Charlie’s final statements showed his quiet strength and devotion, not wavering in the past, apologetic but not willing to martyr himself for either man’s mistakes. While Charlie’s secret was easy to predict and the resulting actions were telegraphed, this took nothing away from the story and the impact of the characters. His poetry and understanding fit perfectly with the setting and emotions, even considering his past. He bends to Ricky’s emotional extremes and calms the other man with his love and support. Even in his anger, Ricky is a sympathetic and complicated character that is deftly drawn and well written.Ĭharlie is just as complex in his calm and rational intellect, using words and arguments to fight instead of weapons and anger. Taken in combination with his dead brother, Ricky swings from rage to sorrow and simply wants to be heard by someone. Ricky’s feelings are complex and wrapped in guilt for surviving and being sent to college to avoid the draft when his parents can ill afford to do so. Ricky’s anger and resentment are very clear while still demonstrating his need for the calm understanding Charlie brings him. Ricky’s brother died in Vietnam and his emotions are still very raw concerning the death and politics of war. Ricky and Charlie have joined a caravan from Boston to DC to march in protest against the war.

If you enjoy well crafted stories with an emphasis on the characters and setting, this story should easily appeal. Although the shorter length fits the story perfectly, I would be interested in reading a novel length romance from this duo. Instead the authors have delivered a well crafted romance with sympathetic characters and a rich setting honest for the time period and yet relevant for current times as well. Considering the time frame of a march on the White House in the late 1960’s, this could have easily been a melodramatic, ambitious romance with heavy political ideals. This is the first book I’ve read from these authors but it certainly caught my attention.

Final Exposure by Fae Sutherland