Military Men and a chance to win your own (sort of)

As you can see from my sidebar, I'm very much looking forward to reading Anchor's Aweigh by Janey Chapel, the sequel to Maritime Men.  I have a bit of a soft spot all round for heroes who are in the military and some of my favourite m/f historicals contain heroes who served in the Peninsular Wars, or fought in the battle of Waterloo.  Even m/m contemporary romances with military heroes have a great deal of appeal.  Mostly because they all seem to have a take charge, no nonsense, see through the bullshit type of personality which I find incredibly appealing.  There's also much drama to be had from men who have to keep their relationship secret - and much bitterness too.

Anyhow, this got me thinking about some of the really great m/m books I've read with military heroes, so I thought I'd do a list of my top 5.  In no particular order here are some of my favourite m/m books with military heroes:

Out of the Blue by Josh Lanyon
If you think Don't Ask, Don't Tell is barbaric, then how about instead of a dishonourable discharge you get court martialled and shot?  That's what the gay soldiers in the First World War were facing, along with the very real chance that they would get shot down every time they went up in a plane to fight the Bosch.  This harrowing but also strangely uplifting m/m book set in First World War France is a must for anyone who likes historicals set in wartime. Review HERE.

Her Majesty's Men by Marquesate
A brutal, realistic look at life in the British military through the eyes of two soldiers, Tom and Alex, and their long journey towards love.  It's filled to the brim with action and testosterone, and isn't for the faint hearted, but I loved it.  Review HERE.





Maritime Men by Janey Chapel
This story focuses on two navel SEALs in training, Eli and Cooper, and the way that their initial friendship develops into much more.  The focus of the story is just as much about them helping each other through their training as it is about their sexual relationship, and I'm looking forward to seeing where Janey takes these characters in the sequel.  Review HERE.



Keeping Promise Rock by Amy Lane
Only part of this book focuses on the military, but the hero, Crick, and his two year term in Iraq forms a focal part of the book.  What I liked most about this was that the reader gets to see both the effect that the war has on Crick and the effect of Crick's absence on his lover Deacon who has to wait anxiously for him at home.  Review HERE.



Because of the Brave by Laura Baumbach, ZA Maxfield and Josh Lanyon
This anthology of two novellas and a short story all contain military heroes but only one is set within a war.  It was interesting to read stories where the focus is not on fighting but rather the effect of war on those who are relatives of the soldiers.  A well written and affecting anthology.  Review HERE.



There are other military stories that I could mention or those with heroes who used to be in the military.  In fact some authors, like John Simpson, write nearly all their books with military heroes. I've also heard good things about I'll Be Your Drill Soldier by Crystal Rose but haven't managed to get around to reading it yet.

But what about you, my faithful blog readers?  Which are your favourite m/m military books?  To give you an incentive to list some of your favourites, the lovely Janey Chapel has offered me a copy of her ebook Maritime Men to give away to one lucky commenter.

Leave your comments between now and 11.59pm GMT on Friday and I'll announce the lucky winner on Saturday.