Many Sparrows by Lori Benton

About the Book
Either she and her children would emerge from that wilderness together, or none of them would…
In 1774, the Ohio-Kentucky frontier pulses with rising tension and brutal conflicts as Colonists push westward and encroach upon Native American territories. The young Inglesby family is making the perilous journey west when an accident sends Philip back to Redstone Fort for help, forcing him to leave his pregnant wife Clare and their four-year old son Jacob on a remote mountain trail.
When Philip does not return and Jacob disappears from the wagon under the cover of darkness, Clare awakens the next morning to find herself utterly alone, in labor and wondering how she can to recover her son...especially when her second child is moments away from being born.

Clare will face the greatest fight of her life, as she struggles to reclaim her son from the Shawnee Indians now holding him captive. But with the battle lines sharply drawn, Jacob’s life might not be the only one at stake. When frontiersman Jeremiah Ring comes to her aid, can the stranger convince Clare that recovering her son will require the very thing her anguished heart is unwilling to do—be still, wait and let God fight this battle for them?

My Thoughts
This book is definitely something special! An author friend of mine said it was her favorite book of the year so I knew from the start that I would love it, and love it I did! This author writes in such beautiful and vivid detail that I was completely transported to the 1774 frontier. I several times was a little jarred when I returned to reality because I was so lost in the pages of this book.
My heart broke for Clare and all that she was forced to endure. Set on a path she didn’t want to take, having her husband killed and her son stolen from her, and giving birth in the wilderness with only a stranger to assist. But she never caved to the weight of it, instead choosing to stand up and do all she could to bring her son home. I admired her strength in the face of it all.
Jeremiah was an awesome hero! His life hadn’t been easy to say the least but through all he’d faced he’d found God and His strength and was able to forgive and start anew. And his experiences not only allowed him to help Clare but to truly understand what she was going through.
I loved the message of trusting God that was woven into every part of the story. It came at a timely point in my life when I, like Clare, am needing to let go, trust God, and be still.

This story had me totally enthralled from beginning to end as I journeyed with Clare and Jeremiah through the wilds of the Ohio-Kentucky frontier. Every word was beautifully crafted and I loved it all!

Meet the Author
Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace.

Lori's debut novel, Burning Sky, earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Top Ten Books I'd Love to Get For Christmas

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. The Montana Fire Series (in paperback) by Susan May Warren

#2. Love's Faithful Promise by Susan Anne Mason

#3. Embers & Accelerant by Ronie Kendig

#4. Jupiter Storm by C.J. Darlington

#5. My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray

#6. From this Moment by Elizabeth Camden

#7. A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

#8. Told You So by Kristen Heitzmann

#9. The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea 

#10. For the Record by Regina Jennings

Top Ten Books I'd Buy Right Now if Someone Gave Me a Fully Loaded Gift Card

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's actual topic was "Ten Books That Have Been On Your Shelf (Or TBR) From Before You Started Blogging That You STILL Haven't Read Yet" but a made a goal one year to have read every book I owned and I did it! It only lasted about a day and now I have about 70 unread pretties sitting on my shelves. But that one day means that I have exactly zero books that have been unread on my shelf since before I started blogging! That being said I decided to go with one of the topics I missed in my unplanned absence these last two months!

#1. I'll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones

#2. Close to You by Kara Issac

#3. The Goodbye Bride by Denise Hunter

#4. Forever Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon

#5. Embers by Ronie Kendig

#6. A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

#7. From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden

#8. The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea

#9. The Selection Series by Keira Cass

#10. Told You So by Kristen Heitzman

Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

#2. Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

#3. Her One and Only by Becky Wade

#4. The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

#5. Close to You by Kara Issac

#6. No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

#7. A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

#8. Married 'til Monday by Denise Hunter

#9. Playing the Part by Jen Turano

#10. From This Moment by Elizabeth Camden

Waiting on Wednesday #200: A Flight of Arrows

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton
WaterBrook Press-April 19, 2016

About the Book

Hearts are Divided 
Loyalties Will Be Tested
The Fates of Two Families Hang in the Balance
Twenty years past, in 1757, a young Redcoat, Reginald Aubrey stole a newborn boy—the lighter-skinned of Oneida twins— during the devastating fall of Fort William Henry and raised him as his own.
No one connected to Reginald escaped unscathed from this crime. Not his adopted daughter Anna. Not Stone Thrower, the Native American father determined to get his son back. Not Two Hawks, William’s twin brother separated since birth, living in the shadow of his absence and hoping to build a future with Anna. Nor Lydia, who longs for Reginald to be free from his self-imposed emotional prison and embrace God’s forgiveness— and her love.
Now William, whose identity has been shattered after discovering the truth of his birth, hides in the ranks of an increasingly aggressive British army. The Redcoats prepare to attack frontier New York and the Continentals, aided by Oneida warriors including Two Hawks, rally to defend it. As the Revolutionary War penetrates the Mohawk Valley, two families separated by culture, united by love and faith, must find a way to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

Why I Want It

This author writes beautiful stories and I have loved the books of her's that I have read including the first in this series!

Top Ten Books/Authors to Read if You Like...

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

If you like...The Christiansen Family Series by Susan May Warren 
You should try...Chapel Springs Series by Denise Hunter

If you like...Julie Klassen
You should try...Sarah E. Ladd & Carrie Turansky

If you like...Karen Witemeyer

You should try...Cathy Marie Hake

If you like...Laura Frantz

You should try...Lori Benton

If you like...Diary of a Teenage Girl Series by Melody Carlson

You should try...Hollywood Nobody Series by Lisa Samson

If you like...Melanie Dickerson

You should try...Dina L. Sleiman

If you like...Irene Hannon

You should try...Lisa Harris

If you like...Mary Connealy

You should try...Jen Turano

If you like...The Heart of San Francisco Series by Julie Lessman

You should try...The Golden Gate Chronicles by Karen Barnett

If you like...Lynette Eason

You should try...Patricia Bradley

The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Wood's Edge WaterBrook Press (April 21, 2015) by Lori Benton


MY THOUGHTS:
After hearing rave reviews for this author's debut I jumped at the chance to read her sophomore novel which I loved. So it was a no-brainer for me to request this book for review. I was already pretty excited to read it but my anticipation went through the roof after one of my favorite authors declared that this made it onto her all time favorites list. So with all that build up I dove in and thankfully I loved it! I love how Lori pays attention to every detail crafting stories that transport you to another time and place. I love the Revolutionary War time period and it was cool to see a bit of what it was like leading up to that, especially from the Indian's point of view.
The story took place over about two decades but the author did such a beautiful job of weaving it all together that it never felt disjointed. I loved watching all the characters grow up over time and see how their lives played out in the wake of what happened at Fort William Henry. Usually when reading a novel you meet the characters and then get brief glimpses at what made them who they are but in this one you actually got to experience all of the things that shaped them into the adults they were at the end. I loved how despite the things that both Anna and Two Hawks had to endure they kept themselves from becoming bitter through surrendering themselves to God. Their relationship was so sweet and it was fun to watch them go from friends to something more.
I enjoyed every minute of this book and I can't wait until the next in the series comes out!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

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.

ABOUT THE BOOK

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?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Wood's Edge, go HERE.

Waiting on Wednesday #156: The Wood's Edge

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton
WaterBrook Press-April 21, 2015

About the Book

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?

Why I Want It

I was very impressed with Lori's last novel and I am hoping this one is just as good! It is a very interesting premise that should make this a fascinating read! Also one of my favorite authors said it was amazing so I am sure I will love it!

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton

About the Book
Frontier dangers cannot hold a candle to the risks one woman takes by falling in love.
In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance.

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?

My Thoughts
Having heard so many good things about this author (even before she won three Cristy Awards) I jumped at the chance to review this book! Thankfully it didn't disappoint. Though it wasn't quite as amazing as my mind hyped it up to be, I still completely enjoyed it!
Jesse was an amazing hero! I loved how he always fought to do the right thing no matter what it cost him, and how he was always looking out and caring for Tamsen. Tamsen was also amazing in her role. I liked the fact that she never gave up even if she had no idea how to do something or if it was incredibly difficult. And she never complained. She was also kind to people I would not be able to be kind to and I greatly admired that!
I completely did not see the events of the end coming and the author did a brilliant job of throwing little pieces that you didn't really pay attention to, but then they all fit together perfectly at the end and completely surprised me!

All in all this was a fantastic book and I can't wait to go read her first one now!

Meet the Author
Lori Benton was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace. When she isn’t writing, Lori enjoys exploring beautiful Oregon with her husband.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.