Designated Target

Title: Designated Target

Author: Laura Baumbach

Publisher: MLR Press

Publisher URL: www.mlrbooks.com

ISBN: 978-1-60820-7916

Genre: {M/M} Military

Rating: 4.5 Nymphs  

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Chocolate Minx 

Sometimes keeping a promise can be difficult, but doing the right thing can often lead to unexpected rewards.

Designated Target is part of the Hostage anthology. It is an enjoyable heartwarming short story of grief, loneliness and hope for a better future. The main feature is the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. China is an in-the-closet gay soldier. The plot illustrates that sexuality has no relevance regarding a person’s honor nor does sexuality have any influence concerning anyone’s ability to protect and serve.   Carson is struggling to live as normally as possible, considering he only recently lost his older brother Jim. However, Carson is not the only one suffering from the loss. China was Jim’s friend and as part of the Ranger team, he also feeling remorse. Sharing a brotherly love for Jim, as well as having an immediate mutual attraction upon meeting face to face, Carson and China forms a budding relationship.