First thing that struck me about this thoroughly worthwhile journey was the carefully drawn out larger than life characters. That best describe Tom and Alex. Anyone familiar with Marquesate's work will know the meticulous attention to detail in making the characters real and believable. Often as in the real world They carry with conviction the physical and internal scars that have shaped their lives.

Ssgt Alex turner and Sgt Alex Warren are best mates serving with-in the British forces, royal Engineers. One fateful evening after two many beers. Tom reveals a startling confession that ultimately threatens to destroy their friendship, impact the course of their lives forever.

What unfolds next is a richly depicted story that has some seriously heartstopping and breathtaking moments. The graphic and descriptive writing within the text. Although thrilling is sometimes brutal and can at times make for some uncomfortable reading that not everyone will appreciate.

As is usual glossing over to appease the mainsteam is not Marquesate's style, as courageous an autor as the men he/she writes about.

ultimately it's the two soldiers who leave a lasting impression. Make their mark as the story reaches it's deeply satisfying conclusion. Together they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and what they truly are, mean to one another.

Marguesate's HMM is in a word stunning. This rich colourful depiction of true honour within the armed forces will leave a deep and lasting impression.

Signed/LOTD

Many of us are familiar with Marquesate's work through the brilliant epic Special Forces: Soldiers, Mercenaries and Veterans which she co-authors with Vashtan. Most recently, Marquesate released her first published novel entitled, Her Majesty's Men. It is the story of Royal Engineers Sgt. Thomas Christopher Warren and SSgt. Alexander Turner.

Warning: Mild Spoilers Ahead

Tom and Alex have been best mates for three years working and training as soldiers. Being best mates they spend much of their off-duty time together, drinking in the pub, eating in the Mess, watching DVDs and just hanging out. During all this time Tom has secretly harboured a burning lust and obsession for Alex that goes beyond the confines of their current friendship and it is slowly driving him insane. Owing to a past incident in the line of duty, Alex lives in a survivor’s hell of his own with hideous scars on both the outside and the inside. Alex is completely oblivious to Tom's secrets until one night of beer drinking and Alex's insistent prodding - Tom comes out. Alex reacts with such virulence that, on the surface, his reaction appears as a betrayal of their friendship.

And thus begins their dance. Oh, and what a dance it is! An intimate, intricate and fragile choreography of discoveries where Tom and Alex take turns leading. Tom leads a passive but willing Alex in experiencing physical pleasure once again, and in the process, begins his own journey of trust and acceptance. Alex takes the lead when he decisively relives his past hell in order to save Tom's life and, in turn, comes to the realization of a number of self-truths.

I truly did not know what to expect of Her Majesty's Men but I can honestly say that about five pages into the book the phrase "a richness of words" kept playing over and over like a mantra in my head and continued to do so throughout the read. And this is what this story is. It is not merely a series of words that are sequentially strung together to tell a tale, but rather, written with a richness and texture that produces an abundant and robust language that is Tom's and Alex's story.

Marquesate is an excellent writer that has well honed her craft. She has written Her Majesty's Men with great passion, meticulous attention to detail, and breathes life into characters that have both emotional depth and intelligence. The intensity with which she has written these two characters is quite an intimate treat for the reader because you feel and experience as they do.

I admit (without apology) to being quite selfish when it comes to this story. Simply put - I LOVED IT but it was hardly enough!!! Marquesate has wet my appetite and I want more, much, much more of Tom and Alex. So, I will wait patiently for the next installment of Her Majesty's Men.

Bravo Marquesate and thank you for a wonderful story!!!

Tom and Alex's story is riveting from the opening shower scene to the final page. It is a voyage of disovery, both for Alex and for Tom. A story of conflict and resolution, of understanding and acceptance, of freindship, heroics and love.

On the outside they look like regular squaddies, from the inside they are complex men. Between Tom examining his conflict caused by his attraction and love for his best friend and Alex's internal scars we get to know these two souls, what drives them and how their friendship grows to be "more". The journey is engrossing for the reader and delivered expertly by the writer. There is no hiccups that pull you away. I was able to sink into the story and stay there completely till the end. It was a wonderful experience.

For those of you that have never read Marquesates writing, the style is different from most authors I read. It truly grabs you by the throat and never lets you go. Fast paced and full of phrases that explode visual images into my mind, the use of short sentences fits the storyline and the characters.

I came away from Her Majesty's Men drained, happy and satisfied. My cheeks are still sore from the huge grin I wore the whole way through.

'Her Majesty's Men' predates 'Special Forces' and Marquesate is in a different register here and writing without co-author Vashtan. This is less epic than that huge, still unfolding story that many of us follow as it appears. HMM tells the story of two squaddies and of their developing relationship. While it is less violent than some of the episodes in SF, there is still enough grit to keep things tense and there also is a rather action-packed episode in a dirty little war somewhere, where the two heroes face a rather sticky situation.
Much of what makes 'Special Forces' so strong, is already here in this much earlier book. To start with, there are credible, complex characters who remain true to their ordinary 'squaddie' selves even as their story unfolds and one realises it is far from ordinary. It's not a spoiler to say that there will be no 'curtain picking' in this one. Despite the limited vollume of the story, we also find Marquesate's characteristically well drawn secondary characters who even if they appear only shortly come off the page as fully real.
All in all, a very satisfying read, worthwhile in its own right and as a first introduction to a writer who is at the moment producing one of the most extraordinary stories to appear anywhere.