The Spice King (Hope and Glory, #1)

by Elizabeth Camden

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?"--

• ISBN13: 9781432870621
• Publish Date: 20 November 2019 (first published 3 September 2019)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Cengage Learning, Inc
• Imprint: Cengage Gale
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Language: English

Reviews

[ladygrey]

This book wasn't quite what I expected. Somehow I'm always expecting vibrant, fun, YA.  This isn't that.  It's a bit serious.  It's very historic. It's not YA at all. But it's still good.

I particularly like that even though it's supposedly a sweet romance, the romance actually seems to take a side seat to a more full plot for the main characters and for the secondary characters. The relationship spurs a lot of the action but doesn't feel like the main story.

Part of why I usually expect (or hope for) YA is that it's more emotionally connected and vibrant. Anytime I read outside the genre the story feels a bit detached.  It means that I'm not as invested in the characters or as enthralled in the story so I like it fine, but don't love it. That isn't always a bad thing and in this case it works. 

I also expected it to be regency era and it's not. It's the gilded age, turn of the century America. I find that part of history less engaging but I thought the author handled it well in this story.

[phyllish]

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 full review at Among the Reads


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.