A Silken Thread
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 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?
Reviews
Kim Vogel Sawyer is an amazing storyteller who crafts each of her stories with page-turning excitement and rich character development. I’ve known Kim for many years and can honestly say that her books are some of the most satisfying and delightful I’ve read. I feel confident my readers will enjoy her novels immensely.
Tracie Peterson,
best-selling author of more than one hundred fiction titles, including the Golden Gate Secrets series
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.
Mary Connealy,
author of The Reluctant Warrior
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.
Carrie Turansky,
award-winning author of Across the Blue and Shine Like the Dawn
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.
Hannah Alexander,
author of the Hallowed Halls series
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!
Sharlene MacLaren,
award-winning author of the Forever Freedom series and the Tennessee Dreams series
Kim Vogel Sawyer’s A Silken Thread is set during the Atlanta Cotton Exposition of 1895. Middle-class Laurel Millard is hired as a silk weaver at the expo, where she hopes to make money and meet the man of her dreams. But Laurel’s expectations get turned around when she witnesses racism firsthand. This book captured my heart since I grew up in Georgia and lived in Atlanta for several years. The story, set well over one hundred years ago, reflects today’s society in a way that shows the importance of real family love and listening to God’s Word. We all can take a lesson from that. Truly an exquisite, well-researched, well-written story that is a testament to the silken thread that connects God to His people. What a treat!
Lenora Worth,
author of Her Amish Child