Friday, September 6, 2019

The Spice King (Hope and Glory #1) by Elizabeth Camden [Giveaway]



My thoughts:  From the very first pages of The Spice King until the very end, this story was amazing and I was enchanted. I found the background information sprinkled liberally throughout the book about the spice and flavoring industry and the cost to procure authentic products thoroughly captivating.

I will never look at a little bottle of vanilla flavoring again without a heap of respect for its history.

Set in 1900, the story captures the social temperature of the times with residual hatred for the effects from penalties imposed following the Civil War and on to the general distaste, disrespect, and disapproval of women in the professional work place.

The characters were richly drawn by the author having them play their role in the story quite aptly. The naive Annabelle, who was bucking the social system by working as a professional in the government offices of the Smithsonian and later the Department of Agriculture, was a true treasure and a character readers will love.

The male protagonist is Gray a quite wealthy man of around 40 who is very protective of the plants he has gleaned from around the world. He also has an embittered spirit toward the Government and governmental intrusion.

The other supporting characters and each a joy to get to know in this story. Of course, you  won't like them all as there are some quite unlikable.

I heartily recommend The Spice King and it is an entertaining, historical read.

About the book: Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building a successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Tasked with gaining access to the private Delacroix plant collection, Smithsonian botanist Annabelle Larkin unwittingly steps into a web of dangerous political intrigue and will be forced to choose between her heart and her loyalty to her country.

Want to know something about the history of spices? Here is a great article.

GIVEAWAY
Begins September 6
Ends October 5 at 12:01 a.m. EDT
Open to USA addresses only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by the publisher to facilitate a review. Any opinions expressed are mine, alone and are freely given.

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