The Spice King 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?

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.