John Ringo is a great writer of si-fi / ACTION. He's relatively new; ex-army guy, gun guy, and his work kicks butt. Start with his first book A Hymn Before Battle or Unto The Breach http://www.johnringo.com/ P.S. Anybody else reading Ringo?
I just finished Unto the Breach just a week or so ago. "Quality television" I wouldn't start with that one, since it's the 4th book in his "Ghost" series. The first two of his "Legacy of Aldenata" (the Posleen War) series, A Hymn Before Battle and Gust Front are available for free download over at the Baen.com free library. Great reads!
Absolutely: http://www.baen.com/library/ I would say Unto the Breach can stand alone, not that the first 3 ( Ghost, kildar, & Chooser of the Slain) are not enjoyable. BE WARNED, VERY GRAFIC AND... WELL, DISTERBING ADULT MATERIAL! http://johnringo.com/Books/Paladinofshadows/