What do you think?
Rate this book
Letters from the Enemy
The world is at war. And there's a similar tension in the heart of Lilly Clark. With the war in Europe raging, Lilly lives for letters from her beloved Reggie. But then a stranger enters her life and changes everything. Heinrick Zook has become the focus of controversy in Lilly's small South Dakota town. His ancestry stirs up hateful prejudices as American boys are losing their lives fighting the Germans. But even with this barrier between them, Lilly feels compelled to befriend this gentle German. Can their love overcome the prejudice and conflict that has set the world at war? Or will letters from the enemy forever condemn Lilly in the eyes of those she loves?
170 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
18 people are currently reading
241 people want to read
About the author
Susan May Warren
221 books3,665 followersI can't help be amazed at the gifts God has delighted me with - a wonderful husband, four amazing children, and the opportunity to write for Him.
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
I've been writing as long as I can remember - I won my first book writing contest in first grade! Over the years, writing has become, for me, a way to praise God and see Him at work in my life.
Although I have a degree in Mass Communications from the University of MN, my real writing experience started when I penned the The Warren Report - a bi-monthly newsletter that detailed our ministry highlights.
Living in Russia meant I never lacked for great material - and those experiences naturally spilled out first into devotionals and magazine articles and finally into my first published story, "Measure of a Man," in the Tyndale/HeartQuest, Chance Encounters of the Heart anthology.
Susan and husbandI grew up in Wayzata, a suburb of Minneapolis, and became an avid camper from an early age. My favorite fir-lined spot is the north shore of Minnesota - it's where I met my husband, honeymooned and dreamed of living. The north woods easily became the foundation for my first series, The Deep Haven series.based on a little tourist town along the shores of Lake Superior. I have to admit - I'm terribly jealous of Mona, the heroine of my first full-length book, Happily Ever After, a Christy Award Finalist published in 2004 with Tyndale/Heartquest.
Our family moved home from the mission field in June 2004 -- and now we live in the beautiful town I'd always dreamed of! God has amazed me anew with His provision, and blessings -- and allowed me a season when I can write full time for Him.
I 'm delighted you've stopped in to visit. My hope is that you'll be blessed and encouraged by soul-stirring stories of regular people interacting with a God who loves them.
I'd love to hear from you! I love getting mail, especially from readers and I welcome your questions and comments. Write to me at susan@susanmaywarren.com. And, if you're interested, sign up for my newsletter, a quarterly sneak peek into upcoming releases and projects. Thank you for your interest and support.
God Bless and Happy Reading!
In His Grip,
Susan May Warren
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 12, 2017
Oh, this was good! A true Christian novel that makes you think about God and what salvation is—at the same time, a romance too, with thoughts about true love and God's true plan for marriage...women are meant to support and complement their husbands, but God doesn't call us to make a god of our husbands' will and put their conscience in place of our personal walk with God.
Another gem from way too far down on my TBR pile! Thanks to Andrea for the nudge to read it.
Another gem from way too far down on my TBR pile! Thanks to Andrea for the nudge to read it.
February 15, 2017
Though Letters from the Enemy was released in 2004, it’s new to me. My sister shared it with me, and, since I was iced inside by a rare-in-Texas sleet storm, I decided to squeeze this Heartsong Presents book in before reading one I received for the Blogging for Books program I participate in. I’m so glad I bumped this little book up on my reading list. It held a western sweetness I hadn’t read in a while.
Letters from the Enemy takes place in 1918. While the war rages in Europe, Lilly Clark eagerly waits for the mail train each week, hoping to receive a letter from her fiancé, Reggie Larsen, even as she sends him yet another missive. When her world is knocked upside down by a tall foreigner, Heinrick Zook, will Lilly stick to her resolve to send messages of hope to her beloved? Or will the lone enemy in town, who happens to keep crossing her path, challenge her to rethink everything she has come to believe, disrupting her carefully laid plans?
This is the second Susan May Warren novel I’ve read, though I’ve collected several more. I’ve got to tell you, both the books of hers I’ve read have connected with me on a spiritual level. The messages and themes in her tales dig deep into my soul and don’t let me up for air until I’ve puzzled them out and seen how I could apply the things I’ve learned to my life in some substantial way. It’s books that do this that stay with me long after I’ve placed them back on one of my bookcases.
The thing that really struck me in Letters from the Enemy was Lilly’s spiritual journey. In a few different ways, it mirrored my own. The most significant is living in fear. Maybe that’s why the following line, spoken to Lilly from Heinrick, stood out to me. “Lilly, perhaps you’re afraid. Do you think that if you knew God and heard His voice, He might tell you something you don’t want to hear?”
From almost drowning twice to hearing of multiple school shootings to watching the terrorist attack on New York City and the United States in 2001, many fears have plagued my mind, stealing my joy and robbing me of peace. Too many times, as humans, we feel we must control every little thing in our lives or else we’ll fall apart. That’s just not true. The less control we have, by turning things over to God and trusting His plan for our lives, the more peace we’ll gain. The fewer fears we’ll retain. That’s what I want, to live fear free. So I’ll lay my fears at the feet of my Savior and ask Him to help me learn to trust Him. To show me how to rely on His plans, His guidance in every aspect of my life. From now on, I plan to make a more conscious effort to lay aside my human desires and ask God what plans He has for me. They’ll be far greater than anything I could have imagined in the first place anyway.
Letters from the Enemy takes place in 1918. While the war rages in Europe, Lilly Clark eagerly waits for the mail train each week, hoping to receive a letter from her fiancé, Reggie Larsen, even as she sends him yet another missive. When her world is knocked upside down by a tall foreigner, Heinrick Zook, will Lilly stick to her resolve to send messages of hope to her beloved? Or will the lone enemy in town, who happens to keep crossing her path, challenge her to rethink everything she has come to believe, disrupting her carefully laid plans?
This is the second Susan May Warren novel I’ve read, though I’ve collected several more. I’ve got to tell you, both the books of hers I’ve read have connected with me on a spiritual level. The messages and themes in her tales dig deep into my soul and don’t let me up for air until I’ve puzzled them out and seen how I could apply the things I’ve learned to my life in some substantial way. It’s books that do this that stay with me long after I’ve placed them back on one of my bookcases.
The thing that really struck me in Letters from the Enemy was Lilly’s spiritual journey. In a few different ways, it mirrored my own. The most significant is living in fear. Maybe that’s why the following line, spoken to Lilly from Heinrick, stood out to me. “Lilly, perhaps you’re afraid. Do you think that if you knew God and heard His voice, He might tell you something you don’t want to hear?”
From almost drowning twice to hearing of multiple school shootings to watching the terrorist attack on New York City and the United States in 2001, many fears have plagued my mind, stealing my joy and robbing me of peace. Too many times, as humans, we feel we must control every little thing in our lives or else we’ll fall apart. That’s just not true. The less control we have, by turning things over to God and trusting His plan for our lives, the more peace we’ll gain. The fewer fears we’ll retain. That’s what I want, to live fear free. So I’ll lay my fears at the feet of my Savior and ask Him to help me learn to trust Him. To show me how to rely on His plans, His guidance in every aspect of my life. From now on, I plan to make a more conscious effort to lay aside my human desires and ask God what plans He has for me. They’ll be far greater than anything I could have imagined in the first place anyway.
September 30, 2019
I really liked this book! It was an interesting snapshot of the time frame, and had a very strong message about God in it! That was my favorite part of the entire story! I loved how Lilly's feelings for Heinrick grew and blossomed over the course of the story! I didn't think that it was entirely believable that Lilly would be so ostracized by friends and family, but it did add some angst to the story. This was either my introduction to this author or a re-introduction to her work, but I am eager to read more by her!
October 25, 2021
I really, REALLY wanted to like this book.
I couldn't. It's the megachurch mentality that ruined it.
First, the synopsis: Lillie is engaged to be married to a young man who's father is the town pastor, and who trained to be one, himself. He, her sister's husband, and her best friend's boyfriend all are drafted to go to WWI and fight in Europe.
While home waiting for him, Lillie meets a German young man. He's an indentured servant of sorts (his rich American relatives paid his passage, but he has to work it off as a ranch hand). Everyone hates him because he's German. Actually, he's only HALF German, and for the LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, *W.H.Y.* is nobody stating the obvious truth: that he's an American immigrant, just like everyone else there?!?!? Ugh, so stupid.
Anyhow, Lillie teaches him to read English, and he teaches her about faith... because Lillie is a church-goer who believes obeying the pulpit and her parents is the way to heaven, and doesn't know her Lord or her Savior. I was *THRILLED* that Warren used actual scripture, taught the truth of grace and redemption...
... but then she fricked it ALL the heck up by making 'obedience' a cuss word. She falls into the pit of 'Grace ended the Law', which Paul teaches EXTENSIVELY against, but that megachurches tout to the heavens. She insists that obedience and legalism isn't necessary, because if you got the FEELS, you've got true faith. That is NOT scripture. The Bible clearly states that faith without works is dead, and Messiah Himself teaches that not ONE jot or tittle will depart from the Law until Heaven and Earth pass away. Are they gone? NO. So this is crap. Messiah said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." The NT wasn't written when He said that, so guess what He was referring to?
I'm not saying that faith doesn't come by grace, I'm saying that faith without works is DEAD. james 2:17-19. She throws out half of the Truth. Salvation will NEVER be a one-sided coin. And to vilify the law and obedience thereof is just plain wrong.
Yes, Lillie leaves her fiance, but not until the last dadgum second, and that was utterly unfair to him, his parents, her family and friends, and the whole dang town. She's impetuous but only in the direction the author WANTS her to be. For example, she hurries into the middle of a fight, runs unladylike through fields, but she couldn't POSSIBLY run away with Heinrich. Instead, she morphs into a confused, wishy-washy, and cowed little wretch.
I also don't feel Reggie (the fiance) should've been cast as a villain. His PTSD turns him cold and snappish, and I don't think he'd be that way after all but living for Lillie (since - heaven knows - he never ONCE mentioned the Lord in a single one of his letters - and this a pastor. At least the author pegged that one right.)
I have been BEGGING silently for 'Love Inspired' to put out a book with real faith, real verses, real teaching, and real truth in it. This *could have* been it... if she hadn't gone mega-christian. And that's the problem: Jews have obedience to Torah (the law), but not faith in Messiah. Christians have faith in Christ, but have declared that the law is dead, God changed His mind about His commands, and they're FREEEEEEE in Jee-zus. Neither one is right... and that is why neither one leads to eternity with Him.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of law-less-ness!' "
I couldn't. It's the megachurch mentality that ruined it.
First, the synopsis: Lillie is engaged to be married to a young man who's father is the town pastor, and who trained to be one, himself. He, her sister's husband, and her best friend's boyfriend all are drafted to go to WWI and fight in Europe.
While home waiting for him, Lillie meets a German young man. He's an indentured servant of sorts (his rich American relatives paid his passage, but he has to work it off as a ranch hand). Everyone hates him because he's German. Actually, he's only HALF German, and for the LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, *W.H.Y.* is nobody stating the obvious truth: that he's an American immigrant, just like everyone else there?!?!? Ugh, so stupid.
Anyhow, Lillie teaches him to read English, and he teaches her about faith... because Lillie is a church-goer who believes obeying the pulpit and her parents is the way to heaven, and doesn't know her Lord or her Savior. I was *THRILLED* that Warren used actual scripture, taught the truth of grace and redemption...
... but then she fricked it ALL the heck up by making 'obedience' a cuss word. She falls into the pit of 'Grace ended the Law', which Paul teaches EXTENSIVELY against, but that megachurches tout to the heavens. She insists that obedience and legalism isn't necessary, because if you got the FEELS, you've got true faith. That is NOT scripture. The Bible clearly states that faith without works is dead, and Messiah Himself teaches that not ONE jot or tittle will depart from the Law until Heaven and Earth pass away. Are they gone? NO. So this is crap. Messiah said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." The NT wasn't written when He said that, so guess what He was referring to?
I'm not saying that faith doesn't come by grace, I'm saying that faith without works is DEAD. james 2:17-19. She throws out half of the Truth. Salvation will NEVER be a one-sided coin. And to vilify the law and obedience thereof is just plain wrong.
Yes, Lillie leaves her fiance, but not until the last dadgum second, and that was utterly unfair to him, his parents, her family and friends, and the whole dang town. She's impetuous but only in the direction the author WANTS her to be. For example, she hurries into the middle of a fight, runs unladylike through fields, but she couldn't POSSIBLY run away with Heinrich. Instead, she morphs into a confused, wishy-washy, and cowed little wretch.
I also don't feel Reggie (the fiance) should've been cast as a villain. His PTSD turns him cold and snappish, and I don't think he'd be that way after all but living for Lillie (since - heaven knows - he never ONCE mentioned the Lord in a single one of his letters - and this a pastor. At least the author pegged that one right.)
I have been BEGGING silently for 'Love Inspired' to put out a book with real faith, real verses, real teaching, and real truth in it. This *could have* been it... if she hadn't gone mega-christian. And that's the problem: Jews have obedience to Torah (the law), but not faith in Messiah. Christians have faith in Christ, but have declared that the law is dead, God changed His mind about His commands, and they're FREEEEEEE in Jee-zus. Neither one is right... and that is why neither one leads to eternity with Him.
"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of law-less-ness!' "
March 21, 2024
Sweet, obedient, impulsive Lilly from a nondescript South Dakota town has been groomed and is expected to marry Reverend Larsen's son ... as soon as he returns from fighting the Germans in France.
Lilly is so sure she is in love with Reggie and that he loves her in return and that her getting married is God's will for her life.
But an outsider, a foreigner (a German immigrant of all people!) starts Lilly off on a journey that takes her
- from blindly obeying her church and pastor to completely surrendering her life to God alone,
- from letting others shape her future to thinking for herself and making hard decisions,
- from being fearful to being trusting,
- from feeling inadequate to feeling loved,
- from people pleasing to pleasing God.
Lilly changed dramatically, and she found her source of peace in the midst of the uncertainty of the homefront life during WW I. The violence and prejudice towards anything foreign and the degrading chauvinism of the times described in the story was just baffling.
But it was a privilege to journey alongside Lilly through her discoveries and revelations. I loved the beautiful truth Lilly saw in the simple act of reading her Bible - she reaped faith, the kind that sustained her through hard times (Chapter 20).
Lilly is so sure she is in love with Reggie and that he loves her in return and that her getting married is God's will for her life.
But an outsider, a foreigner (a German immigrant of all people!) starts Lilly off on a journey that takes her
- from blindly obeying her church and pastor to completely surrendering her life to God alone,
- from letting others shape her future to thinking for herself and making hard decisions,
- from being fearful to being trusting,
- from feeling inadequate to feeling loved,
- from people pleasing to pleasing God.
Lilly changed dramatically, and she found her source of peace in the midst of the uncertainty of the homefront life during WW I. The violence and prejudice towards anything foreign and the degrading chauvinism of the times described in the story was just baffling.
But it was a privilege to journey alongside Lilly through her discoveries and revelations. I loved the beautiful truth Lilly saw in the simple act of reading her Bible - she reaped faith, the kind that sustained her through hard times (Chapter 20).
November 24, 2020
One of my favorite in the five story series I read. It’s a story about putting your heart and faith into Christ’s hands and knowing that he makes the ultimate call. All things are meant to be how they are meant to be...even though decisions in life can be hard at times. Christ will lead us through and create us into a better person after the event. Looking forward to more novels such as these.
September 4, 2018
This is a beautiful story of true, abiding, sacrificial, unconditional love in a turbulent time in history. Caught between the interests of two men, Lilly finally understands the meaning of giving and receiving love that comes from and into the depths of her heart.
September 9, 2020
Letters from the Enemy by Susan May Warren
Sep 8, 2020
5 stars
Powerful! My heart cried out with Lilly! She received the greatest gift in her Savior! And He blessed her unconditionally!! A beautiful way to end the Farmer's Daughters Romance Collection boxset!
Sep 8, 2020
5 stars
Powerful! My heart cried out with Lilly! She received the greatest gift in her Savior! And He blessed her unconditionally!! A beautiful way to end the Farmer's Daughters Romance Collection boxset!
July 26, 2022
A sweet story
Such a sweet story. Such a great lesson in God's love for us and His desire for our lives. Lilly and Henry were just meant to be. The only problem was, she was engaged to another. Once she truly turned her life over to God, she got the life of her dreams.
Such a sweet story. Such a great lesson in God's love for us and His desire for our lives. Lilly and Henry were just meant to be. The only problem was, she was engaged to another. Once she truly turned her life over to God, she got the life of her dreams.
July 27, 2021
cute little romance, cold have done with out the bible stuff, but i just skipped over that
February 9, 2022
This one was much better than the other four novels in “The Farmer’s Daughter” Romance Collection.
February 3, 2025
Good story line, loved the characters. Had a bit too much religious tones for me; but overall good story.
August 2, 2025
Honestly wouldn’t have finished this if I hadn’t needed a South Dakota book, and this one was short 😂
March 23, 2025
4.5 stars. Set in 1918 in South Dakota, this WWI story has an extremely good, clear, solid gospel theme throughout — salvation by grace not obedience. It isn’t spicy and is well-written and interesting.
January 7, 2024
It's 1918 in Mobridge, South Dakota. Lilly Clark is engaged to Reggie Larsen, a soldier fighting in the war in Europe. In town one day to send Reggie a letter, she accidentally runs into a young man of German descent, Heinrick Zook, who has come to America after the death of his mother.
There is an instant connection between the two and they secretly become friends. Heinrick asks Lilly to teach him to read. He leaves her messages in town about when to meet. In turn, he teaches her about faith rather than just obeying the Scriptures.
After Lilly and Heinrick are found together, Lilly's mother reminds her father that she was to marry someone else before meeting him and her parents agreed to let them marry if he worked to prove his love. They agree to give Lilly and Heinrick the same chance.
I really liked this story by Susan May Warren. This was an older book of hers and, unlike some of her newer works, displayed more of her original writing style. I especially enjoyed the way she wove Bible story references into the relationships.
I purchased a Kindle and paperback copy of this book.
There is an instant connection between the two and they secretly become friends. Heinrick asks Lilly to teach him to read. He leaves her messages in town about when to meet. In turn, he teaches her about faith rather than just obeying the Scriptures.
After Lilly and Heinrick are found together, Lilly's mother reminds her father that she was to marry someone else before meeting him and her parents agreed to let them marry if he worked to prove his love. They agree to give Lilly and Heinrick the same chance.
I really liked this story by Susan May Warren. This was an older book of hers and, unlike some of her newer works, displayed more of her original writing style. I especially enjoyed the way she wove Bible story references into the relationships.
I purchased a Kindle and paperback copy of this book.
July 26, 2008
Letter's from the Enemy is a wonderful love story with deep truths hidden in the story itself. At first I wasn't so hot about her feeling something for the local guy when her fiance was in Europe fighting the Great War, but as I got to know the fiance better I started cheering for her relationship with the same guy I originally didn't want to see her to be with. My emotions were pulled into this story and the "dark moment" looked so bleak it just about killed me. Their bond was intense and very romantic and the gift he gave her was...priceless! If not for the fact that I paused for over a year before finishing this book, I'd have given it five stars. Terrific story!
October 1, 2012
Very spiritual...and I actually didn't mind that since the way it was described (for lack of batter term), just made sense to me. From the very beginning, I was hoping for a particular ending because [SPOILER] I am a feminist of sorts and especially take offense when I hear of or am told of the right to keep women subjugated to their husbands just because. Every girl has the right to choose her own path regardless of any kind of status quo that is held in effect.
My first Heartsong Presents novel...might not be my last;)
My first Heartsong Presents novel...might not be my last;)
August 8, 2013
interesting story. the prejudice n nasty human nature of people in a town against a foreigner who by his nationality of speech was the enemy. Listening to who God really wanted her husband to be.
I am so glad that Reggie got the flick. But that is how a lot of thinking n behaviour was. You did as your husband did n believe his ways are correct. But when you know that we each are accountable to God so we need to make our own decision. this is freedom.
I am so glad that Reggie got the flick. But that is how a lot of thinking n behaviour was. You did as your husband did n believe his ways are correct. But when you know that we each are accountable to God so we need to make our own decision. this is freedom.
June 18, 2023
This is an older book by one of my favorite authors and it was about what I expected. I thought it had a good message about prejudice, and also about surrendering to God and allowing Him to be in control of your life. I much prefer the author's more current offerings of romantic suspense, but I still felt it was well written, and it kept my interest.
August 21, 2010
I was very disappointed in this book. The first 170 pages were boring but I did enjoy the last 100. I skimmed much of the book- too much wordiness. The characters were not well developed and the story itself just frustrating.
February 5, 2014
Overall I really liked this book except for the sister, Olivia. I felt like all of her reactions to everything in the story were a bit over-the-top and could have been toned down except for at the end when true tragedy had struck.
July 10, 2014
Looking for a really good read but one that is not too lengthy, look no farther! Warren has once again crafted a story that tugs at your heart, speaks to your soul and gives you some depths to reflect on; all the while thrilling you with her well told story and rich characters. A gem!
Want to read
December 1, 2008I am hoping o fins this book at my local bookstore- soon!!
August 5, 2011
I liked Heinrich. He was funny, amiable. Lilly is torn and rash. The distant Reggie doesn't really have a handle onwhohe is after the war. The story was realistic whilst having a happy ending
May 31, 2013
A nice sweet historical with a love story that was both unique and heartwarming. I loved the prairie setting.
June 6, 2014
Cute Christian book
Read
September 25, 2018It is a very good book and really gets the sad reality of men at war. It has an intriguing plot line and I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews