"Burning Sky" by Lori Benton

ISBN-13: 9780307731470

About the book:  The 18th century New York frontier bred courage in those who survived its perils. Willa Obenchain has courage to spare. Returning to her white parents' abandoned homestead after twelve years of Indian captivity, Willa believes a solitary life is the only way she'll never lose again what's twice been lost: her family, and her heart. As she begins the backbreaking work of reviving her farm, Willa's determined isolation is threatened. First by injured botanist Neil MacGregor, found unconscious on her land, and also by her Mohawk clan brother Joseph Tames-His-Horse, a man who cannot give up the woman he calls Burning Sky. Willa is a woman caught between two worlds and the residents of the nearby frontier village, still reeling from a bloody revolutionary war, are reluctant to welcome her home. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, Willa must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow, and answer the question, "am I brave enough to love again?"

 Review: Willa Obenchian was abducted by the Mohawk Indians at age fourteen. Her only choice was to become part of their clan and accept her new life. She meets a young Indian named Tames-His-Horse who is a Christian. Through his friendship her faith in God is rekindled. 

She was given the name Burning Sky and was married to one of the Indians in the clan. Willa became a part of the clan and was willing to stay there the rest of her life. Willa and her husband have two girls and her life feels complete. The Revolutionary War starts and her husband and other men from the clan go to fight. Willa's husband ends up being killed. Not long after this an outbreak of the small pox hits her clan. The ones in the clan that were healthy decided it was best to leave and go to a new settlement. 

Willa's two girls got the small pox so they stayed back. After a few weeks her girls did not get better. They both died. Instead of going to find the Indian clan she went back to her parents house in Shiloh. On her way there she comes across a man who is injured. She decides to help him to her cabin and there she takes care of his injuries. She finds out his is a Scotsman, named Neil MacGregor. 

When she returns to her parents house it is empty. One of her child hood friends,Anni and her brother Richard, stop by her house one day and inform her that once the war with the British began her parents were accused of being Tories. Richard is full of hatred for any one that would side with the British. He is also upset with the way that Willa had changed to become part of her Indian clan. Richard then decides that she doesn't deserve her parents land and goes out of his way to get the deed to the land. Willa is not willing to give up her parents land. This makes Richard mad. He tries to burn her land down twice and the second time he burns her cabin. Through the help of Neil MacGregor and a distant relative of Willa's she is able to keep her land. (Reviewed by S.Wall)

Read Chapter One
 
DISCLOSURE: A copy of Burning Sky was provided by the Blogging for Books review program for Waterbrook Press on behalf of the author for the sole purpose of an honest review. No compensation was received for this review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.