This series has, first of all, provided some of the most beautiful covers! The first book, "The Spice King," has an equally beautiful and intriguing cover. "A Gilded Lady" is a new favorite of mine! Elizabeth Camden's books are always historical Christian fiction, and at times it has seemed like the historical content has upstaged the characters. In this novel, however, the historical content, plot, and character development beautifully meshed together. I loved the visuals Camden painted of the Gilded Age, the extravagance of the time, but also of life in the White House during the presidency of William McKinley. I personally did not know much about him, his wife, or his term in office. True to her form, Camden intertwined historically accurate events and people with fictional characters to shed light on this time in American culture. Another aspect of the historical content was the beginnings of the secret service and presidential protection in the White House. As someone who likes "protect and serve" themes, this was also appealing. There were other intrigue aspects regarding Caroline's brother, which affected the build of romantic tension. I also appreciated that even though Caroline was a "lady", she still had a bit of a rebellious streak. Overall, I would highly recommend this novel! While you don't have to read "The Spice King" to follow along, I would recommend it. It offers some insight into some of the events happening in this book. And right now it happens to be on sale for less than $1...so get it while you can!

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinions, which I did.**

Although, I like the plot of this book, I found to it long. There was to much written about the relationship between Mrs McKinley and Caroline, that could have been left out and not hurt the rest of the story. I got bored with waiting for the real plot to begin, that I never finished the book.

Caroline Delacroix ist die persönliche Assistentin der First Lady Ida McKinley. Wie aus dem ersten Teil schon bekannt, ist das keine einfache Arbeit. Die Gattin des Präsidenten ist beim Volk und den Bediensteten relativ unbeliebt, da sie öfter das Protokoll verletzt oder unpassende Ding sagt. Zudem ist sie kränklich, introvertiert und leidet unter stark wechselnde Gemütszustände. Trotzdem wird sie von ihrem Gatten geliebt und umsorgt. Caroline versucht unermüdlich Idas Auftreten und ihre Akzeptanz zu verbessern.

Frisch nach einem erfolgreichen Einsatz wird Nathaniel Trask zum Chef für die Sicherheit des Präsidenten ernannt. Er nimmt diese Stelle nur widerwillig an, da ihn aus der Vergangenheit ein Versagen als Schutzbeauftragter verfolgt. Die 45 engsten Angestellten des Präsidentenpaares leben alle zusammen in gemeinsamen Schlafsälen im Weißen Haus. Alle neuen werden sehr skeptisch betrachtet. Aber der persönliche Assistent des Präsidenten George hält erhöhte Sicherheit für lange überfällig und sorgt so für einen besseren Stand für Nathaniel.

Aufgrund ihrer Positionen müssen Caroline und Nathaniel unvermeidlich täglich eng zusammenarbeiten. Auch sie hat ihm gegenüber zunächst große Vorbehalte. Mit seinen neuen restriktiven Anordnungen überwältigt er alle, sie glauben nicht, dass er das lange wird durchsetzen können. Sein Beruf hängt davon ab Regeln aufzustellen und ihre Einhaltung zu gewährleisten, wohingegen sie Regeln verabscheut. Diese Unterschiede führen schnell zu ersten schönen spitzen Wortgefechten.

Ebenfalls wieder aufgenommen wird die Geschichte um Lukes Verrat aus dem Vorgängerbuch. Damit hat er seine Schwester Caroline in eine schwierige Lage gebracht. Sie hofft ihren großen Einfluss zu seinen Gunsten einsetzen zu können. Auch ihr Bruder Gray aus „The Spice King“ hat hier seinen Anteil an der Geschichte. In ihrer Verzweiflung reisen sie sogar zu ihm in sein Gefängnis auf Cuba.

Die Autorin hat eine Geschichte mit außergewöhnlichem Hintergrund und Figuren erschaffen. Sie wählt einen interessanten geschichtlichen Abschnitt und verknüpft ihn geschickt mit ihrer spannenden fiktionalen Erzählung. So lerne ich gerne über vergangene Ereignisse und Personen, wie die politische Situation um Cuba und McKinleys Konkurrenten und seinen Vize Theodore Roosevelt. Es ist interessant über die Entwicklung der Sicherheitsmaßnahme zu lesen und die damaligen Wahlkampagnen vor der Zeit von Radio oder TV. Man erfährt viel über das damalige Leben im Weißen Haus. Die Beschreibungen versetzen einen in die Zeit. Caroline und Nathaniel sind sympathische, pflichtbewusste und starke Hauptfiguren.

Mit der Zeit entdecken sie, dass sie trotz ihrer sehr unterschiedlichen Herkunft und Vorgeschichte, etliche Gemeinsamkeiten haben. Sie teilen die gleichen Werte, haben eine ähnliche Sicht auf die Dinge, lieben beide Kunst und Schönheit. Es entwickelt sich ansatzweise eine romantische Beziehung mit viel Humor und Kameraderie, aber ihre gegenwärtige Situation vereitelt mehr. Doch dann werfen hochdramatische Ereignisse alle Pläne über den Haufen...

Der letzte Teil des Buches ist so fesselnd, dass die Seiten nur so dahinfliegen, man fiebert mit den Entwicklungen und den Hauptfiguren mit. Es gibt vor dem Schluss noch einige überraschende Ereignisse und Wendungen. Caroline und Nathaniel müssen viele Rückschläge und Hindernisse meistern. Ein Roman, den man so schnell nicht wieder vergisst! Ich freue mich schon sehr auf den 3. Teil!

The administration of William McKinley takes center stage in this new release from Elizabeth Camden. Caroline Delacroix, who we first met as a secondary character in The Spice King, serves as secretary for First Lady Ida McKinley, efficiently organizing the social events at the White House. Caroline even lives at the White House, in an upstairs dormitory for female staff. Her relationship with Ida is often more like mother and daughter, which suits both as Caroline lost her mother years ago, as Ida did with her children.

When the Secret Service determines it needs to overhaul its security measures, Nathaniel Trask is brought in. Though trained as an agent in the counterfeit task force, Nathaniel's skills and no-nonsense manner give him a critical eye as he studies current procedures and implements new ones. His past haunts him and he determines he will not fail on this mission. It's too important.

While longing to return to the counterfeit division, those hopes become complicated as Nathaniel is drawn to Caroline. This frustratingly charming woman flirts with the rules and refuses to explain some of her connections. Nathaniel doesn't truly believe she's a security risk, but he does feel his heart is very much in danger.

Though Caroline loves Ida, she chafes at constantly being at her beck and call. But Caroline is determined to hang on to her position. A presidential pardon may be the only hope for her brother. Her growing attraction for Nathaniel and his steady ways help make the situation bearable—until things start falling apart.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I learned so much about William and Ida McKinley. It's been a long time since American History in high school! Getting a sense of the culture of the day, the worldwide climate, and the political intrigues was fascinating. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Now while this is the second book in the Hope and Glory series and it can be read alone please do yourself a huge favor and read book number one and the upcoming book three as well. You'll love yourself for it and have a clearer understanding of the story as it progresses.
After discovering this author's books she has become an automatic must buy with each new publication .
No matter the historical subject she chooses to write about she goes about it fully armed with exquisitely done research which I absolutely love.
In my opinion the more detail historically given about a subject the better.
I love to learn from what I read and her historical fiction is chock full of unknown to me information which is always fascinating to learn. Historically accurate to the time period you will appreciate being thrown back to a time period without cell phones to distract us, where people actually talk face to face to come up with a solution.
The character development is genuine and you will definitely be in for some surprises you hadn't seen coming as you progress in your reading of the book. You may want to shout a warning to a few characters for the actions they are about to take, if only they could hear you though!
Faith,adventure,heartbreak,danger and intrigue await your reading within these pages, so what are you waiting for, start reading now!
Anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!

Published June 2nd 2020 by Bethany House Publishers.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

#A Gilded Lady# by Elizabeth Camden is the second book in the Hope and Glory series. Elizabeth has won the Rita and Christy awards. Before she wrote books she was a librarian in small and large libraries. She writes historical fiction that takes place during the Gilded Age. The story takes place during the Gilded Age. The setting is Washington, D. C. The story takes place during President McKinley's presidency. The book is well researched. The author uses true details to show the reader what life was like during his presidency. The characters and settings are well described. Thank you to the publisher, netgalley and the author for allowing me to read and review this well written book. I really liked the book. I liked learning about President McKinley's presidency. The opinions are my own and the hope the book is successful.

Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. But beneath the facade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she's hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason.

Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president's Secret Service team. He is immediately suspicious of Caroline despite his overwhelming attraction to her quick wit and undeniable charm. Desperate to keep the president protected, Nathaniel must battle to keep his focus fully on his job as the threat to the president rises.

Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel will face adventure, danger, and heartbreak in a race against time that will span the continent and the depth of human emotion.

Set in the opulence of the White House during the Gilded Age, A Gilded Lady is a delightful tapestry of faith, romance, familial love, and political intrigue. Camden captured the sense of time and place beautifully and filled this story with rich emotions so tangible you feel them yourself.

Caroline was introduced to us in The Spice King. She is now firmly entrenched as the secretary and personal assistant to Ida McKinley. It was interesting to see how they treated her as both a daughter and almost a slave, albeit a valuable one. She worked seven days a week and, when needed, around the clock. Her duties covered everything from helping Ida pick outfits for events to planning teas and balls to helping to prevent her from saying things that would embarrass the country!

I was fascinated to learn about Ida McKinley, the general perception of her as such an abrasive woman, and about the medical condition that caused her so much pain and grief. It was also amazing to see her relationship with the Major, as she called her husband, William McKinley. I also loved the insider's glimpse of day-to-day life in the McKinley White House.

Nathaniel was a contradiction. An amazing detective and student of human nature, working in the Secret Service, and yet a sensitive artist with a heart that was filled with remorse and guilt over events that had occurred over twenty years earlier. Despite knowing God in a personal way, he had trouble accepting that his sins were truly forgiven.

Caroline's twin, Luke, was still in prison in Cuba for treason. Despite their older brother's thoughts that Luke was guilty, Caroline is convinced he was not and fights diligently to get him pardoned. I just have to say, I can't wait to learn more of Luke's story! I just know that I am going to love him even more!!

Speaking of Luke, I loved the birthday gift that he gave to Caroline every year and the way he managed to still give it to her, despite being a thousand miles away. And in prison. And her in the very secure White House! He had taught Caroline courage when she was afraid of everything and had a heart of gold. Yeah, I can't wait for his story!

Lovers of Historical fiction will not want to miss A Gilded Lady!

In A Gilded Lady, Elizabeth Camden takes readers inside the White House through the eyes of the staff.

Caroline Delacroix is secretary to the first lady, and Nathaniel Trask has been tasked with the President’s security. And despite every effort to resist the draw to each other, these two are brought together repeatedly.

Camden has a unique way of presenting history to her readers, and A Gilded Lady is no exception. There’s another plus in this book. Caroline is not the most likable character in the previous book and her socialite status didn’t endear her to me in this one, I saw the compassion and intelligence behind the façade.

I am looking forward to Luke’s story and learning more about the relationship between Caroline and her twin brother.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I love Elizabeth Camden’s novels with their unique and often personal glimpse of history. The Spice King, first book in her Hope of Glory series left me hungry for the next book and A Gilded Lady certainly did not disappoint. It is such a treat for each of the Delacroix siblings to be featured in a book of their own.

Sister Caroline is the featured sibling in A Gilded Lady. I will admit that I did not like her very much at first but like Nathaniel Trask, I was soon able to see past her outer façade to the loyal and caring person she often kept hidden from the public. Nathaniel was also a bit of a cold fish at first with his stiff, serious demeanor and his dedication to duty. What fun it was to observe the changes in each of them over the course of their relationship. Of course it was inevitable that the two would be thrown together and for some inexplicable reason find the love of their life in each other.

Along with a developing romance, readers are served a wonderful behind the scenes peek into life in the White House during the McKinley Presidency, especially how hard the staff works in order to keep things running smoothly and the difficulties involved in protecting the President and his family. The contrast between security during the McKinley era and the present day was amazing. Of course any book by Camden would not be complete without a bit of danger and/or intrigue to round it out. A Gilded Lady definitely met the criteria with several surprises along the way.

I am an admitted lover of book covers, especially those that are creative and well done. I was particularly impressed by the way the cover designer created the covers to fit together so well. You can get an idea by looking at the covers side by side at http://elizabethcamden.com/books-by-elizabeth-camden/. Then be sure to pick up copies of both books if you can. You will not be disappointed.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author through Bethany House. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

"She was the least popular first lady in history, and Caroline had been hired to help correct that image" (location 100). I didn't know this about Mrs. McKinley. It was so interesting getting a glimpse into the life of the people around the first couple who tried to keep things running smoothly and to keep them safe. I appreciated that Camden showed a more rounded picture of Mrs. McKinley. She showed her sweet intimacy with her husband and her affection for Caroline, and didn't just focus on her negative attributes.

Caroline is an amazing woman. She is tirelessly working to keep Mrs. McKinley from saying or doing inappropriate things and to try to win a pardon for her imprisoned brother, Luke. She is a vibrant, caring, fun, strong woman. She's a bit of a wild card so it's especially interesting that she falls for a by-the-book rule-follower like Nathaniel. It's easy to see they are good for each other as well as how they could have a lot of friction between them. There was a scene over the phone that was so beautiful and romantic.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and this series. I'd highly recommend it. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Hope and Glory Series:
Book 1: The Spice King
Book 2: A Gilded Lady

This is book two in the Hope and Glory series, The Spice King is book one. I feel this is somewhat of a stand alone book, however, you miss a lot of history if you jump right into this one. By reading The Spice King you get to know the Delacroix family.

This novel will focus on Caroline Delacroix. She finds so many ups and downs and sparks with the handsome secret service agent Nathaniel Trask.

I love the writing style of Elizabeth Camden and look forward to book three, if there is one.

I have really enjoyed this series by Elizabeth Camden and loved that we got to read more about Caroline (who was introduced in the first book) in this novel. No one writes banter and romance quite like Elizabeth Camden and I greatly enjoyed the development of the characters and relationships in this book. The novel also contains an element of mystery, as secrets are slowly revealed and there are several surprising twists and turns. I liked the spiritual aspects woven among the story. The history is well researched and rich in its details. This book does contain an interesting timeline as part of it overlaps the first book, so to get the full story, I do recommend reading these books in order. I very much enjoyed this book and highly recommend the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Elizabeth Camden always puts me in a state of complete awe after each book of hers.
I loved this beautiful tour of the White House, White family and their staffs.
It was beautiful to really look into the personality of Caroline. The author introduced her briefly in book 1 The Spice King. She was truly a delight beneath the glam and glitter, she was a strong, independent, purpose driven and to a fault loyal. Caroline is the kind of person you'd want in your corner fighting your cause. I admired how she navigated the white house and her duties even with the difficult first lady with grace and poise. It was her fearlessness that endeared me to her especially with the uptight Nathaniel. He had a lot of baggage and put duty before everything else until he met the delightful and bubbly Caroline.
I loved how they came together to do great things. Their opposite characters complemented so well. They are my fictional power couple.


If you love stories of espionage, suspense, intrigue, life in the white house you'd love this book.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

I did not read the first book in this series before reading this one and it read fine as a stand-alone (though maybe it would have been even better in order? Chronological is my preference anyway, so I’ll definitely go back and read the first book in the series).
I really enjoyed the characters and the action in this story. I especially love reading historical fiction that surrounds events I don’t know (or don’t remember) much about and, through reading said books, I gain a desire to go learn more about those events. This book did that and I appreciated the historical note at the end.
I liked the ending, though I hope we get to hear a little more about the main characters and the continuation of their lives in the next book. I’m very much looking forward to that book because I loved the character Luke. He is amusing and charming and a little bit devious and I hope that book makes me laugh a lot, like a few of his lines did in this book.

My Thoughts: I felt right at home with this novel. It had the perfect blend of romance and history. Camden blew me away again by her intense research, but also in the way she weaves these facts into the novel in a natural way. I found life in the White House and the work of the Secret Service fascinating and a great highlight to the story.
The spiritual thread contained some great tidbits but Caroline's spiritual growth wasn't very clearly displayed. She changed things but ... I'm not sure her heart toward God had changed. I would have liked more clarity there.
The romance was clean and the chemistry was spot on. Then there's the wider picture of the Delacroix family, namely Caroline's twin brother. Between the chemistry, history, and the slow unraveling mystery, A Gilded Lady was a book I couldn't put down.

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving A Gilded Lady 5 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy Chrisitan Historical fiction.

~ I received a copy from Bethany House through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden takes readers back to the early twentieth century in Washington, D.C. where President William McKinley is running for his second term. Caroline Delacroix is the personal secretary to Mrs. Ida McKinley. Caroline has worked to make herself indispensable because she needs to ask President McKinley a large favor. Nathaniel Trask is an agent with the Secret Service. His new assignment is design and implement a security system for the White House plus the protection of the man who occupies the oval office. Nathaniel is distrustful of Caroline especially when he learns what her twin brother, Luke has done and where he is currently residing. Nathaniel finds it difficult to remain distant with Caroline when he is attracted to her and enjoys spending time in her company. Nathaniel needs to remain vigilant during these tumultuous times if he is to keep President McKinley alive. He soon finds himself working with Caroline to protect President McKinley and his wife. A Gilded Lady is the 2nd novel in Hope and Glory series. While this historical novel can be read on its own, I recommend reading The Spice King first. Hope and Glory focuses on Gray, Caroline, and Luke Delacroix. The Spice King featured Gray with A Gilded Lady focuses on Caroline. I thought A Gilded Lady is well-written with complex characters. Caroline is a fashionable woman who comes from a wealthy family. I was happy to see that she has matured since The Spice King. Caroline was hired to improve Ida McKinley’s reputation and help her with her numerous social engagement (prevent faux pas). Caroline is a strong woman who is determined to help her twin brother, Luke. Nathaniel is a man who follows the rules, does not drink alcohol, and notices every detail. He is the perfect person for the job at the White House. Nathaniel lost someone close to him many years ago who he was to protect. It continues to disturb him causing nightmares. While Nathaniel is a rule follower, Caroline believes that rules were meant to be broken. They are a perfect pair as they balance each other. The romance builds slowly throughout the book which I like. Caroline’s faith has developed and expresses it openly especially with Nathaniel. The pair pray for support when they need it. The author mixed fictional and real historical figures beautifully into A Gilded Lady along with new inventions, current fashion trends, and historical events. A Gilded Lady blends strong characters with action, intrigue, drama, and romance into one engaging story.

I really loved reading this book. I loved the history of how the secret service became better at protecting the presidents and their families. I loved Caroline and Nathaniel. It was interesting to read about the goings on behind the presidency. I have never read any books about this particular time period before. I hope to read more of this time period. I really enjoyed the twists and turns. I did not want to put this book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

The setting for this novel is lush and vibrant. I know very little about the presidency, especially McKinley’s, but I feel as if I learned a lot. From the incredible preparations for state dinners and inaugurations, to security techniques and precautions of the day, to the way the White House staff lived in dormitory-style housing, readers are transported to another time for sure. I found it both made me glad to live today and a bit nostalgic for what was a simpler time for most people.

Caroline is a strong female character, perhaps one of the strongest that I have recently read. She is determined, passionate, and even ruthless in her pursuit of what she wants, yet she maintains a femininity that keeps her relatable. I also liked how Nathaniel recognizes the differences between arrogance and her fierce determination; we all need someone who sees us as we truly are rather than painting us with a wide brush.

Nathaniel is a wounded hero and I loved him for it. Tragedy marks his life, and makes him reluctant to be responsible for others even as he is amazing at his job, limiting what he feels like he can do when others see potential for much greater assignments. I enjoyed being inside his head as he observed those around him, feeling like I was able to view history through a real set of eyes.

The romance between them is a slow build, but with hints of chemistry throughout. Mostly an opposites attract kind of relationship, the way these two interact make for compelling and gorgeous moments all along the way rather than making the reader wait until the end for a big emotional payoff. I enjoyed it all the way through.

With outstanding historical detail and a swoon-worthy romance, I highly recommend this novel for those who enjoy romance or who have an interest in the history of the US presidency. Fans of light suspense or family drama will also find this a worthwhile read, and it is a given that fans of Camden cannot pass this up. I do recommend reading the first book in the Hope and Glory series before this one as many minor threads carry through, but readers can understand the majority of the story without having done so.

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher but was under no obligation to post positive remarks. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

#TheGildedLady #NetGalley

I love Elizabeth Camden's descriptive writing style, I loved the first book, in the series, The Spice King and the second book is every bit as good as the first. Caroline Delacroix, lives a life that is unlike any in her time period, being the personal secretary to the first lady, Ida McKinley. Caroline does much behind the scenes for the first lady, planning activities that involve Ida McKinley. Living in the White House, is not all that it seems, sharing a dormitory with nine other women and having little spare time. Caroline is a twin and worries about her brother Luke, who is in prison, she tries to hide this fact from the outside world, hoping that her close relationship with President McKinley, will grant Luke a pardon. Caroline also meets the new head of security, Nathaniel Trask, he is a rule enforcer and she has always been one to break the rules rather than follow them. This book was a great historical fiction with romance and suspense.