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?
more
The Spice King was a very thought provoking novel that examines truth and motivation. Appealing to her devotion to her country and the truth, Annabelle Larkin’s employers convince her to spy on the man she is beginning to care for. Although uneasy about the task, she agrees in order to continue supporting her blind sister. Of course this assignment leads to several unexpected consequences and severed relationships. Although her intentions were mostly good, I felt that Annabelle was very naive in the way she allowed herself to be manipulated into spying on Gray. Her gut feelings were that it was wrong but she convinced herself that it was for a good reason. I hated how she deceived Gray and was not surprised at his reaction when he found out.
I did enjoy The Spice King very much. It was fun to learn so many facts about how spices are produced, especially vanilla. The details about the early days of food regulation and Good Housekeeping magazine were particularly interesting. I also liked reading about how Gray and Annabelle grew spiritually and how their relationship developed despite her deception. I am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series and hoping that readers will have a chance to read the rest of Luke’s story and that it will have a positive outcome.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
“The world was a good place. She needed to look for it, even when life was full of pain.”
New book in the “Hope and Glory” series.
1900 Washington DC. Christian Historical. I was all in on the first page.
This is intense.
Annabelle is from a farming family in Kansas. Her father was able to put her and her sister through college, which is quite a thing now, even more so back then. She and Elaine move to Washington, DC, she at the Smithsonian (later Department of Agriculture), her sister at the Library of Congress. Elaine is blind, and this seemed to be a great opportunity for her to learn and to grow, so despite the financial strain on the family, off they went.
Annabelle is a botanist (something I very much had wanted to be so I can relate). Her boss wanted a rare plant that Gray Delacroix was rumored to have, and told her that a permanent position depended on her getting in to Gray’s property to see if it was there. She is pleasantly pushy (I pictured June Allison) and actually manages to get in to see him. Gray is from a wealthy family, built on hard work, and it takes more hard work to keep the fortunes going. Their family has earned their reputation by providing the best quality products. Not every company was that way. These were the early days when there was a lack of safety standards in the food industry, so companies could get away with putting out a product that was not what it seems. (Doesn’t seem possible now, does it?) The story unfolds interesting information about Good Housekeeping in it’s early days – what they did and why – and how important to our country it was. The story takes off from there, seeming to put Annabelle on one side of things and Gray on the other. Gray’s brother never really wanted to work for the family – or so it seemed. Politics, secrets, money, mystery and life all play a part in this book. Choices made, right from wrong, scruples and personal standards are reviewed and explored. Integrity – or lack of it. Nothing boring here – all together an excellent read! Don’t you just love that cover? Can’t wait for the next in the series.
“The world was a huge, wide-ope landscape bursting with opportunity, and it was up to her to choose how she would live in it.”
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
#TheSpiceKing #NetGalley #ElizabethCamden #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout
God led us here,” Annabelle whispered. “ He planted a hope in your heart that was strong enough to send us a thousand miles across the country. There is a reason, and we’ll keep going until we find it. We can’t falter now.”
There is so much fascinating history in this read which is why I really enjoy this author’s novels. I never really considered that at one time salt and pepper was spicing up a dish-because it’s what they had. In this book, I really could feel the joy Annabelle experienced as she tried so many new spices and fruits that were incredibly rare in the early 1900’s.
The historical information about foods, Department of Agriculture, Smithsonian Institute, and so many other things made for a terrific and unique book setting. The Department of Agriculture played a huge role in our food supply-a much larger one than i ever knew.The characters are incredibly well done. I’m hoping for more from these characters in the future. This book combines so many good elements: It’s historical information and backdrop, information about the blind, incredibly well written and developed characters, and a forgiveness faith theme. All of the intertwined to make for a superb and enjoyable read.
In this case you can judge the book by its cover, and the cover is magnificent!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I never wanted to be blind, but if it’s the price I must pay to have found Walter Talbot…then I’m glad it happened.”
Camden is my new favorite historical fiction author! No matter how many I read, I just can’t find one I don’t like! Camden is a master of this genre.
Annabelle Larkin is an adorably naive and innocent character, but that’s not to say she doesn’t have a backbone. She is passionate, tender-hearted, and nearly always optimistic, as well as patriotic with strong morals. I quickly fell in love with her sweet character. Grey Delacroix is quite the opposite. Embittered against the government for having wronged his family in the past, he is reclusive and sarcastic, yet he too has a strong moral code and is incredibly loyal to his family, which is a trait I am always drawn to.
The story starts out with a series of (rather humorous) letters, and quickly draw the reader in. I was a bit surprised by how quickly the romance took place in the course of the book, but it definitely made sense plot-wise and still was very realistic. (No insta-love either, thankfully.) But the story is certainly not all about romance. There is suspense, treason, betrayal, politics, intrigue, sabotage and more. This is a jam-packed story that is sure to keep your interest! And, of course, the book is well-laced with Camden’s trademark humor and witty banter. I found myself laughing out loud at times.
All in all, The Spice King is an epic opening to Camden’s newest series, and I am greatly looking forward to the rest of the series! I highly recommend checking this book out, as well as any of Camden’s numerous other works!
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Elizabeth Camden’s books are always very well written and researched. I always learn so much about our country’s history by reading her books. In The Spice King, we learn about the problem of adulterated foods in 1900, the production of vanilla, the search for a heartier strain of wheat, and intrigue in Cuba. Annabelle Larkin is a young woman botanist from Kansas working in Washington DC at the Smithsonian and later at the Department of Agriculture. Her boss wants her to persuade Gray Delacroix to donate his plant collection to the Smithsonian. Gray has traveled the world for the past twenty years importing spices and amassing an extensive plant collection. Though he has no intention of donating plants, he’s impressed with Annabelle. As she gets to know Gray, his sister Caroline and brother Luke, Annabelle is pressed by two army generals to find information that puts her in an almost impossible position and threatens her relationship with Gray. I’m glad to know this is the first of a series so we will be able to read more about these characters. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of romance with a strong dose of history.
This story is set in 1900, primarily in the Washington/Virginia area. This time the author brings the interesting facet of food imitations and the beginning of testing for such things, as well as the fight for labeling. I love the interesting tidbits she brings to her stories, as well as the characters that are easy to relate to. We meet the Delacroix family, Gray, Luke and Caroline. Gray takes the lead role in this story, along with Annabelle, who is from Kansas. Her and her sister have traveled here to give her sister, Elaine, some meaningful work. Annabelle works in an area the Gray has little to no tolerance for, yet he loves her optimistic attitude and gumption. We get glimpses of other people, including Otis, Captain Haig, Roy and Maude Larkin and a few others. Gray has always felt responsible for his younger siblings, and even though they are 28 now, he takes a good portion of the story before he realizes they are their own people and to support them instead of making them into who he thinks they should be. Annabelle has a deep sense of loyalty to her country, intermingled with naivete of the city’s ways and her wonderfully optimistic attitude. Both characters, though different in personality are easy to relate to, and the story is both intriguing and filled with a plot depth to keep one engaged and turning pages. Looking forward to seeing where book 2 and 3 take us, presuming they will be about Caroline and Luke.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Camden has written a most interesting book where we learn a lot about spices and mostly centered around pure vanilla extract and how it is obtained. The Spice King is filled with historical data that is very interesting. It is well written and has very strong interesting characters that will hold the reader’s attention from start to finish. Annabelle Larkin is a very determined young lady who wants to succeed in her new job at the Smithsonian. Gray Delacroix is a determined bachelor and almost a recluse. When the two meet they rub each other the wrong way. The clashes begin…….but we have a very good ending. I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Elizabeth Camden is a master at crafting a story that brings unknown elements of history to life. In her latest novel, The Spice King, Camden catches the world of artificial flavorings into a delightful story. From the moment her heroine, Annabelle walked onto the page, I admired her ability to leave the plains of Kansas and move to Washington D.C. That took guts. Plus, to bring her blind sister with her and take care of her while following her dreams is a huge accomplishment by itself. The plot was fascinating to learn and taught me more about the history of artificial flavorings versus the real stuff. It moved at a nice pace. I didn’t find it slow at all. I flipped through the story at a nice rate and enjoyed what I was reading. While the romance isn’t the point of the story, I think the romance between Annabelle and Gray moved a little too quickly for my taste. They barely knew each other and were dying to be together again. Overall, The Spice King was a delightful read filled with fascinating characters who taught me something about the importance of buying the real stuff.
I received a complimentary copy of The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I greatly enjoyed this entertaining story. The cover and the title intrigued me. I much appreciate when a book teaches me about a time and answers some questions that I never knew I had. I liked learning about the Good Housekeeping Seal of approval; I was fascinated to learn that departments within the US government were beginning to look at food additives even in 1900.
I spent many years living in the spice islands, so I loved all the facts slipped in about pure vanilla extract, versus imitation vanilla, etc. One of my favorite things about foreign foods is all the excellent exotic blending of spices. So yes, the topic was interesting. And the subject of food labeling has lingering effects today, how closely do we read food labels? I never thought about when food labels became an issue.
Thus, I liked the story before I even met the colorful characters. They were believable, varied, and fun. The story itself had lots of twists and turns and kept me reading late and then taking a book day to finish it – the mark of a great story.
From reading some of my family histories, I know early 1900 was a time when women were beginning to have more significant posts in Washington. I especially liked the location for the story.
Elizabeth Camden added so many interesting historical facts about the period, women’s careers, etc.
Historical Fiction is my favorite genre- I like touches of romance, but not mainly romance- this fit the ticket for me. A five-star book and looking forward to next in the series. Lots of lingering questions, but a satisfying ending.
The publisher provided this book. A review was not required but willingly given.
I loved the premise of this book – an early 1900s spice merchant who distrusts the government battling food impurities with a Department of Ag botanist. But beyond the historical interest, this is a fun read, and I often found myself wondering how on earth the author was going to bring these two very different people, with so many barriers between them, together.
I love this author, and I knew I had to read this one, and I was surely not disappointed, Elizabeth Camden is a master at drawing the reader in.
This story takes place during the admiration of President McKinley, and a recovering nation. I enjoyed these characters, and we meet prairie farmers, wealthy businessmen, a woman working in the White House, and a Smithsonian botanist. How these characters all work into this story will keep you page turner.
We touch on the foundation of our Christian faith, forgiveness, and you will see how hard that becomes. I can also see the next novel coming, and personally I can’t wait to see how this all works out.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany Hous
“I hope to the bottom of my soul that I never have to see you again.”
Scorching words. Unfortunately for Annabelle Larkin they were understandable, if not deserved, for she had just made an excruciating, possibly unforgivable choice.
Hired as a temporary junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle and her sister arrive in Washington from Kansas with one mission in mind; to gain full-time employment that would pay Annabelle in valuable agricultural information, and enough monetary funds to save her family’s farm. Her bright scientific mind and optimistic bravado did not go unnoticed, and she found herself trekking towards the home of a reclusive global spice king, Gray Delacroix, in search of an elusive orchid.
Gray Delacroix considers himself immune to sunny dispositions, but the lovely botanist is difficult to ignore. Exhausted from his years of travel around the world to build his family’s spice empire, Annabelle Larkin tempts Gray to consider settling down to enjoy the fruits of his labor. And then it happens; in the place of dreams, rage ensues. Gray doesn’t care how patriotic Annabelle claims to be, she has torn an impenetrable rift down the middle of his heart.
“Choose hope and forgiveness over anger.”
What a beautifully written story, paced with accuracy and intensity at all the right times and in all the right places. Not to mention, the incredibly interesting history surrounding the food industry. So, so much to love about this book, written by quite an accomplished writer.
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
I read everything by author Elizabeth Camden and this story is one of my favorites! She has a knack for finding relatively unknown history and making it fascinating. In The Spice King, Camden writes about the lack of regulation in the U.S. food industry in the early 1900’s. The story is fast-paced, well developed characters, friendship, courtship, witty banter, honest & dishonest food distributors, political intrigue, betrayal, family, and the dilemma of telling the government if someone you know is acting as an enemy of the country. The story was so engaging that I read it in less than two days. I highly recommend this captivating story, fascinating history, and lovable characters to historical fiction fans everywhere. I eagerly await the next book in the series.
Camden wraps these wonderful characters in rich history and creates a gripping plot that had me turning pages. Her unique characters captured my interest because although they are flawed, their strengths shine. The timeless lessons the characters learn are good examples for us all. The romance was one of my favorite ingredients of the story. Camden writes romance with some of the best of them. I appreciate this well researched historical fiction and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This book quickly became about so much more than I originally anticipated. I was pleasantly surprised. I loved Annabelle’s dedication to her family, her country, and doing the right thing even when it wasn’t simple. I loved Gray and his rough-around-the-edges-but-soft-on-the-inside personality.
Camden creates intrigue almost from the beginning, pulling readers into a historical world she has tended to with great attention to detail. With excellent pacing and an unforgettable cast of characters, this book is a great example of what historical fiction should be.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley and courtesy of the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.
Elizabeth Camden tells a captivating story about Annabelle Larkin, an enterprising young woman fresh from the farm in Kansas who moves to Washington, D.C. to take a temporary job with the Smithsonian Institution. In a move to try and prolong her job in Washington, Annabelle takes on the challenge of Gray Delacroix and his exotic plant collection.
As Annabelle and Gray find themselves struggling with a mutual attraction, outside forces step in to complicate their relationship. Annabelle finds that she must make some very difficult choices and in doing so jeopardizes her relationship with Gray.
The story revolves around the conflict of doing what is right for your country and its people and doing what your heart wants you to do. The conflicts are complex when the choices Annabelle makes and has to live with impact her life in major ways. Not only does Annabelle learn some difficult lessons, but Gray also learns valuable lessons about important priorities in one’s life.
Filled with historical data that is very interesting, this book will hold the reader’s attention from start to finish. I learned some amazing facts about food and the food industry during the late 1800’s. Don’t miss the author’s notes at the end of this book. A wonderful read for people who enjoy strong female characters and good historical fiction!
This ARC copy was received from Bethany House and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#TheSpiceKing #NetGalley
Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it’s too late.
As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.
Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?
The story line was great. I loved Annabelle. She was put in a very difficult place. Does she betray her country or the person she’s beginning to care for deeply. It took me a little white to warm up to liking Gray. He seemed very snobbish at first. All he could think about was his spices and how to make more money. As the story unfolds, we are told why he wants to make money. Also, he had very strong feelings about government involvement in regulating the food industry. This book made me want to go look at all the labels on the spices I have in my pantry to see what the ingredients are.
I look forward to the next installment of this series. I hope to see what happens to Gray’s younger siblings.
I was given this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
Elizabeth Camden’s new series, Hope and Glory, begins with The Spice King. First, let me say how much I LOVE this cover, and it’s pretty representative of the hero…strong, somewhat aloof, and powerful.
The year is 1900 and the setting is Washington, D.C., specifically, the Smithsonian. Annabelle Larkin works as a botanist charged with obtaining Gray Delacroix’s exotic plant collection. The museum is especially interested in a particular species, the rare vanilla orchid. Her job and the protection of her family’s Kansas farm depends on her obtaining it.
Gray Delacroix, the wealthy owner of a spice-manufacturing business, has traveled the world seeking premier spices and rare plants. Since his boyhood during the time of the Civil War, he has distrusted everything related to the U. S. government. No way is he giving anyone or institution involved with the goverment a gift. Then, he meets Annabelle and begins to see a future he never thought he’d experience.
Of course, not everything goes according to plan. That would be boring, wouldn’t it? The characters soon find themselves deep in an intrigue involving Cuba after the Spanish-American war. Gray and his siblings, Luke and Caroline, are soon embroiled in an effort to save lives and the family’s reputation.
For me, Gray was a highly appealing hero. As with most of Ms. Camden’s heroes, he had his gruff and stiff side, but it was tempered with vulnerability and a love for the brother and sister he considered irresponsible.
I started out liking Annabelle. She was strong and clever. But that faded to a toleration about a third of the way through the book. I didn’t dislike her but felt as if she never truly understood the ramifications of her actions. Enough said.
Overall, I recommend The Spice King for its rich historical insight and a family who won’t be prevented from doing what they think is right, as well as the continuing story it holds. Oh, Luke.
I’m giving it 4.5 stars. It’s not her best (nothing will top Against the Tide), but I’m hooked and looking forward to reading the next book.
I love basically any story that Elizabeth Camden has written, and this one is no different. My problem was finding the time to actually finish and complete the story.
What I truly appreciated was the back story at the end of the book, explaining things that occurred within the pages. It helped complete areas of questions.
The story melds together the lives of Gray Delacroix and Annabelle Larkin, who is a Smithsonian botanist. She has written a letter to Mr. Delacroix requesting information of a spice, and he responds. Thus begins the blossoming friendship between the two. But of course, all is not going to be like peaches and cream. She agrees to compromise her feelings to obtain information for the government, and that sadly doesn’t bode well with her relationship with Gray.
There were several layers of plots within this book and each were layered upon the other, which kept me, as the reader, intrigued and curious. From the trading of spices, to the Good Housekeeping magazine. It was a fascinating read. You could tell that Elizabeth did her research for this story.
Definitely worth a read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
I love reading Elizabeth Camden’s books because she can take a piece of history and make it come alive in the book. I always learn so much when reading, and this book was no different. I will always read her books for this reason.
I do feel, though, that the historical aspect of the book took away from the romance of the book. I didn’t feel a spark between the characters, and i didn’t feel like they engaged enough to have any chemistry between them.
I will read the next book in the series, but this was not my favorite Camden book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.