The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton

While Fort William Henry has surrendered, Major Reginald Aubrey makes a decision that will haunt him the rest of his life. When he comes across a sleeping woman with two babies beside her—one white and one brown—grief and sorrow over the loss of his newborn son and love and worry for his wife’s mind and health push him to lay his day son in the place of the white child. As they escape from the siege of the fort, the Aubreys come upon another child, a girl whose parents have been murdered by Indiana. That one decision weaves together hurts, heartaches, and guilt in many lives.

Years later, it is Anna, the girl Reginald considers the one pure thing in his life, who loves them all—the brother she’s grown up with, the papa who saved her life and still bears the scar from it, and the Indian boy who she initially mistakes for William who becomes her friend. When the truth comes to light, can two families survive a lifetime of guilt, longing, and the desire for revenge?

This is a story of two men, two fathers. One is consumed by guilt and shame for the fateful decision he made. The other is consumed with the desire for revenge against the man who stole his son. Both men have one thing in common. Their families suffer because of their actions and inner turmoil. The Path Finders is an appropriate name for this series (yes, it’s a series and you will be glad of that when the book ends with a few loose ends). As these men, and others, find their path to each other, to a son and brother who has been absent since birth, and to a God who is forgiving and life-changing.

I am always pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy Lori Benton’s books. You see, I’m not one of those people who loves history. But, I do enjoy historical fiction now and then. Some of these books can be mired down with too many dates, names and events. Benton manages the balance between history and fiction well, detailing the lives of the Oneida people and even the months leading up to the Revolutionary War while keeping the reader engaged with the day-to-day lives of her characters. You will not regret this read.

****Blogging for Books provided me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.