Author Interview with Sarah Loudin Thomas & a Giveaway
What a joy to meet Sarah Loudin Thomas via Zoom and chat about writing and her newest release, These Tangled Threads. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!
For a chance to win a paperback of her book, be sure to leave a comment below by May 14! (US winner only)
Comment on Deena’s interview with Sarah Loudin Thomas by 5/14 for a chance to win a paperback of her #newrelease, These Tangled Threads. (US only) #AppalachianHistorical
TweetJoin the conversation. What part of Sarah’s interview resonated with you most? Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What about Appalachian stories? Do you have any questions for Sarah?
Be sure to comment below by May 14 for a chance to win a paperback of These Tangled Threads. (US winner only)
These Tangled Threads by Sarah Loudin Thomas
Click the book cover for purchase link
Seven years ago, a hidden betrayal scattered three young friends living in the shadow of Biltmore Estate. Now, when Biltmore Industries master weaver Lorna Blankenship is commissioned to create an original design for Cornelia Vanderbilt’s 1924 wedding, she panics knowing she doesn’t have the creativity needed. But there’s an elusive artisan in the Blue Ridge Mountains who could save her–if only she can find her.
To track the mysterious weaver down, Lorna sees no other way but to seek out the relationships she abandoned in shame. As she pulls at each tangled thread from her old life, Lorna is forced to confront the wounds and regrets of long ago. She’ll have to risk the job that shapes her identity as well as the hope of friendship–and love–restored.
In this seamlessly woven historical tale, award-winning Appalachian author Sarah Loudin Thomas delivers a poignant novel of friendship, artistry, restoration, and second chances.
Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her historical fiction is often set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia.
Sarah is the director of Jan Karon’s Mitford Museum in Hudson, NC. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Right Kind of Fool–winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year–and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live in western North Carolina.
Please share Sarah’s interview on social media to help spread the word about her book!
If you missed last week’s interview with Linda W. Rooks, find it here.
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
40 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Beverly, the winner of Sarah’s book! Thanks to everyone who watched and joined the conversation!
Danielle Hull
Hi, Deena! The cover of this book caught my attention, too! I love historical fiction, and I recently read an Appalachian story and loved it! I have still been pronouncing Appalachian incorrectly lol!
Deena Adams
Hi, Danielle. Thanks so much for watching and joining the conversation! Now I’m curious how you’re pronouncing Appalachian. LOL
Lynn Moore
Hey y’all….. what a fun interview! And now I have to add this to my growing “TBR” list. As you talked about the time you spend researching info before you actually write a book shows there’s so much that goes on in a writer’s world us readers aren’t aware of. Blessings on you both as “write on!”
Deena Adams
Hi, Lynn. Thanks so much for watching Sarah’s interview. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I had no idea all that went into writing and publishing books either until I started this ride almost six years ago!
Kristin Kozusko
Enjoyed the interview and can’t wait to read this book!
Beverly
Biltmore is my SIL’s favorite place and she’s a reader. This sounds like a fascinating story. I’m thinking not only will I enjoy it, but it will make a great gift for her as well. Enjoyed this interview!
Deena Adams
I’m sure your sister-in-law would be thrilled to get a copy of Sarah’s book, Beverly. Great idea! I’m glad you enjoyed the interview. Thanks for watching!
Debi L MacLean
I love the mountains and I enjoy reading stories about people who live there. Appalicians are very dear to my heart. Look forward to these stories.
Deena Adams
Thanks for watching and chiming in, Debi! Stories set in the mountains draw me as well.
Ruby Lee
I love that writing is a respite for for Sarah! That really spoke to me. Occasionally it feels stressful, but that’s only when I’m trying to rush ahead of God. I love that she blanked on her own novel name because that is totally something I will do someday! The only Appalachian novel I’ve ever read was “Mercy’s Rain” by Cindy K. Sproles and I loved it. I didn’t even know about this genre until recently. I also just visited Biltmore for the first time this past November, so I read “Maid to Match” by Deeanne Gist. Such a sweet book with so many wonderful details about the life and history of this estate and it sounds like Sarah’s will be the same way. Loved reading about a place I had just been to. And we all have some form of childhood trauma, so that’s a topic that can help people understand and work through their own struggles. Thank you both for such a wonderful interview!
Deena Adams
Hi, Ruby! So good to see you here. Thanks so much for watching Sarah’s interview and joining the conversation. It’s always fun to read about a location you’re familiar with, right? I hope you get to read Sarah’s book. 🙂
Chastity
I always enjoy a peek into the behind-the-scenes. Especially after having the honor to have met Sarah and since then becoming a true fan of her work as an author and as Director of The Mitford Museum. I love that we have a WV connection. I’m glad to contribute some family tree names to your characters 😆. My youngest, Ada,is the only one I named after my ancestors. I am looking forward to this book and those to come.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts, Chastity. It’s fun meeting authors, isn’t it?
Caryl Kane
Hey Deena and Sarah!
I so enjoyed this interview. I’m looking forward to reading These Tangled Threads!
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Hope you enjoy it!
Deena Adams
Hi, Caryl. I’m so glad you enjoyed Sarah’s interview. It was so much fun!
Julia Charpentier
This really looks like something I would absolutely love to read. It sounds amazing.
Deena Adams
I hope you get a chance to read Sarah’s book, Julia! Thanks for watching the interview and joining the conversation!
Perrianne Askew
Oh wow! This was a fabulous interview. I appreciate the fact that she works full time and still produces a book a year. I love the historical details, her excitement about a curator with keys to historical spaces that were pertinent to her book and where she could be “inside of her book.” I thought that was a fun element for her. I’m a little fascinated with Gentry’s name, since I knew some Gentry’s back in south Louisiana. I guess I could go on, but this interview definitely makes me want to read These Tangled Threads!
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for watching, Perrianne! I loved reading your thoughts on our discussion. 🙂
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Walking around inside my stories is the BEST. Glad it whetted your appetite 😉
Teresa A Moyer
Appalachian stories are begiing to become some my favorites. I too am more creative with anything in the evening. My nitch is like 8pm-midnight.
Deena Adams
Hi, Teresa. I really enjoy Appalachian stories too. I’m partial to any southern-type fiction. I like to stay up late but I wake up way too early for that these days. I’ve been fighting falling asleep all afternoon today trying to work on my book.
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Oooh, midnight. I’m impressed! I tend to be prett useless after 9:30 p.m.!
Patty
I think I’ve read each of Sarah’s books, and loved every one of them! I live only and hour or so from the Biltmore Estate, and have visited several times, so I can’t wait to read this book.
Deena Adams
Hi, Patty. You live in a beautiful part of the country! I’ve visited Asheville many times and love that area. Do have the gorgeous view of mountains where you live?
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Patty–it’s so good to “see” you here!
Jeanette Davis
Oh this interview was so good. The book sounds wonderful! It is amazing how all our lives have tangled threads that are weaved in and out and around other people…some good experiences some not so much—the only One who can make the whole picture lovely is Jesus! Thank you for this opportunity.
Deena Adams
I’m so glad you enjoyed Sarah’s interview, Jeanette. Jesus is the Master Weaver, isn’t He? He can make any mess beautiful.
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Isn’t the weaving metaphor just perfect??
Ashlyn Ohm
I’ve heard great things about this book, and I love Sarah’s other stories!
Deena Adams
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ashlyn! I haven’t read any of Sarah’s work yet, but I plan to!
Sarah Loudin Thomas
So glad the word on the street is good!
Dana McReynolds
I love historical fiction and Appalachian is one of my favorites. Can’t wait to read this one.
Deena Adams
Hi, Dana. Thanks so much for joining the conversation! I’m looking forward to reading this one too.
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Appalachia is the best place in the world 🙂
Priscilla Bettis
These Tangled Threads sounds so good! I admire weavers.
Deena Adams
Doesn’t it, Priscilla!!
Sarah Loudin Thomas
And I admire them MORE now that I have a smidge of insight into how much work it is!