Toggle navigation

About 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?

Praise

“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

About Kim Vogel Sawyer

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed, bestselling author with more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers' Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim lives in central Kansas with her retired military husband, Don, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find her petting cats, packing Operation Christmas Child boxes, or spending time with her daughters and grandchildren.

Product Details

352 pages | Published by WaterBrook

On Sale Date: Apr 2, 2019

Trim Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4

Carton Quantity: 24

Sneak Peek

Read the first two chapters of 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. Brendan Rochester's parents have given him an ultimatum: settle down with a wife or lose his family inheritance. At the Exposition, Brendan 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. Brendan 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?

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chelsea Woodward, Associate Publicist
cwoodward@penguinrandomhouse.com
(719) 268-1915

Kim Vogel Sawyer Sets New Historical Romance in South, Explores Social Issues
 
…a truly inspirational tale cemented in the bonds of family and true friendship.
Publishers Weekly, starred review
 
“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
 
In Kim Vogel Sawyer’s latest standalone historical romance, A SILKEN THREAD (WaterBrook, 4/2/19), the highly acclaimed and best-selling author leaves behind her beloved and familiar Kansas prairie for a story of hope and true love set in the South. Inspired by her visit to an Atlanta museum where she saw an exhibit on the International Cotton Exposition, Sawyer opens a window into 1895 Atlanta while exploring social issues that were especially prevalent during that time.
 
Sawyer’s heroine, eighteen-year-old Laurel Millard, longs for a husband and family of her own, but her life takes a turn when her six older siblings issue an ultimatum that she must sacrifice marriage to care for their aging mother. She takes a job at the Atlanta Cotton Exposition as a silk weaver, secretly hoping it will give her the chance to capture the heart of a wealthy man who can provide for both her and her mother.
 
As Laurel catches the attention of Langdon Rochester, the heir to his father’s steam-engine-powered empire, she is convinced he is the perfect suitor—but he has secrets of his own. When she makes the acquaintance of the Silk Room’s security guard, Willie Sharp, and his friend Quincy Tate—a black groundskeeper—she witnesses firsthand the destructive divisions based on race, education and social class. Will she find the courage to accept love from a man who has nothing to hide but little to offer?
 
Fans of historical romance and readers of Tracie Peterson and Lauraine Snelling will love being transported back in time to 1895 Atlanta and getting swept up in Laurel’s pursuit of true love. Readers who are interested in fiction that addresses deeper issues such as racism, classism and family responsibility will also appreciate Sawyer’s look into Southern culture during this period. 
 
For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With more than 1.5 million copies of her books in print worldwide, KIM VOGEL SAWYER enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Her novels have won numerous awards, including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Sawyer and her retired military husband, Don, live in small-town Kansas, the setting for many of her novels. When she isn’t writing, Sawyer stays active serving in her church, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren. For more information, visit www.kimvogelsawyer.com.  
 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimVogelSawyer.Author.Speaker/

Twitter: @kimvogelsawyer

PRAISE FOR A SILKEN THREAD

“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

Contact Publicist