Silver Threads, Golden Needles

V.T. Murdock III beat up his spouse before leaving her to die. Somehow, Lynn recovered and fled knowing the next time she could be dead. Lynn opens up an underground railroad for abused women while using a magical golden needle to stitch quilts that bring comfort to troubled people.Lynn's world shatters when Grant Major arrives looking for his runaway sister Betts. He confronts Lynn, demanding she give him his sibling to take home because Betts is under a doctor's care and has pulled this vanishing stunt in the past. He fears for her safety. Inadvertently, Grant has brought Murdock back into the picture, as he and V.T. may become business partners. Now Grant has to protect more than just his sibling this time, as he and Lynn begin to fall in love perhaps with her healing quilts giving the duo an edge.SILVER THREADS, GOLDEN NEEDLES is a warm magical romance that centers on two themes: everyone needs loves and hugs, and the impact of spousal abuse. The story line is cleverly conceived so that the reader can feel the pain and fear of the victims while also observing the uplifting romance between the lead characters. What keeps the plot from becoming maudlin is Grant, a compassionate person who goes the extra meter to take care of people he cherishes. Paula McKinley must have used a golden word processor to write this winner.Harriet Klausner