Always to Remember [Paperback]

Lorraine Heath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

Branded a traitor and imprisoned for refusing to fight for the Confederacy, Clayton Holland returns home to Cedar Grove, only to be spurned by the townspeople, except for vengeful Meg Warner, who finds her hatred and grief transformed by love.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Heath (Parting Gifts) offers a tender Civil War romance that manages to give a fresh twist to that conflict and powerfully portrays another side of courage. Drafted into the Confederate Army, Clayton Holland refused to bear arms and kill his fellow countrymen-a crime for which he spent nine months in a Confederate prison and was very nearly executed. As if that weren't bad enough, when he returns to his hometown in Texas, he's shunned as a coward. Paradoxically, Clayton, who had sculpted tombstones with his father before he left for the war, is the only person capable of creating the monument Meg Warner wants to erect to the memory of her husband, brothers and other town war dead. With its unconventional, heart-wrenching hero, this slow-building story plays on every emotion-guilt, anger, honor and, ultimately, love.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

The people of Cedar Grove, Texas hate Clayton Holland not for what he did, but for what he didn't do. When war broke out, Clay didn't go with the rest of the young men to fight-- and to die. He didn't believe in the cause they were fighting for and he refused to kill for it. Branded a coward, he was held prisoner, tortured and almost executed after the Confederate Army took him away and tried to get him to fight. But that hell was nothing compared to the hell he faced returning to Cedar Grove and watching the accusing faces of the people who believed he was a traitor to his friends, his town, his state. Ostracized, Clay's only companions are his brothers-- one of which hates him almost as much as the rest of the town. Meg Warner lost three brothers and her husband in the war and she hates Clay, too. She hates him so much, she concocts a plan to punish him and make him realize what a coward he is. Clay has a talent for sculpting and Meg wants him to carve a memorial statue to honor those who died. She intends to oversee the project, watching Clay as he creates a monument that will be a silent testimony to his own cowardice. As she begins to spend time with him, Meg begins to see Clay for the man that he is-- kind, decent and thoughtful. But while her mind clings to hatred, her heart lets go of the past reaches out to the man who was her husband's friend. Clay has never run from a fight in his life and he stands by his beliefs. Even if Meg wanted him, he could not accept the heaven that a life with Meg would offer because he doesn't want the hate that surrounds him to touch her. Clay knows it will be better if he leaves town-- better for his brothers, better for the townspeople and better for Meg. Without him as a constant reminder of all that they lost, perhaps they will begin to heal, so he decides that as soon as the monument is finished he will leave Cedar Grove. The love that Meg feels for Clay replaces the hate she thought she felt. She realizes that his pain is no less than her's and that he has suffered far greater than anyone realizes. But their love will have to conquer the past before they can find happiness together.Captivating! Lorraine Heath has written a wonderful tribute to love, friendship and courage! She writes from the heart and it shows! Always To Remember will touch you like no other book has in a long, long time! It will bring tears to your eyes, leave a lump in your throat and put a song in your heart! A well-crafted plot woven by a very gifted author! Lorraine Heath is truly remarkable! A poignant story that is sure to capture the hearts of romance fans everywhere!Kristina Wright -- Copyright © 1994-97 Literary Times, Inc. All rights reserved -- From Literary Times

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Jove (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515118044
• ISBN-13: 978-0515118049
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,253,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lorraine Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals, press releases for a publicist, articles, and computer code, but something was always missing. In 1990, she read a romance novel and became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She's been writing about them ever since, for both adult and young adult readers (as Rachel Hawthorne). Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards including RWA's RITA(R), a HOLT medallion, a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, three Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and several Texas Gold Awards. Her novels have appeared on bestseller lists, including USA Today, Waldenbooks, and most recently, the New York Times.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WonderFul! Wonderful! Wonderful!!!!, April 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Always to Remember (Paperback)

I loved it! I cried during it and I couldn't put it down! This is a story of a man's beliefs, a belief that gives him nothing but scorn and hatred. But despite this he refuses to lay the blame and remains completly devoted to his family, even though they too, question his bravery. Isn't it a wonder, that the man they thought a coward, in the end, shamed them with his courage? But there are things he doesn't tell, nightmares that remain his guilty secrets that make this novel a true treasure. The woman, his dead best friend's wife, learns to rise beyond her hatred and look beneath Clayton's quiet exterior and see the sensitive and gentle man within. I can't say enough good things about Always To Remeber. But I will say one more thing, it ended to soon!!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a profile of courage, February 15, 2006

By 

L. Kaye (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Always to Remember (Hardcover)

Anyone who has ever had to take a stand on principle, whether popular or unpopular, can identify with both of the main characters in this book. I loved both characters and the theme of the book was supported beautifully by Meg and Clay. These days, more than ever, there are so many issues affecting us all that we must take a stand on, and this book does a wonderful job of showing how "pack" thinking can be overcome by personal committment. The story itself is engrossing and Ms. Heath drew me into the lives of the characters as if they were real people.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy -- this book is written with remarkable skill !!, November 20, 2003

By 

MaryGrace Meloche (Ontario, Canada.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Always to Remember (Paperback)

Ms. Heath has such an intriguing style of writing. She provides the story's insight much the way sugar runs through a sieve -- a little at a time. The author filters and dispenses the data quietly, thus holding and developing the reader's interest. This is writing genius -- to keep the reader wanting.

Here Lorraine Heath is in her element -- Texas after the civil war. The solemn story of a peaceful boy mutated into a lonely man through the demonic course of war. The touching tale of a town's unforgiving hatred to a man whose only sin was his conviction. Heath skillfully thrusts the reader into this hate and anxiety, making the reader stop and wonder what their own responses and opinions would be in a similar situation. Intimidating reflection!

This is romance -- a slow blossoming story. Hate gives way to love. Inhumanity gives way to understanding. With great care, Heath cultivates the characters. By the end of the book, the reader recognizes these ordinary people. Currently this book is unpublished, but please do try to find a copy. You will have no regrets.

Grace Atkinson, Ontario - Canada.