2.5 stars. Instant connection between a solidier and a fallen hero's brother. ( )

Purple Hearts is only a short story, less than 20 pages, but it surprised me. Not since it’s good, I’m used to that from MacLeod & Valentine, but since it’s more romantic than sexy, dry but not cold, and above all “balanced”.

There is space for a lot of heated feelings in this story: soldiers fighting and dying for a war apparently no one wants, don’t ask don’t tell still active in the army, even being gay in a little town. But all of these elements are in the story and no one of them made it “too much”. The authors presented their reason, explained both side of the story, Erik, the one who remained at home, and Greg, the one who went to fight, and both of them are able to listen to the other while remaining on their position.

Erik accepts Greg’s past, not making him “guilty” for something he believed and still does; Greg explains his point not trying to make Erik accept it, wanting only to make clear that he is not regretting what he did.

Erik and Greg met on the gravesite of Erik’s brother, the same man who was Greg’s fellow soldier; there is no “paranormal” element, no ghost who matchmakes with Erik and Greg, but in a way, it’s like that. Howard spent time to tell to Greg about his gay brother Erik; Greg, who was gay and out, even if not flaunting it, listened and stored the info. Now months later, Greg is there, at Erik’s hometown, and where he can’t play the role of the widow’s comforter, at least he can do something with Erik.

The story lasts barely one day and one night, not enough to tell all their story, but enough to understand that they have a chance to be happy together; I also liked the quite atmosphere of Dighton, Massachusetts, a small town where basically, you can be without “having” to be; Erik and Greg are gay, but they have not to “prove” it to anyone, they can simply live they life.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003EYVY7M/?tag=elimyrevandra-20