Code of Conduct

by Rich Merritt

You've gotten away with it for so long, you think you're immune to the danger . . . At thirty-three, Don Hawkins has spent the better part of his life, in every sense, as a U.S. Marine. Enlisting to escape an alcoholic father and stepmother, he became the unofficial leader of a group of gay servicemen and women, all compelled to guard their sexual identity as faithfully as they serve their country. But with newly inaugurated President Clinton's promise to lift the ban on gays in the military, Don is optimistic that a brighter era is dawning-and not just politically. Ten years now since his lover died in Beirut, Don is finally ready to love again, and falls headlong for Patrick, a handsome young helicopter pilot. As their relationship develops, Don lets his guard down-in potentially dangerous ways. Because forces are at work in the Naval Investigative Service, in Congress, and even in the bars and clubs that Don views as his turf, with a vicious agenda that will have unforeseen consequences . . . Drawing on his own experiences as a Marine, Rich Merritt has crafted an extraordinary story of love, loss, duty, betrayal, and hope. Most of all, Code of Conduct is a deeply compelling exploration of the power of loyalty-to friends, lovers, country, and the unwavering dictates of our own hearts. Praise for Secrets of a Gay Marine Porn Star "Rich Merritt writes an honest, inspiring, sexy, funny, and courageous story" -William J. Mann, author of Men Who Love Men "Inspiring, thought-provoking, and brutally honest" -Michael Thomas Ford, author of Changing Tides "A gripping memoir" -Gay & Lesbian Review "Merritt has written a powerfully honest and compelling story of living two lives" -David Mixner, author of Stranger Among Friends Rich Merritt served in the Marines from 1985 until 1998, attaining the rank of Captain. The same year he was honorably discharged, he was featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine in an

Genres: LGBT, Fiction, Gay Fiction, Gay, M M Romance

456 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Sarmat Chowdhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, one that I found randomly at Strand Bookstore in the romance section, yet labeling this book as just a romance would be a mistake. "Code of Conduct" has romance, but also a mystery/thriller and contemporary fiction elements in the book.

The story follows Gunny Hawkins and his lover Patrick as they meet in California on the Marine base with President Clinton having been elected to the White House, and him having made his intention of decriminalizing homosexuals serving in the military. At the same time, we are introduced to other characters that make up the cast of characters - a mixture of Marines, Navy, civilians, journalists and even some Naval Intelligence Service offices round out the cast.

The story follows Hawkins and Patrick as they meet and form a relationship, all the while showing how integrated and closeted LGBTQIA+ folks (and their straight allies) were or are aware of their existence.

His debut novel and published in 2007, Merrit does a good job relying on his own experiences in the Marines in the closet and with the roll out of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" made the book and the characters seem realistic. His inclusion of the political angle for both the military and the policy change were also a welcome addition as he got the idioms and tone for these characters down well.

It's a tough read, and not a book with a HEA (more akin to a HFN), but I still recommend the book, especially if you want to see how far diverse literature has progressed from when this was originally published and to also read a good fictional account on what closeted service members faced in the past.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled to get into this book for a number of reasons (using dialogue as info-dumps, too many characters introduced at a time, confusing interweaving of plotlines). The writer should have trusted his reader a bit more to get some of what he was trying to say without having the characters voice those opinions. I felt lectured a few times, and he was preaching to the choir, you know? With a cover like that (while a lovely man, was it necessary to put a star on the crotch? Way to limit your audience) the only readers were going to be people who agreed with the author.

Despite all that, I kept picking it back up, wanting to know what was going to happen. I started to care about the characters, though some were a bit implausible to me. The plot even managed to surprise me. I stayed up late last night to finish it, and I felt satisfied with the ending.

There is very little fiction dealing with the effects of the military's policy on gays and lesbians (trust me, I have looked), and I'm glad I read this one.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit confusing. I found the different character points of view were not always obvious and it was quite hard to keep track. The main thing I felt reading this book though was angry. I just cannot fathom how anyone can think people don’t deserve the same rights just because they’re gay. It’s just wrong. I recognised the horrible Republican politician as basically every Republican politician today though which was sad and depressing. So yeah, do not read this book if you want fun and thrills.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. One can almost say it's cute, but then Marines are never cute. Maybe handsome, studly, ...

[Michael Rutkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Brought back bad memories of gay life in the 1990s but did a good job handling the topic.

[Pablo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so cringe at times, and so gay, and the plot was kind of bad, but the writting was so good. And I could not stop reading it.

[Lori Ehrman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. Having been in the military plus married to a military man, I could easily relate, but don't think that is a necessary criteria to appreciate the story.

Rich Merritt developed both the plot and the characters well. While the plot is a bit implausible, for a fictional novel it works well to tell the story.

If you are looking for a gay sex novel, this isn't it. There's enough sex to keep me from wanting anyone under 18 from reading it, but not enough in my opinion to turn an adult reader on or off (It's about gays in the military so you should know what type of sex it includes).

[Jay Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it can be a little difficult to get into the book, once you do, the story lines suck you in. I read the Kindle version of the book and I found that the book did need more editing, there we some typos throughout the book. However, the characters are easy to relate to and the emtions and plots felt very authentic. Several times during the book I found myself asking if the book really was a novel and not based on a true story.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in knowing the emtional effects of serving in the military secretly a gay or lesbian.

[Jazsilver · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. And I did enjoy Part 1, though I did find some of the dialogue between two particular characters to be rather unrealistically cheesy. But I happily put that aside and became engrossed in the characters and the uniqueness of the concept. But then I got to Part 2 and I had to switch to skim mode. The plot became way too....much for me. Extremely difficult to believe. I no longer cared about the characters because they no longer seemed even remotely real to me. So, while I love the concept of this book, I was so, so very disappointed by the story.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, a little schlocky and cheesy, but what it lacks in sophistication it makes up for in action. Lots of plot twists and page turning suspense. A total potboiler. Had a little trouble getting into it first b/c the characters are all identified by name only and they're all servicemen so it was difficult to keep them straight. Once it got going, it was completely entertaining. Clearly the author has lived in this world and cares about it. It's got the ring of authenticity about it.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written by a real "guy," which got me interested in it. Also it seemed relevant with so much going on with this "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" crap. I was not ready for the ending. When I thought about the ending over time, it was unrealistic, but I enjoyed that this book doesn't necessarily offer a happy ending, but it does end on hope.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do I have to cover this if I'm reading on the subway? Will it harm small children?

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story, sad ending but still a good story.

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got bored... Might come back to it. Might not.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

over rated. the writing style is very straightforward and rather dull. plot is good, though.

[Rich Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could write something this magnificent.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great exploration of the dangers of homophobia. Thankfully, the world is changing.