The Gilded Cage - A dazzling beauty in a city
of splendor and sin by Edith Layton
ISBN: 0451402642 Penguin Group (USA)
Summary
Post-Civil War New York was a golden city where wealth waited for the bold
and everything had its price. It was here that well-born but impoverished
Lucy Markham sought fame and fortune on the stage under a false name --
and became the toast of the town and the target of every man-about-town.
It was here that handsome, iron-willed millionaire Josh Dylan came to put
the seal on his success by conquering society. The moment Josh saw Lucy,
he wanted her -- but only as his mistress. The moment Lucy saw Josh, she
fought to quell her desire for him. For neither could afford to surrender
to the one thing that threatened their carefully laid plains. Love.
From the Critics
M. Penna - Inside Romance
Edith Layton gives us a thoroughly delightful tale of love so pure, it can
withstand the obstacles put in its path by society and individuals that
try to thwart it.
The characters are not only believable, they are sensitive and very real. I found myself falling for Josh and his western drawl and applauding Lucy's ability to retain her integrity in a situation filled with temptations.
I enjoyed this novel more than I could possibly tell you. This one's a "keeper".
Kathe Robin - Rave Reviews
Edith Layton's fascination and obvious adoration of the theater comes shining
through this charming tale set in the tawdry world of the post-Civil War
musical theater, chock-full of wonderful details of stage production and
the public's obsession with operettas. The lifestyle of actors and actresses
make up the crux of The Gilded Cage. Lucy and Josh's romance takes a back
seat to Ms. Layton's love for the theater turning The Gilded Cage into more
than a romance, but a novel centering on the changing musical theater. Look
for the sequel with Josh's brother as the hero next year.