Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
How it works:
She assigns each Tuesday a topic and then posts her top ten list that fits that topic. You’re more than welcome to join her and create your own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well. Feel free to put a unique spin on the topic to make it work for you! Please link back to That Artsy Reader Girl in your own post so that others know where to find more information.
1. Christmas at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer
From the moment he strode through the iron gate and into the offices of Two Love Lane on a crisp December day, it was obvious that Deacon Banks was something different. He wasn’t a Charleston native, not with that adorable Yankee accent. And unlike the usual client at the elegant matchmaking agency, he had no interest in finding a woman to marry–just a few no-strings dates while he was in town.
Macy Frost takes her professional services very seriously–how could she not, when she’s rumored to be a direct descendant of Cupid? Tech entrepreneur Deacon says he’s just trying to make his social-climbing aunt happy by being seen out and about with a few prominent beauties, but Macy insists she can make her client fall in love…for real. And Deacon can’t help but think she might be right. As charming as the palmetto trees and magnificent harbor may be, it’s the beautiful, breath-of-fresh-air Macy who’s become Deacon’s favorite part of the scenery. But can the hopelessly romantic Southern belle stop trying to fix him up and just let Cupid do his work on her own heart?
2 How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days by Kerrelyn Sparks
Lord Leofric, the Beast of Benwick, has not been touched since he was a child. Born with the power to harness lightning, he is a danger to everyone he touches. When he meets his betrothed, he expects a loveless, lonely marriage…until he discovers she’s vastly more powerful than he realized. But is she strong enough to withstand his touch?
If they can survive, their love will alter the future of the kingdom. But will their extraordinary powers cost them everything?
3 Compound 26 by Krista Street
In a society ruled by sanctions and curfews, Dr. Meghan Forester emerges as the youngest and most promising scientist to join the fight against Makanza – the deadly virus that’s ravaged the world.
Inside Compound 26, a giant government-controlled research facility, Meghan’s new job involves studying the Kazzies, the rare survivors who carry the virus and now exhibit supernatural powers. But as her work enfolds, Meghan’s horrified at the brutal and unethical practices the Kazzies are subjected to. And most surprisingly, she falls in love with one.
Faced with growing conflict over helping the Kazzies versus following the Compound’s strict policies, Meghan must choose: obey the government’s unethical practices or risk everything to save the only man she’s ever loved.
Compound 26 is the first book in The Makanza Series – a Sci-Fi Dystopian Romance with strong fantasy elements. This series is filled with strife and intrigue, and questions what it truly is to be human. Fans of Stephenie Meyer and Jennifer Armentrout are sure to love these books!
4 The First 30 Days by Alicin Welsh
The life Anna and Bryan have created for their small family represents the epitome of the modern, on the go, do everything family. Living in a small country town with their two teenage sons, they have enjoyed the relative safety and security that the modern world has allowed them to. The luxury of being able to be in constant communication with each other, having basic necessities like food readily available, along with the security blanket that money provides, was something none of them ever fully appreciated.
In one instant that would change. After an EMP attack on US soil wipes out the electrical grid, Anna, Bryan and the boys must find each other and work together to learn to navigate the challenges this new world will present. Anna needs to learn to let go, that some things, even staying alive, will be out of her control. Bryan must escape from a prison, 100 miles from home, where he worked as a corrections officer until the inmates took over. Cole must learn to embrace his adult voice and Elijah will face challenges none of them can imagine. Loved ones will be lost, resources depleted, and the safety of their family unit threatened by delinquents that move into the area.
As society quickly crumbles around them how will they cope? With law enforcement nonexistent those in need will soon use any means necessary to get what they want. Everyone must do what they can to survive, Anna and Bryan know this, but their will to protect their family is resilient. Will it be enough to keep everyone together and safe? Will they succeed in finding each other while still remaining true to who they are? Anna, Bryan, Cole and Elijah tell their story of surviving in a new world for The First 30 Days.
5 Ten Thousand Words by Kelli Jean
Reclusive author, Xanthe Malcolm, likes her private and quiet life. However, when her wildly-popular series Paranormal Hunters gets picked up by a big-time publishing agency, she’s thrust into the limelight alongside sexy, photographer-turned-cover model, Oliver Fairfax. Upon meeting, the chemistry between the quirky writer and arrogant model quickly intensifies, creating a steamy page-turner of events made for romance novels.
Then comes the plot twist.
Xanthe has secrets that have kept her bound to silence.
And the truth has Oliver questioning every unspoken word.
6 The Fifth Floor by Julie Oleszek
Seven-year-old Anna loves the constant commotion of her big family. Most of all, Anna adores her ten-year-old sister Liz. They build forts, climb trees, and stick together, no matter what. One moment the two girls are dangling from their backyard swing set; the next, everything changes…
Anna will never be the same.
After 10 years of heartache and grief, seventeen-year-old Anna’s life is becoming increasingly difficult. She would like nothing more than to forget her past, but memories of her childhood are burned into her soul. Can she hide the unspeakable truth from years ago? Find out now in Julie Oleszek’s debut novel, The Fifth Floor.
“Julie Oleszek will take you on a compassionate journey that will change you and renew your faith in mankind. This book deserves to be on the Best Seller List.”
Sandra Whiteis
7 The 11th Percent by T.H. Morris
Amidst the combination of writer’s block and society’s expectations to have a “real” 9-5 job, Jonah gets his wish.
His world is turned completely upside down one evening when his vision inexplicably turns blue for several moments. He then receives a warning from a spectral visitor that not only is he in danger, but everything in his life is about to change.
Overnight, Jonah transforms from an overworked, underpaid accountant to the centerpiece of a spectral battle. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he accept that everything he knows about life and death is completely wrong? And, most importantly, will he be able to comprehend and harness the power of the mysterious 11th Percent?
Follow Jonah’s journey in this new breed of ghost story!
8 13th Avenue by Thomas Shark
Detective Nicholas Graves never wanted to be a murderer, but during one long Sunday afternoon on 13th Avenue, he became exactly that. With his secret safe and buried for three whole years, it comes as a shock when he receives an anonymous email, threatening to expose him.
Over the next 12 hours, Detective Graves finds himself in a game with a killer who is smarter, more cunning and deranged than he could ever be. His only hope is his rookie partner, Detective Stasia Rhine, who becomes the final wall between Graves and his demise.
There’s only one problem.
The killer has a game for Stasia too…
9 Twenty-One Trees by Linda Cousine
Birdy also has an undying love for Savannah that spans over two decades. Unfortunately for him, Savannah is a wealthy debutante engaged to the town’s most eligible bachelor—and Birdy is a truck driver.
But after a nasty incident, Savannah wakes up in a hospital bed and can’t remember one thing about the past seven years—not her marriage to Birdy instead of her boyfriend, and especially not the birth of their four children. In what feels like an instant, she’s lost her perfect life and become an impoverished housewife.
Savannah must struggle through her memory loss to recover some kind of love for her husband and children. Will Birdy’s unwavering devotion be enough to carry her through and bring back her lost years? Or could Birdy’s own secrets make matters even worse?
Wealth, poverty, love, loss, and amnesia create a challenging road for Savannah May Holladay. Find out how she traverses these obstacles and unearths the hidden bonds with her childhood friend in Twenty-One Trees.
10 One, Two…He Is Coming For You by Willow Rose
This is an impressive list! I love it!
Thank you!!
Some great selections here, Jolie. I will be adding a couple of these to my TBR.
Thank you!! They are all on my TBR :). I’m hoping to read the first two at some point before the end of the year.
It’s amazing how many number titles are out there! You picked some I’ve never heard of😁