Reviewer's bookshelf: A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

Book Summary (Goodreads): October 1776--August 1777

It is said that what a man sows he will reap--and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago. 

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he'll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald's adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William's twin, both who long for Reginald to accept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures. 

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

My thoughts...

   This novel is part two in Lori Benton's "Pathfinders" series, so it is necessary to read book one, Into the Woods, before this one.  In fact, I would encourage anyone to read these novels...they are both fantastic.
   I was drawn into this novel from the beginning.  Lori Benton weaves a tale of love, romance, family, heartache, and at the center of it all, forgiveness.  Her attention to historical detail of the battles that were being fought across the frontier of a young America made me feel like I was reading a factual account.  Of course, these were real events happening in our nation's history, but Benton skillfully wove the fictional characters into the story. The descriptions of what was happening...the heat, the flies, the blood, and the fear...leapt off the page.  I was immersed in their world.
   There was also tension throughout the novel that made me not want to put it down. Battles being fought were a large part of that, but there was also the romantic tension between several characters. Benton was able to describe the longing and passion between the main characters while still keeping it a clean novel. In my mind, that takes true skill.  There was also the tension between two families...one Native American, the other a white man who had stolen their child many years ago and his adopted daughter.  The way that both families battle the heartache of their circumstances and turn to God for healing and forgiveness really spoke to my heart.  There was a point where tears were in my eyes as they all made sacrifices to honor God and His call on their lives.
   I really can't say enough about how excellent this series is.  I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys clean historical Christian fiction.

Connect with author Lori Benton

* Lori Benton's website is filled with information about her and her books, as well as upcoming events in Christian fiction 

* You can also follow her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest

**I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.**