The Spice King

THE SPICE KING by ELIZABETH CAMDEN is a romantic historical novel, with quite a bit of intrigue and politics, and a really good Christian message. The story is based on true history, and takes place in 1900, at a time when unscrupulous businessmen were making money by putting untested and potentially dangerous ingredients into tinned and bottled food, which they were passing off as the real thing.
Annabelle Larkin and her blind sister, Elaine, leave the family farm in Kansas, which is in financial trouble, and move to Washington where Elaine has found a position with the braille library, and Annabelle has a temporary job at the Smithsonian. Annabelle is a botanist and is passionate about plants. In fact she is passionate about life in general and is friendly, optimistic and loving. She is also patriotic and determined, and makes up for her short stature by not being afraid to speak her mind.
She has been told by Dr Norwood, her superior, that in order to obtain a permanent position in Washington, she needs to find a very rare Vanilla orchid, which may be in Gray Delacroix' possession.
Gray is a businessman who has built up Global Spice, travelling the world to find rare plants and increase his business holdings. Gray is a grumpy man, all business and no social graces. He does not trust the government, because of what happened in the past, nor does he want to help them in any way, let alone in their botanical research.
I will not tell you any more about the story, as I do not want to spoil the read for you, excepting to say that it is an interesting and exciting book, with great characters that are very well portrayed, and I can highly recommend it.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The Spice King is an absolutely delightful historical romance novel. It tells the story of two sisters from Kansas who move to Washington DC together. There, one sister works while the other sister volunteers. Each sister finds romance in the most unexpected places. Meanwhile, the "Spice King" and his family are caught up in politics and business @ the turn of the 20th century as they discover the strengths and weaknesses among the siblings and fight for each other. The book is full of unexpected twists and turns with believable characters. Very difficult to put down - & I'm really hoping for a book 2 to tell "what happens next" in each of the main characters' lives!

Elizabeth Camden is one of my favorite authors and I eagerly look forward to each of her latest releases. The Spice King is the beginning of a new series and it is set in America's capitol, Washington. I found the cover to be both attractive and intriguing, and it definitely caught the eye of this occasional "judge a book by its cover" reader.

While the story started out a little slow for me, I highly recommend that if you feel the same...keep reading! The Spice King takes place before there were laws against adding fillers, untested preservatives and undisclosed ingredients to canned foods. Can you imagine eating food laced with formaldehyde?!!! That was shocking to me! The characters are diverse and the plot is interesting with twists and turns to keep things interesting. Themes of betrayal, forgiveness and impossible choices make this novel well worth reading.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free advanced reader copy of The Spice King. The opinions expressed here are my own.

(4.5 stars) - excellent... and thought-provoking

Elizabeth Camden's new book is a really well done story with thoroughly engaging characters that also poses some challenging questions.

It contains all the fascinating historical insights we've come to expect; this one covering some of the major contributions to the development of food labeling laws (as well as touching on aspects of the development of the Agricultural Agency, President McKinley's presidency and our relationship with Cuba at the time).

The romance between Gray and Annabelle is fun and warm and sweet. Then comes the conflict. And it's a doozy.

While I thought the story was told fairly plausibly, and wanted to see them back together, I suspect the resolution of the story is going to be controversial with readers. I loved the book and am eagerly looking forward to the next, but confess to struggling a bit with the resolution myself.

SPOILERS
I think the one part that would have made it easier for me to believe they could reconcile would have been if, once Annabelle knew it wasn't Gray, she had arranged to meet him somewhere publicly like a park or outdoor café & let him know what she had been more or less forced to do, rather than trying to continue on with him as if she knew nothing & hope that Gray never found out.

That she did try to hide it was very human & understandable, but still less than upright & made her own actions look far more suspicious, devious even. Had she been completely open with him as soon as she was able, though, it would have made it easier for me to see Gray's eventual willingness to accept her, to view her as a woman of integrity and want to be with her again.
END SPOILERS

Clean romance level: sweet kisses
Religion: fairly generic Christianity, completely organic to the story, not preachy

Elizabeth Camden is a master at crafting a story that brings unknown elements of history to life. In her latest novel, The Spice King, Camden catches the world of artificial flavorings into a delightful story. From the moment her heroine, Annabelle walked onto the page, I admired her ability to leave the plains of Kansas and move to Washington D.C. That took guts. Plus, to bring her blind sister with her and take care of her while following her dreams is a huge accomplishment by itself. The plot was fascinating to learn and taught me more about the history of artificial flavorings versus the real stuff. It moved at a nice pace. I didn't find it slow at all. I flipped through the story at a nice rate and enjoyed what I was reading. While the romance isn't the point of the story, I think the romance between Annabelle and Gray moved a little too quickly for my taste. They barely knew each other and were dying to be together again. Overall, The Spice King was a delightful read filled with fascinating characters who taught me something about the importance of buying the real stuff.

I received a complimentary copy of The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Camden is my new favorite historical fiction author! No matter how many I read, I just can't find one I don't like! Camden is a master of this genre.

Annabelle Larkin is an adorably naive and innocent character, but that's not to say she doesn't have a backbone. She is passionate, tender-hearted, and nearly always optimistic, as well as patriotic with strong morals. I quickly fell in love with her sweet character. Grey Delacroix is quite the opposite. Embittered against the government for having wronged his family in the past, he is reclusive and sarcastic, yet he too has a strong moral code and is incredibly loyal to his family, which is a trait I am always drawn to.

The story starts out with a series of (rather humorous) letters, and quickly draw the reader in. I was a bit surprised by how quickly the romance took place in the course of the book, but it definitely made sense plot-wise and still was very realistic. (No insta-love either, thankfully.) But the story is certainly not all about romance. There is suspense, treason, betrayal, politics, intrigue, sabotage and more. This is a jam-packed story that is sure to keep your interest! And, of course, the book is well-laced with Camden's trademark humor and witty banter. I found myself laughing out loud at times.

All in all, The Spice King is an epic opening to Camden's newest series, and I am greatly looking forward to the rest of the series! I highly recommend checking this book out, as well as any of Camden's numerous other works!

Elizabeth Camden has once again written a fabulous historical fiction in The Spice King. I absolutely loved her characters and the depth of their interaction.

Annabelle Larkin is determined to win a donation from the Delacroix plant collection. Fresh out of school in Kansas, she feels somewhat at a lose to be living and working in Washington DC. Working in the Smithsonian for only two months, she tried every way she knew to contact the elusive Gray Delacroix. After writing two times to Gray, she refuses to give up, being the latest of in a long line of botanist who'd tried and failed to make headway with Mr. Delacroix. If she can obtain the coveted Vanilla Orchid, she would secure her position with the Smithsonian. Boldly she makes her way to the Delacroix home. Along the way she spies a Spice map and hopes to gain entrance to entice his interest. As she meets Gray she notices that he is quite ill, the effects of Malaria, but he demands to see the map. Adamant that he doesn't trust the government, Annabelle charms her way into the man's greenhouses.

This is the most charming tale. The story is full of historical insights from a time when there was no regulation on foods stuff. I love how the relationship between Gray and Annabelle progressed and how they learned to trust each other. A definite 5+ star on my scale.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

This is a fantastic book! The main characters are “spicy” in their attitudes and interactions with each other which makes the romance such a great entertainment. I loved the history woven into the plot of this book. I would recommend it to anyone.

I love novels that are not afraid to ask the BIG questions. The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden is a wonderfully engaging read. The characters are excellently crafted and delightfully endearing. The historical detail is fascinating. I learned so much about the history of processed food. Unfortunately, since the 1800s, food has been a science experiment crafted in warehouses and labs. I am blown away by what some people were, and still are, willing to call food just so they could turn a profit. What I really love about The Spice King though is how it made me wrestle with BIG ideas, specifically with the question: is it ever wrong to tell the truth?

Very early on in the story, Annabelle, the heroine of The Spice King, is backed into a metaphorical corner and is sort of forced to spy on Gray Delacroix, the spice king. IF she is willing and is successful, Annabelle is told that a very lucrative job will be her reward. So she spies, finds some incriminating evidence, turns it into her military contacts, and receives her reward: a really good job with the Department of Agriculture. On the surface, Annabelle did the right thing. Treason is BAD. However, it bothered me -- I mean really, really bugged me -- that Annabelle spies and tells. Now, before you start to worry, NO, I am not a traitor to my country. I really do believe treason is BAD because it can lead to a lot of innocent people getting hurt. What I don't agree with is Annabelle's use of the truth as a weapon, which is what she does in order to personally profit. And I know this kind of truthtelling severely bothered Annabelle too because she has a brilliant Lady Macbeth moment: "All [Annabelle] could see was the splotch of old stain on the slate table before her. The stain of what she'd done … would be with her forever too."

"But wait!" you're saying. "I thought Jesus said in the Bible that the Truth will set you free. How can Annabelle be in the wrong?" I struggled with this as well until I really considered why we tell truths. Truth does set people free when it is told for the right reasons in the right context. I have no issue with a man or woman going through the necessary training to become an actual spy, taking on an actual mission, finding real intel on an enemy, and then relaying that information to the proper authorities. The general goal and heart of the person, in this case, is to keep others safe. My issue with Annabelle is her motivation. Annabelle does not spy to save lives. She does it to receive personal compensation. When I teach others the Truth of Jesus if my heart is in it for me and what I can earn, my truthtelling is wrong. But when I teach others about Jesus because I genuinely love them and want a soul change for them, my truthtelling is righteous. When Annabelle tells the truth she discovers it causes her to feel anxiety, pain, and heartache because she is selfish in her motivations. This really forced me to analyze my heart. What are my motivations behind my actions, words, and beliefs? Am I doing and saying the right things but for the wrong reasons? Or am I right on track?

I love, and highly recommend, The Spice King for many reasons, but the fantastic lesson on truthtelling that is weaved throughout the narrative makes this book an absolute must-read! The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden releases on September 3, 2019. I implore you to pre-order yourself a copy of this book today. I promise you will NOT want to miss out on this book.

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I confess, I used to read all of Elizabeth Camden’s books, but I fell behind a while ago, amidst the busyness of life. So this is the first one I’ve read in quite a while and as I read, I was reminded what I so enjoyed about her other books! I didn’t have a ton of expectations, given the previous statement, but if I’d had any, I can confidently say they would definitely have been far surpassed!
I can’t fathom how much research and time Ms. Camden must put into every single one of her stories! There is so much detail and specifics, which I absolutely adore! I so appreciate how she writes about different professions and times in history. There is such variety across her writing and this book is no exception! If any other author had published a book about a spice company owner and a botanist , I probably would have been more than a little skeptical. But not with this one! From the first time I saw the cover and read the description, I was intrigued! This was something I’d never considered reading about and I so enjoyed getting to know Gray and Annabelle! They are opposites in many ways, but also so suited. I so appreciated Annabelle’s integrity and desire to do the right things, the hard things. And Gray’s devotion to his family and integrity, in his own way.
I loved the history surrounding their characters, too! Like Annabelle’s sister assisting at the Library of Congress to help the blind and integrity in food manufacturing and labeling. And throw in a bit of mystery (which I’m hoping continues in the next book) and I’m hooked! I’m definitely a history geek and this book is like stepping back in time. The vivid descriptions and detail made it seem as though I was right there with them, learning how to bottle vanilla and appreciate rare orchids. Though it may sound a bit odd, this was a fun read for me! I greatly enjoyed it and am anxiously awaiting the next book!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys unique characters and American history!

*My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a really unique piece of historical fiction. It was really interesting to see Gray's business pursuits and the development of spices that we take for granted in our day, particularly alongside the government aspect, with the Smithsonian wanting information and the Department of Agriculture wanting to start regulating the growing business. Saying a book talks about the beginning of the fight for food safety and ingredient labels, that might not make it sound very appealing, but it was really fascinating, which I think shows Camden's talent for taking a unique part of history and making it engaging so that readers find themselves totally caught up in something that they didn't think they'd ever find that interesting. (I expected the "spice" aspect of the book to be the thing I liked least, but I really enjoyed it!) The political setting, with the brief look at the aftermath of the Spanish-American war, was also something Camden made me want to know more about.
The plot was good, with suspense and action and family dynamics, and moved along well. I definitely want to read the next book in the series to see how things play out for certain characters.
What didn't work quite as well for me was the romance, particularly on Annabelle's side. I just didn't see her feelings being developed enough. Gray's feelings were shown more than hers were, but I just didn't ever get a good sense of chemistry between them. They worked well on projects--sometimes because they antagonized each other!--but I would have liked a stronger romantic feel. The other thing that fell a little short for me was the Christian aspect. There was very little that came through about Christian beliefs (and the biggest part of that was very close to the end of the book), to the point that I actually double-checked to make sure this really was being put out by Bethany House.

So, with that said, if you're mainly interested in historical fiction, this an excellent choice. If you're looking for a great romance or a book with overt Christianity, this might not be the best choice. For me, it's interesting enough that I'll give it 3.5 stars and I want to continue with the series.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

“At the end of her life, she wanted to know that she had made a difference for the better.”

In The Spice King, the first installment of her Hope and Glory series, award winning author Elizabeth Camden has created an intriguing historical fiction novel filled with faith, romance, betrayal, and treason. Elizabeth Camden is a master at taking relatively unknown parts of history, such as the lack of regulation in the U.S. food industry and the use of adulterated food in the early 1900s, and weaving a fascinating tale of politics, sabotage, and sacrifice.

The story begins in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian as botanist Annabelle Larkin is tasked with obtaining extremely rare plant specimens from Gray Delacroix, the owner of Delacroix Global Spice. Annabelle suddenly gains the attention of government officials and finds herself in a dangerous position in which she has to choose between loyalty to her country and the opportunity for true love.

Elizabeth Camden consistently creates intelligent, strong-willed heroines, and Annabelle Larkin is no exception. From the desire to have a successful career and overcome her regrets from the past, Annabelle becomes stronger and realizes what is truly important in life. The author authentically weaves the characters’ faith into the novel and educates the readers about the rich history of the Department of Agriculture, food regulation in the early 1900s, the American occupation in Cuba, and the presidency of William McKinley.

The Spice King is highly recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Jody Hedlund, Rachel Fordham, and Carrie Turansky. Readers will eagerly look forward to the rest of the Hope and Glory series, in which Gray’s siblings will hopefully get their own stories told.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.


Additional Quotes:

“God was sending her a message. The world was a good place. She needed to look for it, even when life was full of pain.”

“They lived in a huge and expansive country, filled with choices and opportunities. Not all of them were easy, but she had found a man of character who would step into that world with her, and nothing had ever felt so right.”

“This country had been built on a foundation laid down by farmers and stalwart farmer’s wives. It was made great by college professors, inventors, gamblers, industrialists, and dreamers. The politicians at the helm would change every four years, but the heartbeat of America would stay strong.”

It’s hard to think of a time when laws or regulations were non-existent when it came to food processing and labelling products that were being sold to the public. Elizabeth Camden takes the reader on a journey to the early 1900s when some companies in the food industry strove to make profit and cheated their way through adulterated food and false advertising, and others strove to bring pure products to market.

Gray Delacroix has been given the responsibility of running his father’s spice company and has travelled the world looking for spices to enhance the culinary palette of every home in America. He’s taken care to cultivate pure products and to process the plants in such a way as to maintain flavour without sacrificing the nutrients naturally provided. Upon the death of his father, he gains responsibility for guiding his younger half siblings, twins Luke and Carolyn (who are in their twenties).

Annabelle Larkin has a personal mission to succeed in her job at the Smithsonian as a botanist, and develop a strain of wheat that will withstand frost and drought, to save her family’s farm. Her job is only temporary, and in order to continue her placement, she is tasked to obtain a sample of a rare orchid believed to be in the possession of the Delacroix family.

What ensues is a masterful tale of espionage, intrigue, and treason from unlikely characters. Characters are faced with moral and spiritual dilemmas, while trying to overcome the mistakes from their pasts. They are loveable and believable cast of characters, living in an interesting time of American history.

I learned so much about the early development of the food industry through details included about the Department of Agriculture, the role of the Smithsonian, the American occupation of Cuba, the presidency of McKinley, and the lengths companies went to create simulated foods to pass off as pure.

It was a fascinating historical fiction read, and one that kept me turning the pages.

I look forward to the next installment of this series.

I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I read everything by author Elizabeth Camden and this story is one of my favorites! She has a knack for finding relatively unknown history and making it fascinating. In The Spice King, Camden writes about the lack of regulation in the U.S. food industry in the early 1900's. The story is fast-paced, well developed characters, friendship, courtship, witty banter, honest & dishonest food distributors, political intrigue, betrayal, family, and the dilemma of telling the government if someone you know is acting as an enemy of the country. The story was so engaging that I read it in less than two days. I highly recommend this captivating story, fascinating history and lovable characters to historical fiction fans everywhere. I eagerly await the next book in the series.

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

Historical fiction is my favourite genre so I am thrilled to add another author to my 'must read' list

I absolutely LOVED this - the romance has definite 'spice'. This is a well researched book and the author has interweaved the history beautifully, making this a wonderfully rounded novel

A fantastic summer read I would recommend to everyone

2.5 stars

***ARC received in exchange of an honest opinion*

This is another read that in theory seemed my kind of book, but in reality ended up disappointing me.

The story was long, which I usually LOVE, when I enjoy the book, but this wasn't the case. I think this time, this was too long and it took AGES for things to unravel and start happening. I have to say this one even bored me a little, but I kept going because I just can't DNF.

I didn't love the characters, even the hero, who was a rich jerk - one of my favorite types of hero. I feel like the story kept going on and on but nothing really happened. By the end of the second half I started to like other characters (and I'm curious about her book in particular), but I didn't really love the main ones.

The book got a bit too technical in some aspects, but that wouldn't have bothered me if the rest of it managed to captivate me, but unfortunately it wasn't the case.

The first book in the author's new "Hope and Glory" series, we meet the spirited Annabelle Larkin - on a mission to right the wrongs of the world and learn how to help her family. She has left the farm in Kansas to come to Washington DC with her recently blinded sister, Elaine. While working for the Smithsonian as a botanist, her fascination of the plant world and drive to help her family leads her to seek out a meeting with the reclusive and successful "Spice King".

Gray Delacroix (The Spice King) is a man of many hidden depths. As a successful businessman, he has traveled the world multiple times to grow the family company while in pursuit of righting his own wrongs. Now back home, Gray (who is a fair amount older than his siblings) is learning to interact and communicate with them on a very different level. I really enjoyed seeing how their relationships changed from the beginning of the story to what they became in the end.

When Gray and Annabelle clash over some VERY strong principles, can their relationship survive? What will happen to Gray's brother, Luke? Will Annabelle and Elaine's parents accept the changes this new life brings?

This book is set during such a fascinating time in history. I especially enjoyed being able to take a peek behind the scenes at Good Housekeeping as well as learning about the evolving food industry. The witty repartee, the well written conflict, the family ties and deep relationships, even the villains - all combine to create a beautiful recipe for a wonderful book; one I am delighted to recommend!

I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

If you have never read an Elizabeth Camden novel you don’t know what you are missing. She is one of my favorite authors as her characters are flawed and very real. I enjoy watching her characters grow throughout the book as they struggle with life.

In The Spice King, Annabelle Larkin struggles with helping her older sister who is blind and makes sacrifices to help her learn to live in a dark world. Especially since Annabelle feels responsible for her sister losing her sight. Annabelle’s determination to stay in Washington, D.C. to make a better life for her sister puts her in conflict with Gray Delacroix, the Spice King, who has fought to build his families circumstances back after the war. After his father’s death he mans the helm of the company and decides to settle down and leave the traveling to others. He struggles to understand his younger brother and sister, twins, who have grown up since he started traveling the world. As they struggle to realize their goals they realize they may be on the same side.

The history Elizabeth Camden weaves into her writing always fascinates me. She has written another book that does not disappoint.

The publisher provided a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Camden is one of my autobuy authors. I see a new book, I click “add to cart” and then patiently wait 6 months for it to be released. This time I got extremely lucky as I was able ro read an advance e-copy and the waiting was cut short! And I’m so glad it was... because The Spice King is AMAZING. It’s the best christian historical fiction I read this year. I’m gonna tell you why.

First, I couldn’t stop reading. I read so much my ereader actually overheated. Did I wait for it to cool down? Nope, I continued on my phone. It’s very addictive and there are so many twists and turns! And it starts very original, with Annabelle trying to persuade Gray Delacroix to donate his collection to the Smithsonian, and Gray’s letters were hilarious. The actual introduction made me laugh out loud, and their banter brings me life. It starts so well!

Annabelle and Gray have a connection, and their wonderful courtship is developed very early in the story. And they are a perfect pair. But of course, it’s not all fun and laughter, there is much more at stake... hearts will be shattered including my own. I honestly had no idea how on earth this was ever going to end up well in the end. There were many suprising plots and subplots and the pacing was perfectly balanced between lightness and heavy stuff, action and introspection. Annabelle is a wonderful cheerful character with much resilience and I respect her a lot (even if I’m not agreeing with certain actions). Gray seems a bit broody but he totally is very sweet and caring on the inside and a righteous man.

Elizabeth Camden has a way of making relatively boring jobs sound so exciting! This book gives a lot of insight in the food industry, and makes it thrilling, and you actually come to care a lot about ingredient labels! So, so interesting!

What makes the story more vibrant are the fabulous side characters. Gray’s much younger twin siblings are amazing, even if he has trouble seeing it sometimes. I just wanna hug my cinnamon roll Luke and Charlotte is so interesting! The next installment better be about them because I kinda need it badly because some plot points were left open.

My heart always beats faster when there is disability representation and since that kind of is my thing I’m going to mention it. Gray has malaria, and has flares with crippling high fever (and other symptoms), and it is so well written! I love how it isn’t an obstacle to overcome or a plot point, it just is and everyone’s OK with that (well as far as being ok with a chronic illness is possible of course). And Annabelle’s sister became blind three years ago and I love how this is portrayed. You can imagine her fear very vividly and yet she fights for an indepent life, she is extremely brave yet very realistic. We need more of this kind of writing, it is so important for people to see disability treated as normal in books/media, this makes me very happy.

Also, I love that the (gorgeous) cover features a man. My dad and grandfather will be very happy to see this, they are normally slightly embarrased to be seen reading this genre, as it is generally marketed towards women, but don’t underestimate the men reading these books! ;) When it is released in my own language I’ll definitely be handing out copies to both of them.

Overall, I loved every minute of it and I can’t recommend it enough and I have all these feels....

I’ve got a free e-copy of this book from Bethany&Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Spice King is a soaring and tantalizing tale about two very different persons from both sides of the fence who made choice to help their kin and the consequences they face afterward.

I do know this novel does not classify as an historical romance but the blurb told me there was a hint of it inside this historical fiction.
Now, I do think this is my first historical read set this late in history, right at the end of the gilded age. so yes, there is no sizzling scenes but Gray and Annabelle’s feelings never felt short despite the lack of steam, their love evolved along their own revolution until their epiphany.

Even if Gray and Annabelle could not have been two more opposite persons, their love for their siblings was what linked them together.

Annabelle is not perfect, why when presented with few choices, she chooses the one path which will cost her her heart but unsure her sister is provided. I didn’t liked her path because it felt like she used Gray’s growing affection against him but between a burgeoning love and her sister’s welfare, I do understand which way she had to set her mind.
And once her decision made, it was not without consequences for Gray and herself. In some way she paid too for her choosing, a nibbling guilt for her deeds, spying does not leaving people unscathed.
Gray is sure the wronged party and I felt for him as for once he was ready to settle and saw in Annabelle, a possible future. She was the sunflower to his clouded self.
And I do wondered at time how they could overcome the rift Annabelle’s disruption in his life caused.
Gray is a good man, he was shaped by his upbringing and has his reasons for his defiance about the gouvernement. Time changes but not his distrust but life’s events will force him to reenact his decisions and confront his own mistakes.
The side characters crafted by Mrs Elizabeth Camden gave this novel its deep as they were as true as fleshed persons, with their flaws, guilt, and unconditional love for their clan. Now I do wonder if we will see more of them in the next installments.

« This country had been built on a foundation laid down by farmers and stalwart farmer’s wives. It was made great by college professors, inventors, gamblers, industrialists, and dreamers. The politicians at the helm would change every four years, but the heartbeat of America would stay strong.« 

I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher Bethany House Publishers. And here is my true and unbiased opinion.

If you enjoy historical romance novels, then Elizabeth Camden is the best. Her new series, Hope and Glory book number 1, The Spice King is a testament to her outstanding writing and storytelling skills. Ms. Camden takes a relatively unknown part of history and brings it alive. The amount of research must be tremendous. This book is filled with intrigue, romance, a bit of treachery, faith, morals and forgiveness. The story is well developed and keeps your attention to the very end. As always, I really enjoy Ms. Camden’s development of characters from the main to the secondary. This is a great start with a new series and a must read.

The Spice King
By Elizabeth Camden
First impressions: This is a great book that had me hoodwinked into staying up well past my bedtime to finish. This book is the first in a series and much was left unfinished. Now, I don’t know what to do with myself until the next book comes out.
Annabelle brings her blinded sister to Washington DC in hopes to bring her out of her shell and find a new purpose. While her sister is discovering new beginnings volunteering at the Library of Congress, Annabelle is forging her way into the male dominate laboratory at the Smithsonian. Tasked with getting cuttings from the infamous and believed to be extinct original vanilla orchid Annabelle does what she can to make an impression not to be forgotten. That she does. Gray Delacroix is taken back by this young woman the moment he meets her. As their business is discussed the passion, they both have for agriculture blossoms into a romantic interest.
I will give no more away but this, deception, political intrigue, and scandal make a rocky road for romance.
On another note, I found it interesting to read about a topic that over 100 years later is still an issue. Perhaps not labeling food but the idea of what is in our food. The concern for our health and diet is very much relevant today and I enjoyed reading of past crusaders and their triumph to bringing pure unadulterated food to the public.
I was provided with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. For more book reviews visit my blog: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

I love books that are written by Elizabeth Camden. But this book surprised me. It was one of the best Elizabeth Camden books that I have ever read! The plot was very well done, and the characters were so wonderful to read about. The book had surprising twists in the story, and it kept me coming back for more. It is a wonder I got any sleep during the time I was reading this book, as this book kept me up late into the night trying to see what would happen next. I would say this is a must read for Elizabeth Camden fans. And even if you tried her books in the past but did not care for them, I would say try this one! It was simply amazing, and I wish the story could have lasted longer.





I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

The Spice King is a historical fiction novel, and is book one in the Hope and Glory series written by Elizabeth Camden.
Summary: Gray Delacroix works hard to ensure his family’s legacy and if that means traveling the globe to bring home exotic spices, or negotiating the best deal at any cost, he is willing to do it.
When family circumstances force him home however, he realizes he has neglected his own family for far too long. Is he too late, or will he be able to mend broken fences with his brother and sister?
Annabelle Larkin is completely out of her element. Moving from Kansas to the big city to help her sister, and trying to save the family farm are tough tasks, but she will do her best not to let her family down. And if that means facing down stubborn Mr. Delacroix to do it, she is determined to make it happen.
Will Gray and Annabelle be able to help their families survive tragedy and scandal? And, will they be able to live with their own choices when it becomes obvious there is a traitor in their midst?
My Thoughts: I know I have raved about Elizabeth Camden books in the past, and……this is no exception. I absolutely love historical fiction, and in my opinion, Ms. Camden delivers the best in this arena.
I loved the story, the history, the quirky characters, and the fabulous writing. This book is truly worth reading, and I highly recommend it!
Also, there is a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am anxiously awaiting the next book to find out what happens next!
I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Synopsis from Goodreads: “Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building a successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Tasked with gaining access to the private Delacroix plant collection, Smithsonian botanist Annabelle Larkin unwittingly steps into a web of dangerous political intrigue and will be forced to choose between her heart and her loyalty to her country.”

The part of the story that is outlined in the Goodreads synopsis is my favorite part of the book. However, the story swerves into the complexities of food purity and the Food Purity Act and completely lost my interest.

What I liked-Imagining Washington DC in the early 1900s. I love the scenes of Anabelle navigating through the city and the fact that she worked at the Smithsonian and her sister worked at the Library of Congress. This was intriguing to me. The book also started with a great opening scene where Anabelle really makes a powerful statement. The stories about the White House and the McKinleys were also very interesting.

What could have been better - While the Food Purity Act was an important part of US history, I don’t think the topic is interesting enough carry the plot to an exciting conclusion. The last 2/3 of the book spent time setting up the other books in the series which made it feel like nothing was happening to move the story forward.
I really liked the other characters, Gray’s siblings, twins Caroline and Luke. I think that bodes well for the other stories in this series if it continues with their story lines. 3/5

Annabelle Larkin has traveled to Washington D.C. to give her sister, Elaine, a chance to find purpose in her life as a blind woman. She's been given a temporary job with the Smithsonian, with the understanding that if she can convince Gray Delacroix to give up some of his botanical secrets, there may be a more permanent position in store for her. Gray Delacroix, while reluctant to give anything away for free, and especially reluctant to give anything to the government, finds himself drawn to Annabelle. When Annabelle is required to search out more than botanical secrets, will she choose Gray or her country?

I have always enjoyed Elizabeth Camden's penchant for uniquely employed heroines that give an unusual look into her particular periods of history. Annabelle is no exception; as a botanist working within the Smithsonian and then the Department of Agriculture, the reader is given a peek into the period of time where food additives were not monitored by the government. I found this setting to be very intriguing and the interplay between Gray's world of food production and the government's growing interest in food safety was an engaging setting for a novel. The side stories were woven into the larger picture fairly seamlessly, and I am looking forward to finding out how those play out as this series continues!

I give this book 4 stars. I enjoyed the characters, and I enjoyed the perspective from this view of history.


I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Good characters, good plot, and the right amount of problems thrown in to keep things interesting. Kept me turning pages and wanting to finish it!

Elizabeth Camden writes historical fiction with strong female leads, and that’s very enjoyable to me. Usually they are women who were maybe a bit unusual for their day, not stereotypical at all. This book was no exception. If you enjoy this type of book, you’ll like ?The Spice King.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into this, but once I was there, I was hooked! There's a nice romance, with the characters dancing around each other, here, along with a mystery and crime element. It was the second-string story, however, that really intrigued me! Given our "modern-day problems" with food safety, the story of the FDA and food integrity from over a century ago was very enlightening. The history tucked in these pages makes the read worth it alone!

It took me a very long time to get into this story. It might have been that there were very little deep emotions playing – especially from the heroine’s side – that couldn’t let me get my teeth into it. About forty percent into the book things shaped up and it started to read like a different story. I really enjoyed the rest of the read, which deals with topics that are as relevant today as they were more than a century ago. To think that people had to fight for everything we take for granted – it makes you rethink and be grateful. I love it when an author weaves history and fiction together, and this was done seamlessly.

Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for a chance to read and review this book.

The Spice King has everything I love in a historical read and so much more. There's espionage, secrets, betrayal, intrigue, romance. I could go on and on.

I always feel like I learn new and interesting bits of history when I read an Elizabeth Camden book and this one is no different. The Spice King deals with a subject that's very important to me. Food safety. I had no idea how lax the regulations were. Food labeling was pretty much nonexistent and oftentimes, the product wasn't even what it said it was. For example: a jar of applesauce that had no apples in it, but was actually pumpkin that was chemically treated to taste like apples. Crazy! This completely blew my mind and made for an absolutely compelling read. I know there's still room for improvement with our food nowadays, but thank goodness it's better than it used to be.

I'm gonna say something that shocks even me, but, here I go. Move over Romulus White. I've got a new favorite Elizabeth Camden hero and his name is Gray Delacroix. Never did I think there'd be a leading man that could outdo Romulus from 'From This Moment', but Gray Delacroix has done just that. So dreamy. So cranky. He has his faults, for sure, yet he's such an upstanding, all-around good guy. He's taken over his family's spice empire and is adamant about making sure all the ingredients are pure and of the best quality. Unlike his biggest competitor whose only concern is making money and will use unsafe ingredients to get the biggest profit.

Annabelle Larkin has a sunny, upbeat, and always optimistic attitude. She's Gray's complete opposite, but they have some seriously strong chemistry. I liked her, for the most part. Though she did make a decision that really irked me. I know why she did it, but I still wanted to shake some sense into her.

I want to talk about so many more things, but they verge into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say, The Spice King is a must read for any fan of historical romance. It's my new favorite novel from this author and I can't recommend it highly enough.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Elizabeth Camden comes up with the most creative, unique, and fastidiously researched professions for her characters. I love that about her books! She dives in to areas that I never would've expected, making me intrigued and curious about things I never would've thought to be intrigued or curious about. The Spice King is no exception...both the hero and heroine have interesting and intersecting careers and Camden's research shines on each page. My one qualm is the same qualm I've had with Camden's past four or five books, to be honest--I struggle to emotionally connect with her characters. I wish the emotional layers went as deep as the historical research. But that said, still a truly enjoyable read!

Camden is a master of taking a fairly traditional plot line and making it her own and unique through her fantastic characters. I especially love her strong female leads.

Annabelle is working in a scientific field full of men, but she stands on her own and I love it. I also love how invested in the work she is. I know there are personal reasons, but even then it makes a great heroine. Granted she is far from perfect, but that only makes her more believable.

Gray was amazing. I loved his care for his family, his determination, and his unique ailments gave him a great physical flaw that I don't find too often in books. I related to his bad days as I'm sure many others will.

As I mentioned before this plot isn't anything new. It has been done, but Camden's research and characters make her books amazing. You truly feel transported into the time of the book. And honestly you learn a lot too!

This was a fast read for me because I got so engaged in the story.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This is my favorite Camden novel to date. Every element was pitch-perfect and came together in a truly lovely novel. I loved Annabelle and Gray, as well as the supporting cast of characters. Sweet, inquisitive, and intelligent Annabelle Larkin is the opposite of the brusque, business savvy and reclusive Gray Delacroix, yet together they are the perfect couple. I loved these two and championed for their happily-ever-after, even though the odds were against them. And, without giving away any spoilers, they had a rocky road to travel. I was kept in suspense wondering how things would work out not only for Annabelle and Gray, but for the Delacroix business and all those involved.

Camden’s passionate prose and thorough research breathe new life into obscure bits of history. What I love about her novels is that they are very smart with women protagonists who do amazing things in their respective eras. I love reading about bold women who defy expectations and follow their hearts and this is a hallmark of Camden’s writing.

I adored The Spice King and cannot wait for more in the Hope and Glory series. Highly recommend!

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

Another wonderful book from Elizabeth Camden! I enjoyed this story and getting to know the characters. Once again, Elizabeth has brought history alive!

Actually 3.5 stars. If you enjoy a "spicy" story of family bonds and betrayal then this novel is definitely right up your alley! Elizabeth Camden is a prolific author who writes on innovative subjects, and I found her research on the origin of spices we now use everyday in our kitchens quite fascinating.

What didn't work for me was the chemistry between the hero and heroine. I enjoy plenty of romantic tension and traveling down the rocky road to love with plenty of angst. I was definitely disappointed in that regard and also in the characters' first kiss. Not so spicy...sigh.

I found myself skimming through a lot of the political and governmental details as well. If you enjoy a unique tale that doesn't have much romantic depth, be sure to give 'The Spice King' a try! It has great reviews but just wasn't my "flavor." ;-)

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.*

The depth of research that goes into any of Elizabeth Camden's stories is always so impressive and her love for history is evident in everything she writes. I always feel like I come away with an education in eras gone by and always look forward to sinking my teeth into the next book! The Spice King was an enjoyable read with lots of wonderful world building that took me right into the political machinations of the early 20th century. Who would have known that the intrigue surrounding the beginnings of the FDA would be so fascinating!

"The Spice King" is the first book I have read written by Elizabeth Camdem, but I found it so interesting that I might read other of her works in the future.
Historical romance is not one of my favorite genres, but the synopsis caught my attention, and the plot surprised me in every way, since it was not the cliché that I thought it would be. I really liked the characters and especially the main couple, Anabelle and Gray, as well as other aspects of the story, American politics and the world of spices, as it seemed quite original and different from what I had read before.
I also liked that the author introduced in the history a character with a disability, Anabelle's sister, Elaine, who is blind, and I wish we could had know a little more about her and her experience.
It is definitely a novel that I would recommend, the plot is entertaining and full of unexpected twists, with a complex romance and an interesting background.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ebook to review!
All opinions expressed are my own.

I love reading Elizabeth Camden's books because she can take a piece of history and make it come alive in the book. I always learn so much when reading, and this book was no different. I will always read her books for this reason.

I do feel, though, that the historical aspect of the book took away from the romance of the book. I didn't feel a spark between the characters, and i didn't feel like they engaged enough to have any chemistry between them.

I will read the next book in the series, but this was not my favorite Camden book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I love basically any story that Elizabeth Camden has written, and this one is no different. My problem was finding the time to actually finish and complete the story. 

What I truly appreciated was the back story at the end of the book, explaining things that occurred within the pages. It helped complete areas of questions.

The story melds together the lives of Gray Delacroix and Annabelle Larkin, who is a Smithsonian botanist. She has written a letter to Mr. Delacroix requesting information of a spice, and he responds. Thus begins the blossoming friendship between the two. But of course, all is not going to be like peaches and cream. She agrees to compromise her feelings to obtain information for the government, and that sadly doesn't bode well with her relationship with Gray.

There were several layers of plots within this book and each were layered upon the other, which kept me, as the reader, intrigued and curious. From the trading of spices, to the Good Housekeeping magazine. It was a fascinating read. You could tell that Elizabeth did her research for this story.

Definitely worth a read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

This is the first book I've read by Elizabeth Camden, though I've wanted to read one for a long while. I was drawn to the title and the rich history that I associate with spices.

Gray was just a small boy during the Civil war, in which his family's ships were confiscated and home burnt. This left a lasting impression on his life, living in the "raccoon shed" and later life aboard a ship searching for spices and other exotic plants. His passion is his vanilla orchids. Now 40, Gray has decided to settle down in America.

Annabelle is new to Washington DC. She moved together with her sister Elaine. Annabelle is at a temporary job cataloging plants at the Smithsonian. She is determined to make the job permanent. Her boss says he will find her a position if she can convince Gray to give her a sample of the original vanilla orchid.

Gray is immediately charmed when meeting Annabelle. They both share a passion for botany and Gray invites Annabelle to visit his greenhouses to see his plant collection. One of my favourite scenes in this book was when Gray takes her through his greenhouse and together they sample the exotic fruits such as avocado, passion fruit, and mango. I could just feel how exciting this must have been for Annabelle.

When Annabelle is recruited by the war department to spy on Gray, she is torn. But her feelings of patriotism, and the potential for loss of thousand of American lives, leads her to decide to spy on Gray.

As you can imagine, things swiftly turn from charming romance to unpleasant disaster when Gray discovers Annabelle's spying. It was hard to imagine how these two characters could ever get their own HEA.

I've read very little from this time period. It is interesting to learn more about 1900 Washington. What I take for granted every day - such as spices in every grocery store, eating fresh fruits and vegetables year round, and modern conveniences such as cars and computers.

There were many side characters that were very interesting. I hope that there will be more books in the series. I personally think that Gray's sister would make a good heroine in the next book. There was legal trouble that was not resolved, and I eagerly await the conclusion of that story thread. Annabelle's sister, Elaine, was a lovable character and I hope to hear more about her as well.

I found the writing well done though I noticed the author had a particular fondness for certain words (people can eat without wolfing their food and anathema is descriptive, but don't use it 3 times in one chapter). I feel like the series would make a great TV show and I know it will be a really amazing read.

I received this title from Bethany House via Netgalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

“Soon even Kansas won’t be safe from properly seasoned food” (location 786). This book talked about the early days in the fight for food purification. It was common for companies to add filler ingredients, including things like tar, so they could make more of a profit. It was fascinating to learn more about the different positions and to hear what is behind the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.” I had no idea that magazine had a testing lab for looking at products.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book. When Gray Delacroix sums up Annabelle and her family, he gets it just right. Annabelle is a beautiful woman. She gives up her own plans to move to Washington to help her blind sister. She is a picture of sacrificial love and persistence. Gray’s brother, Luke, reminded me of the movie “The Mission.” He is trying so hard to pay his own form of penance. Gray, too, is very caring for his family. He takes his responsibilities seriously yet has a dry sense of humor that balances that.

This is a great read. It doesn’t get bogged down with the politics of the fight for food purification but gives just enough information to get a flavor for the times. I’d highly recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

#TheSpiceKing, #Netgalley

Elizabeth Camden’s new series, Hope and Glory, begins with The Spice King. First, let me say how much I LOVE this cover, and it’s pretty representative of the hero…strong, somewhat aloof, and powerful.

The year is 1900 and the setting is Washington, D.C., specifically, the Smithsonian. Annabelle Larkin works as a botanist charged with obtaining Gray Delacroix’s exotic plant collection. The museum is especially interested in a particular species, the rare vanilla orchid. Her job and the protection of her family’s Kansas farm depends on her obtaining it.

Gray Delacroix, the wealthy owner of a spice-manufacturing business, has traveled the world seeking premier spices and rare plants. Since his boyhood during the time of the Civil War, he has distrusted everything related to the U. S. government. No way is he giving anyone or institution involved with the goverment a gift. Then, he meets Annabelle and begins to see a future he never thought he’d experience.

Of course, not everything goes according to plan. That would be boring, wouldn’t it? The characters soon find themselves deep in an intrigue involving Cuba after the Spanish-American war. Gray and his siblings, Luke and Caroline, are soon embroiled in an effort to save lives and the family’s reputation.

For me, Gray was a highly appealing hero. As with most of Ms. Camden’s heroes, he had his gruff and stiff side, but it was tempered with vulnerability and a love for the brother and sister he considered irresponsible.

I started out liking Annabelle. She was strong and clever. But that faded to a toleration about a third of the way through the book. I didn’t dislike her but felt as if she never truly understood the ramifications of her actions. Enough said.

Overall, I recommend The Spice King for its rich historical insight and a family who won’t be prevented from doing what they think is right, as well as the continuing story it holds. Oh, Luke.

I’m giving it 4.5 stars. It’s not her best (nothing will top Against the Tide), but I’m hooked and looking forward to reading the next book.

I loved the history with Washington politics, Good Housekeeping, and also the secondary characters with blindness. I am so thankful to people that fought to have ingredients disclosed on labels for us. I am really excited to see this is a series as well, as I want to know more about the siblings.

I have never been disappointed by one of Elizabeth Camden's books, and this one was no exception. I found myself pulled into the story immediately. The short heroine, of course, which I don't see as often as I like, being only five feet tall myself, made me laugh. I could see myself in her.

As I stated earlier, I totally want to know what becomes of the siblings of the main characters, and just get more from this author. You will be entertained, but learn at the same time. Romance? Yes, but not exactly in the way you think. It was less the focus of the story and more a background story. The relationship and friendship was what you really saw as you learn how this country changed history with spices and food.

Plus, with that cover, I mean, you just have to get it!

Another absolute wonderful book by a fantastic author. Elizabeth writes with such passion for weaving a beautiful fiction story among true historical facts. Can’t wait to read the next book. Thank you Elizabeth for writing such wonderful books. Thank you to the publishers for contracting with wonderful writers and Thank You NetGalley for being the source of great reads.

This latest series starter by Elizabeth Camden kept me enchanted. I love how Camden always picks such a unique yet important point of history to set her story around.

I always learn at least 3-5 new vocabulary words from her, but beyond all the rich educational reasons for reading her books are the plot and characters. Pretty much every book by Camden that I’ve read has drawn me in for the sake of the characters and how unique they are. The plots are thick and keep you hooked.

The Spice King met and exceeded all these expectations. The only complaints I have is that I would’ve liked a little more romance to balance out the intrigue and espionage, and the way that salvation was presented towards the end of the book was a massive let-down. A character was said to be paying for his sins by trying to make things right himself, and was said to be well on his way to heaven. I personally believe there is nothing we can do to earn salvation; we must simply believe it and receive it, for Christ has already paid for it and extends it to us. I would rather read a clean book without a message of salvation that one that is so misleading in an attempt to be inclusive. That is why I am dropping what would have been a five star rating so much lower.
Thank you to Bethany House and Net Galley for providing me with an electronic advanced copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Elizabeth Camden is fast becoming one of my top favorite authors in the genre of Christian historical fiction. This story was unusual and the storyline kept me guessing all the way through to the end of the book. Gray has the reputation of being “The Spice King” as far as selling and developing spices, and Annabelle is a researcher at the Department of Agriculture. There’s quite a bit of intrigue surrounding the development and sale of the spices. Gray and Annabelle find themselves working together to protect consumers from being deceived about the purity of what they are buying. But Annabelle is forced into an almost impossible decision, and it completely tears apart her relationship with Gray. The political intrigue in this story was quite interesting, but it’s Gray and Annabelle’s characters that give this story it’s spark. Annabelle has Kansas roots and is loyal, patriotic, determined, and committed to her family. Gray is somewhat cynical and unforgiving. but you always have the sense that if he breaks out of the shell he’s built around himself, he’s a good match for Annabelle. Their road to romance is a rocky one, and quite honestly did not end the way that I suspected at first that it would. I especially loved the ending to this story as there were a couple of surprises along the way.

I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to the next book in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

There is no sweeter joy than finding an author who consistently publishes great romance, and for me, one such author is Elizabeth Camden. I love the way I never know what to expect from her books – mystery, adventure, heartwarming family stories, or journeys of self-discovery – and yet I know exactly what to expect from her books – excellent prose, rich history, and sweet, intellectual romance. The Spice King entirely lives up to those expectations.

Annabelle Larkin has a brand new job as a junior botanist for the Smithsonian but she has been advised that the position is very temporary. Her six month employment will end unless she is able to perform the so far impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. Others have tried and failed but Annabelle is determined to succeed since a great deal depends on her keeping her position. Her sister Elaine recently lost her sight and is currently serving as a volunteer for the Library of Congress' reading room for the blind. It is one of the few tasks that Elaine is able to perform that makes her feel productive and fulfilled, giving her the sense of self-worth she lost along with her vision.  She requires Annabelle’s salary and physical help navigating life’s daily routines in order to stay in the city, and Annabelle is resolved to give her both. Having written to Gray Delacroix repeatedly requesting access to his collection - and consistently receiving no as a response - she arrives at his home in person bearing a unique gift and oozing sunshiny charm. The ploy works and she manages to finally meet the mysterious man whose help she desperately needs.

Gray Delacroix and his father went from living in a mansion to having to live in a shack for three years as they slowly reversed the financial devastation wrought upon their assets by the Civil War. As a result, Gray has dedicated his entire life to building the family’s spice business, traveling the globe to obtain rare and unique tastes to enliven and embolden the palates of the elite. There have been great rewards in the form of renewed wealth and the gloriously exclusive  specimens he has in his greenhouse collection, but there have also been great costs. He suffers frequent bouts of malaria since the disease, once contracted, can only be managed, not cured. His young half-siblings have, in his mind, been overindulged in his absence and are spoiled dilettantes as a result. And he has had no social or romantic life of his own, something he plans to fix once he meets Annabelle. Realizing that he will never find a better match for himself than this cheery, hard-working, plant loving beauty, he determines to court her, and begins by giving her a tour of his greenhouses and a specimen of the rare plant her boss is so anxious to obtain. And he starts to meet her for lunch everyday, that hour becoming the highlight of his life.

Annabelle is cautiously delighted by their relationship. She knows she’s not Gray’s social equal but his good looks, love of botany and dedication to family delight her and quickly have her giving him her heart. There is a fly in the ointment, however. Gray has made no secret of his disdain for the U.S. Government, especially in relation to how it affects his trade in Cuba. When the U.S. Military offers to secure funding for a permanent job for Annabelle in exchange for her spying on Gray, she must weigh the love she has for Elaine, and her desperate need for employment against her growing fascination with a man who may well be a traitor to his country.

Gray and Annabelle’s early courtship was a complete delight to read. Gray is awkward, having spent most of his life scouring unique places for rare plants and being more used to talking to employees than young ladies. His sincerity, kindness, and genuine love for Annabelle all shine through though, and Annabelle, a Kansas farm girl,  is more impressed with his earnestness than she would have been with eloquent manners or speech. Their shared excitement over all things that grow, from herbs to orchids, entranced me even though I can barely tell a dandelion from a daffodil. I simply loved that they shared a strong mutual interest as well as being very similar in their core values of family devotion, personal integrity and a strong work ethic.

Ms. Camden is an expert at weaving absolutely fascinating history into her stories, and here she takes readers on a thorough exploration of the early years of processed foods and the battle for honest labeling. From formaldehyde in applesauce to indigo dye, lead chromate and coal tar in coffee, we learn exactly why the FDA plays an important role in our everyday lives. Laws and testing facilities now protect us from practices which injured or killed innocent citizens in Gray and Annabelle’s time. Watching them get caught up in the fight for clean, wholesome food was so exciting and enlightening.

I also loved learning all about vanilla extract. Reading about Gray waxing lyrically over the difference between imitation vanilla and the real thing made me look at this plain and ordinary flavor in a whole new way. In fact, his love of spices made me appreciate all the items in my kitchen cabinets that I typically take for granted.

Ms. Camden writes inspirational romance, but the books are very, very sparse in their mention of God or faith. Prayers are occasionally said in moments of need but given the time period, I think that would have been typical even of people who didn’t really believe in God. Most will be able to read this story without being made uncomfortable by the level of religiosity.

My one quibble with the book had to do with Annabelle. From the start of the novel, her ability to stay in Washington was tied to her talent for manipulating the Delacroix family into giving the U.S. Government what they wanted, whether it was getting Gray to give the Smithsonian a specimen of a rare plant or other concerns which come up towards the end of the plot. I found her willingness to exploit the romance for her own benefit a bit distasteful, and while the problems it causes in their relationship are resolved within the text, I would have preferred to see a bit more remorse from Annabelle prior to the resolution.

Fortunately, that is one very minor flaw in an otherwise stellar work. The prose here is smooth, the plot intriguing, the hero thoroughly lovable, and the mystery absorbing. I think anyone who enjoys a richly detailed historical romance will be delighted with The Spice King.

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Camden wraps these wonderful characters in rich history and creates a gripping plot that had me turning pages. Her unique characters captured my interest because although they are flawed, their strengths shine. The timeless lessons the characters learn are good examples for us all. The romance was one of my favorite ingredients of the story. Camden writes romance with some of the best of them. I appreciate this well researched historical fiction and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Spice King is the first installment from Hope and Glory series. Elizabeth Camden is usually a hit or miss for me. I'm in the middle with this one. I give it three stars.

This story had me hooked from page one. It was so interesting entering the world where people studied plants and wanted to learn as much as they could about them. This story has so many unique and interesting twists and turns. I like Annabelle and how persistent she was when she wanted something bad enough. She was put in some hard situations in this book where the difference between right and wrong was a blurred line. Camden had me turning pages anxiously awaiting what would happen next. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was another great book by Camden! This one shared some parts of history that I had no idea about. Overall, I enjoyed the book. My teenage daughter asked to read it. By 15% in she had predicted the outcome of the story with surprising accuracy. We've read every Camden book and they follow the same plot events and many have the same character development. Therefore, this one was just as predictable to my daughter.

I love this author, and I knew I had to read this one, and I was surely not disappointed, Elizabeth Camden is a master at drawing the reader in.
This story takes place during the admiration of President McKinley, and a recovering nation. I enjoyed these characters, and we meet prairie farmers, wealthy businessmen, a woman working in the White House, and a Smithsonian botanist. How these characters all work into this story will keep you page turner.
We touch on the foundation of our Christian faith, forgiveness, and you will see how hard that becomes. I can also see the next novel coming, and personally I can’t wait to see how this all works out.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Elizabeth Camden's Empire State series focused on the issue of providing clean water to our citizens. The Spice King focuses on the safety of the food products we find our our grocers' shelves. I love that the books I have read by this author include a romantic story, but that the main focus of the tales have had deeper social and spiritual themes.

Annabelle Larkin moved to our nation's capitol to accompany her sister who had been blinded by meningitis and was seeking her purpose by volunteering in the reading room for the blind in the Library of Congress. A botanist, Annabelle had been blessed to find a temporary job as a botanical specialist at the Smithsonian Institute, but she longed to prove herself worthy of a permanent position. To do so she must convince Gray Delacroix, owner of the Delacroix Global Spice Company, to part with cuttings from a very rare orchid that he was rumored to possess. Gray was no fan of the Smithsonian nor many government agencies either, and he was not about to partner with any of them. How much might his mind be changed when he first encounters Annabelle, in his own home nonetheless?

I highly recommend The Spice King and this author. I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and I received no monetary compensation.

This book quickly became about so much more than I originally anticipated. I was pleasantly surprised. I loved Annabelle's dedication to her family, her country, and doing the right thing even when it wasn't simple. I loved Gray and his rough-around-the-edges-but-soft-on-the-inside personality.

Camden creates intrigue almost from the beginning, pulling readers into a historical world she has tended to with great attention to detail. With excellent pacing and an unforgettable cast of characters, this book is a great example of what historical fiction should be. My only complaint is the lack of relationship development between Gray and Annabelle, but I'm a die hard romantic who lives for a good dose of chemistry.

This was my first Elizabeth Camden read, but it certainly won't be my last! Overall, I was impressed.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley and courtesy of the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.

Would it kill Camden to MENTION someone from Beyond All Dreams? Because it is my favorite of her books and this takes place right after.

Takes place right after the end of the Spanish-American war, introduced in Beyond All Dreams, and takes place in Washington DC

Gray and Annabelle bond over plants-- she's a researcher from a farm in Kansas and he's a business socialite who's explored most of the world. They quickly fall in love until a betrayal leaves the two of them at a loss, but they must work together to prevent a rival business from hurting the American Population.

I love vanilla, and it was so interesting having a book that featured it heavily! The orchid trade of the Victorian era features heavily, and Gray is a classic example of explorers during that time. The risk of foriegn diseases is very prevalent and easy to forget in this modern world. Camden reminds you from the very beginning that there are risks to world travel.

I liked the plot for the most part and the characters are fully developed and fleshed out. I have a small issue with how Gray forgives Annabelle and I hope more conflict comes to light in the next book in this series.

Elizabeth Camden has been one of my must read authors for quite sometime, so I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of The Spice King, which is the first book in her new series, Hope and Glory. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I love the way the author takes a subject that I never considered interesting but after reading a few pages, I find it fascinating, especially in this novel.

Annabelle Larkin is such a great character, she is sweet, kind and tenacious. She's a botanist at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and when she begins a correspondence with Gray Delacroix to see his private plant collection, she shows just how determined she can be. Gray is equally determined so I knew these two would become near and dear to my heart. I'll be honest here and admit that I never expected the world of spices and politics to work so well into a storyline but the two merged spectacularly.
They are both fantastic characters and I could easily imagine them spending time together,

Another character who held my interest is Elaine, Annabelle's blind sister who works at the Library of Congress which I think would be an awesome job for anyone. I was glad to learn of her experiences with coping with her disability.

Overall, The Spice King is impeccably written and is filled with instantly likeable characters and also has a few twists that I didn't expect. A definite must read in my opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.

“She embodied laughter and optimism and steadfast determination. Being with her felt like wind in his sails, filling him with buoyant optimism.”

Elizabeth Camden has done it again! What a fascinating story from the beginning to end! This beautifully written and masterfully crafted tale takes us first to 1900 Alexandria, VA as Gray is building his spice trade empire and Annabelle is starting a new life in Washington DC as a botanical specialist in the Smithsonian. As Annabelle and Gray meet while she’s searching for the original vanilla orchid, their lives intertwine to include intrigue, romance, betrayal, and matters of national security. There are plenty of plot twists to keep you on your toes and there is still a smoldering question unanswered by the end of the book, which should make the sequel very interesting. I really enjoyed learning about the spice trade, the intricate process of making vanilla extract, the beginning of quality control in processed food items spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, and how our scientists went all over the world looking for seeds and fruits to diversify our food supply. The premise and plot are quite original and captivating, as is the storytelling.

Equally captivating are the characters in the story. Gray, the sober and disciplined businessman, and Annabelle, the bright and sunny botanist with an expertise in cereal grasses, are absolute opposites in personality and outlook on life. Yet they’re drawn like magnets to each other and learn what grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness really mean through trials and tribulations. Gray’s brother Luke and sister Caroline are also fascinating; I can’t wait for the next book to get to know Caroline better.

Truly this is a historical fiction not to be missed. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

Camden has written a most interesting book where we learn a lot about spices and mostly centered around pure vanilla extract and how it is obtained. The Spice King is filled with historical data that is very interesting. It is well written and has very strong interesting characters that will hold the reader’s attention from start to finish.  Annabelle Larkin is a very determined  young lady who wants to succeed in her new job at the Smithsonian. Gray Delacroix is a determined bachelor and almost a recluse. When the two meet they rub each other the wrong way. The clashes begin.......but we have a very good ending.            I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Elizabeth Camden is becoming one of my favorite historical fiction authors. Her books are so unique, and feature women doing things you probably wouldn't expect. While I love a good damsel in distress novel, I really also love women who are fighting their own way in the world. 

The Spice King features just such a woman in Annabelle Larkin. She is serving as a junior botanist at the Smithsonian, hoping to make a discovery to save her family's struggling farm in the west. She is offered a full-time position if she can get reclusive plant-collector Gray Delacroix to give her his prized vanilla orchid.


Gray finds himself attracted to Annabelle, and wants to court her. But when Annabelle is offered a permanent position for for finding out some information about Gray, can she refuse? This would be her opportunity to save her family and provide for her blind sister. Gray can't forgive Annabelle for her betrayal, but when he's forced to work with her for the sake of food safety laws, will love win out in the end?

This story was nearly perfect in terms of plot and characters, but I loved the historical information I learned while reading. In this day of chemical-laden food, it's hard to imagine a time when science wasn't a part of food processing. But this novel takes place when the government was just starting to take a hand in the oversight of food manufacturing. It was so neat to read about how these laws first began.

Another favorite part of the story was the information about Good Housekeeping magazine. I loved reading about how they first started championing products that work and are the best for our homes and families. I'm kind of a nerd, but I really liked reading about that!

There is definitely more to this story, and I can't wait to read more installments about the Delacroix family. This book was incredible (on my favorites of 2019 list!) and the rest of the series promises to be just as good!

"The world was a good place. She needed to look for it, even when life was full of pain."
New book in the "Hope and Glory" series.
1900 Washington DC. Christian Historical. I was all in on the first page.
This is intense.
Annabelle is from a farming family in Kansas. Her father was able to put her and her sister through college, which is quite a thing now, even more so back then. She and Elaine move to Washington, DC, she at the Smithsonian (later Department of Agriculture), her sister at the Library of Congress. Elaine is blind, and this seemed to be a great opportunity for her to learn and to grow, so despite the financial strain on the family, off they went.
Annabelle is a botanist (something I very much had wanted to be so I can relate). Her boss wanted a rare plant that Gray Delacroix was rumored to have, and told her that a permanent position depended on her getting in to Gray's property to see if it was there. She is pleasantly pushy (I pictured June Allison) and actually manages to get in to see him. Gray is from a wealthy family, built on hard work, and it takes more hard work to keep the fortunes going. Their family has earned their reputation by providing the best quality products. Not every company was that way. These were the early days when there was a lack of safety standards in the food industry, so companies could get away with putting out a product that was not what it seems. (Doesn't seem possible now, does it?) The story unfolds interesting information about Good Housekeeping in it's early days - what they did and why - and how important to our country it was. The story takes off from there, seeming to put Annabelle on one side of things and Gray on the other. Gray's brother never really wanted to work for the family - or so it seemed. Politics, secrets, money, mystery and life all play a part in this book. Choices made, right from wrong, scruples and personal standards are reviewed and explored. Integrity - or lack of it. Nothing boring here - all together an excellent read! Don't you just love that cover? Can't wait for the next in the series.
"The world was a huge, wide-ope landscape bursting with opportunity, and it was up to her to choose how she would live in it."
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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.”
#TheSpiceKing #NetGalley #ElizabethCamden #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it's too late.

As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.

Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?

The story line was great. I loved Annabelle. She was put in a very difficult place. Does she betray her country or the person she's beginning to care for deeply. It took me a little white to warm up to liking Gray. He seemed very snobbish at first. All he could think about was his spices and how to make more money. As the story unfolds, we are told why he wants to make money. Also, he had very strong feelings about government involvement in regulating the food industry. This book made me want to go look at all the labels on the spices I have in my pantry to see what the ingredients are.

I look forward to the next installment of this series. I hope to see what happens to Gray's younger siblings.

I was given this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Desert Isle Keeper
The Spice King
Elizabeth Camden

There is no sweeter joy than finding an author who consistently publishes great romance, and for me, one such author is Elizabeth Camden. I love the way I never know what to expect from her books – mystery, adventure, heartwarming family stories, or journeys of self-discovery – and yet I know exactly what to expect from her books – excellent prose, rich history, and sweet, intellectual romance. The Spice King entirely lives up to those expectations.

Annabelle Larkin has a brand new job as a junior botanist for the Smithsonian but she has been advised that the position is very temporary. Her six month employment will end unless she is able to perform the so far impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. Others have tried and failed but Annabelle is determined to succeed since a great deal depends on her keeping her position. Her sister Elaine recently lost her sight and is currently serving as a volunteer for the Library of Congress’ reading room for the blind. It is one of the few tasks that Elaine is able to perform that makes her feel productive and fulfilled, giving her the sense of self-worth she lost along with her vision. She requires Annabelle’s salary and physical help navigating life’s daily routines in order to stay in the city, and Annabelle is resolved to give her both. Having written to Gray Delacroix repeatedly requesting access to his collection – and consistently receiving no as a response – she arrives at his home in person bearing a unique gift and oozing sunshiny charm. The ploy works and she manages to finally meet the mysterious man whose help she desperately needs.

Gray Delacroix and his father went from living in a mansion to having to live in a shack for three years as they slowly reversed the financial devastation wrought upon their assets by the Civil War. As a result, Gray has dedicated his entire life to building the family’s spice business, traveling the globe to obtain rare and unique tastes to enliven and embolden the palates of the elite. There have been great rewards in the form of renewed wealth and the gloriously exclusive specimens he has in his greenhouse collection, but there have also been great costs. He suffers frequent bouts of malaria since the disease, once contracted, can only be managed, not cured. His young half-siblings have, in his mind, been overindulged in his absence and are spoiled dilettantes as a result. And he has had no social or romantic life of his own, something he plans to fix once he meets Annabelle. Realizing that he will never find a better match for himself than this cheery, hard-working, plant loving beauty, he determines to court her, and begins by giving her a tour of his greenhouses and a specimen of the rare plant her boss is so anxious to obtain. And he starts to meet her for lunch everyday, that hour becoming the highlight of his life.

Annabelle is cautiously delighted by their relationship. She knows she’s not Gray’s social equal but his good looks, love of botany and dedication to family delight her and quickly have her giving him her heart. There is a fly in the ointment, however. Gray has made no secret of his disdain for the U.S. Government, especially in relation to how it affects his trade in Cuba. When the U.S. Military offers to secure funding for a permanent job for Annabelle in exchange for her spying on Gray, she must weigh the love she has for Elaine, and her desperate need for employment against her growing fascination with a man who may well be a traitor to his country.

Gray and Annabelle’s early courtship was a complete delight to read. Gray is awkward, having spent most of his life scouring unique places for rare plants and being more used to talking to employees than young ladies. His sincerity, kindness, and genuine love for Annabelle all shine through though, and Annabelle, a Kansas farm girl, is more impressed with his earnestness than she would have been with eloquent manners or speech. Their shared excitement over all things that grow, from herbs to orchids, entranced me even though I can barely tell a dandelion from a daffodil. I simply loved that they shared a strong mutual interest as well as being very similar in their core values of family devotion, personal integrity and a strong work ethic.

Ms. Camden is an expert at weaving absolutely fascinating history into her stories, and here she takes readers on a thorough exploration of the early years of processed foods and the battle for honest labeling. From formaldehyde in applesauce to indigo dye, lead chromate and coal tar in coffee, we learn exactly why the FDA plays an important role in our everyday lives. Laws and testing facilities now protect us from practices which injured or killed innocent citizens in Gray and Annabelle’s time. Watching them get caught up in the fight for clean, wholesome food was so exciting and enlightening.

I also loved learning all about vanilla extract. Reading about Gray waxing lyrically over the difference between imitation vanilla and the real thing made me look at this plain and ordinary flavor in a whole new way. In fact, his love of spices made me appreciate all the items in my kitchen cabinets that I typically take for granted.

Ms. Camden writes inspirational romance, but the books are very, very sparse in their mention of God or faith. Prayers are occasionally said in moments of need but given the time period, I think that would have been typical even of people who didn’t really believe in God. Most will be able to read this story without being made uncomfortable by the level of religiosity.

My one quibble with the book had to do with Annabelle. From the start of the novel, her ability to stay in Washington was tied to her talent for manipulating the Delacroix family into giving the U.S. Government what they wanted, whether it was getting Gray to give the Smithsonian a specimen of a rare plant or other concerns which come up towards the end of the plot. I found her willingness to exploit the romance for her own benefit a bit distasteful, and while the problems it causes in their relationship are resolved within the text, I would have preferred to see a bit more remorse from Annabelle prior to the resolution.

Fortunately, that is one very minor flaw in an otherwise stellar work. The prose here is smooth, the plot intriguing, the hero thoroughly lovable, and the mystery absorbing. I think anyone who enjoys a richly detailed historical romance will be delighted with The Spice King.

Camden rights such interesting stories, peppered with history and populated by imperfect, likable characters. This book was no different. Highly enjoyed the journey.

Farm-raised, Kansas native, and Smithsonian botanist Annabelle Larkin is swept into a world of conspiracy, food adulteration, and politics when she meets self-made man Grey Delacroix the head of a sizable spice empire.



Grey has labored for years to build his business, foregoing a college education he travelled across the world collecting the most rare plants and learning how to cultivate them on foreign soil. He is smitten with the young Smithsonian botanist, with the gumption to ask him to donate his plant collection. But the enchantingly cheerful, passionate woman who brings light into his life, is also the one who can bring everything that matters crashing down.



I've never met an Elizabeth Camden that I didn't love, and this one is no exception. Incredibly well written as well as researched, set at the turn of the 20th century, when food impurities were at a dangerous high due to few laws regulating disclosure and safety, this novel introduces the passionate and principled Delacroix family. I love how Ms. Camden brings the politics and advances of bygone eras to life in a way that brings new appreciation for the things that we take for granted everyday.



Grey has worked hard for his success, he has devoted much of his life to his business in order to provide for his younger siblings Luke and Caroline, whom he practically raised. But underneath his intimidating outer layers, he is a man who is deeply loyal to his family and who has the grace and determination to keep growing, and always strive for better whether in his business or personal life. I admired his devotion to his siblings, he always wants the best for them, and there is no distance he would not go for them.



Annabelle brings a bright enthusiasm wherever she goes, she is passionate about learning new things, is devoted to her sister and her country. She always is encouraging others to find joy in the everyday. Despite disappointments, she always tries to look on the bright side, she relies on her faith to hold her fast as she struggles to provide for herself and her sister, as well as to serve her country even if it means betraying a friend.



Luke and Caroline shine as Grey slowly begins to see the man and woman that they have grown up to be in their own rights, each blessed with a double dose of charm. Both are so much more than they appear at a single glance.



Overall, an absolutely thrilling introduction to what is sure to be a fantastic trilogy, I already love Luke and Caroline! Annabelle is faced with many hard choices, as she fights to stay true to her beliefs and her family. I loved the glimpse into life at the turn of the century amidst the buzz of the nation's capital, I'd never thought that the Agriculture Administration and the history of food adulteration would be so truly fascinating. Annabelle and Grey have captivating chemistry that leaps from the page, most evident in their engagingly clever dialogue and how their personalities complement each other perfectly. Annabelle's sister Elaine faces her fears and blazes her own trail, not letting her limitations choose for her. A thoroughly riveting read, with heroes who jump from the page, high stakes, faith, and romance. You won't want to miss it!




I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#TheSpiceKing #NetGalley

Elizabeth Camden is a great writer of historical fiction. Her descriptive writing style is one that drew me in. Annabelle and her sister Elaine come from a small town in Kansas, to live in Washington DC. When working for the Smithsonian, Annabelle meets Gray Delacroix, a man known to produce spices, from around the world. Gray is dedicated to his brother and sister and will let nothing get in the way of family. A long outstanding mistrust of another family in the food product line, leads to bringing the Delicrox's under scrutiny of the press. Annabelle's sister Elaine, is determined to learn to live the only life she knows, in a world of darkness, because she is blind. A book about relationships, and trust. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several books by Elizabeth Camden. I've had both good and so-so experiences. Sometimes I love them and a few just haven't worked for me. Her historical research and use of unusual plot lines is exemplary and always something to which I look forward. 

This book features the importation of "exotic" spices to the US when a large part of the country felt that salt and pepper were the only seasonings out there. Since I'm used to ginger, cumin, cardamon, turmeric, black mustard seeds, and coriander I can only re-imagine what someone tasting them for the first time would think. Gray is offering that to the American public with his pure spices, often gained at great personal cost to himself and his health. 

Annabelle is a forward thinking young woman whose parents saw that she got a college education and then the opportunity to use it. Annabelle is passionate about her subject - cereal grains (well, she is from Kansas!) - who wants to work towards finding better strains of wheat for American farmers to use in order to feed the growing nation and to keep farmers from losing their farms due to poor harvests.

All this is very interesting so throw in a subplot about the growing uneasy situation in Cuba post Spanish American War and I was all set for a great read. Then a few things happened. The emphasis on adulterated foods slowed the pace of the book and Annabelle was coerced into doing something that set up a conflict with Gray. I could believe in why she ultimately decided to do what she did - that wasn't the problem. What bothered me to the point I couldn't keep reading was the initial fall out. 

Gray's family had lived in Virginia for centuries and from what we're told about the family history, they had lived on a plantation which grew cotton and tobacco. This must have meant that they kept slaves but nothing is ever said about this - it's as if it's wiped from their history. All we ever see and hear is about how embittered Gray and his father were at the destruction of the plantation house and how for years they had to live in a converted shack until they restored the family fortune - albeit through their own hard work. This was troubling enough to me but then something else happens. 

For years, a black man has worked for the family. He has been a trusted employee, is highly thought of, and (as far as is shown) never given anyone any reason to doubt his loyalty. It is mentioned that Gray trusts him implicitly and Gray doesn't trust easily or lightly. Then in the fall out from what Annabelle does, Gray and his sister look to see who might have betrayed them and immediately think of this man. It must be him, they decide and without any hesitation they believe him guilty. There are no thoughts or comments made that "no, it couldn't be" or "he would never do that" or anything in this man's defense. 

Perhaps later in the book Gray and his sister felt remorse for quickly hurling this man under a bus - so to speak - but I had stopped reading at this point. I'm usually not one who demands political correctness reparations be awkwardly shoved into a story but here I just couldn't keep going.

This is the first book by this author that I have read. From the blurb I thought it would be a great read but was a little disappointed in it. I found the story about the spices interesting but I found the characters just didn’t seem to work and I struggled to read it. It wasn’t poorly written, it just didn’t suit me and I am sure there are others who will love it. It was also a little out of my time period, I usually read older historical romances. I received this as an ARC and have given it my honest review.

Annabelle Larkin might lack city polish and a degree from a prestigious university, but she makes up for it in pluck and persistence. Her job at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., only lasts for six months. But her boss has hinted that if she proves herself valuable, another position might open up.

And Annabelle will do everything in her power to remain in the capitol and help her sister fulfill her dream. After all, Annabelle feels she bears the blame for her sister’s condition. But in 1900, opportunities for educated women—especially ones with a degree in agriculture—don’t often come along.

Annabelle writes a letter to the reclusive businessman Gray Delacroix concerning his collection of rare plants. Her letter sparks a terse response, but she refuses to give up. Using her pluck and persistence, she manages to form a friendship of sorts with Gray.

When the feisty Annabelle Larkin shows up on his doorstep uninvited, Gray Delacroix has to admire her pluck. Even if he has no intention of letting her see, much less study, his rare plant collection. But something about her forthright manner and honesty changes his mind, and before he knows it, he finds himself half in love with the fellow botany lover.

While the conditions seem right for a romance, top government officials approach Annabelle with their suspicions that Gray might be a spy. Faced with two horrible choices, Annabelle must decide what to do—do what is right, or follow her heart.

Once again, Elizabeth Camden has taken an obscure topic (food purity and the Food and Drug Administration) and turned it into a panorama of the Gilded Age. Her quirky characters keep the reader rooting for the heroine and hero. The supporting cast contains well-rounded characters full of foibles and flaws. I can’t wait to see who Camden features in book two of the Hope and Glory series.

While I normally read contemporary and suspense novels almost exclusively, authors like Elizabeth Camden are tempting me to change my preference to Christian historical novels. The Spice King lured me with an irresistible heroine, handsome but hurting hero, and an array of tantalizing tidbits of new-to-me information. I do love learning as I read and truly appreciate thorough research like the fascinating info on the origin and growth of the spice industry. Added elements of subterfuge, rivalry, and even espionage added to the story and my enjoyment.
The Spice King is the first of a new series, and I eagerly await the next installment. Until then, I recommend The Spice King and award it five stars. Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

With a captivating storyline and colorful, well-drawn characters, Elizabeth Camden starts her new series, Hope & Glory, off with a bang. The striking cover and title captured my interest before I even knew what the story was about. Impeccable historical detail and complex plots are some of Camden’s strengths, and they are evident in The Spice King.

Gray Delacroix and Annabelle Larkin seem to be opposites in many ways, but the chemistry between them is obvious and compelling. I liked Annabelle’s gutsy, optimistic courage and Gray’s love and care for his family. The outstanding cast of secondary characters added to my enjoyment of the story, and Camden’s clear, concise writing is a plus.

Uplifting messages of importance of family, courage, hope, and forgiveness give added dimension and depth to the story. “God had never promised them a life free of sorrow, only the tools to hold and keep them through stormy days.” There is a bit of a cliff-hanger at the end but not enough to detract from the tale. I’m looking forward to Caroline’s story in the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden is the first book in the Hope and Glory series. Annabelle Larkin is determined to keep her job as a botanist at the Smithsonian, and is tasked with securing access to a well-known specimen collection. The problem is the reclusive Gray Delacroix is the owner of the collection. Larkin uses her wiles to gain access to Delacroix, and there is instant chemistry between Delacroix and Larkin. Facing a challenge from another rival company, Delacroix and Larkin unite to expose unethical business practices that endanger the lives of all those who consume the questionable food and advocate for more stringent food safety laws. Once again, Camden has taken a lesser known historical event or movement and brought it to life with the words on the page. I eagerly await the next book in the series.

What an interesting concept. I don’t think I ever considered the beginnings of food manipulation and how it was fought. I really enjoyed learning some history in this book. And if nothing else, it made me think more about what goes into my mouth. I loved the passion of the main characters and the secondary. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All views stated here are my own.

With her always detailed and immersive research and her glorious turns of phrase, Camden excels at spotlighting interesting and little known aspects of American history in her highly readable books. Her heroines are always intelligent and more than matches for their equally bright heroes. Gray and Annabelle are no exception.


The fact that Camden finds ways to extol the agency women did have as they worked up in a man's world is fascinating to me and she always draws out nuances in the threads of US historical narrative often overlooked in fiction---especially in CBA fiction and romance. Here, spices, treason and food transparency are the heart of a romance flavoured with exotic plants and ripe with detail. Though all of Camden's geographical canvases --from Boston to New York to the pearl trade on the US West Coast are resplendent-- I cannot doubt the author's personal passion for Washington, DC. We are back in an amidst political upheaval, we meet McKinley and his wife, we dive into the Library of Congress and we see all through the perspective of two layered and flawed characters.


Gray, a dashing figure in his early forties suffers from recurring bouts of malaria and is the sort of broodish sort you would read out of Darcy --until he meets Annabelle: sunny and dedicated to her blind sister and to capitalizing on her degree in Agriculture.

This is just a fascinatingly unique setting and world for two characters and I cannot emphasize enough how empowering and feminist Camden's books are without every leaning into anachronism. Intelligent, romantic and beautifully written, charged with fascinating history and proving her, again, a perennial and inimitable voice in inspy fiction.

4.5 Stars

Elizabeth Camden is a master of writing about pieces of history I’ve never given thought to. The Spice King combines several of such including the production of imitation spices, the beginnings of what is now the FDA and labeling food, and even a little about Good Housekeeping (the magazine).

I appreciate that Camden’s heroines are intelligent, strong women who fight for what they believe in. Annabelle Larkin, a college-educated botanist, is no exception. And it is those qualities that captivate Gray Delacroix’s attention.

This historical fiction read is lighter on the romance than I usually prefer (with some high highs and low lows) but the rich descriptions, historical tidbits, intrigue, and wonderful character development made up for it.

I’m already looking forward to the next installment of the Hope and Glory trilogy and what Camden will teach me about next.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

It was really interesting to learn a bit more about spices that are so easily accessible now. Like vanilla extract. We kind of take that for granted but it wasn’t always the case and it was a precious commodity. I enjoyed that aspect of the book.

I also liked Annabelle and her struggle to being her own person but also taking care of her sister.

Gray was a little harder to like, I didn’t care for his calculating way he pursued Annabelle, it seemed a little forced at times, at least in the beginning.

But overall, this was an interesting read and I enjoyed it.

A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.

This is book one in the Hope and Glory series and I can't wait to read more from the series. I enjoyed getting to know the Delacroix and the Larkin families. I love the humor, sparks, mystery, family and all the twist and turns in this novel.

Gray Delacroix and Annabelle Larkin have many similarities yet some complete opposites as well. I love their sparks and oddities. Gray and Annabelle come from two completely different worlds yet overall they both want the same thing, even if they don't realize it.

I absolutely loved The Spice King. It was such a unique story, from the setting to the characters and the flow of the storyline. It is hard for me to put into words, but I enjoyed the fact that this book made you think about tough decisions and it wasn’t the typical romance formula. I am extremely excited that this is only the first book in a series.

I’m blown away by how this author weaves fascinating historical tidbits through interesting characters I cared about and some I didn’t. I was clueless about Vanilla Extract. I wondered why there was quite an assortment of extracts with a huge price range; now I know why. Wow, I appreciate this authors skill in making a topic that could have been super boring a very thought-provoking read. It made me appreciate the availability of delicious vegetables and spices I can easily obtain today. I’m thankful for what others went through so we could have this abundance.

Annabelle is smart, naive and desperate to stay in DC for her sister’s sake. Elaine has dreamed of being a volunteer in Washington’s library for the blind. I enjoyed how the author talked about the library and showed Elaine (a young blind woman) facing her fears. Annabelle is hired as a temporary junior botanist at the Smithsonian, botanical department and then the Dept. of Agriculture. She is not popular in either camp because of the social scheme of things as the Smithsonian is a male dominated place. Annabelle’s one assignment is to obtain full-time employment which would allow her to stay in D.C. In doing so she hoped to gain valuable agricultural information, and enough money to save her family’s farm. She won’t let Mr. Gray’s rejection letter stop her. She thinks outside the box to accomplish her task in connecting with him.

Mr. Gray Delacroix is the world’s leading spice industrialist. He’s a recluse, about 40 something, a man who’s exhausted from years of traveling, contracting Malaria along the way didn’t help things. Mr. Gray is very protective of the plants he’s collected from around the world. He hears a knock at the door, he tries to send the person away; but stops after she tells him of the Smithsonian’s search for an elusive vanilla orchid. He’s captivated by Annabelle’s bright scientific mind and optimistic courage. She’s lovely and hard to ignore. He doesn’t trust the government or this attractive woman. Gray and Annabelle connect in a special way, which has him thinking for the first time about settling down to enjoy the fruits of his labor. I couldn’t help but smile as Gray and Annabelle toured and talked about their love of botany, it was a rare connection.

Annabelle and Gray worked well together to fight the good fight in making people aware of additives in the food supply (the author tells readers about how this led to the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, which required labels to accurately describe a product’s contents.”) Interesting that we are still fighting this fight. I was fascinated at how the Smithsonian collected seeds from different cataloging of these species.

The Smithsonian confronts Annabelle; she is faced with a choice she didn’t think she could make but when generals sit her down and want her to uncover information about the Delacroix family business. She buckled. She had to know Gray had nothing to do with this, so she forged ahead to prove his innocence. Her heart ached. What if she found something? She knew she’d give it to the government. She also knew it would blow up any chances she had at a relationship with Gray.

This is book one in the Hope and Glory series. I'm thrilled that the author takes up Caroline Delacroix next. Here is a peek, "Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington society in her role as secretary to the First Lady of the United States. Yet Caroline is hiding a terrible secret, for unless she can untangle a web of espionage, her brother faces execution for treason."

Looks like more fun ahead in book two. This novel was filled with a splash of romance, political drama, betrayal, loyalty to family and country, treason and forgiveness. I liked how the author authentically weaves the characters’ faith into this story while sprinkling readers with a rich history of the dept of agriculture, food regulation in the early 1900s the American occupation in Cuba, and the presidency of William McKinley (highlighting issues and his wife’s health). I love learning about history this way. All this made for a book I couldn’t put down. I look forward to reading the next book. This author includes 9 discussion questions to help create lively discussions.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. 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! www.bookfun.org
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I loved this story. I loved the romance and the intrigue. Annabelle helps Gray to become a better man before she does something that ruins their budding relationship. Each of the characters in the book all need to learn how to be better people. I loved reading about this time period also. I can’t wait until the next book comes out to find out what happens with all of these characters. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I loved the first half of this book. Loved the development of the romance though I wished he was more assertive in his pursuit. Loved the interesting info about spices.

Somehow I lost interest in the second half when the focus seemed to shift to the man's brother and how it affected their relationship.

Thank you Netgalley and Bethany House for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Although I found this story a little hard to get into, I loved all the historical detail included by the author. I learned a lot about the food industry, Cuba, and the McKinley presidency. There was good chemistry between the two main characters as well. It's nice to read about a smart, scientific heroine, and the hero was swoony and brooding. They were a good match. I would recommend this novel to readers of historical romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for the purpose of review.

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.)

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.

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.

Thank you to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own. 

I love Camden's novels. I had previously read her last series and was anxiously awaiting the release of this novel. It did not disappoint. She always writes characters with strong values and opinions during a time in history when these opinions can make an impact. 

Besides fighting for the right of having labels on food to show their ingredients, the characters in this novel also have to fight for what they want and believe in. I enjoyed the contrast between Gray and Annabelle. I think Camden crafted this relationship remarkably well. This was not a novel that I figured out the plot right away. I think that she did a great job with showing how relationships between friends and family are complex and complicated. Also, all of the food references in the book will make you hungry - you've been warned.

Spice King, Gray Delacroix, had worked hard to build the spice empire that provided the lifestyle his younger twin siblings enjoyed. His dedication to the quality of the products they sold and disgust at the unscrupulous practices of his competitors led him to crusade for reform in the food industry that would lead to pure products and accurate descriptions of what was in them. As a label-reader, I was especially fascinated at learning more about how the listing of ingredients on products we buy came about.

Yet, The Spice King is so much more than the story of why we list ingredients! As Annabelle was forced to find secrets of the Delacroix family at great personal cost to herself, her discovery ripped the curtain veiling Grey's eyes from the truth of what was going on in his own family! And he was able to see Luke and Caroline for the adults they had become instead of the younger siblings he helped raise.

I love the way Elizabeth Camden's stories often place the hero and heroine on opposite sides of issues, yet fighting for the exact same thing. The irony makes for great stories. Annabelle and Gray had such a rocky relationship, as she worked for government departments he greatly opposed.

Enticing descriptions of plants and spices peppered this story along with details of how they were prepared for market. At one point, Gray, upon learning Annabelle didn't know how to flavor her food other than with salt and pepper, gifted her with a set of spices that were basically foolproof. His choice of which ones to include was interesting.

Political intrigue added a savory treat as Annabelle uncovered information that when revealed, rocked the Delacroix family to its core and destroyed the budding relationship she had with Grey. Having not retained much (or any!) of what I had learned in school about the McKinleys or the Spanish-American war, the tidbits shared gave me a zesty history lesson in a way that kept me interested and didn't make me feel like I was reading a textbook. And the parts that took place in Cuba! Fascinating!

Be prepared to have your heart broken when Grey discovers Annabelle's part in the tragedy that took place! Annabelle's grief and the pain of the Delacroix siblings had me wiping my eyes. And then when she and Grey were forced to be together. . . Ouch!!

I was particularly moved by Grey's assessment of Annabelle's mother after she continued to embarrass Annabelle and make herself odious. The way he was able to see the good in her and the way she helped form Annabelle's character was very admirable. I hope for a similar perspective when encountering difficult people.

The characters were all so intriguing! I am hopeful that Luke and Caroline will get their own stories. In fact, I just might send an angry letter to the author if Luke isn't the hero of the next book. :-)

Elizabeth Camden is a master of Christian Historical fiction, turning overlooked historical tidbits into stories that will keep you riveted. If you enjoy this genre, don't pass on The Spice King!

I love the characters in Elizabeth Camden’s novels because they always have a perfect blend of spirited banter and complex romance. Like her other female characters, this book also has a strong lead female that is intelligent, ambitious, and ahead of her time. Annabelle is fiercely loyal to her family and does not let anything stop her from her goal. However, that does not mean she is perfect and some of her actions have consequences that affect her relationships in very real ways, causing the romantic conflict I have come to enjoy in Elizabeth Camden’s books. This novel also contains a fascinating time of history as well as an interesting peek into the topic of the purity of the food supply, a unique subject at the turn of the century. There was even incorporation of some of the tension of America’s relationship with Cuba. I really enjoyed reading about this part of history. The themes of forgiveness and mercy were integrated seamlessly. I truly enjoyed every part of this story and greatly look forward to the other books in the series! I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers/Elizabeth Camden in exchange for an honest review.

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!

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.**

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.

**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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Camden will have readers hanging on every word in The Spice King. The history alone had this reader intrigued, and wanting even more. It is so evident that Camden does her research. She presents information about things we don’t even think about – such as the food industry and the beginning of testing products. She talks about different departments in Washington, the good and the bad. Annabelle and Gray seemed to be on opposite sides of the spectrum as far as allegiance, and yet Camden masterfully brings them together in a way that reels the reader in and doesn’t let them go.

I liked Gray before I even started reading the book. I mean, have you seen the cover! Yes, swoon. In the beginning he did seem like this arrogant businessman that I was not going to enjoy or relate to. But little by little his defenses came down, and you see a man who truly cares for his family, is protective, and finds himself totally blown away with this woman who has put herself in his life. The more the story went on, the more fascinated I became with his character.

The secondary characters were just as enchanting as the main characters. Annabelle’s sister, Elaine was one of my favorites, and while she didn’t get a huge block of time in the book, the time she did have made a profound statement. She is proof that even in historic settings, people with disabilities are truly only limited by themselves. In other words, the sky is the limit, and if you push hard you can live a relatively normal, happy life. Elaine was truly an inspiration.

Historic fans will fawn over this new series by Elizabeth Camden. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book as we read more about Gray’s sister Caroline! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Elizabeth Camden has my heart ❤️
Ingenious, once again!!! She’ll never stop baffling me with her astute craftsmanship for history and science and twinkle of brainiacs mystery.

Seriously, I’ve never read a book quite like The Spice King and once again a Camden book has made it to my favourites.

This is a book that I've heard so much good about, and I've wanted to read it since before it was released...and yet, somehow I kept pushing it back.
Well, no more! I finally sat down and read the entire thing today!
And my oh my, what a story!
I love books that have a bit of an educational feel to them...the ones where I can feel like I'm actually learning something worth knowing when I'm reading fiction, for fun... this is one of those.
The detail about plants, seeds, the history of them, the whole botany thing, I loved reading and learning.
I loved the heroine. Annabelle is such a perfect gal for this story!
Her spunk, courage, loyalty, honesty, and more. I loved how she wasn't afraid to do what she thought was right. I also greatly enjoyed reading about how she and Gray got to know each other.
This time period, the early 1900s, in DC, were very fascinating to read about.
I especially enjoyed how President McKinley and his wife were neatly written into the story.
The plot was intriguing, with a bit of mystery.
I eagerly look forward to the sequel!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I live in rural Nebraska, but my interest in agriculture is ... minimal at best. I'm thankful for it, and I appreciate the work my farming relatives put in, but I don't really care about the science behind my food. So the fact that I was completely captivated by this novel, which is about a botanist and a spice tycoon who fight for purity in the food supply, speaks to Elizabeth Camden's skill at spinning a story.

While it took me a bit (probably 25% in) to get into the book, I soon couldn't fly through the pages quickly enough! Annabelle is spunky and determined, while Gray is reserved and set in his ways, and they make a perfect match. (I do have to say that Gray strikes me as more of a Darcy than a Colonel Brandon as Annabelle thought, but I suppose any Austen hero comparison is good!)

I loved the intrigue involving Gray's brother Luke, which looks to continue in a future novel, and the "war" with the rival food company was so fun to read about! There's also romance, of course, but the novel is much more than a romance. Rich with historical detail, it's sure to captivate fans of American history.

I have really enjoyed books by Elizabeth Camden, but I was hesitant to read this book because of the title. I'm not big into spices. I consider salt my spice of choice and generally leave everything else out, so even though it's weird, that worried me about reading this book. I felt like I wouldn't be able to relate. My silly fears were unfounded, and while there was some spice stuff in the book, it wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be. Really it was more in the first quarter of the book, and it was interesting. But I digress.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I think one of the reasons I liked it was because the romance was a little different than I'm used to. There wasn't any hemming or hawing about does he like me, is she interested. They were both open with their feelings and there wasn't any stress in that area. The conflict came from people choices, and how those choices affected families. It was different, and I loved it.
I also found the food regulations very intriguing. I will admit I'm not super picky about what goes into my food, so reading about what businesses would put in their food and try to pass it off as something different was very eye opening. The cost aspect of it for the general person was an area I'm glad was also brought out in the story.
This was definitely another winner in my book by Elizabeth Camden, and I can't wait for the rest of the series. Gray's siblings stories are going to be very good!

This was such a solid read for me! I truly enjoyed this from beginning to end. Giving this a 4.5 star rating. The writing was flawless, I felt like I was in the story, the romance was great and the characters were funny.

Annabelle is botanist that starts working at the Smithsonian part-time. She's offered a permanent position if she can get a rare flower from Gray Delacroix, however she never imagined crossing paths with him would lead to something more. I loved Annabelle. She was a woman of virtue and power. When put in hard positions she went with the best answer. She always did what was right for the world even if it meant hurting herself and losing her happiness. She was witty, not a prude and not like other women in the story and time. I loved everything about her.

Gray Delacroix is a man that loves his family and protects all that he cares for. He's a workaholic and not much of a people person. He's a stuffy guy, but when you get to know him he's such a big teddy bear. Gray was such an amazing man from beginning to end. He cared for his family and tried hard to stick to his beliefs, but seeing him change throughout the novel was epic.

The romance was too adorable to me. I think they were the perfect mix! Annabelle softened his heart. Gray helped her build her walls. I adored their banter with one another. Especially that scene at Good Housekeeping -- I laughed so hard. They were upfront about their feelings, but dealt with real issues. I thought the romance was well done!

Luke, Gray's younger brother, was a hoot! I didn't care for him at first because he definitely had this mysterious feel to him. Even to the end, I still didn't get why he did, said or allowed towards the end. What is he really doing in Cuba?! I need answers LOL.

Caroline, twin sister to Luke & baby sister to Gray, is such an ANNOYING character. I loved her at first, but she started pissing me off when Gray and Annabelle had issues. She was sooooooooooooo aggravating. However, I'm excited to read more about her in the sequel.

Otis needs more of a spotlight cause he was loyal, loving, caring, protective, funny and everything in between. I loved him sooo much!

The Magruder family were evil. They just need to be arrested -- seriously.

The faith aspects, though few, warmed my heart. I loved how both Annabelle and Gray learned somethings about God along their "journey" to love. Epic moments and inspirational quotes for the perfect vibe and mood.

I am stoked for the sequel to come out so that I can see more of Gray and Annabelle, but also get to see a different side of Caroline. Would definitely recommend this novel.

A little history, a little mystery and a lot of spying going on.. What started out as an interview and tour ended up a story if mistrust, deceit and the need to possess the vanilla orchid. I enjoyed the history lesson along with a wonderful mystery and unexpected ending.

Scandal and intrigue bring unexpected romance...

I have to admit that I've been a little hit or miss with reading Elizabeth Camden's books in recent years. I'm really not sure why because I really enjoy them. But, anyway, I am glad that The Spice King was one of the 'hits'. Not only was I completely entertained by this story but I also learned a lot, about vanilla which is one of my favorite flavors, to something I hadn't really thought of because it is the norm now, the need for requiring food labels to fully disclose the contents.

Anyway, I was won over right away by the heroine's job, I'm a museum fan so her work in the Smithsonian was way cool! The hero's work as the head of an international spice company was quite interesting, I was even inspired to check out the history of vanilla because of him.

I found The Spice King to be interesting, intriguing, and a very good read. There's some great dramatic moments, a bit of danger, and definitely some romance. I think it's probably one of my favorite Elizabeth Camden books so far. There were some surprises and I couldn't help but wonder when the heroine had to make a difficult decision what I would do if I were in her shoes.

The Spice King was a an enjoyable story and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what Elizabeth Camden has in store for the Delacroix family in the next book in the Hope And Glory series...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

EXCELLENT! I love the history and research that and Camden puts into her writing. I finished the book feeling extra proud to be raised in a farming community. I am also much more aware of the ingredients of the food I’m consuming and serving my family. The characters in this book seem so real to me. But the reality of the basis of this story is absolutely fascinating to me! This is an absolute must read for historical fiction fans!!!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

I just loved,loved the book cover when it first came out! I was mesmerized as usual when it comes to Elizabeth Camden’s books and I hadn’t even read it at the time.

It was absolutely stunning!

I was very intrigued reading about the different spices and how the main character traveled the world to explore and acquire the many different spices we
take for granted today. It was amazing!

I also really liked how this novel gave us a glimpse of the different jobs that women worked hard to earn respect in way back when.

I also thought it was sweet to read the camaraderie between the siblings. It was funny and charming to read about.

I think it’s a brilliant story and I think all of Elizabeth Camden’s novels are just incredible to read. I’m always waiting to read any of her upcoming books. She’s awesome!

I also can’t wait to read Luke’s story I feel that his story will be a very interesting one. I highly recommend this book and series. I’m ready to start the next book after this,
“A Glided Lady” I cannot wait!

4 stars.

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden is the first novel in the Hope and Glory series. This story is set in 1900 in Washington, D.C. where Annabelle Larkin has begun working at the Smithsonian Institution. She came to Washington with her blind sister, Elaine. Being in Washington allows Elaine to attend the Library of Congress’s educational program for the blind and access to the Braille books available there. If Annabelle cannot get a fulltime job, they must return to the family farm in Kansas. Gray Delacroix is a complicated man. He runs a large spice company, has two lighthearted younger siblings, has a strong work ethic, and has traveled the world. I thought The Spice King was well-written with developed characters. Ms. Camden captured the time period and I can tell she did her research for this book. It was interesting learning about spices, extracts, and food safety. We learn how the extracts, spices and other food items are processed and diluted. It was appalling what was in some of the products. I am amazed at what businesses did to products to make a buck. I had no idea how much work went into making vanilla (it is complicated and fascinating). Imagine how bland foods were before the introduction of spices. Good Housekeeping magazine and how their seal of approval came about is included. There is romance in The Spice King, but it is not the main story. There is politics, unsafe foods, intrigue, rebellion and botany. The author wove all the storylines together into one engaging book. I also liked learning about the Library of Congress and the program they had for the blind. The Spice King is a captivating historical novel.

No matter the topic, I always learn something new from Elizabeth Camden's well-researched historical fiction novels.

This one tackles the food industry around the turn of the century. We talk about the things companies are trying to "sneak" into foods now, but that's nothing compared to over 100 years ago when companies didn't even have to include ingredients! But this book also includes some side forays into the United States' history with Cuba, spying, and botany.

My only issue with the book is there was so much going on that I felt like the romance suffered a bit. It was there and the characters had chemistry and I enjoyed what was happening, but I always love a lot of romantic details. That's probably more of a personal preference, but reviews are based on personal preferences, so there it is. :)

In the Spice King, Ms. Camden demonstrates her love for history and research. Her devotion to research gives her novels a depth that draws one in and causes one to lose all sense of time, only occasionally surfacing to tend to the family's needs. Gray and Annabelle are fascinating characters that lead each other on a merry chase. Both are honest to a fault and their devotion to family is quite admirable. I loved the plot and all of its twists and turns. and the fact that both Gray and Annabelle love God made the story all the better. So grab a mug of spiced chai and settle in for a great story.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations and have since purchased my own print copy. All thoughts are my own.

I found the historical setting of this novel absolutely fascinating. As someone who is very interested in maintaining a pure food supply and avoiding frankenfoods and artificial preservatives, it was riveting to me to read some of the history behind how all of this came to be and the beginnings of the fight to regulate it. The parts in Cuba were also very interesting. I really enjoyed the characters of Gray and Annabelle, but I did find myself frustrated for much of the book because of the unwinnable situation Annabelle was forced into. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the secondary characters, especially Annabelle's family members, and I liked how so many of the storylines were necessary to the resolution.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, but I ended up listening to the audiobook which I checked out from my library. I will be checking out the next two in the series and reading or listening to them as soon as possible!