Cindy Butler Novels

After the Dust Settles

Despite years of abuse and isolation, Sadie finds the strength to defy her husband and take control of her destiny. Her love of her son, Gus, serves as a driving force behind her intricate plan of escape. As Sadie and Gus settle into a new peaceful life in the Midwest, miles from New York City, Savie gives into her need for comfort and affection, and finds herself pregnant again.

Sadie travels with Jack. who is still married to another woman. With Gus and a baby that belongs to Jack, their goal is to start a new life where no one knows them, or their circumstances. She has nightmares of Jack walking away from her and leaving her to care for her two children alone. Sadie knows, deep down in her heart, that Jack’s love will only go as far as the responsibility that Sadie is carrying Jack’s baby. Jack feels guilty. And she knows that as soon as that guilt wanes, Jack will find a reason to leave. After The Dust Settles is a compelling and thought provoking novel that explores themes of resilience, courage, and the enduring bond between a mother and her children.

Caught Under Ice

Sadie couldn’t breathe and could feel her legs slipping out from under her. She had just come face to face with her worst nightmare: losing a child. Sadie had left her son with her parents ten years prior and had never returned for him. She was always going to, but never seemed to get there. Now she was being told that he gone went down with his ship in the Pacific. Sadie’s nervous breakdown was so severe that her local doctor could not help her. With the advice of her doctor, Sadie’s husband Jack sent her to a sanitarium in Idaho for treatment. Sadie’s psychiatrist is well-known in the industry and considered one of the top professionals of his day. Dr. Strong hides his dark side from his colleagues, and uses his position to choose his next victim, and then focuses his skills to get absolute control. It’s a game to him, and the only way for his victims to escape is to die. Sadie’s beauty and her frailty attract Dr. Strong, and she becomes his next victim. Dr. Strong takes advantage of her trust in her doctor, and uses every tool available to him to get Sadie to succumb to his advances. Sadie is left to endure the cruel treatments that are acceptable for the time, and she must sort through her foggy memory and grief in order to survive. Sadie is all alone in her battle to survive as no one, including her husband Jack, questions Dr. Strong or his motives. At one point they all think that Sadie is confused because of her illness. Sadie fights her battle alone. She must remember, she must grieve, she must choose, and she must survive. Will she remember who she is, and why she made her long-ago decisions, in time to save her own life? Find out in Caught Under Ice, author Cindy Butler’s second novel.

Ditch Dreams

Messalina considered herself just another woman searching for personal happiness and fulfillment. What Messalina did not expect was the bitter survival situations life would throw at her in her quest. Before Messalina could process her own motives, she found herself imprisoned and branded a murderer. Life became brutal as she fought through prison riots, betrayal and near death negotiations with the prison rats. Messalina survived her prison term only to find herself alone and still wondering where her personal happiness was hiding. She vowed to take charge of her life and become that elusive, contented, and fulfilled woman that she knew was just around the next corner. But as she navigated those corners, and began to touch the skirts of the self-fulfillment, revenge and destruction stepped right in her path. Ditch Dreams is filled with real life experiences and self-discovery as Messalina breaks free and embraces her journey. Through this journey she learns to accept the present and appreciate her own self-worth.

Unfamiliar Innocence

Charles and Elsa should have been uncomfortable breaking southern social tradition. Charles was Irish and Elsa had the beautiful features of a Quadroon. Charles knew it was acceptable for him, as a plantation owner’s son, to take a Quadroon as a mistress. But Elsa wanted marriage and all of her man. And she had her sights set on Charles.

Elsa lived on the docks, by the Mississippi River. In the 1850’s i New Orleans, the docks were not safe for white people. And particularly not safe for white men encroaching on their women. The first Shanghai attempt on Charles was stopped by Elsa’s brother, even though he secretly led the local Shanghai gang. Charles’ need for revenge, and his suspicions of Elsa’s brother, put a wedge between Charles and Elsa that grew bigger with each accusation and threat.

Charles had started to pursue Elsa as a potential mistress, but Elsa balked at every turn. She refused to accept anything less than a true public partnership.

Charles tried to walk away, but the draw his heart felt for Elsa just grew with time. Rumors flew, and sides were chosen. Charles’ innocence as to what he wanted, and Elsa’s dreams, seemed to be stopped at every turn.