A Gilded Lady is the absolutely fantastic second book in the Hope and Glory series set in the dazzling world of Washington D.C.’s Gilded Age. Fans of the first story - The Spice King - will recognize the heroine as a secondary character in that volume but you don’t need to have read that novel to enjoy this one.

Caroline Delacroix loves her job as secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley. Mrs. McKinley can be irritable, demanding, and rude, but Caroline has become adept at smoothing over situations when her boss is ill-mannered, and in keeping the first lady happy enough that such events don’t often occur in public. A glamorous, beguiling heiress, Caroline has always been a darling of the haut monde and she loves that she is using her societal acumen to serve her country. That’s not her primary reason for putting in long hours at a thankless task, however. Her twin brother Luke has been accused of treason - has even confessed to the crime - and is currently sitting in prison awaiting trial. Luke’s only hope for evading the hangman’s noose is a presidential pardon and Caroline is determined to do whatever it takes to obtain one for him.

Secret Service Agent Nathaniel Trask is not a bodyguard. He has put his artistic skills and desire to serve justice to good use by working as a counterfeiting expert. Having just wrapped a highly successful - and highly public – case, he’s been offered a promotion, although he’s unsure what that could be given he already holds the top position in his division. When his supervisor tells Nathaniel they are moving him to the White House to serve as the newly appointed head of the president's Secret Service security team he resists. He has no desire to work in such a high stakes capacity, but a recent uptick in assassinations of heads of state has the country on high alert.  It’s believed that Nathaniel’s eye for detail will help him teach the Capital’s guards how to spot a potential killer.

When he is introduced to the presidential staff, he is immediately attracted to Caroline’s breathtaking beauty, quick wit and undeniable charm. Throughout the following weeks she impresses him even more with her strong work ethic, calm demeanor, and her self-deprecating sense of humor. Nathaniel is nothing if not meticulous however, and he quickly learns that Caroline has a traitor for a brother.  Determined to do his job whatever the personal cost, he tries to have her fired. The President and First lady refuse. At first, Nathaniel is deeply irritated with them for taking this needless risk - surely there are other women without traitorous brothers  who could plan teas, garden parties, and balls - but as he gets to know Caroline he realizes just why everyone considers her irreplaceable.

Nathaniel and Caroline’s early courtship was a complete delight to read. Nathaniel is very straight-laced and likes to do things by the book. He takes his duty very seriously and can be quite abrupt when trying to get people to cooperate with the new security rules he instigates at the White House. His interest in Caroline blindsides him and he struggles to figure out how to respond to his feelings while also doing his job to the utmost of his ability.  I loved the moment when he discovered the two were compatible:

This feeling of being stretched beyond his limits was becoming more common, and oddly, Caroline Delacroix was the best remedy. The moment she came into view, he felt grounded and energized by a spark of electricity that jolted him back to earth.

Caroline takes her position very seriously as well, but she has an innate gracious charm, fun loving nature and ability to soothe the feathers of awkward people that serve her well in her job - and with Nathaniel. It would have been easy for them to be combative since Mrs. McKinley dislikes the precautions Nathaniel insists upon and since he considers the situation with Caroline’s brother a huge security risk, but that doesn’t happen because of her lively, clever and delightful character. Most times, she can turn their arguments into witty banter with ease and when she can’t, she excels both at holding her own in their verbal sparring and at keeping it civil. I really dislike when a hero and heroine go for the jugular in arguments, but here they both say their piece without tearing the heart out of the other.

Caroline is more than just a sweet, soothing presence in a world of chaos, she’s also an extremely competent individual. The Mckinley White House demands impossible things from its employees and she rises to the challenge:

Find a way had been the refrain for weeks. Whether it was how Caroline could serve a four- course luncheon in half an hour, find lodging for six hundred visiting diplomats, or stable two thousand horses, the answer was always the same. Find a way. She had.

I thoroughly enjoyed the romance. There’s humor, sweetness, camaraderie and joy in it that tugged at my heart throughout. I just loved both characters apart and together.

Caroline’s brothers Gray and Luke are significant secondary characters in the tale. Gray and Caroline work together to try to free Luke from prison and even visit him in Cuba in order to achieve that end. Gray was the hero of book one (The Spice King) and he is the same wonderful, caring, honorable man in this novel that he was in that one. We get to know a bit more about the daring, dashing Luke here, and I was very pleased with how the author handles his portion of the storyline.

Ms. Camden is an expert at weaving absolutely fascinating history into her stories, and here she invites her readers into a rarely discussed time and place.  Learning of Mrs. McKinley’s cantankerous personality and the epilepsy from which it stemmed was deeply interesting and I loved how it provided an opportunity to explore the role, rights and obligations of the First lady.

I also loved reading the details about evolving Presidential security, how the White House staff lived and what the campaigns were like before being revolutionized by radio and TV. We also encounter various historical figures and learn a bit about Cuba and the important role it played in the politics of the time.

Ms. Camden typically sticks to light references to God and benign theology in her novels and that is an absolutely wonderful way to weave faith into a tale without losing the focus on the romance. The story’s inspirational factor is simple, sincere and fits with the time.  It doesn’t overwhelm the reader or become preachy.

A Gilded Lady is filled with mystery, romance, richly drawn characters and fascinating American history. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a heartfelt, sweet and emotionally gripping tale.

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I really enjoyed this view of McKinley's presidency, and I appreciated the historical notes included by the author to clarify which parts of the story we're historically accurate. I did find myself tempted to Google the event that I knew was coming, to see when/where it was going to happen, but I resisted in order to let the novel's suspense build at its own pace.

Caroline was a complicated character, and it was interesting to watch her internal process as she tried to balance a difficult first lady, a potential relationship with a guarded man, and the drama of her twin brother in a Cuban prison.

I am looking forward to continuing this family's story in the third installment to come!

4 stars

A Gilded Lady tells the story of Caroline, the next of the Delacroix siblings in this series. In typical Camden fashion, romance was a dominant theme here, with a slow build. I quite liked Caroline. She was perfectly classy yet humble and rather resilient. I loved and hated Nathaniel all at the same time. Philip was an intriguing and a welcome addition. I think there could another book in the series just on him!
The McKinley administration is depicted in this novel, which I found quite refreshing since this is an era often overshadowed by JFK. I would say political intrigue was my favourite aspect of the storyline. It was creatively done and maintained my interest throughout. However, I felt that Caroline’s level of involvement with the Secret Service and the McKinley administration a bit unrealistic. Overall. this book was a step above book one. I look forward to reading Luke’s story in book 3!

A Gilded Lady is the second book in Elizabeth Camden's Hope and Glory series. While the first book- The Spice King- is a great book and worth the read, I do believe this book could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. There is a large focus on Luke's imprisonment and of course Caroline's job in the White House, both of which were introduced in the first book, but enough background is given that it could likely still be enjoyed regardless.

A Gilded Lady picks up not long after the previous book and gives us a better look at Caroline's role as secretary to the first lady, Ida McKinley. While the story is fictional, the backdrop is based on true historical events-- President McKinley's cross country train trip and assassination, for instance. I love the author's way of sharing about these real events and introducing other real characters in history that perhaps aren't as well known (I wouldn't have known them to be real people outside of the author's note at the end)--- all while telling a fantastic romance on top of it as well. I loved the story of Caroline and Nathaniel... they were quite different in many ways, but had a great chemistry that leaped off the pages. As much as I enjoyed the first book, I found that I enjoyed these particular characters even more.

I also enjoyed getting to find out more of Luke's story, as I'm sure readers who read the first book will be as well. There are so many great layers in this story--- with romance, mystery, family drama and so much more! All of these elements worked together wonderfully to keep me reading on.

Overall, this is a fantastic read and one that fans of historical romance are sure to enjoy. I cannot wait to see what comes next!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

A Gilded Lady is another beautiful book by Elizabeth Camden. I can always count on learning a lot when I read her books. This time I discovered so much about the McKInley administration, specifically Ida McKinley. When I realized Nathaniel's job as secret service agent to the president would probably be hard I was sort of bracing myself for what was coming, knowing history. Having read up on the McKinley's I felt like Camden did a pretty accurate job representing them. In her fashion there was also some suspense as Luke's story from the first novel carried over into this book. A lot was revealed and set up for the next one which I can't wait to read. I loved Annabelle so much in the first book, and wasn't sure I"d love Caroline after the way she was portrayed, but I actually enjoyed her story immensely. I feel like Camden is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors. I feel like though her books are "christian" that anyone who isn't a Christian would still get a lot our of the book, and not feel preached to at all because faith is such a natural part of the characters, but super subtle. I appreciate that because I wouldn't mind recommending it at all to friends. Looking forward to the next one in 2021! In the meantime I'll be reading others written by her.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is the second in her series Hope and Glory. When I began this book I didn't realize it was second in a series, but after reading it without the context of the first book, I believe it is easily understood separate of the series. After the first few chapters of this book I was unsure if I would thoroughly enjoy it. It took a little time for me to understand the characters as well as the time period in which this book is placed; however, as I read further into the plot, I was impressed by the way that the historic context was used to further develop the characters and serve as excellent plot twists. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this work by Ms. Camden and the excellent way she portrayed her characters.
Caroline Delacroix certainly holds a high position in American early twentieth century society as secretary to the first lady, Mrs. Ida McKinley. Caroline enjoys her important and difficult role along with the glamour, status, and adventure which it brings. Although Caroline's life seems perfect to the outside world, she has a closely held secret, which if it came out could threaten her position and jeopardize her much-loved family.  Caroline's brother is being held in a Cuban jail on charges of treason, which carries the death penalty!  Already dealing with this difficult situation, Caroline's otherwise perfect world is thrown into disarray after an assassination on a foreign leader, which leads to heightened security for the white house and the first family.
With the drastic changes to White House security, comes the arrival of Nathaniel Trask, the new head of Secret Service for President McKinley.  Nathaniel is a very meticulous and dedicated national servant, and seeks to keep the president and his family safe from the many threats.  Although Caroline and Nathaniel initially disagree about nearly everything, their suspicions and disagreements slowly turn into a very interesting friendship and partnership in protecting the first family. Nathaniel and Caroline face many dangers, challenges to their faith, difficulties that threaten their relationship, as well as heartbreak and hope.  This is an excellent tale full of adventure, history, love, and suspense. I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy this book.
Disclaimer: Bethany House Publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and part of an unbiased review.

A Gilded Lady is the second book in the Hope and Glory series. It can be read as a stand alone. The cover is stunning and would have caught my eye if I was unfamiliar with Camden. However, I am a big fan of Elizabeth Camden and I always find myself eagerly anticipating her newest novels. That being said I had a hard time getting into this novel. I sort of felt like I was being talked at and wasn't becoming immersed in the narrative. I almost stopped reading a couple of times in the first half, but Elizabeth Camden's track record for greatness kept me reading. Things became very interesting and exciting during the second half of the book so I am glad that I persevered.

I was struck by a couple of things in this book. Nathaniel Trask is an expert in the field of counterfeit identification. He says...."when looking for counterfeit bills, you don't study fake currency, you study the real thing....only be being intimately familiar with what the real thing looks like can I spot the fakes." For me this parallels the importance of knowing and reading your Bible in the Christian life so that we can spot truth from untruths that just sound pleasing to the ear. Forgiveness and letting go of our past was also a major theme running throughout this book. Even though we make mistakes, we are unconditionally loved and unconditionally forgiven we only need to accept the free grace that God offers each one of us.

For me, the first book of this series was more enjoyable than the second, but I still think this one is worth reading based on the excitement of the second half. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

A Gilded Lady will be available for purchase from your local or online book retailer June 2, 2020.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free advanced reader copy of A Gilded Lady. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Meet Caroline, secretary to the First Lady, rebel of rules (and younger sister to Gray from book one in the series) . Also meet Nathaniel, newly appointed head of security for the president, a "by-the-books" guy. As Caroline and Nathaniel's responsibilities intertwine, their personal lives also mix as they learn to trust and believe in one another in the midst of difficult responsibilities, family dynamics, and job responsibilities. This book will keep you guessing until the very end as you are drawn into the daily lives of both Caroline and Nathaniel. This book grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very end. Great story and fantastic finish to this series!

Glamour, Excitement & Love!

Caroline is the secretary and constant companion of President McKinley’s wife, Ida, who causes everyone to cringe. Other than the president, Caroline is the only one who can calm her. Caroline works seven days a week, sleeps in a crowded dormitory, and endures Ida’s sharp tongue hoping to get a presidential pardon for her brother, Luke.

Luke is imprisoned in a Cuban jail, where he is regularly beaten, starved and lives in deplorable conditions. Mysteriously, he has plead guilty to treason, but Caroline doesn’t believe it. She frantically works to release him.

Nathaniel has been brought to the White House to be in charge of security, and he is suspicious of everyone. Caroline is attracted to him, but is afraid if he learns of Luke, he will push her away.

You will be swept up in espionage, danger, and murder, along with glamorous events at The White House, and the exciting 1901 Pan-American Exposition. When facing hard situations, characters get strength from their faith. This tale is so endearing you will not want it to end.

I highly recommend this 5-plus star book. This will be enjoyed by those who like riveting tales with sprinkles of romance.

Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, A Gilded Lady, for the purpose of review.

Elizabeth Camden has masterfully crafted yet another historical novel that transports you completely back through history. The details and descriptions that were written in this story allowed the reader to really visualize the time period. Reading this books was like getting a private tour of the Whitehouse during the McKinley administration and it was fascinating! Caroline and Nathaniel were such a great match. They were equally intelligent and their interactions were always filled with sparks and an undeniable chemistry. The mystery behind Caroline’s brothers imprisonment is a prominent issue in this book and the events that take place at the conclusion wrap up this storyline perfectly, while also setting up the next novel! I cannot wait to see where this series will go next!

Elizabeth Camden has become one of my favorite authors over the last few years. Her novels are always so smart, yet filled with tender romance, and are highly entertaining. Her Hope and Glory series has been my favorite offering from her.

Having read and loved The Spice King, I had already made up my mind about Caroline Delacroix. In the first book of the series, she seemed like a brat and I really didn’t care for her. But reading about her in A Gilded Lady showed a whole different side of her and cast her in a very different light. She really was a smart woman with a strong personality and a kind heart beneath the façade of a shallow party girl. Her dedication to First Lady Ida McKinley was heartening and inspiring. Not many people would have been able to work as closely to Ida McKinley, nor with such devotion as Caroline did. I also loved how dedicated she was to her brother, Luke. No matter how bleak things looked for his future, Caroline never stopped believing in him and was always willing to do everything in her power to help him. This gave Caroline more depth and transformed her from a character that I really didn’t care for to being a heroine I rooted for.

As for Nathaniel, I thought he was a decent character with noble intentions, but he didn’t stand out as one of my favorite heroes (Gray Delacroix still remains my favorite Camden hero!). Still, I thought he was a good balance for Caroline, seeing as he’s a bit more level headed.

Another thing I love about this book is how it incorporates real historical facts. This is a hallmark of Camden’s novels and it always sparks more interest in me for the periods her books are set in. Reading about Mr. and Mrs. McKinley in this book was fascinating and I loved reading about Caroline’s experiences in the White House on the early 1900s.

A Gilded Lady is a treat for historical fiction readers. I loved it and can’t wait for the next installment in the series!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Many thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is the second book in the Hope & Glory series. It gives us a closer look at Caroline Delacroix, sister of Gray (The Spice King, book one) and the twin sister of Luke, still stuck in prison.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is the second book in the Hope & Glory series. It gives us a closer look at Caroline Delacroix, sister of Gray (The Spice King, book one) and the twin sister of Luke, still stuck in prison.

One of the reasons I like historical fiction so much is that I know I will always learn something. Elizabeth Camden has managed to take a fictional cast of characters, meld them with real ones (President McKinley's administration) and make it all seem so real that you want to start searching the history books about Caroline Delacroix's relationship with Ida (the President's wife). I know she isn't real, but the author did an excellent job of making me think she was. This book is rich in historical detail and again - very convincing. Kudos to the author!

I loved the behind-the-scenes look at how things might have been run in the White House in the 1900s. And while the romance between Caroline and Nathaniel was moving, I was more curious about the President and his wife, Ida. What a love story! However, Caroline and Nathaniel's story will definitely keep you up at night.
​
As for the faith element, it was there, but it wasn't central to the plot. And what a plot! So many things are going on, you will be hard-pressed to put this book down.

​I look forward to book three!

I received this book courtesy of Bethany House, through NetGalley.

I have been waiting so long for this book! I read (and LOVED) The Spice King last summer, and have been so excited for this release.

A Gilded Lady is the second book in Elizabeth Camden's Hope and Glory series. The series follows the wealthy Delacroix family in Washington DC.

Caroline Delacroix works as personal secretary to the First Lady of the United States. It's a difficult job, but she has a secret motive.

Her twin brother, Luke, is being held as a traitor and spy in a Cuban prison. His only hope for release is a presidential pardon. Caroline will stop at nothing and spare no expense to get her brother release.

Nathaniel Trask has served in the Secret Service for years chasing counterfeiters. Now, he's been asked to lead the security detail for the President of the United States. Nathaniel doesn't want the job, but isn't given a choice.

Caroline and Nathaniel's paths cross in their respective positions, and they clash constantly. But they are drawn to each other, too. 

Can they look past their differences to find a future together?

As I read A Gilded Lady, I found myself being so annoyed with Caroline. I really didn't like her character at all. Then, I remembered that when I read The Spice King, I didn't care for Annabelle, either.

But, somehow, I rooted for them both to get their guy, and by the end of the book I was a fan. I think it's great to read stories about people who see the world differently from us. 

I related more to Nathaniel's character. Rule-follower all the way! Watching his character grow and change was a favorite aspect of this book.

I always enjoy a book that teaches me more about history, and this one did just that. I had to google President McKinley and his wife to see if what I was reading was true.  

If you remember American history better than I did, you'll probably guess where this story is going--I did not!

You could probably read A Gilded Lady without reading The Spice King first. But DON'T! They are both really great books. And now I have to wait another year for Luke Delacroix's story. I know it'll be worth the wait!

Elizabeth Camden has done it again. A Gilded Lady is the second book in the Hope and Glory series. And what an interesting story she has written.

The White House. Who doesn't become enthralled with the inner workings of the Presidents home. And in this story, Caroline Delacroix is secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley. She is classy, efficient, out spoken and strong. She is able to handle the irritability of Mrs. McKinley, and yet walks by her side as a calming voice to the anxious First Lady.

Nathaniel Trask is a most interesting character. He reluctantly hires on to protect the President, and his sense of duty carries him to provide security in the most dangerous situations. As we follow along with the President's tour of the country, and the tragedy that followed, I found it difficult to put the book down.

The blossoming of their relationship was a beautiful tale in itself. Camden has a way of using words and mind pictures that draw you into the story. She is a master story teller, with thorough research of history. Although Caroline and Nathaniel are fictional characters, you could almost imagine there certainly were some people that filled these positions.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story is set in the summer of 1900, primarily in the DC area, with Caroline employed as the First Lady’s assistant. First Lady McKinley is a difficult person to deal with at times, on top of her health issues, but Caroline loves her job. Nathaniel Trask love solving criminal schemes who’s given a job working on improving security at the White House. The story follows Caroline and Nathaniel’s work in the White House, along with a few others, including George C, Philip, John Wilkie, Sullivan, Holland, Gray, Annabelle and Luke. A story that pulls you in quickly, gives you glimpses of what life may have been like in the White House during that time along with Caroline’s spunk and Nathaniel’s by the book demeanor make for an engaging tale right up to the end.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Camden weaves history and emotion into a compelling read. A Gilded Lady is the second installment in the Hope and Glory Series.
Caroline Delacroix’s story is one of sorrow and joy. As a very young girl Caroline and her twin brother watched as her mother tumbles down a flight of stairs to her death. This instilled fear of everything in her life. Her twin brother, Luke, helped her overcome her fears. So years later when Luke finds himself in prison for an unthinkable act she will not give up, she believes in his innocence. With her position as secretary to the irascible First Lady, Ida McKinley, she does everything she can to win a Presidential pardon for her brother. Caroline also has a huge heart for women who are struggling for a better life. Her unflappable spirit to never give up shows through when she tells the laundress, Ludmila, that “it’s the hard things in life that makes us most proud.”
Nathaniel Trask who works for the Federal Bureau of Investigations has led a difficult life. His mother ran off when he was young and then a few years later his father died leaving him, a teenage boy, in charge of a six your old sister. His dedication to take care of his sister Molly and find a better life for them drove him. When Molly dies at a young age he has a hard time escaping guilt. Because of his feeling of failure to Molly he balks when asked to take over the security of the President of the United States. In the end he takes the assignment with the promise he can go back to his love of investigating forgeries. Meeting Caroline and letting her into his life is one of the more difficult things he has to do but also one of the most freeing. Caroline reminds him you mustn’t let your failures define you and reminds him he is unconditionally loved and unconditionally forgiven.
History is made up of not just events and facts but also people and emotions. Elizabeth Camden knows how to intertwine historical events with fictional characters to create a compelling story. She shows you what life was like during a period of time so far removed from today you will not want to put the book down.
The publisher provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Elizabeth Camden's books and this one is no different. Strong heroine, fascinating look at a slice of history I don't know a ton about, spies, family and country loyalties and a fabulous romance all rolled into one. What's not to love?

This was an interesting historical novel about the President McKinley and his wife Ida.
President McKinley was the 25th President of the United States.

Caroline is working for Ida as Secretary of the first lady. Ida McKinley suffer from anxiety, irritability and is
epilectic. Caroline is the one who is able to help her, calm her and organize her activities.
Nathanael Trask is hired to protect the President and is going to live at the White house and meet Caroline.
Though at the beginning they were some clashes between them mostly regarding Caroline twin brother Luke imprisoned in Cuba for
treason, little by little their relationship will grow deeper.

I like the fact that it is inspired by real people President McKinley and his wife. The author penned an interesting story around
this couple. Caroline is a strong woman fighting for the liberation of her brother in Cuba and in the same time dealing with
Ida mood swings. She also has a vision for women to be able to have an education and work.
Nathanael is a man devoted to his work, his encounter with Caroline is going to bring something new in his life, despite his failures he is
going to realize how much he is loved by God and that he has to live fully and open his heart to receive more.

What a great story! A Gilded Lady is about the secretary of the first lady, Caroline, and her journey with the first family. She meets and falls in love with the head of presidential security, Nathaniel. All goes well until the president is assassinated. Nathaniel has a hard time dealing with this, and Caroline is dismissed. Then there is spying in Cuba, where Caroline's twin brother is imprisoned. Fascinating story that kept me on the edge of my seat!

I was so excited for Caroline’s story after reading The Spice King and A Gilded Lady was as good as I had hoped!
Elizabeth Camden did an amazing job combining her fictional story with real historic events. I so enjoyed the fact that I learned so much about President McKinley and his wife while enjoying a fictional love story! Caroline and Nathaniel are a true opposites-attract story, but it is beautifully done.
My only complaint is that I have to wait over a year for the next book in the Hope and Glory series!