It Happened at the Fair (50 page)

Authors: Deeanne Gist

Do you ever miss writing for magazines?

Not for a minute. Not even for a second. The journalism simply supported my “fiction habit.” Writing novels is definitely my first love.

9. What is your favorite thing about writing love stories?

That initial spark of attraction between a man and a woman, and the push and pull of emotions during the courtship are my favorite. That’s such a fun time. I love to recollect those times in my own life when my man was courting me thirty years ago. A good portion of our courtship took place in Norway because we were oil brats and our parents lived next door to each other. During the summer, when the sun stayed in the sky until 2:00 a.m., Greg would take me to the golf course to teach me how to play golf. He’d take me out there only at 11:00 p.m. because it was totally empty and he didn’t want me holding up any other players.

One of those times, I brought a tripod and camera with me. I set it up and took pictures, then made him do silly things such as pretend he was hitting a ball from the boughs of a tree or I’d laid him low with a golf ball to the head. I’ve attached a picture for you. (Note the golf ball resting on his eye.) LOL. He would NEVER do something like that now and is so embarrassed that he did it then. Hahaha. Love those times.

Do you prefer writing historical novels over modern-day?

I much prefer historicals to contemporaries. Things were simpler, more charming, and the dresses were downright yummy. I also find it intriguing that the things they struggled with are so relevant to what we still struggle with today.

10. Do you have plans to write another book?

Of course! I’m already deep in the research phase. For a sneak peek at the main characters, download my eShort, Tempest in the White City, from your favorite online store. For even more info, you can sign up for my newsletter at
IWantHerBook.com
. Then you’ll be privy to all kinds of secrets and exclusives!

Will we be seeing Cullen or Della again?

They might make a cameo appearance in my 2014 novel, but I won’t know for sure until I finish writing it.

© KOREY HOWELL

DEEANNE GIST
—known to her family, friends, and fans as Dee—has rocketed up the bestseller lists and captivated readers everywhere with her very original, very fun historical and contemporary novels. She has been nominated for four RITAs and has won two Christy Awards. Deeanne has a background in education and journalism and a degree from Texas A&M. Her credits include
People, Parents,
and
Parenting
magazines. She has four grown children and lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband of thirty years. She has a very active online community on her website at
IWantHerBook.com
and at
Facebook.com/DeesFriends
.

MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT

SimonandSchuster.com

Facebook.com/HowardBooksSimonandSchuster
Twitter.com/Howard_Books

JACKET DESIGN BY FACEOUT STUDIO

FRONT JACKET PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHUTTERSTOCK

COPYRIGHT © 2013 SIMON & SCHUSTER

We hope you enjoyed reading this Howard eBook.

Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Howard and Simon & Schuster.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com

Howard Books

A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

www.SimonandSchuster.com

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Howard Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

First Howard Books trade paperback edition April 2013

HOWARD and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at
www.simonspeakers.com
.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gist, Deeanne.

It happened at the fair : a novel / Deeanne Gist.

p. cm.

1. Inventors—Fiction. 2. Teachers of the deaf—Fiction. 3. World’s Columbian Exposition (1893: Chicago, Ill.)—Fiction. 4. Love stories. 5. Christian fiction. I. Title.

PS3607.I55I8 2013

813’.6—dc23

2012037839

ISBN 978-1-4516-9237-2

ISBN 978-1-4516-9239-6 (ebook)

CONTENTS