Fair Play

This was a great book set in Chicago during the World's Fair. I really enjoyed reading about the character's and how they had to come to terms with life in the city and the changing world. It was a long book but the story was constantly moving and so it didn't drag like other books can.

The storyline is very interesting and well written and researched. BUT the romantic side of it was not making me feel comfortable, it kept on making me feel like at any moment they would have sex. And I did not notice anything God centred. It was making feel uncomfortable as I read. \\r\\nI cannot in good conscience recommend this as a christian novel.

This is story; set in Chicago during the time of the world fair in 1893 is fascinating and engrossing. I loved the historical aspect of it. Deeanne Gist has obviously done a lot of research about the fair but also about conditions in Chicago at the time. The main fiction characters, Billy Jack Tate, a female doctor and Hunter a Texas Ranger who is seconded as a security guard at the fair have a dynamic relationship full of chemistry. Their relationship intertwines with the true history of the time which is heartbreaking but presents some inspiring people. Although historical I found that it challenged me in how I serve God and love the needy around me. Overall it is a very satisfying book to read.

A huge amount of research has gone into the writing of Fair Play, as is evident from the authentic photographs at the beginning of each chapter. This authenticity was one of the strengths of the story, as it made it so much easier to see the deprivation in the slums, and the contrast between rich and poor. It was also gratifying to read at the end that many of the plot points, including the playground, were based on historical records. \\r\\n\\r\\nI also liked the characters. Both Billy and Hunter were intelligent and ambitious, and both had a certainty in their occupational calling that provided some interesting misunderstandings. This was tempered by genuine caring for the plight of the poor . . . and each other. \\r\\n\\r\\nFair Play is a standalone novel, but is loosely related to It Happened at the Fair, also based at the World's Fair. It is published by Howard Books, a Christian imprint, but I have to say that the content is more clean general-market romance than Christian, as there is no overt faith element. That's a disadvantage for those looking for some Christian in their Christian fiction, but will be seen as an advantage by those who find some Christian fiction too preachy. However, it has all Deanne Gist's trademark passion and I'm sure her fans will enjoy it. \\r\\n\\r\\nThanks to Howard Books and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review