I love the books in the 'The Hawk and The Dove' series. They are a form of pure escapism for me, escape to a more gentle world filled with Grace and beauty. Sadly I have only one more in the series to go. I don't know where I'll go from here. ( )

Another delightful entry into the Hawk and the Dove series. The theme of the book is kindness, perhaps best represented by Father Abbot John, who exemplifies the milk of human kindness by his previous actions and is now reaping their result and the visiting bishop, who exemplifies cruelty and inflexibility. ( )

The thread in this book is kindness, in some cases more important than love. It can be given even when you don't like the other person and heals both of you. ( )

This is the 8th book in The Hawk and the Dove series. I enjoyed reading more about the brothers of St. Alcuins and how they handle the appearance of less-than-savory bishop. William is one of the main characters; I always enjoy him and Abbott John. Once again, there is a definite Christian message to the book and several good small sermons by John. He is tempted just a bit in this novel, so we get to see another humble side of him as he deals with this. ( )

Title: The Beautiful Thread (The Hawk & the Dove #8)
Author: Penelope Wilcock
Pages: 208
Year: 2016
Publisher: Lion Fiction
My rating is 4 stars.
The focus on this eighth book in this series is again William du Bulmer and Abbot John. This time, however, the drama is not on William’s love life, but Abbot John’s. St. Alcuin’s is to host a big wedding. As a result, Father Conradus, who is in charge of the kitchen, needs extra help with all the food preparations. It is suggested that he notify his mother to have her come and help. This being done, she agrees and soon arrives at St. Alcuin’s. Abbot John immediately feels comfortable in her presence and wants to spend more time with her under the guise of showing her around the monastery and other excuses. Some of the other monks immediately notice the change in their abbot’s attitude toward this woman. Will St. Alcuin’s lose another man to a woman?
The other situation going on in the story is a visit from one of the higher ups in the monastic hierarchy. His visit happens to coincide with all the wedding plans and incoming guests, so tension is running high among the monks as they try to get everything ready for both events. Bishop Eric inspects St. Alcuin’s property, grills the novitiates and applauds the food from the kitchen. Then he hears from his assistant that William de Bulmer has been seen at St. Alcuin’s. Bishop Eric now is on a manhunt for William to bring charges against him, excommunicate him and then execute him! Can William escape the noose a second time?
As always, this book portrays these monks with great care in their vulnerability, transparency and humanness. They strive to be Christ like, but sometimes fail just like us. They ask for forgiveness, try to do better and sometimes succeed just like us. I really liked the idea of the beautiful thread revealed in this story; it really hit home what I can do to be more like Christ in my treatment of others. I am so looking forward to the final book in the series, A Day and a Life, due to be released in September 2016 to see what the monks are up to next!
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