Fair Play

Title: FAIR PLAY

Author: DeeAnne Gist

Publisher: Howard Books

May 2014

ISBN:  978-1451692419

Genre: Historical

From the bestselling author of It Happened at the Fair comes a historical love story about a lady doctor and a Texas Ranger who meet at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Saddled with a man’s name, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for taking on a man’s profession. As a doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice—until Hunter Scott asks her to give it all up to become his wife.

Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who think they belong anywhere but home…

Despite their difference of opinion on the role of women, Hunter and Billy find a growing attraction between them—until Hunter discovers an abandoned baby in the corner of a White City exhibit. He and Billy team up to make sure this foundling isn’t left in the slums of Chicago with only the flea-riddled, garbage-infested streets for a playground. As they fight for the underprivileged children in the Nineteenth Ward, an entire Playground Movement is birthed. But when the Fair comes to an end, one of them will have to give up their dream.

Will Billy exchange her doctor’s shingle for the domesticated role of a southern wife, or will Hunter abandon the wide open spaces of home for a life in the “gray city,” a woman who insists on being the wage earner, and a group of ragamuffins who need more than a playground for breathing space?

FAIR PLAY is the continuation of Tempest in the White City. In fact, if you read this e-short, you pretty much read the first nine chapters of FAIR PLAY (with a few extra details included.)

I heard Ms. Gist is going to be leaving the CBA (Christian Book Association) market and going secular – and this book does toe the line. I love the tension she inserts in her books, but this one took it a bit over the top. And for those who like Christian books to be Christian, this one is only published by a Christian publisher. It is not even remotely Christian in how they act or think.

Notes documenting Ms. Gist’s extensive research, discussion questions, and a note from the author are included at the end.

Ms. Gist is an excellent writer, and while the first eight chapters are a repeat of a previously published work, the story is engaging, gripping, and, even though it is very thick, a quick read. Fans of Ms. Gist will love this book. Fans of historical fiction might want to consider how passionate they want the book to be before they pick it up. $15.99. 464 pages.