It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

It Happened At the Fair by Deeanne Gist

A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
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?
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BEST-SELLING AUTHOR DEEANNE GIST BRINGS CHICAGO’S 1893 WORLD FAIR TO LIFE IN HISTORICAL NOVEL, IT HAPPENED AT THE FAIR

“Gist takes intriguing historical facts and creates a world of fascinating characters, lighthearted moments and timeless crises that we can still relate to today.” –Romantic Times Top Pick (A Bride in the Bargain)

“Gist’s historicals have increasingly gained popularity, combining witty dialog, well-balanced plots, and fully developed characters who seem almost real.” –Library Journal

NASHVILLE: — The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair overflowed with the latest innovations welcomed by a throng of people from all around the globe. This setting replete with history, intrigue and wonder is the backdrop for beloved author Deeanne Gist’s latest release, It Happened at the Fair.

“I’m always drawn to events in our country’s past that are strangely absent from our history classes. Why the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition has been left out, I don’t know, especially since it was such a pivotal event for us,” explains Gist. “We were able to wow the world with our scientific innovations; and it gave women their first official board position recognized and approved by an Act of Congress (all before we had the right to vote). But it was technology which claimed the day as it nipped at the heels of horses, buggies, and man-powered tools.”
With every book topping bestseller charts since her acclaimed debut A Bride Most Begrudging, Deeanne Gist has sold over a half million copies, earning rave reviews and numerous awards, including back-to-back Christy Awards, four RITA nominations, National Readers Choice, and Book Buyers Best. With her trademark humor and rich historical detail, It Happened at the Fair is sure to delight her beloved fans as well as garner new ones.
Gambling everything, including the family farm, young inventor Cullen McNamara is determined to make his family proud—and earn his father’s entry money to the Fair Expo back—by selling his design for an automatic sprinkler system inspired by his mother’s death in a mill fire. Struggling with hearing loss from his previous life on the farm, McNamara finds it difficult to communicate with potential buyers over the din in the Fair’s Machinery Building. In an act of desperation, he hires attractive Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip- reading.

Much like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, Cullen 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?
Gist’s unique blend of romance and historical fiction brings the past alive for her readers through her extensive period research. Readers will find themselves not only caught up with the exciting backdrop of the fair, but the blossoming love story between Cullen and Della. They will also encounter President Grover Cleveland, Alexander Graham Bell, Helen Keller, and Ann Sullivan, actually attendees of the legendary fair.
Both the paperback edition of the book as well as the e-book include actual photographs taken at the fair between each chapter. The photographs in the paperback are different from the e-book, so whichever version readers purchase, they will have exclusive content. However, Gist’s fans won’t have to wait until April 30 to get their first look at the fair. Tempest in the White City, a 40-page short story available in a digital format, will be available for 99 cents from online retailers on March 19.
Gist will be hosting a webcast event on May 22, 2013 at 8:00 PM EST, where she will be discussing more of the story behind It Happened at the Fair and answering reader questions. During the course of the evening, a number of prizes will be given away to those participating in the discussion. More details will be available soon on the author’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/deesfriends, where the webcast will be hosted.

Readers can keep up with Deeanne Gist at her website IWantHerBook.com, as well as on Facebook (DeesFriends) and Twitter (@DeeanneGist).

About the Author:

Deeanne Gist—known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee—has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captivated readers everywhere with her original historical and contemporary novels. A favorite among readers and reviewers alike, her popular titles include A Bride Most Begrudging, A Bride in the Bargain, and Maid to Match. Her latest book, It Happened at the Fair (April 2013), is her ninth published novel.
A popular speaker, Gist’s presentations have been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and in other publications. The Wall Street Journal’s accompanying online video was the most watched video on the FrontPageWSJ.com website for several days following their feature.
Gist has a background in education and journalism. Her credits include People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel. She is also the creator of I Did It!®, a parenting  line of products. Gist lives in Houston, Texas with her husband of thirty years. The couple has four grown children.

My Take:  I have always been interested in The World's Fair.  I am a big Disney Fan and Epcot is suppose to have a bit of the feeling of what the World's Fair felt like.  I really like the musical Meet me in St. Louis which is about a later World's fair.  Also alot of my friends in College were studying for a degree in deaf education.  So the aspect of Cullen losing his hearing and going to the fair and proving that he could still contribute was interesting.  I liked the idea of the Della the teacher of the deaf teaching Cullen to read lips.  I liked the excitement of the World coming to Chicago and seeing and learning about new technology.  Also I was interested in the famous people that attended the fair.  This was a very highly entertaining book.  If you like historical fiction this is one of the best.

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  
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