Customer Reviews

Skin Deep

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It is wonderful to see an author grow into her craft and sharpen her storytelling skills. Kenna White has done just that with her newest release, Skin Deep. This is her best written book to date with fleshed out characters that have real depth.

Reece McAllister ended a high-powered journalism career abruptly, and Jordan Griffin, magazine journalist, is tasked with finding out why. Jordan is forced to take the assignment because everyone else at the magazine has failed to obtain the story. To score the interview, Jordan makes a couple of deceptive moves and ends up in a remote area of the Olympic Peninsula following Reece. Jordan, ill-equipped for camping, continues to trail Reece further into the wilderness without any back-up plan. As the plot unfolds Jordan and the reader become curious as to why the once renowned journalist is now a recluse.

White creates a compelling and enigmatic character with Reece, and her depiction of her as a nature photographer is brilliant. We see the classical beauty of nature juxtaposed with the superficial standards that society sets for us, especially women, and it is eye-opening.

White has matured as a storyteller. The sexual tension is slowly and deliciously drawn out. She is true to her characters, giving them attributes that complement the plot. Skin Deep is a totally satisfying romance, and one that should not be missed.

Wonderfully quick read considering the substantial size of the book.

The writing keeps the reader engaged and brings all the elements together for a satisfying end. One of the highlights for me was the captivating locations in Washington State, the reader really gets a feel for each place the characters inhabit.

Reece had me at 'hello', she is interesting, sexy, intelligent, and unfortunately for Jordan, a loner.

It's a wonder that Jordan turns out to be the stalwart, true blue, loyal person she becomes at the end of the book. She is surrounded by horrible people. Her boss who should be in jail for sexual harassment. Her lovers who are completely dispassionate to her. Her best friend is insensitive and irritatingly immature, Along the journey Jordan and Reece take they encounter a horrible group of people. The gallery owner who doesn't respect her artists or their privacy, two strangers in a shop who are obnoxiously rude - even loutish, and an ex coworker who turns out to be a brawler.

These two do not stand a chance, and yet neither woman is a quitter so the sparks are flying when ever they are together.

I enjoyed the author's first book 'Beneath the Willow' very much and highly recommend it.

Imagine falling in love with a woman you hardly know, a woman who is determined to keep you at arm's length. Imagine this same woman is the subject of a news story you've been assigned to write, but you find out things you don't want to disclose to the public. The question is whether you are writing from your heart as a woman in love or writing from your head as a journalist.

This is exactly what happens to Jordan Griffin as she tries to write the story of former TV news personality Reece McAllister. Reece retired from her promising career after being scarred permanently, both inside and out. She keeps to herself, keeping only a few close friends and depending on her camera and nature for companionship. She never allows interviews, but is impressed by the tenacity of Jordan in her quest for a story. Impressed enough to give the younger woman a chance.

Of course, the real story is what happens when Jordan's story is published and how it affects Reece. The main question is - can love overcome extreme adversity and seeming betrayal? That's for the reader to find out as they enjoy this novel.

White gets better with each book she writes. This one is no exception and is one that will be in my personal collection for many years to come.

I enjoyed both the storyline and the character development in this book. I can't say I was initially intrigued with the idea of a journalist following her intended interview into the woods, but the story turned out to be much better than I expected. The two women, Jordan and Reese, became people I cared about and I found myself emotionally involved and rooting for them to work out their difficulties.

I appreciate Kendra White's light touch (excuse the pun)with sex scenes and look forward to reading more of her work!

So I don't know if this concept is floated much in these types of reviews, but in general, I think it is safe to say one-sided sex sucks. There - I said it.

I had the misfortune of reading two of White's books (bought them together - never again). Skin Deep and Shared Winds. I was disappointed in both for exactly the same reasons:

1.Absolutely no point/catharsis for the reader/protagonists.
2.One-sided sex, i.e. let me get you off and don't you worry your pretty little head about me.

This author writes absolute rubbish, and subscribes to some archaic concept of top vs. bottom that I associate with the outdated notion of role playing and gender stereotypes. And to be perfectly frank, it wasn't even particularly well written one-sided sex.

This was my first book by Kenna White and I enjoyed it.

The blurb kind off put me off: "Jordan Griffin is an attractive and dedicated assistant editor for Northwest Living Magazine. She is given an assignment to track down and interview one-time nationally renowned broadcast journalist, Reece McAllister who has been living a secretive and reclusive life. To get the story, Jordan follows Reece deep into the backwoods of Washington State. To her surprise, Jordan comes away with far more than just a story. Should she betray a trust or deny her journalistic conscience? Their future together depends on her making the right choice."

It sounds like this could be a very cliché story, but I was positively surprised (It was one of those books on my wish list I tacked on to another order because I could include it in the same shipping rate. I do tend to try out new authors that way if I can't find anything about/by them online or if it sounds like I might enjoy the story line). The characters are well thought-out and have their flaws and good sides. I was drawn into the mystery of what Reece was hiding and could see why Jordan is attracted to her. It is one of those love-at-first-sight romances, but I could live with it here. Step by step Jordan comes closer to finding out the truth, which isn't pretty but makes a lot of sense.

The story is well-written and engaging with secondary characters that are more than just a purpose to the story. The scenery of the Pacific Northwest is described beautifully.

The one downside to this book is the very abrupt ending. I wish it would have been fleshed out more.

Ms. White has a uncanny talent of envokng emotions from her readers.
I like the "battle of trust" she has in every book...the suprising thing is that each of her characters is different.
New people...new challange.
I look forward to Ms. White's next book!

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. The book 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.

This lesbian romance set in the Pacific Northwest has a slightly different twist. Usually, the heroines are taken with each other from the moment their eyes first meet, and they spend the entire book getting/trying to get each other into bed. This time the two women are feisty and relate to each other out of anger and annoyance. The passion is there, but only the reader thinks/hopes that the gals will eventually realize they care about each other. For me, this was a fun read.

This book does not disappoint. Appropriately titled. Beauty is only skin deep. The real person in alot deeper.