Elizabeth Camden has done it again. With her latest release, The Spice King, she creates an intriguing plot and fantastic characters.
The Spice King takes place in early 20th century Washington, D.C. Annabelle Larkin works as a botanist at the Smithsonian, and when her boss charges her with getting a plant from Gray Delacroix, she takes the assignment seriously. Her stubbornness lands her on Gray’s doorstep, and the two hit it off immediately.
Until Annabelle is asked to spy on him.
From the beginning, Camden drags you into the characters lives until you’re too invested to worry about a good night’s sleep.
The characters, from Gray and his younger siblings to Annabelle and her sister, are interesting. Especially Annabelle’s relationship with Elaine, who’s blind. I rarely see blind characters in novels, and Elaine’s arc is one of the best parts of the book. Their relationship drives so many of Annabelle’s decisions. But their relationship isn’t the only driving force in the novel. Gray has two younger siblings, twins Caroline and Luke, who he feels responsible for. But the twins are trying to make their own way in life. As Annabelle tries to choose between her loyalty to her country and the man who is stealing her heart, Gray tries to keep what remains of his family together.
Camden crafts a compelling novel full of political intrigue and romantic tension. By constantly upping the stakes, Camden keeps you turning the pages. I was constantly on edge, waiting to see what would happen next. It wasn’t just the romance, either. Camden has several subplots that grab your attention. From treason to corporate secrets, the novel never has a dull moment.
I highly recommend this book. You can click the image to grab the book from Christianbook.com or you can visit your local bookstore.
More Information
For more Elizabeth Camden, you can check out her website and subscribe to her newsletter. You can also check her out on Facebook. She writes amazing books, including The Lady of Bolton Hill and Against the Tides.
And if you love books set in the early 1900s, check out my review of A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears.
Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
