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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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.

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.*

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.

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!

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.

“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

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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!

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.*

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!