Author L.W. Ellis cites as the source of her beautifully told love story an ancient Chinese proverb “An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet. The thread may stretch or tangle but it will never break.” And indeed her love story of Rachel and John does that, “it tangles and stretches, but it never breaks.” In fact, their love is so intense that it embeds itself in their DNA. Basically the story starts in 1830,s Tennessee. John and Rachel’s wish to marry is rejected by her father because John has neither property nor position. So, he goes to join Davy Crockett in Texas with a promise that he will receive acreage when the battle is over. He promises Rachel he will write her. But after 3 years of no letters, she comes to believe John has died and marries Luke, a man who had desired her for a long time. They eventually have a baby named Andrew. This is an important plot twist for three years later, when John returns to Tennessee, Rachel must choose between her baby, whom she loves enormously and John. One of the things that Ellis tries to show is the status of women in the 1830,s. Rachel virtually has none. She is, more or less, property. But the love between Rachel and John is so intense, it carries through their DNA to Austin, Texas in the 1990’s. Ellis has very masterfully written a powerful and beautiful love story, but the reader must read both novels to get it’s full impact.

— Carl Yoke

What’s better than a fine romance? A fine romance with the promise of a sequel. The recently released series Slender Threads delivers a delightful one-two punch in just this fashion. The first book, Slender Threads: Fate, is set in 1830s Tennessee. The second, Slender Threads: Destiny, takes place in Texas in the 1990s. Together they relate the interwoven tale of two Texas families over a period of more than 150 years. Fate begins with Rachel Edmunds Thompson learning that her beloved John Rollins is not dead after all, having survived the Texas Revolution despite reports to the contrary. However, years have passed since John left Tennessee, and Rachel has married another man at her father’s urging. What’s more, the union has produced a child, who is the joy of Rachel’s life. The story unfolds as Rachel and John struggle with the hard choices their situation required in the 1830s. Be forewarned: The dramatic ending will leave you desperately wanting more of this gripping saga. Order both books at the same time and save yourself the anguish of waiting for the second one to arrive.

— Nola McKey