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.

#TheseTangledThreads #NetGalley #SarahLoudinThomas #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BethanyHouse #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks

I have never been to Biltmore Estates (it’s on the list to see, for sure!) but reading this book felt like a trip there and what was equally as wonderful, to the scenic, surrounding villages within the The Blue Ridge Mountains.

Set between 1915-1924, this story is told through three people and through different timelines. Like tangled threads, this story begins and seems a bit complexing at first but once I got the hang of it, the story became beautifully alive! Most of the story goes back and forth; we get a little glimpse into the present day story and then a little glimpse backward into the story.

Secrets, lies, deceit, and loss are woven and threaded together with friendship, redemption, heritage and second chances. It is as captivating as it is moving and hopeful.

This stories theme is rich and beautiful with so many parallels between weaving and woodworking (the main characters livelihoods) and this messy thing called life.

I highly recommend for fans of historical fiction!

This story is about the power of our choices and the ripple effects of abandonment and loss.

Set in the early 1900s in the shadow of the Biltmore Estate, this book features three young people who were recipients of the Vanderbilt’s generosity and were trained in traditional crafts such as weaving and woodworking.

Despite rising to become a master weaver, Lorna Blankenship’s creative juices have stopped flowing and she soon runs into problems when a commission stretches her ability. Not only has her pride forced her to do something she regrets later, but it also creates a tangled mess in her life.

Gentry Cutshall feels she’s not cut out for tutelage under the master weaver. Although Gentry is naturally creative and artistic, she’s distracted by a quest that consumes her. Gentry’s life becomes a tangled mess, too, and the only way she can fix it is to give up her most treasured possessions.

Arthur Wescott’s gift in woodworking and his generous heart make him an important person amongst the Biltmore Estate craftspeople. It also gets him tangled up when he reaches out to an estranged family member and offers a hand up.


I thoroughly enjoyed this enlightening story highlighting the traditional mountain crafts of Appalachia and the friendships formed among the estate workers at Biltmore Estate. It was interesting to see the ripple effects of choices and how each of the three processed their abandonment or loss. Although I loved Gentry’s quest and how she chose to deal with trauma by playing her dulcimer, it was Lorna who edged her way into my heart and swayed my judgment of her, ultimately causing me to root for her and keep me engaged in the story centered around restoration and second chances.

Sarah Loudin Thomas is a new-to-me author, but I’m already excited about her upcoming WW1 historical fiction. Thomas has the ability to make the setting come alive and that’s very important for me.

I came for the cover and stayed for the story!

I was gifted this copy by Bethany House and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas is an emotionally moving story. This Christian historical fiction novel is set between 1915 and 1924 in Asheville, North Carolina, told by three different points of view, with biblical themes of forgiveness, sacrifice, and redemption.

Thomas drew me in immediately with her detail and captivating descriptions, and due to her picturesque prose I became so immersed in the story that I felt like another character within the story. I could taste the snow on my tongue at the cabin with Vivian, Gentry, and Lorna in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and was so enraptured by the beauty and sumptuousness of the master weaver’s fabric I could feel it.

Throughout the story I was reminded of a famous quote by Walter Scott,
“O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!”

Thomas’s meticulous attention to detail and compelling characters, not only captivates her readers with fascinating history, but also emotionally and stimulatingly causing one’s senses to go into overdrive in a good way. The descriptions of the intricate weave of the fabrics that were woven in this book, and how it affected each person who saw it, helped make me envision it right along with them, drawing me deeper and deeper into this story. I highly recommend These Tangled Threads, this Christian Historical fiction work of art, written by Sarah Loudin Thomas.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

Set in the Appalachian Mountains in the early 1900s, These Tangled Threads tells the story of a woodworker and a weaver who work for Biltmore Industries. The story moves between the different timelines - though they are only set about seven years apart - as we learn how Lorna and Arthur got to where they are and what happened to our third character, Gentry.

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, is almost a character in the book. While it doesn't really play a part in the story, the decided difference between the wealthy and the workers is also apparent. Arthur is a good man who manages to love with his whole heart even after a tough childhood. I found Lorna unlikeable for most of the book due to her deceitful ways, but the author did a nice job of showing how she got to be that way. Young and passionate Gentry floats in and out of the story while still being a catalyst of much of the plot.

I enjoyed this book, and I think lovers of historical fiction will too. This is Christian fiction so expect church going and pastors.

Family friendly.

Love the Biltmore setting of this historical fiction novel. Told in two time periods by three different characters, this story took a bit for me to get straighten out. Loved the weaving aspect! Lorna, Gentry and Arthur each had complex backgrounds which made the story. I do wish the author had written a note about her research and historical facts. Recommended!

Rich in the history of the Biltmore Estate and those who lived and worked there. This is a captivating story with a slow moving romance. I have never been to the Biltmore but after hearing about it and reading this book, I would love to visit. It added to the experience that the author worked there and knew a lot of the background.
The story brought out some history about the Vanderbilts and the personality of Cornelia, the favored daughter. But the prominent story was about the weaving house and Lorna Blankenship who was a master weaver. I loved it also because I have been sewing for over 60 years. It was interesting to learn about the methods of making cloth and also discovering that there was a woodworking shop on the premises. That is where we find Arthur Westcott, who slowly wends his way into Lorna’s heart. He is a devout Christian who helps Lorna selflessly when she searches for the weaver of an original and beautifully unique fabric. For Lorna, there are hard lessons to learn as she grows in her faith. With the themes of forgiveness, restoration and hope, this story also shows that things progress in God’s time.
Another exceptional story that makes you think.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of th3 author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

A sweet story of owning up to wrongdoings, forgiveness, second chances, and finding true love.

I really liked that Lorna and Gentry and her mom eventually found their way and especially that they did it in a way that protected themselves while still being honest. I also loved reading about weavers. Such a complex craft.

I liked how sweet Arthur was and that he had his own craft in carvings.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Master weaver Lorna Blankenship has spent her life working for the Biltmore Estate Industries as both a weaver and instructor. When the weaving portion of the industry starts to fail, Lorna makes a decision that will change her life forever. Her guilt and shame cause Lorna to reject the friendship of the one man who has constantly encouraged her and stood as her friend over her years of working for Biltmore Estate Industries.

When a client demands Lorna create something new and astounding for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s upcoming wedding, Lorna knows she must revisit her past sins to secure her future.

With the help of the man she rejected, Lorna embarks on a quest to find the mysterious weaver and designer who has the power to break or save Lorna’s career. As she follows the tangled threads cast by her lies, Lorna discovers how other lies have changed the course of other’s lives. She also discovers how each of us can extend and receive unmerited grace.

What I Loved About This Book

The author weaves a story that shifts back and forth in time while following three characters: Lorna, her young apprentice Gentry, and Arthur. As they make mistakes, seek redemption, and forge new bonds, their lives become a testament to the power of forgiveness and grace.

Readers who love historical details will enjoy learning about Biltmore Industries and life in North Carolina near the turn of the last century. Fans of Lynn Austen will enjoy this book.

This is a review of These Tangled Threads by Sarah Thomas that will be released on April 2, and there isn't a high enough rating that I can give this story because I loved it so much! Rarely does a title do justice to the book in my eyes, but this is a perfect title for this story that is about 4 lives that are all tangled up, some by their own doings, and some by situations out of their control, but how they must work together (with the help of the Lord even though that's implied) to untangle these threads in their own lives and also in their lives together! Rarely do I call a book beautiful, but this story really is beautiful! It is real, painful at times, and I shed many tears, but also much joy when I read it, and smiled and signed when I was done because it was such a great book! In the relationships, I see love and betrayal, frustration and grace, selfishness and selflessness, all wrapped up in an amazing story! So I highly recommend this book, and it will go on my favorites list! 5 stars if I must rate it, but again that rating doesn't do it justice!

Oh how I loved this story! The writing is beautiful! It 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. I really loved all the characters. I didn’t like Gentry at first but then I really liked her. I also loved all the side characters. I loved how this story was set around weaving. Overall this was a great read and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley and the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.