I’m in the process of putting together a book launch team for my upcoming historical romance, The Test of Gold, set in New York City’s Gilded Age.
Gilded Age mansions were beautifully decorated for Christmas. Look up the Biltmore estate in Asheville, North Carolina, to get an idea of the grandeur.

Enchanted Christmas tree in The Test of Gold.
Right now I’m still looking for a few more historical fiction lovers to join my team.
An author must write blurbs, short descriptions of the story to generate interest and hook a reader. The following blurbs I came up with for my publisher might tweak your interest.
At the zenith of the Gilded Age, a young woman defies New York high society and her battleaxe of a mother to find true love.
The duke wants her fortune. Her mother wants a title. What Lindy wants doesn’t matter.
It’s never easy to defy your mother, especially if she’s the influential Vera Lindenmayer.
A rich heiress, a cash-poor duke, and a battleaxe of a mother whose ultimate ambition is a royal title for the family name. What could go wrong?
A friend asked me recently how I came up with the title.
I found it in a quote from Seneca, a famous Hispano-Roman philosopher. Here it is:
Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of men. Seneca (c.3 BC-65 AD)
From there, the following two books have the word “gold” in their title. Book 2 is More Precious Than Gold and book 3 is Threads of Gold. and I’m calling the trilogy The Hearts of Gold series.
I had so much fun doing the research for The Test of Gold and learning about the sumptuous Charles Worth gowns, and the exquisite jewelry the ladies wore. Oh, and the corsets! I’m so glad women don’t have to wear them anymore!
Send me a PM if you’re interested in joining the team. I promise it will be fun!
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