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 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!