The Wood's Edge

Written by Lori Benton

Narrated by Liz Pearce

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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490687346

Reviews for The Wood's Edge

[gincam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Author Lori Benton's lyrical prose brings to vivid life the conflicts of cultures and the struggle for power that shaped the expansion of the American Frontier. "The Woods Edge", set in the New York Territory of the late 1700's, richly details the consequences of one irrevocable decision made during a father's moment of profound grief. The lasting effects of his actions will ripple through many lives until they become a pounding wave of tormented emotion. Major Reginald Aubrey thinks to spare his wife's health and sanity by switching their own dead newborn son for the living child of a former captive woman who had given birth to twin boys--one Indian and one white. Giving the blonde infant to his wife brings her peace, but this deception will bring tumult to all those involved. As their personal lives unfold, so does the history of America, as the frontier's bloody battles will ultimately merge with the great upheaval of the Revolutionary War. The people of the Oneida Nation faced severe repercussions for allying with the British, and their place in American history is given due attention. Stepping back into history to touch our roots is of immeasurable importance to our present day and our future. Splendid storytellers like Lori Benton who revere history and have a deep, abiding faith are to be treasured. "The Woods Edge" refers to a ceremony in which strangers approaching a community were met at the "town limits" or edge of the woods by a delegation who would approve their entry or send them on their way. This book is the first in "The Pathfinders Series" from wonderful writer Lori Benton.Book Copy Gratis WaterBrook Press via Blogging for Books

[caslater83 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Okay.

It's a clean book, but I have no desire to re-read it again. I simply could not enjoy the story. The synopsis was very intriguing, but I quickly lost interest when I started reading.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton sat on my shelf waaay too long! Ever since reading her excellent debut novel, Burning Sky, I knew I had to read more of her books. But alas, the TBR pile reaches to the rafters. So to make sure I would move this worthy book up to the top of the pile, I convinced my book club to make it one of our 2017 selections. And am I ever glad! The Wood’s Edge is another well-crafted and researched historical novel that I would recommend to anyone. The only drawback, if you can call it that, is that there is a sequel, A Flight of Arrows. Now to influence my book club to add it . . . .The setting of The Wood’s Edge is the New York frontier in the 20 years leading up to the Revolutionary War. A lot happens in that time — the culmination of the French And Indian War, the expansion of the white settlers into previously held Indian lands, and the growing dissent of the colonials with His Majesty’s governance. World changing events. But for two families, one white and one Indian, their worlds are changed by the switching of two babies during the siege of Fort William Henry. As one family grieves and vows vengeance, another is haunted by guilt that cannot be confessed. As the colonies march towards war, the two families are on a collision course that can shatter more than one life.I love when a novel teaches me. I learned so many things about colonial life, the make-up of early Native American society, and the efforts of missionaries to bring the gospel to the the Six Nations of The Iroquois Confederacy. The Wood’s Edge is so well-written, that I felt I had stepped back in time as I immersed myself in the story. Characters, true to the time period, are complex, real, relatable, and relevant for the modern reader. None are perfect, but have flaws and sins common to us all. The female characters are especially strong and are vital to the story. The theme of undeserved grace runs throughout the narrative and is beautifully portrayed in more than one character. I believe this book will create great conversation at my book club.I highly recommend The Wood’s Edge to anyone looking for a thoughtful and thought-provoking novel. For fans of early American history, this book is a must read!Highly Recommended.Great for book clubs.Audience: adults.(I won this book in a giveaway. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[karin7-11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In 1757 a British officer, Reginal Aubrey. whose wife has just lost another baby at birth, desperate to spare his wife yet another grief, swaps his dead son for the white looking twin born to a European woman who has been raised as an Oneida. During their flight from the fort, he rescues a recently orphaned baby girl he finds just after her parent were slain and takes her as their own. Haunted by the terrible deed he did in taking the little boy, now called William, he berates himself for years to come. His wife loves their son, not knowing what happened as she fell asleep so soon she hadn’t even really looked at the one she bore, but never likes Anna, the girl they rescued, whereas she is the apple of Reginald’s eye.Lydia is a young girl when she first meets the Major and guiltily in love with him as she grows up, although as a devout Christian she feels badly about it. Good Voice mourns her son, He-Who-was-Taken, loses all of her other babies, but raises William’s twin Two Hawks. Her husband vows vengeance. Their community comes into some confusion when a missionary arrives, who chooses to live simply and to have no more than the Oneida have. The title comes from the friendship that forms between Two Hawks and Anna who see each other at the edge of the woods where she loves to to.The first part of the novel was not particularly likable and I thought if I finished it, it would be rated two stars, but as the younger generation grew up, I found there was more to like, so am giving it a rating averaged through the book.

[lindz2012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a story about a British soldier and an Indian woman. We learn a bit of history while during the book. I enjoyed how life was after Fort William went down.

It about a forgiving of what happen to an Indian woman who has twins and one is taken. One twin is white while the other is brown. So a soldier takes the white baby. He seems to not want to upset his wife and tell her baby had died.

Anna makes a friendship with Two hawks when her brother goes to college in Wales. What will happen to Anna when she finds out the truth about her. What will happen when her brother William finds out. What will happen when William finds out.

[sheiladeeth_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lori Benton brings the world of North America’s clashing cultures to life in this first novel of the Pathfinders series. The story is set in a time when America is moving toward independence, with great facts of history woven gently into the lives and concerns of everyday people. War’s accidental cruelties, loyalties unintentionally broken, and lives torn apart by actions that can’t be undone, all play their part. Meanwhile different faiths come into conflict, as Oneida tribesmen and women ponder the implications of the Christian Father Creator.The author weaves her Christianity seamlessly into this story. For some characters, it’s a vital part of their lives. For others it’s neglected or cruel. And for still others, faith is that thing which renders them unforgivably, permanently guilty and deserving of pain. But a father’s dream of vengeance is set against a parent’s unfailing love. A poor man’s need to hunt for food meets the rich man’s need for land. And the lives of tribe and settler begin to intertwine.I love how the author renders her characters’ worlds, thoughts and beliefs so vividly real. I love the innate generosity of their interactions. And I love the promise of hope, as life changes people and the world faces anger and pain. Well-timed, well-placed hints of scripture sing like the songs of Wales, while lovingly-told traditions of the older world offer a wonderful counterpoint. A girl who knows more medicine than men will allow, meets a man who needs more medicine than human care can give. Nature and nurture will come face to face with the contentment of acceptance. And nightmare’s dreams might come true.The story builds on human error, trusts in divine purpose, and stands its ground on the back stage of history. It builds to a perfect conclusion, not quite complete, but finished enough to leave the reader satisfied and eager for more. This will surely be a great series.Disclsoure: Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

[wrbinpa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An impulsive decision made by Reginald Aubrey causes many years of repercussions for the lives of many. The buried truth and a lifetime of lies and deceptions unfold slowly and steadily as tensions escalate throughout this compelling story.The author really gets into the hearts and minds of the characters, some likeable and some not so likeable. This is truly an engaging story that will capture your emotions, and keep you absorbed through to the end. The ending doesn’t necessarily bring peace and resolution, but has issues that will lead nicely into the second installment of this Pathfinder’s series.I highly recommend this great historical fiction with a 5 star rating - definitely a 2015 favorite!I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[cinachilders · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Wood’s Edge, in my opinion, is one of the best historical fiction books so far this year. There are so many layers of flawless storytelling, which made everything play out in my head like a movie (it really needs to be a movie or a TV series). Each individual story, from Reginald to Lydia and to Anna, came across as genuine, touching, and sometimes even heartbreaking. Despite being a fairly thick book, I wanted even more.The Wood’s Edge was much more than I was expecting. It’s not a typical revenge story and it is also not a typical redemption story either. Like I mentioned before, there are so many layers to this story and it is not easy to side with one character or another. It’s a hard situation for everyone. And, because of a tragedy, Reginald’s desperate decision that day resulted in more than what he had bargained for and he had to live with that guilt for many years.By the end of the book, however, when the secret surrounding the stolen boy’s true origins become known to everyone, we are left to wonder and wait for the next book to truly see what the full effect was on him. William, his name given to him by Reginald and his wife, was actually not all that actively present in the book, but was mentioned the most. I want to, hopefully, see what he thinks about this new revelation to him, after all he is one of the last to know.The Wood’s Edge is a book that deserves to be read, reread, and shared. It’s almost unbearable to wait until 2016 for book two.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This has been one of my favorite books in 2015. I don't seem to read as many books set during this time period but this one was great. I look forward to finding out what happens to all these characters in the next one in 2016. It will be a long wait. This would have been a hard decision to make and then to live with..