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Book Review-Vivid by Beverly Jenkins

by | Jun 4, 2016 | Book Reviews | 1 comment

Book Review-Vivid by Beverly Jenkins

Book Review-Vivid by Beverly JenkinsVivid by Beverly Jenkins
Series: Grayson Family #1
Published by iUniverse on December 1st 2000
Genres: Historical Romance, Interracial Romance, American West
Narrator: Robin Eller
Length: 13 Hours and 54 Mins
Pages: 400
Format: Audiobook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 0595162029
Goodreads
AmazonLibrary ThingLiteral Club
three-half-stars

It's 1786 and Dr.Viveca Lancaster is frustrated by the limits placed upon female physicians of color. When she is offered the chance to set up a practice in the small all 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.Nate Grayson goes to the train station expecting Dr. V. Lancaster to be a man. When the lovely dark-skinned Viveca introduces herself he is speechless, then wants her back on the train and out of his town. It's 1876 and women aren't supposed to be doctors, men are. However he isn't prepared for her stubbornness and fire, nor for the vivid way she heals, then steals his heart.

My Review Updated

Summary 

Dr. Viveca Lancaster is desperate to find a place to have her own practice. It is a struggle being a woman and being a woman of color as well. So when an opportunity arises for her to go the Grayson Grove, a very small community and be their doctor, she takes it instantly. When she arrives however, she is picked up by Nate Grayson, the mayor of the community and at first is resistant to the idea of a woman doctor. Apparently his aunt accepted her and the contract they set up, however Nate was clueless until now and is furious. But Viveca isn’t some hot house flower—she is a fighter and has spirit and shows Nate how serious she is when she blows his hat off with the shot of her gun. They set up a bargain, if she can prove herself to be a competent doctor on a temporary term then Nate will allow her to stay as their permanent doctor. While Viveca goes out to get to know everyone in the community, aiding with injuries and ailments, she makes an enemy, an enemy that want to kill her and the new family she has created with Nate and his daughter.

Plot and Story Line 

Now this story was a riot and the bantering we have with Vivid and Nate were so entertaining and I loved every time they got near each other especially when they didn’t agree and it starts from the beginning. Vivid was such a fun heroine and I liked her from the beginning. She is unconventional and I liked that. She likes to play poker and billiards, and can fire a weapon like a expert but can still dress and act like a lady if need be. Her upbringing was a bit different, and I loved the various elements of her character. Now Nate is conventional, traditional and untrusting of Vivid. He hates the idea of a woman doctor, and would prefer a man. But boy does he eat his pride in this book, because Vivid is quite the physician. We see some heart-wrenching moments though, especially when Vivid has to face the true facts of being a doctor. But I loved her audacity at certain situations and her courage and zeal. These two end up complimenting each other pretty well and even though they have some mountains to climb in their relationship of trust…they definitely find a solid HEA that will make the reader grin in the end!! Definitely a story to read for any romance lover.

The Narration 

I want to say that I liked this narrator, but quite frankly she is the top reason I rated this as a 3.5 instead of a 4. I had a hard time with her voice and she detracted from the story in many moments and she had this lisp at the end of every other word that grated on my nerves. It just didn’t fit well as it was a pretty strong one.

The Cover 

I really adore the older cover more than the newer ones!!! I love the pose….it’s tender and sweet and I love the backdrop here. So pretty.

Overall View 

Vivid is a lively and entertaining romance that kept me on my toes!! I loved the emotion, the development of the plot line with intrigue danger and mystery with some sensuality to keep it balanced!! A FUN AND ZESTY ROMANCE!!

Series Order (2)

About The Author Updated

About Beverly Jenkins

Beverly Jenkins is an African-American historical romance writer. She and her family live in southeastern Michigan. Born in Detroit, she graduated from Cass Technical High School and attended Michigan State University where she majored in Journalism and English Literature.
Ms. Jenkins has written sixteen books to date and has received numerous awards for her works, including: the Detroit Free Press Book of the Year, three Waldenbooks Best Sellers Awards; two Career Achievement Awards from Romantic Times Magazine; a Golden Pen Award from the Black Writer’s Guild, and in 1999, Ms. Jenkins was voted one of the Top Fifty Favorite African-American writers of the 20th Century by AABLC, the nation’s largest on-line African-American book club. In May of 2002, Ms. Jenkins published her first historical novel for young adults, titled: Belle and the Beau. Her second YA, Josephine and the Soldier followed in 2003.
Ms. Jenkins has been featured in many national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Vibe Magazine. She has lectured at such prestigious universities as Oberlin University; the University of Illinois; and the University of Michigan. She speaks widely on both romance and 19th century African-American history at libraries, schools and organizations including Romance Writers of America, and the Afro–American Historical and Genalogical Society. She is active in her church and community, and in November 2001 was a recipient of the YWCA Woman of Achievement Award.
In February of 2004, Ms. Jenkins’ first contemporary novel of romantic suspense, The Edge of Midnight was released. Sexy/Dangerous, her fourth novel of romantic suspense will be in stores in November 2006.

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1 Comment

  1. Sophia Rose

    Oh, this does sound fun. I can see him being all crabby at her and she blithely setting up shop and doing as she pleased.

    Man, too bad about the narrator. The list would get distracting.

    Reply

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