Photo and book description from Christianbook.com About the book:  Welcome to your own little confession booth. What would you say if you were completely honest with yourself and with God? It's time to find out. With daring questions, provocative lists, and quirky charts and illustrations, this journal is a place to record all the stuff you'd only tell God: ideas, beliefs, secrets, memories, wonderings, and wishes--things that might seem outlandish or outrageous to anyone else but are what make you you. You'll find the space, the courage, and the help you need to unearth the real you, the you that is sometimes buried deep beneath a layer of self-protection. Where to begin? With your beautifully ruthless honesty.

My Review: 

I love this journal! It has prompts both for fun and for thought, that help you reevaluate your life, your purpose, and the people in it. Jennifer Dukes Lee writes in such a friendly, easygoing way and encourages you to open up and be vulnerable with yourself, God, and others. And I loved the variety of the prompts! Questions as fun as "If your life was a movie, what would be the title? What actors would play you, and the people in your life?" and as thought-provoking as "I understand God better because of these people..." and "A person who understands God better because of me..." (that last one really convicted me!). 

 I do wish that the format of the book was different: coil binding for the spine would make the book so much easier to write in, and a little pen loop would also be helpful. That would make the book more aesthetically pleasing, and more appealing to give as a gift. Either way, though, this is a great gift idea for the writers in your life, and also would be great as a way to encourage someone to start journaling. 

Photo from karenwitemeyer.com Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤ 5 out of 5 hearts

My Review:

This is such a sweet story! Fairy tale retellings are getting to be pretty popular, so whenever a new one comes along I'm becoming pretty skeptical of the quality and originality. However, fairy tale or not, this is a great story, worthy of ranking up with Karen's best novels! It plays more of a homage to the original Snow White tale than anything, allowing the Western adventure to hold its own while the fairy tale aspects add charm and whimsy, not cheesiness. 

The characters are completely lovable, as well. I loved the elderly ranchers-- amazing dwarf substitutes! Their relationship with Penelope was so sweet, it almost took the stage. 

Almost! Penelope and Titus's relationship was equally charming, and they were such an easy couple to cheer on. 

I could really relate to Penelope. I am also way too trusting, and many times get along with the elderly more than I do people my own age. She was such a mixture, from pliable to determined, and yet not too sweetly perfect to be unrealistic, like so many other princess portrayals. 

If this is going to set the tone for the rest of the Texas Ever After series, I cannot wait to see which magical Western adventures we get to go on next!