These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Do you ever like to read books that are set in places that you would like to visit?  I feel I get to visit new places through books, and I get great ideas of places I would like to visit in person.  One place I would love to visit is the Biltmore estate in North Carolina. 

In the early twentieth century, Lorna is an accomplished weaver at the Biltmore estates.  She has been commissioned to create an original design for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s wedding, but she needs inspiration.  She works with her friend, Arthur, to try to find a mysterious weaver that has original designs.  Arthur is a master woodworker that has had a flame for Lorna for quite some time, but he does not understand why their relationship never seems to take off.  What secrets does Lorna keep?

My thoughts on this book:

·       The storyline was split within three different time frames, 1915/1916, 1921 and the end of 1923.  Sometimes I had a hard time keeping track of the switches, but luckily, they occurred at chapter breaks and each chapter was clearly labeled.

·       The story was told through Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry’s perspective.  Gentry is a character early in the 1915/16 timeframe of the book and she has disappeared in the later time frames. A large part of the book to me was the mystery of what had happened to Gentry.  I thought her storyline was very interesting.

·       I thought this novel was a fascinating look into how choices that you make keep coming to haunt you through time.  Lorna made a decision in 1916 which while furthering her career in some ways, hinders it in other ways.  It also hinders her relationship with Arthur as she feels she must hide the truth from him. 

·       This novel was a great look into second chances, and I enjoyed Lorna’s journey and second chance.

·       It was also a good look into dishonesty.  Once you start lying, it is hard to get yourself back out from the lies.

·       It was also a story of forgiveness and hope.

·       I loved the character of Arthur.  He was a devout Christian that had a hard life growing up, but he was always looking for the best in people.

·       I enjoyed “meeting” the working people of Appalachia.  The craftwork of the people sounded interesting.  I wanted to see it for myself.

·       In the author’s note, Sarah Loudin Thomas describes how she once worked at Biltmore for six years.  That is why her descriptions are so vivid.  She also gives a list of great references.

·       This was my first book by Sarah Loudin Thomas, but it won’t be my last.

Overall, These Tangled Threads was a fascinating historical fiction book that focused on the craftwork on the Biltmore estate in the early twentieth century as well as hope and forgiveness.  This is the type of historical fiction I love to read.

Book Source:  Review copy from Bethany House as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Seven years ago, a hidden betrayal scattered three young friends living in the shadow of Biltmore Estate. Now, when Biltmore Industries master weaver Lorna Blankenship is commissioned to create an original design for Cornelia Vanderbilt's 1924 wedding, she panics knowing she doesn't have the creativity needed. But there's an elusive artisan in the Blue Ridge Mountains who could save her--if only she can find her.

To track the mysterious weaver down, Lorna sees no other way but to seek out the relationships she abandoned in shame. As she pulls at each tangled thread from her old life, Lorna is forced to confront the wounds and regrets of long ago. She'll have to risk the job that shapes her identity as well as the hope of friendship--and love--restored.

In this seamlessly woven historical tale, award-winning Appalachian author Sarah Loudin Thomas delivers a poignant novel of friendship, artistry, restoration, and second chances.


AUTHOR BIO

Sarah Loudin Thomas (sarahloudinthomas.com) is the author of numerous acclaimed novels, including The Finder of Forgotten Things, The Right Kind of Fool, winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year, and Miracle in a Dry Season, winner of the 2015 INSPY Award. She worked in public relations for Biltmore Estate for six years and is now the director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum. A native of West Virginia, she and her husband now live in western North Carolina.