Book Review: VIVID by Beverly Jenkins

From Beverly Jenkins Online!

"It's 1786 and Dr. Viveca Lancaster is frustrated with the limits placed upon female physicians of color.  When she is offered the chance to set up a practice in the small Black community of Grayson Grove, Michigan she leaves her California home and heads east.  The very determined Viveca is one of the few nineteenth century Black women to graduate from the prestigious Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania but she needs more than determination to face down handsome Nate Grayson, the Grove's bull-headed mayor."

My thoughts

When Viveca (referred to as Vivid by her family) arrives in Grayson Grove after a long train ride from San Francisco, she meets up with mayor Nate Grayson.  Their first meeting is challenging, to say the least. 

Nate has sworn off love after a failed marriage and he immediately notices Vivid's beauty.  He mistakes her for an "undecent woman" but is proven wrong when she produces documents stating that she is the doctor hired to practice medicine in his town.

As the story unfolds, Nate is unsure if Vivid is a good fit for the town and lets her stay on trial basis.  Vivid is offered the chance to change his mind about a female physician.  Eventually, Nate realizes that Vivid is a wonderful doctor and that he can't run from love.

Vivid is a wonderful heroine.  She's a smart ass (in a good way), poker playing, rifle carrying, intelligent, hard working doctor.  She came from a home where her parents taught her to be independent and make her own choices. Reading about her experience traveling from California in 1976 was awesome.  As always, Ms. Jenkins transports me right into her character's world.    

And then there's Nate Grayson.  First, let me start by saying I didn't think I could love a man more than Galen Vachon, the hero in Ms. Jenkins' novel, Indigo.  BUT let me tell you about Mr. Grayson—steely gray eyes, tall, strong, dark skinned, and a pair of sexy specs.  HOT!  He's mysterious, but intriguing.  And I can't forget the fact that he is a loving father to his daughter, Magic.  After a while in Grayson Grove, Vivid can't resist him and who could blame her?

This book is another all-time favorite of mine.  The scenery, the budding romance between two opposites, the colorful people of Grayson Grove, and even the danger lurking around the corner are all reasons to love Vivid.  Ms. Jenkins weaves a tale of acceptance and unconditional love while giving us important history lessons about Black physicians, politics, and the Western part of Michigan among other things.  By the end, I had bitten off my nails in anticipation of my 'happily ever after.'  Vivid was a great ride, from beginning to end. 

My rating:  5 Stars