Blood, Tears, and Purple Hearts: A Novel of War, Disability and PTSD

by B. J. Ricketts

Blood, Tears, & Purple Hearts is a gripping, emotionally charged female-veteran thriller that takes readers into the heart of modern warfare and into the lives of two elite women aviators whose courage is tested beyond imagination.

When their Navy helicopter is shot down deep in the Syrian desert, these women find themselves stranded behind enemy lines, wounded and under siege. In a high-stakes military survival mission against ruthless ISIS forces, their training, skills, and bond are all that can carry them through.

But the war doesn’t end with the rescue. Back home in the U.S., the struggle to rebuild shattered bodies, haunted minds, invisible wounds. As female combat veterans, they face a different battlefield, one of trauma, reintegration, identity, and the often-silenced heroism of women in uniform.

Inspired by real life and forged in raw authenticity, author B.J. Ricketts, himself a former U.S. Navy veteran and Middle-East contractor, brings you a novel steeped in true-to-life detail and emotional depth.

This is more than a war story. It’s a powerful tribute to the resilience of women in uniform, a raw exploration of PTSD and combat injury, and a call to honor the invisible battles our veterans continue to fight. If you crave stories about women warriors, modern warfare, heroic sacrifice, female veterans stepping into the spotlight, and the path from front-line combat to home-front healing, then Blood, Tears, & Purple Hearts is a must‐read.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2025

Reviews

[Charlie Lily]

A raw, heartfelt, and unforgettable journey through war and healing

Blood, Tears, & Purple Hearts is one of those rare novels that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go. B.J. Ricketts doesn’t just write about war he immerses you in it. You can feel the sand, the fear, the adrenaline, and the deep bond between two women whose courage redefines what heroism truly means.

What sets this story apart is its authenticity. You can tell the author has lived and breathed this world the military detail, the emotional realism, the unflinching honesty about PTSD and physical recovery. But beyond the action and intensity, there’s a quiet, powerful humanity that shines through every chapter.

Ricketts does a phenomenal job portraying the invisible battles veterans face when the shooting stops. The story doesn’t glorify war it honors survival, sacrifice, and resilience, especially from a female veteran’s perspective that is too often overlooked in fiction.

If you loved books like The Flight Girls or Redeployment, or if you’re drawn to stories that balance high-stakes military action with deep emotional truth, Blood, Tears, & Purple Hearts deserves a place on your shelf.

A gripping, moving, and important read.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

What this author is highlighting is very important. I appreciate the discussion of post traumatic stress and the included symptoms at the end of the story.

The premise of this was very interesting and I did want to know what happened with the characters. However, the emotional punch I expected was not there for me. I think the dialogue between the characters was a bit stilted and impacted the flow of the story.

I was not fond of the FMC. She seemed distant and cold and the close relationship with the other characters wasn't fully believable.

This was the type of story that I found myself wishing that someone else was reading because I wanted to discuss the character and the themes that were covered. This would be a good book for a bookclub disucssion.

There are random pictures included throughout the book which I enjoyed.

If you are interested in books about combat, especially females in combat this book would be interesting.

[Daniel Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read Blood, Tears, & Purple Hearts, and it’s a powerful, emotional story. The cover captures the strength and struggle of the two women perfectly. What really stayed with me was how honestly the book shows both the combat experience and the painful, often unseen battles that follow. It’s raw, heartfelt, and a memorable tribute to the resilience of women veterans.

[Cynthia Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in fast and stayed with me. I felt the tension of the desert survival, but what hit hardest was the fight after the war—the trauma, healing, and strength it takes to rebuild. The bond between these women felt real and powerful. This book reminded me that some of the toughest battles veterans face happen long after they come home.

[Madison Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much this book pulled me in. The survival scenes were intense, but it was the honesty in the aftermath the recovery, the invisible wounds, the strength of these two women that really stayed with me. Ricketts writes with a realism that hits hard. A powerful, memorable read.

[Fernando Julius · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gripping and emotional read. The story of these two aviators feels real and raw, showing not just the dangers of combat but the lasting scars it leaves behind. Powerful and unforgettable