About the book (from the back cover): Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair’s Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?
My take: I'm going to be honest here: I did not want to read this book. When it arrived on my doorstep, I didn't remember requesting it, and I had so many other books that I really wanted to read that reading this one just seemed like a chore. I put off reading it for as long as I could, but as my deadline started breathing down my neck, I finally picked it up.The first two chapters seemed to confirm my fears about the book—they were not too interesting.
Then I hit chapter three. Suddenly, I was transported to the Chicago World's Fair along with Cullen. I found myself using every spare moment I had to read a page or twenty. I ached for Cullen as he faced discrimination due to his hearing difficulties. I wanted to slap some sense into Della as she fought against teaching sign language to deaf children. And I wanted to kick Cullen's fiancee Wanda to the curb the second I met her ... way sooner than Cullen came to a conclusion about their future.
Ultimately, I loved this book. Yes, the beginning was a bit slow and the end a bit fast, but overall, the hours I spent reading It Happened at the Fair were very enjoyable ones, and I definitely recommend this book! 4 stars.
See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Gist's Love on the Line.
About the author: Deeanne Gist—known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee—has rocketed up bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her very fun, very original historicals. She has received numerous RITA nominations, two consecutive Christy Awards, and rave reviews. Deeanne has a background in education and journalism and a degree from Texas A&M. She has written for "People," "Parents," and "Parenting." She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and has four grown children. She has a very active online community on her website at IWantHerBook.com.About the giveaway: Deeanne Gist is celebrating the release of It Happened at the Fair with an iPad Mini Giveaway and a Live Author Chat Webcast event {5/22}!
One "fair" winner will receive:
- An iPad Mini
- A $25 iTunes gift card
So grab your copy of It Happened at the Fair and join Deeanne and friends on the evening of May 22nd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)
Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 22nd!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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