For readers who love a heartwarming romance and a rich historical setting comes a tale of a young woman with a heavy burden, the International Cotton Exposition, and the pursuit of true love.Eighteen-year-old Laurel Millard, youngest of seven children, is expected to stay home and “take care of Mama” by her older siblings, but Laurel has dreams of starting her own family. Operating a silk loom at … Operating a silk loom at the Atlanta Exposition will give her the chance to capture the heart of a man wealthy enough to take care of Laurel and any children she might bear, as well as her mother.
Langdon Rochester’s parents have given him an ultimatum: settle down with a wife or lose his family inheritance. At the Exposition, Langdon meets Laurel. Marrying her would satisfy his parents’s command, she would look lovely on his arm for social events, and in her besotted state, he believes she would overlook him continuing pursuing rowdy adventures with his unmarried buddies. Langdon decides to woo Laurel. Willie Sharp is not well-off and must take on an extra job at the Atlanta Exposition as a security guard. When mischief-makers cause trouble in the Women’s Building, Willie is put in charge of keeping the building secure. He enjoys visiting with Laurel, who seems like the little sister he never had, but his feelings for Laurel change to something much deeper. Can Willie convince Laurel that he can give her better life–even with so little to offer?
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Kim Vogel Sawyer wove a story as strong and beautiful as the finest silk. Her characters; the background of the Atlanta Exposition; and the threads of racism, social classes, and the threat of modern inventions on old industries create a cloth of great beauty found in a riveting, fast-moving story. It has Sawyer’s trademark gentle heart, wisdom, and hope. And a happily-ever-after that will leave me smiling for a long time. Rarely have I been drawn into a book the way A Silken Thread drew me.
“Someone will need to take care for Mama in her dotage, and we believe the rightful person is you.”
Given a nearly impossible ultimatum by her older siblings, Laurel Millard can only dream of finding a suitor who can not only support her, but also her mother. When the opportunity, to spread her wings a bit, arrives in the form of temporary employment in the Silk Room at the Atlanta Cotton Exposition, Laurel decides to be on the lookout for a wealthy suitor. . . . .who, if she is lucky . . . . will most certainly make her heart sing.
Willie Sharp is also charged with the care of a parent; his father desperately needing professional rehabilitation after an apparent stroke. Willie’s job at the Rochester Steam-Powered Engines factory barely pays their living expenses, so when his boss allows him a temporary leave of absence to earn additional funds as a security guard at the Atlanta Cotton Exposition, Willie and his friend Quincy head off towards their golden opportunity.
As racial tensions still threaten the peace of the quietly emerging southern economy, there is also a great divide among all socioeconomic groupings; when Laurel comes across a supposed “knight in shining armor” will she be brave enough to look beneath the surface? When Quincy is convinced that the color of his skin is the source of all his problems, will he learn to “be owned by God or be owned by sin?” And sweet, honorable, Willie . . . . will he learn what’s it is like to trust in the Lord with all his heart?
What a lovely, intentional story; written by an author who knew how to embrace a myriad of historical land mines with the skill of a weaver!
A Silken Thread will carry readers back to the 1895 Atlanta Exposition with a wonderful story that blends romance, family drama, and heart-tugging secrets, all while exploring the power of God’s grace to overcome prejudice and social-class differences. I was captivated by the intriguing characters and cheering for them to find a path forward through their struggles. Kim Vogel Sawyer’s novels always touch the heart, and I’m sure this one will be enjoyed by her faithful readers and those who are just discovering her writing.
Ms. Sawyer’s latest novel examines a historical time and place that was not an easy time to live in. It also assessed people’s viewpoints during that time period. This novel focuses on Laurel, the youngest daughter, who was able to obtain a job at the Atlanta Exposition spinning silk. At the exposition, she meets Langdon. Langdon is working the exhibit for his father who is wanting him to grow up. She also is around Willie, a security officer for the exhibit. Together through various interactions with both she learns how their hearts truly lie. This story shows how to be courageous and do the right thing no matter what the cost. It also displays how true character is exhibited. The story of forgiveness is intertwined throughout this book. I highly recommend this book and believe you will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.
A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer, is the story of Laurel Millard. Laurel’s older siblings have instructed her she must devote her life to caring for her mother. Her mother is not ill or incapable, but her siblings have families of their own and somehow think laying the responsibility solely on the younger child, they won’t carry the burden in years to come.
Laurel, however is a creative thinker and at the tender age of 18 years, she desires to have a family of her own. She sets her sights on a wealthy young man, Langdon. Langdon finds her innocence attractive, and he showers her with flattery, and takes her home to meet his parents. Another man, Willie has nothing of worldly possessions, but he’s a man of honor. Will one of these men win Laurel’s heart? And knowing she’s expected to care for her mother, how will she choose?
Well-crafted story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
I couldn’t put this one down! Thought-provoking and the characters were well developed. If you’re a fan of historical romance, I think you will enjoy it, too!
Author Vogel Sawyer takes on such subjects as racism and classism, and does it well. The history of 1895 is well written and kept my interest. Learning about the Atlanta Cotton Exposition aroused my curiosity and kept me reading, as did learning about silk weaving.
The characters in this story were strongly developed. Some I liked and some I didn’t. Some I couldn’t decide about. All the qualities of a good book.
Very engrossing, romance and mystery were throughout the story as was the theme of depending on God. Vogel Sawyer isn’t shy about Christianity but there is nothing preachy about this story. If you enjoy Christian historical fiction you’ll enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book bt was not required to leave a review.
A Silken Thread (2019) by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a standalone Christian Historical novel. This book comes in all forms including eBook, and is 352 pages in length. With a full-time job and a busy six-year old at home, this book took me three days to read. I received a copy of this novel in paperback form from the publisher, Waterbrook Press, to review. In no way has this influenced my opinion of the story. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. I give A Silken Thread 3 STARS.
A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a deep read that discusses many thematic topics such as racism, classism, and faith. While there is a lot of meat to this story, I do admit that I struggled a bit with the characters, and I found the romance between Willie and Laurel to be forced. And, while I found the story to be an excellent historical read — I learned a lot about Georgia in 1895 — I felt like there are a couple of holes in the plot that left me feeling like the story is incomplete. Overall, this novel left me feeling so-so.
My biggest struggle with A Silken Thread is the characters. Instead of being multifaceted people with depth and distinctive personalities, the characters in this story feel like stereotypical caricatures. The wealthy white guy is a narcissistic jerk; the hero is a poor working class guy with a heart of gold; the heroine is a naive beauty who is easily manipulated; and, the downtrodden African American man is angry that the world doesn’t treat him well. They are representations of human groups, not unique individuals. There is very little character growth, and when it does happen near the very end of the story I found I just couldn’t buy it. The growth felt forced. I also struggled with what seem like plot holes. There are secondary characters who do things in this novel — destroy public property and make threats against people — but then there is no resolution and no one is punished for their crimes. I get that in real life bad behavior often goes unaccounted for, but I can’t tell if this is the author’s point or if the story line just got forgotten. I was slightly discouraged by the end of the novel.
There is one moment in the novel that I absolutely adored: when an angry Quincy sits down with his very wise mother in order to have a powerful discussion on slavery. Quincy is angry that 30 years after slavery has been abolished people still treat black men and women as if they were slaves. He doesn’t understand how white people can cheer on a black man like Booker T. Washington during a speech given at a local convention, and then walk past Quincy as if he were a piece of trash to be avoided. This kind of behavior from white folks makes Quincy so angry he becomes enraged and wants to fight. Quincy’s mother listens as her son pours out all his anger and hatred, and then tells Quincy that he is indeed a slave. This gets Quincy’s attention real quick. Quincy’s mother explains that in Matthew 6:24 Jesus tells those listening to His sermon that humans cannot serve two masters. We either serve God, or we serve something else. For Quincy, his anger has become his master. This conversation resonated deeply within me, and made me take a good look at myself. I questioned if God truly is my Master, or if I’ve allowed something else to control me. Of the many topics discussed in this novel, this conversation between a mother and son on slavery is the most compelling and powerful.
While I struggled a bit with A Silken Thread, I definitely do not discourage anyone from reading it. There is a lot of awesome history detailed within the pages of this story that I very much enjoyed learning. And who knows, what’s not my cup of tea very well may be someone else’s.
Kim Vogel Sawyer is not afraid to address the challenging subjects of racial and class conflict, and she weaves these themes with a beautiful tale of romance and redemption in A Silken Thread.
A Silken Thread is a tale of friendship, social inequality, racial prejudices, faith and love. It was interesting to learn about the Cotton States and International Exposition that occurred in Atlanta in 1895. It is located in what is now Piedmont Park. The authors descriptions brought the venue alive. I found A Silken Thread to be well-written and it progresses at a gentle pace. I like how Kim Vogel Sawyer incorporated the historical (she captured this period in time) and Christian elements into the story. They are interwoven with the characters storylines and enhance the book. The characters are complex and realistic. Laurel is a naïve eighteen year old who wants to find someone to love her. A man who will make her heart sing the way her father did for her mother. She is not worldly or sophisticated which draws Langdon to her. Laurel is a Christian woman who does not understand people’s prejudices. Willie is a kind man with a big heart. He wants what is best for his father and is willing to work hard to make it happen. Langdon is a selfish man who only thinks of himself and how he can manipulate others to get what he wants from them. Quincy has a sweet family and a good friend in Willie. The point-of-view switches between the four characters as their stories unfold. One of my favorite lines In A Silken Thread was that we should treat others as we want to be treated (Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you). Having faith, importance of prayer and following God’s path for your life are some of the Christian elements incorporated into the story. I thought the author captured how each character would speak. I liked learning more about silk, the process of extracting it, and how it is woven. It is explained in easy to understand terms. The author addressed sensitive topics deftly in A Silken Thread (racial injustices, social inequality). Friendships are tested in A Silken Thread along with individuals’ beliefs. There are discussion questions at the end of the book. A Silken Thread is a compelling and poignant historical novel.
Kim Vogel Sawyer has done it again—captured my heart and attention in this newest book, A Silken Thread. Because the story is so beautifully written and told with such historical accuracy, I could not flip the pages fast enough. Laurel and Willie are beloved characters. Well-written characters contribute to the story’s believability, and the spiritual thread woven throughout this wonderful novel fed my reader’s soul. A Silken Thread is another winner!
As a long time Kim Vogel Sawyer fan, I always get excited when a new novel releases. I was super excited about this one. I mean, look at the cover. It is absolutely gorgeous and takes my breath away. The story within was the same….breath taking and absolutely gorgeous.
Laurel, Langdon, Quincy and Willie are absolutely stunning. I loved their characters and how Ms. Sawyer added vivid detail when describing them. They popped off the page and came to life. I loved watching Laurel interact with Langdon and Willie, loved watching her come to terms with her feelings about both men. And Quincy and Willie…..I adored them! I loved how Sawyer weaved a delicate topic into the story and blended it beautifully among the plot line so it didn’t overtake the story, yet shows up just how things were back in those days.
Filled with tender, inspiring messages of acceptance, hope, faith and love, Sawyer gives her readers another fabulous novel that will steal your heart forever. With rich historical detail, her research of times past is evident in this novel. Definitely worthy of 4 stars, two thumbs up and high recommendations from this reader and fan! Well done, Ms. Sawyer. Well done.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Press and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.* Kim Vogel Sawyer
A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer is right up there with my other favorite KVS books. Beautiful and memorable character building. The author writes about a tender subject matter with grace and love. I found the history of the international cotton and silk trade very interesting; the author does her homework. Willie was by far my favorite character in the book. I’m sure he will pull at your heartstrings as well. It was over all a wonderful story!
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a review; all opinions are my own.
#ASilkenThread#NetGalley
A Silken Thread, by Kim Vogel Sawyer, set around the 1895 International Cotton Exposition in Atlanta, is an unusually complex story, touching on heavy topics. Two of the topics that Sawyer addresses are class distinction and racism. They richly illustrate what the author said in her forward-that she wanted to show injustices and unfairness of treatment to fellow man based on a different appearance. She covers the issues in a thoughtful, respectful, perceptive and insightful way.
Interwoven throughout the book is love of family, faith and hope. Sawyer uses vivid examples to show how family is important, even at the cost of one’s goals and dreams, and how selfishness can harm.
A Silken Thread is not a book to take lightly, nor read in just a few hours. Though a romance at heart, there is a lot of meaty substance to digest and absorb during and long after reading the story.
I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Press through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a beautiful story that takes place over one hundred years ago. It is about privileged society, racism and the love and acceptance of Christ. But it could have taken place today. We meet Laurel and Willie who are poor but rich in morals and the belief in equality. Then we have Langdon, white and wealthy, who thinks he is better because of his skin color and money. Finally, we have Quincy, a black man trying to understand why he is treated so poorly and fighting the anger that lives in him. Laurel weaves silk thread on a loom during the Cotton Exposition. But the thread, in my opinion, is what ties society together. Black, white, rich, poor, family, friend-we are all the same in the eyes of God. The story gives us a happy ending when it comes to the future of two characters but, most importantly, it points out that, although better, society still has far to go. I gave A Silken Thread five stars. The story is well-written, the characters are believable and the descriptions of the settings were vivid.
Kim Vogel Sawyer is a master writer. I love all of her books.
Kudos to Kim Vogel Sawyer for staying true to this hard to write topic with all the heartache and hardness that still existed soon after the Civil War. We still need books like this!
I love the fact, that A Silken Thread is mostly a historical fiction book with a little bit of romance. The author does a really good job of telling a story though three main characters. The story is based around the Cotton Exposition of 1895. We learn a bit about what life a bit after the civil war and what life is like for southerners.
Their a story about African American and whites though out the story. Though we have a bit of story with a fourth character as well. Laurel is looking for someone to love her and find maybe find love along the way. She applies to be a weaver in the silk room.
Willie applies to the Cotton Exposition for he want to help pay for his fathers hospital bills and to help him get better. Willie friend Quincy has gotten a job their as well. We also have Langdon. What the author show though out the book is how world is viewed between each character. She does a well job of it.
Mrs. Sawyer has weaved a wonderful tale and has educated this reader in the process! I had no idea about the Cotton Exposition! This was such an interesting story. Laurel is the youngest child in her family and is given the responsibility of caring for her widowed mother. Langdon Rochester can only gain his inheritance by marrying. He hopes to find a willing bride. Friends Willie and Quincy seek jobs at the exposition to help out their families financially. The way Mrs. Sawyer weaves each of these person’s stories together is absolutely amazing.
I highly recommend this story for anyone looking for a faith-based story that will teach you about a portion of history. This story does have a happily ever after.
Laurel, Willie and Quincy are all exited about working for the exposition, all in different roles. Langdon can care less about it, but his father sends him to work there as well. He then determines it’s the perfect place to find a wife to please his mother. A great cast of minor characters round out this story and add depth to it. Engaging, with enough plot twists to keep the pages turning, this book is hard to put down. An enjoyable read and good balance portraying the difficulties between the “whites” and “blacks” even 30 years after the war.
A complimentary copy was provided by Waterbrook. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.