Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Today’s theme is all about our five star reviews. Now, I like to think that I have a fairly decent amount of five star reviews versus how many books I read a day. By that I mean, I don’t believe I hand them out like crazy. If anything I tend to do more two to four star reviews. I’ve decided only to feature the five star reviews I’ve done so far for this year. Below you’ll find snippets of my reviews. Feel free to look at them if you wish. But hopefully you’ll find a new book to add to your TBR!

Chakana by W.E. Lawrence

When I first read the description for this book, it reminded me of how I felt as a child when I was watching the Indiana Jones movies. I always wanted to be an explorer and archaeologist, so these kinds of pieces of literature are always something I look forward to reading. What I couldn’t have known from the description is that this book held no resemblance to Indiana Jones, with the exception of a few basic core plots. For example the budding war with the Nazi’s, seeking a lost treasure and having to battle a group of men who want to steal the treasure for themselves.

Instead, this a story that is fantastic in its own merit. This is the kind of adventure I would have dreamt of as a child. While my interest in archaeology has always been geared more towards Ancient Egypt or even the Jurassic era, this book opened up an entire new world of history for me… Read More

Confessions of a Paris Party Girl by Vicki Lesage

As I embarked on Vicki’s journey into Parisian life, I couldn’t help but find myself always doing one of two things. The first was to marvel over how much she drinks. I’m by far not a prude and as a former Naval sailor I have some drunken nights that should have/could have been my last. But by the time I hit my mid-20’s drinking had already begun to lose it’s appeal to me. But you know what, her drinking isn’t an issue. After all, you only live once right?

The other thing I kept doing was laughing my ass off. Vicki’s method of retelling her exploits in Paris are light-hearted, easy-going and amusing. Her method of storytelling really draws you in and you can’t help but enjoy the (typically drunken) ride. But it’s more than that. In a way, she sheds light on to a completely different world that what we know as Americans… Read More

Lana’s Calling by Nancy Glynn

When I first read Black 21, the first book of this series, I was extremely appreciative of Nancy Glynn’s ability to push the boundaries and lack of fear in introducing darker elements to her story. As I finished this second book of my series, I find myself in awe of her ability to provide a range of characters. Everything her mother Daisy was, Lana is distinctively different. She views her parents as good and religious, while convinced she is not worthy of such a title. While her mother refused to embrace life in Golden Hills, Lana is determined to make it all hers. She’s highly ambitious, self-confident to the point of being annoying egotistical and extremely clueless about anything going on in the town. Her knowledge stems from her parent’s recollections and what she doesn’t realize is that by seeking revenge, she is playing right into Jack’s hands as well as to her own predestined fate… Read More

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

I was a bit leery of this book. For one, it doesn’t look like the type of book I would normally pick up. I know that may come off as odd, but I’m not usually attracted to the frilly/girly type covers. However this is the book my local book club is reading and I really wanted to participate in it.

Initially, I found it difficult to really get into the book. The book has a slow start and it was difficult to read about how broken Meredith and Nina are. I know there’s supposed to be some ounce of sympathy, but I didn’t feel anything for the characters. Each were so self-centered that it was difficult to feel anything but contempt for them. Even as sad as their father’s passing, it’s not until Nina returns several months later that the story began to get interesting… Read More

The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth

This book is a beautiful tale about two people destined to die young and who happen to be fortunate enough to find each other. It’s a touching story of how their love can even transcend their mental deterioration. But it’s also a difficult story to read. Not because of how it’s written, but because there are so many things that happen that are hard to deal with. Suicide, as well as the deterioration of a human, one you get to experience first hand through Anna’s eyes. These are difficult things to read about, but they are handled with such care, that you can gain a sense of understanding for what the characters are going through and why they do or might consider doing.

It features three points of view and I’m sorry to say, I wish it hadn’t included Clem’s point of view. As a little girl, her point of view added very little to the story at large. The only way it does is that it adds another layer of sadness to an already tragic, yet touching story… Read More

Deep by Jaine Diamond

If you are looking for something hot and I mean HOT to read this winter, you have to go check out this book. I’m not a prude, but I typically don’t read a ton of erotica because too often the author does nothing but write sex scene after sex scene and that’s it. So why am I so adamant about recommending this book? Because it’s not only written well, but the sex scenes include more than just a description of what’s happening. The author is smart by including their thoughts and observations of one another. Hell, even moments of doubt are present and thus, it makes it realistic.

As I was reading this book, I was actually intrigued by the lead up to Catch and Lana finally giving in to one another. It was also interesting to see Station Six’s polar appearances. When Lana first arrives, there is a review team on the Station Six, so no obvious hanky panky was happening in front of Lana… Read More

Wolfen by Alianne Donnelly

I don’t even know where to begin with this book. All I can really say is how great this story is. I became enthralled with it from the beginning and if it weren’t for my still having issues reading ebooks for long periods of time, since my concussion, I would have devoured this book in one day. It’s hard to describe a book you love without giving away too many details or spoilers. But I’ll do my best and I promise, no spoilers, because I want more of you to read this book.

The book begins in a medical facility in Chernobyl. Within the confines of this facility there a ton of doctors observing groups of children. It seems that after a lot of experimentation, they have successfully created what they believe to be three different species of humans: Converts, Inerts and Wolfen… Read More

I’m afraid that’s all I have for today. Can’t wait to see what you all have listed today!