The Forever Tree
Will Lassater comes to California to seek his fortune in the incredible forests.  He has been logging all his life on the east coast and dreams of starting his own logging business.  California is different, exciting, new -- and is the home of Santana Maria Chavez Lopez, the most beautiful woman Will has ever seen.  He is instantly attracted to her dark beauty and repelled by the man she is engaged to.  Along with starting his own mill, Will vows to find a way to help Santana escape from an arranged marriage.   A virtuous sixteen year old girl, Santana does not want to dishonor her father by refusing to marry the son of his best friend.  Yet, she cannot help but be frightened by the way Hugo, her intended, looks at her.  She knows being married to him will condemn her to a life of misery, but she doesn't know what she can do.    When Santana meets Will she thinks he is the most handsome man she has ever met, even if he is a gringo.  His offer to help her avoid marrying Hugo renews her hope and once she is no longer obligated to marry Hugo, Will and Santana wed.  Their love is strong and helps them survive the many hardships they must face.  When Will returns to the east to fight in the Civil War, Santana is left behind to raise their children and wait for her husband's return. Though Will returns, he cannot understand the changes in Santana.  He fears he may have lost her love forever when he left her to fight in a war she did not understand.  After all he has been through, Will doesn't know how to get back the love of his wife.  Knowing Will feels guilty for leaving her, Santana lets him believe that her resentment is the cause of their problems.  She can't possibly tell him the dark secret she has locked in her heart, he would never understand. Instead, she hides her pain and shame until it threatens to destroy all that she has.  It is only from tragedy that the healing can begin and their love renewed.A poignant, touching story that will bring tears to your eyes! Rosanne Bittner proves time and time again that she is a master at her craft! The Forever Tree is about a love that transcends all the tragedies of life! Remarkable!  Highest praise should go to Rosanne Bittner for creating characters that are unforgettable!Kristina Wright  --Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc.  All rights reserved--FromLiterary Times--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.