Final Book of 2019 - Book Review for All Out War by Sean Parnell - Book #54

All Out War by Sean Parnell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A fun Christmas Vacation Read. Lots of action and some nice twists and turns that kept me entertained throughout the story. I am looking forward to reading more of his work.



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Book Review: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an interesting and short read. Basically a lot of down to earth explanations that you can almost understand about the physics and science of space. It was a lot of fun to read!



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The Chef by James Patterson and Max Dillalo

The Chef by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a typical James Patterson former cop, asked to come back and help on a critical case story but it was a fun read. The main character retires to his job of running a food truck and some of the foods they described sounded delicious. Imagine my surprise to find some of the recipes at the end of the book. Overall it was a fun story with some nice twists and turns. It is interesting how I saw complaints in reviews about how the story is unrealistic in terms of how the main character acts as a now retired cop. all I could think was Hey, its a fictional story! Relax, suspend your reality and enjoy it, If you can't handle it then return it to the library or donate it to the library!



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A book Review for The Cabinet of Curiosities (Pendergast, #3) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was just another fun adventure with Agent Pendergast. This is a series that I will continue to work my way through although not necessarily in order. The more I read/listen to these stories the more it feels like an American version of Sherlock Holmes for some reason.



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Book Review - The Titanic Secret (Isaac Bell, #11) by Clive Cussler

The Titanic Secret by Clive Cussler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another fun adventure in the Isaac Bell Series. A small crossover with Dirk Pitt at the beginning and the end. I don't remember the references that Dirk makes back to when he raised the Titanic but that is minor. Overall the story was good and I enjoyed it.



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Mark One by John Hindmarsh

Mark One by John Hindmarsh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an interesting read that I have been working on off and on all summer and fall. It has some interesting plot twists and it kept me engaged as I read it.



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Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Fever Dream by Douglas Preston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another fun listen via books on CD. Just more adventures of Pendergast as he solves more crimes in his own unique way.



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The Institute by Stephen King

The Institute by Stephen King

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This one ROCKED! Just one of his supernatural - NOT Horror - type of story that sucked me from the beginning and kept me reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it!



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The Drifter by Nick Petrie - A book Review

The Drifter by Nick Petrie

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed it. It had some nice twists and turns the story itself moved along at a pace that I liked. When I clear the backlog of books i have I might go see what else this author has written and try them.



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#45 - Unsolved - James Patters and David Ellis

Unsolved by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Overall not a bad book. I didn't read the first one for this character but you don't need to read it to follow the story. It had some nice twists and turns that kept me entertained while I read it. Sooner or later I will probably go back and read the first in the series



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Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Reliquary by Douglas Preston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was just another entertaining story that kept me entertained on my commute back and forth to work. I might start looking for this entire series on books on cd and listen to them in order.



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The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe

The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was such a fun read. I always loved Mike Rowe on Dirty Jobs and I Have enjoyed him when I catch his Return the Favor videos on facebook. Now I might have to try listening to his podcast. There is nothing to say sit back with a drink a cozy chair and enjoy it!



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Rising Sun by Robert Conroy

Rising Sun by Robert Conroy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another fun and exciting alternate history book. This is the second one of his that i have read and yet again I thoroughly enjoyed it. He is definitely an author that I will keep on reading.



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Dance of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Dance of Death by Douglas Preston

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was another fun listen (Books on CD). I Have only read/listened to a couple of the stories in this series and they have all been enjoyable.



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Fallout (The Hot War, #2) by Harry Turtledove

Fallout by Harry Turtledove

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This time around I read this one. Now it seems the storyline is dragging. The fact it has been almost 2 year since I read the first one and I forgot most of the characters didn't help.



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Run Away by Harlan Corben

Run Away by Harlan Coben

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was an interesting read for me. It is by an Author that I don't read alot but I saw it in the new release section at BJ's so I requested it from the library. It had some nice twists and turns and overall was just a fun read.



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Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz

Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars






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Hurricane Dorian Book - The Kremlin Strike by Dale Brown

The Kremlin Strike by Dale Brown

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was just another fun exciting adventure with Brad McLanahan and his team. The action was good, the plot was good and the pace was good. Overall it was a good solid read. It was probably closer to 4.5 stars as opposed to 4 stars.



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Another book closer to the 40 for the year! Backlash by Brad Thor

Backlash by Brad Thor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another fun Scott Harvath adventure. Some nice twists and turns in and the action was non-stop like usual.



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#35 - The Black Hornet by Rob Sinclair

The Black Hornet by Rob Sinclair

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was another fun read in the saga of James Ryker as he tries to track down who killed his wife.



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#34 - Redemption by David Baldacci

Redemption by David Baldacci

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


For some reason it felt like this one was sort of dragging for a lot of the story. Bits and pieces were good but the pace just felt slow.



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#33 - Celtic Empire by Clive Cussler

Celtic Empire by Clive Cussler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was just another fun exciting adventure in the Dirk Pitt Universe. The bad guys have an evil plan and Dirk and co find out about on a fluke chance and begin to slowly unravel the mysteries and yet again in the end the bad guys are foiled! :-)



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#32 - The First Wave: The D-Day Warriors Who Led the Way to Victory in World War II - By Alex Kershaw

The First Wave: The D-Day Warriors Who Led the Way to Victory in World War II by Alex Kershaw

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This one was a lot of fun to read. It provided a lot of different perspectives from the allied perspective on the D-Day invasion. It definitely kept me entertained through out the entire book.



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#31 - The Green Viper - By Rob Sinclair

The Green Viper by Rob Sinclair

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was another fun read in what is going to be a continuing adventure for James Ryker. This one had some nice twists and turns and kept me entertained throughout!



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#30 - Rain on the Dead by Jack Higgins

Rain on the Dead by Jack Higgins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This was a a fun book on CD to listen to while on my road trip but wow at times the coincidences that either saved the protagonist or allowed the antagonist to get away got a little over the top.



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#29 - Extinct by Ike Hammil

Extinct by Ike Hamill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was a different kind of post apocalyptic thriller. The ending was sort of weird but overall it was good. I definitely enjoyed it and sooner or later I will read the next in the series.



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#28 - The Silver Wolf (James Ryker #3) by Rob Sinclair

The Silver Wolf by Rob Sinclair

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Overall it was pretty good. The action rolled along nicely and the storyline was pretty good. Just a nice beach read for me.



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#27 - Skyborn (Seraphim, #1) by by David Dalglish

Skyborn by David Dalglish

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was something my wife picked up for me as a Father’s Day gift for the beach. It was a fun easy read and I might search out the next one in the series in the future.



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#26 - The Colorado Kid By Stephen King

The Colorado Kid by Stephen King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I wasn’t quite sure to expect in terms of this book so I tried to keep an open mind about it. I just thought it was okay. It felt like it just sort of rambled and meandered and then it was done.



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#25 - First Watch (The Fifth Ward #1) by Dale Ward

First Watch by Dale Lucas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another book by an author that I had never tried. It was a fun beach read.



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#24 - Rules of Prey by John Sanford

Rules of Prey by John Sandford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Just a fun exciting summer vacation beach read for me. It kept me entertained on the beach for a day or so!



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#23 - Stephen King's N. - Marc Guggenheim and Stephen King

Stephen King's N. by Marc Guggenheim

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was the graphic novel version of a short story that he wrote Now I need to go find the book that the short story was in so I can read it, since I don't remember the story.



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#22 - Black Autumn Travelers: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller - by Jeff Kirkham, Jason Ross

Black Autumn Travelers: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller by Jeff Kirkham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another one of my vacation read books for 2019. It was an interesting take on the first days of a major apocalypse that hits the USA. Not bad of a book ,considering all the characters happened to have some training in survival and all had access to guns and ammunition.



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#21 - Crimson Shore by Preston and Child

Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


OH wow, This was a fun book to listen to while in our annual vacation road trip. It had some nice plot twist an turns and then ending was just shocking! I was not expecting to hear that Pendergast and the other guy in the the location in NYC was going to die and then that other lady that went back underground into the catacombs was another shock. I am not reading/listening to this set of books in series so I was totally not expecting this.



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#20 - Oath of Office (Jack Ryan Univers #26) by Marc Cameron (Tom Clancy)

Oath of Office by Marc Cameron

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It was a fun read, but nothing new or different in terms of plot or actions. Just more adventures of Jack Ryan Jr as he saves the world while his Dad is still president.



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19th Book of the year! - Sacred Duty, A Soldiers Tour at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery by Tom Cotton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was a fun read. It was very interesting to read about the history of the unit and their drive for perfection. The behind the scenes look had a lot of information and just reinforced my need to get to Arlington to see it all.



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18th book of the year - The Signal by John Sneeden

The Signal by John Sneeden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I see that some people gave this a sort of low rating. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It kept me entertained on my lunch hour over a few days and then into the weekend. I will probably end up searching out the next book in the series once I get through the other books I have recently downloaded.



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#17 - a Short story/novella - Cleaning the Gold by By Karin Slaughter and Lee Child

Cleaning the Gold by Karin Slaughter

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an interesting short story where the 2 authors combined to write it. The ending was a little weird but overall I still enjoyed it



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16 down - 24 to go - The Solomon Curse by Clive Cussler

The Solomon Curse by Clive Cussler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another fun and exciting adventure with the Fargos. A couple of interesting plot twists that I didn't see coming and a couple of their escapes were a little over the top. But overall still a fun read.



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#15 - Every Tool is a Hammer - Adam Savage

Every Tool's a Hammer: Life is What You Make It by Adam Savage

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is my 15th book of the year but Goodreads is showing it as #14. Very Weird, anyway it was a fun read. If you are a builder of any sort or you like Adam Savage and The MythBusters​ this is a must read book. This was such a fun read. I wasn't sure what to expect but the more I read it the more I enjoyed it. It definitely kept me entertained.



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#14 - Retribution (A Jason Conrad Thriller Book 1)

Retribution by Michael Byars Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I didn't realize that this was more of a short novella. Apparently it was written sort of a prequel to some other books I haven't started yet. Overall it was pretty good. I might have to try the next one on the series after I get through some other books I want to read.



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13 Books - Foreign Agent by Brad Thor

Foreign Agent by Brad Thor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Another fun exciting Scot Harvath adventure from Brad Thor. I like the pace and storyline for this book. It kept me entertained and wanting to finish it.



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12 books down - Shadow Tyrants by Clive Cussler

Shadow Tyrants by Clive Cussler

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Just another fun book in the adventures of the crew of The Oregon.



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#11 - The Gettysburg Trilogy (Gettysburg, #1-3)

The Gettysburg Trilogy by Newt Gingrich

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Overall this was a great series of books. It was definitely an interesting concept that hooked me in to the story and kept me entertained. Reading the kindle version the only problem I had was that multiple times the time of day the mentioned was totally wrong, the characters were doing something in the morning and it said PM or vice versa. Also in the Kindle version it includes part of the George Washington story that they wrote but I haven' finished that part. I decided to move on to other books for awhile.



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THe Upset by Tyler Trent - 10th book I Have read this year.

The Upset by Tyler Trent

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Being a Purdue University graduate I am extremely biased in the review of this book. I won't lie that at times it was tough read and other parts were truly inspiring. I am not the most religious guy around but the way Trent talked about how he accepted God's plan was amazing I do believe we were all put on earth to do something and sooner or later you will find it. His was to galvanize the college football and college sports fanatics around the world to try and help find a cure for cancer. If you are struggling with anything then please find someone to talk to. It could be God, it could be your spouse, a best friend a parent. Just talk. Enjoy your time with your family. This probably wasn't the smartest time for me to read this book since this month is the 11 year anniversary of when I lost my sister to cancer. I still believe that she and our Mom are looking down on our family trying to help us stay positive. Find your anchor and use it. Make a difference in the world. Small words can make a big difference. Finally let bygones be bygones and make up with someone you miss. Nothing is worse than not having someone still in your life because of a stupid argument. Take care and good luck.



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Alan Jackson - Sissy's Song (Official Music Video)

#9 - The President is Missing by James Patterson/Bill Clinton

The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I finished this one yesterday. Overall it was a fun read and something a little different from Jame's normal murder mystery type stores.



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Past Tense by Lee Child

Past Tense by Lee Child

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I am a little biased since I really enjoy the Jack Reacher Series but I felt this was another great story. It had some great twists and turns and the pace was perfect.



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#7 - 2nd Chance by James Patterson

2nd Chance by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I listened to this book on a weekend road trip to Tallahassee and back for my daughters soccer tournament. I ended up finishing it while driving back and forth to work. Overall it was a fun read. It was a new set of characters for me since I had not read the first of this series. I liked it and it had some nice twist and turns that kept me guessing until the end.



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6th book of the year! - Grant Comes East

Grant Comes East by Newt Gingrich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another real exciting book that looks at what might have happened after the Battle of Gettysburg. The only hard part at time was keeping track of some of the names but overall I totally enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the final book in the series.



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Fifth Book of the year - Red War

Red War by Kyle Mills

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Another fun solid adventure in the Mitch Rapp Universe. Always fun to see how far he is going to get pushed. But as usual someone comes through in the end to give him the little bit of help he needs to get out of a precarious situation.



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