The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden
Book #1: Hope and Glory Series
Source: NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers
Rating: 4½/5 stars

Annabelle Larkin’s family has sacrificed everything so she and her sister, Elaine can spread their wings and live a life far beyond the confines of their failing Kansas farm. The Larkin girls have both been to college and if they play their cards right, life in their new home of Washington D.C. can and will exceed everyone’s expectations. Though both women are thrilled to be living in the city, life isn’t without its challenges.

Annabelle’s sister is blind and her presence in D.C. is meant to help her live a real life, a life beyond her limitations. Elaine spends her days volunteering at the national library where she works with the Braille collection and helps fellow blind people advance their own reading skills. Elaine’s life hasn’t been easy, but helping others brings her comfort and allows her to live a life she is proud to call her own. However, her life isn’t perfect and without Annabelle, Elaine’s newfound freedom would not be possible. Annabelle spends her days working as an assistant botanist at the Smithsonian and if she wants her job to continue, she must impress her bosses.

Annabelle’s ultimate goal in life is to help her family bring their farm back to prosperity and that means learning all she can about wheat and crop production. To continue toward that goal and keeping her sister safe and happy, Annabelle must keep her job at the Smithsonian, but as a woman working in the late 19th century, that isn’t going to be easy. Her bosses have a very specific agenda and that agenda includes Annabelle gaining access to the plant and spice collection of one of the world’s most reclusive and private men, Gray Delacroix. Gray’s collection of rare and special plants would be a boon to the Smithsonian collection and Annabelle has been tasked with gaining access to, if not cuttings and samples from the tremendous collection.

Gray Delacroix has spent his life travelling the world collecting the most exotic plants and spices. His family’s fortune is based on he and his father’s hard work and focused determination to bring only the best spices back to America and make them commercially available. Gray is highly protective of his work and believes only he and his family can provide the best products in the industry. To Gray’s thinking, organizations like the Smithsonian and Department of Agriculture only want to exploit his efforts and give away for free what he and his family have worked hard to build. To Gray’s mind, Annabelle Larkin is just the latest volley in the ongoing struggle between Gray and the US government.

Or, is she . . . . .

Annabelle Larkin is the only woman who has ever made Gray think seriously about settling down and being more than a powerful and successful businessman. Annabelle is knowledgeable, honest, clear in her intentions, and truly interested in what Gray has accomplished. Her love of plants and desire to learn is rivaled only by Gray’s and that is something he has never found. In the shortest of time span’s Gray decides to court Annabelle and work towards building a life and family with her. Gray has every intention of helping Annabelle secure her future and support her sister and parents. Just as everything seems to be falling into place for both Gray and Annabelle, their lives are turned upside down following the arrest of Gray’s brother for treason. What unfolds in the wake of the arrest is a story of betrayal, lies, plans, shady business dealings, and the desire to do the right thing even in the face of heartbreak.

The Bottom Line: I was somewhat on the fence when I requested this book from NetGalley and I certainly should not have been. The Spice King is a bit outside my normal historical fiction comfort zone, but I am quite glad to have stepped outside the zone. I found this book to be complex, complicated, informative, and absolutely engrossing. I spent one very late night reading this book cover to cover and regret nothing. This story could have been dead dull if it weren’t for the robust characters telling the story. Annabelle is a quiet storm who holds fast to beliefs and loyalties no matter the personal cost. Gray is a surly, stubborn, reclusive man hell-bent on protecting his family no matter the personal cost. There are so many plots and sub-plots going on in this book, but Camden weaves them all together brilliantly and creates a truly excellent read. This book has a bit of everything including well-rounded and interesting characters, a solid and very real historical setting, and a story that weaves in and out in the most wonderful ways. Elizabeth Camden is a force to be reckoned with in the historical fiction genre and I look forward to her next offering.

I received an ARC of this book from Bethany Hous Publishers via NetGalley, this review is my personal opinion.

Elizabeth Camden did it again! I love her books and I enjoy reading this one. In this story, we go to the year 1901. On The Spice King, we have two families, two main characters from very different backgrounds. So first we have Anabelle Larkin, she a Botanist working for the Smithsonian in a work categorizing plants from Africa and Australia. She is from Kansas and She has two main goals to help her father that is a farmer with a seed that help him to have a productive harvest and to achieve a permanent position so she and her sister Elaine, could both stay on Washington. We see from the beginning that Anabelle feels guilty for her sister blindness and so in order to accomplish those two goals she needs to have access to Gray Delacroix's private collection of spice, according to his boss he in the position of the vanilla orchid a very unique and exotic plant. So, even does she receive a reject letter from Gray Delacroix, she is determined to reach him. In another hand we have Gray Delacroix, is the owner of Global Delacroix Spice a man of business who has work really hard to get to where he is, have travel around the world, he is single, handsome, but for many years his only and main focus have been providing for his family, have a brother and a sister that since his father die when he was younger had to assume the responsibility of head of the house. On Gray's, eyes both of his siblings are more interested in money and look that life in general. When we first meet Gray, he is fighting with a touch of Malaria he caught in one of his travels.

As soon Gray meet Anabelle he finds her interesting even do he is clear of her intention, little by little they got more and more closer. And then something really important developed in the story, there is a possibility of conspiracy and Anabelle take what it seems a good and maybe bad decision at the same time. One of the things I like the most about this book was the openness we see in Gray after he decided to be really honest with Anabelle. We see two sides of humanity and the consequence not only of our decisions but our perceptions. And how others are affected by them. Elizabeth Camden took a really complex political situation and add historical details, with many twists and turns will keep you guessing until the end. Love, faith, second chance, family all this in a complex situation. This book is truly a winner, I recommend it!

Alright alright, I have to admit this one's pretty good. xD I'm normally not a huge fan of Elizabeth Camden because her books just aren't the most realistic in the romance category (which this one wasn't exactly either but still a lot better).

Can I start off by saying the jobs of main characters are COOL? Come on, a botanist and spice empire founder? It can't really get cooler than that in my opinion. xD I also applaud Camden for the unique plot of this book -- it's definitely unlike anything I've read but still completely interesting and not too out of left field. I would definitely recommend picking up this book and giving it a try! 4 stars.

Gray Delacroix is a businessman who has dedicated to building his family's spice business empire but at a cost. He decided to set Annabelle Larkin is a temporary junior botanist at the Smithsonian. To secure her position, she has been tasked to gain access to Delacroix's private plant collection. She has no idea that meeting the reclusive tycoon to complete her task will force her to make some tough choices.

Camden does a great job of describing the characters because I could easily picture them ( a beautiful cover, didn't hurt either). Aside from the overarching romance theme, I appreciated learning about the American food business and how some foods and spices became common in North America especially before WWII and was delighted that Kenyan coffee was given a shout out.

The Spice King is a great comfort read if you are interested in learning about the interwar period in America.

Note: This book was provided by publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was one book where I couldn't just predict the end. Largly because I was wondering how after what Anabelle had done to Gray and his family if there was going to be a way forward. But the author did an absolutely remarkable job of weaving together spices, food, revolution in the early 1900s, espionage, politics, betrayal, forgiveness, love into one book with a delightful ending.

The wonderful themes of dedication and commitment to family and the truth was skillfully illustrated.
Forgiveness and letting go even when one is hurt was played out wonderfully.
This is not a book to be forgotten in a long while.
5 stars all the way.

I received a copy of this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are mine.

I've been excited to read this book since I knew of it because it's by Elizabeth Camden and I loVe her books!! This was a part of a new series (Hope and Glory, versus the Empire State series), so I was excited to meet new characters and get into a new setting.

Overall, I still like the Empire State series more than this series (at least so far), but my favorite part of Camden's books, the STEM focused young women who are also feminine and have emotion, was still present!

I really enjoyed the historical setting of this book: in the very early 1900s, which was when America was really coming into its own; corporations were booming and inventions were coming out left and right. Although I don't know much about it, that period of history is FASCINATING to me! I loved reading about that time period and seeing where everything came from. :) As someone who doesn't know a ton about the food industry, this book was also really interesting and a good way to learn more about it, and its origins.

In terms of the story, it was a good story and I really enjoyed it: it was action packed, but never boring, but which made it feel a little long at times. There were SO MANY twists and turns that it was never dull, and all of it was interesting to read about! The chemistry between Annabelle and Gray was AMAZING: I don't think I've read a book where the two main characters connected so well! Annabelle is smart and witty and resilient, and Gray is thoughtful and smart and calculating but also sweet. Their siblings were also so fun to read about (and there are hints of Caroline and Luke having their own books!!! eeek!!), and Annabelle's parents are a joy. :)

Overall, I really enjoyed this story! It was a joy to read (even though it felt a bit long at times) and I loved the setting and the characters!

My Rating
4/5

Thank you to the publisher (Bethany House Fiction) and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review; I was not required to write a positive review.

This review first appeared on: losingthebusyness.wordpress.com/2019/09/04/book-review-the-spice-king-by-elizabeth-camden/

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden is a delicious mixture of mystery, romance and history that will have you wishing the second book in this series was already out!

I love historical fiction that teaches me something. The author took something as simple as spices and gave me an intriguing look into the early beginnings of food labelling. And she did it all while mixing in a romance and a mystery. More importantly, when I went to use vanilla, I checked the label to see if it was pure. It wasn't! And that alone keeps this book coming back to my mind with the wealth of information it provided.

I loved how Gray and Annabelle seemed to be growing in their faith at the same time. Trust was a big theme in this book. Trust in God that everything would work out according to His plans and trusting in other people. What happens when people you love break your trust? Gray deals with this on many fronts and struggles to find his way to the truth. Annabelle struggled with trusting herself and her motives. I identified with her as she constantly wondered if she was doing the right thing. Both characters were very believable.

While I felt the ending was a little abrupt, it did leave me wanting more, and I look forward to the rest of the books in this series.

I received this book from Bethany House through NetGalley.

The Spice King is a terrific kick off to a new series. Elizabeth Camden sheds some light into some history of spices, flowers, and vanilla in a romantic tale with great conflict. As usual she adds that mystery element that keeps you hooked until the end. I can’t wait for the rest of the books to release. I rate this a 5 star.

What a fascinating book. I enjoy learning things even when reading fiction. The history of the US Department of Agriculture and when Pure Foods and Drug Act was introduced. Then you add Annabelle and Gray... sins, Luke, Caroline and Annabelle's blind sister Elaine. To read the synopsis follow the link below... I will be patiently waiting to get my hands on Book 2!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

No matter what subject matter the author writes on her research is thorough and exquisite. It's without question! I would have to imagine the author enjoys researching her books as that's how she writes.
For me what sets her books apart from the pack is the originality of the subject matter!
Yes, there is romance but it's not the story lead. I love these historical books which I can learn so much from. The cover is stunning and it's exciting to see the shift from females all the time gracing our covers to a handsome male.
The fascination is real as I learned about food safety, spices and extracts being cut and diluted and becoming impure and being passed off as pure and the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval coming about.
You will absolutely devour this one as you read about a broody and handsome main character whose family is spiraling out of control,dangerous politics,espionage and a woman junior botanist for the Smithsonian.

I absolutely can't wait for the release of the next book in this attention catching series.

Published September 3rd 2019 by Bethany House Publishers.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

One of the things I love about Elizabeth Camden is her ability to find unique topics to write about. She has a loyal fan here for that reason alone. THE SPICE KING is about a man who got rich off spices and the woman who works for the Smithsonian and wants his well-guarded secrets.

Despite his mistrust of Annabelle, and that his personality is as drab as his name, Annabelle and Gray form a friendship that comes under fire when the government decides Gray is a spy and promises Annabelle all her dreams come true if she spies on Gray and finds him guilty. Despite her initial misgiving she succumbs and snoops....

Gray is openly anti-government but is he a spy?

I really liked Gray's brother and sister, but both Gray and Annabelle as well as her sister were one dimensional and I couldn't force myself to care for them. The sexual tension between them was nonexistent but should appeal to readers who like love to come softly. I did take issue with a works-based faith message instead of grace...

I liked the touch of suspense and loved the unique topic. Fans of Elizabeth Camden and regency time period romances will likely love THE SPICE KING.

I was given a copy free.. All opinions are my own.

The Spice King is my third Elizabeth Camden novel, and it is officially my favorite! Like usual, Camden is excellent at immersing you in the history surrounding her story and painting a beautiful picture of the setting. I love how the focus of this book is such a rare and unique part of history (food safety), and Camden not only makes it interesting but also memorable.
I loved every character in this book. Annabelle Larkin is a typical strong female lead, and I love her courage and intellect. But I also love her sense of adventure and her ability to find great joy in the small things in life and how much of her heart she gives to others. I always say I have to love the heroine if I’m going to like the book, and Annabelle quickly became a dear friend.
Gray Delacroix is a bit dark and brooding at first meeting. But it was easy to see how Annabelle fell for him with such ease. Not only is he a true gentleman and classically handsome, but his passion for his family’s spice business and was contagious. (I want to buy all the REAL vanilla.) And the stories about his travels around the world easily gave this homebody wanderlust. Oh, and I can’t forget his devotion to his siblings. Sigh. So, yes, you will swoon over this aptly named Spice King.
There is such depth to the story as Gray and Annabelle’s lives become entangled, and the tension escalates as Annabelle is forced to make heartwrenching choices. The uncertainty and hope scattered through the pages keep you reading chapter after chapter (well after bedtime!).
I can’t think of a single thing I disliked about this book. It was obviously painstakingly crafted. A true labor of love.
Any fan of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this book!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I'm always impressed by the amount of historical detail and circumstances the author weaves into the story that I had never considered, especially at a time when more women are making their way into the workforce. It makes me excited to think about these pioneers and how they contributed to our nation. Washington D.C. is a fascinating setting and I loved seeing the city through the eyes of Annabelle. She is driven with such purpose, whether it be analyzing grain samples or persuading someone to her way of thinking. Gray is more complex, and the pair was an interesting match. I didn't sense much romantic chemistry between them, but rather a deep respect for the challenge they present each other and the unlikely friendship that blossoms. Secrets and political motivations threaten their relationship, but I admired their integrity as they navigate the obstacles they endure.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

**4.5 stars**

The title of the book was the first thing that intrigued me. I wanted to know who the spice king was? Did he live in another country? There were so many possibilities.

What I found was a great book set during the McKinley Presidency. This was a time of agricultural upheaval. It appears that food wasn't regulated and that cheap imitations and fillers could be sold to unsuspecting consumers. I was fascinated with the political intrigue, bribery, and the struggle to change packaging and honesty in the food industry. Of course, that is not what this book is all about. It is about two people from different worlds falling in love. There are outside circumstances that pull them apart and they have to figure out how to forgive and move forward. (I don't want to spoil anything by giving details.)

I loved the loyalty to family that both Gray and Annabelle exhibit. They both make hard decisions with their families in mind. They were a couple that I was rooting for and hoping that the dilemma could be resolved in the way that I wanted it to be. This story did not disappoint me in any way and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The Spice King is an intelligent historical romance!
Things I loved about this novel:

the tenacious heroine! She’s capable and wonderfully feminine, yet she still proves her ability and right to work in an environment history traditionally viewed as a place for men. And she loves her sister so much!
a brooding and fiercely loyal hero, whose facade begins to melt when he sees the potential for a dream for companionship and family unrealized (both in a romantic way and the relationships restored with his siblings)
political intrigue and secrets! Historically accurate WASHINGTON and the White House!
themes truth, loyalty, patriotism, trust
I enjoyed learning new things about exotic spices & foods we take for granted today!
the friendship and rapport between Gray and Annabelle. It’s a dynamic and subtle relationship. He is attracted to her intelligence and she greatly respects him!
Gray’s relationship with his siblings! I’m excited about more to come… and hopefully some answers to the twists of the story.
THE SWOONY COVER. I’M IN LOVE. And the hero very much matches the cover, so extra points for matchy accuracy!
the romance-that’s-way-smart. The romance is central to the story, yes, but even more so is the simple mature friendship that develops between Gray and Annabelle. Camden doesn’t dwell on the physical dynamic between them, that’s done well and subtly just so the reader senses the attraction. The appeal in their romance is more about camaraderie, intelligence, a recognition that each compliments the other, and a mutual respect. This elevates the story to a higher level, I think!
I am excited for the rest of this “Hope and Glory” series! I know we will see more of Gray and Annabelle.

Thanks to Bethany House for the review copy. This is my honest review.

I immediately fell in love with this cover the first time I saw it. I found myself curious...who is the Spice King? What's his story? I also knew from past books I've read from Elizabeth Camden that this would have some ties to historical events. How would Camden weave true events and fictional characters into a compelling story?
Gray and Annabelle have contrasting histories. Gray comes from a wealthy family that lost their wealth in the Civil War and had to build it back up from nothing. Gray knows what it's like to be wealthy, lose it all, and gain wealth once again. Annabelle has never had the wealth that Gray has, but through her poverty and desire to help her family, she sacrifices almost everything to provide them with a better life. Yet even in her sacrifice she is able to something she loves...work with plants. That's something I appreciate about her character, yet it's also at times a flaw. She is willing to sacrifice everything out of duty instead of fight for what she wants at times. This could just be another cultural aspect of that time period, but I mentally wanted to say, "Come on, girl!" When she is approached by those who are in positions of power and manipulated to spy for them, that's when the moral conflict begins.
Part of me wanted Annabelle to outsmart those "bad guys"...and her naivete was at times frustrating. Yet I was pleasantly surprised that there were twists in the plot that didn't follow the typical. Predictability is not always a bad thing...because let's be honest...I love a happy ending. It's how the characters get there that makes it fun. The journey Gray and Annabelle take is interesting, entertaining, and redemptive. If you enjoy historical Christian fiction, you'll enjoy this newest novel by Elizabeth Camden.

**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give my honest opinions, which I did.**

Another riveting historical drama from Elizabeth Camden! Her ability to bring to life little-known facets of American history and to blend the facts with compelling fictional characters never ceases to amaze me. I just wished for more from the ending of the story, and am hoping that the plot lines I felt were unresolved will be addressed in future books in this series! Can't wait for the next one!

What I Loved: Camden never fails to create a realistic world where she becomes the expert in whatever field her character is involved in. I'm always amazed at the amount of effort that goes into each story and The Spice King was no exception. Here, we're treated to a side of political conflict that I never knew existed as well as the food safety and a whole world of spices. 
As for the romance, I adored Annabelle and Gray's story. From the very start, these two collided in a beautiful way. 
The Christian content was centered around forgiveness and was incorporated naturally.
While I never wanted this story to end, I cannot wait until the rest of the series. It looks as though the Delacroix family has a lot of stories left to tell and I confess that I've been stalking the book pages, looking for the first glimpse of the next book in the series. 
Rating and Recommendation: I happily give The Spice King 5 stars and recommend it to those who enjoy Christian Historical Fiction. 

~ I received a copy from Bethany House. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one. All thoughts are my own.

Do you read food labels carefully? I use to not care as much what was in my food, but then almost seven years ago I was diagnosed with celiac. Now, I read every single label very carefully so that I know that all the food items I purchase are safe for me. Recently, I’ve even been trying to cut as much sugar and dairy out of my diet as possible and to eat mostly whole foods. I am becoming more and more thankful that companies are required to honestly label products! However, I don’t know if I’ve ever thought about the historical events that happened to cause companies to have to label their food correctly. That is, I hadn’t thought about it until I read The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden.

As usual, Elizabeth Camden opened my eyes to historical events and details that I knew nothing about. She is such a a talented author because not only does she teach a fascinating history lesson through her stories, but she also tells a page turning fictional story at the same time. I learned so much about the historical events that caused companies who had been mislabeling foods to label their foods accurately. I also learned more about where different spices came from and how they are produced. While the historical details were my favorite part of this book, I also really enjoyed the romances that took place in the midst of all the history.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, but also to those who enjoy food, romance, and historical details.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Elizabeth Camden has done it again. With her latest release, The Spice King, she creates an intriguing plot and fantastic characters.
Camden crafts a compelling novel full of political intrigue and romantic tension. By constantly upping the stakes, Camden keeps you turning the pages. I was constantly on edge, waiting to see what would happen next. It wasn't just the romance, either. Camden has several subplots that grab your attention. From treason to corporate secrets, the novel never has a dull moment.

(Review will go live on the blog on Sept. 27 at 5:00 PM EST. Reviews on retailer websites may take up to 72 hours to appear, but I have included reviews on Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Barnes and Noble.)