Letters with Love: Romance, Loss, & Love

by Erma M. Ullrey

An encrypted message shatters Lila James’ forbidden marriage, but a twist of fate reveals the only love that can heal her.

Lila James wants the world to see her, not her skin color. She marries Army Air Corps flyboy Joe Lane, believing his promise that together they can change the world. An encrypted message shatters her marriage. Crushed, pregnant, and alone, Lila retreats home to Boise carrying wounds she never asked for. There, she discovers her wartime pen pal’s identity. The only love meant to heal her was never lost but simply waiting for acceptance.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2026

Reviews

[Lisa Rule]

I can honestly say Letters With Love is one of the best books I have read this year. This author never disappoints with any of her books, and she is a fantastic writer across multiple genres.

In Letters With Love she writes Christian historical fiction from the WWII era. The two main characters, Lila and Joe, are a bi-racial couple who fall in love in a time where that is not only frowned on, but actively discouraged. This exceptional book covers not only the racial prejudices they face, but the vast socio-economic differences that exist for them.

There are several additional characters important to the storyline you will fall in love with. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and just FEEL the emotions along with these very well created storyline subjects, as the author is an expert at making you feel you are on the journey with the book's characters, which is one of the many reasons Erma Ullery is such an AMAZING author!

Faith in our Lord and Savior, how we lean on Him during difficult times and how important that is, is expertly woven throughout the book as well. Characters clung to their faith or struggled and learned He will walk through the fire with us.

The heartbreaking effect of WWII on two separate continents is well researched and an integral part of the story. Hardship on the homefront, discrimination during wartime in the military, deciphering enemy codes, dangers of flight, the hospitals caring for Allied wounded....Letters With Love covers it all and more with accuracy that is heartwrenching at times.

As with all of her books, this starts out being set in Idaho, and recognizes our own Mountain Home AFB. Idahoans should be proud of this author who has embraced our great state as her home!

I not only highly recommend reading this book, I recommend purchasing it for gifts, and I hope to see it nominated for Christian book awards! It is THAT good! I was given an advance copy to read but the opinions in this review are entirely my own.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

how a legacy begins

There are so many things I learned from this book. The main thing it taught me that the things we think shouldn’t have happened might be the start of a legacy. Very well done!!!

[Cindy Wanamaker]

As our country celebrates it's 250th anniversary, this is a great read to focus on a part of our history, blended with faith, love, and a twist of fate and the stamina of it's main character as she deals with trauma, grief and loss and trusting her faith! Great book to take along on vacation!!

[Bonne Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Moving and Heartfelt!!

What a wonderful reading experience!! Even though it is fictional, it brings home how war changed lives and caused heartache and new life choices. You are immediately drawn into the time period and connect with the characters in a real way!! Great work!

[Sherry Bendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story. I enjoyed getting to know more about Lila and all the adversity that she preserved through being a woman of color in the days of the war. I loved all the faith content that was heavily prevalent throughout the whole story. It was easy to tell who she put her trust in. This author is not afraid to write about the tough stuff in life. I deeply appreciate that. This is the second book I've read by her, and I look forward to reading more. Please check out the trigger warnings for this book.

[Patricia Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-written World War II novel delves deep into the heart of mixed-race marriage during this most difficult time in history. The author takes us into the midst of a woman 's struggles to find her identity as an individual and not a minority woman married to a white man. The story intensifies as it is told against the backdrop of the turmoil of World War II.

We follow main character Lila across the country and even across the ocean as she gains in maturity, resilience, tenacity, and faith. Well-crafted plot and well-developed characters in this story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author, but the opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Sherry Shindelar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Letters with Love! This is an excellent historical romance. But be prepared for heartache along the way. I loved Lila and Joe, and I was totally caught up in the story! Erma takes us into the harsh realities of what it was like to live and love in the war-torn world of WWII, and a world where couples weren't welcome. But Lila James isn't someone to be defeated. LWL is a story of love, forgiveness, and transformation.

I received a copy of the book from the author, but my opinions are completely my own.

[Sheri Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to have the opportunity to read the lovely romance before it was published. I’ve followed this character in Erma’s other books and she has always been my favorite. Lila’s story has you captivated from the beginning and you won’t want to lay this book down once you begin. It’s heartwarming, it’ll make you laugh and have you in tears and applauding her spunk & tenacity. Lila is raw and vulnerable but determined that certain people in her life are not going to hold her back.

[Sarah Hanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Letters with Love, Erma Ullrey takes the reader on a raw and unpredictable historical journey. Lila's story is wrought with prejudice and hardship, yet as she learns to persevere in love, she becomes a beacon of light. Prepare to go through a gauntlet of emotions as you cheer her on. A rich, thought-provoking read.

[Colleen Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Letters with Love takes the readers on a trip through the past. It follows the life of Lila, a young black woman, as she comes of age in a white world. It’s a tale of love, loss, and the moving of the Lord. I heartily recommend it to every lover of a great story.

[Deb Richmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of "love in the midst of war" story - across the country, across the sea, across racial and economic boundaries. Where will it end?

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and heartwarming story. Always a great read from this author!

[Becky Van Vleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender and powerful WWII romance, this story stands out for its portrayal of a mixed-race marriage between a white flyboy, Joe Lane, and a young Black woman, Lila James, during a deeply divided era. Author Erma Ullrey captures both the uncertainty of the era and the emotional resilience of the characters. What stands out most is how the historical setting shapes the romance—letters, separation, and sacrifice all deepen the stakes. A moving read for anyone who appreciates love stories grounded in real history. I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my honest and unbiased review.

[Paige Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book a five-star rating because the author didn't shy away from the hard, ugly difficulty of racism during World War II. Lila, the FMC, was a very relatable character with her fears, but also her boldness in the face of adversity. The author has a vivacious way of telling a story that carries the narrative and reader along.

I also enjoyed many different nuggets of truth tucked throughout. Here is a favorite:
"Faith isn't what you've seen, but what you haven't. God is in those unseen moments."

I'm so glad that He is, that He hold us fast no matter how much our world shudders and shakes. Loved seeing this truth come to life in Lila's life.

I received an advance reader copy from the author.