I love to read. One of my absolute favorite authors is Kim Vogel Sawyer. I was thrilled to have an opportunity to get an Advanced Reader Copy of her newest release (releasing April 2nd!), A Silken Thread.
A Silken Thread is a historical fiction that takes place in 1895 in Atlanta during the International Cotton Exposition. Eighteen year old Laurel Miller has been told by her older siblings that she must stay home and be responsible for taking care of their mother in her old age. But Laurel wants something more and gets a job at the Exposition as a silk weaver to hopefully meet a wealthy man so that she can have a family and take care of her mother too. Langdon Rochester has been told by his father that he must settle down and get married or else he will loose his inheritance. He goes to the Exposition to "work" at his father's booth and try to find a lady to marry that will please his mother but still allow him to live his life the way he wants to.
Willie Sharp takes a job as a security guard at the Exposition in order to pay for his father to go to a hospital to recover from a stroke. His best friend is a black man named Quincy who also gets a job at the Exposition. Quincy and Willie have been best friends their whole lives and never considered the differences in their races until the Exposition. The Civil War had taken place around 30 years before, and tensions were still running high. Trouble comes to the Women's Building at the Exposition and Willie and Quincy have to deal with issues in their friendship they've never had to before.
One of the reasons that I love Kim Vogel Sawyer's books so much is because you can tell when reading her books that she puts a lot of time and effort into her research to make it authentic. When you are reading her books, you will feel as though you are transported back in time and a part of the story you are reading. The characters are amazing. Even the minor characters are real and believable and are an important part of the story. The challenges and struggles they face are things that we can relate to. In A Silken Thread, Ms. Sawyer tackles the difficult topic of racism, and it is done very well ,with grace and dignity. There is a romantic element to the story that I loved and appreciate that Kim Vogel Sawyer's books are not overly romantic. You do not have to worry about any inappropriate content. As always Ms. Sawyer weaves elements of faith throughout the book and we learn so much about trusting in God, seeking His will, the importance of doing the right thing even when it is hard, and that anything, even a new suit bought for the wrong reason, can bring about good in someone's life.
Even though I loved the main characters in this book, one of my favorite characters was Mr. Rochester, Langdon's father. He is a very wealthy man but he wants his son to work hard and tries to teach him the importance of good character. Willie is just a factory worker but he knows him and trusts him and stands up for him even when others including his own son gave reason to doubt him.
He has good reason to be very angry with his son but instead forgives and tells him he is proud of the good thing he has done. It reminded me of the love our Heavenly Father has for us.
A Silken Thread taught me many things I didn't know or really think about during this time in history. I highly recommend this book and others by Kim Vogel Sawyer.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation and all opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance to the FTC regulations.
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