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, 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,
Series: The Pathfinders
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (April 21, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601427328
ISBN-13: 978-1601427328
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace.
Lori's debut novel, Burning Sky, earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.
MY REVIEW
The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton is another superb read. This is Lori’s third book and each one is excellent. I’ve read all of them and will continue to look for her books in the future. Book 2 of the Pathfinders series will be out next year. Can’t wait.
All of the characters in this series are well developed and very likable. When Reginald stole the white twin of a woman to give to his wife as their own son and placed his dead son in the other woman’s arms it just is such a sad and desperate move. You will feel the anguish of all of the parents involved. How one seeks revenge, how one is so very guilty. The mother that had her baby stolen knew right away when she woke what happened and how her heart was torn open with the grief. The mother who had her child die didn’t realize the switch so she loves this child fiercely.
I love the names of the twins who were born to the Indian father and white mother. They are called Two Hawks and He-is-Taken.
Also in the story a little girl {Anna} was almost murdered by the Indians but Reginald saved her. She meets Two Hawks in the woods, but doesn’t know that her adopted brother is really Two Hawks twin brother. Anna forms a friendship with him and they meet to talk of her brother, which is Two Hawks real brother.
This is really a heart touching, precious story. Of loss, love, vengeance, forgiveness. Very good novel. I highly recommend it.
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Thanks to WaterBrookMultnomah for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255
