The Wood’s Edge
Lori Benton
About the Book:
At the wood’s edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?
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 and 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?
About 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.
My Review:
The Wood’s Edge is the first book in the Pathfinders series by author Lori Benton. Ms. Benton has written some great books and I enjoy reading her work. This book, even though it is a long read, is by far one of her best. Set in 1757, when the New York frontier was home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, Ms. Benton takes us back to Colonial America.
The Wood’s Edge is the story of Reginald Aubrey and a secret he is hiding from his wife and daughter. Grief stricken from the fall of Fort William Henry, and then his newborn son dies in the arms of his sleeping wife the same day, Reginald is beside himself. As he is out, he comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white and one black; Reginald steals the white baby and leaves his own son behind. His wife and daughter never suspect anything but Reginald has to live with his decision and over time it starts working on him.
What will happen when Reginald’s secret is exposed? Will his wife ever forgive him? What about the mother whom he stole the baby from? The Wood’s Edge is a great read and will definitely have you hooked. When you decide to read it, make sure you have enough time set aside, because you will not want to put it down.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions expressed are my own.
A Greater Yes 