As this series ends, first of all, I'm a big fan of the Delacroix family and the covers of these books. I want to frame them and put them on my wall! I can't help but love Luke and I love him next to Gray, so I'm glad they got so much screen time together in this one. I've enjoyed watching Luke mature over this series and even more in this book and liked watching him fight for the woman he loved.
I was never bored in this book. Once again Camden highlights obscure, fascinating history, which is why I return to her again and again. In some ways, this was my favorite of the series.
With that said, Camden doesn't write the most refined prose. There's a lot of use of the passive voice and telling instead of showing. Although I truly appreciated the message of love and humility in relationships with difficult people and Luke's insistence in following the fifth commandment, as terrifying and painful as it was, Marianne's relationship with her parents really was concerning. They were abusive to her and yet she still felt like it was her fault and she should have "done better." I'm not sure that she ever really got over her unhealthy dependence on her father. It was interesting how Camden handled it, and I wonder how I would have if I'd written it. The other thing is that we briefly returned to the wrong ideas about worthiness that gave me major red flags in The Spice King. Luke prays in Prince of Spies, "I pray that this experiment will be successful and make the world a better place. I pray it will help make me worthy in Your eyes." 🚩🚩🚩
There is nothing we or Luke can do to make ourselves worthy to God. The gospel is that Jesus, the only One in heaven or earth found worthy, came down to earth and saved us in our utter unworthiness. All of our performance and making the world a better place can not make us one ounce worthier to God.
Aunt Stella was an interesting plot twist. In the end, good won and love won, and Luke Delacroix was a delightful hero.

PRINCE OF SPIES is the third novel in the Hope and Glory series by ELIZABETH CAMDEN. Although it can stand alone I suggest you read the books in sequence - you will not be sorry.
In 1902 the feud between the Delacroix and Macgruder families reaches new heights. When Luke and Marianne meet, while rescuing her nephew's dog, there is a spark between them which grows against all odds.
Luke is as intense as ever and just as determined to bring down his nemesis, Clyde Macgruder. He joins the "Poison Squad" and is trying to stop dangerous additives from being used in food - something the Macgruders would rather keep quiet. He is a journalist, and is also translating Don Quixote into less stilted, more passionate English. He is altogether passionate, but is trying hard to conform since spending fifteen months in a Cuban jail and nearly dying there. His family is supportive, but they went through a hard time when he was in prison.
Marianne loves her parents. Although she is her father's illegitimate daughter she gets on well with them both. They are very wealthy. Although she does not need the money, she works as a photographer for the government. She longs to make a difference and feels she is doing something important.
This is a book that deals with family dynamics, jealousy, betrayal, relationships, politics, the desire to make one's life matter, and through it all there is a strong Christian message.
I cannot recommend this novel, and in fact the whole series, highly enough. I was looking forward to this book and am definitely not disappointed.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I had no idea this was the third book in a series. It stood alone just fine, but I’m definitely curious about the other books now.

I really enjoyed this story. There’s a bit of a Romeo and Juliette aspect with the feuding families and a forbidden relationship, but a much happier ending.

I was fascinated by the historical aspect of food safety, the Poison Squad and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and the creation of the FDA.

*I received a review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Bravo!!! Excellent conclusion to a fabulous trilogy!
I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Camden's fascinating historical fiction. She excels at finding obscure history and creating such interesting stories around it. I have loved each of the stories in this series. The siblings each get their own story; Gray Delacroix (The Spice King), Caroline Delacroix (A Guilded Lady), and now Luke Delacroix (The Prince of Spies).

In The Prince of Spies, we learn the intriguing history leading up to the need for the Food & Drug Administration. Luke meets a brave woman who goes out on the ice to try to rescue her nephew's dog, he goes out to help and they leave the scene being intrigued with one another. Since they did not exchange full names, they do not realize the deck is stacked against them as their families have had a long-standing feud.

This story drew me in and I couldn't put it down. I loved all the twists and turns. Some of my favorite quotes:

"She'd been stripped away from her family, friends, and every familiar guidepost in her life. Without those crutches, perhaps it was only natural to look up."

"The virtues of love, humility, charity, and forgiveness might not solve the problem, but they could serve as a balm in an imperfect world."

"Marianne considered rushing for her camera to immortalize this perfect moment.....Then she thought better of it. Sometimes it was better to live in the present." (I enjoy taking pictures and this would be hard for me, but I totally get it and perhaps should try this more often!)

I highly recommend The Prince of Spies! Excellent historical fiction, page-turner, very enjoyable read. I read this on New Years Day and loved every minute of it. My first book of the year!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy! All opinions are my own.

In the Prince of Spies, Elizabeth Camden weaves a perfect blend of historical events with a compelling story!

The long awaited third book in the Hope and Glory series both fascinates and informs the reader about the struggles at the turn of the century regarding the fight for food safety and purity. The Prince of Spies is very much a continuation of the storyline first introduced in The Spice King, but told from Luke Delacroix's point of view.

I appreciated the historical aspects of the book, but after having enjoyed Luke's mischievous ways and penchant for trouble in the first two books, I couldn't wait to read his story and what type of woman would win him over. I loved that he was a man of principle and character and wouldn't yield to pressure even when it cost him a high price. He is very much a prince, but not without his flaws. He constantly pursues doing something important and memorable to measure up to the men in his family, in addition to wanting to atone for past mistakes. He also suffers from post traumatic stress and it's affects will have a reader very much sympathetic to his suffering.

Marianne is the woman who captures his heart from the first page. Her bravery is on full display as she risks her life to save a dog fallen through an icy lake. Not even knowing who she is Luke pursues her and her identity, only to discover she is a Magruder, a family the Delacroix's have a three generation feud with.

"Luke wouldn't let an inconvenient attraction stand in the way of a lifelong grudge. No matter how much he admired Marianne he intended to get Clyde kicked out of Congress." And so it begins, the push and pull of the heart against family loyalty.
In many ways Marianne is an admirable character, but with a less than stellar start in life, she suffers through the abuses of her family feeling less than valued as a family member. She only wants to be accepted and loved so it takes her a while to find her footing and stand up to their mistreatment. There was so much angsty disfunction in this family, I was ready for Marianne to get as far away from them as she could.

I really enjoyed reading about previous siblings and spouses Gray and Annabelle, Caroline and Nathaniel. I loved the relationship Luke and Caroline had as twins and it was one of the most poignant portions of the story when Luke felt he was losing Caroline as she was about to marry,
"I feel her starting to pull away already," he said. "Ever since we were infants, Caroline and I have been a team. Two peas in a pod. Now she's moving to another pod." So touching!

Nearing the end, the book, the story went a bit different than I was expecting and each reader will need to decide for themselves if they agree and are satisfied with Luke and Marianne's actions and choices.. I would have chosen to do some things differently, but the final chapter was stellar so all in all, I'm a happy reader. I appreciate Bethany House Publishers making a copy of The Prince Spies available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Very well written and engaging. I enjoyed the star-crossed lovers trope and learnt a lot about the guilded age as well. A cute romance, and I also liked the progression of the relationship between Marianne and her step mother.

To me, this title is the best of the series. Read it from cover to cover and nary a paragraph skipped - something that I seldom do with novels these days. In fact, many a time, it was hard to put down my kindle.

I've come to expect Elizabeth Camden to introduce us to intriguing portions of history and this time we come to know about the Poison Squad and the work of Dr Wiley, and yes the Poison Squad and Dr Wiley really existed. So interesting even to me because, though I am not American, what happened here had an impact worldwide.

I loved how unpredictable and impulsive Luke was. I didn't like him in the first book but he was a really fun and refreshing character in this last one. The development of his romance with Marianne was slow and sweet, and you couldn't help but root for them.

I don’t read novels for spiritual enlightenment so I can’t comment much on those elements, but prayer, church and a return to faith are mentioned briefly in this book.

What will the author will come up with next? I can’t wait to see!

From the moment they met rescuing a dog that had fallen through the ice, Marianne Magruder and Luke Delacroix were irresistibly drawn to each other. The problem? Their families had been feuding for decades. As Luke, an investigative journalist, seeks to uncover the truth about preservatives added to the Magruders’ canned food company, will he lose Marianne in the process? Find out in this intriguing work of historical fiction.

This book was so interesting to me! I absolutely have loved the focal point of this series and this book was a solid end to the story! Luke is such a charming and charismatic hero! I absolutely loved him and thought he brought such life and energy to this story! I enjoyed Maryanne’s quit wit and felt like she paired well with Luke! I wanted her to be more independent, and that was something I really struggled with in relation to her character. She was bold and daring, except when it came to her family.
The Delacroix family is simply the best! The siblings have such good comradery! The Magruders are the absolute worst. It was hard to read about their toxic family relationships and dishonest dealings. The history in the story was fascinating to me! I’m a foodie, so this subject matter of adulterated foods kept me turning the pages. I love how Elizabeth Camden is able to infuse her writing with so many historical facts without it seeming like a history lesson. I always walk away from her books feeling like I have uncovered a bit of little known history! I throughly enjoyed this story and would happily recommend it to historical romance readers!

I Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author kept my interest throughout and I kept wanting to read more. I do not usually enjoy the Historical Fiction, but this one really gripped me. The characters appear to be totally real and they showed me a reminder of concern for truth and honesty in families.

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden is an engrossing tale against a family feud as the main hero works on against the artificial chemicals in food. If readers have read the previous stories in this series, then they are familiar with Luke. First, as the trouble maker, then he returns as repetive toward his hurts. Of course, Luke needs the pages to tell his story and show his love story. With the introduction of Marianne, readers are introduced first hand to the other side of the family feud. She hands the dilemma in her family with grace and maturity. The romance sparkled from the first chapter with the rescuing of the dog from the frozen water. It kept growing deeper and deeper as the story moved along. As always with Camden's novels, I love her ability to dive into a historical element and make it fascinating for the readers to follow along. I love how the story captures the importance of the Food and Drug Administration. As an added bonus, Camden included a chapter at the end that features all the sibling four years later. Overall, The Prince of Spies was an engrossing tale that I finished in one day.

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

Camden does a fantastic job of retelling history and it always keeps me engaged and leaves me wanting to learn more about the subject matter. She is excellent at historical fiction. This was a great conclusion to the series and I loved the premise of two people falling in love from feuding families, ala Romeo and Juliet. I loved Luke's playful sense of adventure and it made me want to follow him where ever he goes. Very delightful and enjoyable!

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

Elizabeth Camden does such a fabulous job at taking an obscure piece of history and bringing it to life. I really enjoyed learning about the food testing and the 'Poison Squad'. Her research into all this is impressive, and I love how she seamlessly weaves these truths into fiction.

I'm also a fan of forbidden romances and so I was super happy to find out this story features that trope. I really loved Luke's character in this series. He has a bit of a recklessness about him, but he possesses a good heart. Marianne was an interesting heroine. I often felt bad for the way her family treated her and rooted for her happiness.

The author has done a remarkable job with this series and I can't wait to see what she does next.

**I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

"He barely knew her, but their spontaneous attraction was dangerous. Then again, Luke had always loved flirting with danger."

Ever since meeting the charming and sometimes reckless Luke Delacroix in book one of Elizabeth Camden's Hope and Glory series, he instantly became a favorite character of mine. After playing a supporting role in the first two books of the series, Luke gets his story told in book three, The Prince of Spies. Luke's story was definitely worth the wait.

Readers will be treated to a fantastic tale rooted in a deep rivalry lasting several generations between two important families, the Delacroix family and the Magruder family. When Luke Delacroix and Marianne Magruder meet and sparks fly, tensions also increase as they soon discover that they belong to feuding families.

Elizabeth Camden is one of my go-to authors for historical fiction, and her Hope and Glory series is my favorite of hers. She intricately weaves relatively unknown bits of history into her novels, such as the The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and "the Poison Squad," a group of men who voluntarily participated in food safety trials with a variety of preservatives. Although I am sad this series is over, the Delocroix family will have a permanent place on my keeper shelf where I can easily revisit old friends.

The Prince of Spies is highly recommended for readers of historical fiction.

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.

Like finishing the most satisfying meal. As expected, Elizabeth Camden delivers a wonderful story, dynamic characters, and blessed little reprieve from my everyday life.

I have just closed the cover of the final book in the Hope & Glory series, a smile on my face and my heart full. What a satisfying way to finish my time with this family of siblings. No one else can take you into the Gilded Age like Elizabeth Camden. From the first book (The Spice King) through the last, these characters have made their way into my heart and memory and won't be forgotten. I have loved how this series ties each of the siblings together--their stories melding from one book to the other. Luke has been woven through each of the previous books and it is good to finally have a focus on his own story. Not to be outdone, Maryanne has a fantastic story of her own and the growth that she goes through is beautiful.

I have been to Washington, DC and as Camden describes the setting, I can picture each place she mentions with detail. I believe this is a story-series is worth having on your shelf.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Prince of Spies
by Elizabeth Camden
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance
Pub Date 16 Feb 2021 | Archive Date 16 Mar 2021

Good read! This is one of my first books of the year for 2021. I highly recommend it. Historical fiction plus!
Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for the ARC.

5 star

In this conclusion to the Hope and Glory series, Luke Delacroix has returned from Cuba and while trying to regain his health and strength, he is determined to take down the congressman who has been his family's nemesis for years - Clyde Magruder. However, when he meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's daughter, his agenda becomes cloudy. Can he find a way to pursue his goals of food safety, without harming the woman he is falling in love with?

The Prince of Spies was a very satisfying conclusion to this series. I loved how different each sibling's story was, yet how they fit together as a family. Besides the intriguing background of the regulations regarding food safety, it was super interesting to read about the planning and development of the National Mall. I don't think I've read anything else set in DC during this time period, and I really enjoyed it.

I give this book 4 stars. Elizabeth Camden has a knack for unusual storylines, and this was another one done well.

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

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Book #3/3 of the Hope and Glory Series
Publishing Date: February 16, 2021

I’m not going to lie, I read this book because of the cover. I had only briefly skimmed the synopsis before requesting a copy. I had no idea it was the third book in a series. That being said I think this book can be read without ever having read the previous books however you will probably spoil the outcome of the previous books for yourself. Each book in the series depicts the romance story of each of the Delacroix siblings.

This particular book featured Luke Delacroix’s story. Luke, recently returned to Washington after a stint in a Cuban Prison, is determined to take on Congress and particularly Congressman Magruder. The Delacroix’s and Magruder’s have a long history of feuding regarding competing food processing companies. In the opening pages of the book, Luke meets Marianne, unbeknownst to him she is Congress Magruder’s daughter.

And thus the Romeo and Juliet retelling begins. The romance story is rather unremarkable: man meets woman; man falls in love with woman; man cannot be with woman due to extenuating circumstances; love prevails over all. It was all a little PG for my liking.

What I did find to be rather remarkable about the story was the time and events in which this story was set. Luke is determined to prove to Congress that there were negative health effects for consuming certain preservatives in food. He even volunteered for an experiment in which he was fed food laced with vast amounts of preservatives. According to the Author’s Notes the study of preservatives, and the fight to have the government ban them, are based on actual historical events which eventually led to the formation of the FDA. I think we often take for granted that there were those who came before us who figured out what was safe for humans to consume and in what dosages.

I definitely recommend giving it a read if you’re looking for a wholesome non-WWII historical romance.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BethanyHousePublishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The third (and sadly, final) book in the Hope & Glory series (extra hard because I think this is my favorite series from the author so far!)

Luke Delacroix, former spy and twin of Caroline (book 2) has recently returned from the Cuban prison he was in during books 1 and 2. He is still on the hunt to find accountability for the food poisons he is certain the Magruder family utilizes in their canned food recipes. Now living in the Washington DC area, he signs up to be a part of the Department of Agriculture's new scientific study that is testing the impact of certain chemicals in human subjects. Based on the real-life "Poison Squad" in 1902, the experiments (led by Dr. Wiley who was ultimately the first head of the FDA) begin to take a toll, but Luke is determined to find answers to support his crusade.

Photographer Marianne Magruder (father Clyde Magruder, a recently elected Congressman) and Luke have a chance meeting, and those proverbial sparks fly immediately...but are momentarily squelched when they realize each other's last names. Yet, they aren't squelched for long, and their commitment to each other and the truth is inspiring.

With witty banter, interesting dynamics, with a poignant peek into the state of affairs of this time period, it is quite easy for me to recommend this book. Please do start with book one to enjoy the entire series; you'll be glad you did!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! I was so excited to read this much awaited conclusion to the Hope and Glory series by Elizabeth Camden. And it was well worth the wait.

Luke Delacroix, charming, kind, intense, somewhat fearless. He meets Marianne Magruder in a most unusual circumstance. She is on the ice, trying to recuse her nephews little dog who has fallen through the ice. Luke glides over the ice to meet up with Marianne, and ends up falling into the frozen water. But the dog is rescued, and Luke is smitten. Until he finds out that she is Clyde Magruder's daughter, the man he is intent on getting out of Congress.

This story intrigued me. Elizabeth Camden has a way of weaving little known history facts in every novel she writes. The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 and "the Poison Squad" were at the heart of this story. Before the Food & Drug Administration, companies added toxic food additives to preserve food, which led to people dying. Marianne's family produces canned goods which added these poisons and Luke is bound to bring it to light. But as his affections grow for Marianne, things become entangled. As their relationship blooms, two people falling in love from feuding families, the Romeo and Juliet aspect explodes.

I thought it was beautifully written. I couldn't put it down. Deserving of a 5+.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have enjoyed Ms. Camden’s books for several years now. The historical detail interwoven with fictional elements is truly delightful to read. When I read her books, I feel as though I have stepped through a portal and entered another time, watching the character’s interactions and events play out right in front of me. The characters have depth, the history is told in detail, and there is a richness in her writing that very few authors have. Prince of Spies was exactly what I expected in reading one of Ms. Camden’s books. I thoroughly enjoyed this 3rd book in The Hope and Glory Series. The series follows the Delacroix family and their rise to wealth and power at the end of the Gilded Age to the beginning of the 20th century. Prince of Spies takes place in Washington D.C. in 1902. Luke Delacroix has recently been released from a Cuban prison where he spent 15 months. He becomes a journalist in Washington D.C. to stop the re-election of a certain Congressman.
Marianne Magruder is a photographer hired by the Department of the Interior to take photographs of the old buildings around D.C. that will be torn down in order to fulfill the McMillan plan (of which the National Mall was the core of the plan).
The Delacroix and Magruder families have hated each other for generations. Luke and Marianne do not. Instead, they begin to fall in love and dream of the life they could build together if it wasn’t for the fact the Marianne’s father is the Congressman Luke is trying to stop!
Luke desires sweeping reforms in the food industry that would eliminate the deadly chemicals used to preserve canned food- especially in Magruder canned foods. Marianne is convinced it is not that bad- her father would never adulterate the food to that degree and hide the scientific findings. Or would he? Marianne sets out to prove her father right and finds out more than she bargained for. Luke sets out to destroy her father but then starts to realize that perhaps revenge is not the path God would have him take.
The book’s themes of forgiveness, hope, romance, and courage were threaded throughout the plot. Luke is trying to right wrongs done to him and his family; to forgive is not something he does easily. They each hope that they can each make changes in the world. Luke through his journalism, and Marianne through her photography. In some respects, the romance angle of the book was almost like reading Romeo and Juliet without the tragic ending. They both have a desire to be with each other, but it will come at a cost. Marianne is courageous in that she is doing work in a man’s world and holding her own!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I even went so far as to look up some of the historical people and places that were mentioned, because it was just so interesting! I had several questions while reading the book and was disappointed that they were not answered by the time I had finished reading. I cannot say what my questions were because they will give away too much of the plot! I hope to see another book in this series- perhaps following one of the Magruders?
I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions in this review are my own.

This is the third book in this series, and yes I have read them all, you get to meet each of the siblings, but this can be read alone.

This is Luke's story, he is Charlotte's twin, whom we met as he was in a Cuban jail in a previous book. He is still on his mission for the betterment of mankind, with his experience in the food market, he wants the bad additives out!

What he doesn't expect is meeting the daughter of the families arch rival, now how can that possibly work out? Well, you need to read this awesome book to find out.

We meet some horrible happenings here, and some really made me cringe, but there is also joy and hope and love that we are blessed to enjoy as we turn the pages.

I wish there were more siblings, I enjoyed my time with the Delacroix family!

Make sure you read the authors notes at the end of this book, great information about the beginnings of the FDA in 1906.

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

First off, if you love to learn history and the science of development of society, pick up an Elizabeth Camden book. You will never simply just be entertained, you will also learn so much. I love history and read a lot of books, but I learned so many new facts and info that I had never known before when I picked up this novel.

Want to learn something new, but not really a fan of history books? I had not ever read about “The Poison Squad”, but in “Prince of Spies” by Elizabeth Camden, I was enthralled and horrified that this experiment was even needed, but so inspired by the brave souls that worked for food safety. Of course, the hero and heroine made it all the better. I wasn’t sure from the other books, if I could fall in love with them both as much as I did, but this author never disappoints. It is not so much a focus of a love story, but it is there for sure. I would say that the unhealthy family dynamics and mention of a parent’s infidelity may be something you would discuss before giving this book to a younger teenage reader, but otherwise, this series would be perfect for high school history studies.

I highly recommend the whole series.
I obtained this book from the publisher. The opinions contained herein are my own.

Elizabeth Camden does not disappointment or readers. I love the series of books that she has read so well on these two families. Thank you Net Galley and to the publishers for a fantastic book. Always look forward to her next book.

Luke Delacroix is still recovering from his time in Cuba when he helps a young woman rescue a dog off the ice. Luke is instantly smitten, as is she. And then they discover that Luke is a Delacroix, and the young woman is the daughter of Clyde Magruder who Luke has history with over deadly coffee and has sworn to get out of Congress. Marianne’s father forbids her from ever seeing Luke again, but their paths keep crossing. Luke, in his ongoing effort to make amends for being involved in food adulteration that got 3 people killed years ago, has signed up to be part of Dr. Wiley’s new Poison Squad that will be testing food additives for safety. Marianne has been assigned to take the Poison Squad’s photos as part of her job for the Department of the Interior. Forming a relationship seems ridiculous. Marianne’s family is prone to anger and as the story of her Aunt Stella demonstrates, there are limits to their love. Luke’s family has butted heads with the Magruder leaders for decades over food safety issues. And Luke has opened a branch of a newspaper in Washington, D.C. primarily for the purpose of getting Magruder and 4 others out of Congress. But why can’t they get each other out of their heads?

This very satisfyingly wraps up this series. It sees Dr. Wiley’s work fighting for food safety, which was introduced in the first book, to a monumental moment. Caroline gets married over the course of this book. And the feud with the Magruder’s has to be met head on and dealt with one way or another. And all the Delacroix siblings have had their moment to shine and deal with their personal issues now. I liked the inclusion of history bits about how the National Mall was designed and developed during this time period. I had never heard about that before. I felt like the faith elements all kind of got thrown in at the end. They were still good, but I would have liked things spread throughout the whole book rather than just left for the climax. The 2nd book in this series is still my favorite, but I do like how the author tackled themes of unconditional love, grace, and reconciliation in this book. The entire series is a great choice for those who like Christian historical romance filled with well-researched history bits that don’t come up in many other books.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a couple kisses. (It is mentioned that Clyde Magruder has had affairs that resulted in children out of wedlock, but no details of those affairs.) The Magruder family is prone to bursts of anger that can result in thrown items, fists, and a dead dog. The hazards of consuming questionable food preservatives at the turn of the century are accurately related, including fatalities.

I received an ARC of this title from Harvest House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden is a wonderful ending to a thrilling series.

With Luke Delacroix now out of prison, you would think he would try to lay low and stay out of trouble for a while. Such is not the case. The first thing he does is brave icy water to save a dog. And when he returns the dog to the lovely Marianne, he is instantly smitten.

Unfortunately, she is a Magruder, and Luke realizes it would be impossible to see her again because of their families' long-time feud. Plus, he's trying to get her father kicked out of Congress - so there's that.

The Romeo/Juliette love story between Luke and Marianne sets the tone for this final book in the series, which brings back all our favourite characters from the previous books. But Luke is determined to obey God and protect those he loves no matter the cost, making the ending all the sweeter.

This is a standalone read, but I highly recommend you pick up the other three books. With excellent research into the era, you won't be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this! The hero and heroine meet right off the bat...but its not smooth sailing, but when is true love? Enjoyable, especially for those who love gentle Christian fiction with romance

There has only been one book by Elizabeth Camden that I really didn’t care for. Normally I’m a big fan! Enjoyed this title, the third and last in the Hope and Glory series. All three were good; the second, A Gilded Lady, was my favorite.

The improbable love story in this book was coupled with real historical happenings, namely, the beginnings of regulation in the food industry to make sure all foods were safe for human consumption. There really was a “Poison Squad,” where young, healthy young men subjected themselves to living and taking meals together for months on end, some of which contained possibly dangerous additives or preservatives. The findings of this study resulted in the founding of what we now know as The Food and Drug Administration. I absolutely love it when I learn history because it’s couched in a great story! This author is quite good at doing that time and again.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was allowed to read this advanced readers copy, but I wanted to read the first two books in the series first. So I bought one and borrowed one from the library and I am so glad that I did! I loved the build up and the background that those two books provided. I wanted to know more about Luke from the very first book when he lands in prison. You know there is more to the story! I loved The Gilded Lady more than I thought I would. And for me, learning the history of this time in America's history was fascinating! I had never read this author before and am not much a fan of historical fiction. But I recommend this series highly!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC. The opinions are entirely my own.

I opened the book and was grabbed by the first word--Marianne. I smiled. I have read several sibling trilogies over the last couple years and have enjoyed every single volume. This book was no exception, and in this series, it was my favorite. I will always believe that books in a series should be read in proper order, and that is again my opinion for the Hope and Glory series. This series is centered in Washington, DC, in the transitional years at the turn of the 20th century during the McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt administrations. It was during this time that the United States was becoming aware of food additives. Elizabeth Camden always crafts wonderful stories around real people and historical events. In this book, Luke decided to take part in some research involving adulterated foods. I love the way Luke has grown over the series and "become a better man." I enjoyed how he and Marianne met, how they instantly became a match, and how they each were willing to sacrifice everything for the other. It was great to meet Aunt Stella--what a surprise!

There is one misgiving I have in rating this 5 stars--a single unnecessary word near the end of the book that easily could have been left out. I want to be able to recommend books to friends and their daughters, and to know that there is nothing offensive. Unfortunately, that one word was a disappointment. I am thankful to Bethany House and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive the complimentary advance copy.

A satisfying ending to the Hope & Glory trilogy by Elizabeth Camden.
Once again, Camden brings us back to the food industry at the turn of the century. The Delacroix family is still fighting and petitioning government officials to bring policies in place that would prohibit putting additives into processed foods. It’s unbelievable the kinds of things that were added to canned foods prior to 1906, for the sake of the almighty dollar. In this novel readers are given a glimpse into the Poison Squad and the formation of the Food and Drug Administration.
The story that brings us all the interesting historical details focuses on the third Delacroix sibling, Luke. He’s back stateside after imprisonment in Cuba, determined to continue the Delacroix fight and prevent other unnecessary deaths due to eating doctored processed foods. What Luke didn’t count on was a complication called Marianne Magruder – daughter of his archenemy in the food industry, and the woman he falls in love with.
A modern, historical re-telling of Romeo and Juliet, Prince of Spies is a delightful read.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

"The Spice King"--book 1 in the Hope & Glory series--was my first exposure to Elizabeth Camden as an author, and I've closely followed the series ever since. This book absolutely lives up to my (very high) expectations!

We've been teased with bits and pieces of Luke's story from the beginning, and I was very excited to finally get a full-length book just for him. (Cue "Home Alone" reference: "A lovely cheese pizza, just for me.") It was particularly fascinating to read for a couple reasons beyond that, too:
a) I adore Washington, DC, having visited there many a time over the years and spent a lot of time at various points on the National Mall--and I never knew its history. So learning about that was fascinating, and lends a new depth and appreciation to my trip memories!
b) With 2020 being an election year, many an eye has been on DC anyway. Reading "The Prince of Spies" felt particularly timely and somewhat prescient.

I'm sad to say goodbye to characters I've gotten to know so well through the series, though each has certainly and happily gotten the attention and story they deserve. Wouldn't it be fun to see them pop up as sidebars in Camden's future books?

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Star-crossed lovers meets industrial revolution. I really enjoyed this book--it kept me up too late last night! Here is what I enjoyed:

--The plot & characters: While the feuding family bit seemed like an overdone story angle, I thought that the author handled it really well. The characters were complex--not all good and not all bad. And, both of the main characters were devoted to their families, which made the family feud even more complicated. There were few truly bad characters in the book--maybe Andrew and his wife? The additional plot of food safety was also quite interesting. As a fan of history, I enjoyed learning about that issue.

--The pacing in the book was good and kept me quite interested. I found it hard to put the book down.

Overall, I was quite pleased and would recommend the book to friends!

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden is the third and last book in the Hope and Glory series. I do recommend reading the earlier books in this series, as Luke, the main character, has been in them quite often. I suppose it gets covered in short in the book itself, but you’ll miss a lot by skipping the first two books, especially as all previous characters play a role in this one too, yay!

Also, this cover! It’s so stunning and I can’t get over the fact that when you lay all three books in a row they form a matching image! That’s reason 2 to read the entire series by the way.

Ok, about the book itself now. We have Luke, charming, intense, sensitive, kind and fun, who throws himself into situations without thinking. I was a bit reluctant as I love more introverted nerdy men and I definitely got that with the first two books, but I have to admit I loved him! Luke is a rounded, layered, very interesting character and I’m here for it. His funny remarks make me giggle and I can’t help but fall in love with his easy way, and feel for him when his traumatic past hits him. I would have liked to see more of his PTSD though, that was the only aspect that didn’t feel genuine to me, you mostly only see what’s on the outside, not the inner world to go with it. But that’s a minor detail and basically the only thing in this book I didn’t like. Because it is AMAZING. We get a dual POV between Luke and Marianne, which works perfect. Their forbidden romance is truly a work of art, and I loved every minute. It has a bit enemies to lovers in it, which was my favorite part. Marianne works at the photography department and her job is to photograph buildings mostly, or anything that can be used, and she does it splendidly. Her character is amazing too, how she stays upright in a difficult family situation, and how she copes with everything, trying to be honest at all times.

But of course this wouldn’t be an Elizabeth Camden novel if there weren’t many other plots going. We continue the plot set in book 1 about toxic food additives, though it’s taken to another level. I always marvel at how amazing Camden can make something that sounds really boring and makes it into the most exciting thing ever, with lots of details of niche history. Applause! And there was this ball thrown by Caroline I really really want to attent, it was so imaginative... basically I just loved the entire book. There were many unexpected plots and turns and I kept guessing how it would all end. And I loved to see how Luke, a fairly new Christian, is growing in faith, and helps Marianne to discover it, too. They fit so well together! And I love them!

All in all, I loved it. Obviously. This entire series has a place in my favorites and I wish there were like 8 siblings. But all good things must come to an end...

And with that, my review ends too, but not before one last thing, as I have to mention a trigger warning. Don’t read on if you don’t want to know, because it’s a mild spoiler.
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There is one situation concerning animal cruelty that left me crying.

Another fantastic story From Elizabeth Camden! This series is by far my favourite from her! While I enjoyed this story I definitely prefer the two previous books in the series. I thought the story was a little too slow and didn't have as much happening in it as her other works. I really loved Luke and Marianne! Luke especially had such a different character to any other book I've read. All in all it was a great story!

I've now read the entire Hope and Glory series and I have to say each book was better than the last. I would say Luke was my favorite character of all and was glad to have the final edition centered around him. The characters developed well over the course of the story and my interest was maintained from beginning to end. While you could follow this story if read as a standalone, these novels do build off one another and would be best enjoyed in sequence. I would say this is a light and quick historical fiction/romance. So if your reading mood is such, give this one a go!

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden is the third book of her Hope and Glory series. As it concludes the series, I expected happy endings for all involved—Nathaniel and Caroline, Gray and Anabelle, and Luke Delacroix, as well. In the last two books, Luke was the character always in the background. He is the one whose story at which Camden hinted but never fully explained. Even then, readers began to understand his commitment to others and selfless heart, even when he engaged in reckless, seemingly mindless behavior. His past failures, though, nag him and burden his heart.

He is still recovering from his time in a Cuban prison at the beginning of The Prince of Spies. Immediately, the courageous Marianne tugs at his heartstrings. When grown men refused to cross thin ice, she scooted across the precarious surface to rescue a boy’s dog named Bandit. Luke, the chivalrous man that he was, goes to help. We quickly learn of Marianne’s work as a photographer at the Department of the Interior. Meanwhile, Luke’s greatest aim is to rip certain lawmakers from their positions of power. Their support of food preservatives had cost three people their lives and endangered many more. If Luke could prevent them from being reelected, he would.

What neither of them know, at first: their last names. Luke is a Delacroix, while Marianne is a Magruder. Their families hated each other. Their love was forbidden from the start. When I read this “Romeo and Juliet” cliché, I rolled my eyes. I enjoyed the warmth between Luke and Marianne. They find love in amid drama and a political maelstrom, but…the “we can’t be together because of family vitriol” annoyed me. I should have expected it prior to reading The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden, but I didn’t.

If Camden’s job was to make me abhor Marianne’s family, she excelled. The only characters I even remotely liked was the outspoken old grandfather and her nephew, Sam. All of the others were, for the most part, despicable. Marianne’s father was of questionable character. Her mother was overly dramatic and constantly ill. Her sister-in-law was haughty and judgmental. And her brother…I don’t even have words to describe him. He is the scum of the earth, for a multitude of reasons. With a family like the Magruders, of course Marianne would seek love elsewhere. Camden gives no indication of whether Luke is her first love—though we know Luke is certainly a ladies’ man—but it would not surprise me if he was. I wasn’t certain whether Marianne’s love was true and real, or whether she only fawned over Luke because he offered an escape.

An Example of Historical Fiction
Camden intricately and perfectly weaves history into The Prince of Spies. I knew very little about what occurred in D.C. during the early 1900s. I lived in D.C. for a time, and her descriptions made me go searching for photos—both current and historical—of the area I once called home. She also informs her readers all about the fight to provide oversight over food preservatives. I don’t want to give anything away in this area, so I’ll refrain from saying more. But I will say had I not seen her historical note at conclusion of the novel, I never would have believed something portrayed in the book existed.

I enjoyed The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden. I liked the entire series, though I think the second book was my favorite. Camden’s mastery of historical fiction is unsurpassed. She succeeded in making me interested in a genre that I found disagreeable. A fun note: If you line the books up side by side, they make a complete picture!

Disclaimer/Trigger Warning
All my praise, though, must also come with a warning. I avoid posting any spoilers in my novel, but I feel it is necessary with The Prince of Spies. A father has his son’s dog shot as punishment for cheating on a test…when everyone in the class also cheated. As a dog lover, I found the inclusion of such a heinous act atrocious and heartbreaking. And shooting an innocent dog as punishment for something so unimportant as cheating? Unacceptable. Loathsome. I wanted to disclose the shooting so readers of my review would be remotely prepared for it…because I wasn’t. If this makes anyone avoid reading The Prince of Spies, I wouldn’t blame you in the least.

The conclusion I have been waiting for! The Delacroix family has held me captive since I was first introduced. Luke is the most charismatic of the siblings and finally gets to tell his own story! I love everything about Luke: his wit, charm, intelligence, commitment to family, country and truth. It seems to fit that his love story would have to be big and complicated as well, and yet, it is perfect. Marianne is exactly the type of woman Luke needs to anchor him and make him a better version of himself. Marianne is a complicated character as well who brings great balance to Luke’s many layers. Their love story is one for the ages and not easily forgotten. Romance, family, mystery and intrigue… I loved everything about this clean, inspirational, historical fiction book. You will want to read the previous two books in the series to fully appreciate this one. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

I have been absolutely loving this series and I think as a whole it just might be my favorite work of Camden’s to date!
I love the way the stories are intricately connected telling a story as a whole while also being three individually complete works. And the way that this is reflected in the covers is definitely one of the coolest things ever!
I have loved Luke since the moment we first met him and I have been anxiously awaiting his story! He was as charming as ever but we also got to see his maturity and his drive for justice that had developed over the years. He was a bit reckless at times but it often served him well and the world needs people who aren’t afraid to jump in and get their hands dirty in the name of justice!
I had a love/hate relationship with Marianne. I appreciated the way she saw and captured the world through her camera lens and she had a genuinely kind heart that just wanted the best for everyone. But her naïveté and blind loyalty when it came to her family got a little bit frustrating at times, especially since her family was awful and did nothing to earn it. Also (and this is going to be super vague to avoid spoilers) when she had the chance to speak up and come clean about something and she didn’t even though she knew someone was suffering unjustly for what she’d done, I lost a lot of respect for her.
Overall though I did enjoy the romance between the two of them and they were really cute together!
One of Camden’s greatest strengths as an author is the way she weaves history into the very fabric of her stories, and this book was no different! The surprisingly captivating journey to see that there were regulations in place for what was put into food that was being sold was honestly something I’d never thought of before this series but now I know so much about it! And the parts about the changes they were making to the landscape of our nation’s capital that we see today were extremely interesting to me!
I enjoyed the way the story played out and watching them fight for justice while also learning that it doesn’t always come how you imagine it and that there is room for grace as well. There was a bit at the end that seemed a little off the rails, connected but I didn’t fully understand why the author went the direction she did-it kind of felt like that moment in old musicals where a random song and dance routine is thrown in that just makes you scratch your head. But in the end I thoroughly had a delightful time reading this book and I was definitely sucked into the plot! I’m looking forward to whatever the author has in store for us next!

Luke’s story has been long anticipated and doesn’t disappoint. Set in 1902, he’s back in the States, setting up a new office of the paper he writes for. He helps to rescue a dog from icy waters and meets Marianne. She is a photographer with the Department of Interior. When they learn who the other is, there is much to decide. He’s trying to redeem himself from guilt of past negotiations that went wrong, when food additives caused irreparable harm and sets himself up to be part of the Poison Squad. Fun group of people, who form a tight bond. We meet many of them, plus Dr. Wiley, Clyde, Vera, Andrew, Delia, Sam, Colonel Phelps, and of course Gray, Caroline, Annabelle and Nathaniel along with a few others. Page turning story that won’t be put down until the last page.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read every single one of Elizabeth Camden's books and I do think there has been a shift since her early books. The early books definitely felt more historical romance. The romance was the main action of the story and things happened around that (the Great Chicago Fire, Library of Congress, etc). I still learned a lot, but I felt like most of the focus was on the romance.

Now I would say her books are more in the historical fiction category (with a large amount of romance). This isn't a bad thing--I have greatly appreciated what I've learned through these books. In this book specifically, I learned a lot more about the rules there were and weren't about food and preservatives at the turn of the century in the United States. But with that shift, I do feel like I'm left wanting more romantic details. I loved Luke and Marianne and their interactions, but I wanted a lot more and there just wasn't room enough in the book for that. Personal preference, but I'm rating books based on personal preference, so that's allowed and why this was 4 stars instead of 5.

In the Prince of Spies, we FINALLY get Luke's story after hearing so much about him in Grey and Caroline's books (which I now want to go back and read and also can't wait to get my print copy of The Prince of Spies so I can line all these covers up to make the fantastic picture). And leave it to Luke to fall in love with a Magruder!

A few things I liked about the book:

-A good forbidden love/Romeo and Juliet story (without the death). You could feel the chemistry between Luke and Marianne from the beginning and that was a delight. And I liked the way their identities unfolded and how they started navigating that. And then figured out they really couldn't ;)

-Strong female/great partnership. Marianne works as a photographer for the government because she wants to do something important, even though her family has tons of money and she doesn't "need" to work. While some of the men in her family (and women) don't understand that or just simply humor her, Luke gets it and partners with her in it. He's always encouraging and loyal to Marianne. Also, he's got his own struggles that she helps him with. This is no damsel in distress story.

-I also love sibling dynamics and it's so fun to see how far Gray, Caroline, and Luke have come in their relationships. I would have liked more haha. That seems to be a theme for me.

Overall, it was a fascinating book about a time in history and events I didn't previously know much about and I loved learning more. I just also love the main characters and apparently wanted a little more day to day of them (which I know would have made the book way too long, so it's not possible, but I like my characters, what can I say?).

I received an ARC of this book, but all thoughts are my own.

Elizabeth Camden truly has a way of creating absolutely delectable historical fiction, turning somewhat little remembered facts in our history into centerpieces of her incredible writing. Hope & Glory series takes the reader on a journey from the boom of spice importing and processed food industry and agricultural science (The Spice King) to the last year of President McKinley's administration and all its politics and glitter (A Glided Lady) to the long years and sacrifice poured into the Pure Food and Drug Act along with plenty of political intrigue (The Prince of Spies). The series should be read in order so that you can get the full flavor of the Delacroix siblings. I have been anxiously awaiting this last book in the series and Elizabeth Camden does not disappoint! It's the perfect ending to the series.

The year is 1902 and Luke has grown up after his stint in a Cuban jail. He's still delightfully impulsive, bold, passionate, loyal, and tender but has learned to rein in his thrill-seeking and emotional soul and has also found God. By the power of the written word, he seeks to make changes in the government but is also fueled by bitterness and desire for revenge. Marianne is a sweet, creative, loyal, oftentimes timid daughter of Luke's number one enemy whose path keeps getting tangled up with Luke's, even as he schemes to take down her father and his processed food empire. Their romance is splendidly magical, properly old-schooled and heart-stirring (with some of Romeo and Juliet vibes thrown in). There are twists and turns in the story that will make you gasp. The journey Luke makes to put his faith into action is a tough but admirable one; the faith journey Marianne makes is somewhat different but nonetheless powerful. I also loved learning about photography during that time, the beginnings of the FDA and how the National Mall in DC came about, one small piece at a time.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, this is a must-read book! The Delacroix siblings, particularly the reformed and repentant Luke, will linger in your heart for a long time to come. I received the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

Elizabeth Camden cast an exotic spell on me in The Prince of Spies. The spell gave me the power of time travel. It gave me the opportunity to see a relatively modern and very realistic reenactment of Romeo and Juliet's love story with a very different execution and outcome. It gave me the ability to turn into many persons at a time. A photographer. A spy. A politician. A scientist. And now that the spell is gone, I wish I never came out of it.

Set in 1900 United States, this story was a clever and honest combination of suspense, romance and political stories. Luke Delacroix has only one aim in his life. To take down the corrupt family who has been his family's enemy for years and finally has destroyed his family. He has spent years in prison. Worked as a spy and now a gritty journalist. He has been working tirelessly against Congressman Clyde Magruder to expose his shady business practices in food industry endangering common people. Even if it means taking part as volunteer in a dangerous scientific study. Then he meets Marianne. The sweet, talented and smart photographer. The biggest problem? She is the only daughter of his enemy.



I thoroughly enjoyed my time travel. This story blended historical events and scientific events so beautifully with a heartaching romance. The story was fast paced. Never a dull boring moment. Luke and Marianne both were incredibly strong characters. Luke is burning with guilt from inside and he is consumed by vendetta. He is brave and strong with a very strict moral compass but his bitterness was making his life miserable. Marianne showed him the other side. Beyond hurt and anger. She is a beautiful soul. Who loves unconditionally and wholeheartedly. I admire her spirit and fierce determination. She had a whole journey of finding peace regarding her complicated family and self discovery. They have an instant connection. An easy camaraderie that shines through the pages. A partnership in mischief and dreams. The love story made me swoon and sigh before the twists kept on turning my world upside down. It was not an easy path but they found their dream destination.

After finishing The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden, I am feeling elated and enriched. An enticing journey into the past. Full of dramatic moments and sweetest feelings.

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily by Netgalley and Bethany House.

What a story! I devoured this riveting historical fiction and found it to be a very satisfying ending to this series. I especially enjoy the way in which Camden makes history come alive. She obviously does her research and finds the most interesting facts and weaves them into a vibrant story. Her main characters are wonderful and flawed at the same time. They both learn faith lessons along this journey. Even though their romantic relationship faces trouble from the start, they do have quite a bit of fun getting to know each other. In the end, each must decide what sacrifices to make for the relationship to continue. Actually, this story would make a great movie. The entire series would for that matter. But you don’t have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one! I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Prince of Spies, another unputdownable read from consummate storyteller Elizabeth Camden, brings to an end her Hope and Glory series. It is a fitting conclusion to the chronicle of the Delacroix siblings Gray, Caroline, and Luke. This is Luke’s story, and I loved it! It captured and kept my interest from the first word to the last. A fast moving plot that twists, turns, and surprises; well-developed engaging characters who evoke a myriad of emotions; rich historical detail woven seamlessly into the fictional story; a touching forbidden romance that involves sacrifice and determination; and inspiring spiritual truths sprinkled throughout the narrative make for an exciting, satisfying read. Like the other book in the series, this one works well as a stand-alone, but I recommend reading the entire series to get the full effect of the story. This is one of my favorite books and series, and I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A thrilling ending to Elizabeth Camden’s Hope and Glory series! The Prince of Spies will captivate readers with Luke’s long-awaited journey to fulfillment, as well as Camden’s impeccable research and storytelling ability.

I have been eagerly looking forward to Luke’s story for quite some time, and from the moment I saw the cover I was enchanted. I am happy to report The Prince of Spies is perfectly, incandescently swoony and redemptive. I loved Luke and Marianne from the beginning, and it was wonderful to see familiar characters again, as well as new characters who captured my heart, attention, and occasionally my ire. I continue to be astounded by Camden’s ability to easily draw the reader into morally and ethically challenging situations that ultimately inspire and fulfill.

Although I am sad to see the Delacroix siblings’ stories come to an end, The Prince of Spies wraps up the series in a compelling and inspiring manner. I am eagerly awaiting Camden’s next series! 4.5/5 stars

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

"The Prince of Spies" is a Christian romance set in 1902, mainly in Washington DC. This is the 3rd in a series, but it works as a standalone novel. Historical details about the events and politics of the time were woven into the story and affected everyone's lives. The main conflict was about how some food companies were adding fillers and chemical preservatives to the food to make a greater profit, but other people were concerned about the health effects of doing so. Luke was willing to do anything to prove the dangers of these additives, including joining a study testing their effects on humans and using his journalistic skills to remove politicians that stood in the way of a law protecting the consumer. Unfortunately, not only did he fall in love with a gal whose family was feuding with his but she firmly believed her father's assurances that the preservatives their company used would only save lives.

Though I loved the historical detail, I don't care for doomed love themes, which dominated the first half of the story. They were attracted to each other, but they kept resolving to avoid each other because of the trouble a friendship would cause them with their families. But they just couldn't stay apart. They also had to avoid talking about some things they deeply believed in. Something needed to change if they were going to have a healthy relationship. And it did.

The characters reacted realistically, were complex, and I cared about what happened to them. They genuinely admired each other's character, built each other up, and became better people from having known each other. There was no sex. There was one use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting historical romance.

Thank you Elizabeth Camden, NetGalley, and Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book!

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden is book three in the Hope and Glory series. I had the opportunity to read A Gilded Lady last year and I absolutely adored it! Needless to say, my hopes were high for this book! Luke Delacroix is the younger brother of Gray Delacroix and Caroline’s twin brother. He is very close with his family but is often risking his life, driving his family crazy. After he was spying for America and ended up in a Cuban prison, Luke is finally home. He is charming, yet reckless. But not as reckless as the young woman he spots on a frozen lake trying to save a dog. He doesn’t hesitate to assist her in the rescue. After the successful rescue of Bandit, Luke gets a moment to meet his co-rescuer, Marianne. He has never been so instantly captivated by a woman before. Unfortunately, she is a Magruder. The Magruder’s and the Delacroix’s have been enemies for years. His current mission is to prevent Clyde Magruder from getting re-elected to Congress. However, Clyde is Marianne’s father. Their connection is too much to ignore but will their family strife keep them apart?

This is a timeless tale of rival families and how love can conquer all. I love the Delacroix siblings. Gray is stern, yet completely loyal. Caroline is a socialite, but not afraid to speak her mind. Then there is Luke. I can see how Marianne finds him irresistible. While he has a happy-go-lucky exterior, he is deeply affected by his time in prison and is very in tune with his emotions. Marianne is lovely but frustrating at times. She has the WORST family. Seriously, I would have killed Andrew myself. Yet, she defends them over and over again. They are completely toxic. I honestly would have left and never looked back. But she is strong and doesn’t hesitate to do the right thing.

As always, Elizabeth Camden weaves an intricate tale. This one takes place during the time period of Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency. While I really wanted to see Theodore Roosevelt… In the previous book, we got an intimate look at the McKinley Presidency. BUT I loved reading about The Poison Squad. The Poison Squad is a group of volunteers that ate certain foods to see the effects of food additives. I never heard about this part of history and I found it very fascinating and very relevant to issues in food and medicines we see today.

I read this book in a day! I highly recommend it and guess what?! It releases today! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!

The Prince of Spies is an engaging tale set in a rich historical setting.

For me, Elizabeth Camden’s books are almost always winners. This novel was no exception. In fact, this may be my favorite thus far.

For those who’ve read the other books in the series, the suspense starts immediately when Marianne and Luke meet. And what a meet cute! Somehow, they don’t know who each other are at first, and I was holding my breath wondering what would happen when they found out the truth.

When they did, I was surprised by the reaction. But instead of the back and forth I was expecting, Camden surprised me. I loved the way she developed their relationship, even when they couldn’t see each other. Both Marianne and Luke are relatable, making it easy to root for them to work out their relationship.

I loved seeing Gray, Annabelle, Caroline, and Nathaniel again. Although you can read Prince of Spies as a standalone, I think these appearances are more enjoyable if you’ve read the series.

As far as spiritual elements, Luke and Marianne have great discussions about his reliance on God and what he learned while in prison. Though at one point, he makes a statement that he hopes working for the food trial will make him worthy in God’s eyes, this is never addressed again, nor does he realize he’ll never be worthy. While I can see even mature Christians wish they could be worthy of their salvation, most of us know we never will be. And Luke’s statement may concern some Christian readers. But I got a subtle hint later in the novel that suggests he knows he can’t earn salvation. I think it should’ve been addressed though.

Overall, The Prince of Spies is a romantic historical tale that will make romance fans sigh.

(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)

If I introduced this book by saying an important element of the plot was the actions that led to the passing of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, I'm not sure many people would be interested--and yet, Elizabeth Camden has made it fascinating in this book. Luke's work on the "Poison Squad," where volunteers ate food additives to test how safe they were (or, weren't) and his concerns about food safety were so interesting! Marianne's job as a photographer working for the government was also really interesting, particularly how she was photographing the area that would become the National Mall. All the historical details were woven into the story so well, and I loved reading all of them. The characters were great as well, Luke as he's trying to serve a purpose and Marianne as she struggles with her family secrets. Their romance was fun but also sweet, as they helped each other and brought out the best in each other. Great book!
4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.