Teresa Mathews Reviews Lori Benton's THE WOOD'S EDGE

The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

Waterbrook Press

Have you ever picked up a book and before you know what has happened you find yourself so enthralled that you don't want to put it down? This magnificent tale by Lori Benton is one of those stories.

Ms. Benton takes us back in time to the 1757 New York frontier, where life at the British Fort "William Henry" is about to come to an abrupt end by the hands of blood-thirsty, marauding Indians.  What takes place during this horrific time will forever change the lives of two families.  

Amidst the fighting Major Reginald Aubrey watched his fragile wife give birth to a son, then moments later while she slept, he realizes the boy has died. Deciding to take him away for burial before Heledd awakens, Reginald heads outside. On the way he sees a young woman that was taken from the Oneida Indians who has given birth to twins, one as fair as she is and the other as dark as his Indian father. Barely thinking twice, the grieving father makes a decision that will haunt him for years to come; he switches the babies.

Barely escaping with their lives, Reginald with Heledd and baby William head for safety, on the way they come upon a family that was all slaughtered by the Indians, except for a little girl, who appears less than a year old. Knowing he cannot leave her, Anna becomes a part of their family.

Years later Heledd takes William to Wales where he furthers his education, leaving behind Reginald and a heart broken Anna. Mourning for her brother, Anna visits their favorite childhood spot near the edge of the woods and there she meets a young Indian brave by the name of Two Hawks, who oddly reminds her of William. They form a fast bond and what develops after that encounter will bring about the healing of two families.

Lori Benton is an absolute master storyteller; with her descriptive wording she paints a picture that you will forever want to hold in your heart. This story takes you to the deepest depths of despair and then to the highest heights of redemption and forgiveness. The storyline is both captivating and emotional; there are scenes that were so moving I was brought to tears. The ending was different than what I thought it would be but it was both rewarding and satisfying and I can barely wait to see where this story leads as it will be continued in the next book in this series.

*Thanks to Waterbrook Press for supplying a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.* 

You may pre-order this and other books by Lori at Amazon, CBD, BAM and Barnes and Noble

GIVEAWAY: Two copies of The Wood's Edge will be given away to two blessed commenters on any of the posts this week! E-book only to International winner!