The Prince of Spies (#03 in Hope And Glory Series)

This story captivated me! I loved the Romeo and Juliet aspect of it with a chance encounter of two young people whose families are sworn enemies and subsequently falling in love. But what really enthralled me with this one was learning of some of the unsafe practices in the food industry at the time and the fact that Luke Delacroix effectively makes himself a guinea pig, putting his own health on the line as part of testing to discover if certain additives were really safe for human consumption. A really great read!

I wish I had read all books in quick succession. I was too eager to start this series and whilst I enjoyed each book individually, I struggled to maintain the rhythm and excitement. The gap between each book was too big. I did appreciate how elements from the first two books were carried over. A historically enlightened read.

The Prince of Spies is a twist on the Romeo and Juliet story, complete with feuding families and threats of poison. When Luke Delacroix helps a lady save a dog, he is immediately intrigued and wants to get to know her better. \\n\\nLuke volunteers for medical trials intended to determine if the food additives Magruder and others use are safe. The men become known as the Poison Squad, which is based on real-life research conducted by Dr Wiley, the man responsible for the establishment of the US Food & Drug Administration in 1906. It is thanks to Dr Wiley and his Poison Squad that we now understand what preservatives are safe for use in food, and in what quantities. \\n\\nThat's the kind of historical factoid which fascinates me and is the element that raises Elizabeth Camden's novels into the must-read category for me. This is definitely a must-read for fans of Christian historical romance, or those historical fiction fans who enjoy a good story based around real-life events. Recommended. \\n\\nThanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review. \\n