Fair Game (A Fair to Remember)

Carol Cox
Barbour Publishing (2007)
ISBN 1597894915
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (5/07)

After Dinah Mayhew’s mother dies, her father drops her off at her aunt and uncle’s.  There she suffers feelings of abandonment and abuse at the hands of her cousin Gladys. When she receives a letter from her father asking her to join him she heads to Chicago expecting to reunite with him.  She rents a room from Mrs. Purvis, the owner of a boarding house. Mrs. Purvis considers herself quite a successful matchmaker.  Just as Dinah and Mrs. Purvis are getting to know one another Seth Howell rings the doorbell.  He is passing out flyers inviting people to a church service.  Dinah is immediately struck by his good looks.  Both she and Mrs. Purvis attend the service.  Upon hearing the need for a woman to teach a Bible class for girls, Dinah volunteers.  At first the girls are skeptical, but they come to realize that Dinah does care about them.  Seth is impressed with her love for the Lord.  He soon realizes that she is the helpmate she’s been praying for.  Dinah writes home to her aunt and uncle telling them the wonders of the World’s Fair, where she is working.  Gladys is intrigued by her letters which help her to talk her parents into allowing her to come to Chicago to get a job.  She meets a man that is kidnapping young women and selling them.  Gladys’ willful actions not only endanger her, but also place Dinah at risk.

“Fair Game” by Carol Cox is a delightful, sweet, love story.  The plot is interesting and filled with tidbits of history.  I felt as though I were being led into another era.  I can only imagine the awe the 1893 visitors’ felt when they walked the grounds of the World’s Fair.  It is rare to find a woman like Dinah today.  Her character is refreshingly naive and unsoiled.  Seth was strong and yet gentle.  Ms. Cox successfully presents love and romance in the manner where it holds true meaning.  I enjoyed this book and intend to look for more tales by Carol Cox.  Fans of light suspense and Christian romance will enjoy this book.

 

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