Book Review: VIVID by Beverly Jenkins

From Beverly Jenkins Online!
"It's1786 and Dr. Viveca Lancaster is frustrated with the limits placed upon femalephysicians of color.  When she is offeredthe 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 fewnineteenth century Black women to graduate from the prestigious Woman's MedicalCollege of Pennsylvania but she needs more than determination to face downhandsome Nate Grayson, the Grove's bull-headed mayor."
My thoughts
WhenViveca (referred to as Vivid by her family) arrives in Grayson Grove after along train ride from San Francisco, she meets up with mayor Nate Grayson.  Their first meeting is challenging, to saythe least. 
Natehas sworn off love after a failed marriage and he immediately notices Vivid'sbeauty.  He mistakes her for an"undecent woman" but is proven wrong when she produces documents stating that she is thedoctor hired to practice medicine in his town.
As thestory unfolds, Nate is unsure if Vivid is a good fit for the town and lets herstay on trial basis.  Vivid is offered thechance to change his mind about a female physician.  Eventually, Nate realizes that Vivid is a wonderfuldoctor and that he can't run from love.
Vividis a wonderful heroine.  She's a smartass (in a good way), poker playing, rifle carrying, intelligent, hard workingdoctor.  She came from a home where herparents taught her to be independent and make her own choices. Reading abouther experience traveling from California in 1976 was awesome.  As always, Ms. Jenkins transports me rightinto her character's world.    
Andthen there's Nate Grayson.  First, let mestart by saying I didn't think I could love a man more than Galen Vachon, thehero in Ms. Jenkins' novel, Indigo.  BUTlet me tell you about Mr. Grayson—steely gray eyes, tall, strong, dark skinned,and a pair of sexy specs.  HOT!  He'smysterious, but intriguing.  And I can'tforget the fact that he is a loving father to his daughter, Magic.  After a while in Grayson Grove, Vivid can'tresist him and who could blame her?
Thisbook is another all-time favorite of mine. The scenery, the budding romance between two opposites, the colorfulpeople of Grayson Grove, and even the danger lurking around the corner are allreasons to love Vivid.  Ms. Jenkins weaves a tale of acceptance andunconditional love while giving us important history lessons about Blackphysicians, politics, and the Western part of Michigan among other things.  By the end, I had bitten off my nails inanticipation of my 'happily ever after.' Vivid was a great ride, frombeginning to end. 
Myrating:  5 Stars