A Gilded Lady

“Memories crowded as she watched him walk away. They had been living in a gilded age but hadn’t realized it until it was over…Her heart was full to the breaking point, for echoes of that gilded age would live with her forever.”

In A Gilded Lady, the second installment of her Hope and Glory series, award-winning author Elizabeth Camden creates a fascinating historical fiction novel filled with faith, romance, and patriotism. Elizabeth Camden is a master at taking relatively unknown parts of history, such as the presidency of William McKinley and the revamping of the Secret Service, and weaving an intriguing tale of politics, treason, and sacrifice. Portions of this storyline run concurrently with events from The Spice King, the first book in the series, so it is helpful to have read it prior to reading A Gilded Lady to get the full backstory of the characters.

After the assassination of a foreign head of state, charming and strong-willed Caroline Delacroix, secretary to the First Lady, and rule-following Nathaniel Trask, the new head of the president’s Secret Service, find themselves working in close quarters together at the White House. Meanwhile, Caroline is also on a mission to save her beloved twin brother Luke from charges of treason.

Elizabeth Camden is one of my go-to authors for historical fiction, and her Hope and Glory series is my favorite of hers. The Spice King was on my Top 10 List of 2019, but I enjoyed A Gilded Lady even more! The intriguing characters and action-filled storyline will keep readers captivated until the very last page.

“Yes, Luke had always been the naughty one, but he was also charming and generous...He had demons inside, and it was anyone’s guess if he’d be strong enough to conquer them now that he had a new lease on life.”

Ever since reading the first book in the series, Caroline’s brother Luke Delacroix has captured my interest with his charming personality, his recklessness, and his powerful determination and strength. His portrayal in A Gilded Lady has solidified his place as a favorite character of mine. Now I am eagerly anticipating Luke’s story in the third book in the series, The Prince of Spies. A Gilded Lady is highly recommended for readers of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

“While her corner of the world was shrouded in darkness, she needed to remember that somewhere the sun was shining.”

The Gilded Lady is book two in the Hope and Glory series, Elizabeth Camden's newest series. I absolutely adored book one, The Spice King, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of book two!

The Hope and Glory series follows three siblings--Gray, Luke, and Caroline Delacroix. Of course, the sibling aspect has major appeal to me. This book follows Caroline's story and picks up either directly after Gray's story, or even a little before. It continues Luke's story from book one, and the suspense of that storyline had me on the edge of my seat! I loved the sibling relationships and loyalty.

Caroline is a very intriguing character, much different from me, but I found her relatable nonetheless. Her job as the first lady's secretary was fascinating to read about and I loved the history aspect. Nathaniel Trask, Caroline's counterpart, was also a very well-rounded and interesting character. His strong moral compass and sense of duty was endearing, even if you did want to slap him on occasion. I love the pacing of Camden's romances, particularly in this series. The characters fall in love relatively early in the series, but it never feels rushed or unrealistic. The ups and downs the relationship goes through throughout the rest of the book is also very realistic and makes for some heartbreaking moments as well as some comedy.

Camden's sense of humor that shines through in both her descriptions and word choices as well as her characters is one of the things that makes her books so fantastic! Another thing is the rich history Camden includes. I always learn something from her novels, without ever feeling like I'm getting a dry history lesson. The up-close view of McKinley's presidency was fascinating, and knowing Camden's books, I can count on the historical information to be entirely accurate and completely researched.

Caroline and Nathaniel's story wraps up, leaving the opening for the continuation of Luke's story in book three, which I will be eagerly anticipating! If you love rich historical fiction with deep characters and sweet romance, you definitely need to check out the Hope and Glory series! I cannot recommend Camden's book enough.


FTC Dislocsure; I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Caroline Delacroix is the personal assistant to First Lady Ida McKinley in 1900, and has her hands full with the demands placed upon her by her job. In addition to juggling the first lady's social events and schedule, she now has to deal with new White House security measures put in place by the new chief of security, Nathaniel Trask. As their views about safety precautions clash, a spark of something more begins to grow into undeniable attraction. When Nathaniel learns that Caroline's brother is imprisoned in Cuba, charged with treason against the U.S. government, tensions increase even further. As 1900 spins into 1901 and President McKinley's fateful cross country train trip is initiated, will Caroline and Nathaniel be able to withstand the coming tragic events which unfold? Will their faith in God be shaken?

This fascinating novel, set in a volatile time in United States history, provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life at the White House during the McKinley administration. The historical notes from the author after the conclusion of the book provide insights into which portions of the story were based on fact and which details were fictionalized. This work would be an excellent addition to any library's historical fiction collection.

After falling in love with the Delacroix sibling dynamic in The Spice King, I could hardly wait to continue their story in A Gilded Lady. (Note: read this series in order) The Spice King ends with Luke still in prison and his twin sister Caroline holding animosity towards their older brother Gray's love interest (now wife in A Gilded Lady).

Those two themes continue through this book, and were subplots that I found almost more interesting than Caroline's developing love story. Elizabeth Camden's strength has always been finding unique places in history and bringing them alive; in this case, the McKinley administration. I love history, and I found it fascinating to imagine along with Camden what daily life in the White House would have been like in 1899. We even get a cameo glimpse into the Roosevelts as their place in history begins, which was super fun.

Caroline is a woman who's overcome most of the habits of her wild youth and is now a force to be reckoned with as Ida McKinley's personal assistant. She's a go-getter who gets things done with grace and poise, but her weakness is the two brothers she adores and who need her to use her position to save their family. She quickly attracts the rather stuffy new head of security, the rule-following Nathaniel Trask. Nathaniel is good at what he does, but in the moments that mattered most in his life, he failed on a large scale and daily lives with the consequences.

Things I loved about this book were the unique storyline and characters, the humor (intercom on the train, anyone?!), and the fact that you really didn't know what the characters were going to choose to do until the end. Nathaniel and Caroline are so different from each other, I had no idea how they would make a relationship work and the extent that each one of them would willing to give for the sake of the relationship. Because admit it, while a life partner should definitely be someone who helps fill in the gaps, it also requires a great deal of giving, and Caroline and Nathaniel are both characters who aren't likely to budge for anything. I liked that this was a relaxing read with no really hateful villain blackening the mood. And on a personal preference level, I liked that after Caroline's time at the White House ended, she admitted that she was tired and didn't rush into another career; she seemed to me like someone who would have been likely to do that, and I liked the humanity of a character as strong as she prioritizing self care over a career for a period.
My cons for this book again are personal preference: I felt like I was on the outside looking in on the romance and did not feel connected to it at any point in the book, and while faith did play a role, God didn't have as strong of an influence in these characters' daily lives as other, favorite Christian fiction.

I will be the first in line to get my hands on Luke's story when it comes out; I can't wait!

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Another thoroughly delightful book by Elizabeth Camden! I'm loving this Hope and Glory series beginning with The Spice King, and now A Guilded Lady. Right off the bat, I am drawn into the whirlwind life of Caroline Delacroix living in the White House as secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley and Nathanial Trask, head of President McKinley's secret service team. The story is so intriguing, and all the characters in the main story, as well as those in the several side stories, are well developed and entertaining. Her characters and story stay with me long after I finish the book. Elizabeth Camden has a beautiful way of writing that puts you right in the story, making it easy to imagine life in the guided age. I found it so interesting to think about how things were done in our country in that time period compared to now. I could not put the book down! Stay tuned at the end of the book for the Historical Note, for a great place to learn more about the history in the story. I am really looking forward to The Prince of Spies, Book Three of the Hope And Glory series releasing next year. I highly recommend A Guilded Lady if you'd like to escape into a completely engrossing historical fiction story by the incomparable author Elizabeth Camden.

I didn't realise till the end of the book that there was really such a person as President McKinley. There was also a person by the name of Ida McKinley, his wife! (I am not American and am only vaguely aware of American history)

These facts sent me to look up on these two characters that are portrayed in The Gilded Lady to see how much of the stories about them were true. My goodness, I must say to me the most touching romance in the book was the one between the President and his wife because it really happened. It seems that the President's devotion to his wife was very real.

Elizabeth Camden has once again captured history and made the historical characters come alive in her books.

I enjoyed The Gilded Lady, much more so than The Spice King. It was nice for a change to read about a female protoganist who's charming, confident and sometimes cheeky.

Looking forward to the third book!

Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House for the ARC. This is my honest review.

The Gilded Lady is the second book in the Hope and Glory series. I have not read the first book yet (insert gasp, as I hardly ever read books out of order) but I was super excited to receive a copy of this book. I actually did not feel like I was missing important information because I did not read the first one. So if you happen to pick this one up you should be okay. That being said I will be reading the first in the series before the third one comes out because that's just how I roll!

The Hope and Glory series follows siblings Gray, Luke and Caroline Delacroix. The Gilded Lady is mainly about Caroline but it does have her siblings as well and it definitely ends perfectly to introduce Luke's story which will be the last in the series.

This book is set in the time of President McKinley and the beginnings of the Secret Service revamping itself to provide more protection not only to the president but for his family. In this story Caroline Delacroix has matured into a no-nonsense, go-getter. She is the First Lady, Ida McKinley's secretary, right hand woman, confidant and friend. And this is very evident in all the responsibilities she holds in her job. You can tell that she is definitely more than just a secretary.
We meet straight laced, rule follower Nathaniel Trask who is the new head of the Secret Service. He has a tragic past that he carries with him and it is the main reason why he's so determined not to fail at anything he does. Being in close quarters at the White House he can't help but notice Caroline and fights his attraction to her to no avail. I loved the "slow burning" relationship they have going. Camden definitely lets you go through the ups and downs of it and it was lovely. It definitely gets you to be invested in their relationship and you feel as if you know them personally.

One of my favorite lines from their conversations (and there were a few) " ...I've learned a few things over the past month. Life is short. We can't know what it holds in store for us, but I won't ever take you for granted again." Gah!! Insert heart eyes!! This is so romantic and so true!!

While the whole romantic plot is going we also encounter Luke, Caroline's beloved twin brother who is in jail in Cuba for treason! What an awesome twist in the story. Loved how this brought some intrigue, mystery and suspense to the story. The way it develops and unfolds is great and I will not delve into it because you need to enjoy it like I did! But it was great! It also gives the perfect continuation for Luke's own story which will be in the next book! I for one cannot wait to learn more about him and see what happens!

I have found very few authors that write historical fiction that I absolutely love and Elizabeth Camden is always at the top of my list when it comes to this genre. You can tell that she does her research well and I appreciate that about her. If you enjoy historical fiction then this is definitely the book to pick up! I for one cannot wait until her next book!

In A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden we follow Caroline Delacroix as she navigates the White House as secretary to the First Lady, Ida McKinley. We’ve met Caroline in The Spice King and I really admired her! She’s very feminine with a vibrant personality and knows all about fashion, but she also is fierce, stubborn and very protective of her loved ones. She isn’t afraid to tell everyone what she thinks and can navigate all social contact and events with grace - and with admirable organisation skills to put together said events. She’s the only one who can calm Ida when she has a spell, as Ida has a very difficult personality, and Caroline is revered by the White House staff because of that.

Enter Nathaniel, a handsome, honorable, silent and very rule abiding secret service agent with a hidden artist soul and we definitely have an opposites attract situation. And oh, what a situation it is! We’re talking fireworks! I laughed so hard at the lobster scene... I loved how they talked a lot and were a comfort to each other snd that they both became a better person because of the other.

Mild spoiler for book 1 alert!

What I love about Elizabeth Camden, it’s not just about romance. There are so many important other plots going on! We have Luke, Caroline’s twin brother, who’s still in prison and somehow refuses all legal help they can get... The complicated relationship between Caroline and Ida, and meanwhile Caroline also tries to help set up an immigrant school. And there’s the White House politics, which I loved! It was so much fun getting insight into this world, and I love how inventive the Secret Service was with limited resources. And Nathaniel has a really interesting background in spotting forgeries. It was also a pleasant change that Caroline disliked Annabelle, the main character in the previous novel. I absolutely get why, and this somehow makes her such a more layered person.

All in all, this was a worthy sequel to my favorite book of 2019: The Spice King. The only downside is that we didn’t get much of Gray, aka my book crush. But it’s a sequel so it’s not about him however much I would want it to, lol! This book can be read as a standalone, but I don’t recommend it, because you’ll miss a lot of background information. I can’t wait for the third and last book about the Delacroix siblings!

I received a free e-copy through Netgalley, thank you Bethany House, but all my opinions are my own!

Elizabeth Camden is the queen of Gilded Age-era novels. She’s written some fantastic stories, and A Gilded Lady is no exception.

Set against the backdrop of the McKinley administration, Camden entwines real-life events in the White House with the fictional storylines of Caroline and Nathaniel.

Camden packs the story with romance, intrigue, and plenty of emotion. After reading the first book in the series, The Spice King, I was interested to find out what would happen to Caroline’s twin Luke. His imprisonment has a large impact on Caroline throughout the story. I won’t spoil anything, but you do find out what happened and why he’s in jail. He provides the largest motivation for Caroline in the story, and I liked seeing their bond and learning more about Luke.

Nathaniel’s tragic backstory also provides his motivation, and what a humdinger it is. His stoic personality rubbed me the wrong way at times, but I appreciated his loyalty and sense of duty. His adherence to the rules balances out Caroline’s rebellious and impulsive nature.

Their relationship is well-developed, even with the bumps in the road. Spanning the novel over a year helped develop their relationship and make it realistic. I liked seeing their personalities clash at times then finally work together.

The intrigue of the story, though, held my attention the most. Between Luke’s dilemma and the constant pressure to keep President McKinley safe, this book was hard to put down.

Once again, Elizabeth Camden has crafted a novel brimming with strong characters and rich historical detail that won’t disappoint. If you love historical romance, you’ll love A Gilded Lady.

Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

(Review will go live on the blog on May 29 at 5:00 PM)

Having read and enjoyed the first book in the Hope and Glory series, The Spice King, I looked forward to reading this book about Caroline Delacroix, the sister of that book's main character. Caroline worked for the first lady, Ida McKinley, and needed her powerful connections to help her other brother escape imprisonment in Cuba. Among the people she met while working in the White House was Nathaniel Trask, who was in charge of keeping President McKinley safe. Caroline and Nathaniel felt an immediate attraction, but there were so many other things demanding their attention and their personalities were so different. I love the way the author reveals details about her character's backgrounds a little at a time. Things that I had questions about were answered in later chapters, yet they led to more questions constantly pushed me forward. I love the way her characters think. I love the way I always learn so much about different times and situations in history. Other than being an Ohio girl, why would I pick up a book about William McKinley and savor all the information? I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the trilogy!

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the publisher through #netgalley, but my opinions are my own.

Another stunning novel by Elizabeth Camden! I just adore this series. Not only do I love Washington, D.C. and all it’s amazing history, but this is my favorite time period in American history, as well. I always learn so much! This story gets us up close and personal in the William McKinley White House and takes us on cross-country tour of America in 1901. I love Camden’s strong, intelligent heroines, and brave, strong heroes. Each character is so unique and the plots are like none others. I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the third in this series.

A GILDED LADY by ELIZABETH CAMDEN is an intriguing historical romance novel that takes place mostly in Washington and describes the political climate of the time. It is the second book in the Hope and Glory series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. However both novels are excellent and I strongly suggest that you read them in sequence.
With the assassination of King Umberto of Italy, Nathaniel Trask is sent by the Secret Service to redesign a new security plan at the White House and protect the president and first lady. He is strict and serious about his job, especially as he is riddled with guilt about what happened to his little sister when he should have been looking after her. He feels like a failure, in spite of the fact that he has uncovered quite a few counterfeiting rings, being an expert engraver.
He meets the beautiful Caroline Delacroix at the White House, where she looks after the very difficult and ailing Ida McKinley, and is frustrated at first with her free spirited approach to life. No one would ever guess that she is desperately trying to help free her twin brother, Luke, from a Cuban jail, where he is being held for treason.
I love the way the author describes these two hardworking and hurting people, and their interaction with one another and the other characters in the book. It is a thrilling story, with a really good Christian message. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

A delightful read! i really enjoyed the setting of this book with Caroline working in the White House for Ida McKinley. I loved getting a "behind the scenes" look into the White House and the assassination of President McKinley.

The love story was just so so for me at the beginning, but by the end it was giving me the feels!

I have had trouble enjoying the last couple of books by Elizabeth Camden who is a favorite author of mine, but this book lives up to the previous books that I have enjoyed from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is the perfect blend of history, romance and intrigue. It's going on my list of favorite books of the year!

Caroline Delacroix is a fun-loving socialite who comes to life in her role as secretary to demanding First Lady Ida McKinley. She's a hard worker, but complete opposite of strait-laced rule-follower Nathaniel Trask. He's on temporary assignment to the Secret Service to improve White House and presidential security. Let the sparks start flying! Their amusing banter had me laughing, "I only have eighteen inches of wardrobe space in the ladies dorm," she defended. "I can hear the angels weep."

Camden gives readers a glimpse into life in the White House at the turn of the century and a behind the scenes view of the inner workings of the Secret Service. In typical Camden style, both insider views were so fascinating I found myself looking up facts surrounding each historical event.

One of my favorite lines was Caroline's affirming declaration, "You are unconditionally loved. Unconditionally forgiven. You are a child of God, deserving of more credit than you're giving yourself."

The overall theme of the story is found in two quotes, "Forever is now only today." and "Any day could be our last, but God never promised more. Only a time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance...". These thought provoking quotes are an encouragement to not spend life always planning to live and putting things off, but to truly live each and every day to its fullest.

An added bonus to the already wonderful story was the suspense and intrigue surrounding Caroline's brother Luke. He is the epitome of the mischievous bad boy character turned good and I can't wait for his story to unfold in The Prince of Spies next year.

I appreciate an ecopy of The Gilded Lady being made available by Bethany House Publishers through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Book #2 in the Hope and Glory series is another wonderful walk through history. I always feel as if I am transported back in time experiencing part of the history the story portrays. Ms. Camden’s writing grabs you at the start and keeps you glued to the book until the end. The story is quite believable, characters are well developed and with enough suspense and romance to keep the story moving. This is another winner.

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!

A Gilded Lady
By Elizabeth Camden
5 stars

The 2nd book in the Hope and Glory series, A Gilded Lady was a fascinating look into the White house during the McKinley era.
Caroline is secretary to the president's wife when she meets Nathaniel, now head of security of the White House. Their romance was carefully played out and I felt by the end of the book they had truly gone through things together and knew each other. In some other people's novels the main characters meet, fall in love just because they are there.
The plot was in my opinion her best and fleshed out yet. We follow along as the McKinleys are trying for a second term and as Nathaniel doggedly try to protect people who dont want to be protected. There is espionage, intrigue, and politics. I would suggest reading the first book in the series before reading this one to get a fuller story.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is a delightful glance into the world of President McKinley's life. While Caroline is a secretary to his wife, Ida McKinley, it was nice to see their relationship even among the numerous struggles being a president would bring to a relationship. The plot was intriguing and fascinating. I love the Luke storyline, which took place in Cuba and Washington D.C. Camden's research shines on the pages of her stories but comes alive through the characters and settings. I enjoyed these characters, and I can't wait to see what the third book will entail. In conclusion, fans of Elizabeth Camden's writing or historical romance based loosely on true events or characters should pick up this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden through Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

This book is pure delight!

Elizabeth Camden is truly an exceptional author. I believe part of the reason is that she weaves the mundane into her story -- in the case of "A Gilded Lady", it was the intricacies of working in the White House and within the Secret Service. And, sure, this seems like signing up for an adventure but Caroline actually gets bored to death as soon as the new head of security Nathaniel Trask starts listing all the ways an assassin or anarchist can sneak into government premises.

Nathaniel loves nothing more than breaking the latest criminal scheme. But charming and pompous Caroline Delacroix. might be an unsolvable mystery. He is sure she is hiding something and doesn't trust her. Nevertheless, her grit and courage to face off the president, his wife, and an army general when needed also prove a heart more beautiful than any of the jewelry she loves to adorn herself with.

Now to impatiently wait for Luke's story and hope Philip will also get a book ;-)

The right-hand lady to First Lady McKinley, Caroline has learned to manage Mrs. McKinley’s wildly swinging moods and how to function in high society. After Caroline’s brother Luke was jailed on charges of treason at the end of book one, Caroline has been trying to cement her importance to the First Family, in hopes of getting her brother a pardon.

Nathaniel Trask has recently been promoted to head of the president’s security team after some European assassinations make the country want to tighten their own security. As he begins taking stock of the current state of affairs, he researches the present staff and discovers there’s something shady about Caroline’s family.

As I’ve come to expect with Camden’s novels, I learned new vocabulary words, was introduced to a specific historical setting that I didn’t have much previous knowledge of but is relevant to how we live modern-day, and enjoyed a fun romance. The characters’ romance seemed a little rushed towards the end, to tie it all up to a happy ending, but I loved the peek into that historical time period and much of my focus went to that anyway.

Thank you to Bethany House and Net Galley for providing me with an electronic copy of this book to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own and were not required to be positive.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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.

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.

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.

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.
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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!

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!

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.

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.

I love Elizabeth Camden's historical fiction, and her new book is no exception. She presents historical figures with all their faults and foibles, as well as their perfections and predilections. Her newest book is in the second in the Hope and Glory series. I think one more book will come out of the series.

A Gilded Lady presents characters who are as close to American Royalty as any could be. Caroline Delacroix works as the secretary of First Lady Ida McKinley, who is known for her irascible behavior, poor health, and her unfiltered mouth. Caroline often has to run interference for Mrs. McKinley to keep what she says from being offensive.

During this time in history, a group of men have decided that the President needed a security detail, and Nathaniel Trask is given the task to set up the Secret Service, and put the protective detail in place. He is also trying to get a counterfeit group

Nathaniel and Caroline butt heads frequently. Nathaniel is a rule follower, down to the letter, and Caroline is such a rule breaker that Nathaniel feels compelled to keep a close eye on Caroline. But that close eye required a high price in the cost of their hearts.

Caroline has a secret that could cost her everything she holds dear. Her brother is in a Cuban prison accused of treason against the United States. Caroline even goes to the President to get him pardoned and released. He refused to do so because of the political cost it could accrue.

Elizabeth Camden does her research and writes her characters well. Her settings and plot movements are spot on, and her history is accurate and only adds to the charm of her writing. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a filter for a first lady's mouth.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

An exhilarating story of love, intrigue, and faith from Elizabeth Camden! Camden flawlessly weaves together a story with incredible historical detail that never takes the reader out of the story, but rather greatly enhances the reading experience. Camden’s multidimensional characters and their adventures are equally thrilling. I am EAGERLY awaiting Luke Delacroix’s story, coming in 2021, and I encourage readers to pass the time until then by reading this incredible series. 4.5/5 stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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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Elizabeth Camden provides such interesting details in her historical fiction, and this book is no exception. From the beginning, I was totally drawn to the look at how things worked behind the scenes in President McKinley's White House. Both Caroline's job as the First Lady's secretary, and Nathaniel's, tasked with fixing presidential security issues, were really interesting. Add in Caroline's struggle to help her brother Luke, imprisoned in Cuba, accused of being a traitor, and the plot is just great before even adding in the romance! While I'm much more like Nathaniel (very serious and bound by rules) than free-spirited Caroline, I found both to be delightful characters and really enjoyed seeing their blossoming feelings for each other. I'm very much looking forward to the third book in the series.
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed book 1 of this series, and book 2 didn't disappoint. In A Gilded Lady, we get to enter the world of the McKinley White House. As I've come to expect from Elizabeth Camden, the characters are well developed, the story is interesting, and the history is well researched. I always learn new things. This book had politics, espionage, and romance. The theme of forgiveness was strong. It was a solid volume 2, and I'm looking forward to the third

This story follows fast on the heels of the closing of book 1 (though readers won’t have too many issues without having read the first). Caroline Delacroix has assumed her position in the White House as the secretary to the First Lady.
I quite enjoyed this story, though it didn’t string me along quite as much as The Spice King. The Gilded Lady gives readers insight to the inner workings of the White House during President McKinley’s presidency and Cuban occupation. The Secret Service is in its infancy and heavily involved in the plot lines of this historical fiction.
Our heroine is passionate about saving her twin brother Luke, who was charged with treason at the end of book one. Luke is still in a Cuban prison and refuses any aid that Caroline tries to send. Readers learn how presidential pardons worked at the time and receive insight to the delicate relations between America and Cuba.
Nathaniel Trask is our hero who is in charge of revising the security at the White House and protecting the president. He has demons of his own to battle which interfere with his job.
Caroline and Nathaniel make quite the pair, and readers can’t but help to root for both of them.
Characters were likable and descriptions vivid, pulling the reader into an enjoyable experience.
Another great inspirational historical fiction by Elizabeth Camden.
I look forward to reading the third installment of the series.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I only review books that strike a cord with me and this one was a zinger. I was fascinated by the unknown history for me about the secret service. The author did a great job developing characters that I liked, and some she did a great job making them unlikable.. The elements of sibling issues, loyalty, faith, bit of mystery and romance made it fascinating. Good insight into what it might have been like dealing with a demanding first lady, opposites attraction and chaos of orchestrating all the elements of a White House staff. A good story. Thanks Net Galley.

Caroline Delacroix has the unenviable job of being the personal secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley. Mrs. McKinley is deeply devoted to and reliant on her husband, but a public relations nightmare in that she has little guard on what she says and no clue about how to entertain visiting dignitaries. That’s where Caroline comes in. Her job is to run interference, set things up so Mrs. McKinley can succeed, be a companion to the woman, and smooth things over when the First Lady is too ill because of her epilepsy to attend social events. And Caroline likes her job. She’s good at it. Though it does have its headaches. A new headache arrives in the form of Social Security agent Nathaniel Trask who is revamping the President’s security. It seems that he is bound and determined to make things more challenging for Caroline and her job. And she is really worried what he’d do if he found out she had a brother who’s in a Cuban jail and confessed to treason. (Though Caroline is really hoping she can get Luke out of the horrible spot he’s landed in.) Nathaniel does not want to be there doing this job. He knows Wilkie only put him there because he is the best, but he’d much rather be chasing down counterfeiters than running a security detail. A past failure haunts his dreams and being in charge of someone else’s welfare makes things worse.

President McKinley is not a President who comes up much in books except in stories of assassinations. Camden does a great job of making the man and the times he presided over as President come to life. It is really interesting to learn more about him, his wife, life in the White House before there was even a West Wing, and things that were going on politically and in the government at the time, like Cuba after the Spanish American war. I’ve learned several things about US History from this series that I’ve never heard about in any detail before. Yes, the book is fiction, but Camden has obviously done her research. Caroline and Nathaniel’s love story has great resonance for the present. They are two people who live and breathe their jobs, and making a relationship work in the midst of that isn’t easy. They are also both dealing with past hurts and need to learn how to best help each other through those things. It’s a great role model for modern couples to make the effort to learn one another’s love languages, hang ups, annoyances, and a reminder that this takes time, effort, and sometimes really hard work. Their story is different for the time period they are set in, but I liked it quite a bit. I was not surprised by how Luke’s story developed. I had my suspicions ever since the first book and it was nice to have them affirmed. It isn’t often that I enjoy a second book in a series more than the first, but that was most definitely the case with this book. I devoured 90% of it in one sitting today. Caroline was much more fun to hang out with than Gray (though I suspect he’d be the first to admit that), and I loved learning more about the little obscure bits of the McKinley presidency. Highly recommended for Christian historical romance fans, and obscure history fans, and plucky main character fans.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a couple kisses. Two shootings are mentioned (wounds very minimally described if at all), mistreatment in prison is mentioned, someone suffers serious burns, a past drowning and fatal fall down stairs mentioned. One character struggles with quitting a smoking habit, but eventually succeeds. Consumption of alcohol is mentioned.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

“Forever is now only a day.”

Elizabeth Camden is a new-to-me author and a gifted writer. I will definitely read her other books. This is the second book in the Hope and Glory series. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down. I love how she made a compelling story around the life of US President McKinley and First Lady Ida McKinley. Facts intertwined with fiction. I looked up Pres. McKinley’s life while reading this book. The author’s historical note at the end is good.

I like how passionate Caroline’s character is. She is very efficient in her job, loyal to her family and is willing to wait for her beloved. I like Nathaniel. He is very serious with his job but is cute when he gets distracted by Caroline. The scene with the Delacroix siblings in prison is very moving to me. Family love, loyalty, the grand parties, politics, mystery and crime make this book a must read. 5 stars

Thank you #netgalley and @Bethanyhouse for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Now this is the second book in this series that I have read, and this is Caroline's story, and what an amazing one, and yes, it helps to have read the first book, but you could read this one alone Itis historical in nature, so I knew part of the outcome, and unfortunately the past can't be changed!
Caroline is now working in the White House as a secretary to First Lady, Ida McKinley, and she is working constantly, she will make you breathless. They sure seemed to have a love hate relationship, but I could just picture some of the things that went on, like putting on make-up and getting ready for galas and meetings.
If you read the first book, you will remember her brother Luke, and maybe his book is coming, but he is in dire circumstances here.
There are some surprises that come to light, a bit of romance, and a theme of forgiveness!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Book 2 in the author's "Hope and Glory" series, featuring Caroline Delacroix (Gray Delacroix's sister from Book 1). It opens in the early 1900's where Caroline is working very hard as First Lady Ida McKinley's personal secretary. Her twin brother Luke has been arrested for treason in Cuba. Caroline is convinced he is innocent but since Luke has pled guilty and refuses any assistance from her or Gray, she decides her only recourse is to pursue a presidential pardon.

When Secret Service Agent Nathaniel Trask is brought into the White House to create a security plan for President McKinley, immediate sparks fly. Although he specializes in counterfeit detection, his level of attention to detail combined with his deeply principled conscience makes him perfect for the job. Chased by old demons, Nathaniel is not sure if he can trust Caroline but is insanely attracted to her.

It is clear this book was incredibly well researched. The historical events are moving and commanding; the author manages to combine depth of character with humor, sorrow, truth telling, Godly wisdom, witty repartee....it's all here in one book - an excellent story that also entertains!

You will enjoy this much more if you read "The Spice King" before diving into this one (and they are both exceptional). I can't wait for Book 3!!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been awhile since I picked up an Elizabeth Camden book, and A Gilded Lady is a great reminder of what U like about her work. While I did not read book one, I feel for the most part it does function as a stand-alone, although I do think it would have made the appearances of the recurring characters feel a bit more relevant.

I love a story that writes about historical politics in an intimate way, and exploring the lives of President and Mrs. McKinley through the eyes of a Secret Service agent and the First Lady’s secretary was fascinating. And given that McKinley is one of the four presidents who was assassinated throughout US history (and the assassination is a plot point in the book), I like how this book explores the poltical tensions both at home and abroad, especially with mentions of other similar tragedies that were occurring at the time, as well as Camden’s note at the end about how the asdassination itself impacted Secret Service procedures going forward.

Caroline is a compelling character. While I got the impression, both from other reviewers who read book one and the depiction of tension later in the book between her and Annabelle (heroine of book one), I felt that, beneath the charming facade, she had a good heart, especially with her focus on saving her brother. And her relationship with the moody Ida McKinley is a sweet one, with Caroline calming her in times of trouble.

Her stubborn, yet charming nature makes for great interactions with Nathaniel, who is set in his ways and very by-the-book. Seeing them grow past their differences and learn from each other is incredibly rewarding.

I very much enjoyed this book, and look forward both to catching up with book one and continuing with book three. If you love sweet/inspirational historical romance, I recommend this one highly.

I could not put A Gilded Lady down. The second installment of the Hope and Glory series continues with the Delacroix family as they try to navigate the dangerous political climate of Washington DC. Caroline Delacroix is the secretary to the wildly unpopular and difficult First Lady of the United States, Ida McKinley. But beneath the facade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, Caroline is 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.

I absolutely loved all the true historical figures and events. I did not know much about President McKinley. If you would have just given me his name, I don’t know if I’d even be able to tell you if he was a president. Now, I am brimming with interesting and endearing information about the 25th president of the United States. Despite Ida’s difficult nature, McKinley and his wife were very much in love. He picked flowers for her every morning. When elected for the second term, McKinley went on a train tour of the United States from DC to California and attended fairs, visited farms and ranches, and more. And as you may have already known, he was assassinated during his second term. In love with his wife, he told those around him to gently tell his wife that he was shot. Heartbreaking!

When I started A Gilded Lady, I was a little conflicted with my feelings towards Caroline. In The Spice King, I honestly did not like Caroline’s character. She seemed frivolous and shallow. She also greatly detested Annabelle Larkin, the protagonist in the first book, and the animosity continues in the second book. However, I began to appreciate and love Caroline’s character as the story progressed. Although she can be frivolous, she is also caring and greatly generous. Where I misinterpreted shallowness, she actually has incredible wit and courage. If given a dating resume for her, I would have never of chosen Nathaniel. Caroline is charming and dynamic, and Nathaniel is quiet and pensive. However, his stability, sense of duty and honor, work ethic, and intellect was perfect for Caroline. Ironically, Caroline describes her brother Gray as being dull and boring, I actually think that Nathaniel reminds me a lot of Gray, neither of which can be characterized as such in my mind.

You will need to have read The Spice King in order to read A Gilded Lady. The first two books in the series could almost be written as Part 1 and Part 2. The first book completes the story of Gray and Annabelle and provides a lot of foundation and support for book 2 which continues the Delacroix family’s pursuit to exonerate Luke.

A Gilded Lady will be released on June 2nd.

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
***5 Stars: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop, Desire to Re-read

I received an arc from Netgalley of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

This story centers of Caroline Delacroix, secretary for the First Lady McKinley. Her twin brother had been recently arrested and she deals with this while working night and day to keep up with the demands of the fastidious First Lady. Recently hired secret service agent Nathaniel Trask is immediately suspicious of he because of her connection to her twin brother’s situation. However these two must come together and work together to protect the president and the First Lady.

The relationship between Caroline and Nathaniel is both charming and infuriating. The relationship is sweet and you want to root for them but the obstacles that prevent them from fully being together drove me crazy. However that made the payoff all the sweeter. Th historical details in this story made this a particularly rich plot.

A Gilded Lady
by Elizabeth Camden.

This book is excellent! Thanks to NetGalley for providing the ARC for me.

Elizabeth Camden is one of my go-to authors for historical fiction, and her Hope and Glory series is my favorite of hers. The Spice King was on my Top 10 List of 2019, but I enjoyed A Gilded Lady even more! The intriguing characters and action-filled storyline will keep readers captivated until the very last page.

I will recommend this one to our historical fiction readers.

I found this to be a wonderful book. When I first started it I was captivated by the writing but also by the inside look into not only society but the White House as well. This is the first lady that I didn't know a whole lot about except for the fact that her husband was assassinated.

Who would have thought that a first lady would be so unique and full of trials? I loved all the characters but Caroline and her twin were my favorite. She was so steadfast to his innocence.

Caroline definitely had a gift for keeping the first lady under control and I loved how it talked about her stepping in and taking over certain duties when she was indisposed. I didn't realize that the personal secretary would do that or ever had done that.

This was a wonderful book that I was captivated by. I had to keep reading to find out what came next and now I can't wait for the next book so I can find out what comes after. There are more characters that I need to know what happens to them and where they go in life!

Highly recommend you read this book and do it soon!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley.. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

"We can't control the seasons in our lives, only how we respond to them. God planted eternity in our hearts, a longing to find meaning in the world."

Elizabeth Camden has an uncanny ability to make history come alive through her writing as she perfectly melds historical events with beautifully crafted fiction. This second book in the Hope and Glory series takes the readers to a completely different world from agriculture, spice procurement, and world traveling found in the first book The Spice King to the glittering and dangerous world of domestic and international politics found at the White House during the McKinley administration. The series should really be read in order because the heroine's motivation for her actions stems from what happened at the end of the first book. Infused with fascinating historical details, deeply-layered and complex characters, surprising turns in the plot, and gentle reminders about God's forgiveness and His timing, A Gilded Lady will captivate your heart and mind. It's a must-read for any fans of historical fiction.

Caroline, our heroine, is a privileged society lady who becomes the First Lady's secretary and works tirelessly to help Mrs. McKinley, mostly out of love and duty but also to try to gain a presidential pardon for her twin brother sitting in a Cuban jail. She's fun, organized, utterly charming and delightful but is weighed down by her fractured family. Nathaniel is the top counterfeit detective in the Secret Service assigned to revamp the president's security detail. As a somber, diligent, dedicated rule-follower he clashes completely with Caroline but neither can help the attraction nor the friendship that blooms between them. Caroline and Nathaniel are quite engaging, as is their relationship. Through their eyes, I learned a lot about the McKinleys and felt like I was right there with them through the presidential campaign and their country-wide tour.

Now I'm holding my breath for book 3 The Prince of Spies to learn more about Caroline's elusive twin brother Luke!
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and author; I was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Book Two of Elizabeth Camden's Hope and Glory series focuses on Caroline Delacroix, sister of Gray whom we met in The Spice King. Caroline is the personal secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley. Her main duty is to calm the first lady and help her negotiate society's rules and expectations, not an easy job given Mrs. McKinley's temperament. The job became more difficult when Secret Service Agent Nathaniel Task came on board tasked with creating a plan to secure the president's safety beginning with a new list of rules to comply with. Elizabeth must hold on to her job and the McKinley's affections as a presidential pardon may be the only thing standing between her twin brother and a death sentence.

A Gilded Lady contains a lot of true history within the fictional drama. It also contains danger, mystery, and romance. The story is very well written, as are all of Camden's works. I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

(4.5 stars) - Love leads us to want to want to give our all & to be better than we are

Book 2 of Elizabeth Camden's Heart and Glory series. It provides enough info that it can standalone but isn't really designed to

Normally when I read I jot down notes for my review, but this was one of those where I just didn't want to stop reading for anything!

I really loved both Caroline & Nathaniel. They had so much going for them, but at the same time, also had very human flaws that made them more real & believable

There's a lot to engage the reader emotionally, but one of my favorite parts is when Nathaniel gives Caroline the only thing he has on hand of value because he wants to give her a gift:

“Here,” he said. “My first little gift.”
“Are you sure?” She touched her fingers to [it] . “I know how much it means to you.”
“That’s why I want you to have it.”
Actually, he simply wanted to give her something, and [it] was the only thing he had on hand."

This is a sweet, seemingly small gesture with what became a poignant symbolism & foreshadowing that stayed with me till the end. Love leads us to want to give our all & to be better than we are for our beloved!

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic

*Religion: overtly & explicitly Christian, but in a way that is organic to the story

I was swept away to The White House in the early 1900’s. Between the First Lady’s secretary and the head of security for the President, I was thrilled to learn behind the scenes details during the McKinley administration. Camden’s amount of research is evident and much appreciated as history comes alive making this story so rich. The wonderful characters in this series make the story come together in an exciting way, with a little bit of mystery. Of course, each of the main characters has lessons to learn and the choices they make to determine the life that they want. A Gilded Lady certainly can be read as a stand along, but book 1 is certainly worth your time as well. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Another winner for Elizabeth Camden!

The storyline is detailed elsewhere, but suffice it to say It’s a very interesting one! The Delacroix family is represented In this book, second in a series, by Caroline, secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley, and her twin brother, Luke. The plot includes White House dinners, a presidential train Tour of the U.S., and, sadly, the president’s assassination.. Luke is imprisoned in Cuba and Caroline and older brother Gray are working to get him released. Caroline and Secret Service Agent Nathaniel Trask work together in the White House and are very attracted to each other.

How does it all turn out? You really need to read and find out. Excellent!! 5 stars!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

Buy This Book
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.

I loved this brand new historical novel by Elizabeth Camden. The entire story was beautifully crafted and well written. With history and a little bit of romance, I was intrigued the entire way through the book.

Set during in the early 1900s, Caroline Delacroix enters the story as the first lady’s secretary. I absolutely loved how Camden mixed her fictitious characters into history as if they really are in the history books. Though this is book two in Camden’s Hope and Glory series, it can be read as a stand alone novel. Caroline’s goal is to find a way to rescue her younger brother from being tried as a traitor of the United States. Her only way of doing that is to get the president to pardon her brother. With her brother in jail for treason this makes her a prime suspect for Nathaniel Trask, the newly appointed secret service agent hired to make the president and his family safe. Camden always does a great job with her main couples and these two were no exception. Let the sparks fly!

The descriptions and the details in this story were incredible. With only a couple of words into the story I could imagine the setting and characters. Oh, and all the costumes too! ( :

So overall, very enjoyable historical fiction. Highly recommend! Definitely looking forward to book three!

Book two in Elizabeth Camden’s Hope and Glory series features the irrepressible Caroline Delacroix, Washington socialite and personal secretary to Ida McKinley. Caroline loves her job, even if it means dealing with the difficult First Lady and living in an uncomfortable dormitory on the top floor of the White House. More importantly, her job offers hope to get her twin out of jail in Cuba.

Caroline’s twin, Luke, has sat in a Cuban jail for months, and for some mysterious reason fires all the lawyers his brother Gray hires to represent him. Caroline worries about his health and knows in her heart of hearts that although he pled guilty to treason, he didn’t betray his country. She only has to convince President McKinley and obtain a presidential pardon.

Nathanial Trask, the nascent Secret Service bureau’s best counterfeit detection agent, receives the unwelcome task of establishing better security in the White House—for a President who doesn’t want to bother with security. His duties bring him into contact with Caroline Delacroix, the rule-flouting personal secretary to the irascible First Lady.

Sparks fly, especially when Caroline seems to hide important details from him, details that could endanger her or the President’s family. The sparks have a personal nature, as well, with both Nathanial and Caroline drawn to their polar opposite.

Why I Loved this Book

Camden weaves delightful tales with suspense, humor, and fun historical facts. She develops the main characters fully and gives them real-life problems, phobias, and prejudices. Caroline and Nathanial both wrestle with forgiveness—one in forgiving her sister-in-law for causing Luke’s arrest, and one in forgiving himself for not preventing a tragedy.

Readers who love Jen Turano and Jody Hedlund will enjoy Elizabeth Camden’s books. Although the second book in a series, one need not read the Spice King first in order to enjoy A Gilded Lady

Readers will want to read the first book of this series,The Spice King before this one to get a full grasp of the story. Having not done that, I felt a little lost at times. This is a well researched book that gives readers a glimpse inside the McKinley presidency. I hadn't realized Mrs. McKinley's struggle throughout her life. The Secret Service aspect was also interesting. I felt Nathaniel was a little boorish and Caroline somewhat forceful but otherwise it a an enjoyable story.

*Que all the happiness* I just adore Elizabeth Camden’s books! And how did I miss the first book in her series Hope and Glory? I definitely intend to pick that book up soon! Thankfully, most of her books can be read as standalone novels. A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden introduces Miss Caroline Delacroix, the secretary and assistant of sorts to the First Lady of the United States in the year 1900. The first lady is quite a handful and Caroline is the only one who can handle her. But she has a secret in her family, a dangerous one that could cost her brother his life. Now enter Nathaniel Trask. He is not head of security and it is lacking, but his uptight behavior is tested as his love for Caroline grows. He can’t afford to be distracted in his line of work.

What can I say? I loved this book. Caroline is SAUCY and I love her. She is unapologetically herself and I want her to be my best friend. Why is she a fictional character? Nathaniel is the talk, serious, brooding type—and I love him too. Their chemistry is fantastic and their passion for standing up for what it right is also wonderful.

BUT. Do not get me started on the historical detail. It is perfect!!! It is my absolutely favorite part. I love how social issues pertaining to the time are brought up and real-life historical figures are brought up. I am a fan of Theodore Roosevelt. This book is just an utter delight from beginning to end. 5 lovely stars for this lovely book!

A sweeping historical read, set in the White House, with high stakes tension, and opposites that attract.



I was thrilled to get the chance to read this book, I fell in love with the entire Delacroix family in the previous book were I was first introduced to the enigmaticly brilliant, and dazzlingly beautiful Caroline Delacroix. I admired Caroline's inner strength, she tackles the challenges of a difficult job as the secretary of tempermental First Lady Ida McKinley, with seeming ease, tirelessly giving her very best, and rising to the occasion at hand.



Nathaniel Trask is the head of the president's Secret Service, tasked with creating security protocols to protect the president. He is meticulous, paying great attention to detail, and devotion to his duty. He is more serious and reserved, while Caroline is more outgoing and a natural hostess. I loved how they are so different, yet they work together well, their strengths and weaknesses complimenting each other, even though they don't always see eye to eye.



I loved the mystery, intertwined with historic events and facts, I always leave Ms. Camden's books feeling like I've learned something new! I also loved the relationship between Caroline and her brother, Luke, how they are so close and protective of each other. I also really liked getting to know Luke better in this story, and have a feeling that he's going to be one of my favorites by the time this series is over!



Overall, a fantastic read with riveting characters, strong faith, rich history and mystery. This book was different from previous books by this author, with a stronger focus on real historical figures and events, and less on the innovations of the times, but just as enjoyable. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, and find out what is next for Luke, I really hope that Phillip gets plenty of page time too!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is the first book I am reading ,written by the author. She is a new to me author and I am so proud to know her through this book.


Chapter one drew me in and I promised myself to read through the end. I am glad I was patient enough to enjoy this good story.


I was impressed by Caroline. What an honour to work by the side of the First Lady of USA in the novel. I love their banter. It is worth admiring although Mrs Ida can be so annoying but Caroline has the strength and grace to handle the situations.


I went on a trip to the US White House through this book pages. I enjoyed my experience. Elizabeth Camden writes well.


I love Nathaniel. He seems so cut out for his job. So much toughness but there is a heart underneath the tough exterior.
His budding romance with Caroline looks healthy to me.


Wow! I felt lots of emotions while reading this book. You can relate to it on a human level.


I admire Caroline’s love and support for her twin brother, Luke who was imprisoned in far away Cuba. The saying “blood is thicker than water” is true in this case.


This book is action packed and full of suspense. I love some characters in the plot. Themes of love,forgiveness, family and God were well navigated here.


I love Caroline’s words to Nathaniel when he was depressed over a situation in the book. She said” You are unconditionally loved. Unconditionally forgiven. You are a child of God, deserving of more credit than you’re giving yourself “.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

"A Gilded Lady" is a Christian historical romance set in America in 1900 to 1901. This is the second in a series, but it works as a standalone novel. The historical details about the events and politics of the time were woven into the story and affected everyone's lives. The main story was Caroline dealing with her job as secretary to a difficult First Lady and Nathaniel dealing with setting up proper security for the president. They spent time together while doing their jobs, first becoming good friends and then romance developed. They built each other up and supported each other. They admired each other's character and personality as well as their looks, yet it was their personalities that led to problems in the romance. Nathaniel's completely dedicated to his job and kept putting off his relationship with Caroline, which didn't make her feel very good.

A lesser element in the story was Caroline's efforts to use her political influence to free her twin brother, who has been imprisoned in Cuba for treason. While this was a constant stressor in her life, she wasn't really involved with untangling Cuban politics or proving his innocence. The characters reacted realistically, were complex, and I cared about what happened to them. The Christian theme was Nathaniel's realization that God loves and forgives him. (Since Nathaniel felt guilty over mistakes, not sin against God, it's really that Nathaniel must learn to let go of the guilt that's driving him.) There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this well-written, interesting historical romance.

“There was no such thing as a typical day at the White House, but Caroline Delacroix’s morning took a particularly difficult turn the moment she walked into her crowded office.” - Opening line of “The Gilded Lady” by Elizabeth Camden

I haven’t read book one of the Hope and Glory series, but after book two, “The Gilded Lady“, I won’t be missing out on book 3 by Elizabeth Camden. This is a lovely standalone story but I’m sure I’ll enjoy learning more of the characters by reading the first book.

The leading lady in this one is Caroline Delacroix, the first lady’s secretary as the president’s term draws near it’s end and fears of assassination run high. Caroline’s focus, however, is on guiding the first lady and helping improve her public image. Whilst living the high society life of 1900, Caroline worries for her brother who stands trial in Cuba for treason.

The leading man, Nathaniel Trask, is secret service agent brought in to overhaul the president’s security. Realising how lax the protection is, he swiftly brings about radical change leading to frequent run-ins with Caroline.

The two start the adventure of protecting the first family whilst heading into an election. Those who know their American history will anticipate the unfolding of the political happenings but Elizabeth Camden does a fabulous job painting the picture of the life of those behind a president. Her characterisations of the president and the first lady are based on historical facts. Nathaniel and Caroline’s story is less predictable and is full of unexpected turns and interesting happenings. It is also full of humour and heart.

From the start, I loved this one! Historical fiction at its best! The characters are relatable, faith is elegantly included and the mystery intriguing. It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I opened this book. I just know that I am glad I selected it from NetGalley where I was given an eARC by the publisher.

I hadn't thought much previously about the McKinley presidency, but this book brought me into the world of the White House at that time. The work put in by the president and first lady's secretaries and the beginnings of the secret service as body guards to the first family.

This story was beautifully written. The romance was organic and realistic. The mystery was plausible. I loved every minute and really couldn't put it down. There was so much good in this book. The faith building, the friendships, the family relationships, it was all uplifting.

I would definitely recommend this book whether or not you are a fan of historical romance.

Classic Elizabeth Camden...Beautifully written, well researched and truly believable. This novel captured my attention from page one...and did not let go until the final sentence. It is Book Two in the Hope and Glory series...but it can be read as a stand alone. Treat yourself to a masterpiece...You will not be disappointed. Five stars.

The Hope and Glory series chronicles the lives of the Delacroix siblings Gray, Caroline, and Luke. A Gilded Lady, Book 2, is Caroline’s story which works well as a stand-alone. Set in Washington D.C. in 1900, this beautifully crafted story combines history, romance, faith, mystery, and intrigue into an enjoyable, page-turning narrative. The emotionally rich plot flows at a fitting pace, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. Caroline and Nathaniel are an engaging couple who in the beginning fight the romantic attraction; but fleeting, compassionate moments when they let their guard down are sweet and touching. The development of their relationship with its ups and downs is moving. The historical detail that Ms. Camden expertly infuses into the fictional narrative is amazing as well as informative. Spiritual truths are consistently and effectively conveyed throughout the narrative. I look forward to the third book in the series which is Luke’s story. This book is one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Second instalment to the Hope and Glory Series, this book surpassed my expectations!
This is a standalone story, but I highly recommend to read the first: The Spice King, because there are many details that start from there and you will understand Caroline’s plight all the better. Through the first book I had a superficial impression of Caroline’s character. I though she was, in fact, superficial and vain. But no! Caroline has so much depth to her, she has a heart of gold, a compassionate heart, a strong love of her family, and a great sense of duty and love for her Country.
Caroline Delacroix is working at the White House as the First Lady’s Secretary. From appearances, she has everything a woman would want in life, except for love: outstanding job, striking looks, and a strong and charming personality. But she hides secrets. Secrets that could put her job in peril, if they were divulged: her brother Luke is prisioner in Cuba, accused for treason, and could very well be hanged for it, if he’s found guilty of the accusations.
Nathaniel Trask works for America’s Secret Service. And he’s been commissioned with a complicated task. After the asssasination of a foreign head of state, the White House Security Service has to increase. Even if President McKinley dislikes bodyguards and the likes. So, he finds himself working along with Caroline to protect the President and his ailing wife. And even if they’re complete opposites –he’s a brooding, rule-follower sort, while she’s charming and unpredictable- he finds himself attracted to her and falling her as he gets to know her better. But she’s hiding something… and duty to his Country comes first. Or does it?... Will Nate find success in protecting the President and his wife? Will he uncover the mystery that threatens the White House? Will he and Caroline give each other a chance to prove their love is for real? Or will Caroline secrets tear them apart?
The story was complex, intriguing, deep and very engaging. I loved the fact that it was based intrue facts: President McKinley and his wife are real characters even if their story is fictional it has real events and pieces of true history. The threat to a President and the pursuing of his security is in i tan intriguing theme, but in this case, it was the deepness of the main characters that made it really captivating. Nathaniel and Caroline were truly the perfect match, with their flaws and their contrasting personalities. They complemented so well and they brought out the best in each other. I loved that there is a faith element, in trusting God with your life, in letting God forgive you and forgive yourself, and in learning you are loved unconditionally by that Merciful God. There was so much to learn behind the struggles of each character and so many inspiring messages throughout the story. But I won’t spoil it anymore and let you discover them yourself. The side characters were very realistic and well defined too. As were the characterization of the President and the First Lady. Caroline’s relationship to Ida McKinley was unique!
Finally, the love story was beautiful, and it was blended perfectly in the plot, without making it the main focus of the story. I liked that!
This is a story I totally recommend to any Historical Romance lovers. Will not disappoint you!
I received and Advanced Reader Copy of this book via NetGalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased review.

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.

Elizabeth Camden- you know the way to my heart! Once again, I was transported to America at the turn of the century. I absolutely loved this installment of the series! I loved the romance, the history, and the mystery in the story! During the Gilded Age in Washington, DC, we follow Caroline Delacroix and Nathaniel Trask as they work closely with the McKinley administration. Caroline is personal secretary to temperamental First Lady, Ida. Nathaniel is put in charge of President McKinley’s personal security- a fact that was very interesting knowing beforehand that President McKinley was assassinated. Although both Caroline and Nathaniel are fictional characters, many of the characters, like the McKinleys and other staff, were real. It was so intriguing to see how Camden brought them to life through Caroline and Nathaniel.

Caroline’s twin brother, Luke, is imprisoned in Cuba for treason. Caroline feels this can not be true, and tries to use her close bond with the McKinleys to free her brother. Nathaniel has been tasked with keeping the president safe- a job he is apprehensive to take. He is more than qualified, but unsatisfied with policies (or lack thereof) put in place to protect the president. When Nathaniel learns of Caroline’s brother, he is immediately on high alert- why would someone who works so closely with the president have a brother committing treason? As the two battle while trying to do their jobs, their bond becomes undeniably close. Working together to solve Luke’s case may bring them the strength they need to forge a new relationship.

I knew the date of McKinley’s death and knew that we would read about it as part of the story. It was incredibly satisfying to see how Nathaniel struggles and eventually learns to accept himself, and how these events spurred the creation of the Secret Service. I loved learning more about this time in US history- a time that I admit I don’t know well. The more I learn about this era, the more I love it. I loved Nathaniel and Caroline’s relationship. I love when a relationship is established early on so we can see how close the characters can become. Their relationship is a testament that in order to have a successful relationship, each partner must learn to compromise while not losing themselves in the other. Each partner has something specific and special to offer. Highly recommend!

I adored “The Spice King” (book 1 in this series), and was beyond excited to pick up book 2. “A Gilded Lady” absolutely does not disappoint and lives up to my albeit high expectations!

I do wish there had been a bit more of Nathaniel’s thought process as he changed his mind on a particular plot point; it seemed a little sudden to go from driving him batty to smoothed over. But, I’m still very pleased with him and Caroline both as characters! Caroline’s love of her brother and surety of his innocence was admirable, as was her pursuit of his freedom.

I’ve long been intrigued by this era; while I’d set it aside to focus more on reading contemporary fiction, Camden does an excellent job at restoring my interest and teaching me much more about McKinley’s presidency and DC in that time than I ever expected.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for a couple of reasons, first I loved the first book in the series, The Spice King but most of all it’s because I absolutely love anything written by Ms. Camden. Reconnecting with the Delacroix was much better than I had anticipated and I loved each and every moment I spent with this entertaining family and the exciting lives they lived.

Caroline Delacroix is the secretary to Ida McKinley, who I knew very little about until I started reading this novel. As first lady of the United States, Ida was pretty demanding but given the circumstances of her health it was understandable. Caroline is a strong, intelligent, energetic young woman who meets any challenge head on and she has many challenges not only in the White House but in her personal life. Speaking of her personal life she is doing everything she can to help her twin brother Luke when she’s faced with yet another challenge. Nathaniel Trask is the new head of security and he needs to keep track of everyone and everything going on around President McKinley.

This does not set well with Caroline which leads to friction and some clever dialog between her and Nathaniel. Rich in history, with a lot of intrigue, a wonderful romance and delightful characters made this one of my favorite books this year. It’s going to be hard to wait until the next book is released but I can reread the first two books in the series while I wait. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

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

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.

#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.

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, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. Caroline Delacroix is the social secretary for Ida McKinley, President William McKinley's wife, and excels at her job. She has an ulterior motive to seek a pardon for her brother who is a political prisoner in Cuba. There have been several threats to President McKinley's life, and Nathan Trask is tasked with overseeing security. He suspects Caroline and seeks to learn if she is really a threat to the President. Camden has masterfully created a plot that revolves around the often forgotten President McKinley and with a surprise ending that the reader does not see coming yet makes perfect sense.

I absolutely loved this title. The tension between the primary characters and the way the tangled threads unravelled will keep you riveted throughout. Camden paints a colourful, descriptive backdrop to an entertaining romantic and inspirational read, while shining a light on familiar characters in US history. Enjoyable and sweet.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is the second book in the Hope and Glory series. Great story that features Caroline Delacroix, who is the personal assistant to the First Lady. In her work she has to deal with Nathaniel Trask a secret service agent, who doesn't trust her but is also falling in love with her. There are many dangers to face in their personal and professional lives. There are secrets kept, learning to trust and to forgive others and self.

I love Ms. Camden's book. The history of the era are well researched and her attention to details and the dialog draw you into the story and make you said to leave the character at the end of the book. And eager for the next book in the series.

I received this book from the Elizabeth Camden and Bethany House Publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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.**

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden is book two in her Hope and Glory series. We met Caroline Delacroix in the first book, The Spice King, when her brother came under suspicion of being a traitor. Now, with another brother in a Cuban prison, Caroline is desperate to hang on to her job as the First Lady’s secretary in hopes of securing a presidential pardon for him.

Nathaniel Trask likes working for the secret service. In the counterfeit division. But when he’s asked to create a security plan for the President’s protection, he tries, unsuccessfully, to decline. He’s the best at his job, a master at spotting the counterfeit, and the perfect person to head the President’s security detail.

President McKinley’s time in office was a crux in the expectations and responsibilities required of the secret service. He served before the secret service had the protocols we are familiar with today. For example, there was no budget to offer protection to his family, including his wife. In this book, Nathaniel aimed to change that.

However, as Nathaniel’s strict ways come in direct opposition to Caroline’s purposes, the sparks fly. And not just the angry kind. “Listening” to these two fight was one of the most entertaining parts of the book! Especially later in the book. On a train. I won’t spoil it because it’s just so perfect it made me gasp out loud. Best scene in the book!

In The Spice King, I wasn’t fond of Caroline, so I was curious about how she would appear in this book. Seeing her struggles and hearing her thoughts definitely changed my opinion of her. Plus Nathaniel was the perfect balance to her rebellious ways.

I highly recommend reading The Gilded Lady. It stands alone just fine, but to get the full depth of Caroline’s motivations, you’ll want to read The Spice King first. And, now I’m even more excited for book three: The Prince of Spies, releasing in 2021. I can’t wait!

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I received this book free from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

After reading A Gilded Lady, I'm convinced this book is in my top 5 books list of 2020 . 

Guys, I am speechless. Never have I read such a unique story that turns overlooked positions, like being the first lady's help, into a story of conspiracies, secrets, and so much more. 

I do suggest reading book 1 first. You will get to know Caroline way better than way and see her character growth throughout the first two books. 

Coming from a wealthy family, she's had everything her heart desires since little, diving in the privileges her social status gave her, living life to the edge. Regatta clubs, parties, wild vacations, that and more became a norm to her. It is then that after a dare made by her older brother she decides to prove she can keep a job. Her frivolous tastes, charming manners, and her endless list of contacts presented her with the opportunity to work at the White House as the first lady's image consultant and ''Secretary'' of sorts. 

Hosting parties, shopping for gowns... That's what Caroline loves and it's good at, and now can apply those little talents at the white house, helping the first lady reclaim the favor of the people.

Until news arrives that her twin brother got himself into jail at Cuba for treason. Now more than ever, Caroline needs to use her cards wisely and make herself indispensable to the first lady if she is to somehow help her brother escape and ask for a presidential pardon. 

With all the changes going on in the Whitehouse, a new security agent, Nathaniel, is given the job to secure the Whitehouse and provide new security measures. Nathaniel is a very reserved and introverted man, and Caroline Decroix has taken his attention. News gets to him about her brother, and now he has to battle feelings of duty to his country and treason to his heart. They both know that the best they can do is try to not making things more painful than what they have to be. Both of them are White House employees and have to live under the same roof, with no escape from duty and little to no choice over the future of their lives. 

First of all, Caroline gives me Amy March vibes all the way. The good Amy tho . The one from the newest Little Women movie. Also, this is the first time I ever see a ''model'' in the cover of a book so perfectly represent a book chracter  It's seriously so good.

Well, back to the review. I love Caroline. She is not perfect but that's what makes her an amazing character. Her personality is complex and there are layers after layers to her, she is truly an enigma (Agh I can't get Amy March off my head ) . I also like how she grew throughout the book, it was very inspiring to see how little by little she started to see more than just the facade of things and rekindle her relationship with God. 

Also, I need to take a min to appreciate the author's research. We are taken to the Whitehouse, to factories, to luxurious trains, fancy dinners, hospital inaugurations... And all of from ''behind the scenes'' at how the staff at the White House worked to make it happen. How the security agents work, the relationships between the staff... I'm truly shocked at how well researched this book is. It almost like everyone working at the Whitehouse was this huge family and I loved it.

And of course, there comes Nathaniel. He was such a mood . Also, another refreshing complicated, and unique character. Thank you so much, Elizabeth for the nonstereotypical characters with unique voices and... Well, yeah . 

Nathaniel's and Caroline's relationship is so cool. It's an enemy to lovers kinda thing, but different? I don't know, its difficult to explain. It's more of enemies to friends to lovers . It was so well done and cleannnnnnnnnn .  Also, they are complete opposites but complement each other so well....

Am I going to gift this book to my book-loving friends? You betcha.

I'm also going to get myself a physical copy because this book needs to be on my bookshelves, like, today, hehe. 


Cleanness:  4.5/5 (Some non-descriptive kisses)

Plot:  5/5 

Characters:  5/5

My personal rating:  5/5

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

______________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Elizabeth Camden brings readers the second in her Hope and Glory series that includes intrigue, snappy conversations and a romance that seems to face more trouble with each passing day.

Not going to lie, I was a bit lost at the beginning of this book. As it’s part of a series, something I didn’t realize, I struggled to connect with it a bit at first. But as I keep reading, most of the blanks were filled in, however, I felt somewhat off in my understanding of everyone in the story. It was still a good story and I enjoyed reading it, given its time period and the wonderful writing included. It begins with the news of the Italian king’s assassination in 1900. Everything in Washington, D. C. is turned upside down in an attempt to secure President McKinley and his family in case there is someone out there that would see this as their chance to attack. Caroline Delacroix is the personal secretary for Ida McKinley and is right in the middle of the uproar. She is the one responsible for ensuring Mrs. McKinley is seen in a positive light and always ready for the public. But there are many things kept from the eyes of the public, including Ida’s epilepsy, and Caroline is left to deal with it’s aftermath. She loves her job but some days are just harder than others. Caroline cannot afford to make any mistakes because one day soon she will need to request a favor from the President – a favor that will mean life or death for her brother. Luke has been accused of treason against the US and is currently in Cuba awaiting extradition and trial on US soil. Caroline believes his only hope is a presidential pardon but it must be asked at just the right moment or not at all. President McKinley will soon be up for reelection and Caroline’s window of opportunity is closing fast. Enter Nathaniel Trask, newly appointed head of Secret Service and a man on a mission. Nathaniel has massive job ahead of him to keep the President safe and it will be complicated by the man in question, given McKinley’s love for “being among the people”. But Nathaniel has agreed to help out his boss and friend with this assignment and Nathaniel is not a quitter. Meeting Caroline throws him into a bit of a spin when he finds himself unexpectedly attracted to her charming ways and love of witty banter. He will need her help along with the other staff to ensure that the new procedures regarding security for the President are followed to the letter. Unfortunately, Caroline is more a breaker of rules than a follower but she agrees to do her best, within reason. As Nathaniel digs into the pasts of everyone close to the President, he will discover the disturbing facts about Luke’s accusations. Determined to get to the bottom of the case, Nathaniel agrees to work with Caroline to discover all the facts. But there is so much more at stake than just Luke’s life and it will take Caroline and Nathaniel’s every skill and friend to search out the answers before someone else gets hurt. And if they can come out of all this intrigue and danger without being hurt, they just might have a chance at a future together. I did enjoy this story, once I finally found my footing in it. It definitely goes along with the first book and needs to be read in the right order to keep everything straight. I enjoyed the underlying tension that only added to the story’s complexity. I got annoyed with the “flakiness” of Caroline at times but found that she was a good compliment to Nathaniel and he to her. Their conversations were often laugh-out-loud funny and I looked forward to each succeeding one. I also liked the accurate historical inclusions of the story. The late 1800s and early 1900s were a fascinating time in US history and I always enjoy stories that take place in that time period. I was so reminded of my “Samantha” books from American Girl as I read about President McKinley and that made this story even better in my opinion. I will recommend this book to others but will insist they read the first book in the series so as not to be as confused as I was while reading. I’m looking forward to what comes next in the series and who will be the focus – hopefully that will be LUKE!

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

Elizabeth Camden continues her Hope and Glory trilogy with a new novel set at President William McKinley’s White House. It’s the dawn of a new century and a time of great divide in America. Caroline Delacroix is one of the fortunate ones during the Gilded Age, a period of history which fascinates me. But it’s a time that can’t and won’t last forever. William McKinley will be assassinated less than 18 months later, at a location just over 60 miles away from where I live, in Buffalo.

Much of the book is taken up with Caroline’s attempts to free her brother, and her relationship with Nathaniel. Luke Delacroix’s situation is set in motion in the first book in the trilogy, The Spice King. I recommend reading that book first, because this is not a standalone in any sense. What brings a possibly dull story to life are the details about life in the White House for those who work there. Camden includes not only the President and First Lady, but also other historical figures such as George Cortelyou who was the President McKinley’s personal secretary. One other aspect of the book which fascinated me was the role of the Secret Service. We think of this department as the President’s bodyguard, yet it was originally founded to trace counterfeit currency. McKinley’s assassination was the turning point, and A Gilded Lady made me pause and wonder what it must have been like for those Secret Service agents in Buffalo on that day in 1901. How did they feel about the death of one they had sworn to protect?

There are three Delacroix siblings, so each sibling has a book in which they star. Big brother Gray was the male lead in The Spice King. Luke will feature in the next title, The Prince of Spies, which will be released next year. But his story runs throughout the trilogy, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve read both this book and the first to fully appreciate this final book in the Hope and Glory series.

Disclaimer: Although I received an electronic advance copy of this book from the publisher, the words and opinions below are my own.

A Gilded Lady is the continuing saga of the Delacroix siblings. It is the beautiful Caroline’s story. In the first book, The Spice King, you briefly meet her, but barely get to know her. I really wasn’t sure what I thought of her.
And, to be completely honest, didn’t necessarily like her right away in this book, yet, either. Caroline is a character. Strong willed, beautiful, dazzling, and definitely used to getting her own way. In quite the twist of fate, the hero of this book is Nathaniel Trask, who is very much straight-laced and by the book. In spite of the immediate attraction between these two, there is also much conflict because of their very different personalities.
Elizabeth Camden does have a way, however, of making a seemingly unlikeable heroine become a treasured character. Somehow, Caroline managed to work her way into my good graces, and I found myself sad when I reached the end of this story.
Caroline has the unique position of being a personal assistant/secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley. This President’s wife is portrayed in what I am guessing a very true-to-life manner, and shown for the rather difficult person she must have been. (This book left me wondering what amazing real person actually did hold the position given to Ms. Delacroix) Caroline knows just how to handle her, and is one of the few people Mrs. McKinley actually trusts.
I loved all the little historical tidbits woven into this story, and feel like I learned quite a lot about McKinley’s time as President.
Then there’s also the mystery found in this book, about Caroline’s brother Luke, who sits, rotting away in a Cuban prison. Caroline is determined to rescue him, but for some reason, Luke is equally determined to declare his guilt.
Mystery and intrigue, danger, history, and romance are all intertwined and create an absolutely lovely story.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This series is fast becoming my favorite of Camden’s works and I am not mad about it!
After meeting Caroline in book one of this series I knew she’d be a heroine to admire and that it was going to take a very special man to capture her heart. I was right on both accounts!
Caroline was an expertly crafted character, she was confident and charming without being arrogant or obnoxious. And while she’d had a bit of a wild side growing up she had learned how to temper it, making her a lady of poise and grace who wasn’t afraid to break rules if the situation called for it!
Nathaniel was the exact opposite of Caroline, a rule-follower to the bitter end he came across as hard and unyielding. But Caroline saw through that to the amazing dedicated man he was and I loved watching her coax him out of his professional wall. The two of them were a study in opposites attract and they balanced each other so well! I loved watching their relationship slowly unfold!
One of my favorite things about Camden’s writing is all the historical detail she incorporates! She takes bits of history that often are overlooked, especially in fiction, and brings them to light in a completely brilliant way that leaves you knowing so much more than you did at the start without ever bogging the reader down in the details. It is all organically woven into the story and I applaud her greatly for that! I loved getting an inside look at life in the White House 120 years ago and I was shocked by how lackadaisical security was! I’m so glad that has changed and extreme measures are taken now to protect the First Family! It was interesting to watch Nathaniel implement his security ideas which seemed so over the top to the staff then but would be taken as the bare minimum now!
It was also fascinating to read about how things were handled following the president’s assassination and the swearing in of Roosevelt. I hadn’t really considered how the changing of staff would go in that situation.
We also got to read more about Luke, who, when we left him in book one, was being held in Cuba for charges of treason. I loved getting more of his story and I cannot wait to read even more when his book comes out!
In short I loved this book and definitely recommend it! And while you could probably read this series as standalones there are continuing threads throughout that make more sense when read as a whole!

Picking up where The Spice King left off, A Gilded Lady follows Caroline Delacroix, working at the White House during the McKinley Administration. Being the First Lady's personal secretary is no mean fete. Caroline also struggles with the fact that her twin brother Luke is set to be tried for treason in Cuba. She needs to this secret to remain hidden from the newly appointed head of the president's Secret Service, Nathaniel Trask. The two crosses paths as Trask is desperate to protect the president despite being distracted by Ms Delacroix.

I have to admit that it took me a bit of time to warm up to Caroline but I could see why her personality was key to her job as the First Lady's aide. Trask was equally interesting to follow and I appreciated his insights on Vermeer. Camden is talented in creating strong but relatable female characters. I am looking forward to the third book in the series and I have to admit equally curious about the cover picture.

Move over Gray, Caroline is ready to tell her story! I adored Caroline. She’s spicy, very intelligent, and hides a tender heart. Things that capture her heart’s affection: her brothers (especially her twin), the First Lady, and now Nathaniel. She fiercely protects those she loves, and Nathaniel is about the learn that absolutely nothing will stop her when she is determined to succeed. Nathaniel is unmovable as well and the resulting chemistry is palpable and wonderful. I could not put the book down. Add in a good mix of espionage, conspiracy and history and an enthralling tale comes to life. I highly recommend this book! It is the second in a series and should be read in order to most fully appreciate the backstory.
I received a complimentary copy and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

I loved the first book in the series, but this book was even better with more suspense and a closer look at the inner workings of President McKinley's presidency. Getting a glimpse into the first lady, Ida McKinley's, life was quite interesting. She definitely was a recluse due to seizures and could often lose her temper over trivial matters. McKinley seemed very understanding and loving with her in private.

This book focuses on Caroline Delacroix, Ida's social secretary, one of Gray Delacroix's twin siblings. The male lead is Nathaniel Trask who is a secret service member assigned to the White House. The connection between these two opposites causes sparks to shoot even though they often don't agree on things. The main minor character is Luke, Caroline's twin, who has been arrested in Cuba for insurgency with the Cuban rebels and may be hung for treason to the US as they try to rebuild Cuba after the Spanish American war. With lots of hints that there may be more to Luke's role than what is obvious, a nice suspense thread weaves throughout the storyline.

Camden does an excellent job of weaving the history of McKinley's presidency throughout the plot without taking away from the other plot lines. I knew little about McKinley's assassination and this story gave a clear picture of what actually happened.

Excellent book and I anxiously look forward to the last book in the series which will focus on Caroline's twin, Luke.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

With a stunning cover and a cast of colorful, multi-layered characters, this book swept me away to Washington, D.C. in 1900 and right into President McKinley’s administration. Caroline Delacroix is a courageous, independent, assertive heroine who also happens to be the secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley. When the new head of the president’s Secret Service team arrives, sparks fly. Nathaniel Trask is dedicated, job-oriented, and straight-forward as he devotes himself to making sure President McKinley is safe at all times. Can a relationship develop between these two?

Elizabeth Camden’s attention to historical detail and masterful character creation, as well as her intricate plot development, make this an intriguing, powerful look at this slice of American history. I love learning more about history while reading an absorbing story.

This is the second book in Camden’s Hope and Glory series and can be read alone, but do yourself a favor and read book one, The Spice King, first. I’m enjoying this series so much, and I’m anxiously awaiting the next book about Caroline’s twin brother, Luke. Bound for my keeper shelf, this will easily be on my list of favorite books for the year.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and Bethany House Publishing and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

If you enjoy historical novels set in the Gilded Age with political intrigue, drama, and strong characters then this is the book for you. We learn about the McKinley era, the secret service, and so much more that makes this story true to life. And of course there is romance, too.

Strong, well developed characters enrich this story, but that doesn’t mean you’ll like all of them.

A Gilded Lady is the second book in the Hope and Glory series. I strongly recommend reading The Spice King first, or you may be lost for awhile.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The Spice King, kicks off the Hope and Glory series. Readers meet Gray Delacroix and learn about his passion for spices especially vanilla. It is also about Annabelle Larkin and her love of plants, and Mr. Delacroix. I was fascinated with the spice adventure, I learned so much. Readers also get a peek at Gray’s siblings, Caroline and her twin brother Luke.

I love how the author gives readers a personal tour of the White House and what it looked like before the West Wing was built. I was surprised by the lack of security and how Congress would only pray for the President to be protected, not his family. I did not realize that the staff lived at the White House and what their living quarters looked like either. Crazy!

Mrs. McKinley is most difficult to work with, but Caroline knows how to calm her.The White House Staff is grateful for how Caroline handles President McKinley’s wife’s. I enjoyed getting to know Caroline up-close and personal. You could not judge Caroline Delacroix by her outward appearance nor from the role she played in the White House and not from her past shenanigans her twin brother Luke was involved in. No Caroline was a special complex, no-nonsense kind of gal.

Caroline had compassion on Mrs. McKinley’s health issues and insecurities, but she would not tolerate Mrs. McKinley treating the staff or herself badly. Caroline was a strong, opinionated, independent woman who was admired by all and made things look easier than they were. She set up parties, special events and carried herself with confidence and ease. I enjoyed the sweet love story brewing between Caroline Delacroix and Nathanial Trask as they are working on the campaign train with the President seeking reelection, facing danger, heartbreak and a crazy adventure that included Luke Delacroix.

After there had been a Prime Minister assassinated Nathaniel Trask is hired to set up security for the White House. The author shares, in notes, “John Wilkie was a journalist who became the unconventional choice to head the Secret Service from 1898-1911….Wilkie and George Cortelyou worked to revamp presidential security, including protection for the president’s family…The Secret Service’s budget, staffing, and procedures were increased, and they kept the president safe until the assassination of John F. Kennedy sixty-two-years later.”

Readers also see Gray Delacroix in this novel as he works with Caroline to help Luke. The author shares why Luke was in a Cuban prison, but it is not mentioned until near the end of the story. The author does make you want to know ALL the details of how Luke got in the mess he was in. Have no fear book three in this Hope and Glory series is Luke’s story. The name of the book is The Prince of Spies slated to release in February 2021. I’m looking forward to learning about Luke the charming man-about-town who was more than his reputation.

I knew nothing about President McKinley before I read this book. I enjoyed the author notes in the back that tells you what is true to history.. This book would work wonderful for your next book club pick. The author includes 9 Questions for Discussion that are insightful and will help with your book club discussions.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org

This was quite an exciting read. I really enjoyed the story line and the up close and personal look at life in the White House and how the protection of the President was evolving during the Presidency of McKinley. Caroline was a lovely character and Nathaniel was a perfect match for her. Luke's story was exciting and I am really looking forward to his story. All in all, this book was a fantastic read!



I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

I couldn't tell you anything about President McKinley until I read Elizabeth's Camden's newest book, A Gilded Lady. However, after reading this book, I can tell you a lot about President McKinley and his wife, Ida. Not only could I tell you what I learned just from reading this book, I could also tell you more information that I learned when I researched President McKinley after reading the book because the book inspired me to learn more. Elizabeth Camden is an author that always seems to inspire me to learn more historical facts after reading her books. In fact, even though her books are historical fiction, I always end the book feeling like I received a history lesson without knowing it as I was actually reading. If you are wanting to learn more about President and Mrs. McKinley, the Secret Service, and the White House during the Gilded Age, then you should read A Gilded Lady too! It has romance, mystery, suspense, and so many historical details. I highly recommend it!

I don’t give out a lot of five stars, but there are the books that totally deserve them. This is one of those reads. I savored every page of this read, digesting, and lingering on the words. The main character is one that you can struggle to like, but you come to not only like her, but love and understand her. Her struggles become your own as you experience this piece in American history set in the White house. I can’t recommend this author and her books enough. You will learn, be encouraged and inspired when you read this book.

I obtained this book from the publisher. The opinions contained herein are my own.

I really like these characters, and their stories are so interesting. Caroline and her twin brother are the renegades in this wealthy family, but always seem to land on their feet. Until Luke is wanted for treason and ends up in a Cuban jail. Caroline, with her penchant for giving big parties went to work for President McKinley's wife as her secretary, fitting right into that high profile life. And she met the head of the Presidents' security who is a stickler for rules. Caroline is an interesting mix of spoiled wealth and loyalty to the people she cares about, with a sense of duty and protection. She really challenges Nathaniel. But they find they have more in common than they think, and grow to admire each others traits. So interesting story of behind the scenes life at the early White House, mystery and intrigue. I was easily hooked and ate this right up, finding it hard to put down. A highly interesting and complex family, this is a series to immerse in.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#AGildedLady #NetGalley

Great book!! Love the story line and I enjoy Elizabeth Camden’s books. Highly recommend to all. This book will not disappoint.

Mini Review: This was an excellent Historical Christian Romance! A unique perspective, set during a time period I didn't know much about, made this a book I would definitely recommend trying!

Elizabeth is my favorite historical romance author! The historical details of the President's assassination along with the suspense she brings in the plot twist revolving the brother Luke, kept me on edge! The romance is just icing on the cake! One of my favorite reads this year for sure.

Elizabeth Camden's A Guilded Lady continues the tale that began in The Spice King. In his book Caroline Delacroix, Gray Delacroix's younger sister gets a job as the First Lady's social secretary. Caroline has always been thought of as an empty-headed heiress, but she proves there is more to her than meets the eye. Nathaniel Trask is tasked as one of the first secret service agents. He suspects that Caroline has a secret. I really enjoyed the dialogue and interaction between Caroline and Nathaniel. So grab a pitcher of ice tea and settle in for a fun read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a good book! I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 in this series, The Spice King, and I so enjoyed reading this one as well. The Hope and Glory series follows the story of the Delacroix siblings: Grey, Caroline, and Luke, which I really like. In book 1, the story follows Grey and his love story, and in this one, Caroline's story is told. They were so different, but the way the story was written made it feel cohesive and I really liked it!

Caroline is a smart and capable woman working for Mrs. Ida McKinley during the McKinley presidency, and she is in charge of all the duties of "managing a household" that women typically have, except she is managing it all for the White House, which was super interesting to read about. The ins-and-outs of life in the White House definitely isn't something I've thought a lot about in the past, so it was really interesting to read about it! In addition, she is also worried about her brother Luke who is in a dangerous situation, and her job at the White House is the best way to help him. That story line carried over from book 1, which I really liked because it ties the books together so well!

Nate is a secret service agent, who wants to do anything but be a secret service agent: what he really likes is counterfeit detection and taking down counterfeit rings. However, he is the best person that can neutralize threats against President McKinley as he runs for reelection and as he takes a cross country trip across the United States. His character was really well rounded and emotionally mature, which was really good to read.

The chemistry between Caroline and Nate was super strong: they fit SO WELL together and made such a good couple! Their romance was very fast, but it all felt realistic, which doesn't happen often in Christian fiction in my opinion. (Though more sensitive readers might want to note that they kissed several times before they declared their intent for each other: nothing too graphic, but it did happen). Both characters talked openly about their faith and their emotions, and their relationship was a joy to read.

The storyline was well paced, though the book is more character focused than anything. There was so much history packed into this book, most of which I was aware of but didn't know, and it was really interesting to learn about. I really liked seeing Grey and Anabelle from the previous book reappear in this one, and like I mentioned earlier, I really liked the overarching storyline about Luke stretching throughout the trilogy. His story is next and I'm really excited to read it!

Overall, I really liked this book, and I'm really loving this series so far: not only are the stories interesting, but also the historical aspect is so well done and it really adds to the story. I think I still like her Empire State series more, but that's simply because I really love her Empire State series, haha!

A Gilded Lady was written by Elizabeth Camden and is book two in the Hope and Glory series. It is not necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this one.

Summary: Caroline Delacroix enjoys her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. She lives a life that few have ever dreamed. Yes, it’s difficult work, and the first lady is contentious at best, but Caroline has an ulterior motive for her work.

She’s desperate to get her brother pardoned for his crime of treason. And if that means sticking close to the seat of power, she is willing to do it.

Nathaniel Trask is the reluctant new leader of the president’s Secret Service detail. It isn’t what he wants, but he is determined to do the best job possible amidst growing threats against the president’s life.

When the president announces a country-wide train tour, the details are overwhelming. Will Nathaniel be able to protect the president? And will he discover the secret Caroline is desperate to hide?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It is based off of historical events (which were quite fascinating), and it is very well-written. The plot is interesting, the characters are likable and well-rounded, and overall this is a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book, as well as the first in this series.

I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

I loved this book! It's a fantastic continuation of the series with a good love story of its own. My favorite aspects were the real-life historical events that played out during Caroline's time at the White House and the sibling-centric relationships with themes of sacrifice and loyalty. I'm really excited for book 3 now!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

An excellent addition to the series! I love Elizabeth Camden's attention to historical detail. It doesn't even feel like I'm reading historical fiction. Instead, it feels like I'm living among her characters in that time. What an awesome gift.

The development between Nathaniel and Caroline felt nice and slow, like a good simmer rather than an explosive firework. I loved their dynamic, how they played off of each other. And I loved learning more about Caroline's mysterious brother, Luke! I'm looking forward to his story.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All expressed opinions belong to me.

We were first introduced to Caroline Delacroix in the first book of this series, The Spice King. The impression I got from her in the Spice King was a woman that has known nothing but finery in life and is intelligent, but not too concerned about using her abilities to the max. Her twin brother, Luke, was a bit of a cad... and not a character to be taken seriously. He was a frivolous thorn in their big brother, Gray's, side.


A Gilded Lady splits the lives of this family wide open as we get to understand the motivations and inner workings of the Delacroix twins. Known to be hard partiers and the toast of the town, neither of the twins is taken too seriously by anyone... or so they'd like everyone to believe. Beneath the glitter, flittering, and charm lies another layer.... or perhaps a hundred more layers.



Neither twin is anything like they appear and, without spoiling it, A Gilded Lady takes you on a wild ride of adventure as the twin run circles around everyone they know - including the highest level of government. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical romance or simply wants an excellent read.

Another amazing book in the Hope and Glory Series! This book takes us into Caroline’s time at the White House which is really interesting! I actually found it really fascinating! I love the interaction between Nathaniel and Caroline. Lots of historical goodies to uncover and it leads perfectly into the 3rd book in the series which is about Luke, Caroline’s twin brother. The storyline will keep you reading. I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Ms. Camden is a master at finding real life historical events and making them come to life in the pages of her books. A GILDED LADY is book two and even though it stands alone, fans will want to read Gray's story in The Spice King.

I fell in love with Nathaniel, Caroline, and all the secondary characters, real and fictional. I laughed, I cried, it moved me. Ms. Camden is one of the few historical authors on my must read list.

If you like historical fiction grab a copy of this book.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.

I am so in awe of Elizabeth Camden's ability to keep readers completely immersed in historical fiction and A Gilded Lady is the perfect example of her talent. It's very apparent that the author extensively researched these facts and I assure you...fans of historical fiction will absolutely relish this book! This story, however, offers so much more than just history. Family secrets, divided loyalties, treason, and conspiracy are all featured in this fictional story, and then, there are the very human feelings of Caroline Delacroix and Secret Service agent Nathaniel Trask. Will Nathaniel overcome his feelings of guilt and failure in his protection of President McKinley? Can two people as different as Caroline and Nathaniel find a common meeting ground and perhaps, discover love? Does Nathaniel's evident faith encourage Caroline to seek her own walk with God?

This is the second book in the Hope and Glory series and I am eagerly looking forward to the series conclusion that is scheduled to release in 2021. I highly recommend A Gilded Lady for all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was in no way influenced to write a favorable review. These are my honest thoughts.

Will circumstances drive them apart?

OK, can I just start off with a confession? Good. I almost was not looking forward to reading A Gilded Lady. There, it's out! As much as I enjoy Elizabeth Camden's books and as much as I loved the first book in the Hope And Glory series, I just did NOT like Caroline Delacroix in The Spice King. My opinion now that I've finished A Gilded Lady? Well, I still think that Caroline is spoiled and demanding but she really grew on me in a way I never expected.

One of the things I love most about an Elizabeth Camden book is just how much I learn about history. She blends entertaining fiction with historical fact so skillfully that you can't help but be excited by the tiny details and what you might learn on the next page. When I started this book I did have vague knowledge of President McKinley's trip across the US and I knew that he was assassinated while in office, but that's about it. But there was so much more to know, about the president and his wife, about the Secret Service, about Washington D.C., and all sorts of fascinating things!

I am really getting into the Hope And Glory series, each story has been fascinating and thought-provoking, and I absolutely can't wait for the next book so I can finally find out the answers to the overarching storyline of the mysterious third Delacroix sibling. If you like historical romance haven't read A Gilded Lady yet I would definitely recommend adding it, and the rest of Elizabeth Camden's wonderful Hope And Glory series, to your TBR list...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Another excellent link in the chain of Camden's exploration of women in high profile roles in 19th century america. Here, Caroline Delacroix sparkles in high society Washington life though a family secret and her growing attraction to the stalwart head of the secret service flint and spark against rising threats of anarchy.


Camden's research, her panache in bringing period detail to life and her focus on strong women who choose romance rather than fall into its expected trajectory is once again forefront. And, since the trilogy is book-ended by Caroline's brothers, it is welcome to have her story here. An unputdownable read by a favourite author.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free book. Why have I waited so long to finish this series? This is book 2, and I will be devouring book 3 next. I loved Caroline and Nathaniel’s story. Camden put so many details into Caroline’s job. I could feel the exhaustion, tension, and fun she had while being First Lady McKinley’s secretary. I also enjoyed the sweet relationship between her and her twin, Luke. His story starts in the first and continues here. Nathaniel and his role following ways were very familiar for me. I really liked how he wanted to do everything but the book. It was a great juxtaposition for this potential romance. This book is full of history, family, and finding a way. Also, the way that faith was handled left me filled with reminders of Gods goodness.

There are times I get caught up in the review books that I need to read immediately and lose sight of the books that I want to read and are waiting patiently for me. A Gilded Lady falls in the second category.

The story is set in the early 20th century during President McKinley's time in office. Caroline Delacroix works for Mrs. McKinley, a very demanding woman. I had the thought bugging me that McKinley was one of the assassinated Presidents of the United States. This story piqued my interest to do a little research of my own.

Caroline and Nathaniel are opposites in most ways. He is stuffy, she is carefree. He works with single-mindedness while Caroline captures all that is around her. I loved the chemistry between them.

This is a story of love finding a way in spite of opposition.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.