Dearest Enemy

by Nan Ryan

Susanna LeGrande lost her fiancé, her brother and her beloved home to the Union Army. But her grief only strengthened her resolve to spy for the Confederacy. The once-pampered Southern belle charmed her way through Washington society, falling brazenly into the arms of Rear Admiral Mitchell B. Longley, a commanding Union sailor. She seduced, used…and loved the powerful man.

In the heat of ecstasy, Susanna forgot Mitch was her enemy—she surrendered her body and her heart. But her ruthless betrayal in the name of the South would cost Mitch everything—his command, his men and very nearly his life. She left a shattered, soulless man in her wake.

And now Susanna's dearest love, her dearest enemy, will show her that the sweet kiss of vengeance is a game he, too, can play….

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Enemies To Lovers, Audiobook, Historical Fiction

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

Nancy Henderson is the middle daughter of a Texas rancher and postmaster. She's been married for many years to Joe Ryan, a television executive. Hisoccupation has taken them from border to border and coast to coast. Fortunately, writing is something that can be done anywhere - and Nan shouldknow. The Ryans have lived in Washington, California, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and their own home state of Texas. Nan says it was fun to move around the country and honestly believes that it has helped her writing. The library and the Internet offer a great deal of information on any given place, but there is nothing quite likeactually living in a locale where a book is set.

She began her writing career in 1981. She flirted with writing mysteries, but never finished any. Then, as fate would have it, she saw an article in Newsweek magazine entitled "From Bedroom to Boardroom." It was an interesting story on the women who were writing romance novels. Nan was intrigued. She had never read a romance. She bought a couple, read them, and knew she'd found her calling. She sat down at the Smith Corona typewriter and began her own romance. The first one never left her house. It is burieddeep in a trunk and Nan says it will never be shown to anyone. Her second book sold and she's been writing since. Twenty-two romance novels later, shestill enjoys writing and realizes she's been blessed to have found what she loves to do.

The winner of numerous awards, Nan Ryan says one of the nicest things ever written about her was printed in the St. Petersburg Times. Correspondent AnnV. Hull wrote: "Romance novelist Nan Ryan could step right into the pages of one of her paperbacks. Tall and slender, with smokey eyes and pearly skin,Nan Ryan looks like movie star Jessica Lange's older sister. Ryan writes the most imaginative and bold love scenes, some of which would surely shock herformer teachers at Abilene Christian University."

Reviews

[♡Karlyn P♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to really engage in this story, but I was glad I stuck it out. It's an epic story that spans about a decade, not your typical romance that only spans a few weeks or months. I read this book many weeks ago and I tell you the story really has stuck with me.

Dearest Enemy a passionate love story with both heartache and triumph. Suzanna and Mitch are from opposite sides of the war, but as a spy Suzanne makes Mitch believe they are on the same side. A deeply passionate romance evolves between them, which leaves Suzanna with some very tough choices. They both make mistakes out of misplaced loyalties and beliefs.

I can't say this is the best book I've ever read, but it was a very enjoyable read.

[KarenH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm surprised I liked this book as much as I did...probably because I've seen it and skipped over it for the last 2 years...so I wasn't expecting too much. But the narrator, Gabra Zackman is one of the better storytellers and she had good material to work with here. The heroine, after losing her family and home during the Civil War, is bent on revenge and becomes a spy for the South. She meets and seduces the hero, a Major for the North, and they spend a long week together. The author doesn't skimp here on describing their romantic tryst so you get the feel of how their relationship progresses from lust to love (nor does it hurt that NR leaves the bedroom door wide open). Yet the heroine feels bound to honor "the cause" and horribly betrays the hero. What I didn't like about the story was the lack of remorse the h had for what she did and the fact that she didn't even have to grovel beyond a few tears. Sheesh...us females get away with murder!

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could have been so good. It had so many elements of a great story: love, war, revenge, betrayal, loss, great historical backdrop. But the whole thing was flat.

The characters were two dimensional, reminding me of cardboard dolls that wear clothes with tiny paper tabs. Clay-mation would have been a step up.

The female protagonist's efforts at being a spy were pitiful - she would have been more subtle if she had a neon sign on her forehead.

The two main characters were a matched set, though: brainless folks making absurd decisions and having a lot of monotonous sex!!

On the other hand, the narrator was pretty good.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a ridiculous book. I can’t believe I survived reading it. And that ending?! Sheesh 🙄

[Salma · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Would have given it a 5 stars because I've read this book in a single sitting which hardly happens these days, but a few things at the end seemed cliched. But overall a great emotional ride.

[ANGELIA · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't all that bad, but I'll have to say it wasn't all that good, either. I usually love spy themes, especially if the story is set in either the American Revolution or - like in the Civil War. I try to picture myself in the h's situation. If I had suffered a lot of losses in the war and was dedicated to a cause I felt was right (though in my case, it would have been the Union), I'd want to do what I could to be of service. However, if my heart got involved, I'd take a step back.

That's what Susanna should have done, once she admitted to herself she had fallen for Mitch, especially since she put him in danger, it wasn't just a matter of getting info anymore. It's understandable why this story had to stretch out for several years after the war, because forgiveness couldn't come quickly. (In real life, I doubt very much it would have happened at all.)

Mitch, however, has to accept his share of the blame, an officer with heavy responsibilities has to be continually on guard, not act like a lovesick teenager. In a way, he deserved to be made a fool of.

What I really think, is that if this book had been written back in the 80's or 90's, it would have been a lot better. Back then, authors wrote with a flair for drama and passion that's lacking today. The characters seemed to lack any real feeling, even the sex scenes were cold and clinical, rather than hot and steamy.

It was just missing too much.

[Sanam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent audiobook

[Darling E · Rating 1 out of 5]

😑

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The one reason I didn't enjoy reading this book was because it was mostly about the heroine's life before, during, and after the Civil War, and not too much on the romance. I thought this was one of those books that should have ended tragically for our protagonist/heroine.

Brief summary: The prologue begins with her and the hero in his bedchamber, some time during the Civil War. Then it flashbacks to before the war, when she's young and being courted by her brother's friend, how they end up engaged, how her betrothed and brother leave home to fight in the war. The prologue felt out of place. The book should have just started with Ch.1. She kind of has a sixth sense (gets terrible headaches, if I recall correctly) of when terrible things are going to occur. The war took everything from her: the lives of her family and her home. Thus, she becomes a spy for the south. She lives in Virginia, where everyone appears to be in favor of the north except for a select few. She's assigned to seduce and steal important papers from the hero. After time passes, and the H/h get to know each other and sleep together (more than once), we're back at the first scene from the prologue. She's arrested for being a spy and was about to be hanged until an old aquaintance of her father's saves her and marries her, leaving her everything when he passes away. Time jumps as she travels around Europe and returns to America, then finally moves to an island, where she is reunited with the hero. The hero hasn't forgiven her for spying for the south, but he still desires her, so she pretty much becomes his mistress (not sure if they used that word exactly). She almost dies from yellow fever (or some other disease), recovers, and marries the hero. I would have preferred a tragic ending for her. Not because I don't like her, but I just feel it would have made the book all the better to end it with a sad ending than with a happy one.

[Cristina Contilli]

La guerra civile americana, per la sua lunghezza e per la complessità delle sue vicende, si adatta bene ad essere lo sfondo per un romanzo, che mescoli ricostruzione storica e vicende amorose, come dimostra bene Via col vento che ha avuto un buon riscontro sia come romanzo sia nella versione cinematografica.

In questo testo, la protagonista, Suzanne La Grande, che ha in comune con la Rossella di Via col vento il fatto di essere una donna proveniente da un’agiata famiglia di proprietari terrieri del Sud degli Stati Uniti, dopo aver perduto tutto: dalle ricchezze al fratello, caduto in guerra, decide che non vuole abbattersi e lasciarsi andare alla disperazione, ma vendicarsi, diventando una spia al servizio del proprio paese.

Inviata a Washington, per carpire informazioni utili, da passare poi ai comandi dell’esercito sudista, Suzanne incontra ad un ricevimento un affascinante ammiraglio dell’esercito nordista e, in un momento di debolezza e di passione, dimentica che, come spia, dovrebbe restare lucida e distaccata e si lascia andare tra le braccia dell’ammiraglio Longley.

Da questa notte di passione nascerà una contrastata storia d’amore, di cui non rivelo il seguito, per non togliere ai lettori il piacere di scoprirlo…

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading about the Civil War. When ladies were ladies and men were dashing and handsome. This book takes you to another side of the Civil War. The spying and espionage. As the war begins Susanna's fiance and brother are going to enlist. They are killed in a battle at Mananas. Then Susanna's mother passes away from grief. The house and everything that Susanna holds dear is lost. She is very bitter about the north taking everything she loves. So Susanna decides to become a spy for the confederacy. She goes to parties and gathers up little tidbits of information to pass along. Then she meets Rear Admiral Mitchell B.Longley. But Susanna doesn't realize she's falling for Mitchell. Does Susanna get her revenge? Does this destroy here life? You'll have to read the book to find out.

[Ermione · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chiudo piuttosto male questo 2016, non esaltante dal punto di vista delle letture. Una scrittura piatta, superficiale, frettolosa, dilettantesca. Totalmente assente qualsivoglia approfondimento psicologico dei personaggi, che si comportano in modo assurdo e incoerente. Non parliamo poi della dimensione storica... Di fronte a tanta pochezza made in USA, ben vengano le self nostrane! Puah! 2 stelline giusto perché sono riuscita ad arrivare alla fine.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susanna lives during the Civil War in the confederate south, although many of her neighbors have gone to the union side. She loses everything of importance to her--her beloved fiancé, brother and her family home. She vows vengeance on the enemy and becomes a spy for the confederacy. She targets Admiral Longley, but somewhere along the way falls in love.

[Brainorgan]

Dearest Enemy by Nan Ryan (2006)

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like the book but the characters were flat and I just couldn't get into the story.