The Deserter: Bk. 1 in the Alford Series by Paul Almond

The Deserter is about a British Navy officer, Thomas Manning, who always dreamed of a life in the "New World". He jumps ship along the coast, near Canada, and runs for his life to the interior. If he's caught he gets 1000 lashes which of course is a slow death, so he's determined not to get caught. All he wants is freedom and his own land where he can make a farm and have a family. He is captured early on by natives of the Micmac tribe and after a discussion among the elders he is released. He stays long enough with them to realize they are not the "savages" he's always heard them to be but a kind, intelligent, giving people. He falls in love with Little Birch, a beautiful native girl and all his dreams become centered on her and his need to survive in the New World. When the chief sickens, Thomas will have to risk everything, including his life, to save a friend and help the people and woman he has grown to love. This is book one in a series based on the ancestors of the author. I really enjoyed this novel, if you like stories about Native Americans, Mountain Men, or just history in general I think you will enjoy this. Great start of a new series.