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.

Biltmore Industries is a big firm with about one hundred workers, in Asheville, North Carolina.
Lorna Blankenship is a great weaver, young woman.
"Gentry... As if promises meant anything. Her mother had taught her how easy they were to make and break".
Businness, liars, jelousy cause also nowadays family, friendship, firms break up.
Sometimes the right, what you think and sicerity make troubles, but liars causes more problems.
I enjoyed reading this book, because it's well written. The characters are well building and lovely.
The story is not written in linear style, but in each chapter the main character, the point of view, the month/year in which the tell is set, change.
I love crafts too, I attended three courses to learn to weave, what a wonderful world!
Thank you to let me read this book to: Author, Editor, Interview&Review, Netgalley

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

This was a beautifully written story about threads of life that are tangled by heartbreaking loss, lies, deception, and regrets.

Threads that are woven back together by love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace.

It’s a story about the pain of familial neglect, but also the healing power of unconditional love. A beautiful story of friendship, restoration, and second chances.

I love stories with historical details, and really enjoyed learning about weaving, Biltmore Industries and the Estate, and life in North Carolina near the turn of the last century.

My favorite part of the book was Arthur. He’s one of those characters who capture your heart and are unforgettable. He was so pure-hearted, patient, thoughtful, and forgiving in an unconditional way.

I received a copy through NetGalley from Bethany House Fiction and Austenprose PR but a positive review was not required.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. There is a lot to love about this book. I loved that the author took a lesser known part of history and wove a story of mystery, hidden secrets, and healing from loss. The title was such a fitting description of the story.

Unfortunately for me I had a hard time connecting to the story and characters. Not sure why. I think much of it was the fact that there were 3 different points of view and 3 different timelines which was hard to keep sorted in the ebook form I used. Maybe it would have been easier in a physical copy. I do wish the faith aspect had been stronger. Particularly in showing/explaining how truth sets us free and how God heals wounds from loss, abandonment, and broken friendships. I did love sweet, patient Arthur.

Much thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to review. No postive review was required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The story was a bit confusing at first with all the different time periods, and it took a bit to sort them out. By the time I had them all straight the story got stagnant for me. I enjoyed the overall message and character growth of the story. I really liked Arthur, but I felt a disconnect to the main character, Lorna. With all the jumping between time periods it seemed the author didn’t want to give too much away in certain moments and I never felt I got an in depth feel for who she was and never got invested emotionally into why she did what she did. There was a lot of story and it just got a bit dull for me. I wanted to like it much more than I did. And I think for some this story may draw them in and be just what they need. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t hit the mark.

A beautifully written story set against the atmospheric backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains and the magnificent Biltmore Estate. At first, the individual storylines jumped between 1915, 1921 and 1923, like tangled threads of one story that appear muddled but skillfully formed into a brilliant masterpiece. I am so glad I stuck with it.

Ms. Thomas weaves captivating historical details with vivid prose that captured my imagination. The story is told from three different points of view. I love that the main characters are realistic, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Their flaws make them all the more endearing.

This multi-layered story peels back the curtain on the inner turmoil of past choices, and the hardship that comes from loss. It celebrates the transformative power of forgiveness and its power to set one free.

***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much Bethany for the free book!

Historical fiction fans you are not going to want to miss this one this one has a little bit of everything!

It's told in dual time lines with alternating perspectives which really kept me turning pages! There were sprinkles of mystery (which was a surprise to me), second chance romance, sibling drama, mother daughter drama, and of course a lot of history regarding the Biltmore Estate!

It had me Googling all things Vanderbilt family, etc! It will have you doing the same! I even learned a little bit about weaving so overall it was an exciting and educating read!

There were also a couple very tender moments that really touched my heart as well as some faith themes woven in (see what I did there?)

This book was just released so make sure you're one of the first to read it and pick up your copy today!

This book was a breath of fresh air. I loved the characters. They were believable and relatable. Their struggles, triumphs were relatable. The plot was engaging with a beautiful pace. The twist and turns in the book were so unexpected but delightful.

The author did an amazing job on this book. I can only imagine the hardwork and research that went into it.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

This was one that I truly didn’t know what to expect going into. But being a designer, I love all things art and especially books set around art and this one definitely interested me.

If I’m honest I didn’t love our characters, except for Arthur. I loved Arthur so much! He was so sweet and caring. He was by far my favorite character’s perspective to follow. When it came to Lorna and Gentry, their personalities were hard to love at times, and their actions made it hard to be on their sides. But they all felt human and relatable. My heart did break for each of them for different reasons throughout.

Characters aside, I loved the premise around the art, the idea around where ideas come from, and stealing other artists’ work as their own. Being an artist myself for my day job, this is something that I deal with daily. What is considered an “original” idea and at one point does the line between “inspiration” and “stealing” get crossed? This story portrays this beautifully with this historical fiction drama.

If you love historical fiction novels set around art, this is definitely one to pick up!

Set in North Carolina around the Biltmore estate, this is three separate stories entangled together by circumstances outside of control.

We learn of Arthur, Gentry and Lorna who all worked on the Biltmore Estate as a part of training operation that also included weaving and woodworking. Arthur stayed around but expanded on his own business.

While the stories were their own, they were very much intertwined. These characters learned from each other. Some of the lessons were difficult and others were unexpected.

This book is written from all three points of view and it goes between what is their past and their present. Each has difficult circumstances brought about by the times and others in their world. The glimpses of the Biltmore estate are beautiful and the lives of the characters are rich and interesting.

Ultimately their threads are entangled and eventually come together again in an unexpected and beautiful way, much like the cloth that is woven throughout the book. I enjoyed this story very much and the look into the lives of hardworking people that sometimes struggled with what it meant to survive. The messages of forgiveness and love are woven throughout, much like the characters. This was a beautifully written story and I would recommend it to others.

I received an early copy from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.,

Having enjoyed some of Thomas’ other books, I was excited to get to read this book. The setting was especially intriguing—I’ve heard of Biltmore House before, but knew very little about it before I read this book. I still don’t feel like I have a firm grasp on the historical significance of the house and estate, but I’ve learned a lot, and I’m grateful for that.

I LOVED the weaving aspect of the story! As an almost entirely lost art now, it was fun to get to read about characters who delighted in the handcraft, and I loved trying to imagine what the different kinds of cloth described in the story looked like.

As far as the story itself, I ended up feeling so-so about it. It was well done, I think, but the reading experience was quite confusing to me until I managed to get all the characters and timelines sorted out at around 60% of the way through the book. I don’t know why it took that long to figure it out; it just felt like we kept jumping timelines and characters, and I had a terrible time understanding why things weren’t lining up until late in the story.

There was much to enjoy in the story—the characters, the setting, and definitely the weaving side of things. I enjoyed reading the book, but because of my confusion through most of the story (not to mention confusion over some of the rabbit trails this book took—I’m still not sure how one character’s relative, who was there for part of the book, was pertinent to the plot), it didn’t end up being a favorite read. I’d like to see what else Thomas comes out with in the future, though, because I know she can write good books. If you enjoy stories that involve history, a dash of mystery, some romance, and a lot of creativity, this could be a good book for you.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

"These Tangled Threads" is a beautifully-written and captivating book from author Sarah Loudin Thomas! The setting, locations, characters, clothing, and the hard work that goes into the weaving process and the art form are all described with clarity and detail that really add a vividness to the story and help the reader to clearly see what is happening. The author does great work with this! The characters feel three-dimensional and like real people along with personalities, thoughts, emotions, struggles, and challenges of their own. The character development in this book is also done very well. The author's writing style is smooth, the story line is captivating and original, the characters feel like real people, and the challenges and lessons explored are expressed very well. This is a remarkably well-crafted story! I am very impressed with the historical research and attention to detail from this author. This is a beautiful book! I very highly recommend it! 5 stars

Thank you very much to author Sarah Loudin Thomas, AustenprosePR, Bethany House, and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity of being a part of this book tour and for providing me with both physical and digital copies to read and review honestly.

The Biltmore Estate and the Vanderbilt family are about as close as we can get to royalty here in the US. I was thrilled to discover this historical fiction title featuring the Biltmore Homespun and its heyday more than 100 years ago. Sarah Loudin Thomas gives us three engaging character as the focus of her narrative. Lorna Blankenship is a master weaver, but struggles with creativity and vision. Gentry Cutshall has lots of creativity and energy, but lacks focus and drive. Arthur Westcott works alongside them as a part of the woodworking industry at Biltmore. Using three timelines, the author lays out a narrative that includes themes like truth-telling, resilience, family ties, craftmanship, and forgiveness. The lush fabrics described within are gorgeous and mirror God's creation. At one point, a fabric is woven to reflect the Fall colors in the Blue Ridge Mountains. My husband and I witnessed this glorious tapestry on display last year. Our travels along the east coast allowed us to visit the Pisgah Forest near Asheville at the peak of the season. It is an unforgettable experience.

Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lorna Blankenship taught at Biltmore Industries and was responsible for coming up with new designs. Lorna had a deadline and was fresh out of new ideas. Gentry, (one of her students) had some extraordinary patterns in her possession. Desperate to get a head at Biltmore, Lorna purchases Gentry’s mother’s designs.

Lorna Blankenship believes she lacks the vision needed to create a unique design for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s 1924 wedding. Biltmore Industries were hoping for something amazing. In Lorna’s search for the perfect design, she is forced to confront her past, regrets, and shortcomings, as she unravels the tangled threads, she’s caught up in. As she searches for Gentry’s mother for the perfect wedding design.

Arthur Westcott is a wonderful, loving character who I found myself cheering for. He was compassionate and looked for the best in everyone. This novel explores the local community, their talents, personalities, and the importance of family connections. It also looks at the subject of forgiveness and how things can be made beautiful when they are done in community.

I liked that the amazing Biltmore Estate and Village were the backdrop to this story. The author clearly marked the chapters, as this was a three-tiered pov telling the story that leads up to a surprising and satisfying conclusion.

It was fun to learn about the author’s experience at the Biltmore Estates, which helped bring this story to life and made it more intriguing. I visited the Biltmore Estate when I was a kid. I remember how fascinating the tour was. The pictures on-line are amazing. To understand more about this magical place, readers can peruse the author’s list of recommended books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher, and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Sara Loudin Thomas offers readers a different view of Biltmore under the care of Mrs. Edith Vanderbilt after her husband died. She has woven a story that intertwines the lives of three fictional characters who live and work in the industries that were at one time prominent on the Biltmore Estate during the early 1900's. This is a story of loss, turmoil, creative artistry, betrayal, love and ultimately, forgiveness.
I received an advanced reader's copy from Bethany House through NetGalley. This is my own unsolicited opinion about the book.
Arthur is my favorite character from the very beginning. He has a heroic personality, Christian demeanor and a God-given talent with wood. Lorna and Gentry are two young women who work with fibers to create woven material for Biltmore. The young apprentice, Gentry, is a little wild, yet loveable.
The author writes letting these three characters tell their stories, at times going back and forth in time. That is the one thing that confused me a bit at times. I get why she did it, building to a climactic point in the drama.
Cornelia Vanderbilt has a few moments in the book along with her parents which is a sweet touch. Descriptions of the beautiful area and the woven material adds a lovely impression to everything. Angus, with a twinkle in his eye, is another colorful character that I appreciate very much.
I give the book a 4.5 out of 5 rating.

This dual timeline story follows the same characters in the mid-1910s and the early 1920s, with about a seven year span between. The story is largely set on and around the Biltmore Estate with the characters linked to the Biltmore Industries. The main character, Lorna, is an expert weaver charged with teaching novice weavers. She is a bright, poised, talented young woman, what she isn't is creative, a trait desperately needed by the floundering weaving business. Desperation can cause people to make unwise choices, choices that come back to haunt them later. Lorna is not a character readers will quickly warm to, but eventually that will happen as they will likely recall a time that they too have been in need of grace.

The story is well written with some memorable characters, a lovely setting, natural dialogue, and good pacing. The one thing I would have liked to see in this book is an Author's Note telling about her research regarding Biltmore Industries, Mrs. Vanderbilt's philanthropic endeavors, Cornelia Vanderbilt, and the Vanderbilt's relationships with and treatment of their employees. I do recommend These Tangled Threads to fans of historical fiction, especially to those who have an appreciation of Appalachian decorative arts. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

BOOK REVIEW - These Tangled Threads - Sarah Loudin Thomas - 4/5 Stars

I've finally getting a review out to you all! Apologies that I haven't been getting them out regular, I've had a disappointing run of books and have fallen into a bit of a reading slump.

THE STORY
But I'm happy to share These Tangled Threads with you all today, this was my first boom by this author and I found it to be a very pleasant read. I thought the story was a bit like a river, beautiful and winding, slow but steady, with lots to look at and appreciate. The multiple timelines were a bit confusing at first but once I got into the groove of them I could follow the story fine.

The characters were interesting; I loved Arthur but didn't understand why he pines for Lorna; I would've like to learn more about Gentry though she wasn't the main focus of the story; and Lorna I wanted to dislike but she was so sad I just ended up pitying her. I loved the growth and maturity of each character and seeing the contrast between how they were at the beginning versus the end.

THE ROMANCE
It's not really a romance but the little in there is a whole new take on the concept of slow burn! Nevertheless it was very sweet.

THE TRUTHS
Guilt is a burden and a punishment for sin that God never meant for us to carry. Yet we cling to it, even though it makes us miserable, sucking the joy out of life. When we hold onto it, it prevents us from reaching out to claim the good things God places in our life because we believe we don't deserve them. God wants us to live free of the burden of guilt, which is why He offers His forgiveness for our sins freely, all we have to do is confess and let the burden go!

Sarah Thomas deftly weaves daily life at Biltmore House, the Village, and the Industries, with the life altering effects of the flood of 1916. Thomas uses Lorna’s deceit and guilt, Gentry’s loneliness and search for her mother, and Arthur’s rejection as a child to reveal identifiable and relatable emotions through memories and thoughts. They have endured family challenges, the loss of loved ones, and decisions made either out of love and desperation or selfishness and pride. Thomas creates angst and suspense as the defining threads in the lives of the characters unravel through heartbreak, reflection, and regret. By Lorna’s “reckoning day” the threads of illumination and understanding are rewoven into a glistening tapestry of confession and forgiveness. Through loving, compassionate conversations Sarah Loudin Thomas effectively and passionately shares that God’s grace is not earned, it is a gift. A gift of Amazing Grace.
These Tangled Threads: Uplifting and Redeeming

The people in this story all start with being painfully separated from their families, coming together in different ways to work for Biltmore House, dealing with their pain differently, yet they're connected. Very good story. A special soft spot for me is the weaving and woodworking crafts they did while working at the special Biltmore Estate. Great read. Very heartfelt.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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