Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

If so, that's where I'm tempted to put this one.

since it really doesn't seem to fit anywhere very well.

Picked it up as a free download because it was horse/ modern west related but was truly anticipating this would be a DNF. Most authors simply don't do horses or the modern west or Native American very well, at least for someone who has spent most of their life involved with all three.

It has elements of a lot of the various categories, a bit of mystery, some romance ... even what I would call 'chick lit' with a certain amount of angst but not a strong theme for any one genre but a strong link to A/A as the characters are out chasing the 'bad guys' who are trying to kill the mustangs.

I do have to say I was quite surprised to find it very readable. The horses were done well, especially the natural horsemanship type training and there weren't a lot of glaring errors with the background and modern western characters.

Liked it well enough I'd certainly try reading another by this author.

Sounds good, Sharon. Thanks for the heads up.

I think there's a market for it, at least! I like A/A but can't do anything to intense or it disturbs my sleep. One good thing about indie publishing (I don't know if your book is indie!) is that books that don't fit "regular" genres can get published and enjoyed.

Jennings wrote: "I think there's a market for it, at least! I like A/A but can't do anything to intense or it disturbs my sleep. One good thing about indie publishing (I don't know if your book is indie!) is that b..."

I'm not sure if it is an indie or not, as the book is also available in hardback. It does seem to be the only book by this author.

And I can see someone putting together a "cozy" series of A/A with an older main protagonist ... retired, slower but smarter. Maybe a little more on the lures the bad guys into quicksand instead of blowing their jeep up with C4.

I think Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler fits the cozy series. They don't really get into any knock down drag out brawls and only blow things up on a limited basis.

The protagonists are a married couple, not old, like Adam Wolf, but not spring chickens. THe mystery is pretty good too.

I think the Outlander series fits the cozy adventure category. I've listened to all 7 books on audio, over 330 hours and it was well worth my time.

I read the first Outlander and it was very good.

I agree with you Eileen...I think Outlander series fits the cozy adventure category. I really enjoyed this series, but have gotten a little frustrated that Diana Gabaldon can't finish the series. I started it over 20 years ago, and she is still just writing book 8. I think that is just a rediculously slow pace for any author to write a series. I have read the series several times, but have kind of lost interest at this point.

Diana Gabaldon isn't doing the audio for book 8? Her voice and the story is what got me hooked in the first place. I was lucky that I just found this series last year so I've been able to read one right after the other. So waiting for book 8 to come out in January isn't that much of a wait for me.

Eileen wrote: "Diana Gabaldon isn't doing the audio for book 8? Her voice and the story is what got me hooked in the first place. I was lucky that I just found this series last year so I've been able to read one ..."

The problem for me is that I would want to read the entire series again with book 8, otherwise it's been so long and I have forgotten a lot. Since her books are 1,000 pages plus each, that would take me a while. Not sure I want to invest any more time into it. I wish I had only discovered them recently like you :)

Okay, I'll definatly add Finding Round by Alex Sheridan to this list.

Maybe more of a "Thriller with a soft spot" but it's very enjoyable, emotional (it'll bring tears to your eyes) and exciting with a nice HEA ending. What more could you ask for?

Just finished another I'd classify as cozy action/adventure. Solomon's Throne

I think what I liked about "Finding Round" that made it such a good read, had more to do with the human story that Sheridan opens up for us. Family on the rocks... and how each person was 100% right, and 50% or more wrong about what was happening.

I liked the human side of the things that happened. It's more a thriller or a suspense novel than A/A, and, the human side of the story was very touching and, done in a way I think we can learn from because it was realistic, and had both sides of the story assesed, reasonably fairly, or at least logically.

Oh yes, there was this mysterious round thing. (I think it's an Avocado, but, she's not tellin')

Hi Sharon, what is a 'DNF'?

Sharon wrote: "If so, that's where I'm tempted to put this one.

since it really doesn't seem to fit anywhere very well.

Picked it up as a free download because it was horse/ mo..."

Winking at you on that one Hugh!

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Okay, I'll definatly add Finding Round by Alex Sheridan to this list.

Maybe more of a "Thriller with a soft spot" but it's very enjoyable, emotional (it'll bring tears to your eyes) and exciting w..."

I'm considering sending you an avocado plant for the holidays, maybe with a big red bow. ;)

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I think what I liked about "Finding Round" that made it such a good read, had more to do with the human story that Sheridan opens up for us. Family on the rocks... and how each person was 100% rig..."

Alex wrote: "Hi Sharon, what is a 'DNF'?"

Did not finish.

Sharon wrote: "Alex wrote: "Hi Sharon, what is a 'DNF'?"

Did not finish."

Wow, books with NASCAR Terminology... we have a "cozy section" maybe there should be a NASCAR section? You know for books that get a little loose in the center of the turn and tighter coming out! Or those set up to push in the draft.

({P-{D>)

Good LOL on that one, Curm.

Alex wrote: "I'm considering sending you an avocado plant for the holidays, maybe with a big red bow. ;)

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I think what I liked about "Finding Round" that made it such a good read, had more..."

I knew it! Of course for a Sci-fi thriller you'd pick on of nature/God's mistakes... I mean, come on... the pit's too big right?

Alex wrote: "Winking at you on that one Hugh!

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Okay, I'll definatly add Finding Round by Alex Sheridan to this list.

Maybe more of a "Thriller with a soft spot" but it's very enjoyable, e..."

(*blush*) aaah...

Alex wrote: "Good LOL on that one, Curm."

OF course Monster Hunter International would probably be on that list. You know... anyone who chases vampires were wolfs and monsters around Alabama with flame throwers and a supped up shotgun is definitely on the redneck reading list.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I think Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler fits the cozy series. They don't really get into any knock down drag out brawls and only blow things up on a limited basis.

The protagonists are a married ..."
Just finished "Spartan Gold". I've only had limited Cussler exposure - "Arctic Drift" and the movie-version of Sahara. I guess I don't like my A/A stories on the "cozy" side. The Fargos seemed a little too soft-hearted on the bad guys until the last quarter of the book, and by then the switch to hard-nosed just seemed out of character from the first three-quarters. The premise of the mystery was interesting, but I definitely prefer a more intense A/A.

Michelle wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I think Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler fits the cozy series. They don't really get into any knock down drag out brawls and only blow things up on a limited basis.

The prota..."

I tend to also. If you still want to give Cussler a try, I'd say give Raise The Titanic!, Inca Gold or Treasure.

And, if you really want some action that gets the blood going Ice Stationand of course, Ice Hunt or anything by James Rollins

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I think Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler fits the cozy series. They don't really get into any knock down drag out brawls and only blow things up on a limited ba..."

and if your on the horror side...
Monster Hunter International by Larry Correia

I just don't classify those as "cozy" reads.

I do have some early Cussler paperbacks in the Dirk Pitt series. I won't count them out.

I do love Rollins though, he's hard to put down! I recently finished the stand-alone "Altar of Eden" and if I can ever quit work and read full-time - HA!, I need to continue on with the Sigma Series (#2 - Map of Bones).

Michelle wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I think Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler fits the cozy series. They don't really get into any knock down drag out brawls and only blow things up on a limited basis.

The prota..."

When selecting Cussler books, look first at who the co-writer (ghost writer?) is. You will find that the style and the protagnonists are connected to the second name on that book. Cussler writes some of them himself. Lately he has written The Chase which is fascinating for the history and has lots of action--including the San Francisco earthquake. Very exciting.

For modern weapons and shoot-'em-up go for the ones co-authored by Jack Du Brul. (Or Du Brul's own boks. But some of them are bad.) The Fargo books are with Grant Blackwood. (He writes good one by himself.) I like them, although they stretch credulity quite a bit. But hey! It's Cussler. For earlier ones that he wrote by himself I love Inca Gold. I think that is the one.

Paul Kemprecos wrote the Kurt Austin ones. I find his (few) books he wrote alone to be better written than the co-Cussler ones.

And another one that should probably go on the "Cozy" list, and a book that I'm enjoying right now, is Treasure Life.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "And another one that should probably go on the "Cozy" list, and a book that I'm enjoying right now, is Treasure Life."

Read the free sample download and looks like this one is going to have to go in my rather limited new-to-me "BUY" folder!

Thanks Sharon! I hope you enjoy it.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "And another one that should probably go on the "Cozy" list, and a book that I'm enjoying right now, is Treasure Life."

The term 'cozy action adventure' makes me wiggle. I always think of 'cozy mysteries' as involving little old ladies or cats, sometimes both.

Well, I would actually put at least one of my favorite series in that category ... the Mrs. Pollifax series by Dorothy Gilman. A widowed retired lady decides she's bored so 'volunteers' at the CIA office for duty as a spy, because after all, she's elderly, has lived most of her life so getting caught and executed wouldn't be such a major disaster for her as it would be for a younger person.

True ... ridiculous ... but she goes on to get kidnapped, escapes her captors from a fortress in Albania (by donkey back) and 'accidentally' returns with the lost/stolen microfilm.

They do have a lot of action and they are definitely a fun read.

I will have to check it out, and recommend it to my mom as well. :)

An interesting question has emerged... "What constitutes "cozy" when it ocmes to books?"

To me Cozy denotes a sort of "feel-good" vibe or that it's not going to take you to a horrible place in the name of entertainment.

That's not to say it's HEA or anything.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "An interesting question has emerged... "What constitutes "cozy" when it comes to books?"

To me Cozy denotes a sort of "feel-good" vibe or that it's not going to take you to a horrible place in th..."

Feel-good describes pretty much what I expect from a 'cozy' as well. I am not a particularly big cozy fan as many authors seem to equate cozy with cute/sweet and often not too bright as well. The characters are too often in situations that just simply stretch my credulity too far. Done well, however, I have to say cozies can be my favorites since I really do not handle grim/bitter/damaged people and graphic violence/torture/bloodshed all that well.


Alex wrote: "I will have to check it out, and recommend it to my mom as well. :)"

Definitely start with the first one in the series as that establishes the whole setup.

Maybe it's just me, but there's something about living in a bad economy that makes it harder to enjoy grim/bitter/violent stuff right now.

I like a bit of violence (I enjoy blowing stuff up in my stories, I can't resist it), otherwise you wouldn't have much action. But I also like the 'people' stuff in between the action. I guess that's what makes it read more cozy than kick-a*s, but as long as readers enjoy it, I'm ok with being called cozy. :)

Alex wrote: "Maybe it's just me, but there's something about living in a bad economy that makes it harder to enjoy grim/bitter/violent stuff right now.

I like a bit of violence (I enjoy blowing stuff up in m..."

I think age may have something to do with it as well. I know I read all of the Vachss Burke series years ago and he's probably one of the major examples of grim. He's an exceptional writer ... and I still read his books ... but I'm glad he doesn't write fast, they are not re-reads and I definitely go to a proven cozy after one of his books. They didn't hit me as hard 25 years ago.

And I like blowing stuff up as well ... have no problem with battle scenes and all kinds of things as long as it doesn't get too graphic or the author doesn't keep killing off the main characters.

Sharon wrote: really do not handle grim/bitter/damaged people and graphic violence/torture/bloodshed all that well..."

I am with you here, Sharon. I want something to happenin a book, but I have started avoiding all of the above.

Patti wrote: "Sharon wrote: really do not handle grim/bitter/damaged people and graphic violence/torture/bloodshed all that well..."

I am with you here, Sharon. I want something to happenin a book, but I have ..."

The biggest problem I have with cozies, as I said, is the tendency authors seem to have of 'dumbing down' the characters ... main character is in a career where they have had no contact with crime, criminals and self defense, but they get involved in a crime and while stumbling blindly about, with jaw hanging and whining "Oh, my goodness me!" manage to solve it.

I want something now somewhere between that idiocy and the Hannibal Lecter series ... safely between those two.

So I've read this thread, and although it hasn't been active lately, I am intrigued by the notion of "cozy A/A". To me, this conjures up images of a soft, over-stuffed chair, cold winter night with a roaring fire blazing, bathing me in warmth, a nice whisky cradled in one hand and a thrilling read in the other. Wow, it doesn't get any better! Actually, this is about where I was several years ago, and the book was "Scarecrow" by Matthew Reilly. Sure, not everyone will relate to this image, but for me, this is cozy!

Dave, that sounds like the perfect to me. I've done the same thing myself on many a winters night.

"Cozy" is slang/abbreviation for costume as in swimming costume in Yorkshire.

Peter wrote: ""Cozy" is slang/abbreviation for costume as in swimming costume in Yorkshire."

You're thinking of "cos". Cozy Mysteries have been a genre for a long time. Murder She Wrote, Agatha Christie, etc.

Peter wrote: ""Cozy" is slang/abbreviation for costume as in swimming costume in Yorkshire."

"Cozy" or "cos" either way I enjoy putting on my bathing suit and reading by the pool.

Dave wrote: "So I've read this thread, and although it hasn't been active lately, I am intrigued by the notion of "cozy A/A". To me, this conjures up images of a soft, over-stuffed chair, cold winter night with..."

I agree, Dave. I enjoyed by Matthew Reilly.

Patricia wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "I think Spartan Gold by Clive Cussler fits the cozy series. They don't really get into any knock down drag out brawls and only blow things up on a limited ba..."

Great recommendations, Patricia. I do think Paul Kemprecos and Jack Du Brul do a good job as co-authors. What do you think of the news of Russell Blake as Cussler's latest co-author?

Patricia wrote: "Sharon wrote: really do not handle grim/bitter/damaged people and graphic violence/torture/bloodshed all that well..."

I am with you here, Sharon. I want something to happen in a book, but I have ..."

I'm the exact opposite. I dislike cozy reads and gravitate toward books where the characters are bitter, damaged people. I suppose I prefer scarred souls to happy ones.

I also prefer my violence explicit and bloody as opposed to sanitized. It doesn't always need to be splatterpunk gory, but I generally get bored with descriptions like "the hero fired and the target fell to the ground."

Sure, just have the protagonist sip a cup of hot tea every once in awhile, and voila! Cozy added ;)

And don't forget the bear skin rug near the fire in the snowy evening... and brandy.. lots and lots of brandy...