Mark Simmons was born in PLymouth into a family with a long tradition of service in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. In the 1970's he served in the Royal Marines, with 40 Commando RM, 3 Commando Brigade, and with the Commando Logistics RegimentIn the 1980's he was a member of the Confederate Historical Society and the American Civil War Reserach Association.He has written over one hundred feature articles, mainly on naval/military and travel subjects for publication in the UK and USA.His first book "A Crack in Time" a search for the echoes of the American Civil War was published in 2004."From the Foam of the Sea" his first novel was published in 2007 telling the story of Royal Marines on Cyprus, it has been compared to the work of Alistair MacLean and Desmond Bagley."The Serpent and the Cross" was published in August 2010, the story of an SOE operation in Italy during World War II, set against the background of Motor Racing another of Mark's interests. It has been profiled in the Alfa Romeo Owners Club Magazine.His non-fiction naval history book "The Battle of Matapan 1941" was published in April 2011, reviews have been good,and sales encouraging.