The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

About the book: The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald’s wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.

When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood’s edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin’s absence, another unaware of his twin’s existence. And for Anna, who loves them both—Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him?

My thoughts: Lori Benton's books are always good reads that are packed with interest because she does quality research for the setting of her stories. Since I love history and reading about historical events, times, places, and people, The Wood's Edge was right at the top of the list for tweaking my interest. The interaction between Native Americans, Indians, and the settlers has always intrigued me.

In The Wood's Edge Benton captures the reality of captured whites (settlers) being immersed in the world of the Indians (Native Americans). When a set of twins is born during the midst of an attack by the French on a British fort to a white woman who seemingly is Indian, the story begins. One child seems white and the other Indian.

As the story evolves, we move into the conflict between the settlers (Colonists) and the British Crown. We see various interactions between settlers and Indians. But mostly we see how moving toward war and moving into emotional conflict as white world meets Indian world with the tumultuous and emotionally charged family dynamics factored into the mix. This is a heart-wrenching story of a time and people that shaped America.

A don't miss this one read!

 Click here to download chapter one of The Wood's Edge.

Meet the author: Lori Benton was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the eighteenth century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching, Lori enjoys exploring the Oregon wilderness with her husband. She is the author of Burning Sky, recipient of three Christy Awards, and The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate this review by Blogging for Books book review program on behalf of WaterBrook Press and the author. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.