Review of Her Majesty’s Men by Marquesate

Her Majesty’s Men by Marquesate

4 stars

 Her Majesty's Men is the story of two soldiers in the British Forces and of a friendship taking unexpected turns. In the eyes of the Army they are just two mates who are close. But from the revelation of personal secrets, ensuing hatred and aggression, through terror and danger, to loyalty, triumphant strength and courage, grows their own realisation of what they are: comrades first and foremost, but something else too, something more significant. The two Royal Engineers, Sgt Tom Warren and SSgt Alex Turner, learn to understand the real meaning of loyalty and strength. Their fight for survival cuts through all the discipline and rules, to tie them together in a unique bond of companionship and trust.

This is a gritty read, and not an easy read of lust between military men.  We first meet Tom, a closeted gay man that is hiding his secret lust for his best friend and fellow soldier, Alex.  Alex is straight as they come and Tom struggles with being authentic and losing his best friend over coming out.  But in a drunken night he finally tells the truth to Alex who pushes him away in a shocking moment of homophobia. 

Marquesate tells the story from Tom and Alex’s point-of0-views, but instead of switching chapter to chapter, Tom’s story is the first half followed by Alex.  This is a story of love, but it isn’t sweet, or fun, it is intense ad sucks you in from the first moment.  While reading we wondered how Alex would make this work between these men, but we should have had faith.  Although their love-story isn’t typical, it is still there.  Alex comes to his senses and remembers that he loves Tom as his friend and even Tom being gay isn’t changing that. 

Although this is a military romance, it doesn’t really focus on the military part, yes there is reference, but we are so wrapped up in this gut wrenching, violent, sexual, heart-breaking story that we kind of forget about the military.  There is no sweet word, no flirty looks, no stolen moments, but throw downs, harsh words and hot hot hot sex.  Alex eventually softens around the edges, but their relationship will never be an easy one.

Okay, so there is so much to say about Her Majesty’s Men, we really enjoyed it, but it left us wanting more.  Instead of the 144 pages we could have ready so much more about these fantastic military men. 

Review of Off Base by Annabeth Albert

by Annabeth Albert

3.5 Stars

After trading the barracks for a fixer-upper rental, navy SEAL Zack Nelson wants peace, not a roommate—especially not Pike, who sees things about Zack he most wants to hide. Pike's flirting puts virgin Zack on edge. And the questions Pike's arrival would spark from Zack's teammates about his own sexuality? Nope. Not going there. But Zack can't refuse.

Pike Reynolds knows there won't be a warm welcome in his new home. What can he say? He's an acquired taste. But he needs this chance to get his life together. Also, teasing the uptight SEAL will be hella fun. Still, Pike has to tread carefully; he's had his fill of tourists in the past, and he can't risk his heart on another, not even one as hot, as built—and, okay, yeah, as adorable—as Zack.

Living with Pike crumbles Zack's restraint and fuels his curiosity. He discovers how well they fit together in bed…in the shower…in the hallway… He needs Pike more than he could have imagined, yet he doesn't know how to be the man Pike deserves.

We really enjoyed Off Base by Annabeth Albert.  She puts a military spin of the gay-for-you tried and true storyline and it really works.  

Zach is a good boy Navy SEAL who is struggling with who he really is, and the pressures from his family.  And man do you feel for him.  He is struggling with his everyday choices and his parents and their expectations make him feel that nothing he is feeling is right.  They keep trying to push the all-American-boy, marry-a-girl, have-lots-of-babies on him, and he is unsure what he wants.  But meeting and moving in with Pike, an out gay man, he is faced with temptation everyday. 

This story has so many good points, some seriously hot scenes, great secondary characters (and let’s hope the next one is the series is about Apollo!) and some really sweet boys in love.  And although the GFY storyline is a bit overdone, the pressure in  Zach’s life really give credibility that he is struggling with his sexuality. Being that this is a spin-off of the Gaymer Series, it is really nice to see some old faces. 

But there are a few things that get a little bit much.  The angst.  Don’t get us wrong we feel for Zach being closeted, but the push and pull of what he wants or needs gets a little tiring, and our heart breaks a little for Pike that he doesn’t trust what they have. And honestly, the homophobia is overwhelming, not only from his parents but Cobb, another soldier, it gets a bit grating after a while.   

So, if you like a good GFY romance with sweet characters and some steamy between the sheets action then pick up Off Base by Annabeth Albert.

Review of Brody and Nick by A.D. Ellis

by A.D. Ellis 

3-stars 

A cute story idea, that gets lost.

Brody and Nick by A.D. Ellis is set around the idea of 2 friends that get married for financial gain, but end up falling for each other.  Army specialist Brody King, is looking to get out of barracks housing, but the only way to live off base is if you are married.  Brody can save some money if only he can find someone to marry…enter Nick Ferguson.  Nick is close to graduation, but has settled his life with his volunteer work and potential career path of starting his own charity.  But he needs out of his current rooming situation and marring Brody seems like it is the best of both worlds. 

This is one is a series of books, we didn’t ready the others, so safe to assume you can read as a standalone.  Brody and Nick are great characters, and you fall in love with the beginning of the story.  We totally got caught up in their rush to get married, and their sweet, sexy vibe.  But the story kinda loses steam, and becomes a bit drama and angsty.  As expected they fall in love each other, but when they are both ready to tell each other, something throws a wrench in the story, and drama.   Plus they tend to emote a lot, and on and on and on. We tended to skim a bit.

There are lots of great things about this story, the development of characters and their friends is really fun, everyone should have friends like these.  And their journey to love is great, how they fall in love, you actually feel for them, and believe.  And the best part is the epilogue, 5-star, A.D. Ellis should write a course in good epilogues! 

Brody and Nick is a cute marriage-of-convenience story, which makes you believe in love, but too much drama and angst makes it a long read!

Review of Conduct Unbecoming by L.A. Witt

by L.A. Witt

3.5 Star

Military romance that is a guidebook to Okinawa, Japan. 

Conduct Unbecoming by L.A. Witt is first a military romance, focusing on a taboo relationship between enlisted Eric Randall and Officer Shane Connelly.  Eric is unexpectedly transferred to Okinawa, Japan and even though DADT is repealed he struggles with companionship in a place when everyone America in in the military.  He goes out to a gay club one night to find a one-night stand and happens upon Shane.  And from their first looks at each other there is HEAT.  L.A. Witt, can write heat, and this grabs you and makes you feel it.

Eric and Shane keep their relationship a secret at first as they don’t want to come out in the military, but once they discover that they are enlisted and an office their secrecy becomes even more important.  This is hot read, the sex between Eric and Shane is off the sheets, and there is a lot, they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other! 

Complaints?  Well, it is really fascinating to learn about Okinawa, but it gets a bit much.  The descriptions of the castle sites are beautiful, but they go on and on.  And add that to the fact that you really are waiting for the shoe to drop, for someone to see them out-and-about, we tended to skim a bit.  Also, we did have to google a bit with why an enlisted and officer can’t be together, could have been explained a bit better.  But there is so much to love about this book, hot, sexy military men, a great sense of humor, and the character of Eric’s daughter, so much fun.    And we really rooted for Eric and Shane!

Review of Between Ghosts by Garrett Leigh

 

by Garrett Leigh

4.5 stars

We don’t know where to start with this heartbreaking, love- story.  We love ourselves a Military story, but Between Ghosts by Garrett Leigh is so much more than that.  

We first start with Connor Regan a journalist at the Guardian who has requested to be embedded with an SAS group in Iraq.  He is fighting the ghost of his dead brother who died under secret circumstances 3 years ago in the same war.  Connor finds himself looking for pieces of James, trying to figure out who his brother and following his footsteps has lead him to Charlie-3 company, trying to tell the real story of war. 

Charlie-3 company is a band of brothers, military men who have been together for over 3-years.  Their leader, Nathanial Thompson - Nat is a career SAS man, finding it harder and harder to understand the war that they are fighting.  Nat is not happy when his company is dumped with a journalist to babysit, but quickly finds that he wants to protect Connor, but finds it hard to open pieces of himself that have long been buried. 

Military Romance usually stumble on the balance of war and romance, Between Ghosts finds a perfect balance, showing how these 2 men come to rely on each other.  Garrett Leigh doesn’t shy away from the realities of this war, in fact uses it to build empathy for Nat and the team of Charlie-3.  You see that living and working in these conditions could do nothing but harden a person, and making the relationship between Connor and Nat real, that they can rely on each other to be real in all the chaos.  

The writing of this book also sets it apart from other Military Romance books, Garret Leigh spends quite a bit of time developing the other characters, and the personalities of Charlie-3, making you feel like a part of this family.  There isn’t much softness here, not a traditional romance with touches and looks, but instead based on a true need to connect to someone, and Connor and Nat fit together beautifully.   In the end it leaves you rooting for this unlikely couple and hoping that even through the blood, pain and tears, Nat and Connor can find what they both need. 

We LOVED this book.  And you will too!