First sentence: "Keep your eyes down and head bowed," Edith instructed. "Do nothing to draw attention. A woman like Narcissa LaBelle lives for the spotlight, so you must make yourself dim in comparison. I won't be able to help you once her troupe leaves town."

Historical romance. Christian fiction. Spin on Snow White.

Karen Witemeyer is one of my all-time favorite, favorite, favorite authors. I wasn't sure, at first, how I felt about this being a spin on Snow White. But I ended up loving this spin. I shouldn't have doubted that she was capable of such a feat.

Penelope Snow is an orphan working as an assistant/servant to Narcissa LaBelle, an actress with a traveling troupe. The troupe has come to Texas and is performing around the state. Travis Kingsley is a Texas Ranger. He's just off one job and mid-rescue of an injured dog when these two meet. Their first meeting is oh-so-brief and seemingly inconsequential. And perhaps it might have stayed that way....if....

Penelope is trying on her mistress's corset and gown...as a favor to the seamstress. Narcissa was very angry with the last fitting of the dress. She has made several heated threats. Penelope and the seamstress want to calm the situation down. But when someone interrupts this fitting and jumps to conclusions...that Penelope wants to become an actress on the stage, a rival to Madame LaBelle, well, Narcissa decides to send Mr. Cecil Hunt to take care of her....permanently.

Fortunately, Penelope is found by seven old cowhands--who live together at the Diamond D ranch. (There is a "Doc" who is grandpa to Travis.) Penny finds her people, if you will, and truly feels like she belongs with these seven! (And Travis does come by to visit now and then.)

As for Travis, well, he's on a new case...a string of burglaries/robbery. Men are reporting missing jewelry and the theatre troupe is soon suspect since their route links up to these robberies.

Is Penny safe in her new life? Will Narcissa (and Hunt) hunt her down again?

I loved this one so much. I loved all the characters. I think it being a spin on Snow White worked really well.

I can't believe...no wait I can absolutely believe this is a Karen Witemeyer book, and this saddens me. I've read a few of her other books and for the most part loved them! I'm not really a "Disney princess" fan, actually I preferred other versions of the fairy tales, and even then Snow White was never my favorite. Still, since I have enjoy her books I the past, I thought I'd try Karen Witemeyer's take on the tale. Apparently, that was a bad idea. While I didn't mind the Bible verses and Christian themes, actually I love books with these things, I did mind the excessive innuendo, the constant reminder on the two women characters curvy and 'busty' figures, and all the references to the wicked queens nightly "conquests". These should not be included in a Christian Fiction book, and Bible verses loose all meaning when thrown in with such a secular writing style, so the two conflicted horribly in this story... Just, no.

I was surprised and delighted by this read by Karen Witemeyer. Penelope’s relationship with the 7 “grandfathers” was my favorite part of the story. It added a unique element that made the story memorable. I also loved that there seemed to be trauma-informed principles sprinkled throughout the novel.

I would’ve liked to have seen Titus’ character fleshed out a bit more. I found his and Penelope’s relationship to be one of the weaker storylines. That being said this is a book I could see myself rereading which is rare!

4.5 stars

“Find a Penelope, son, and never let her go.”

A Snow White retelling by Karen Witemeyer, set in the late 1800s in Texas? Yes please! In fact, I’m going on record as saying that I enjoyed Fairest of Heart better than I ever have the Disney movie. The seven drovers – a ragtag gang of old cowboys – endearingly represent the dwarves we all love in personality and heart, though in this case my favorite is Grumpy… er… Jeb. I loved them all just about equally, however. Penelope Snow is not only fair in appearance but, true to the title, she is fair of heart too. Her kindness and selfless nature make her super easy to love. Which brings us to Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley.

One of my favorite tropes in romance is the man who has sworn off women but now finds himself completely besotted with one and completely perplexed as to how that happened. Such is the case with Titus toward Penelope.

"Bullets he could dodge. Love, on the other hand, snuck up on a fellow when he wasn’t looking, and he very much feared he’d already taken a lethal hit."

I loved Titus – from his befuddled feelings to his relationship with his grandfather and his genuinely good heart. The fact that, shortly after we first meet him, he carries a wounded dog on horseback to the Diamond D for his grandfather (aka Doc) to heal is icing on the already swoony cake. A Texas Ranger with a soft spot for animals and affection for a handful of crotchety old cowboys… who falls bewildered head over boots for Penelope… is definitely a Prince Charming in my book! The faith thread that pertains to him is so beautifully done, as well.

Bottom Line: Once upon a time, if asked to name my favorite fairy tale, Snow White would typically be far down the list, whether it be the Disney movie or the Grimm story. However, in Karen Witemeyer’s hands, Fairest of Heart kicked it up my list several places and became far & away my favorite retelling of the tale. I had such fun finding all the author’s unique twists on the Disney version, and I grinned like crazy from beginning to end. I also became totally smitten with all seven drovers of the Diamond D and Lucky the dog, not to mention Penelope and Titus. Watching those latter two fall in love was truly a pleasure and oh-so-sweet. If you love fairy tale retellings, great characters, sweet romance, touching faith themes, and the triumph of the good guys over the villains then Fairest of Heart will have you reading happily ever after!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I really adored this sweet Texas Snow White retelling!
It's set in a non-magical world, but the original fairy tale elements are really cleverly woven into the story.

Penelope Snow is a sweet, innocent and beautiful FMC with a heart of gold! She's an orphan and trying to find a home to belong.

Titus Kingsley is a handsome Texas Ranger MMC who fights to find justice. He is also a bit untrusting and skeptical towards beautiful women, because of an experience in the past.

The seven old drovers were brilliant side characters and a great addition to the story! Their care and love for Penelope is very endearing.

The villain of the story, Narcissa (the name is chosen well 😄) is a true egocentric and mean villain. Her chapters were my least favorite, but they did give some inside information.

This historical western story is filled with humor, romance and a little bit of suspense.

Thank you for the e-arc!!

This book was really cute and clever, exactly what I was looking for at the moment. Loved and appreciated all the nods to the iconic Disney version of the story (which is the only one most of us know). The plot was plausible and the “Seven Dwarves” stole the show! Look forward to the rest of the series.



Favorite lines:

> As she smiled up at him, the truth dawned. It wasn’t her beauty that stirred his blood and threw his pulse into chaos. It was her spirit. Her humility and joy. The delight she found in items that carried no real monetary value. The gratitude that glistened in her eyes without a hint of entitlement to dim the shine.

---

> Titus raised a brow. “Feel better now that you’ve got that I told you so out of your system?”
> Doc sniffed. “As a matter of fact I do.”

---

> In all the daydreams she’d woven about her and Titus sharing intimate conversations, never once did they entail discussing corset burglary. Oh well. Her life had veered away from ordinary long ago.

---

> Yes, his brother had been led astray by his soft heart, but Titus had closed himself off with a hard one

---

> But self-recrimination was a brutal foe. One that held grace hostage and buried forgiveness.

I loved this book. The characters were wonderful. It almost has a Snow White feel as Penelope is in trouble and is taken in by seven grandfatherly men. The men are quirky and fun. This story was as much about Penelope finding herself a home with these men as it was a romance. Despite being abandoned and abused, Penelope has so much joy and love to share. She's not jaded by her past. She openly embraces her new situation in life.

Titus' dad once told him that he needed to find a woman "like Odysseus's Penelope. Faithful, clever, and brave. If you are to be a warrior, that is the type of wife you should seek. Find a Penelope, son, and never let her go" (location 1071). When Titus meets a woman truly named Penelope, it causes him to wonder about his critical views on beautiful women. Yet it's hard to get past years of cynicism. When the case he is working on points in her direction, it confirms his prejudices.

I enjoyed the mystery and the hunt for the truth. This is a great first book in the "Texas Ever After" series. I HOPE the men at the Diamond D ranch will be included in the whole series. They're gems.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I'd highly recommend it. All opinions are my own.

What a singular delight this book was! Our leading lady Penelope is grace and mercy personified (perhaps she’s a little too perfect, but you can’t help but love her for it), while our dashing Texas Ranger leading man Titus is fighting some bad stuff from his past, and won’t let a pretty face be his undoing…and then the unexpected happens! From the “Graybeard Brigade” to the patently evil Narcissa LaBelle, Penny and Titus are surrounded by a cast of witty, intelligent, and mysterious characters who only make the story that much richer. There was such a marked faith element throughout the story that there’s no question of who the true author is. It was a joy to read from start to finish, and I can’t wait for the other books in the series to bring that fairy tale feeling to life! I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and was not required to provide a positive review.

Thanks so much to the publisher for my copy of Fairest of Heart. All thoughts are my own.

I love a good fairy tale retelling but this one fell short.

Here’s what I liked:
-the found family at the Double D ranch
-I thought the villain was well thought out/written

I wasn’t a fan of the cheesy language and old timey, “awww shucks” type of writing. It felt too forced and contrived. I thought the Snow White character was overly naive and I lost count at how many times the author referenced her curvy figure during the first 20% of the book. It was over the top.
This isn’t my first book by this author but I don’t remember her being quite as preachy with her stories. I love a Christian story but there were times I felt the Bible lessons weren't needed.

I’m intrigued by the next books in the series and will give them a shot!

Fairest of Heart is book one in the Texas Ever After series by Karen Witemeyer. If you're a fan of fairytale retellings, this book is for you.

Fairest of Heart is a Snow White retelling, but it's so much more than that. With a heroine who models fruits of the spirit and a hero who constantly checks in with the Lord to keep himself on the right track, you get rich faith layered a mix the nod to the fairy tale.

I loved seeing characterizations from the fairy tale in this 1800s Texas setting. I may have even a few favorite secondary characters thanks to the way Ms. Witemeyer portrayed them in this novel.

All in all, this book is definitely one you'll get ministered with, entertained, and swoon at the romance.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not influenced nor required.

With Fairest of Heart, Karen Witemeyer has skillfully reworked the classic Snow White fairy tale to create a fun, endearing Western read. Set in Texas in the late 1800s, the well-structured plot--combining humor, drama, romance, faith, and history--drew me in from the beginning and kept me captivated to the end! The characterization is perfect! I especially appreciate the strong faith thread that imparts valuable life lessons. This is the best fairy tale retelling I have read with a western setting, and I highly recommend it as an entertaining, satisfying read. I look forward to reading the next book in the Texas Ever After series!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As others have stated, this delightful retelling of the Snow White fairytale is the best! I couldn't get enough of it and was actually sad when it ended. No one writes a better Western story than Karen Witemeyer. Her evil villain, aka "Madame" was fantastic! As the reader, I wanted her to get "caught" in her schemes constantly but realized that the story had to play out and of course, she would get her comeuppance in the end! Her henchman, Mr. Hunt, did her bidding up to a point but several times, we see his compassion and learn that he is willing to only go so far. However, the stars of the book are definitely, Penelope Snow, Texas Ranger Titus and the 7 geriatric men on the Diamond Double D ranch. Yes, Penelope was a little too perfect, but she was still delightful! Ranger Titus went through a personal transformation during the story and the 7 old men were downright show-stealers! Their relationship with Penelope, or Penny as they called her, was so sweet. She loved those curmudgeons! Lucky the dog was great too! All in all, the story had so many nuances of the fairytale in such a fun way that the whole book was a delight! The characters were excellent and the setting was fabulous!

The Snow White story is told anew in this western fairytale full of adventure, romance, and faith. Karen Witemeyer has delivered another flawless masterpiece! Penelope was a sweet and pure heroine in great contrast to a devilish villainess, and she honored the beloved heroine of the classic fairytale with a positive outlook, strong faith, and perseverance amidst hardship and the forces of evil. The villainess was fabulously detestable, and I loved that we got her point of view throughout the story. I especially adored the various subtle nods to the Walt Disney film—from Penelope’s outfits to the mannerisms of the seven ranchers of the Diamond D. Best of all, Titus was a hero in cowboy boots that exceeded every expectation of a fairytale prince! A beautifully written backstory and excellent character development made him much better than any shallow storybook character. The emotional and tender scene that takes the place of “true love’s kiss” in this faith-driven fairytale was breathtakingly beautiful and romantic. It is hard for me to adequately express how much I cherish this book, and I have no doubt I will return to it again and again!

I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own. I really did love it!

A Snow White retelling with 7 ranchers, a Texas Ranger, and a villain who loves mirrors? When I first heard about Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer, I said sign me up.

One of my favorite things about these retellings is the opportunity to pick out similarities with the original. For example, in Witemeyer’s latest book, none of the “grandpas” is given as straight a name as the dwarves, but their personalities sure helped match them with their counterparts. And each of the grandpas was special in his own way, which Penelope quickly picked up on.

There was a lot of emphasis on appearance in this book. Both with Penelope and with Narcissa (the villainess). In fact, at times, it was so remarked upon and thought about that it took away from the moments when Texas Ranger Titus notices the below-the-surface characteristics of these women. Especially with Penelope.

Overall, this was a fun story with some tense moments peppered within the sweet and occasionally, the silly. Another enjoyable read from Witemeyer that has me wondering which fairy tale she’s going to tackle next.

Content warning: With the addition of the villainess’s perspective, Witemeyer’s usual spice level is cranked up a few notches, so you may want to vet this book before you pass it along to a daughter or younger friend. The author has said the other books in this series do not include the villain’s POV.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

Fairytale retellings can go a lot of different ways but Witemeyer managed to hit a sweet spot and I really enjoyed this western version of Snow White.
Penelope hadn’t had an easy life but she managed to keep a positive attitude through it all which was quite admirable! She did come across as a little too perfect and I would have preferred a little more realness from her and not just always being happy and doing the right thing.
Travis was a great hero and I enjoyed his growth throughout the story and thoroughly enjoyed watching him fall for Penelope!
The Diamond D crew was a fun aspect of the story and I loved the way the cared for each other in their own ways.
All in all this was a fun read and I enjoyed my time reading it!

Another great read from Karen Witemeyer! A quirky but lovable cast of characters, a heartwarming romance, and spiritual truths sprinkled generously throughout make for a novel that fans are sure to love.

This Snow White retelling has just enough of the original to make it fun, but Witemeyer does such a great job at making the story her own that I often forgot it was a retelling.

Overall, I adored this book. Titus and Penelope are main characters that you can root for, and my goodness, what a journey they endure. I highly recommend this read!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. Any expressed opinions belong to me

I absolutely loved this book. It was a fun and charming read that I found hard to put down.
Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer is a Texas Snow White fairytale retelling.
I loved the author's take on the seven dwarfs with the seven old cowhands who are so protective of Penelope. The book is wholesome and with Christian lessons, but none are overdone.
Though it is a fairytale retelling that we are all familiar with the author puts a unique spin on it.
There is a mystery, an intense storyline, a slow burn romance and intrigue.
I loved the slow burn romance that develops with Penelope and Titus. As the characters in a fairytale retelling the characters play their part perfectly. The author injects her usual humor into the book that had me laughing out loud several times as I imagined the scenarios playing out that I was reading about.
I am looking forward to more Texas historical romances from the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishers through Interviews and Reviews.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A sweet and adventurous cowboy tale. This is a perfect Snow White retelling complete with 7 old cowboys, a damsel in distress, mining, jewels and a wicked witch. Our hero is a Texas Ranger hardened to falling in love. Very well written. Well thought out.

There’s nothing quite as exciting as diving into a brand new book by one of your favorite authors. I’ve been looking forward to Karen Witemeyer’s new Texas Ever After series for a long time, and Fairest of Heart was everything I hoped it would be! This series will be fairytale retellings, and while I’ll admit they’re not always a go-to for me, I usually enjoy the ones I read. Fairest of Heart compares to the story of Snow White. There are lots of parallels and intentional nods, but it’s not overdone. You could certainly read this story without knowing it’s a retelling and maybe even not pick up on it.

In the pages we meet Penelope, a foundling from Chicago who has worked hard her whole life- earning her keep and her education. Though quite beautiful, she only sees her beauty as a problem for the unwanted attention it creates. She travels with an acting troupe to Texas, where she waits on lead actress Narcissa hand and foot. Witemeyer creates a sharp contrast between these two beautiful women. Narcissa is not a nice person. She uses her beauty as a weapon. She is a thief. She cares about no one besides herself. Penelope is giving and generous and loves the Lord.

And then there’s our Texas Ranger hero Titus. He’s got some past hurts that cause him to doubt Penelope, but he’s also captivated by her from the start. He’s a pretty lovable guy under his hard outer shell! Titus’ grandfather is a retired doctor with a ranch he has turned into a sanctuary for retired cattle drovers with nowhere else to call home. These 7 older gents are definitely one of my favorite things about this book. They’re funny and caring and add so much to the story!

No spoilers, but there’s a little bit of everything you’d expect from a Karen Witemeyer fairy tale- lovable characters, a dash of suspense & danger, some comedy, an adorable romance, a thwarted villain, contrast between good vs evil, and of course happily ever after!

Such an enjoyable read!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the author, Bethany House, and NetGalley. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.

1892 Christian Historical. A snow white tale with quite a twist, involving a well-endowed Snow and a corset. She's an orphan who's been treated badly in her life but always raises up and works very hard. She gets caught up in being a servant to the wrong woman, an entertainer who is a thief. The merry chase leads her to a farm with 7 old men where they give her a place to live and protect her. Entertaining read with great Christian lessons.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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