Customer Reviews

Threads of Hope (Fabric of Time)

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4 star:		(2)
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So many people came to America with its promise of a vastly better life, only to be sorely disappointed. Poor Kristin. How discouraging to realize that your family does not welcome you, and how heartbreaking to be betrayed by those you thought loved you.

Threads of Hope was a lovely story of a young girl who feels abandoned and a young man who fights against his father's hatred and bitterness. Together, Kristin and Sam find love and forgiveness.

I was surprised at the Olstads' response to Kristin's harsh treatment by her uncle, but I guess fear (and culture shock) can display itself in many ways. I also had a hard time with Karl Sundberg. He seemed like he would be nice, but prejudice and bitterness can change your demeanor and testimony so drastically. What a shame. What a reminder to us to have a tender and teachable heart at all times!

This is the second book I've read of Andrea's, and I enjoy her style and subject matter. I am looking forward to the next book in this Fabric of Time series, Threads of Faith, which is coming in October 2012!

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all thoughts are 100% mine.*

In Threads of Hope, Andrea Boeshaar has weaved a heartwarming tale of honor, forgiveness, and romance, set in Wisconsin, in the year 1848. After losing both of her parents, Kristen Eikaas travels from her native Norway to America, along with her Uncle Lars and his family, seeking a better life only to find disillusion and heartbreak. Instead of the lovely home her uncle has promised, she finds herself in a one-room shanty with barely enough to eat, in a town filled with division, prejudice, and superstition. Kristin finds herself immediately drawn to her handsome neighbor, Sam Sundberg, but is forbidden to have anything to do with him or his family.

After the death of Sam's mother, his father marries a lovely Christian woman from the Oneida Indian tribe, and Uncle Lars in his ignorance and prejudice, claims that the Sundbergs cast spells on people. Mr. Sundberg, on the other hand, claims that Uncle Lars stole their silver many years ago, and a lifelong feud ensues between the two families. As false accusations arise, Kristen is forced from her uncle's home and the Sundbergs hire her as a housegirl, in spite of Sam's father's intense dislike of her, because she is an Eikaas.

Is there any hope for Sam and Kristen to find happiness together, when all odds are stacked against them? Is there any hope for forgiveness and reconciliation to tear down the walls of bitterness that have been built over the years?

I have read almost all of Andrea Boeshaar's novels and this one certainly did not disappoint. Her characters were very realistic, with many human frailties, and her research into the history of Wisconsin and the Indian land negotiations, was extensive and very interesting. A true story of love, forgiveness, unforgettable characters, and a strong spiritual thread throughout, this book will keep the reader turning those pages until the very satisfying conclusion! Another wonderful novel from the pen of Andrea Boeshaar!

This is a very good book! I was able to read this in just a few hours! I like a book that ends well. The story was complete even though it is the start of a series. Kristin is a likable honest girl who has a poor reception in America. You find yourself pulling for her, hoping things will get better. I highly recommend this book and am interested in reading more books from this author.

Kristin Eikaas struggles to find footing in America, after her family dies of the smallpox, in Norway. Coming to a new land has many challenges, one of them being her lazy uncle and his feud with his neighbors the Sundbergs. Another is her attraction to Sam Sundberg.

At times the dialogue was stiffer than I would have liked, but that is my personal opinion. But the story flowed along, and was easy to follow. I liked how one of the main messages, was about how prejudices can build rifts, and hurt not only other but also yourself. I enjoyed learning more about Wisconsin's journey to statehood.

One of my favorite characters was Sam, because he knew who he was and what he wanted in life. He also knew what he didn't want. Plus he had faith and prayed over situations, trusting God to do what was best for his life.

Overall, Threads of Hope is a romance about overcoming hardships and prejudices, with God's loving guidance. I would recommend it to people who are looking for a cross between a sweet romance and an emotional love story with heartaches. Thanks!

After the death of her family, Kristin Eikaas leaves Norway and arrives in Wisconsin at her uncle's farm. Anxious for a new start, Kristin quickly discovers that her uncle was less than honest about his situation and she finds herself in a difficult, abusive home. Her uncle has a deep dislike for the Sundberg family because Sam Sundberg's stepmother is Indian. Sam's father doesn't like the Sundberg's because he believes they stole silver from him years before. Yet, Kristin and Sam find themselves drawn to each other and when she helps his young sister, her family kicks her out. Sam's family brings her into their home as household help and Kristin finds herself falling in love.

As the feud between the Sundberg's and the Eikaas' grows, the town and church congregation find themselves divided. Discovering how, and if, that divisiveness can be healed makes Threads of Hope a compelling novel.

Some of the dialogue was a bit stilted and formal at times, but this was a sweet story about love and forgiveness. Andrea Boeshaar has a gift for creating realistic characters and situations. I've enjoyed everything I've read from her so far and as this is the first book in the Fabric of Time series, I eagerly look forward to more.

Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The year is 1848 and Kristin Eikaas has just arrived in Wisconsin from Norway. Her Uncle Lars had written her and told her how wonderful living in America would be. She is now all alone, as her parents and brothers all died in the Small Pox epidemic two years prior.
She shared her glowing letters of the life her Uncle pictured for her in the US with her best friends family. In the end the Olsteads, John and Peder, her friend Sylvia's father and brother decided to come with her. Her Uncle did remind her to bring his inheritance, the gold watch that had been her father's and grandfather's.
Everything looks as Uncle Lar's had described, but he wasn't describing his own place, but the neighbors.
There is bad blood between Lar's and Karl Sundberg, and he tells them that Karl's Indian wife puts curses on people. That is why they have nothing, and in reality you soon find out that Uncle Lar's is very lazy.
The town does become torn apart, and even the Norwegian church is affected. Will God be able to soften their hearts, and will they remember the forgiveness that Jesus offered all? Will Kirsten and Karl's son Sam be able to work to a relationship between the two feuding families?
Once you pick this book up, you won't be able to put it down!

I received this book from the Publisher Reals, and was not required to give a positive review.