Some may think that a romance set among black people during Reconstruction would have to be grim and unromantic indeed. Even though Zahra should be socially beyond the pale, Archer cannot help trying to learn more of this mysterious lady’s secrets. Archer is an upper class businessman and Zahra is not only not of his class, but he believes her to be a madam. Though Zahra is hidden in her disguise as the masked madam of a high-end brothel, she feels the same attraction to Archer that she felt years ago and Archer also feels drawn to the mysterious woman in the mask whom he knows only as Domino. Upon her arrival in New Orleans, Zahra meets Archer Le Veq, a man she rescued during the War. Zahra is to relocate to New Orleans where she will set up shop as an upper-class madam, using her girls to gather information on white supremacist groups bent on stripping recently freed black people of their newfound rights. She has no plans to spy again until Harriet Tubman comes to her with a mission she can’t refuse. Zahra Lafayette worked as a spy during the Civil War, returning after the war to the swamps of South Carolina where she becomes a laundress. If you’re looking for strong characters and a unique story, definitely check this one out. Jenkins does a wonderful job of balancing passion, emotion, an exciting story, and a masterful command of history, and, while this did not quite reach DIK level for me, it came very close. I had never read any of Beverly Jenkins’ novels before and didn’t know what to expect, but I came away from this story very impressed.

Vivid by beverly jenkins