A-Z: My Favourite Authors & Books – M

It’s Monday and we’re already up to the letter M in A-Z:  My Favourite Authors & Books.

It’s an eclectic mix this week including one of my all-time favourite authors (Sarah Morgan), an all-time favourite book (London, Can You Wait?), the first fictional couple I ever shipped back in high school (Edie & Dylan from French Kiss), two books set in my hometown of Manchester, England (French Kiss & London, Can You Wait?) and one of the books that really helped me connect with my Jewish heritage (The Matzah Ball).

P.S. If you’ve missed any of my previous A-Z: Favourite Authors & Books, you’ll find links to them all in the Archives.

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AUTHOR: Sarra Manning (Instagram)

Sarra Manning is a teen queen extraordinaire. She spent five years working on the now sadly defunct J17, first as a writer and then as Entertainment Editor. She then joined the launch team of teen fashion bible Ellegirl, which she later went on to edit and has consulted on a wide range of youth titles including Bliss, The Face and More.

Sarra is now editor of What To Wear magazine. She’s also been a regular contributor to ELLE, The Guardian, ES Magazine, Seventeen, Details and Heat and wrote the Shop Bitch column for Time Out. Sarra lives in North London with her dog Miss Betsy (Goodreads).

Books I’ve Read by This Author: 18

BOOK: French Kiss (Diary of a Crush #1) (1999)

Series: Kiss and Make Up (#2), Sealed with a Kiss (#3) & Diary of a Grace (Spin-Off)

I can’t blog about My Favourite Authors & Books without going back to what feels like almost the very beginning and ‘Diary of a Crush’ by Sarra Manning, which was first serialised in Just Seventeen (Sarra spent 5 years at Just Seventeen first as a writer and then as Entertainment Editor).

Side Note: If you want to know just how important Just Seventeen was to my generation, check out The Magazine That Changed Our Life @ Stylist UK.

When I was in high school in the 1990s, we were all so obsessed with Just Seventeen that we’d stop at the newsagents on our way to school every Wednesday morning just so we weren’t the only girls without the magazine at assembly. Edie & Dylan were one of the first fictional couples I ever shipped and I’ve still got all of their old Just Seventeen columns (see below).

New town, new college, new people, Edie’s feeling overwhelmed. What if nobody wants to be her friend? But then something happens that turns her life upside down: Edie spots Dylan. Messy-haired, pouty, frustratingly elusive Dylan. . .

Fast forward to the college trip to Paris and things are really heating up. In between the shopping, the clubbing, the kissing and the making up, something happens between Edie and Dylan that changes both their lives for ever. But do boys like Dylan ever play for keeps?

Tags: Manchester

WHAT’S NEXT? The Man of her Dreams (9 November 2023)

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AUTHOR: Jean Meltzer (Website / Instagram)

Jean Meltzer studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and has earned numerous awards for her work in television, including a daytime Emmy. She spent five years in rabbinical school before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her she should write a book – just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. She is the author of The Matzah Ball and Mr. Perfect on Paper (Goodreads).

Books I’ve Read by This Author: 2

BOOK: The Matzah Ball (2021)

My family has a really complicated relationship with Judaism and ever since my grandfather passed away last year, I’ve found myself drawn to books about being Jewish. If you want to find out more about my family’s history, check out My Favourite Novels with Jewish Representation (which includes ‘The Matzah Ball’).

Oy! to the world

Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.

But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.

Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.

Tags: Disability Rep – Enemies to Lovers – Jewish

WHAT’S NEXT? Kissing Kosher (29 August 2023) (Next Month in Books – August 2023)

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AUTHOR: Jacquelyn Middleton (Website / Twitter / Instagram)

Award-winning author Jacquelyn Middleton’s books are “sexy and overflowing with hope” (Hypable) with “…the kind of sweet nothings hopeless romantics die for.” (Kirkus Reviews) and … “identifiable and emotionally connective characters who readers can’t help but root for.” (BlueInk Review).

Jacquelyn writes love stories for hopeful romantics—‘hopeful’ because her novels are always optimistic and she believes ‘happily ever afters’ are more important now than ever before. But life is messy, relationships are messy, and her books aren’t afraid to go there, too. If you enjoy character and relationship-driven stories about people dealing with the triumphs and disasters we all face, Jacquelyn’s books are for you.

In 2019, she was named Best Canadian Author at the RWA’s Toronto Romance Writers ‘Northern Hearts’ Awards for Until the Last Star Fades. She is also the author of London Belongs to Me, London, Can You Wait?, Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye, and the Christmas in London romance, The Certainty of Chance, which earned a coveted Kirkus starred review and had Entertainment Weekly raving, naming it to their list of the best holiday romances of 2021.

An own voices author, Jacquelyn has dealt with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression all her life, and is dedicated to depicting mental health challenges honestly, realistically, and empathetically in her novels (Goodreads).

Books I’ve Read by This Author: 5 (+1 x TBR)

BOOK: London, Can You Wait? (London Belongs to Me #2) (2017) (My Favourite Books of 2021 & My Favourite Stage & Screen Romances)

Series: London Belongs to Me (#1)

The prequel ‘London Belongs to Me’ was one of My 10 Favourite Books of 2020. As somebody who’s struggled with their mental health for the entirety of their adult life, I really appreciate how authentically the author wrote about Alex’s panic attacks in both books. If you’ve read any of my previous blog posts, you’ll also know that I’m a proud Mancunian and I particularly liked the parts of the book set in Manchester (including the Pret in Piccadilly Gardens where I used to buy my lunch every day). More than anything, what really made me select this book as my favourite was the relationship between Alex and Mark. I was rooting for them from the very beginning. It’s one of those books that as soon as I’d finished reading it on my Kindle, I just knew I had to have it as an actual book.

Alex loves Mark. Mark loves Alex. But is love enough?

Since moving to London from the US, twenty-four-year-old Alex Sinclair seems to have it all: a coveted job writing for the theatre, supportive friends, and the man of her dreams—gorgeous Irish actor, Mark Keegan. But in the year since the acclaimed debut of her play, Alex and Mark’s lives have been turned upside down.

Thanks to his role on a smash-hit British TV show, Mark is catapulted to stardom. Alex couldn’t be happier—until her boyfriend’s popularity and insatiable drive to succeed means they’re apart more than they’re together. Forced to share Mark with showbiz heavy-hitters, intrusive press, and unrelenting fangirls, Alex’s hopes for a stable and committed life with him start to fade. Her struggles with panic attacks, career uncertainty, and Mark’s increasingly worrisome behaviour make her wonder: how much more can she bend before she breaks?

Tags: Manchester – Mental Health Rep – Stage & Screen Romance

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AUTHOR: Raine Miller (Website / Twitter / Instagram)

Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it’s a safe bet she’ll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine’s stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A former teacher, she’s now writing sexy romance stories full time. She has a handsome prince of a husband, two brilliant sons, and two bouncy Italian Greyhounds to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! (Goodreads)

Books I’ve Read by This Author: 13

BOOK: Naked (The Blackstone Affair #1) (2012)

Series: All In (#2), Eyes Wide Open (#3) & Rare and Precious Things (#4)

Brynne Bennett is living the good life. An American art student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s putting her life back on track with school and lots of hard work. When ultra-successful London businessman, Ethan Blackstone, buys her nude portrait, he isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. He wants Brynne in his bed and makes plans to keep her there no matter what. His dominant nature captivates and ensnares despite the demons she carries inside her. But there are secrets in this relationship. Huge ones. Can Ethan free Brynne from the past that has marked her? Will Brynne let him or will the spectres tormenting her resurface to destroy them both…

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AUTHOR: Sarah Morgan (Website / Twitter / Instagram)

Sarah Morgan is a Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She has sold over 21 million copies of her books, and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe.  Her books have been translated into 28 languages and have earned her starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist and Library Journal.

Sarah lives near London, and when she isn’t reading or writing she loves spending time outdoors, walking or riding her mountain bike. She frequently stops to take photographs, much to the annoyance of her family (Author Website).

Books I’ve Read by This Author: 81 (+ 1 x TBR)

BOOK: Ripped (Miller Sisters #1) (2014)

Series: Burned (#2)

Like Lauren Layne in last week’s A-Z: My Favourite Authors & Books – L, Sarah is another of my all-time favourite authors so it was really difficult to choose just 1 x favourite from all of her books. At least I’d already narrowed it down to my top 5 for the Author Spotlight I posted to celebrate 200 blog posts but I eventually decided on ‘Ripped’ because it’s easily Sarah’s most hilarious book (poor Hayley) and Nico is such a sweetheart.

“Wardrobe malfunction” doesn’t begin to cover it.

With a rip louder than the “I dos,” Hayley’s hideous bile-yellow bridesmaid dress explodes. She’s always had enviable curves, but nearly naked wasn’t quite the look she’d been going for at her ex’s wedding.

She’s rushed from the altar under the best man’s designer tux jacket. Hayley’s expecting a blast of icy disapproval from sexy, sophisticated Niccolò Rossi—his usual reaction to anything she does. What she gets is a kiss that nearly melts what’s left of her polyester nightmare gown.

It’s impossible on a million levels. Exuberant engineer Hayley and buttoned-up lawyer Nico have never seen eye to eye—but skin to skin? Oh, mio…. So when Nico shows up at her flat on Christmas Day to give her a fabulous gift—himself—Hayley’s delighted to do the unwrapping. But it’s just a holiday fling. By New Year’s Day, she’ll come back to her senses…unless Nico’s sensual skills tear away all her resolve.

WHAT’S NEXT? The Christmas Book Club (UK: 26 October 2023)

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Next Month in Books – January 2021

January usually feels like a month-long hangover but after the year we’ve had, I think we’ll all be glad to see the back of 2020.

The Christmas decorations might be coming down soon but at least there are lots of bright, sparkly new books to brighten up the dullness.

As usual, if you’ve got any suggestions for January 2021 releases I might have missed out on, please let me know in the comments.

Until next time, happy reading!

Note: I don’t get paid for including any of the links below (apart from Happy When It Rains which is my own book), they’re just the books I’m most looking forward to being published each month

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8TH JANUARY 2021

We’ve had to wait a while for this (see this post from the author’s website) but I’m so happy that we’re finally catching up with Ivan and Gabrielle again. If you haven’t read anything else by this author, I definitely recommend starting with ‘The Blackstone Affair‘ series.

My Lord (Rothvale Legacy #2) by Raine Miller

Series: Priceless (#1)

Priceless paintings…
Done in a master’s hand…
Revealed two centuries after they were created…

A collection of paintings has complicated Lord Rothvale’s life in ways he could never imagine. Actually, make that a beautiful art specialist from the University of London responsible for the complications in his life.

He’s sure about one thing though. Before Gabrielle Hargreave blew back into his sights on a stormy summer night, he never felt this good. She’s turned his world upside down, along with his wounded heart.

But Gabrielle is sporting a wounded heart of her own, and she’s terrified of risking it again on someone like Ivan. Will he hurt her as others have done? Or is Ivan Everley more than just commanding male beauty in a lordly package?

He will tell you he is, and knows how to keep his head in the game when it matters. Yet the truth is clouded for these two and there is trouble afoot… as well as an artfully intriguing mystery.

But Ivan is certain about one thing. He has identified his target and is determined to take the win—making Gabrielle his one and only Lady Rothvale…

A love beyond any price…
Lives intertwined over the ages…
Discoveries of the heart and of treasures hidden away…

Links: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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12TH JANUARY 2021

I’m really excited about this release because I loved the ‘Stay‘ series by the same author and not being able to go anywhere for ages has really ramped up my enthusiasm for books about travel. I can’t think of a better way to escape a dull and dreary January than by reading about a summer vacation through Italy.

Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst

From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst comes a new women’s fiction novel featuring three generations of Ferrari women who need to heal the broken pieces of their lives…and one trip of a lifetime through Italy.

Workaholic, career-obsessed Francesca is fiercely independent and successful in all areas of life except one: family. She struggles to make time for her relationship with her teenage daughter, Allegra, and the two have become practically strangers to each other. When Allegra hangs out with a new crowd and is arrested for drug possession, Francesca gives in to her mother’s wish that they take one epic summer vacation to trace their family roots in Italy. What she never expected was to be faced with the choice of a lifetime. . . .

Allegra wants to make her grandmother happy, but she hates the idea of forced time with her mother and vows to fight every step of the ridiculous tour, until a young man on the verge of priesthood begins to show her the power of acceptance, healing, and the heartbreaking complications of love.

Sophia knows her girls are in trouble. A summer filled with the possibility for change is what they all desperately need. Among the ruins of ancient Rome, the small churches of Assisi, and the rolling hills of Tuscany, Sophia hopes to show her girls that the bonds of family are everything, and to remind them that they can always lean on one another, before it’s too late.

Links: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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The next new release in January is going to be a bit of a departure for me because I’ve never read a M/M before. I’m a huge fan of this author and loved the ‘True North‘ series about the extended Shipley family in Vermont. Although ‘Roommate’ is a standalone, I understand it’s going to be part of the same universe.

Roommate by Sarina Bowen

Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.
I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed.
Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.

Seeking: A room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread.
I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me.
A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.
Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart…

Links: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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19TH JANUARY 2021

I’ll never grumble about another addition to the ‘With Me in Seattle’ series because I love this series. The psych graduate in me would probably say that I’m drawn to books about large, extended families because I come from the opposite (I’m an only child of an only child). These books have everything you want from a romance novel: they’re sexy, funny, full of heart and you always turn the last page with a smile on your face.

Escape With Me (With Me in Seattle #16) by Kristen Proby

Keegan O’Callaghan has been told he’s married to his pub. It’s true. He’s happiest when he’s pulling taps and filling drink orders, so long as he can keep an eye on his family and ensure that all is well. Bringing a woman into his life for anything but a pleasant, short-term romp isn’t even on his radar.

Until she comes running through his door, soaking wet and in a princess gown.

Isabella Harris ran out on her wedding, and she’s not even a little bit sorry. She may have loved her groom a long time ago, but standing there about to take her vows, she realizes it’s not right. And that’s all she needs to know. Four hours later, she finds herself on a tiny island outside of Seattle, walking into a random Irish Pub and locking eyes with the sexiest bartender she’s ever seen. But now what? She’s alone and broke, with only a wedding dress to her name.

Despite the undeniable attraction between them, Keegan can see that Izzy’s scared and alone. The job offer he extends is only until she gets back on her feet—he has no intention of keeping her.

But sometimes Fate has other plans…

Links: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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25TH JANUARY 2021

Authors shouldn’t have favourites amongst their own books but hopefully if I whisper it really quietly, the others won’t find out 🙂 I heart this second chance romance between a feisty Hawaiian body artist and an English law professor who’s also been voted Cheshire’s Bachelor of the Year so much and what’s even more exciting is that it’s set in my hometown of Manchester, England so I can share all of my favourite places with you. I really hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Happy When It Rains by Louise Hall

If I could turn back time…

There are three things that Hawaiian body artist Emmy Montgomery doesn’t do:

She doesn’t cry… OK, except for that one time in a field of sunflowers;

She doesn’t pierce the tongues of steroid junkies because they’re a lawsuit waiting to happen and;

She definitely doesn’t think about Daniel Ford, the British exchange student who broke her teenage heart all those years ago. Definitely not.

When Emmy finds out that Disappearing Daniel is her bestie’s new law professor, she’s persuaded to swap the sunshine of Oahu for the dull, rainy skies of Manchester.

It turns out that the extra-long flight from Hawaii to England might be the least stressful part of her trip because although her initial plan is to confront Daniel, get the closure she so desperately needs and then let all the hurt and resentment she’s been carrying go Disney-style, things aren’t always that straightforward especially when she and Daniel are keeping some big secrets from each other.

Links: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

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30TH JANUARY 2021

I discovered the author of this next book during the Monthus Horribilus (not sure that’s a proper term?) when I was stuck at home by myself. I wanted to escape from the confines of my quiet apartment so picked up ‘The Little Teashop in Tokyo‘ and proceeded to binge-read the rest of the ‘Romantic Escapes‘ series. They’re as warm and comforting as the eateries they feature and all the yummy descriptions of food will definitely make you hungry!

The Little Swiss Ski Chalet by Julie Caplin

It’s time to pack your bags and head to the breathtaking, snow-covered peaks of the Swiss Alps for velvety hot chocolates, delicious cheeses and a gorgeous love story…

Food technician Minna has always believed that chocolate will solve everything – and it’s just what she needs when her latest relationship mishap goes viral!

So with her bags packed and a new determination to sort her life out, Minna decides to drown her sorrows with the best hot chocolate in the world at her godmother’s cosy Swiss chalet. Chocolate: yes. Romance: no. Until she has a run in on an Alpine train with a mysterious but oh-so-gorgeous stranger…

Links: Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads