The Wood's Edge, by Lori Benton

First of all I want to thank the Publisher, Water Brook, and the author, Lori Benton, for making a copy of the book available to me in exchange for an unbiased review.

In 1757 the British Colonies in America are having a war with the French and their Indian (Native American Indian) allies. Our book starts with the defeat of the British at Fort William Henry in Lake George, New York. Major Reginald Aubrey is the second in command at the Fort and had the privilege of having his wife with him at this posting.

As the fort is falling to the French and Indians his wife Heledd gives birth to their first child, a son. But it is a difficult birth and the child only lives a few minutes after birth. Major Aubrey doesn't know how he is going to tell his wife this. Also he is dealing with the emotions of a massive military defeat and having to make sure that all his men and settlers evacuate the Fort during the cease fire that the French have allowed.

Major Aubrey does the unthinkable, he sees another woman (an Indian Captive) who has also just given birth, for her it was twin sons. Aubrey exchanges his dead child for one of her living children, who will ever know, besides him?

The rest of the novel is the life of Major Reginald Aubrey, his wife Heledd and their stolen son, William. You will be taken on the ride of their life as they leave the military, help the Colonies rebel against England, try and make a life for their family in the English Settlement and while Aubrey deals with the knowledge of his deception.

In the background is the Indian family who knows that their son was taken. They strive to learn who the "Redcoat" was that took their infant. Their struggle is to deal with the loss, the bitterness and the revenge that they want to have on Redcoat Aubrey.

Also running through the novel is the thread of the story of each person coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and how they deal with their new found faith, with their old sins, their bitterness and anger. 

Frankly the best part of the novel is the great way that Lori Benton weaves the Gospel and the theme of Salvation and Forgiveness through each of the lives of the characters. This is another great "Christian Novel" that actually gets it right, it isn't sugar coated or syrupy religious jargon, it is real people with real problems meeting a real savior and finding out what it means to have a true relationship with their Creator.

One of the best novels I have read thus far this year.

Enjoy!