Inventing Vivian
(The Blue Orchid Society #2)
By Jennifer Moore
Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 224 Pages
June 7, 2021 by Covenant Communications
Ladies of London’s High Society are known for their social graces and poise. Vivian Kirby boasts neither of these enviable qualities, though she does offer impressive conversation on chemical compositions. Unfortunately, it appears that not many men want a brilliant wife. So it is that Vivian finds kinship with a group of young women who embrace each other’s differences: The Blue Orchid Society.
After an extended stay in China, Lord Benedict has returned transformed to his family’s estate, where an encounter with Vivian, whose scientific knowledge he once undermined, leaves him determined to make amends. He arranges to help forward her research—anonymously, of course. Through letters, Vivian establishes a warm friendship with her secret benefactor, even as she’s unexpectedly drawn into a murder investigation that forces her to work alongside Benedict to unearth the truth. Soon, Vivian fears she may be falling in love with two men, never suspecting that they are one and the same.
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Tour Schedule
Other Books in the Series
Solving Sophronia
(The Blue Orchid Society #1)
By Jennifer Moore
Historical Romance
Paperback & ebook, 224 Pages
May 1, 2020 by Covenant Communications
Lady Sophronia Bremerton is a far cry from the typical debutante, but she’s the toast of London’s upper class for one simple reason: she’s a society columnist for the London Illustrated News, and the gentry loves seeing their exploits printed in the gossip pages. But Sophie has bigger plans – she aspires to be an investigative reporter. When a stuffy ballroom at yet another Season proves to be nothing more than the usual rumor mill, Sophie seeks respite in the library alongside four other young women who, for their own reasons, are also looking for escape. As the conversation turns to their secret ambitions, the women form a sisterhood and a bold plan: they will make their dreams a reality, no matter the obstacles. Thus begins the Blue Orchid Society.
Hearing of a murder in a London rookery, Sophie seizes the opportunity to prove her skills. Detective Jonathan Graham doesn’t believe a civilian, a noblewoman at that, should be anywhere near a murder investigation, but Sophie insists on helping bring the killer to justice. Her investigative prowess doesn’t go unnoticed by the police, especially Jonathan, who can’t decide whether this intrepid reporter is a thorn in his side or the woman of his dreams. But as the case grows more complicated and dangerous, their very lives – and their hearts – may be at risk.
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About the Author
Jennifer Moore is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance due to the need to balance the rest of her world that includes a perpetually traveling husband and four active sons, who create heaps of laundry that are anything but romantic. She suffers from an acute addiction to 18th and 19th century military history and literature. Jennifer has a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Utah and is a Guitar Hero champion. She lives in northern Utah with her family, but most of the time wishes she was on board a frigate during the Age of Sail.
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a print copy of Inventing Vivian by Jennifer Moore and a $25 Amazon gift card. (US only)
Ends July 21, 2021
Review
Jennifer Moore has long been one of my go to authors for hsitorical fiction. In Inventing Vivian she paints a rich female character who is a tinker. Vivian lives in high society London, but often finds herself in awkward pauses during conversations as she relates her scientific observations and knowledge. Male suitors aren’t quite sure what to make of her penchant for the physics and mechanics of all she takes in around her. Benedict is just returning from a hiatus to China, where he learns to reprogram his mind from the opulant and self- centered way he was raised. Through meditation and feng shui, he re-enters London after the death of his older brother to take the helm of his family’s nobility. He is sad to be back, much like a fish out of water. The two meet up again in a haphazard self-propelled vehicle mishap in Benedict’s garden, then have a chance to make amends for a once rocky past.
Moore pushes back on the set roles for her characters both in gender stereotypes and business models. She takes on the inhumane conditions of child labor in factories and corruption among the elite. There’s even a das of action and mystery when a murder takes place in the Chinese K district. I loved Vivian’s vivid imagination and all of her contraptions & inventions. Told from two points of view, with interspersed letters between Benedict and Vivian, we get an insider look at how both change during the course of the novel. Highly recommend for fans of cozy mystery and clean historical romance. Thanks to Covenant Communications for the copy as a part of the official tour!
