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Vivid  By  cover art

Vivid

By: Beverly Jenkins
Narrated by: Robin Eller
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Publisher's summary

It's 1876 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 knows all about fighting for her rights. But she may need more than determination to face down the distractingly handsome Nate Grayson, the Grove's bull-headed mayor.

Nate Grayson goes to the train station expecting Dr. V. Lancaster to be a man. But when the lovely, dark-skinned Viveca introduces herself, he is at first speechless, then orders her back on the train and out of his town! It's 1876 and women aren't supposed to be doctors, men are. However, Nate isn't prepared for this extraordinary beauty's stubbornness and fire, nor for the vivid way she heals - then steals - his heart. Contains mature themes.

©1995, 2000 Beverly E. Jenkins (P)2014 Tantor

What listeners say about Vivid

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story, Not the best narrator :(

Vivid is one of my favorite books of all time. So maybe it's due to the fact that I've read the book several times and I have an idea of how I think it should be read, or perhaps it's because I listen to books all the time...but this reader was not the best. She has a great voice but she's "reading the book" and not performing if that makes any sense. Her extra breaths where a breath doesn't fit is just wearing me OUT! I love Beverly Jenkins and Im not sad that I bought the book. Please give it a try and excuse my frustration. #teambeverlyjenkins...

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21 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Yay Vivids on audible"

I have read this book many times. Strong independent brilliant woman bound to follow her dream and practice medicine during this time. Loved the story, enjoyed watching Nate fall in love with Vivica. History love and action all bound together. Great listen. Keep adding Beverly Jenkins books to a Audible and I'll keep listening. :). Would love to hear Thomas Penny voice again. Robin Eller is okay but the male voices are so similar to the female voices I sometimes have to figure out who's talking. Narration could be better. Sorry. Absolutely love Beverly Jenkins historical romances. Own them all would love to be able to listen to them all as well.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book / Horrible Audio

I've read the book 3 times and loved it each time. Had I heard the audio version There's a chance I would never read anything by Ms. Jenkins (and she is an AWESOME woman and author). The person who did the audio on this sounded emotionless. I still think she was a robot.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Horrible Narration, Great Story!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I don't know which was worse: the long pauses in-between each word OR the robotic/computerized voice. If it weren't for the great storyline, I wouldn't have completed the audiobook! PLEASE hire a new narrator and redo the book, or start a GoFundMe to pay for another narrator.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great Story

Beverly Jenkins books are the greatest except the narrator with this book was plain didn't bring out any character voices made it sound boring and slow. Please have more readings by Thomas Penny and Kim Stauton.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Historicals Are Enjoyable

Would you listen to Vivid again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to Vivid again because I am a fan of Beverly Jenkins' African American Historical novels. Strong women and even stronger men who lived during very perilous times for Blacks , and made a difference in their own way for the Race is the central theme of her novels. The historical facts interwoven with the romantic fiction is the reason I read this genre. I learn and I enjoy the story at the same time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Vivid?

Nate & Vivid's Romantic episodes.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance was ok. However my personal preference would have called for 2 narrators, one male and one female. I didn't dislike the narrator's performance, but I think the characterization could have been enhanced if a male narrator could have performed the male dialogue.

If you could rename Vivid, what would you call it?

I wouldn't rename it.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not one of my favorites but loved the history...

The narrator seemed a bit disjointed in her speaking.....story was ok....maybe the LeVeq stories have me spoiled.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beverly Jenkins doesn't disappoint

These stories are very uplifting and hard to pause. I love Vivid almost as much as Indigo!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love it!

Love the book! Narrator was excellent! Definitely a keeper. I will read again. Going to have to buy hard cover.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful wring, awful narrator

Much like Ms. Jenkins other books, Vivid did not disappoint. Great story. I was reluctant to buy this audible because so many reviewers complained about the narrator, but I decided to give it a go. The reviewers were correct. The narrator was awful. Her voice was robotic and barely conveyed the emotion of such an emotional and interesting story. I tried to ignore the weak inflections and poor intonations, and just listen to the story, but it was difficult. At times her voice was what I call “creepy robotic.” The handsome and sexy Nate Grayson sounded like a creepy cross dressing uncle. It was incredibly off putting. When he said things to Vivid that were supposed to be hot and steamy, it almost made my skin crawl. The only voice the narrator did well was the little girl, Magic. I’ll never listen to another book narrated by Ms. Robin Eller. Ever. It was like having Alexa read an entire story. Ms. Jenkins lovely story and the audience deserved better.

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1 person found this helpful