Skin Deep by Kenna White

Publisher:              Bella Books


Jordan Griffin is the assistant editor of Northwest Living Magazine and a reporter known for getting the tough story. No story is tougher than Reece McAlister. McAlister was once famous as a beautiful, intelligent broadcast journalist who reported some of the most high profile and dangerous stories in the world. Reece mysteriously left journalism and began a new career as a nature photographer with a reputation for avoiding interviews. When Jordan confronts Reece at her latest showing, the reason for at least part of this becomes clear because Reece is horribly disfigured on one side of her body. How this happened and what motivates Reece fascinates Jordan and she is more determined than ever to get the story, to the point that she follows Reece into the wilderness on a camping trip although Jordan's only camping experience was in her grandmother's living room. Reece makes it clear that she doesn't want Jordan along and she spares her no pain in the early days of the trip.

As time passes though and they get to know each other, a fragile trust develops between them and a mutual attraction. Jordan returns with her story and then a dilemma. Her research turns up certain facts that Reece doesn't want made public. To reveal them could destroy their relationship, but not revealing them could violate her sense of professionalism. When a jealous co-worker betrays both women, Jordan is finally able to see what her priorities should be. The question is whether or not Reece will forgive her and allow their relationship to continue. A life and death situation develops as Jordan follows Reece into the wilderness again and survival becomes more important than forgiveness.

Skin Deep is another Kenna White romance, but there is more to this story than just two women meeting and developing an attraction for each other. And this isn't just a story about not judging someone by appearances. The scars that Reece wears in her soul are much deeper and worse than the ones in her skin. The book's title indicates that there is more to a person than what is on the suface, but going deeper than that often reveals complexities beyond imagination.  

Skin Deep deals with issues of trust, honor and loyalty. However, all of this is woven into a story that never becomes pedantic. This is a case where you may learn something without having to work at it. That alone makes it worth reading.

Beautiful Journey by Kenna White

Publisher:               Bella Books


If you like historical period stories, Kenna White's Beautiful Journey is the book for you. If you like a good story, you still have the right book.

In the early years of World War II, before the United States entered the war, many Americans volunteered to serve in countries that were under attack. American Kit Anderson is a volunteer in the British Women's Air Transport Authority (ATA) where her job is to shuttle planes to the bases where fighter pilots are stationed and take damaged planes to repair facilities. Kit is very good at what she does and the work takes her mind off of the broken heart she left back in the States. What she doesn't count on is coming into contact with Emily Mills, a literature teacher and the only grandchild of Lady Lillian Marble. These two are meant to clash from the time Emily finds out her grandmother has rented a cottage to Kit through the experience of having Emily come to work on Kit's base. The British government has decreed that every woman had to work in the war effort and that includes Emily.

As a favor to Lady Marble, Kit signs Emily's work request as her reference, only to find she is held responsible for every mistake Emily makes and there are many mistakes. Emily just seems to be a walking disaster. Kit's good nature is often tested by Emily's unpleasant attitude and then her bumbling. As they are drawn together by the war however, Kit and Emily discover love and courage. It will take tremendous courage not only to survive the war, but to battle the prejudice and bigotry they will encounter as their relationship comes to light because homophobia is strong in Britain at the time. Kit is forced to face the fact that the quality of your work does not equate with acceptance of your lifestyle and the women will face a choice when Kit is threatened with losing her wings. 
 
The atmosphere of this book is perfect. The reader feels immersed in the lifestyle of the English countryside and gets a real grasp of what the people were forced to endure as bombs rained from the sky. It is clear that Kit is an American imbedded in a different culture as she adapts to the English; they don't adapt to her. The story is full of appealing characters, some suspense, some humor, a tragedy and an interesting romance. The plot flows from page to page easily and pulls the reader's interest along with it.

This is definitely one of the books that you can't wait to read and don't want to end. The only question it raises is whether lesbians in the 1940's actually found it this easy to locate each other, but it is an environment that might seem to draw them together, similar to sports. The only readers who might not find this book appealing are those who like the highly charged adventure stories, but there is a little of that, too. There are some typos that should have been picked by an editor or proofreader, but they don't detract from the story as a whole.
 
Beautiful Journey is a well-written, enjoyable story. This is a book that is a pleasure to recommend.

Comfortable Distance by Kenna White

Publisher:               Bella Books

Dana Robbins is a successful syndicated cartoonist who plans to spend her summer vacation on a houseboat.  The boat isn't going anywhere.  She just needs to get away from her girlfriend Shannon so that she can think about their relationship.  Shannon has proven that she can't be trusted and Dana isn't sure they have a future.  There is a whole community that lives at the harbor on boats and she soon makes a new group of friends, including Dr. Jamie Hughes, a marine biologist, who is studying Puget Sound and its ecosystem.  When Jamie has to rescue Dana and her niece from a sailing accident, the women become sailing friends and Jamie decides to help Dana work through her trouble.  Neither woman is considering any other kind of relationship, but an attraction is inevitable.  Shannon isn't going to give up Dana without a fight though and that may doom any chance Jamie has of pursuing her interest in Dana.

Kenna White writes quick easy to read romances.  They follow a traditional formula and have the expected conclusion.  Her characters are appealing and the story flows evenly.  There isn't much depth to this story and parts of it seem rushed, but there are some nice scenes.  There could have been more plot and character development, but both are sufficient to move the story along.  This is for the fans of light romance.

Body Language by Kenna White

Publisher:                  Bella Books

Joanna Lucas is offered the chance of a lifetime when she is asked to visit Venice and consult on the restoration of a mosaic.  She's always wanted to go there and the trip will help her forget a recent nasty breakup.  She takes her best friend Deena with her to share the sights, but she would have been slower to accept the opportunity if she had known who was behind it.  Chandler Cardin is an award winning painter, Joanna's ex-lover and the person who recommended Joanna for the job.  Chandler is hoping for a chance to redeem herself with Joanna and re-start their relationship, but she'll have to overcome Joanna's broken emotions and Deena's open hostility.

The interesting part about this story is the atmosphere that White creates.  Venice is a unique city with travel by gondolas and water taxis and great art work on practically every corner.  White imbues everything with an overpowering sense of romance.  That makes a routine story – girl tries to get girl back - more appealing by adding a depth the book would not have had.  By casting the characters in different situations than usual the book has a freshness about it that makes the story more enjoyable to read.  White makes it clear in a note in the beginning of the book that Venice is one of her favorite places and she certainly captures that feeling.  The reader may have to resist an urge to buy a plane ticket after she finishes the book.

Kenna White has developed a reputation for writing satisfying romances with strong characters.  Body Language may be the best she's written so far.