Christian Fiction Devourers discussion
Archived Group Reads 2013
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April Additional Group Read - Glamorous Illusions
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I just finally got my copy of The Fairest Beauty yesterday. So I am going to read this one first and then read Glamorous Illusions. Hopefully I'll get caught up with the rest of you LOL!
Just finished! I won't say to much, yet. It has a good story, but...The second half of the book is a little better. I'll wait until I see some more posts.
I'm about 100 pages in... I am liking it so far. Have you all read any of Lisa Tawn Bergren's other boooks?
I have read some of her contemporary books-the Full Circle Series-enjoyed them as light romances although romances aren't my thing. You younger women would probably love them.
if you could go on a Grand Tour , what countries would be on your list to visit? And do you think that through travel that we encounter a large amount of self discovery in the process?
I haven't read any of Lisa's books before, but I'm hoping I can squeeze this one in as I remember the topic of Grand Tours coming up a lot in my Art History classes in my first two years of university. Half the paintings and sculptures we studied were collected on someone's tour of Europe, where they bought them as souvenirs. Honestly, I've not travelled very widely in Europe (other than the UK, I've been to Germany and Poland) but I would love to go to France someday, and maybe The Netherlands--mainly for the art and long cultural history.
I have read the River of Time books - love those!And I have read this one :) I really enjoyed it.
If I was going on a Grand Tour, I would put France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany on the list.
If I could go on a grand tour, I would visit most of the European countries but especially: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Gee - can you tell I love to travel!! I've been to Ireland but would love to go back as I fell in love with the people and it's "forty shades of green." I think it depends on the type of travel whether or not you encounter any self-discovery. How much do you interact with the people and their culture, how much of the history to you explore, or are you there just to have a good time and eat, drink and be merry? When I went to Ireland it was with my church choir. We sang our way around the country and had lots of interaction with the people in the churches where we sang. It made an amazing difference in what I learned about the people, their way of life, and their country.
I'm definitely a history (and art) geek, so that would be part of the appeal of travelling for me (perhaps that's why I love historical fiction so much--I get to travel without leaving my home!) But I also love food as well, so I'd definitely want to try lots of authentic local food. I've actually never been to Ireland, even though it's so close. I think it seems like less of a tourist attraction to me because I am so close to it, and because I'm very aware of all the troubles that are still going on over there.
Rachel wrote: "I'm definitely a history (and art) geek, so that would be part of the appeal of travelling for me (perhaps that's why I love historical fiction so much--I get to travel without leaving my home!) Bu..."No troubles at all in Ireland itself, but may be problems in Northern Ireland. We felt very safe in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and points in between.
I think the idea of a grand tour is a good one---opening a young person's eyes to other people and cultures at a formative time in their lives----but if it were like so many I have read about---just a drunken orgy in exotic locations, then it would just be a waste of time and just the privilege of the idle rich.All cultural student exchange programs seem to me to be on the right track. I thoroughly enjoyed a year with an exchange student from France fifty years ago and opportunities to know foreign missionaries while they are over here. They add a "face" to different places on the map.
I would love to see all the European countries but am happily married for 43 years to a wonderful man who doesn't want to travel-----so we just go to the mountains and I read about it all.
How do you feel about books like this in general where the book ends, but the story has so much more to go before you get your ending, meaning you need to read the next one to find out what happens? Are you ok with that or does it bother you?
Hmmm...I tend not to mind if I know from the get-go that it is going to be a series or there is a sequel. I'm still not a huge fan of "cliff-hangers," but won't let that stop me from reading a book.
I really like closure in a book. Even if it is a series, each book should resolve major plot line. I don't want to have to wait for the next book to come out--I would forget too much detail. I just finished the Vicki Hinze's Crossroad Crisis Center series. There were some minor issues introduced but not developed in one book that turned into major story in the next, but all the suspense and mystery of each book was concluded in each. Reading the next book in the series plunked me down in familiar locations with characters I had come to enjoy, but I finished each satisfied. An author can leave the reader wanting more of the characters without a cliffhanger. Lisa Wingate Moses Lake books are same way as was the Amy Wallace heros series.
Cheryl wrote: " How do you feel about books like this in general where the book ends, but the story has so much more to go before you get your ending, meaning you need to read the next one to find out what happe..."I do NOT like it! I just finished the book and enjoyed it, but I may not have read it if I had known. I love a good series, but I also feel each book should stand alone. I feel ripped off when an author does that, as if they are forcing me to buy their next book. Unless I have the whole series ahead of time and can read them consecutively, by the time I get around to reading the next book I can't remember exactly what happened and which character is which. I agree with Chris said, "An author can leave the reader wanting more of the characters without a cliffhanger."
Does anyone else feel like Pierre is just a little too good to be true and that maybe he's hiding something?
Cheryl wrote: " How do you feel about books like this in general where the book ends, but the story has so much more to go before you get your ending, meaning you need to read the next one to find out what happe..."I don't mind most of the time as long as I don't have to wait forever for the next book to come out. But it is nice if they resolve at least some of the major issues.
Loraine wrote: "Cheryl wrote: " How do you feel about books like this in general where the book ends, but the story has so much more to go before you get your ending, meaning you need to read the next one to find..."I'm the same as Loraine. I don't mind if there's a hint at a future book, maybe a secondary character whose storyline isn't concluded, but I prefer the main storyline to be mostly concluded by the end of the book. I want some sense of satisfaction when I close the book, not annoyance that I'll have to wait for the next book.
Also, I'm hoping to get on to this book once I've finished my current read.
Cheryl wrote: " Does anyone else feel like Pierre is just a little too good to be true and that maybe he's hiding something?"Oh yeah, BIG TIME. I can't wait to find out what it is he's hiding.
I just finished this book tonight and I loved it. I gave it 5 stars. I thought the entire book was exciting and never had a dull moment.
The next book is Grave Consequences and is an on order book at my library and I already have my name on the list! Gotta find out what Pierre is up to! And of course, I am rooting for Will to get the girl!
I kept suspecting that Pierre had something to do with the hostage situation at the end. I still have my suspicions that he might be affiliated with the kidnappers. Or maybe he's just a gold-digger. Isn't this about the time that in Europe family names and heritage began to not matter anymore and a lot of families went broke? Sort of like in the TV show Downton Abbey. Maybe his lordship doesn't matter so much and he's out of money from living such a lavish lifestyle and thinks he can use the Kensingtons.
Pierre gave me the feeling of "false front" and "sleazeball' underneath. I look forward to reading the next book as well. Our library already has Grave Consequencesin and I am on the waiting list for it.
Loraine wrote: "Pierre gave me the feeling of "false front" and "sleazeball' underneath. I look forward to reading the next book as well. Our library already has Grave Consequencesin and I am on the wai..."Sleazeball is the perfect one word description, Loraine.
****Spoiler comments****I agree ladies, he is just tooo smooth. And I think you're right Amanda, I think when it all plays out he will be the one found to be behind the attempted kidnappings at the end. It was rather convenient that he was "away" when everything went down. I smell a rat and like you all said a very probable gold digger who wants to hold on to his riches with an infusion of money from the rich Americans!
Lalalala, not reading spoilers, but just wanted to say that I finally started this book last night. I'm only about 14% into the book, but really enjoying it so far!
I finished this book yesterday morning and absolutely loved it! The second book was still on NetGalley, and since no one at TCM is reviewing it, I've stuck it on my to-review list for after exams. I'm glad this group has introduced me to such a wonderful new author :)As for Pierre, I'm not entirely sure if he was involved in the event at the end of the novel. Cheryl is right about him being conveniently away when it occurred. But even if he wasn't involved, he still seems a little dangerous. He strikes me as the kind of guy who is used to always getting what he wants, and that seems to be why he's interested in Cora--she doesn't throw herself at him when he pays attention to her. I feel like, if she did end up falling in love with him, he'd get bored of her. I think it's the chase and the challenge that he likes, because it's so new to him. He wants to see if he can have Cora, but I don't know if he wants her long-term, if that makes sense? He likes being in control, and that's what I feel uncomfortable about with his character--like the scene at the ball when Cora said she wanted to go for a walk and didn't want him to accompany her, and he looked angry. I'm worried about what might happen if she tries to do something more major that he doesn't agree to.
What about the siblings? How do you think that Cora will win them over and what signs do you see that that is occurring ?
Cheryl wrote: " What about the siblings? How do you think that Cora will win them over and what signs do you see that that is occurring ?"I just read the second book so I don't want to answer your question :o It's a good one though!
The author, Lisa Tawn Bergren, just replied to my review of the second in the series, Grave Consequences!I embarrassingly ranted about the book cover lol! I did give it 5 out of 5 stars though!
Review. This is the second author to respond to one of my reviews in the past few weeks. Neta Jackson, of Yada Yada Prayer Group fame, responded to my review via Amazon where I said she (or her writing partner) had a strange fascination with the characters breasts lol. So embarrassing.
I'm reading the second book as well so know what lies ahead. Won't spoil it for anyone else.
Loraine wrote: "I'm reading the second book as well so know what lies ahead. Won't spoil it for anyone else."I'm on the list for this at my library! It's an onorder book, so as soon as it gets in, I will pick it up! Did you like the 2nd one Loraine?
Christian Fiction Devourers
Books mentioned in this topic
Grave Consequences (other topics)Grave Consequences (other topics)
The Fairest Beauty (other topics)
Glamorous Illusions (other topics)
When Cora Kensington learns she is the illegitimate daughter of a copper king, her life changes forever. Even as she explores Europe with her new family, she discovers that the most valuable journey is within. The first book in the Grand Tour series takes you from the farms of Montana through England and France on an adventure of forgiveness, spiritual awakening, and self-discovery.
Please remember if you are posting any comments that mught spoil the plot from someone that hasn't read the book yet, please label your comments appropriately with a a ********SPOILERS************ warning.
I may be a bit late in starting to read this one so please feel free to post questions/comments as you start in for those that are reading right away. Thanks all!