Beneath the Snow by Bette L. Crosby

About the book

Beneath the Snow is the story of Sarah Robertson, a middle-aged woman who believes her self-worth is measured by the acceptance of others. She is content with this role, until her husband suddenly dies and the truth of his long-term affair and the mistress carrying his child is revealed.

With a lifetime of trust shattered and her thirty-year marriage now viewed as little more than a mockery, Sarah loses her will to live. She turns away from her job, friends and family and wallows in a self-imposed exile of sorrow and bitterness until the tough love of her best friend, Blanche, jolts her back to reality.

As she struggles to come to grips with herself, Sarah strikes up an unusual relationship with a ninety-one-year-old woman who openly shares her down-home wisdom on everything from planting flowers to living life. They become close friends and spend endless hours together until Nina Abernathy announces her intention to move to an assisted living facility. Shocked at the news, Sarah perceives this to be yet another betrayal and threatens to destroy the friendship before she relents and finds the generosity of hear to help the elderly woman.

Soon afterward, Sarah, despite a lifelong fear of the water, accepts an invitation to spend the weekend on Blanche's sailboat. When they leave the safety of the bay and venture out into the ocean, a storm races in and catches them too far from the inlet to make it back in time. Blanche decides to ride out the tempest and lowers the sails but, in doing so, falls and knocked unconscious.

As the storm washes across the deck, Sarah, who has often wished herself dead, suddenly realizes just how much she wants to live and for the first time in her life refuses to be defeated. She overcomes both her fear of the water and fear of failure to pull Blanche to the safety of the cockpit and save her from certain death.

With a newfound inner strength, Sarah accepts a job as the assistant manager at Oak Tree Gardens, where Nina now resides. It is there she meets Steven Leigh, a Princeton English Professor and son of one of the elderly residents. Although they are instantly attracted to each other, he is still engaged to another woman. Unaware of this, Sarah waits in vain for his call.

As time passes, she comes full circle and pleasantly settles into a new life. Sarah explains to Blanche, that while she is saddened Steven has not called, she now realizes true happiness is not about how someone else sees you - it's about knowing and liking yourself.

Once Steven has rid himself of his commitment, he finally calls, explains his behavior and pleads for another chance. As they stroll across the park together, he stops beneath a leafless oak tree and gathers her into his arms. She lifts her face to his and notices the branch overhead is filled with tiny green buds.

The winter of her life is gone, spring is coming.

About the author

Currently a full-time novelist, Bette Crosby, focuses her creative talents on subjects that have an impact on women's lives and she paints a vivid picture with words. Readers will easily recognize the characters in her books, for they are any woman and every woman.

Originally from New Jersey, she now makes her home in Southern Florida. After starting her career in advertising design, she moved up the ladder to eventually become the U.S. Marketing Director for Hummelwerk, distributor of the world-famous figurines. Prior to relocating, she owned and operated an award-winning advertising agency and has had numerous published articles on topics ranging from financial services to collectible art.

Beneath the Snow is her second novel. She is currently working on a third, based on the life of her sister.