This turned out to be wonderfully sweet! I loved how the characters were still true to their characters in the first book, The Spice King.

I enjoyed reading about a former president and first lady, though the ending of their story was of course very sad, the historical plotline pulled me in right away.

I highly look forward to the next book!

There were some mentions of smoking and stopping smoking.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher/review company. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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(3.5 / 5)

Caroline Delacroix's job isn't an easy one, as secretary to a difficult first lady, but it's an important one. Being at Ida McKinley's beck and call is the least Caroline can do if it means she might be able to secure a presidential pardon for her twin brother. Luke is in prison in Cuba, charged with treason, and Caroline will do anything she can to help him. Unfortunately, this puts her at odds with the newly appointed head of security for the president, Nathaniel Trask. Though he's taken by Caroline's wit and beauty, he can't trust the sister of a traitor to the country.

I liked both of the main characters in this book, and I really liked reading the fictionalized history of President and Mrs. McKinley at this time of his presidency. It was interesting to go along on their cross-country train tour. I also enjoyed the continuation of the story of Luke in prison in Cuba that began in the first book in this series. The story overall was good, but I didn't find it as engaging as the first book in the series. I also had some issues along the way that brought the rating down for me.

The first thing that bothered me was that certain events in this story didn't seem to match up well with the previous book. There's some overlap in time, though it's a bit difficult to follow, because time passes in jumps now and then in this book. Still, there's a scene in the previous book that involves both MCs in this book, and the timing of how things are discovered in this book just don't mesh with that scene. I kept trying to figure out how the two stories lined up, timing-wise, and it was distracting. I also noticed some inconsistencies in Luke's behavior later in the book that I can't explain without spoiling things.

The dialog continues to be fairly modern in this series, but I'm not personally bothered by it. After reading the first book, I thought the story of Luke that began there would encompass the entire series, the third then focusing on him, but just from the synopsis of the third book, one can see that's not the case. My initial desire to read this entire trilogy is a little diminished by the way his story arc played out in this book, but I still want to read his story. This book may have been a little bit of a let-down to me after how much I loved the first one, but I have a feeling most of it is personal preference and that other fans of Christian or historical romance will still enjoy it. ( )

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 ( )

Title: A Gilded Lady (Hope and Glory #2)
Author: Elizabeth Camden
Pages: eBook
Year: 2020
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
My rating is 3 out of 5 stars.
Nathaniel Trask has been asked to oversee security for President McKinley during a campaign train trip with many stops and public appearances. Nathan takes his job very seriously and very personally. He institutes many new rules and regulations regarding who and when people can come in contact with the President. In some circles, he isn’t very popular. He also feels it comes under his responsibilities to keep Mrs. McKinley safe. As Caroline Delacroix is her personal secretary/assistant, Nathan interacts with her frequently to arrange security measures.
Caroline is a wealthy woman with a secret. Her twin brother has been arrested for treason and is being held in jail in a foreign country. If anyone finds out, her job that she loves will be history and many people in high places will be asking the authorities to bring him to trial in the U.S. where traitors are sentenced to a life in prison or worse. Caroline find’s Nathan attractive but very reserved. She and he trade witty remarks and some barbed comments, but will a romance develop? Nathan is very focused on his job and after the train trip has been promised a return to his former job. Caroline loves her job, but if President McKinley isn’t re-elected, she will be out of a job and face an uncertain future.
I am a big fan of Elizabeth Camden and have read most of her books. This one, however, fell flat in the romance portion of the story. There was very little romance. Nathan is too wrapped up in his job to pay much attention to Caroline, and she seemed to wait around for him to notice her attraction to him. They just didn’t seem like much of a couple and not meant for a romantic future in my opinion. Also, Caroline’s faith made sporadic appearances and seemed a bit shallow. I did enjoy the historical aspect of the story. The inside look at how the McKinleys and their staff lived while he was President was so interesting. I also liked the character development of Caroline’s brother, Luke, and his storyline. I can’t wait to read about him in book three of the series, The Prince of Spies!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )

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. ( )