Walter's Purple Heart

From the author of PAY IT FORWARD and ELECTRIC GOD, a stunningly original and romantic story of a dead World War II soldier who reaches through time to touch the people he loved most. Michael Steeb is young and more than a bit lost, living a ramshackle life in California with few material possessions, little direction and no real goals, until Walter arrives. As the dead man's past becomes entwined with Michaels' own memories, this spiritual connection moves Michael's mind and transforms his identity and direction. Walter gives Michael a mission: to find Walter's old war buddy, Andrew, and tell him the truth about Walter's Purple Heart. Finally locating the sixty-year old man, Michael travels to Albuquerque to relay Walter's message. He arrives to a surprise: not only does he find Andrew, he also finds Mary Ann, the girl left behind after Walter was killed by a Japanese soldier. It seems that Andrew stepped in and took care of everything when Walter didn't come home, including his best friend's fiancee. While Andrew considers Michael to be deluded, or a conman, or both, Mary Ann falls in love with the young man as a way of reenacting her love affair with Walter. Together, the two explore the past and search for the future, despite the realities that may forever change their lives.