These Tangled Threads - by Sarah Loudin Thomas (Paperback)

This was an interesting story about three lives that were engaged with jobs for the Biltmore Industries back in the early 100s The “voices” of Lorna, Arthur and Gentry were noted at the beginning of each chapter along with the year, and the location. It was a bit confusing for me at first trying to understand what was going on with all the jumping around in time but I finally caught on. Very little was told of the Biltmore Mansion, other than it was like a huge “castle” sitting on top of a hill. The family itself was very rich but also very generous with the employees and anyone in need. Lorna was a master weaver, Gentry was her student and Arthur was a craftsman that made furniture and small decorative items as well as toys. They all had sad backgrounds and were just trying to find their way. The story being from 1897 - 1924, gradually filled in their misfortunes and fortunes. All was woven together in the end to complete the story. I was interested enough to look up dulcimers and also weaving and how it was done back during that time. Cornelia, being the Vanderbilt’s daughter, was also my maternal grandmother’s name. It must have been popular for the time. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher but was not required to write a review.

Lorna, a master weaver, must find a new pattern, or she will lose her job at the Vanderbilt's Biltmore Industries. She was expected to create another beautiful pattern like the ones she had done in the past. But she couldn't do that again because those designs had been done by someone else, although Lorna had taken credit for them. Now, she must find the person who really made them. Without the help of Arthur, the man whose love Lorna has spurned for years, she doesn't have a chance. Ultimately, she will also need help from Gentry, the person Lorna got the designs from that she claimed as her own. This story had a lot of facets. An unfair boss, double-crossing, deceit, forgiveness, faith, change of heart, surprising friendships, rejection of parents, along with backwoods people that shoot first, and ask questions later. All this excitement will keep the pages turning to find out how it is resolved. This clean, five-star story is recommended to fans of history, The Biltmore Estate, and convoluted tales that can't possibly work out, but do! Thank you, Bethany House Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

Biltmore Industries and the Biltmore Estate are the backgrounds for this story which takes place in Asheville, North Carolina during a nine-year span in the early 1900s. Author Sarah Loudin Thomas weaves the themes of friendship, second chances, and forgiveness into a mesmerizing tale that hints at the tangles that can be created by doubts, secrecy, and guilt. I enjoyed the peek inside the lives of the Vanderbilts and their employees, and I loved learning about the anticipation of Cornelia Vanderbilt's wedding, but my heart was captured by the romance that blossomed between Lorna and Arthur. Fallible but endearing characters, a beautiful setting with both a mansion and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a captivating story of love and redemption made this a book that I couldn't put down. I recommend These Tangled Threads to all who enjoy historical fiction. I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

“To track down the mysterious weaver, Lorna sees no other way than to seek out the relationships she abandoned in shame,” states the back cover in Sarah Loudin Thomas’s novel, These Tangled Threads. ~ What ~ A novel of Biltmore, this three-hundred-and-sixty-eight-page advanced reader copy targets those who like Southern fiction based in the 1920s that focuses on weaving and woodworking, surrounded by the famous estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Containing slang words such as darn and heckuva, topics regarding alcoholism, brothels, abandonment, deformity, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes an author’s note, acknowledgments, an excerpt from another book, the author’s biography, and advertisements. In this tale spanning roughly seven years, weaver Lorna is commissioned to create an original woven design for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s wedding. With no inspiration for something different and unique, she questions using others’ drafts for the design. With the help of a long-time friend and a carefree young teen, she is challenged to do the right thing and learn what forgiveness encompasses. ~ Why ~ This story based in the Appalachians covers friendships that are tested and tattered due to guilt and secrets. I enjoyed learning about the Biltmore, weaving, and woodcarving. The uncertainty of the three protagonists is engaging and well-written. ~ Why Not ~ Some may not approve of the fraud, potential lies, and deceit that is sewn throughout the story. Others may not care about the Biltmore, regarding its owners or opulence. I found Gentry to be whiney, obnoxious, and immature, while Arthur was timid and weak. The book’s chapters jump back and forth from different years, making it harder to comprehend. ~ Wish ~ With the publisher being considered a Christian company, this read lacks the spiritual content expected of it. Having more Bible verses and prayers would be welcomed. I would prefer no slang words if this is truly a Christian-based book. ~ Want ~ If you like Southern fiction involving the weaving of three broken individuals as they are tied together by love with scraps of forgiveness, this is a nice story. Thanks to Bethany House and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review. Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

This story ranges from 1897 to 1924, with much back and forth through the years. That's not my favorite way to read a book, but each chapter was clearly marked with the location, date, and point of view of either Lorna, Arthur, or Gentry which made it easier to follow. They all struggled with a sense of belonging. Arthur was given away by his parents at a very young age, Lorna's parents were both deceased, and Gentry was led to believe her mother abandoned her when very young and left her with a mean grandfather who sent her as a young teen to Asheville to learn the trade of weaving. Gentry would rather be roaming in the country or playing her dulcimer than learning to weave. Lorna is a master weaver and good teacher but lacks the gift of design, which gets her into trouble. Her actions and treatment of others made her hard for me to like for part of the book. Arthur is a talented woodworker, loyal, eager to help others, and a genuinely nice man. The descriptions of the weaving process were fascinating and it was interesting to learn more about Biltmore. The author expertly wove together the characters and settings (I want to go up the mountain to Vivian's cabin to see those views!) to tell this lovely story of belonging and forgiveness. I very much enjoyed reading These Tangled Threads and recommend it. I received a complementary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Sarah Loudin Thomas is a new-to-me author, and I absolutely loved her storytelling! 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. For Cornelia Vanderbilt’s 1924 spring wedding, Lorna Blankenship is asked to weave an original design. In order to pull off such a feat, Lorna must face past relationships and regrets that will risk her job and reputation. Finding a mysterious weaver may be her only hope for restoration. Beautiful story of how truth sets you free told through the three POVs of Lorna, Arthur, and Gentry. Time frame shifts around during the span of about 9 years: from 1915-1924. It was nice having a physical copy to be able to quickly flip back to chapter beginnings to double check dates. All three characters have rich backstories and compelling storylines that make you want to keep reading. Arthur is a woodworker who was born with a slight disability. He’s such a patient, upstanding guy. Gentry is a young, stubborn girl who can’t help but weave her way into your heart. I will definitely read more from this author! I received a complimentary arc from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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.

A beautiful story that is woven together with flawed characters that have endured childhood trauma like the cloth that Vivian wove with an intentional flaw, but the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I loved everything about this book from the way it is stitched together with three different POV’s and different years to the history of the Biltmore estates and the creativity of the weavers and woodworking. It sparked my interest into wishing I knew how to work the complexity of a loom to create beautiful cloth that inspired people. I can visualize the beauty of it and how Vivian looked over the mountains with the sunset and sunrise and used the talent within her to create her designs. The characters were each so unique and carried pain but each handled it in such different ways. I could identify with them as my mother endured childhood trauma that God used to create beauty. The Faith element is subtle but is woven in seamlessly. Some scenes are so touching that I recommend having a tissue nearby as I had tears flowing down my cheeks. This story shows that family isn’t always blood but can be stitched together in time and come out being strong with bonds that can withstand when the storms of life come. As always with this author I will place this book on my favorites shelf to revisit like an old friend especially since it mentions my hometown and the train that my grandfather was an engineer on. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.