“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.

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 ;-)

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.
​
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.

Buy it at: Amazon, Audible or your local independent bookstore       
Visit our Amazon Storefront

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 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.