FAIREST OF HEART by Karen Witemeyer, Reviewed by Paula and Rebecca #ReleaseDay

TEXAS EVER AFTER #1

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Ms. Witemeyer has written the perfect western take on the fairytale Snow White, complete with a damsel in distress, a lawman prince, a vicious, vain, villain and seven old drovers.

It was fun to see how the author twisted this tale into an old west story incorporating a troupe of actors, gems, a huntsman and interesting bits of history.

Penelope Snow was a worthy heroine and was shown to be a godly women, pure of heart. Ranger Kingsley was at first skeptical of Penelope but, searching the Bible, God spoke to him about mercy and truth. The seven drovers paralleled the seven dwarves in their personalities with the added character traits of wise men, seasoned with scripture.

Don’t miss this Texas version of an old favorite fairytale. It has history, drama, romance and a happily ever after (for all but the villains).

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"Rangers hunted criminals, not mysterious pixies. So unless her name showed up in the black book headquarters handed down, he had no business giving her a second thought."

"She'd known better than to dream of fairy tales. Dreams got girls like her into trouble."

Apparently trying to be helpful also got girls like Penelope Snow into trouble, for when the selfish, jealous, scheming Madame LaBelle got mad, she got even . . . and Penelope ended up roped around a tree in the middle of the woods, wearing nothing but . . . and being rescued by six . . . old cowboys? . . . and one, not old at all . . . Texas Ranger. "It was him."

Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley wanted nothing to do with beautiful women. They were trouble . . . spelled with a capital T . . . every last one of them. Much to his annoyance there was something about this one though that tugged at his heartstrings. She was running from something, or someone, and she gave the men of Diamond D very little indication of what had actually happened. Just his luck, as the pieces of the puzzle named Penelope Snow fell into place, Titus had no option but to dub her as a suspect in the very case that would advance his career. "Mercy and truth. Always together. Mercy always leading the way."

And of all things to turn up as exculpatory evidence? A corset!

A wonderful, witty, romantic western with a cast of characters that could charm the fur off one very Lucky dog! Readers will agree, it's also a brilliant beginning to an I-can't-wait-for-the-next-book series.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.4.5 stars

 

BackCover  Blurb:

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope's guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

Bethany House Publishing, June 6, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and  audiobook: 

Buy FAIREST OF HEART at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House