My Dearest Cecelia

by Diane Haeger

As she enters the Commencement Ball at West Point Military Academy on a spring evening in 1837, in her pink gown with white silk roses and ropes of pearls, Cecelia Stovall looks---and feels---like the perfect, innocent Southern belle. Little does she know that at that dance she will meet the man who will change her life---and the lives of all her fellow Southerners---forever. Cecelia falls instantly in love with the dashing young Northern cadet, William Tecumseh Sherman, and they embark on a fiery, secret rendezvous despite their broad cultural differences and the expectation that they will marry others. Their love remains poignantly aflame and survives the worst obstacles over years of separation and longing. And then the long-threatened Civil War starts, and both Cecelia and William assume prominent positions on opposite sides of their country’s deepest and fiercest rift, as William becomes the very same General Sherman who will be feared and hated throughout the South.

Legend has it that Sherman’s love for Cecelia was the reason he spared her hometown of Augusta during his infamous march to the sea, in which his troops cut a swath through nearly every other town in Georgia and burned Atlanta to the ground. Now Diane Haeger, the author of the acclaimed The Secret Wife of King George IV , has re-created this lost romance in a sweeping and lyrical novel that will be treasured by the history enthusiast---and hopeless romantic---in everyone. A multilayered historical saga spanning a quarter-century, Diane Haeger’s epic novel of star-crossed lovers Cecelia Stovall and General William T. Sherman is a romance for the history books.

Genres: Civil War, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction

305 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 2003

About the author

Diane Haeger is the bestselling author of fifteen published novels, including Courtesan, The Ruby Ring and My Dearest Cecilia. Her work, to date, has been translated into 18 different languages and has been featured in the LA Times and Harper's Bazaar Magazine. She loves telling real stories from history. She lives in California with her husband and family.

Reviews

[Rio (Lynne) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Here’s why. All we know about William and Cecilia is his letter and rumors. I will say Diane Haeger spun a very historical romance between the two of them. Her storytelling was five star, but I have a problem when authors take real people and make them into horrible human beings, without proof. Did her father rape slaves? Also, I don’t see where he had a third wife from researching. I was very disappointed there were no author’s notes at the end. I wanted to hear how she came upon her viewpoints. Was Cecelia a spy? I would love to know more. Also as a southerner, Diane fell into a lot of the clichés about the war being only about slavery. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for an historical romance, but please take it with a grain of salt.

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was much more than I had expected when I first started. It began slowly, kind of with the epilogue first, then it gradually grew into a strong love story. William Sherman and Cecelia Stovall are both real people in history, although I suppose this connection between them is fictional. They met and immediately fell in love as teenagers when he was at West Point with her brother. Being a Northerner, even in the 1830's, was taboo, so her brother did all he could to come between them, intercepting their letters and keeping her well away from him. For years and years, as problems between the North and South became worse, they were kept apart although they still loved and trusted each other. Eventually they married other people, thinking that each of them had forgotten. They both became active in the Civil War, Sherman as a general who very successfully attacked the South, and Cecelia as a worker in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape. This was a book of both highs and lows, despair and hope. It was fascinating to read about the lifestyle and mindset of those times, especially in the South. I loved the main characters, despite their flaws. Well done.

[NayNay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes we want to tell everything about the book we have read, we want to share all the beauty and emotions of it. I don't want to do that. I want the readers to experience everything I just did for themselves. I want them to fall in love with My Dearest Cecelia, just as I did. I will tell you I found myself swept up into the story, I enjoyed the characters and I welcomed the tears.

I received a signed copy from the author, Diane Haeger. I thank you Diane, please keep writing your stories, you take me to another time and I always welcome the journey.

[Tashinka Roz · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a good book. I like books that take place during the Civil War time period. I had never heard of the romance between Cecelia Stoically and William Sherman. It was a good read.

[Kierstin Carnahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I work at (now a museum) place that Sherman marched through in Georgia and have always heard the rumors about why he saved some places over others is because he had a mistress there. I stumbled upon this book and decided to give it a shot. It provided much needed southern inspiration for a project I'm working on. The characters were nice and the southern sayings were great. I could hear the southern drawl in my head as I read. I was surprised that the Civil War took up so little of the book since that to me seemed like it would be the main storyline. I wish there was an epilogue, set years later so you got more of a what happened to them kind of closure. For being a historic romance/Harlequin type novel, it was well based in historic fact (I did some checking) and it was an enjoyable story.

[Betsy D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a great premise, as it was based on actual events. I never knew that General Sherman fell in love with a girl when he was a student at West Point, and then years later saved her house on his march to the sea! But... it was too much of a harlequin romance for me, with improbable dialogue, fluttering hearts, and graphic scenes. I found myself rolling my eyes at the things that the characters said, and the circumstances of the extramarital affair (I'm not even sure that there is historical evidence of an affair -- it's just artistic embellishment). This book had huge promise, and I did still want to see where it was going up until the last chapter, but it could have been about 100 pages shorter.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book a 3.5 star. I really looked forward to reading this book, because I know very little about William T. Sherman and nothing at all about Cecelia. The book started out strong, but as it progressed, I felt the author didn't fully explore the characters and it felt rushed toward the end of the story.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot describe how this book has destroyed me. Review to come.

You once said that I would crush an enemy and you pitied my foe. Do you recall my reply? Although many years have passed, my answer is the same. ‘I would ever shield and protect you’. That I have done. Forgive all else. I am only a soldier.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecelia Stovall and William T. Sherman meet in 1837 and fall in love. Circumstances, family and a civil war keep them apart except for a few chance encounters. Historical fiction that is well researched and makes for a compelling read.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the history in this book. Very well written and interesting

[mmstanley75 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book, but the ending seemed rushed and somewhat abrupt.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I meant to write this a while (bold and underline this ...in your mind) ago but time and life was all crazy and work and stuff. I was lucky enough to receive an autographed copy of My Dearest Cecelia and I was beyond overjoyed. Sure ,I love all of Diane's books, but I was wary about reading this one as I am not much into Civil War history and I had just read Lincoln: Team of Rivals. Great book and full of history goodness. I sat myself down and began to read My Dearest Cecelia. It doesn't disappoint. Actually it does, because it ended. I wanted more. I found myself again, swept into the story, the emotions, and the time as I read her words. There is nothing better than escaping into a good book after a hectic day (or really any time). My Dearest Cecelia will bring you to the brink of war, push your emotions to the limit, and will bury itself into your consciousness so that you will find yourself thinking of it days and weeks later. My Dearest Diane, you have done it again. Never stop writing.

[Marilee Freshley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!
"Legend has it that Sherman's love for Cecelia was the reason he spared her hometown Augusta during his infamous march to the sea, when he burned Atlanta to the ground. Diane Haeger has re-created this lost romance in a sweeping and lyrical novel that will be treasured equally by the history enthusiast and the incurable romantic. As she enters the Commencement Ball at West Point on a spring evening in 1837, Cecelia Stovall looks and feels like the perfect, innocent Southern belle. But at that dance she will meet the man who will change her life--and the lives of her fellow Southerners--forever. Cecelia falls instantly in love with the dashing young Northern cadet William Sherman, and they embark on a fiery, secret rendezvous despite their broad cultural differences.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based upon true events, this story is one that many people have experienced. Finding love while young but being forced, through events, family or society, to stay apart except for infrequent (and stolen) moments of searing and blissful passion. A poignant love story about two soul mates whose hearts are forever connected while their bodies are physically kept apart. Very enjoyable read!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book because it combines so much of what I like into a book: historical fiction, a good love story and the Civil War. Wow. Great read. Couple rated-R moments/questionable morality, but intriguing story nonetheless.

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books I've read in awhile. Similar to "Gone with the Wind" in some ways, but very different too. A story of love, slavery, Underground railroad, and bravery, as well as the war between North and South. I loved the heroine, Cecelia the most.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book. haeger takes us inside the mind of the infamous Sherman and his secret love. This is a book about choices and their consequences, about forgiveness and looking past the pain to see the pain of another.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very predictable & chessy, but it's mindless entertainment and a great beach read.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, but the ending was hurried.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Love story!!!!

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A really lame romance that we read by mistake.

[Gin Tadvick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I liked this book in general, I felt it dragged in some places and rushed through in others.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

i really liked this book it was a very sweet story although a bit overdramatic and far-fetched at times

[Naomi Ruth Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best war/romance novels I have ever read! I couldn't put it down!

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading about Sherman and have be human instead of killing machine.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful. I'm loving these historical fiction books. Bring me more!!

[Ethel Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I couldn't put down, and I didn't want it to end. I didn't know about the great love of Sherman's life and the story behind it.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

usually love historical fiction. This one was more romance novel and unbelievable in all areas.