“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, TN—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, 2013at 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.
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 romances. 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 (releasing 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.