Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it’s too late. As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the … to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.
Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?
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Elizabeth Camden writes with such elegance. Her words are a pleasure to read. And her research! My gosh. I am in awe. This novel had so much fascinating history in it, all of it authentic and compelling and expertly woven into a beautiful love story. I adore a stern hero like Gray Delacroix. And Annabelle was my favorite kind of heroine–strong, intelligent, and good hearted. Highly recommended!
I love novels that are not afraid to ask the BIG questions. The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden is a wonderfully engaging read. The characters are excellently crafted and delightfully endearing. The historical detail is fascinating. I learned so much about the history of processed food. Unfortunately, since the 1800s, food has been a science experiment crafted in warehouses and labs. I am blown away by what some people were, and still are, willing to call food just so they could turn a profit. What I really love about The Spice King though is how it made me wrestle with BIG ideas, specifically with the question: is it ever wrong to tell the truth?
Very early on in the story, Annabelle, the heroine of The Spice King, is backed into a metaphorical corner and is sort of forced to spy on Gray Delacroix, the spice king. IF she is willing and is successful, Annabelle is told that a very lucrative job will be her reward. So she spies, finds some incriminating evidence, turns it into her military contacts, and receives her reward: a really good job with the Department of Agriculture. On the surface, Annabelle did the right thing. Treason is BAD. However, it bothered me — I mean really, really bugged me — that Annabelle spies and tells. Now, before you start to worry, NO, I am not a traitor to my country. I really do believe treason is BAD because it can lead to a lot of innocent people getting hurt. What I don’t agree with is Annabelle’s use of the truth as a weapon, which is what she does in order to personally profit. And I know this kind of truthtelling severely bothered Annabelle too because she has a brilliant Lady Macbeth moment: “All [Annabelle] could see was the splotch of old stain on the slate table before her. The stain of what she’d done … would be with her forever too.”
“But wait!” you’re saying. “I thought Jesus said in the Bible that the Truth will set you free. How can Annabelle be in the wrong?” I struggled with this as well until I really considered why we tell truths. Truth does set people free when it is told for the right reasons in the right context. I have no issue with a man or woman going through the necessary training to become an actual spy, taking on an actual mission, finding real intel on an enemy, and then relaying that information to the proper authorities. The general goal and heart of the person, in this case, is to keep others safe. My issue with Annabelle is her motivation. Annabelle does not spy to save lives. She does it to receive personal compensation. When I teach others the Truth of Jesus if my heart is in it for me and what I can earn, my truthtelling is wrong. But when I teach others about Jesus because I genuinely love them and want a soul change for them, my truthtelling is righteous. When Annabelle tells the truth she discovers it causes her to feel anxiety, pain, and heartache because she is selfish in her motivations. This really forced me to analyze my heart. What are my motivations behind my actions, words, and beliefs? Am I doing and saying the right things but for the wrong reasons? Or am I right on track?
I love, and highly recommend, The Spice King for many reasons, but the fantastic lesson on truthtelling that is weaved throughout the narrative makes this book an absolute must-read! The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden releases on September 3, 2019. I implore you to pre-order yourself a copy of this book today. I promise you will NOT want to miss out on this book.
I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden is the first novel in the Hope and Glory series. This story is set in 1900 in Washington, D.C. where Annabelle Larkin has begun working at the Smithsonian Institution. She came to Washington with her blind sister, Elaine. Being in Washington allows Elaine to attend the Library of Congress’s educational program for the blind and access to the Braille books available there. If Annabelle cannot get a fulltime job, they must return to the family farm in Kansas. Gray Delacroix is a complicated man. He runs a large spice company, has two lighthearted younger siblings, has a strong work ethic, and has traveled the world. I thought The Spice King was well-written with developed characters. Ms. Camden captured the time period and I can tell she did her research for this book. It was interesting learning about spices, extracts, and food safety. We learn how the extracts, spices and other food items are processed and diluted. It was appalling what was in some of the products. I am amazed at what businesses did to products to make a buck. I had no idea how much work went into making vanilla (it is complicated and fascinating). Imagine how bland foods were before the introduction of spices. Good Housekeeping magazine and how their seal of approval came about is included. There is romance in The Spice King, but it is not the main story. There is politics, unsafe foods, intrigue, rebellion and botany. The author wove all the storylines together into one engaging book. I also liked learning about the Library of Congress and the program they had for the blind. The Spice King is a captivating historical novel.
This book kept me turning pages when I should have been doing other things. The tension, the intrigue, and the passion all drew me into the story wondering if everything would turn out and hoping that it did. I loved the hero and the heroine.
Scandal and intrigue bring unexpected romance…
I have to admit that I’ve been a little hit or miss with reading Elizabeth Camden’s books in recent years. I’m really not sure why because I really enjoy them. But, anyway, I am glad that The Spice King was one of the ‘hits’. Not only was I completely entertained by this story but I also learned a lot, about vanilla which is one of my favorite flavors, to something I hadn’t really thought of because it is the norm now, the need for requiring food labels to fully disclose the contents.
Anyway, I was won over right away by the heroine’s job, I’m a museum fan so her work in the Smithsonian was way cool! The hero’s work as the head of an international spice company was quite interesting, I was even inspired to check out the history of vanilla because of him.
I found The Spice King to be interesting, intriguing, and a very good read. There’s some great dramatic moments, a bit of danger, and definitely some romance. I think it’s probably one of my favorite Elizabeth Camden books so far. There were some surprises and I couldn’t help but wonder when the heroine had to make a difficult decision what I would do if I were in her shoes.
The Spice King was a an enjoyable story and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what Elizabeth Camden has in store for the Delacroix family in the next book in the Hope And Glory series…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Camden gives readers a captivating glimpse into a few of the many cogs and wheels of our nation’s capital, both private and public, at the turn of the last century. Unexpected intrigue and a touch of Pride and Prejudice inspiration drew me into the story and I eagerly consumed each page!
Tall, dark, and handsome, strong and silent, wealthy and brooding… Gray Delacroix is all these things yet so much more. Getting to know this hero was a pleasure as he finally slowed down long enough to truly examine his priorities in life. Sweet Annabelle Larkin is a breath of fresh air with enough firey determination to chase away any storm cloud. She is a delightful heroine who makes tough choices and longs to impact the world in a positive way.
First in the new Hope and Glory series, The Spice King is loaded with all the things I most love about historical fiction including fascinating historical details of individuals, organizations, places, and culture. I highly recommend this story and eagerly anticipate revisiting the Delacroix family in future installments!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Author Elizabeth Camden always weaves an intriguing story. Rich with details and history, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Learning about the spice trade was an incredible bonus.
The plot was interesting, laced with intrigue and suspense and moved at a good pace. A clean romance added to the appeal. Well developed characters and good descriptions made this story a page turner. I recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Love and political intrigue
My rating is 4.5 stars
Spice King, Gray Delacroix, had worked hard to build the spice empire that provided the lifestyle his younger twin siblings enjoyed. His dedication to the quality of the products they sold and disgust at the unscrupulous practices of his competitors led him to crusade for reform in the food industry that would lead to pure products and accurate descriptions of what was in them. As a label-reader, I was especially fascinated at learning more about how the listing of ingredients on products we buy came about.
Yet, The Spice King is so much more than the story of why we list ingredients! As Annabelle was forced to find secrets of the Delacroix family at great personal cost to herself, her discovery ripped the curtain veiling Grey’s eyes from the truth of what was going on in his own family! And he was able to see Luke and Caroline for the adults they had become instead of the younger siblings he helped raise.
I love the way Elizabeth Camden’s stories often place the hero and heroine on opposite sides of issues, yet fighting for the exact same thing. The irony makes for great stories. Annabelle and Gray had such a rocky relationship, as she worked for government departments he greatly opposed.
Enticing descriptions of plants and spices peppered this story along with details of how they were prepared for market. At one point, Gray, upon learning Annabelle didn’t know how to flavor her food other than with salt and pepper, gifted her with a set of spices that were basically foolproof. His choice of which ones to include was interesting.
Political intrigue added a savory treat as Annabelle uncovered information that when revealed, rocked the Delacroix family to its core and destroyed the budding relationship she had with Grey. Having not retained much (or any!) of what I had learned in school about the McKinleys or the Spanish-American war, the tidbits shared gave me a zesty history lesson in a way that kept me interested and didn’t make me feel like I was reading a textbook. And the parts that took place in Cuba! Fascinating!
Be prepared to have your heart broken when Grey discovers Annabelle’s part in the tragedy that took place! Annabelle’s grief and the pain of the Delacroix siblings had me wiping my eyes. And then when she and Grey were forced to be together. . . Ouch!!
I was particularly moved by Grey’s assessment of Annabelle’s mother after she continued to embarrass Annabelle and make herself odious. The way he was able to see the good in her and the way she helped form Annabelle’s character was very admirable. I hope for a similar perspective when encountering difficult people.
The characters were all so intriguing! I am hopeful that Luke and Caroline will get their own stories. In fact, I just might send an angry letter to the author if Luke isn’t the hero of the next book. 🙂
Elizabeth Camden is a master of Christian Historical fiction, turning overlooked historical tidbits into stories that will keep you riveted. If you enjoy this genre, don’t pass on The Spice King!
Read my review of The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I give this book 5 stars!
The Spice King is book number one in the series Hope and Glory by historical author Elizabeth Camden.
An avid fan of history, I relished this setting of 1900 in Washington D.C. and surrounding areas. I learned about the early days of regulating the food industry and the beginning of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. The glimpse into the Smithsonian and The Department Of Agriculture was fascinating. The explanations of the process involved in spice making were especially interesting.
Ms. Camden has done a commendable job in her research. I love her writing style. Her characters were well drawn and you could see into their motivations.
Annabelle Larkin finds a way to approach reclusive Spice Magnate, Gray Delacroix, in search of a cutting of a rare vanilla orchid. This could be the answer to the quandary of how to keep her blind sister, Elaine, doing productive work at the Library of Congress. She gets much more than she bargained for.
Gray is a shrewd businessman and a man of integrity but he has strong political opinions. He is also dogged by Malaria and doesn’t know when the attacks will strike next. He has long taken care of his twin siblings, Caroline and Luke, who are twelve years his junior. They are adults now and have made their life choices.
There is much intrigue to follow in this story and some of it is left unresolved, making the reader want to see what happens in future books involving Caroline and Luke.
Don’t miss this wonderful story to find out what happens to Annabelle and Gray.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not expected to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Elizabeth Camden has been one of my must read authors for quite sometime, so I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of The Spice King, which is the first book in her new series, Hope and Glory. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I love the way the author takes a subject that I never considered interesting but after reading a few pages, I find it fascinating, especially in this novel.
Annabelle Larkin is such a great character, she is sweet, kind and tenacious. She’s a botanist at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and when she begins a correspondence with Gray Delacroix to see his private plant collection, she shows just how determined she can be. Gray is equally determined so I knew these two would become near and dear to my heart. I’ll be honest here and admit that I never expected the world of spices and politics to work so well into a storyline but the two merged spectacularly.
They are both fantastic characters and I could easily imagine them spending time together,
Another character who held my interest is Elaine, Annabelle’s blind sister who works at the Library of Congress which I think would be an awesome job for anyone. I was glad to learn of her experiences with coping with her disability.
Overall, The Spice King is impeccably written and is filled with instantly likeable characters and also has a few twists that I didn’t expect. A definite must read in my opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed are my own.
“She embodied laughter and optimism and steadfast determination. Being with her felt like wind in his sails, filling him with buoyant optimism.”
Elizabeth Camden has done it again! What a fascinating story from the beginning to end! This beautifully written and masterfully crafted tale takes us first to 1900 Alexandria, VA as Gray is building his spice trade empire and Annabelle is starting a new life in Washington DC as a botanical specialist in the Smithsonian. As Annabelle and Gray meet while she’s searching for the original vanilla orchid, their lives intertwine to include intrigue, romance, betrayal, and matters of national security. There are plenty of plot twists to keep you on your toes and there is still a smoldering question unanswered by the end of the book, which should make the sequel very interesting. I really enjoyed learning about the spice trade, the intricate process of making vanilla extract, the beginning of quality control in processed food items spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, and how our scientists went all over the world looking for seeds and fruits to diversify our food supply. The premise and plot are quite original and captivating, as is the storytelling.
Equally captivating are the characters in the story. Gray, the sober and disciplined businessman, and Annabelle, the bright and sunny botanist with an expertise in cereal grasses, are absolute opposites in personality and outlook on life. Yet they’re drawn like magnets to each other and learn what grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness really mean through trials and tribulations. Gray’s brother Luke and sister Caroline are also fascinating; I can’t wait for the next book to get to know Caroline better.
Truly this is a historical fiction not to be missed. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
“At the end of her life, she wanted to know that she had made a difference for the better.”
In The Spice King, the first installment of her Hope and Glory series, award winning author Elizabeth Camden has created an intriguing historical fiction novel filled with faith, romance, betrayal, and treason. Elizabeth Camden is a master at taking relatively unknown parts of history, such as the lack of regulation in the U.S. food industry and the use of adulterated food in the early 1900s, and weaving a fascinating tale of politics, sabotage, and sacrifice.
The story begins in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian as botanist Annabelle Larkin is tasked with obtaining extremely rare plant specimens from Gray Delacroix, the owner of Delacroix Global Spice. Annabelle suddenly gains the attention of government officials and finds herself in a dangerous position in which she has to choose between loyalty to her country and the opportunity for true love.
Elizabeth Camden consistently creates intelligent, strong-willed heroines, and Annabelle Larkin is no exception. From the desire to have a successful career and overcome her regrets from the past, Annabelle becomes stronger and realizes what is truly important in life. The author authentically weaves the characters’ faith into the novel and educates the readers about the rich history of the Department of Agriculture, food regulation in the early 1900s, the American occupation in Cuba, and the presidency of William McKinley.
The Spice King is highly recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy books by authors such as Jody Hedlund, Rachel Fordham, and Carrie Turansky. Readers will eagerly look forward to the rest of the Hope and Glory series, in which Gray’s siblings will hopefully get their own stories told.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Additional Quotes:
“God was sending her a message. The world was a good place. She needed to look for it, even when life was full of pain.”
“They lived in a huge and expansive country, filled with choices and opportunities. Not all of them were easy, but she had found a man of character who would step into that world with her, and nothing had ever felt so right.”
“This country had been built on a foundation laid down by farmers and stalwart farmer’s wives. It was made great by college professors, inventors, gamblers, industrialists, and dreamers. The politicians at the helm would change every four years, but the heartbeat of America would stay strong.”
Normally it’s the heroine who I connect with the most in a novel and, while I loved Annabelle Larkin for her intelligence and comfort in her own skin, Gray Delacroix has my heart! There is something about this grumpy hero that I can’t help but love. He’s surly and prickly, but he also has an incredible heart full of loyalty. Also the descriptions in this book are gorgeous! They add texture and depth to a time and place that I know little about, but that I can’t wait to revisit in future books in the series. If you haven’t read the Hope and Glory series yet, you need to add it to your TBR list. You can thank me later.
Enjoyed the historical backdrop plus the love story. Interesting characters plus an interesting “twist”.
Moved a little slow for me.
Loved this latest book from Elizabeth Camden! I enjoy her weaving of actual history with the characters in the book. I have to say that this book made me want to go and smell all of my spices and go out and buy real vanilla! It’s a fascinating look at the food industry which drove the government to pass the 1906 Pure Food and Drug Act. Also a key part of the story is the American involvement in Cuba in the late 1800’s. The characters are well drawn and very likable. The story is hard to put down. The religious aspects of the story weave in seamlessly and would be enjoyable to anyone of any religious background. Highly recommend this to those who love historical fiction!
The cover alone on this one intrigued me. When I saw that it was a series, I knew I had to give it a shot. I was not disappointed. The male lead, Gray, is one of those characters that I just fall for. He’s serious, he’s reserved, but there’s something underneath that can be drawn out in the right circumstances. And the female lead, Annabelle, has the kind of optimistic persistence that can crack him.
If you love a good historical romance, this is for you. If you love a story where the serious, grumpy one falls for the light-hearted, sunshiny one, this is definitely for you. It’s a win for both, with some drama for good measure.
(4.5 / 5)
When Annabelle Larkin is tasked with getting access to the plant collection of the Delacroix spice company, she is rebuffed by the man in charge, Gray Delacroix. Success in this endeavor is the only way that Annabelle can assure a long-term position at the Smithsonian, though, which is crucial to her own future, as well as the future of her family back in Kansas. She won’t give up easily. But neither will Gray, who is determined to keep his secrets under lock and key. He has his own family to worry about–a brother who seems to only want to float through life doing nothing productive and a sister who knows how to spend money. Enemies are everywhere, but Gray is ready to trust someone. He’s just not sure if Annabelle is that person.
This is my favorite kind of romance book–one that’s not just about the romance. There’s so much more going on than the synopsis shows. It seemed at first that Annabelle would be more of the focal point of the story, but really it was Gray. His family, his empire, his desire to stop traveling and settle down, and the way that so much of that gets thwarted, I really got caught up in his story. But that doesn’t leave Annabelle on the sidelines. She’s in Washington with her blind sister, helping her navigate the streets and life, and I loved how that side of the story went too.
This is the first book of 3 in the series, and it sets up what appears to be a plot running through all three when a scandal in Gray’s family is exposed. While that could have been a downfall for the story, this grand plot that isn’t very connected to or even resolved in this book, that’s not the case at all. It works, and rather than leaving me disappointed at the lack of resolution, it made me look forward to seeing it all play out.
While at times, the dialog was a bit too modern, it didn’t bother me much. My biggest issue is with a small spot of theology that could imply that one must work to earn salvation. However, I couldn’t quite tell if that was the message there, or if it was more that the person in question was working toward the surrender needed in order to accept the gift of salvation from Jesus, but hadn’t taken the final step yet. It was brief and vaguely expressed. I’ll have to keep an eye out for that as I continue this series, because I do not endorse a works-based salvation. With that in mind, I do recommend this book for all fans of Christian or historical romance.
It has been ages since I last read an Elizabeth Camden book, and coming back to her writing with The Spice King was a treasure I didn’t know I had been missing!
Washington DC was the perfect backdrop for this (unexpectedly) educational novel. Having been there once when I was a senior in high school, I was instantly reminded of the patriotism I felt for my country when I visited. I was also able to visualize several of the historical landmarks that would have been present in the early 1900s, and intrigued by the mentions of what would become future landmarks. It was also fascinating to imagine what the sights and sounds would have been like to a blind person (Annabelle’s sister), and the author painted that landscape quite vividly.
From the very beginning, I knew that Gray Delacroix would be a hero that I would fall in love with. Just his name – swoon! He’s tough on the outside, but a jewel on the inside. His love and protectiveness of his family knew no bounds. At first, I knew his newfound relationship with Annabelle moved rather swiftly, but I wasn’t prepared for the turn it would take before I even made it halfway through! All I can say, fellow readers, is don’t give up on them – plow ahead!
What I didn’t expect from The Spice King was to read a historical lesson on the beginnings of food oversight for America, and how after much worldwide exploration, new foods were brought here for further study. The book also provided some history of the Good Housekeeping magazine, how they fought to bring truth to their readership, and in the author’s note at the end, included some information on how the Good Housekeeping Seal came to be. In the end, I couldn’t believe how much I had learned!
The next book in the series promises to be about Caroline’s work in the White House, and I cannot wait to go back to Washington DC for another visit. 5 stars are well deserved for this first book in the Hope and Glory Series!
I read the second book in this series first as it caught my eye on the library shelf. I enjoyed it so I came back for this first one. The plant and food purity theme was really fun and unique and interesting. knew that the second book had completely spoiled most of this book, yet I was surprised at how well it still captivated me. That’s the mark of a marvelous author. In fact, some of this book would’ve spoiled some things in the second book and I couldn’t deduced some ending revelations on my own before cracking its pages. Curiouser and curiouser. Altogether, a very well written and enjoyable historical read.