As a lover of historic fiction and all things Texas, Karen Witemeyer’s heartwarming historical Texas romance novels are a great fit for me. I’ve probably read about a third of her nearly thirty books and have many more on my TBR list. Recently, I enjoyed her newest, Fairest of Heart, published in June. The story is the first in Witemeyer’s Texas Ever After series, which feature historic, Texified fairy tale retellings. I adore fairy tale retellings, and Witemeyer’s trademark settings of mid- to late-1800s Texas offer a fantastic backdrop to made-over iconic stories such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella.
About the book:
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 woman 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. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus’s heart divines a different truth—one that might just get Penelope killed.
An enchanting Western take on the classic Snow White fairy tale, Fairest of Heart will sweep you away from once upon a time to happily ever after.
My thoughts:
First of all, I love the play on the main character’s names: Penelope Snow is the erstwhile Snow White, while Texas Ranger (swoon!) Titus Kingsley represents Prince Charming. Narcissa LaBelle is a diabolical interpretation of the Evil Queen, reimagined as a vain, aging stage actress intimidated by and jealous of Penelope’s pure beauty and innocence. But I think the best made-over characters were the seven dwarves as old drovers (cowhands). They provide Penelope seven darling grandfathers watching over her, and Witemeyer nailed their distinct personalities without making them over-the-top.
Nineteenth-century Texas was a delightful setting for the classic story. I enjoyed the new secondary plot involving criminal enterprises of the villainess—it was a nice twist and made for a more complex story. And Witemeyer’s deft weaving of faith into the storyline was well done.
Titus Kingsley was a swoon-worthy book hero. He’s noble and fair, and while he started out a bit jaded, his emotional wounds offered a natural starting point for his growth journey. Admittedly, Penelope was maybe a touch too “perfect,” but her lovely, pure character harkens back to the innocent Snow White of the 1937 animated film. Witemeyer’s iteration of the fairy tale was laced with just enough humor and depth to make for a sweet, heartwarming interpretation and fun read.
Lastly, can we talk a moment about that gorgeous cover? The colors of Penny’s shirtwaist and skirt are a lovely depiction of the original Snow White’s gown—again from the classic animated film—but with a quintessential Old West, Texas take. Add in Penelope’s snow white skin, the field bursting with bluebonnets (my FAVE!), the darling farmhouse, those sweet butterflies, and that big, vivid Texas sky? Cue all the feels! I think I would have snapped up this book by the cover alone even if I’d never read a Witemeyer novel before.
What fairy tale retellings have you read, and do you have a favorite? If you enjoy historical fiction, what’s your favorite setting and time period? Regardless, if you enjoy a sweet story with rich characters and a plot to give you warm fuzzies, I highly recommend checking out Fairest of Heart.
About the author:
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she’s on deadline. Learn more about Karen on her website.