Welcome to day two of Alexander’s World Mini-Workshop. Today is about subtle refinement: doing almost the same life you always do, but with just enough extra attention that it feels different from the inside. Yesterday you named a code for yourself, and tried walking through the day with a touch more intention, a little less hurry.

Today isn’t about being “better”; it’s about noticing where that experiment wants to go next: into the way you tackle unlovely tasks, how you communicate when you’re tempted to speak from a place that isn’t true to yourself, and how you end the day once the world finally goes quiet.

Here are three ideas to experiment with today:

1. Do one unglamorous, necessary task beautifully

Choose a neglected chore (paperwork, budget, a necessary call, a hard email) and do it slowly and thoroughly, as if it were part of your code to finish things with gracefulness and care.

2. Practice composed communication once

Before a text, email, or conversation you’d normally rush, take a moment to breathe, and ask yourself: What would I say if I wanted this person (and me) to experience —fill in the blank— in my presence. You might choose a word like elegance, beauty, grace, patience, love, gratitude.

3. Choose an evening “turn‑down” ritual

Spend a few minutes preparing yourself and your space for sleep: do a small skincare ritual, dim the lights, tidy the kitchen, fluff the pillows on the sofa, clear a surface, set out water, maybe add a scent you love, put on something beautiful to sleep in. No phone during this; let it be the last deliberate act of the day.

If you enjoyed these two days with Alexander’s world, remember that this workshop is just a tiny echo of the novel it came from. In The Gilded Talisman, you can watch his code tested in real time—against danger, desire, family history, and the kind of beauty that makes it hard to think clearly.

I loved writing it, because I love seeing how he and Maren, both separately and together, navigate those obstacles. I hope the novel gives you even more ideas about the kind of presence, boundaries, and rituals you want in your own life. If anything from this mini‑workshop stirred something for you, I’d truly love to hear your thoughts, either in the comments or by replying to this post.

A Special for My Readers

If you haven’t read The Gilded Talisman yet, on February 22, 2026, as a little gift to you, the e-book will be on special on Amazon starting at 99 cents and then going up incrementally until it reaches the regular price again on March 1, 2026. You can find it at the link below. (The numbers in the link are just the e-book’s international ASIN) or you can also visit Amazon and search for it directly with that ASIN or the title, whichever you prefer.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTPPN3HK

With love and romance,

Nina

P.S.
Check out my interview on Substack about writing in general, and The Gilded Talisman below:

Find The Gilded Talisman on Amazon here.
Follow my Amazon Author page here, for updates and new releases coming soon.

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Alexander Girard lives by a code.

He moves through rooms most of us only ever glimpse on a screen: grand hotels, couture ateliers, palaces on the Bosphorus, but what makes him unforgettable isn’t the luxury. It’s the way he stays utterly himself inside all that beauty: measured, loyal, unhurried, impossible to rush or impress into being anyone but who he has chosen to be.

Over and over in The Gilded Talisman, we see his personal rules for himself in action: he keeps his promises even when they cost him, refuses to perform for an audience, and insists on savoring the world: good coffee, well-made clothes, a well-set room, without letting comfort make him soft. There’s something magnetic about a person whose attention is this deliberate.

Welcome! I received so much feedback about The Gilded Talisman, especially and surprisingly about Alexander Girard and his mother Geneviève, so I thought it would be fun to do a two-day, self-paced mini‑workshop with a few pages of reflection, small experiments in boundaries and ritual, and invitations to bring a little of his composure and presence into our own everyday lives. No couture or palace required. Feel free to comment, I’d love to hear your thoughts, or if you’re shy, you’re welcome to send me a note.

Real Life vs. Fiction

Yes, Alexander is fictional. But that’s part of what makes him useful to study. On the page, we can see his choices in high contrast. We watch what he does under pressure, what he refuses to do, what he reaches for when no one is watching. In real life, people are messier on the surface; in fiction, characters let us trace a clear line of values and habits, then decide which pieces we might want to borrow.

Alexander reflects the pleasure‑centric world in his surroundings and rituals, but his center of gravity is duty and self‑mastery rather than indulgence, so he both embodies and quietly challenges it.

Concretely, within the Paris and travel scenes:

• He lives inside curated pleasure: couture fittings, Le Bristol suites, perfect wines, beautiful rooms and cars are his natural habitat, and he’s fully fluent in that language of taste.

• But he doesn’t chase stimulation; he uses those settings as controlled stages: reading in an armchair with bourbon while watching over Maren on the train, or moving through parties and salons with composure instead of performing charm for everyone.

• Internally, his “compass, not clock” code means he won’t let desire, luxury, or other people’s expectations own him; he’ll do unglamorous, difficult things (keeping promises, standing between Maren and danger, having hard conversations) even when they cut across comfort.

So to Maren, he becomes the proof that savoring beauty and ritual doesn’t have to mean superficiality: he can relish a world of sensory pleasure while still being governed by loyalty, boundaries, and an inner code rather than by pleasure alone.

Day 1

Part One: Name Your Code

Before Alexander’s choices become “rules” you can borrow, they start as something more subtle: a sense of who he is willing to be, and who he isn’t, no matter where he is or who is watching.

This section is an invitation to let your favorite moments from the book show you what you’re craving more of in your own life: a particular kind of steadiness, restraint, protectiveness, elegance, or honesty. Rather than treating these as abstract ideals, you’ll be translating them into a few clear lines that feel like your code: small, livable promises to yourself that you can actually carry into the next two days.

“What three qualities did you find most interesting about Alexander?”

“Where in your own life do you already live this way?”

“What are three of Alexander’s “rules” for himself that you would like to try on for yourself this week?”

Part Two: Live a Little Slower

A code only becomes real when it reaches the level of our calendar, our conversations, and our smallest habits. Alexander’s steadiness doesn’t come from grand declarations; it shows up in how he walks into a room, how quickly he reacts, how he pours a drink or finishes a difficult task. This section is an invitation to experiment with that same unhurried attention in your own life. Not by doing more, but by doing a little less, a little slower, and more deliberately. For the next two days, you’ll choose a few tiny “Alexander experiments” and experiment with letting them reshape how you move through your hours.

Here are a few real-world habits you might consider adopting for the week:

Choose a daily ritual and do it without phone or multitasking.

Batch your messages: answer texts/emails twice today, instead of constantly.

Say a clean no today without over‑explaining.

Do an unglamorous task you’ve been avoiding, and do it carefully. How could you maximize the pleasure in it, the way Alexander would?

Part Three: Notice What Changes

Codes and experiments only matter if they leave a trace. After a day of moving a little more deliberately, this is your moment to look back and notice what, if anything, shifted inside or around you. Did time feel different? Did certain choices feel clearer, or certain impulses (to rush, to over‑explain, to numb out) lose a bit of their grip? This section isn’t about grading yourself; it’s about becoming curious. By paying attention to even the smallest changes, like a calmer morning, or a private ritual that felt beautiful and meaningful, you’ll begin to see which pieces of Alexander’s way of living actually belong to you.

What felt surprisingly easy today?

What felt uncomfortable?

Did anything about your day feel more beautiful, or more grounded?

Enjoy! More tomorrow! To thank you for joining me, tomorrow I’ll post a special for The Gilded Talisman e-book on Amazon.

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The Gilded Talisman sweeps readers into an opulent world of international travel, set against the dazzling backdrops of Venice, Paris, and Istanbul. Gifted art restorer Maren Bennett’s ordinary-and slightly dull-life is upended by a broken engagement, a dark tragedy and a single cryptic message: Come to Venice as soon as possible-trust no one. Drawn into Venice’s shadows, Maren encounters mysterious jewels, an unsolved code, and a haunting trail that leads her deeper into the city’s mosaic of secrets.

Tasked by the enigmatic Marquise de Saint-Clair to recover Roxelana, a priceless Ottoman talisman necklace, Maren’s journey becomes a race between protectors of the Talisman’s legacy and ruthless rivals who will stop at nothing to seize its power. Her quest leads her onto the legendary Orient Express, where luxury conceals danger and every passenger hides secrets. Designer fashions, opulent mansions, snowy sleigh rides, and glittering ballrooms make for a novel as beautiful as it is thrilling.

A lush, atmospheric romantic suspense about legacy, reinvention, and the power of love. A richly immersive story for lovers of classic slow burn romance.

Complicating her mission is a devastatingly handsome, impossibly wealthy aristocrat tied to the Talisman’s dark history in ways he refuses to admit. As sparks fly and trust wavers, Maren must decide if he is friend or foe. Betrayal and heartbreak threaten everything, as centuries-old loyalties and ambitions place her and those she loves in the crosshairs. Woven throughout is a nuanced story of reinvention and transformation, as Maren navigates mysteries across Europe, and in her own life.

Readers looking for a romance novel with well-developed, multi-faceted characters, thought-provoking themes, and a believable, slow-burn relationship will love The Gilded Talisman.

Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Beatriz Williams, Natasha Lester, Sandra Brown, Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Mary Clark, Victoria Holt, Phyllis A. Whitney, Danielle Steel, and Judith Krantz.

Read it now on Amazon

The Gilded Talisman Takes Flight!

What delightful news to share with my devoted band of Romancers! The Gilded Talisman has officially made its grand entrance onto Amazon Kindle, probably looking quite dashing in its digital debut. This marks a thrilling milestone in bringing Maren Bennett’s sophisticated adventure—complete with art restoration, mysterious talismans, and romance across Venice, Paris, and Istanbul—to readers who’ve been eagerly waiting.

The Great KDP Select Adventure

Ah, the exclusive relationship phase with Amazon’s KDP Select program! Like a particularly demanding romantic interest, KDP Select insists on monogamy for 90 days—no other digital platforms allowed. This means The Gilded Talisman must temporarily bid farewell to Substack, though it promises to return after its exclusive Amazon honeymoon.

In exchange for this commitment, the program offers the opportunity for newbie authors like me to get some help with much needed promotional tools, higher royalties, and the coveted spot in Kindle Unlimited, where subscription readers can devour the book without additional cost. It’s like dating a wealthy romance hero—there are a few drawbacks, but the benefits are substantial.

What Awaits This Weekend

Fear not, dear beta-readers! While The Gilded Talisman is off gallivanting with Amazon, Saturday brings a delicious consolation prize: chapters one and two of The Roses of Ainsworth Manor will grace these very pages. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

With much love (and romance)

Nina

Thank you for welcoming The Gilded Talisman into your world and spending time with Maren on her journey of transformation, courage, and romance. As a small gift in return, I’ve put together a book club kit for you—questions for reflection and discussion, curated playlists, and a few party and travel-inspired ideas to help you linger in her gorgeous world a little longer.

You’re welcome to use these prompts on your own or with a book club, to explore the characters, settings, and themes that shaped this story. The Author Notes are drawn from the private pages I kept while writing—fragments of research, behind-the-scenes details, and the moments that surprised me on the page.

Thank you for reading, and for inviting this story to sit at your table.

With gratitude,

Nina Gates

FRIENDLY SPOILER ALERT- If you don’t want to know how it ends, read no further.

Q: Two prominent themes in the novel are the power of saying yes and that a single decision can change a life. Do you believe that’s true? How do these themes apply to Maren’s journey?

Author Insight: For Maren, her story begins with a literal “yes” responding to her father’s message and traveling to Venice. Each critical step in her journey comes from her willingness to step out of her comfort zone and choose the uncertain path. By saying yes, she doesn’t just unravel the mystery; she also invites new love, friendship, and growth into her life. Maren’s experience affirms that one decision can change everything, not because it magically solves all problems, but because it unlocks the possibility of growth and opportunity.

Q: One theme that weaves through the book is the idea from the poet Rumi, that “what you seek is seeking you.” Do you believe that’s true? How do you think this idea is reflected in the plot and the characters’ journeys?

Author Notes: Throughout the novel, both plot and character arcs embody this concept: Maren searches for closure, and a sense of belonging, but in the process, she discovers those things are also searching for her—through unexpected allies, the unraveling of family secrets, and even love. The motif appears literally, as with the map and clues that seem tailored for Maren, and metaphorically, as characters repeatedly encounter the person or knowledge they most need just as they’re ready to receive it. Ultimately, for Maren and Alexander, what they’re truly seeking is self-acceptance and genuine connection, and those arrive only when they have the courage to be vulnerable and open to possibility. The theme reminds us that the journey is reciprocal: our desires and questions shape the world around us, and if we’re open to saying “yes” to life, we just might find that what we’ve been looking for is already making its way toward us.

Q: Lucien is an interesting character. How do you think he became the way he is?

Author Notes: Lucien is an elegant person. He displays impeccable manners beneath cynicism and is fluent in old-world behaviour. traits typically forged through an elite education, frequent travel, and distance from ordinary domestic life. When I imagined him, I imagined he’s worked on both sides of the law: as a protector, a rival, and one who understands the world’s gray areas. Lucien hints at betrayals, missed opportunities, and the necessity of self-reliance (“the people who help you are the only ones who matter… The rest? Filler. Packing peanuts.”). His attitude emerges from an early betrayal or foundational relationships where trust was broken, especially in childhood or young adulthood, prompting emotional reserve and strategic detachment. His places distance, not necessarily physical, but definitely emotional, between himself and others. He never offers more than people “deserve” to know. He learned lessons the hard way: trust is earned, not given, and often disappointed.

Q: What is it about Maren that seems to soften Lucien’s cynicism, and attracts him to her?

Author Notes:

• Authenticity and Vulnerability: Maren is open about her uncertainties, losses, and desires. She doesn’t posture or play games, which stands in stark contrast to the guarded, world-weary figures Lucien is accustomed to. Her honesty invites him to drop his own defenses, at least for moments.

• Adaptive Strength: She is resilient and willing to reinvent herself. Lucien observes this as Maren tries on new identities, admits when she’s misjudged, and grows in self-awareness and confidence. That quality earns his genuine respect and sparks his curiosity, as it’s something he admires but perhaps struggles to access in himself.

• Intelligence and Curiosity: She approaches the world and her quest not with a hunger for power, but with curiosity, thoughtfulness, and care. Lucien responds to people who seek knowledge for its own sake; Maren’s desire to solve the mysteries of the parure is motivated not by greed but by understanding and even love.

• Wit and Playfulness: She can banter, laugh at herself, and meet Lucien’s playful remarks with her own, creating a rare sense of equality and chemistry. He’s challenged (and delighted) by her willingness to trade stories and explore ideas, rather than simply react or retreat.

• Capacity for Trust and Forgiveness: Despite her wounds, Maren is willing to seek help, to offer trust (even cautiously), and to recognize the humanity in others—including Lucien. This quality is unfamiliar to a man used to cynicism and betrayal, making her presence disarming and hopeful.

How Maren Softens Lucien’s Cynicism

Maren represents for Lucien a chance at authentic connection and a reminder of what is worth protecting: truth, love, and the strength to endure loss. She navigates shadows without losing her sense of self or joy. For Lucien, her optimism and willingness to believe in what endures under adversity speak as a quiet challenge to his detachment, suggesting that even in a world of secrets, beauty and meaning persist for those willing to risk openness.

Q: For Maren, putting the ring into the vault at the end, after developing such a unique relationship with it was a significant moment. What does this reveal about her character growth throughout the story?

Author Notes: Placing the ring in the vault marks Maren’s realization that she no longer needs it as a crutch or guide. Earlier in the story, she relied on the ring’s presence or vibrations to affirm her instincts about people and events, sometimes longing for it to give her more specific advice, like in the Budapest bathtub scene, where she wishes it would “speak in complete sentences.” By the end of the book, Maren understands that perhaps the actual power of the ring is not that it guides her, but that it encourages the wearer to trust her own judgment, emotions, and intuition. Letting go of the ring signifies her newfound confidence and independence—she’s ready to trust herself, rather than depend on a talisman for direction.

Q: The story opens with Maren’s father sending a cryptic message from Venice. How does this inciting incident shape the events that follow?

Author Notes: The message is both a call to adventure and a puzzle—its ambiguity propels Maren into action, forces her to revisit her relationship with her mother and her late father, and sets the tone for the novel’s blend of mystery, grief, determination and reinvention.

Q: Why did the author choose to make the talisman a parure (a set of jewels) rather than a single object?

Author Notes: A parure allows for multiple layers of mystery and a sense of history passed through many hands. It gives the quest scope and lets various characters possess or lose different pieces, making the chase more complex and emotionally charged.

Q: The Orient Express journey features shifting alliances and hidden agendas. How did the author use this setting to advance the plot?

Author Notes: The train provides both glamour and confinement, forcing characters into close quarters where secrets can’t stay hidden long. Each stop and passage creates new revelations, betrayals, and moments of vulnerability.

Q: Every character in the novel lies or withholds information from Maren. What are some of these instances? How do these deceptions drive the suspense, as well as Maren’s evolution as a character?

Author Notes: Every lie or half-truth raises the stakes and keeps Maren and the reader guessing about each character’s real intentions. Each character, like real life, has their own reasons that are plausible. It also underscores the realistic theme that perception and reality often diverge between people experiencing the same events, especially in matters of the heart.

Q: The ball in Istanbul is a major turning point. How was it significant to both the plot and character arcs? How do the ball and the escape effect Alexander and Maren’s relationship?

Author Notes: The ball is where glamour and danger collide. Relationships are revealed, betrayals unfold, and Maren is forced to choose whom to trust. It’s a staged, beautiful event masking deeper currents, much like the plot as a whole. Both events allow Maren and Alexander to “try out” this new relationship under unique, sometimes stressful circumstances.

Q: The coded maps and riddles left by Maren’s father form a subplot. What role do these mysteries play in her journey?

AuthorNotes: They force Maren to use and, just as important, trust her own skills, be observant, undefined judgement, think critically, as well as confront emotional truths tied to her parents. The mystery isn’t just external, but threaded through her identity and family legacy.

Q: Why do you think the author chose to make Maren and art restoration expert? What contrast does her character have with Alexander’s cool financier character?

Author Notes: The choice of Maren Bennett as an art restoration expert was an intentional thematic choice.

• The Professional Mirror: Maren’s job is to look past the surface, remove the grime of age, and fix the “cracks” in beautiful things. She is professionally trained to see the value beneath the “varnish” which is exactly what Alexander’s manners are.

• The Emotional Heat: If Alexander is the “Ice” (steady, unmoving, perfectly structured), Maren is the “Thaw.” Her openness acts as a solvent to his rigid code.

Q: Why did the author weave in historical elements about Ottoman jewels, the Silk Road, and Venice’s ties to Istanbul?

Author Notes: It grounds the plot in authentic details, making the stakes feel real and giving the story a sense of layered time and cultural complexity. These ties allow for a richer narrative tapestry and deeper thematic resonance. Plus, it’s interesting.

Q: How did the author balance action sequences (such as thefts, chases, and confrontations) with quieter moments of introspection?

Author Notes: I structured the plot to alternate suspense and reflection. After each thrilling or dangerous moment, Maren is allowed to process, making her choices feel more lived-in and her growth more believable.

Q: The novel’s ending leaves some threads open. Why do you think the author did that? Did she intend for ambiguity, or is there more to the story?

Author Notes: Some mysteries are left unresolved to reflect real life and to give readers room for their own interpretations. For Maren, who has a tremendous urge to figure things out and solve mysteries, she realizes that not every mystery needs to be solved. Sometimes she can just exist within it. I wanted to end on a note of hope and new beginnings, but also with the sense that Maren’s story and the Talisman’s secrets could continue.

Q: How does Maren’s initial decision to walk away from Alexander in the Saint Mark’s Square scene reflect major personal growth on her part?

Author Notes: I love this scene. Maren’s choice to walk away from Alexander is a turning point for her. Instead of clinging to the hope of romance or letting her feelings dictate her actions, she chooses self-respect and emotional honesty with both Alexander and herself. For much of her life, Maren has sought validation and belonging through others; in this moment, she asserts her own boundaries and chooses not to compromise her integrity, even though it’s painful. This act of letting go shows real growth. She’s willing to face loneliness and uncertainty rather than lose herself or ignore her instincts. Ultimately, her willingness to let go of control opens the door for a more authentic and equal relationship later in the story. It gives Alexander the opportunity to come forward.

Q: Many romance novels end once the characters get together, but The Gilded Talisman continues for several chapters after Maren and Alexander become a couple. Why do you think the author did this, and did it enhance your experience of the story?

Author Notes: Continuing the story after Maren and Alexander unite was deliberate. I wanted readers to experience not just the formation of a relationship, but how love matures when tested by adversity and the unknown. It’s even more fun for the reader because it’s like getting two books in one. Just when you think the emotional arc is resolved, the story shifts and the couple must now unravel new challenges together. This gives readers the satisfaction of both a romance and an evolving partnership, letting them see how trust, teamwork, and love can grow stronger through real trials long after the “happily ever after” moment.

Q: What are the details that make “pleasure as default” feel baked into life in some chapters, especially the Paris sections, rather than tacked on “because they’re rich?”

Author Notes: On the page, I wanted the details to show that Alexander and Madame Girard’s world in particular, is built around deliberate, sensory richness, such as sight, scent, touch, taste, and small rituals. Part of Maren’s transformation is thinking that they “wring every drop of taste and texture from the present,” and how she might be able to do that in her own life. I also wanted the observations to feel earned and thematic, not myopic. Some specific ideas I used were:

Curated arrivals:

• Black Rolls‑Royce Phantom gliding into a jasmine‑scented courtyard; engraved monogram on the Art Nouveau gate; a silver‑haired chauffeur with a tiny embroidered sunburst on his lapel.

Floral excess as everyday beauty:

• Tall blue‑and‑white jar overflowing with out‑of‑season roses, lilacs, lemon branches, and tuberose in the entry hall, perfuming the air over beeswax and stone.

Rooms designed to be savored:

• Pale blue and gold salons; silk taffeta curtains pooling like ball gowns; gilded moldings; Palladian windows with four bergère chairs “keeping watch” over the garden; Aubusson‑style carpets with rosebuds and ribbons; a canopy bed veiled in pale blue silk.

Ritualized food and drink:

• Antique sterling tea set gleaming on a tray; Sèvres cups with bergamot‑scented tea; Limoges coffee pot sprinkled with rosebuds, French roast, croissants, and a small bouquet brought on a silver tray as a matter of course.

Clothing as experience, not just status:

• Dior atelier scenes where Maren runs her fingers over cashmere, velvet, and embroidered tulle; the Bar jacket that changes her posture; fittings with champagne and careful pinning around her body.

Invisible orchestration:

• At Le Bristol, every need anticipated, Dior selections tailored and hung like a boutique, lingerie wrapped in lavender tissue, jewelry and luggage laid out—luxury as a seamless background rather than a big “ta‑da.”

Further Discussion

• What was your overall impression of the book?

• Did you enjoy the book? Why or why not?

• How would you describe this book in one sentence?

• Were the characters believable, and what motivated them?

• In what ways does Simone weaponize her knowledge about Alexander?

• How does Alexander’s willingness to talk about Simone with Maren and his mother reflect a change in him?

• What about the relationship between Mathilde and Xavier? Did you suspect early on that he had made the necklace? Were you surprised by their relationship?

• Light and darkness appear frequently—from the inscriptions on the parure, to the eclipse, to hidden tunnels to brilliant revelations. How does this motif reflect the characters’ emotional journey?

• The novel explores the tension between preserving artifacts and keeping them accessible to the public. How should society balance protection with sharing cultural treasures?

• Did the book make you feel any particular emotions?

• Can you connect any of the characters in the story to your own life experiences?

• How did the settings contribute to the story?

• If you could change one thing about the book, what would it be and why?

• The novel suggests that “love makes things endure.” How do different kinds of love—romantic, familial, between friends, and cultural—manifest in the story?

• What does Maren’s expertise in art restoration bring to the story beyond plot convenience? What does it tell you about her personality?

• How does the novel portray the relationship between past and present? Are the characters prisoners of history or empowered by it?

• How do clothes play a part in the novel? How does Maren’s changing personal style reflect her changing ideas?

• What does the story suggest about courage? How do different characters show bravery in their own ways?

• If you discovered a legendary artifact with mystical properties, what would you do? How do you think the characters’ final decisions about the parure reflect their values and growth?

• Often the very traits we see as neutral or ordinary in ourselves are the ones that set us apart—quirks, intellect, kindness, authenticity, etc. What traits have you been surprised to learn that others admire, or consider a strength of yours?

The Gilded Talisman Book Club Kit

Welcome to the world of The Gilded Talisman—a romantic suspense of art, love, adventure, and second chances, unfolding across Venice, Paris, the legendary Orient Express train, and Istanbul, as art restorer Maren Bennett is drawn into the mystery of a legendary Ottoman talisman.

This kit gives your group everything you need to host an immersive, conversation‑rich meeting:

• Atmosphere ideas (décor, dress, music)

• Themed food and drinks

• Discussion questions

• Optional activities and reflection prompts

Use all of it or mix and match to fit your group.

1. How to use this guide

Suggested flow for a 90–120 minute meeting:

• 10–15 minutes: arrivals, drinks, and settling into the atmosphere

• 45–60 minutes: discussion questions

• 15–30 minutes: a themed activity or “one big question” round

• Final 10–15 minutes: closing thoughts + favorite scenes or quotes

You’re welcome to split the questions over two meetings if you’d like to read and discuss the book in halves (for example, “up through Paris” for one meeting, and “Istanbul and the ball” for another).

2. Setting the scene

You can lean into one location, or treat your evening like a journey with “stops” along the way.

Option A: Venice – City of Masks

Evokes: fog, mosaics, secrets, beginnings.

• Dim the lights; use candles or warm fairy lights in glass jars to echo lamplight on the canals.

• Add blue and teal accents (napkins, glassware, vases) as a nod to the mosaic river in St. Mark’s and Maren’s lapis ring.

• If you like props, set one Venetian mask or simple black masquerade mask on the table.

Option B: Paris – Salons, couture, & reinvention

Evokes: Dior, transformation, salons, and Maren’s quiet coming‑into‑her‑own.

• Use a white or cream cloth with one lush centerpiece: roses, greenery, or any florist’s bouquet that feels full and a bit decadent.

• Add a couple of gold or brass candlesticks and your prettiest glasses or teacups.

• Create a tiny “couture corner”: a perfume bottle, silk scarf, string of pearls, or lipstick as a visual echo of the Dior scenes.

Option C: Orient Express & Istanbul – travel & talisman

Evokes: train glamour, Ottoman jewelry, the hunt for the Talisman.

• Run a long table runner in navy, deep green, or burgundy down the center like a train track.

• Scatter a few “jewel” details: faux gem table scatter, a vintage‑looking map, postcards, or a single statement necklace displayed like the Talisman.

• A small brass bowl, lantern, or candleholder brings in a hint of Istanbul.

3. Music suggestions

Create a playlist called something like “Sapphire Nights & Golden Mornings – A Gilded Talisman Playlist.” The pre-made Gilded Talisman Playlist is available on Spotify.

OR/You can search for existing playlists with these moods or build your own:

• Venice / early chapters

• Classical or cinematic instrumentals

• Soft piano or ambient “Venice at night” playlists

• Paris / Dior & salons

• French café jazz

• Classic or modern French vocal jazz and chanson

• Orient Express

• 1920s–30s jazz standards

• Instrumental swing and piano bar music

• Istanbul / talisman

• Instrumental Middle Eastern / Mediterranean fusion

• Cinematic “Silk Road”–style soundtracks

Play on low volume so conversation stays central.

4. Food & drink

Choose one tier, or pull one item from each “city station.”

Simple bites (easy & flexible)

• Good crusty bread or baguette with butter or olive oil.

• A cheese board: one soft cheese (brie/camembert), one firm cheese, plus olives and grapes or figs.

• Chocolate: truffles, dark chocolate squares, or chocolate‑dipped cookies.

Elevated “city stations”

Venice

• Crostini with toppings like: Olive tapenade, Ricotta with honey and cracked pepper

• Prosecco or sparkling water with lemon twist.

Paris

• Quiche, savory tart, or a simple roast chicken with a green salad.

• Dessert: macarons, eclairs, or pain au chocolat.

Orient Express & Istanbul

• Mezze‑style platter: hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, pita bread.

• Dessert: Turkish delight, baklava, or honey‑soaked pastries.

• Drinks: black tea in glass cups or strong coffee.

Signature drinks

Non‑alcoholic and alcoholic versions both work.

“Midnight Blue” (sparkling & moody)

Sparkling water or Prosecco

Splash of blueberry or blackcurrant syrup

Lemon twist

“The Talisman” (simple, strong)

Whiskey or bourbon over a single large ice cube with an orange peel

For a mocktail: iced black tea + a little apple juice + orange peel

5. Discussion questions

Use as many as you like; you can also invite each member to pick one that resonates most. (See Above)

6. Optional activities

These are totally optional; they can be a fun way to close your meeting.

Activity 1: One “Yes” away

Prompt:

“Sometimes we only discover what we’re capable of when we step into the unknown.”

Invite each person to share either:

• One “yes” in their past that changed their life’s direction, or

• One “yes” they’re considering now (big or small).

You can go around the circle, or let people write a sentence or two on slips of paper and read them anonymously.

Activity 2: Travel map of the story

Print or sketch a simple line map: Venice → Orient Express → Paris → Istanbul.

Give everyone a few sticky notes or index cards.

Ask them to write:

• A favorite scene,

• A line or moment that stuck with them, or

• A question they had.

Place each note at the “stop” it belongs to and walk through the journey together briefly.

Activity 3: Favorite line & why

• Ask each member to bring one favorite line or short passage (no more than 2–3 sentences).

• Go around and read them aloud, each person sharing why that line resonated—whether it was a feeling of being seen, a romantic moment, or a vivid image.

7. Author & where to find the book

About the author

Nina Gates writes romantic suspense that blends emotional depth, glamorous settings, and the kinds of love stories that change the way characters see themselves. The Gilded Talisman follows art restorer Maren Bennett from fog‑draped Venice to luminous Paris, the Orient Express, and Istanbul as she confronts grief, legacy, and the possibility of a different kind of love.