What do the 1893 Chicago's World Fair and Deeanne Gist have in common, they make for an amazing great read.
First we have a North Carolina Cotton farmer, highly allergic to all parts of the seed and plants, and a Pennsylvania young Woman who teaches lip reading to children. What could they possibly have in common?
The young man Cullin McNamara has an invention that can save lives. His Dad has sent him to the fair to let the world know of it, and hopefully to save their farm.
Fate and God have put these two young people together, first he saves Della's life. Then he has a hearing problem, getting worse, from where is exhibit is put. He desperately needs help, and lip reading could be the answer! Della unbeknown to him teaches this.
I loved the pictures of the actual buildings that are included in this book, even in my kindle edition. While we are reading the story, you can see where each event is happening. I have been in the one remaining building, many years ago.
We experience many parts of this fair through the eyes of these characters. Come and experience the end of the 1800's, like seeing the first Ferris Wheel....I wish the story would last for a bit longer!

I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

Thanks to Litfuse for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.



This was such a neat concept for a book! I've had a growing interest in the World Fair's since we've moved close to the location of one--Seattle. I loved the excitement and grandeur of it all that Deeanne Gist was able to infuse into the book itself. She even included pictures of the actual Chicago World's Fair. It was so fun to see them, especially since most of the buildings did not survive.



Cullen McNamara is like a fish out of water in his own environment. So much so, that it was hard to connect in the beginning of the book for me. Once he got to the World's Fair, he seemed to really click as a character for me. I felt like that is where I could really connect to and understand him.



I loved Della. She was a woman with a purpose working for a cause she believed in. Not that cause was without struggle. I loved seeing how far we've come in regards to deafness but in some ways it was interesting to see how some things have not changed. It seems there is always a debate about what's "best" in regards to educating or raising deaf children.



This was a beautiful love story written in a magical setting. I think I will have to do some more reading about the Chicago World Fair. I very much enjoyed my "visit" via this book.

Originally posted 4/27/13