These Tangled Threads

Bells of Lowell #3

by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller

Raised in an atmosphere of equality, Daughtie Winfield is outspoken in her support for the rights of others, from the mill girls threatening a strike over pitiful working conditions to the immigrants living on the other side of town. So she is unprepared for the hostility--even from some who claim to hold similar beliefs--aroused by her growing friendship with Liam Donohue, an Irish artisan.

Behind the scenes, a disgruntled former employee conspires with a one-time mill partner in a devilish plan that imperils not only the operation of the mills but those dearest to Daughtie. As dissention and upheaval threaten the future of the textile industry, Daughtie longs for peace--in her working world and deep within her heart.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

About the author

Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

pen name: Janelle Jamison

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library)]

An enjoyable conclusion.

[Laura]

I have truly enjoyed all three books in this Series. They are stories that are hard to put down. I learned a great deal regarding women’s rights back then. how they fought each day to make a life for themselves as well as helping their families far way. I was greatly saddened how the Irish families were treated As well as the plight of the runaway slaves. I greatly applaud those who would provide a safe house with a candle in the window for them as they travelled to Canada.

[Kate S]

This book felt like it tried to cram a lot of issues into very few pages. I would have liked to see some of these issues (inequality, sexism, racism, etc) addressed earlier in the series so they could have been wrapped up in this book. I have loaned this series to my grandmother as I think they may be more to her liking.

[Maranda Case]

My favorite of this series! Other reviews have said that they felt that there were many issues (slavery, social classes, ext.) crammed in this book. But I didn't feel that way. I really enjoyed this book!

[Mary]

Concluded the series of "Bells of Lowell". A wonderful series when women first started to work outside the home in American mills weaving cotton. Most of the cotton was raised in the South with slaves working the fields. It was a time that freedom was discussed among sexes and cultures. Negroes were thought to be below whites, and in this period of history, the Irish had also come to America and were thought to be poor and trashy. Through the Word of God, some come to realize that no one people are better than another. Daughtie, who moves to Lowell, MA along with her friend Bella, both leave a narrow society of believers. Although they are happy to leave the organization behind that they feel does not follow the Bible, they do still believe as they were taught,in that they believe in equality of the races. Both girls go to work in the Textile Mills, learning much about life and love. Women are paid less at that time for their work even though the only employees beside the supervisors are women. Bella falls in love with a Christian man and marries while Daughtie falls in love with an Irish heathen. While helping the underground Negroes and becoming friends, Liam finds the Lord and he and Daughtie agree to marry against all odds of the community. When their friends see that they do love each other and are very happy, they rally to their side as changes come to the community.

[Ellie]

The third book in the Bells of Lowell series captures the story of Daughtie as she fights for the equality of every citizen, regardless of heritage. From the implications of her association with an Irish worker to her stand of beliefs due to workplace conditions, her growth as a woman of independence is tested, as well as her faith. And as friendship grows to love, she risks losing the friendships she's held dear since her new life in Lowell began. In the space a few short years, Daughtie has emerged as a strong young woman, capable of making her own decisions... even ones that those closest to her would view as serious mistakes. A must read for those who have already come to love DAUGHTER OF THE LOOM and A FRAGILE DESIGN, and those who value historical fiction.

[Fleurd]

I borrowed from the library but I intend to purchase the whole series of 6 books. I could read them over and over and I rarely find books that I would do that with. I love these Lowell series. I have learned so much about the textile industry, the life, and beliefs of the 1800s from these books in addition to God's plan. I highly recommend these books Lights of Lowell as well as Bells of Lowells. These well research,captivating book have som much into them and read fast. I could not put them down. They were easy to read and I felt totally emerged into the time period and not distracted by too much description. I love these books by Traci and Judith. I feel as if I know them from their books.

[Mandy Spigle]

Another great read from Tracie Peterson. The Belles of Lowell series transports you to a different time when life was tough and finding true friends was even tougher. The chronicling of these girls lives during the industrial revolution will make you laugh, cry and thank God for your 8-5 desk job! Be ready to be sucked in to a series you won't want to put down!

[Andrea Stoeckel]

This is a poor finale for the three book arc. It just feels like too many issues crammed into 300 pages: racism, sexism, classism, anger, industrial change over keeping things as they were, and espionoge just don't untangle. Abolishenism and the eclogy of the area just seem asides.

And the ending just doesn't wash

[Leigh Ann]

This was a great ending to a great series. It is not fast paced, but the history is amazing, there is enough romance and mystery to keep you interested and the writing is top-notch. You feel like you get to know the girls and their struggles.

[Partridge Public]

Peterson, Tracie PB
Miller, Judith

[Martin Bihl]

Would have liked more history, less God.

[Heather]

I had to finish the trilogy. Much the same as the others, but not unpleasant by any means. A light quick read.

[AmyJo]

This book was a fun read but a little long.

[Denise]

A good, thought provoking novel

[Bunni]

It was a fun book with unusual characters. It took place in the early 1800's when the color of your skin and where you were born made a big difference. So sad.

[Susan Farrell]

This book took too much time talking about the textile industry ,I started skimming through it to get to the personal ,interesting parts which were about hiding slaves and the Irish immigrants.

[Mary Bronson]

I thought this was a very good book. I really enjoyed reading it. The plot and the characters were very well written. I was hooked from page one. I can not wait to keep on reading this series.

[Brittany Larkin]

by far my favorite book in this series

[Katrina Hosking]

Enjoyed the book, but the end seemed a little rushed or compacted to make a resolution for all the storylines going on.

[Sara]

http://danzact.blogspot.com/2014/08/t...

[Sally]

This series of 3 books was very good. It was interesting learning about the 1830's industrialization with textile mills, anti-slavery, as well as personal struggles in life. I enjoyed these books.

[Linda Williams]

great series

[Debby Baumgartner]

Daughtie must decide whether to marry an Irish man despite that it might make her an outcast.
Will the girls at the textile mills strike?

[Carolyn Lockwood]

I didn't want the book to end. I became so invested in their story.

[Lee]

I hesitated about reading this one once I realized it's evidently the third book in a series and although past events are skimmed over and it would have been helpful to have more background on some of the characters, it wasn't difficult to follow.

This tale involves the British, Irish and Americans during the time of textile mills and slavery with some jealousy, distrust and vengefulness thrown in. While the storyline maintained my interest, toward the end it focused almost entirely on religion and Christianity...it almost seemed as though the authors got to the endpoint and suddenly realized this is Bethany House Publishers, the home of Christian fiction and non-fiction so they needed to make sure the reader is clear on the fact that prayers were answered and not just the key characters just followed their hearts and did the right thing.

[Dorothy]

I liked this book even though I had not read the other books in this series. It is about Daughtie who works in one of the textile mills on the east coast where there is unrest. Her best friends have traveled to England to visit family. While they are gone a new doctor has come to reside in the same rooming house she lives in. And she has become friends with Liam, an Irish immigrant.

[Lauri Gentry]

A lot of story packed between the pages. A fight for equal rights, discrimination against the Irish and making a safe-house for run away slaves. Daughtie must also ask herself if she can marry for love if Liam does not share her faith.

[Bonny Rambarran]

GREAT BOOK -- Irish tradesman - at a time when Irish were not looked kindly on. She was a Shaker - and as such believed everyone was the same in God's eyes.
There are a few plot lines in this book. and it sure kept it interesting as they mixed, mingled and split!

[Leah]

This was okay. I don’t think it was as well plotted as the other books and just seemed to have too many plots that were not all answered by the end.