Review of The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

About the Book ~

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building an acclaimed global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before they spiral out of control, he returns to his ancestral home for good after years of traveling the world.

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 trying to save?

For more information about Elizabeth Camden and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden wasn't at all what I expected, but what I found between these pages fascinated me!

The Spice King is rich in history and science, and I absolutely loved that about it! This is one of those gorgeous fictional stories that I could see being used in school curriculum to engage students in history and science! I loved seeing the political landscape through the eyes of Gray and Annabelle in Washington, DC during the Gilded Age. I loved learning more about the different departments of the government in this timeframe. I loved the science -- both past and present -- of botany. The details about adulterated foods in the twentieth century horrified me! All of these components were fascinating by themselves, but the addition of a political thriller/mystery that is sure to come out during the rest of the series made it even better!

Gray and Annabelle were an interesting couple! While not soulmate characters for me, I found them to be well-written and likeable. And Gray channeled some serious Mr. Darcy vibes, so he's obviously pretty awesome! Gray and Annabelle's relationship really explored the range of emotions from betrayal to forgiveness after Annabelle is pushed into a moral corner. The exploration of that fallout is an angsty trial that I could relate to -- one I'm sure many other readers will also understand. Another thing that I appreciated is that Gray's journey to not only forgiving but also understanding Annabelle's decision wasn't rushed. I also liked how the author used these things to highlight our God-given purposes in life.

Four Stars ~ The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden is a fascinating story! The Spice King is the first book in the author's new Hope and Glory Series from Bethany House! I'm looking forward to continuing the underlying mystery in the next book!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of You Belong With Me by Tari Faris

About the Book ~

Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents.
Unfortunately, selling houses isn't one of them.

When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map -- and hopefully restore her disgraced family name. But she'll need help to do it.

As a foster kid, Luke Johnson never truly felt he belonged. Now he has a chance to earn his place in his hometown. But he doesn't anticipate how his relationship with Hannah will set into motion events that reveal the truth about who he is -- and who he was.

For more information about Tari Faris and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

You Belong With Me by Tari Faris stole my heart! Goodness, guys! It is so cute, fun, humorous, and full of God's grace!

I couldn't help but hear the Taylor Swift song with the same title while I was reading -- and it totally fits with this charming story! You will route for girl next door in this friends-to-lovers romance! And you also get to see Hannah's brother -- Thomas -- and his love story. So sweet! Additionally, the town of Heritage was adorable! I want to live there. Thankfully, I can live there vicariously through this sweet story because I automatically adore anything that gives me Gilmore Girls vibes!

There were so many "grace points" and wonderful insights sprinkled throughout the story as the characters navigated their messy lives. I loved how the author worked those truths into the story! And I appreciated that while the author included some things that could have been very triggering, they were handled with loads of -- yup, you guessed it -- grace, so the story still felt light and humorous! Also, I gotta say that I love it when characters overreact in big ways and make big mistakes. Why? Because that's life. It doesn't mean I don't want to shake some sense into those characters, but I can relate to those characters. We all make mistakes. We all break things. But as the Hannah, Luke, and the other characters come to understand, God can use those broken things to make something entirely new and beautiful!

Five Stars ~ You Belong With Me by Tari Faris is full of charm, romance, and the sweet balm of God's truth! You Belong With Me is the first full-length novel in the Restoring Heritage Series by Tari Faris. I'm really looking forward to the next book!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano

About the Book ~

Raina's dreams are all about to come true.

But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's East End when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley, offering her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within -- and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.

My Thoughts ~

Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano is a wonderful exemplification of everything I love in a good story! You would be seriously missing out if you don't read this incredible tale!

Guys...Joanna Davidson Politano's previous books have been absolutely amazing, but Finding Lady Enderly is EVEN BETTER! It's like Cinderella meets Downton Abbey meets the author's unique writing style! Everything about the story felt so romantic and mysterious! Even the things you expected had an unexpected twist to them. I also appreciated how this story had some natural, believable consequences that still showed God's amazing grace in the character's lives. Also, Raina and her love interest (a certain man mentioned in the book blurb!) are wonderful and romantic! Their clever method of commnicating was perfect! I will never stop swooning, LOL!

The spiritual theme of Finding Lady Enderly can be described in one word: identity. And like the word itself, this beautiful story has so much meaning, depth, insight, and truth packed into its pages! Raina, her love interest, and the other characters each struggle with their identity in a way that I could personally relate to. While some of it is a subtle grappling with identity and understanding their value to another person, some of it is an intensely beautiful breaking and rebuilding of spiritual identity. If you've ever struggled with who others say you are, with how you view yourself, with how God views you, or with how you view God, then this message is for you. Reader, you will feel strengthened, cherished, and encouraged as Raina's tale opens your own heart to not only the name God has given you but also to the power in HIS name!

Five Stars ~ Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano is a stunning, romantic, and powerful story! Finding Lady Enderly is a standalone, and I highly recommend the author's other novels! I am looking forward to the author's next intriguing romance!

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, and she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!