I was especially excited to pick up this read for the Biltmore/Asheville setting; I visited there for the first time in November '23, and loved it. The setting proved the highlight for me, and I geeked out several times at mentions of places I'd been.

I struggled with the three narrators and multiple timelines, though, finding it confusing and draining to keep track of after a while. Thomas writes well, and I did enjoy the characterizations--but sometimes Lorna, in particular, was done too well--painted too effectively as, frankly, an annoying character. I found her hard to relate to and was too impatient to keep reading and dig into her motives for passing off others' work as her own; my sympathies waned quickly. So, for now, a DNF.

Apparently I DNFed another book by the author back in October 2020--but I didn't leave a review, LOL. So, who knows what happened there--but note to self re: whether I'll pick up a third book.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Sarah Loudin Thomas but will not be my last! These Tangled Threads is a beautiful story of forgiveness and moving on. I love how Ms. Thomas wove together the stories of Lorna, Arthur and Gentry. I will be looking for more by this author soon!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 2 April 2024

Biltmore Castle is a wonder. I’ve visited the estate several times over the last forty years. Each time I visit I learn new things. I’ve read several books about the people of the estate and whose hard work and dedication made Biltmore thrive.
I loved all the weaving stuff. I’m not a weaver but thread and thread and tapestry work have always interested me.
There are 3 stories intertwined: Arthur, Lorna, and Gentry.
I loved Arthur. He was so patient and accommodating and my heart broke for him over and over until he finally got his heart’s content.
I barely tolerated Lorna for most of the book. She finally Improves by the end but I seriously considered tossing her into a loom.
Gentry was a hurricane ready to erupt. She finds her way and her story is compelling.
Set against the shadow of Biltmore, this story tells of everyday people whose craft and art were finally acknowledged and rewarded.

Sarah Loudin Thomas has become one of my favorite authors. Her gift with words is amazing and I always look forward to her latest release. This book is historical fiction focused on the years 1915 to 1924 set in Asheville, North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. There is a wonderful cast of characters that are well developed ... especially Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry. I enjoyed learning about weaving and the looms. In fact so much so, that I researched the topic and watched several videos.

This story will have your heart aching as you experience loss, the negative consequences of choices made, and the result of being abandoned or being made to feel unworthy. By the end of the story, you are cheering Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry on as they struggle to find their place in life and grow into mature individuals who see their worth ... in the eyes of others as well as God.

The focus on faith and Christian values was not over the top and allowed you to see how God was working in each of their lives. The history of the Vanderbilt family and the personalities of some of the family members was interesting. As someone who has visited the Biltmore Estate several times in my life, I could visualize the town and the house.

So many threads are tangled in this tale ... from Lorna’s tangled mess of lies to the tangled threads of reaching out to an estranged family member and how he struggles with his feelings for Lorna to the tangled mess Gentry experiences on her quest to find fulfilment and satisfaction. For the whole mess to be untangled through love, hope, forgiveness, restoration, discovering that God’s plan will come to fruition in His own time, and finding family amidst a group of random individuals will bring a smile to your face as you savor the last word, closing the book with a sign of satisfaction and a smile on your face.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

He marveled, uncertain how the tangled threads of their lives had come together to create this gorgeous pattern."

Another outstanding book! These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a story that is woven with the threads of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Ashville, North Carolina.

The story follows Arthur, a woodworker and Lorna, a weaver who work for Biltmore Industries and Gentry as we witness the intricate weaving of their hearts, the abandonment of others and choices that they made. A well written story rich with forgiveness, second chances, grace, and mercy.

I enjoyed the attention to detail, I could see the colors of the threads that Lorna was weaving into something beautiful, the mountains with the sunrise and sunset. My aunt was a weaver and the time and patience that goes into weaving is incredible, the talent that Lorna had was unique. Family is not always those through blood but can be others that you share incredible bonds with like the characters in the story that withstand the test of time.

These Tangled Threads, by Sarah Loudin Thomas, is a very interesting Christian historical story that focuses on the craft of fabric weaving and the weavers that make the fabric. I enjoyed reading this story and tried to imagine how the thread could make up the designs within the fabrics. This is a well written story with interesting characters. However, I did struggle in the beginning with how the story changed from one date to another, but quickly adjusted and enjoyed the story a lot. Not only do we read of the art of fabric weaving, the story touches on wood working.

There are points in the story that touched on sensitive topics such as child neglect, family issues, prostitution, and alcoholism. I appreciate how the author has included these topic in the story to show the strength the characters have and why they do some of the things they do. I so appreciate the way Gentry thought of her music helping the women where she played. I appreciate how the story also focuses on how Gentry and her mother were separated and how Gentry parted with the one thing she had left of her mother’s to find her. This is just a really good story to read.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

This is my first Sarah Loudin Thomas novel, and based on THESE TANGLED THREADS, it won’t be my last. Rich with beautiful prose, suspense, and reflective characters that develop in powerfully unique ways, it ticked all my boxes for a profound read.

THE STORY: Set in the early 1900s, a hidden betrayal divides three young friends living and working for the Vanderbilt conglomerate. Before them is the gorgeous Biltmore estate, but their lives are far from spectacular as they seek to find the beauty in the life God has given them.

These three young people, Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry were trained by the Vanderbilt’s artisans in traditional Appalachian crafts such as weaving and woodworking.

This story begins gradually with three POVs at different time periods. At first it felt disjointed, and I wasn’t sure what I thought. Then I looked at the title—THESE TANGLED THREADS—and I got it! Her writing technique gave me that sense of tangled life choices, making the journey all the more poignant! It also created a sense of suspense and mystery. The ending was surprising and—well—you’ll see.

Readers who love historical fiction with strong emphasis on characters who are flawed by life experiences thrust on them, will love this book. Yes, there is romance, but the true journey is one of overcoming and restoration. This story has depth and meaning that you’ll chew on for a long time after you close the book. Highly Recommended.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I loved this book! It was set near the Biltmore Estate, and surrounding areas in Tennessee. In addition to enjoying that setting, I enjoyed each of the main characters- Lorna, Arthur and Gentry. The book focuses on various years, the earliest being in 1916, the latest in the “present” of 1923 and 1924, and we got to see the changes in each main character.

What impressed me most about this book was that I was left feeling hopeful, and touched by the power of family. The author beautifully demonstrates the importance of letting ourselves be known- flaws and all. Doing so allows us to let others in and provide support and love. We all stumble and make mistakes, but we also are all “forgiving and forgiven.” The tangled threads of our lives can all come together, through love, forgiveness, patience and family.

The book takes place at the Biltmore Estates in North Carolina, this is a place I have wanted to visit for many years. I would have loved if the book had been more descriptive of the interior and the going on's in the mansion. The book focuses on the Biltmore Industries, particularly the weavers. Three main characters, master weaver Lorna Blankenship, she has created exquisite woven material in the past and has been commissioned to create a piece unlike any other for Cornelia Vanderbilt's 1924 wedding. She believes she has lost her touch and will be unable to create that special piece. Gentry is Lorna's student and also an orphan. Arthur is a talented woodcutter and despite having a deformity is pure of heart and in love with Lorna, but she doesn't even notice him.
Ther are three different time periods here we are working with.
As the story continues the characters become woven together as they go through surprising situations. It's a story of love and loss, discovery, betrayal, letting go, acceptance, faith, family and forgiveness. The story was a journey of self-discovery with surprises along the way. So well researched. I've never read a book quite like this one and will remember it for a long time.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas

The Biltmore estate is the site of industries supporting the tradespeople of the Appalachian mountains. Lorna is a grieving, accomplished weaver who is teaching orphaned Gentry the trade. Arthur is a talented wood carver. The three of them become woven together as the story progresses.

Lorna is desperate to keep her job by designing an unusual fabric. She comes across some beautiful patterns belonging to Gentry’s dead mother. Can she use them to rescue her position?

Arthur has loved Lorna but she seems not to notice him. Can he forget her and move on with his life?

Gentry is desperate to find the woman whom she has thought dead for years, but hardly knows where to start.

The questions keep the reader involved in the plot as these threads become even more tangled as the story progresses. The characters are lovable but flawed. The setting is interesting, letting the reader experience what the life and times on the Biltmore was like.

The most difficult part of the book was keeping up with the timeline. It kept shifting from past to present in the different characters’ lives. The setting often changed too. Even though it was clearly marked, it still was confusing.

Readers who have enjoyed Sarah Loudin Thomas’ other books will likely enjoy this one, too. I am grateful to the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have loved Sarah Loudin Thomas for her World War II novels for quite some time. While These Tangled Threads isn't a WWII novel, it does still have the historical significance we have all come to love from Thomas.

These Tangled Threads is a historical fiction novel of friendship, restoration, and second chances.

Set in the early 1900s in the shadow of the Biltmore Estate, this book follows Lorna, Gentry and Arthur through several years. They were all recipients of the Vanderbilt’s generosity and were trained in traditional crafts such as weaving and woodworking. Thomas has an uncanny ability to make the setting come alive in her books and I felt like I was there in the room weaving with Lorna.

This book starts out with two different timelines that are 7 years apart, and 3 different POVs. There is a lot happening in this story: Lorna steals a pattern design from Gentry, Gentry is looking for her mother, Arthur is in love with Lorna, and more. All three of these characters are friends of sorts. They all go through some tough and surprising situations that in turn help them grow and strengthen in their relationships with one another and themselves.

I enjoyed this story! The characters were well-done, such great development, and the writing was so good. You could tell the research that was put into making these characters and places come alive. Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Lies, betrayal, abandonment, hope, love, and redemption all come together to weave a beautiful story in These Tangled Threads. This book was so creatively written. Three different characters spanning a period of seven to eight years tell their stories after being rescued by the Vanderbilts to work as artisans in the Biltmore Industries.

Lorna Blankenship’s a brilliant weaver commissioned to create an original design for heiress Cornelia Vanderbilt’s 1924 wedding. Unfortunately, Lorna’s run out of ideas. She hunts high and low for the talented weaver whose designs once helped her before. Lorna’s burned some bridges though and must now untangle the mess she’s made in order to find the artisan she desperately needs. Along the way, she rekindles old relationships and gets a second chance at love.

We first meet Arthur as an eight year old boy when Mr. Vanderbilt notices his wood carving talents. He soon becomes a renowned artisan. His clubfoot challenges his perception of himself, but despite his deformity, he works hard and is always willing to help, sometimes to his own detriment. He has his own entanglements with unrequited love & caring for a troubled, newly discovered brother.

In 1915, young Gentry becomes Lorna’s apprentice. Gentry’s talent for music doesn’t necessarily translate into weaving and she & Lorna frequently clash. However, Gentry holds a prized possession Lorna desperately needs. When Gentry disappears seeking her long lost mother, her knowledge goes with her. Now in 1923, Lorna must find Gentry who holds the key to her success.

This book can be challenging to decipher at first. The author weaves several timelines and stories together at the same time. The narrative often jumps from one time and character to another in anything but a chronological order. As all the threads come together, like any beautiful tapestry, things start to make sense and the full picture emerges. I loved the way everything came full circle.

The characters are endearingly flawed. It took some time for me to like Lorna. She has a lot of growing to do, but with each chapter, my compassion for her grew. Gentry’s a whirlwind with her own sorrows and talents. I enjoyed the way things worked out for her. Arthur was my favorite character with his kind, gentle demeanor. The side characters are memorable too and I absolutely loved the setting.

Recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of romance and faith. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher through AustenProse PR. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

This story started out slow for me, but then got rolling more the further it developed.

Set around the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. It's got three main characters: Lorna, a skilled weaver; Gentry, a new impatient weaver learning from Lorna; and Arthur, a woodworker. Lorna is tasked with creating a new design in cloth but she's hit a wall trying to create. The story goes back into her past when she had bought designs from Gentry (who'd gotten them from her mother) and had been less than truthful about their origins. The story goes back and forth between two time frames and is told by each of the three.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

This story follows three main characters, Lorna, Gentry and Arthur over several years from 1916 to 1924. It is set mostly in Asheville, NC, in the shadow of the Biltmore Estate. Lorna is employed as a weaver, Gentry is her student and Arthur is a woodworker for Biltmore Industries. The story flashes back and forth from one timeline to the next, giving us a different character’s POV each time. It is a story of hardship and hope, loss and discovery, family and forgiveness. The multiple storylines are woven together like so many threads, resulting in a meaningful and satisfying ending.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and NetGalley. A positive review was not required, all opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

At age 8, Arthur is a talented woodcarver and when Mr Vanderbilt visited his guardian, the Reverend Swope, he admired Arthur’s work. Later, Arthur went on to be the head of the woodcarvers group as part of Biltmore Industries at Biltmore Village. This had been started by the Vanderbilt’s to provide skills and jobs for the local mountain people.

Lorna, 18, is a respected weaver in Biltmore Village. When she is asked by the wealthy Mrs. Harshaw to make an exquisite gift for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s 21st birthday party, she accepts but then realizes she has promised something that she may not be able to produce. She seems to have lost her ability to create things like she used to.

When Gentry, 14, comes to Biltmore Village to train as a weaver under Lorna, she shows that she doesn’t have the patience for the skill especially in setting up the loom. However Gentry shows her a woven piece she found at their local market and Lorna is taken by it. She wants more of it and especially wants to find the weaver who prefers to stay anonymous. But, Lorna knows that if she is to make an exquisite gift as promised, she must find this person and is on a mission to do so. Arthur has always admired Lorna and promises to help her find the weaver.

This book switches back and forth in time which was a bit of a jolt but I got used to it. The characters are created as real people especially of the area. The people are good, religious people just working hard to make a living. I loved how the Vanderbilt family members are depicted as kind, open, and generous.

I love Biltmore. Having spent many summers in the Hendersonville/Asheville area, especially to enjoy the hiking, I feel as though I know it quite well. Anyone who has not visited Biltmore, needs to immediately add it to their bucket list. It’s America’s Castle and a beautiful treasure. A delightful book and one I hope others will enjoy.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Beautiful period story set at the Biltmore. An unforgettable story rich with grace, forgiveness and second chances. The author pens a beautiful story and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own

These Tangled Threads is “a novel of Biltmore” and focuses on the folk art that the region is known for, specifically weaving and woodworking. It made me want to take up weaving! Though I have no idea where I would put a loom, nor find time to learn the art. Nor do I have a need for handwoven coverlets or fabric.

The story unfolds, moving back and forth across the years, telling the backstory of the characters and why they find themselves in the current (1924) situation. I found the characters believable and likable. The Biltmore Estate setting is fascinating. The plot is intriguing and I loved how the missing person mystery is resolved.

4.5 stars

I’ve visited Asheville, North Carolina, and the Grove Park Inn twice this week on the pages of a book, and my latest trip – via These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas – filled my senses anew with the homespun beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and its master artisans. Appalachia is in my blood, and I’m always particularly drawn to stories set here. And this one… well, this one wrapped around my soul like a dulcimer hymn or a woven shawl.

In These Tangled Threads we meet our three key players right from the beginning, yet in different stages of the story. Arthur is introduced to us as an eight-year-old boy in West Virginia with a famous North Carolina connection in 1897, we first encounter Lorna in 1923 Asheville as she’s being commissioned to create a one-of-a-kind fabric that comes with its fair share of complications, and Gentry bursts on the scene of Biltmore Village in 1915 as a newly apprenticed weaver with a gift for music. The text shifts back and forth between these characters and between the years from 1915 to 1924, and while I kept up with the alternating perspectives just fine it took a bit to orient myself to the different time jumps and remind myself what had – and hadn’t – already happened. Once I did, though, I came to really enjoy the layout of this novel, most of all because of how symbolic it was to the patterns (or drafts) Lorna uses to weave a unified piece of beauty from a blend of varying threads. And though the mess Lorna has woven herself into needs a lot of untangling, in the hands of a skilled storyteller like Thomas the finished tapestry of her narrative becomes a masterpiece. Not unlike the way our Master Weaver (God) uses the tangled pieces of our lives to create a big-picture story unmatched in its exquisite perfection.

Arthur became my early favorite, as far as the main characters go, but I grew to deeply love both Lorna and Gentry too. There’s just something special about Arthur – you’ll see it for yourself when you meet him. His kindness, his open heart (even while guarded), and his resilient spirit endeared him to me right away and only embedded him further into my heart as the story continued. And then there’s the host of delightful supporting characters that burrowed into my affections right along with Arthur, Lorna, and Gentry. Naming them each would spoil some things for you, but I can declare my undying love for Angus without harm. He made my heart smile, the kind of character I love to discover in fiction, and I think he’ll do the same for you.

Bottom Line: These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas weaves the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains landscape, the lilt of Appalachian music, and the heart of craftsmen everywhere into a heartfelt story with subtle faith notes tenderly tucked between the lines. I fell in love with Arthur, Lorna, and Gentry as the author unpacks the deep layers of their respective hearts and lifts the veil on the trauma of abandonment that touched each one differently. This is a beautifully written novel with gentle but powerful themes of forgiveness and restoration. Highly recommended for fans of Pepper Basham, Cindy K. Sproles, and Michelle Shocklee!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

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.