Book Review: These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas

 About the Book:

Set in the shadow of Biltmore Estate, a poignant tale of friendship, restoration, and second chances.

Seven years ago, a hidden betrayal scattered three young friends living in the shadow of the great Vanderbilt mansion. 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 knew where to begin.

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

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My Thoughts:

Like a handwoven fabric, the story in These Tangled Threads took time to form and held complexity. I confess, Gentry’s attitudes and Lorna’s actions early on made it difficult for me to like them and be invested in their narratives. The time jumps and character switches also added to my disconnect. However, my admiration of Sarah Loudin Thomas’ prior novels compelled me to continue reading. Within the pages, I found well-crafted prose and pleasing depth as the story explored guilt, shame, alcohol addiction, and family dysfunction. These hard topics were offset by kindness, faith, forgiveness, and generosity which added a heartwarming feel.

Since reading These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas, I’ve started examining cloth – skirts, blankets, scarves, etc – trying to determine the warp and the weft. Early on, the author introduced the process of handweaving cloth, an essential element of the story. With so many terms and steps, I found it necessary to watch a video to understand the procedure; however, learning about this subject fascinated me and it was my main takeaway from the novel. Although These Tangled Threads is not my favorite book by Sarah Loudin Thomas, I’ll continue reading her books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Book Review: The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas

About the Book:

It's one thing to say you can find what people need--it's another to actually do it.

It's 1932 and Sullivan Harris is on the run. An occasionally successful dowser, he promised the people of Kline, West Virginia, that he would find them water. But when wells turned up dry, he disappeared with their cash just a step or two ahead of Jeremiah Weber, who was elected to run him down.

Postmistress Gainey Floyd is suspicious of Sulley's abilities when he appears in her town but reconsiders after new wells fill with sweet water. Rather, it's Sulley who grows uneasy when his success makes folks wonder if he can find more than water--like forgotten items or missing people. He lights out to escape such expectations and runs smack into something worse.

Hundreds of men have found jobs digging the Hawks Nest Tunnel--but what they thought was a blessing is killing them. And no one seems to care. Here, Sulley finds something new--a desire to help. With it, he becomes an unexpected catalyst, bringing Jeremiah and Gainey together to find what even he has forgotten: hope.

Read an excerpt from The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas thoroughly entertained me with its characters. Sulley Harris, a charming scoundrel who dowses for water, fascinated me with his occupation and mindset. Gainey Floyd inspired me with her intelligence, love of poetry, and unselfishness. Jeremiah Weber served as the handsome, strong hero, but became far more than that. I loved the way these characters’ relationships tied together. Sulley inexplicably wants to earn Gainey’s good opinion and slowly steps toward integrity. Jeremiah and Sulley provide comic relief through their unlikely friendship. Gainey and Jeremiah find themselves romantically drawn to each other after spending most of their lives single. Unexpectedly, the entwining of their lives opens new opportunities for each of them.

Beyond the character dynamics, The Finder of Forgotten Things by Sarah Loudin Thomas examines the long-lasting effects of societal judgment, the creation of family outside of blood relationships, the racial tensions of the Great Depression Era, and the tragedy of the Hawks Nest Tunnel construction. This novel had the potential to be a heavy read, but focuses on the main characters rather than the horrific happenings at the Hawks Nest Tunnel. The story possesses depth and authenticity without being depressing.

The Finder of Forgotten Things lands as the third book by Sarah Loudin Thomas that I’ve read. In each novel, I’ve enjoyed her writing, characters, and unique settings. I recommend this story for Christian fiction readers who enjoy a satisfying historical tale. 4.5 Stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

First Line Fridays: The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Happy Friday! 

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today, I'm sharing the first line from The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas.

"As the sun climbed above the horizon, strokes of lavender, orange, and pink painted the awakening sky."

Have you read The Right Kind of Fool? If not, check out the book blurb below and read my review. I found this book fascinating and gave it five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What are you reading this weekend? I'd love for you to share your book's first line!

Happy reading!

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About the Book:

Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he'd obeyed his mother. Desperate for help, he runs to the mountain cabin of his mostly absentee father, frantically trying to communicate the news with his hands.

Driven away by fear and guilt over his son's deafness, Creed has played a distant part in Loyal's life and language. But when he's pulled into the murder investigation, he discovers that what sets his son apart isn't his inability to hear but rather his courage. As the impact of the murder ripples through their West Virginia town, both will learn what it took to kill a man and what it takes to become one.

First Line Fridays: When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Happy Friday! 

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today, I'm sharing the first line from When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas.

"Colman walked along the last car of the coal train, tapping each wheel with his long-handled hammer, listening intently to the clang clang clang."

Have you read When Silence Sings? My local book club chose this for our November selection. Book blurb below.

What are you reading this weekend? I'd love for you to share your book's first line!

Happy reading!

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About the Book:

As a Long-Standing Feud Threatens to Spark Once More,
the Fates of Two Families Rest on the Most Unexpected of Shoulders.

For years, Serepta McClean has towered over the coal-filled hills of West Virginia, taking more than her share of legal and illegal trade alike. She's intent on securing the future of the McClean name, despite two unreliable sons and a long-standing feud with the Harpe clan that's exploded once again into violence.

While many fear her, and many more despise her, few dare to stand against her. Especially not someone like Colman Harpe--a railroad man with dreams of being a preacher. And yet it's a reluctant Colman, Serepta's sworn enemy, who finds himself in this powerful woman's territory, supposedly sent there by God himself to share stories of love and hope.

With the feud growing ever more dangerous, putting the entire region at risk, these two impossibly different people find themselves on a collision course. And the very lives of everyone close to them will be changed forever.

Book Review: The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

About the Book:

Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he'd obeyed his mother. Desperate for help, he runs to the mountain cabin of his mostly absentee father, frantically trying to communicate the news with his hands.

Driven away by fear and guilt over his son's deafness, Creed has played a distant part in Loyal's life and language. But when he's pulled into the murder investigation, he discovers that what sets his son apart isn't his inability to hear but rather his courage. As the impact of the murder ripples through their West Virginia town, both will learn what it took to kill a man and what it takes to become one.

Read an excerpt from The Right Kind of Fool on the publishers website.

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My Thoughts:

The Right Kind of Fool is the first book I have read by Sarah Loudin Thomas. I am so glad that I gave this story a chance. I fell in love with Loyal, Creed, and Delphy right at the beginning. Not only were the characters highly interesting, but their unique family situation and town culture drew my attention. Add in a murder and my interest was hooked. Even though it took me nearly a week to read through the book, I never lost interest or forgot where I was in the story. Every evening, it felt like a treat when I picked up this novel to read.

Surprisingly, I empathized and identified deeply with Loyal Raines, a deaf teenage boy on the cusp of becoming a man. Both his and his parents’ struggles and character development felt authentic. As their complicated relationships strained and strengthened, I rooted for things to work out for all involved. To my surprise and pleasure, plots twists that felt natural and right kept things fresh. I appreciated the inspiring themes of loyalty, honesty, and overcoming fear that permeated this novel.

I recommend The Right Kind of Fool to readers who enjoy historical fiction driven by relationships possessing tension, growth, and commitment. I found this book fascinating and I look forward to reading more novels by Sarah Loudin Thomas. 5 Stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.