Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

Tell us what A/A books your reading now. Are you enjoying them? What's the best part (so far)? Is there any way someone can help you with the book? (finding one?, understanding a troubling scene? etc?)

I'm currently reading Eventand finding a lot to enjoy here. I don't know if the author is ex-military, intentionally sympathetic to the military, or just wrote about them and it came out this way (I suspect the later) but there are some very subtle, but important things that happen in this story that attract me as a retired miltary guy.

I notice subtle things sometimes, because I doubt anyone plans for them. Subtle things speak volumes of the writers intent the emotion of a situation and his mindset.

Plus, there's a ass-kickin man-eating critter in here. Espionage, complex plot, romance, and things blow up, crash and bullets fly.

It is an action adventure book right?

That's really good when you see some realistic aspects in the book, signs that the author has subject knowledge.

I am reading a variety of books. Action wise, I am finishing up Creepers, which is quite strange, although it has me sucked in.

I am also reading romantic suspense with great action storylines: Dangerous Passion, which has a Russian who is a billionaire arms dealer and martial artist. Very good fighting scene in the book already. And Ruthless Game, which is tenth in a series about enhanced, psychic soldiers. The action is fantastic.

Ruthless game sounds ... cool! Danielle, thank you. Now I gotta add another one to my go get-wish list.

I think you'll enjoy it if you don't dislike romance, Hugh.

I told you about my mother right five books on the shelf... how could I not like Romance? (I do want to get back in the house when I visit.)

(;{)>)

Oh yes. Please extend your mom my appreciation for her books!

I will tell her for you. she's on good reads. If you can see my friends. A lot of my mom's writing group are on my friends list. Liz Allen and Connie cox, who just sold two books to somebody.

(never post from your smart phone! (Edited version)

Cool. I'll look her up.

Patricia Frances Rowell. Romance but still my favorite writer ever. Mom.

That is so cool to have a writer for a mother!

Thank you, it's very cool. I want her to write a thriller! But, what ever she writes will be great.

Lady Danielle, love the physic solders in Ruthless Game! I'll have to reread it before the next one comes out.

That's very cool that your mom's a writer, Hugh. I took your suggestion and started .Sandstorm. I'll let you know what I think when I get farther along. Good luck with your surgery.

Thank you Eileen. My mother even tagged the review I wrote (or the book) stating how much she liked Sandstorm.

And it's cool that Mom is. Maybe some day when I grow up, I'll write something too?

I found Cowboys and Aliens today at Target. So cheesy reading a novelization but someone has to read them or else they'd stop selling them. I haven't seen the movie and won't while it's in the theater. It looks fun though.

I've read some cheesy things. (Some of which developed into a guilty pleasure). I read A Galaxy Unknownby Diprima. It was rediculously cheap as an e-book for my kindle. Come to find out there are eight in the series, and it's a pretty fun little space-opra/sci-fi military series. Not as good as "The Lost Fleet" but I was entertained by it. Something about it kept my attention. Now I'm a Janetta Carver and Trader Vyxx fan. The eigth is out there somewhere.

I felt like I needed something I could pick up and put down just now, so went back to one of my personal favorite re-reads, which is (sort of) what I would call A/A, Watchers by Dean Koontz.

It's an earlier one and one of several I own and re-read often. Starts in a very typical A/A fashion ... main protagonist hiking in a canyon wondering what the meaning of his life is ... finds a dog obviously running from something, which in fact ends up chasing them though they never see it. A very A/A start to the book, though it does of course lead into the horror/sci-fi/mystery genres as well as it goes on.

Sharon, I liked Watchers. For light reading to get my mind off of things, I recently turned to "Bubba and the Dead Woman" [bookcover:Bubba and the Dead Woman|9969004, I laughed my ass off the whole time. It's very funny. Not really an action book but, a unique and unexected good read.

For Koontz, I go back to Twilight Eyes, though I don't consider that light reading.

I don't consider Twilight Eyes light reading either, but it is one of the Koontz books on my bookshelf. Another I re-read quite often of his is Strangers, again not really light reading, but well crafted and well written.

I was going to say it sounded like Bubba and the Dead Woman might be something I'd enjoy but I see that it is in Kindle only. Bummer ... hope they don't do that a whole lot or I'll be in trouble.

Are you sure Bubba's only a kindle book? You can probably go straight to the author, it's a self-pub. It's on Apple as an audio book

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/bubba...

and you can get a free E-copy of it here or read it through your web brouser.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...


You shouldn't need a kindle.

Watchers is a definite favorite of mine.

Traci, I've read a few novelizations in my time. They can be very enjoyable because they add more to the story than what you see in the movie sometimes.

Hugh (The other Hugh) wrote: "Are you sure Bubba's only a kindle book? You can probably go straight to the author, it's a self-pub.

Will see what I can manage, didn't look far enough obviously ... another sign of my Internet-illiteracy!

If you don't mind reading on your computer (or egad printing your own pages from Adobe Acrobat) the second link is probably good. I checked it out. IT's the real McKoy.

Thanks ... may try the printing out. I have some vision impairment and find I can't read extended periods of time on the monitor. That is, actually, one of the reasons I've hesitated in getting a Kindle ... not sure just why it's a problem when reading a book is not, but would be concerned about a Kindle as well unless I had the opportunity to try one to make sure it didn't pose a problem with my eyesight.

If you want to talk off line about a kindle. I may shed some light on it for you. I think their "Electronic Ink" makes it easier to read. PM me if you would like my thoughts on it. It may be better than you think, but I don't know your situation.

Another 'light read' that is just plain fun is Glory Road by Heinlein. There are several of the older Simak books that I would consider A/A as well, more or less blended, in most cases, with the "quest" theme common in fantasy.

Heh, I've nominated Glory Road for the Sci-fi aficionados October Read. vote while you can. Give Oscar a chance!

I'm loving Event. It's deep enough, but a smooth read that doesn't ask you to exert your emotional self if you don't want to. Lots of action, a couple of hot babes, a handsome anti-hero hunk, monsters eating people, espiiondage and one of the best (funniest) takes on Harry Truman I've read in a long while... this is the guy who fired his kids Piano Teacher then had to appologize.

things blow up, crash, Hot shot fighter jocks... I'm likin it.

I definitely need to read Event!

I also started "The Hobbit" with my daughter (6 going on 27). She liked the funny voice I used for Gandalf, and laughed when bombur and the other dwarves fell through Bilbo's door on top of Thorin Oakensheild. She also liked the songs. (no, I didn't sing, but I did read them like poems.) SHe fell asleep during the impromptu rock-concert at Bag End, before they get down to talking business with the burgler.

Having a book buddy reading with me makes this the best re-read ever.

Just noted over in F/A, got another stack of library books, so my own books get pushed back again.

I have no will power.

Hugh (The other Hugh) wrote: "I also started "The Hobbit" with my daughter (6 going on 27). She liked the funny voice I used for Gandalf, and laughed when bombur and the other dwarves fell through Bilbo's door on top of Thorin..."

That's so sweet, Hugh. You're are both very lucky to have each other.

I'm reading Sandstorm a fun read so far.

(pats Mike on the back)

Eileen, I pulled Sandstorm out to start this week.

Have a library trip planned tomorrow ... I checked and they don't have Sandstorm in but have several of Rollins' other books.

Also have a pretty long list of new to me authors from here so should be come home with a good haul.

Thanks Lady D...oh well.

Hugh, I read The Hobbit to my kids wen they were small. Great choice.

Whoo, hoo... Sandstorm is a good book. Painter Crowe and Sophia... nice Let me know how that works for you. I loved it.

Mike, My dad read it to me when I was young 7years old maybe, possibly 8. I was sick with the chicken pox, poison Ivy on top of that and the measles (or mumphs) I was a sick puppy. He stayed home and read the Hobbit to me. I had nightmares about the spiders in the Mirkwood, but we finished it before I went back to school. That's probably why it's still on my all time favorite list.

I've looked at Kindle regarding eyestrain, and it seems very easy on the eyes. As a writer, I spend hours looking at a computer every day and suffer from eyestrain. The enhanced graphics and non-back lighting (whatever the technical term is) of the Kindle is definitely not the same as a computer screen.

Thank you D.M. I'm with you on the kindle. I never realized how much trouble I was having reading. I actually thought I read normaly, but when I started using the kindle I clicked my way through about 30 books in two months.

and for the record, I don't think it has to be a kindle, but it does need to be something with a "Electronic ink" type of display to help. I'm must not familiar with Nooks and crannies.

I have a nook color and it does give me trouble when reading. I love the internet connection on the thing. If you want a tablet without the price tag, it's a great device. But when it comes to actual reading the screen is too bright and when I dim it it's too dark. B&N does have nooks with Eink. And my first nook gave me no trouble in regards to reading. I might end up getting the new Eink touch screen one.

Anyway, I'm reading The Pawn, which I got free awhile back on said nook. And Old Man's War, which I'm enjoying. I like the narrative writing style.

The pawn's great. I'm about to finish Event. I'll post a review of that one. I'm really enjoying it. Not a complex read like Rollins, but not simple, and not a dark nasty read like King. Just fun.

Okay, just finished. Here's a quote (not a spoiler)

"... Then Ryan smiled as he looked at the specialist in the right seat "Ready to be a hero?"

"No, Sir!" the young man answered. ..."

this is definitely an action book. I'll write a review tonight. Now I'm moving on to Ice Station! This is a fun read.

I started listening to On Basilisk Station last night, but I can't get into it in audio format. Too much information too fast and the narrator is a little annoying to me. So I'm going to finish read it next on my Kindle.

Yeah, some books I avoid on audio. Some books are very suited to it.

Hugh, I almost picked up Event. Then I read the all the thumbs down (an expression which reverses the meaning of "thumbs up thumbs down" by the way) reviews on it. I don't always go with reviews...but the synopsis and so turned me away from this one. What do/did you think?

This is a long rambling post so I'll start up front saying I liked it. It gets a thumbs up from me. I found it fun and exciting. It read smoothly, the pace started well then grew appropriately to a frantic pace and I liked the Characters. The monsters were well done (one caviat on them below). It kept me on the edge of the seat that sort of thing. Lots of "FUN." I'm still giving it 3 stars because I'm not sure how it'll translate to other people, it's not as complex a plot as Clive Cussler or James Rollins would write in their books (though not simple) and the things I listed below.

BUT MAN, IS THERE SOME ACTION!


I saw the reviews panning it too, however, it's over all average is 3.57 stars. That means if there are twos there then there are 4s and fives. Page two and three only have three people rating it 2 the rest are three stars and above. One of the reviewers is the author of "Pulse" which I have also read, Jeremy Robinson. It's a good thing he gave it 5 stars because it's better than his book. (Though I'd give his book 3 stars too, it wasn't as good as Event.) I liked Pulse also but not as much as this. They were very similar books.

I was trying to decide how to rate it because I enjoyed it a lot for several different reasons. I could tell that some people might not see it as as much fun as I was getting out of it.


The book reads almost like a 1950s era monster movie. Things tend to be very "white hat/black hat." The people had lots of character and he took the time to flesh them out early on when he could.

I liked this style. After reading some stories with more intense dark sides this was a nice change but that's also why I give it close to four but not quite four stars. (as in diving a good dive doesn't always get the points, they have to figure in difficulty. This was a great clean dive, but a mediocre difficulty level. If that makes sense.) I think people who aren't (a) able to let themselves go and accept the book as it's written (if it's not what they expect) or (b) people who are used to more intense dark sides where it was harder to tell who good were bad guys were by their behavior, they may find Jack Collins and company a bit different than what they are used to. Again,it didn't take long for me to adjust.

If you've been reading the Vampire Lestat, The Watchmen, or Morecock's Stormbringer then you might see these characters as too goody goody or maybe even 2 dimensional. If you've been reading something involving characters designed like everyday people they'll fit your idea of "heroes" a lot better and are a lot more palatable. He also painted the relationships a bit too much like Beaver and Wally Cleaver meet two pretty girls... golly-jee-whilikers.

He could have had more sophisticated romantic relationships or gone with none at all. Most of them weren't necessary. It was cute, and not too "yucky-girl-stuff" but it seemed a little too much High School and not enough mature adult in places.


A lot of things seemed familiar, like I'd seen them before on TV or in a movie. To give him the benefit of the doubt, the author likely wrote his own unique vision but used the same source material (actual (real world) eyewitness reports). He also had so many different things that reminded me of so many different other things that I think he at least gets credit for writing them all into the same tapestry smoothly. I guess if a reviewer was a "hater" I could see them picking on these things that might have been borrowed. If the reviewer was a love-it-(er) then he would defend these things and say they were all original. ultimately I think it would be unfair to accuse him of borrowing ideas nothing and even if he did borrow ideas, it's still a fun read and it's still a unique collection and assembly of things.

It was also like reading one of the C.S.I. shows. By that I mean. There great TV shows, but the technology they use and act as if you find every day, doesn't exist yet and is even misleading. Now, if there's a para-military group anywhere in the U.S. that gets access to "the best of the good stuff" then it would be the Event Group. It wasn't so much the heavy artillery they brought in at the end, as what they treated as every day equipment in the Event Group bunker. Since I know the tech isn't there yet, and I can still press the I'm willing to believe for the duration of the show button on CSI, then It wasn't a problem to do it with this book. What book like this doesn't stretch our real capabilities now and then?

I also would say what I liked best about it was the way he treated the military. He didn't go out of his way to glorify the military (most of the main characters were military in some way) but he didn't write in things that could be considered tarnish on the record either. But better than that, there were a few scenes early on that touched on the sacrifice military men and women have to make just because their in the military. The main Hero, Jack Collins, even has a couple of PTSD (ish) moments (acute stress) when he deals with survivor's remorse and it takes him back to past missions. Contrary to popular belief, the way he depcted these things (in very brief, quick sentences) reflects how a ten year war has affected most of our troops. PTSD is the smallest slice of the pie when it comes to problems caused by acute stress. There are so many other, less severe things that can happen.

One of the characters is an old Korean War Vet who is described in a way that suggests he still has some traumatic stress issues that he's dealing with. I think the author does a nice job of maintaining their dignity and professionalism while dealing with that stuff. (even if it's only a flash in the pan)

The strangest thing in the book was that, right at the end, in the big climax, it was as if someone else had taken over writing. The characters shifted a bit to have more of a sense of humor than they started with.

That could have been me and the mood I was in reading it, someday I have more of a sense of humor than others but it seemed a shift. It wasn't bad writing, I just wasn't sure what prompted the shift. It could also have been a false perception created by changing from the text to speech to actually reading myself.

Thanks, I'll slide it back onto my TBR list...on your say so. That means it's all on your head....dum, dum, dum. (that wasn't a sound effect, it's just me admitting my last statement was "dum, dum, dum).

LOL @ Mike