This isn't your usual book: Hate and anger drip off each page for the first 2/3's of the story.

Clayton Holland is a conscientious objector during the Civil War. The book opens with the reader getting a glimpse at the horrible price Clay will pay because he couldn't just "go along with" all of his childhood friends to war.

This book is a searing expose of life immediately after the War Between the States. It delves into people's heartaches, prejudices and residual grief after 5 years of war.

Lorraine Heath weaves a wonderful tale! Over the course of the book, we come to understand the quiet dignity of this man. In fact, I think he is one of the most completely-faceted personality/heros in fiction.

Ms. Heath was smart to add the twins: Joseph and Joshua. Without them, the tale might be too hard to bear.

I simply didn't want the story to end. This book spoke to me on so many levels that I'm sure I'll have to read it again! Keep a box of facial tissue near you!

For this book, Lorraine Heath won a Rita Award (Best Novel winner (1997) : ALWAYS TO REMEMBER).

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This book is a real tearjerker. Highly recommended.

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Got this book from the library because I saw it top the lists of best romances ever. Well, it did not disappoint. The hero is the most complete character I have seen in a romance. He is a Civil War conscientious objector and deals with the hate of his hometown. Get out the tissues.

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For the first 100 or so, I thought I had a keeper on my hands. Clayton is my favorite type of beta hero. And even though Meg and the townspeople annoyed me no end with their prejudice and ignorance, I enjoyed watching Meg get closer to Clay despite herself. And the twins are simply adorable.

But as the book went on, the magic started to wane. The people in that town held on to their hatred for way too long. And then at this end, just like that, it evaporates? It's just too neatly tied up in a bow The author is clearly a master storyteller and there were a couple of scenes towards the end that are quite powerful and effective. But there was also an element of melodrama that doesn't really quite fit the tone of the first half of the book.

And although it didn't bother me at first, once I finished the book and really start to think about it, I have to wonder if the book would have been published if it was written today. A book that centers around a monument honoring confederate soldiers? I'm sure it is true to its time, and it is also true that the soldiers were fighting for their convictions. But the the fact that their conviction is that they are willing to die to keep slavery as an institution was glossed over a bit too much for my liking.

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so poignant! definitely a keeper!

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