that coming soon, because it was good.





2012 Goal: Book 38 of 50

Review \\ The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman

After the death of her husband, Corrie Saunders retreats to the home in Saunders Creek that Jarrod loved in the hopes of remaining somehow connected to the man she loved and lost. In the midst of her grief, she begins to think that she can actually feel Jarrod in the house. If it isn't him, then something definitely strange is happening in the old house. Is it possible that her husband has come back to her? Jarrod's cousin Eli doesn't think so, but as he notices the oddities going on in Corrie's house, he begins to wonder about the realm of the unseen as well. The Widow of Saunders Creek by Tracey Bateman is filled with suspense, intrigue, and superstition  giving us a look at what could be and a clear picture of the truth.

I'm sorry to have waited so long to review this book. I read it a couple of months ago and for some reason thought that I had reviewed it, but the page was still sitting in my draft box. The Widow of Saunders Creek is very good. It's different, and that's what I really liked about it. I was curious to see how Bateman would tackle the subject between the covers of Christian fiction, and I think she did a really good job. The book gets slightly weird in places when Corrie thinks she can feel Jarrod in the house, but Eli is a good counterpart because he knows the Truth and he desperately wants Corrie to know it too. I think it's a good story about superstition and about wanting something so bad that you can almost taste it. Bateman does a great job of showing Corrie's grief and desperation. 

This isn't typical Christian fiction or suspense. It's a nice blend that kept me flipping the pages, and its one that sort of haunted me a few days after I read it (which is a really weird thing to say considering the topic). Pick it up; you won't be sorry.

Many thanks to the WaterBrook Multnomah for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review \\ To Love and Cherish by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller

I haven't disappeared completely! With my school schedule I've had a tough time finishing books, so I've had nothing to review for ages. This one took me at least a month to read. It's a good one, though!

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Melinda Colson has a rather tragic past, but her future is promising. She works as a lady's maid and her employers spend their winters on Bridal Veil Island, where Evan Tarlow works year-round as gamekeeper. Melinda anxiously awaits a proposal from Evan before she must leave with her employers, but her hopes are dashed when no proposal comes. To Love and Cherish is a story of love and doubt, reconciliation and faith. It's spattered with a few edge-of-your-seat moments and a few aggravations, making it a well-rounded historical fiction tale.

Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller have teamed up once again to deliver a new series based on the fictional (but based on true) island of Bridal Veil. It's a beautiful setting, and, as always, Peterson and Miller craft interesting characters and a heart-warming story.

To Love and Cherish is the second book in the Bridal Veil Island. I haven't read the first one, but through a few internet searches I was assured that each book is on its own. Now I'm curious to find out if that's really true or not, but I'm leaning towards believing it because I didn't feel lost when I started reading this one. I haven't read many of these Christian fiction/historical/romance novels where the characters actually start out in love. I admit it takes away a bit of the suspense, but, like others, you still know how its going to end.

My favorite part of the book is the setting. I can see why the characters fell in love with Bridal Veil, and I wish I could go there myself.






I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.