Spotlight on Glamorous Ilusions by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Yesterday my husband sent me out on a day of pampering...I had my hair cut, dyed, and styled (for just over four hours!), followed by a pedicure and manicure. While that was refreshing and rejuvenating, a wonderful addition to my day of R&R was my beloved Kindle, and my copy of GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS by Lisa T. Bergren. (FYI, she's the author of one of my other all time favorite series, RIVER OF TIME)

This book swept me away and though I'd had a slight jump start on it, I read almost the entire thing in one delcious gulp yesterday. It was exactly the kind of book I needed to slow down, to think, to fill my spirit with wonder, history, beauty, and romance.  Here's the gorgeous cover, official blurb, and my own modest review....

GLAMOROUS ILLUSIONS (Grand Tour Series Book 1)

Lisa Tawn Bergren

Paperback and ebook, 416 pages

June 1st, 2012 by David C Cook

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.

In 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 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 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 the journey is only beginning….

The first book in the Grand Tour series will take readers on a journey of cultural refinement, but moreover, explores what truly informs a person’s sense of identity.

Lisa Bergren does it again. This book swept me away, wrapping me in a warm blanket of family, hope, wonder, history, and self-discovery....and beautiful romance. The beginning was slow and beautiful, unraveling at the perfect pace to match the farm-life setting, then kicked into another gear with each new chapter in Cora's journey. By the end, I was eager to keep reading, to see what would happen, all while lamenting the fact Kindle was telling me I had very few pages left. "No, it can't end already," is what I kept telling myself, all while clicking furiously to read more.

I fell in love with these characters, with the hope and message sheltered within the words, and with strong, protective, handsome Will. I'm looking forward to book 2 and beyond.

What have you read lately that filled you with a sense of wonder and beauty?

Happy Book Birthday: UNDERWORLD by Meg Cabot

I LOVE birthdays...mine was last week and I am still celebrating :) And book birthdays are always full of excitement. There's just something about heading to my local bookstore on release day and getting it in my hands the day it comes out.

 

Today, I'm shining a spotlight on UNDERWORLD by Meg Cabot over at YA Bound. Here's a little taste of both the book and my review, as well as links to find out more.

 

 

Publication Date: May 8, 2012 by Point

Hardcover 336 pages

ABANDON BOOK 2

Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera isn’t dead. Not this time.

But she is being held against her will in the dim, twilit world between heaven and hell, where the spirits of the deceased wait before embarking upon their final journey.

Her captor, John Hayden, claims it’s for her own safety. Because not all the departed are dear. Some are so unhappy with where they ended up after leaving the Underworld, they’ve come back as Furies, intent on vengeance…on the one who sent them there and on the one whom he loves.

But while Pierce might be safe from the Furies in the Underworld, far worse dangers could be lurking for her there…and they might have more to do with its ruler than with his enemies. And unless Pierce is careful, this time there’ll be no escape.

I love Greek mythology retellings, especially the various Hades and Persephone versions that have been so popular in the YA market the past year. ABANDON by Meg Cabot was one of my favorites so I was eager to see where she took her reimagining in the sequel, UNDERWORLD. And to be honest, I enjoyed this one even more than the first.

To read the rest of my review, head over to YA Bound, and to add it to your Goodreads shelf, click here

What in the World?

What in the world do Band-Aids, Guiding Light, Pilgrims, and Gags have to do with each other?

And with me?

Well, let me tell you :) Even though you've been hearing crickets around here this past week, I've been busy elsewhere and I'd love to share with you!

• First came Tuesday's Spotlight on PILGRIMS DON'T WEAR PINKby Stephanie Kate Strohm over at YA Bound. Y'all, I freaking LOVED this book!!! Here's a snippet of my spotlight comments: It surprised me, elevated me to another place for a few hours, and left me believing in the power of love, friendship, and a really good dress. I totally recommend it. Trust me, you want to read this review...and then pre-order the book!

• Wednesday brought me waxing poetic over Saved by the Bell, New Kids on the Block, pink tutus, and Guiding Light over at Rachel Firasek's Make Believe Wednesday's series. Come see what a strange child I was, and tell me your childhood crush!

• Thursday back over at YA Bound was our Swoon Thursday post, where I shared one of my favorite sigh-worthy moments from Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink. Tara, Kelly, and Trish have some pretty steamy excerpts as well, and don't forget to check out the comments for even more. (LOVE this Meme!)

• And finally, a Gag Reel has been sent into the wild from our Romantic Times conference in Chicago where all of our Entangled authors interviewed each other. Click play below and quote The Princess Bride and fake-duel with me, laugh your butt off, and get to know my homegirls.

So, that's what I've been up to....What about YOU?

Have a fantabulous weekend, y'all!

Spotlight on Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergren...& Giveaway

As you may know, I kinda love time-travel stories mixed with historical and romance. And if you add in Italy, I'm a goner. So it really should come as no surprise that I absolutely fell in love with the River of Time series by Lisa Tawn Bergren. And here's a little glimpse why....

WATERFALL (River of Time #1)

By: Lisa Tawn Bergren

Paperback, 369 pages, Published 2011 by David C. Cook

What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?
 

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.

Conversing with the author, Lisa Bergren, in the past about our obvious mutual love of Italy and time travel led to a hunch I would enjoy this novel, but I had no idea how much. I absolutely loved every moment of this book!!

It was fun to see similar instincts and choices between our modern-day heroines transported to the past, but what were more thrilling was all the differences. WATERFALL takes places in the 1300s, two hundred years before my own time travel adventure, so while I've become well versed in Renaissance history, it was such a joy to lose myself in Medieval times, in an era where chivalry reigned, men were knights, and love was epic. Twists and turns abounded--just when I thought the story was over, Lisa would shock me with something fresh and different and pure fun. I mean, don't get me wrong...this book is filled with serious battles, fierce emotions, and crazy politics, but within the gifted hands of Ms. Bergren, I was able to relax and just enjoy the ride.

Gabi is truly a warrior of a protagonist, and Marcello was hotness personified. The loving relationship between sisters Gabi and Lia was both heart wrenching and uplifting, and Luca brought the funny. I am so glad this is a series, because I'm not ready to let any of these characters go... unfortunately that just means my plans for the weekend are shifting, as I'll be stuck in my Kindle for the foreseeable future :)

Sounds good, right?? So good, in fact, that I want to give away a *FREE EBOOK COPY* to share the love! To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below.

For *Five* additional entries (one additional entry for each of the following, give me a heads up in the comments), you can:

1. TWEET about it (leave me a link and/or include me at @RachelHarrisYA)
2. FOLLOW my blog
3. LIKE me on FB (click in sidebar)
4. Sign up for my NEWSLETTER (see sidebar)
5. Sign up for the EMAIL version of this blog so you always know what I'm chatting about.

So, I'm reading the rest of the series this weekend...how about you? What are YOU reading this weekend?

Spotlight on: The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards

I am over at YA Bound today, spotlighting the second installment in The Lacey Chronicles, THE QUEEN'S LADY. I absolutely, freaking LOVE this book...so much so that I am sharing the spotlight review here as well. Be sure to click the link below and head over to YA Bound to see the book trailer and read the fun miniview with author Eve Edwards :)

THE QUEEN'S LADY

Hardcover 336 pages Expected Publication: April 10th, 2012, Delacorte Books for Young Readers

1584 – Surrey, England

When Lady Jane Rievaulx begins service to the Queen at Richmond Palace, she is thrilled at the court’s newest arrival . . . Master James Lacey.

Despite her previous courtship with his older brother, James is the man she truly loves. And for his part, he cannot deny his fascination with her. However, James is setting sail on a treacherous journey to the Americas, seeking absolution for what he sees as past sins. But when Lady Jane is forced into a terrible situation by her own family, there is only one man to save her.

Will Master James return to his lady ­- before it’s too late?

   

Oh my word, did I love this book. Everything about this story was beautiful: the writing, the characters, the language, the setting. THE QUEEN’S LADY hits all the sweet spots, managing to be Historical, yet uniquely contemporary in approach and relatability; Intimate in point of view, yet third person with a variety of narrators; Suspenseful, yet full of romance; Earnest and full of heart, yet laugh out loud and grin like an idiot funny. Eve Edwards had me from page one and didn’t let go until The End.

The novel centers on Lady Jane and Master James, but it’s filled with a ton of delightful characters. As a result, you never really get to a good stopping point. Just when one story line is perhaps reaching a bit of a reprieve, another starts popping. Ms. Edwards weaves these together in such a way that you won’t be able to put this book down. Lady Jane and Milly rivaled for my favorite heroine. Milly made me laugh, and Jane broke my heart (in the good way). I declare it a draw, which never happens. As for the men, James and Diego battled it out for hottie of my heart, but in the end, James stole it. He was sweetly broken, completely dashing, and wonderfully irreverent. He was strong and vulnerable, a very hard mix to get right. Yeah, let’s just say this boy did it for me. J

If you are a newcomer to The Lacey Chronicles, I think it’s important to know that while I’ve given Ms. Edward’s first book, The Other Countess, longing looks from its place of honor on my nightstand for months, this was my first foray. Unfortunately, life happened, writing and review deadlines crept in, and so it remained on top of my pile, the gorgeous cover staring at me impatiently beside my bed. I finally got a little breathing time as review time for THE QUEEN’S LADY came nearer, but I chose to wait, curious to see how easy it would be to follow the storyline, knowing I could always pick up the first book if I got lost. Well, I have picked up The Other Countess—but only because I’m so in love with the story world Ms. Edwards created. If you have not had a chance to read The Other Countess, do not let it keep you from reading this gem…but, save yourself time and buy both now, because believe me, you’ll want them.

I recommend THE QUEEN’S LADY for anyone who loves adventure, romance, and intrigue. If you love historicals, even better. I have fallen head over heels in love, and cannot wait for THE ROGUE’S PRINCESS!

 

For a glimpse into The Queen's Lady and a fun Miniview with author Eve Edwards, head over to my post at YA BOUND

About Eve:

Eve Edwards has a doctorate from Oxford University and thinks researching a large part of the fun for  writing historical fiction. She has visited Tudor houses, attended jousts and eaten Elizabethan banquets to get the sights, sounds and tastes right for this book. And, yes, she can testify that it is possible to eat neatly without the modern invention of the fork. She lives in Oxford and is married with three children

Author Website  / Goodreads  /  Twitter