Review: It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist
My rating: 3.5 of 5 genies
Published: April 9, 2013
Series: It Happened at the Fair #1
Genre: Historical, Christian Fiction, Romance
Publisher: Howard Books
Source: Purchased
Pages: 418
Format: Paperback
Purchase At: Amazon.com or The Book Depository

Goodreads Summary

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?

My Thoughts

I enjoyed reading It Happened At the Fair, but it isn't my best book by this author. Deeanne Gist gave me A Bride Most Begrudging, Maid to Match and A Bride in the Bargain, all of which are Historical Christian Fiction guilty pleasures of mine. I love her books because Gist knows how to write Christian romance provocatively without losing that faith aspect. At the Fair leaves me conflicted because it didn't hold as strong a faith value as her previous works.

Both Cullen and Della pray, Della even sings "Jesus Loves Me" when she gets nervous in confined spaces, but I couldn't connect with their brief instances of faith. I could not help thinking that they held a faith similar to that of many Americans at the time, people who didn't mind enslaving others and doing away with the rights of said people. They worried about propriety like any other individuals living then, but there was no sense of God really being there, and not much besides good character set them apart.

More things were overt and focussed on, like the Fair and it's beauty. Gist did a remarkable job bringing this piece of time to life and wrote splendidly of what the World's Fair had once been like. The exhibits, bustle and sights were exploding out of the pages. Still, Cullen and Della might as well have been figures in a Historical setting. It was a Historical novel by a well known Christian author, the book itself not necessarily being Christian.

That aside, I liked At the Fair. It was funny and smart, a novel to happily pass the time with. I wasn't a fan of the main conflict in the story, Cullen is engaged to marry a childhood sweetheart when he encounters Della at the fair. He had left the farm to sell his automatic sprinklers, striking out, but with his hearing slowly receding it doesn't take long before the suggestion is given that Cullen take lip-reading classes. Della is a teacher at the School for Deaf Children and the person Cullen beseeches to teach him lip-reading. They've met before, he having saved her life before, but it takes some convincing, Cullen agreeing to act as tour guide for Della, before she agrees to the lessons. There is chemistry between the two, but with Cullen keeping his distance due to his engagement, their affection wasn't as open as that of most couples. It was more like mutual attraction, and a very nice shirtless scene, before Della fall in love and then Cullen.

There is the matter of Wanda, Cullen's betrothed, but a confrontation eventually leads to a satisfying end. At first it was odd seeing Cullen go from displaying limited affection to full-blown gestures, kisses and all. In retrospect I do think this showed the extent to which he withheld himself out of respect for both Wanda and Della. He is an upstanding man with great character and a mind for innovation. There is opposition and a lot that he has to overcome, but Cullen handles it excellently. The way he doesn't engage with instigators like Bulenberg made me respect him.

Della didn't feel as real to me as Cullen, her real name is Adelaide and I spent some time figuring out where "Della" came from, but she is not a bad character. I think she could have been developed more, but by far not a bad job on Gist's part.

The story was good and complete with an interesting look into the spectacular World's Fair that made this a unique book for me. Still, it was more Historical fiction than anything else and I would have liked stronger characters with greater faith value.

3.5/5 genies: It Happened at the Fair is a great Historical look at the World's Fair, captured beautifully by a talented author. 

Review: The Mackenzie Legacy by Derrolyn Anderson

*A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.*


The Mackenzie Legacy by Derrolyn Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 genies
Published: April 4th, 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Mature YA
Series: The Athena Effect
Pages: 200
Source: Review Copy
Format: eBook
Purchase At: Amazon.com or Smashwords.com

Goodreads Summary

As their story continues, Calvin and Caledonia find themselves madly in love, on the run, and nearly out of money. When Cal stumbles upon a way to cash in on Cali’s powers, their life on the road becomes a life of leisure. Despite the easy money and newfound luxury, Caledonia’s conscience begins to trouble her.

A disturbing warning only serves to confirm her misgivings, making her question her purpose in life. Finally, a shocking discovery about the true nature of her powers points the way forward, sending the two Cals on a dangerous rescue mission.

Caledonia tries her best to right the wrongs of the past, but will she only end up provoking new and even more dangerous enemies?

My Thoughts

This is a very easy book to like, and more so, read and fall into. I liked being effortlessly drawn back into the complexities of Cal and Cali's life. The novel literally picks up where The Athena Effect left off, and while both Cal's are still on the run, they are still very much in love. With the threat of recapture at the hands of Max looming in the backs of their minds, Cal and Cali need to lie low. Initially they stick to camp grounds, distant roads, and avoid drawing attention to themselves by living modestly off the few funds they have left. This doesn't last long however, and as the money quickly disappears, one thing leads to another and the young lovers find themselves on a journey neither could have ever bargained for. Monumental secrets regarding The Athena Effect as well as Cali's heritage are unravelled, and as the long hidden truths come to light, everything changes.

Firstly, let me say that the stressful conditions mentioned above do nothing to disrupt the romance between Cal and Cali, and I loved seeing them grow and really mature as characters. Truthfully I don't see why anyone would want to keep them apart; they fought like hell to be together and they just work. I like their relationship because Cal and Cali are made for each other and you really can't picture them happy and apart. Things like that just shouldn't happen, so you can imagine how beyond pleased I was that Derrolyn kept them together. As is expected, they do fight to a degree, and rather realistically, but the arguments never grow so out of control that there is talk of permanent separation. It was good to see them keeping things in perspective and managing disagreements like the capable adults I knew them to be.

*snaps for Derrolyn*

WOOT.



Yeah, girl!

As a second book in the series, The Mackenzie Legacy adds a substantial amount of detail and revelation to the series overall; it is mind-blowing how much changes and the impact of these developments. Derrolyn carried the story over seamlessly, and The Mackenzie Legacy proves itself a worthwhile sequel because it does help the series progress. There is just so much excellent and right with this book that I was hard pressed to find the bits just short of brilliance.

There is a strong connection felt with almost all the characters. Cali struggles with honing her abilities while still adjusting to the world outside her cabin, coming to terms with the truth of the experiment that ultimately claimed the lives of her parents and still largely governs hers. Cal helps her a lot through these struggles, but battles with his own share of insecurities. Every time he worried that Cali would leave I wanted to shake him a little and be like, she isn't going anywhere! Yet if I had done that, the pleasure of watching him work through it on his own would have been lost. He supports her and accepts everything, even Cali's more dangerous connections, such as her bond with the twins Layla and Michael. He would do anything for her, truly the author is successful in showing much more than telling the lengths each Cal is willing to go for the other.

As a backdrop to the story, the setting is great, and the added tension of characters being on the run made for a suspenseful read. There is a healthy amount of mystery and romance throughout the plot which pretty much guarantees readers will gasp at least once, if not twice. The writing improves in The Mackenzie Legacy, and although some portions of the book felt a bit rushed, and some resolutions hurried, this book ultimately makes for an exciting and rewarding read. I definitely recommend it - reader discretion for the more mature scenes is advised - and I am an even bigger fan of the series than before.

Get your hands on this series now!

3.5/5 genies: A satisfying continuation to a great series, The Mackenzie Legacy isn't a book to miss and fans of the series will be thrilled with startling revelation, touching romance and a suspenseful, rewarding plot.

XX

Waiting on Wednesday (9): The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

 *Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill@Breaking the Spine and is a weekly meme allowing for bloggers to connect and share their most anticipated reads.*

 Hi Loves,

This week I'm waiting on...

The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa

Goodreads Summary:
Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally. Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.

Oh Yeah!

Why I can't wait: This book is set to release April 30th, 2013 and I absolutely LOVED The Immortal Rules!! It is such a fabulous book filled with Action, the Paranormal and ROMANCE. Yes, if you haven't read this book get on it fast, it is a great read. I look forward to finding out more about Kanin's involvement in the whole vampire epidemic. I want to see Allie save him and I look forward to catching up with Zeke ;) Give me this book now.

What are you waiting on??

Also:

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Cover Reveal: Sweet Peril

**A post in which I reveal...new/up and coming, covers of the moment, the ones you should keep an eye out for.**

Now hold onto your seats, and get ready to lose it a little, because it's finally here. I kid you not, ladies, he has arrived! KAIDAN FREAKING ROWE!!! Gosh, my life is so totally complete.

Check out this GORGEOUS cover!

Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins
Publishing: April 30th 2013
Pages (est.): 464
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Angels and Demons, Romance

Goodreads Summary

Anna Whitt, daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a claim. She’d been naive about a lot of things.

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

How can you not sigh after reading all that?!? I cannot wait for April of next year to come! The Author is a total sweetheart, you should check her out in the links above and comment with me on your thoughts on this awesome series, YES IT'S A SERIES, and I'll chat right back!

Love you lots!

XX,