Lori Benton spent her late teens and early twenties pursuing a career as a wildlife artist, attending the Maryland College of Art & Design before she began painting professionally. When not writing or researching, Lori can be found exploring the mountains of southern Oregon with her husband, Brian. Lori's first novel, Burning Sky was nominated as an ECPA 2014 Christian Book Award Finalist and also received double nominations for 2014 Christy Awards. The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn is her second novel.
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, 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:
“You have crucified yourself, but
that work will never be finished….It cannot be.
You are not Christ.”
(p. 353)
Lydia’s declaration here, at this point in Lori Benton’s novel, The Wood’s Edge, captures the very
essence of the lives of the characters in this story. They have all lived on the edge of the
truth. Until grace, mercy and
forgiveness capture their hearts, they crucify themselves anew to keep a secret
hidden for more than two decades. What a
beautiful, brutal journey toward forgiveness is captured in these pages!
Honestly, the premise that the entire story hinges upon is a detail few
would consider for more than a moment when you consider the war that raged
between the French and Indian people….and then between the British and the
newly-formed America. Many people were lost during that time – lost
to their loved ones for a myriad of reasons.
Lori Benton weaves an intricate story among the lives of her
characters. She does it so seamlessly,
that by the time you reach the end, and the main characters have grown up right
before your eyes….well, let’s just say if you don’t bawl your eyes out, then
you truly have a heart of stone.
Your tears will reflect awe, sadness, loss, joy, tender love…so many
emotions! Whether you are a parent, an
adult child of a parent who has loved you
well, or someone who appreciates a true romance that blossoms in a very
difficult circumstance your heart will be profoundly moved by this story! Share it with those you love! Read it time and time again as you wait for
the next story in this most excellent series!!
WOW!! Such an amazing story!!
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Wood's Edge, go HERE.
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