Hi, all—it’s good to see you here on the Special Edition
blog!
I’ve written for this line for the past eight years or so,
and even though I have also contributed books to Blaze and Bombshell (RIP), SSE
is my home. I made my first sale here,
and I’m so happy that SSE is still a big part of my life.
Over time, I’ve done stand-alone books, continuities (such
as Montana Mavericks and The Fortunes of Texas), as well as my own
miniseries. Some of you might even
recall a five-book collection called “Kane’s Crossing” that I wrote back in the
early 2000’s. (Can you believe I’m saying that? “Back in the early 2000’s”!!!)
Once I caught that series bug, I wanted to do more, so I followed up
with a loose series based in the same Texas Hill Country town.
Most recently, I’ve been writing a trilogy called “The Suds
Club,” which focuses on the lives and loves of the people who hang out in a
Laundromat. The best part about this
premise for me was this creation of an “urban tribe”—men and women who band
together to form a family.
The first two books, MOMMY AND THE MILLIONAIRE and THE
SECOND-CHANCE GROOM, covered everything from a pregnant woman on the run from a
boyfriend back home in Kentucky (Yup, she’s from Kane’s Crossing!) to a wife
whose firefighter husband can’t escape his marriage-threatening demons. But the last book in this series, which
comes out this month, is a story that’s more personal than the other two. It’s called FALLING FOR THE LONE WOLF, so
named for the hero, who tends to hang around the Suds Club Laundromat and
pretty much keep to himself most of the time.
But still waters do run deep, and behind the careless façade of this
lone wolf, he nurses a secret, passionate crush.
Yet the object of his affection isn’t like most heroines
I’ve written. This woman, Jenny Hunter,
a go-get-‘em businesswoman, has discovered a lump in her breast, and she’s been
scheduled to undergo a biopsy.
Needless to say, her world is upside down, but that’s where
the romance between Liam McCree and Jenny Hunter starts. The reason their relationship touches me so
deeply is because my own aunt Mary is a breast cancer survivor. I know firsthand about what she went
through, and I can only imagine what kind of bravery it took to endure the
crisis. She’s doing really well now,
thank goodness—the cancer is gone—and she graciously shared her experiences
with me so I could do justice to Jenny’s fears as well as the hope that Liam
brings to her life just when she needs someone like him the most.
If you happen to read FALLING FOR THE LONE WOLF, I hope it
touches you, too. And if you’d like to
share any thoughts about your favorite series in Special Edition over the years--or about Special Edition in general--please leave a comment. Early Monday, I’ll be randomly drawing from
the comment pool for someone to win MOMMY AND THE MILLIONAIRE in addition to
THE SECOND-CHANCE GROOM.
Good luck, and thank you for your support! You’re fantastic, and I look forward to many
more years of life, love, and happiness. 
really like SSE
I think the are the favourite line, right after Desires. But never seem to find enough time to read them often enough. Loved the series Most Likely To...
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
Looking forward to reading
Very much looking forward to reading.
I have an Aunt Ronda that is going through her breast cancer journey right now. More like my older sister than my aunt--I have more respect for her getting up and facing every day than I could possilbly communicate to her. Courage like that is amazing.
Have loved the previous Suds Club books--an interesting setting for friendships/relationships.
Husker Kim
Just popping in to say hello
Can't wait to read Falling For The Lone Wolf. It sounds wonderful! -- Nancy
Hi, Falling For The Lone
Hi, Falling For The Lone Wolf sounds great! I'll be getting it.
thanks
penney
Happy reading!
Penney
Favorite SSE series...
Chrys, you are so amazingly versatile. Your SSEs are as wonderful as your hot Blazes and your dark, thrilling Vampire Babylon books that you write as Chris Marie Green.
I love so many of the great SSE series. Some of the ones La Nora did way back when were amazing. Remember Those Wild Ukrainians? I did laugh at the series title, but the books were fabulous. And Debbie Macomber's Navy series. Yum. and Susan Mallery's sheiks. Love every one of those.
Oh, and I mustn't forget Susan Crosby's new series, Wives for Hire. I've been really enjoying those.
Christine Rimmer
http://www.christinerimmer.com
I like SSE's
they are one line that I read a lot of books from. I have the first 2 Suds Club books waiting for 3rd and last? until I read them. I think I like the line because the stories are about people and situations I can really relate to. I also read Supers, HAR, And HR for the same reasons. When I read Presents I am in the mood for a bit of fantasy and if I read Blaze or Desire I'm in for a lot more fantasy. LOL. I am really looking forward to the last book now. My paternal grandmother survived 2 breast cancers operations. The first one was in the 1950's and cost her $225.00 Canadian. She lived until she was 92. Unfortunately her daughter died of breast cancer in the 1950's. My cousin, the daughter of the Aunt that died, and my second cousin, a granddaughter, are both survivors. I also have a girlfriend a couple of years younger than I am who is a double mascectomy survivor- her comment is"Who needs Breasts anyway when you're my age?" Telling a story with a heroine with breast cancer may save someone's life. Get your mammogram done ladies!
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
You guys are great
Hey, Christa, thanks for the Most Likely To… shout out! That series was lots of fun. (You might remember that I wrote the
last book in it?) The Boston setting
was different, and I enjoyed the Big Chill vibe.
HuskerKim, thank you so much re: the Suds Club. All the best to your aunt. Hope everything turns out
well.
Thank you, Nancy, hope you like it! And Penney, too (and is this the wonderful Penn I’m
talking to? If so, how've you been?).
Chris Rimmer!
Fangirl squee, and a huge thanks for the kudos. Talk about a wonderful series, I loved your
Vikings. You’re so dang awesome!
Kaelee, at this point, this is the last Suds Club book. I’m not sure who I’d write about next, but
there are always possibilities, LOL. I
would think about maybe bringing some tie-in characters from other SSEs or
maybe one of my Blazes (Kyle, the cousin from INNUENDO, comes to mind since he
lives in the area.). Wow about your
grandmother—what a woman. Same with
your other friends and relatives who’ve dealt with breast cancer. And you’re absolutely right about those
mammograms—they’re nothing to put off.
Thank you for reminding us of that.
Too all of all, thank you for reading our books. It’s such a pleasure to talk with you and to
know that you’re lives are also touched by these stories!
I didn't...
realize you wrote for SSE! I've read your Bombshells and read your vampire series from another publisher but didn't realize you wrote for the SSE! Thanks for that heads up!
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Re:
Hi Crystal sorry I'm a different Penn.
Hugs Penney
>And Penney, too (and is this the wonderful Penn I’m
talking to? If so, how've you been?).
Happy reading!
Penney
Back again, I am
Debi--wow, thank you so much for reading the other books! It's funny, because you wouldn't think Blaze and urban fantasy go hand-in-hand with Special Edition, but somehow, they do all merge into each other. I use what I've learned in SSE to hopefully bring a little emotion to the other endeavors, and Blaze has made writing all love scenes fun, LOL.
Penney--you're still super cool and I'm happy to know as many Penneys as possible.
LOL
No, I never would have thought to look for any of your books in the SSE line but now I know so....
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Here I am!! Here I am!!
Sorry to confuse you! Maybe I should have stayed ftworthmom! But I always signed "Penn" didn't I? hmmm . . .
I have been dandy!! Don't read many SSEs just b/c I run out of time. And I still have Bombshells (may they rest in peace) in my huge TBR. I have been buying fewer books this year in hopes of putting a dent in my TBR, but I think that the only thing I've done is keep it from growing.
How have you been? Tomorrow, I'm having lunch with our local eHQ group, which started out as our local Bombards and a few readers back in March '05. Cindy Dees will be there if her dh gets home from work on time and Evelyn Vaughn is a 65% (her words) chance of making it. Jenna Mills is busy with the baby, I guess, and same with Ellen Henderson. Sharron McClellan moved to the east coast (I still miss her, esp. when I drive by her old apartment complex, b/c she and I actually lived close enough to run into each other while leading our everyday lives). And Kathy Garbera is just plain busy, but I did see her in August and she looked good . . . is that everyone? Well, Steph Feagan makes it up this way every twice in a while, but we haven't seen her in a good year and a half.
Penn aka ftworthmom :) not the only one still missing SBS
Join the 2008 Book (Reading) Challenge!!! It’s for a good cause and it’s FUN!
Come find my teammates and me at The DFWPlus Blog!
I read Falling for the Lone Wolf
I loved it. Internal conflict galore which made Jenny and Liam very real. It was also the very first SSE I've read. And now I'm hooked on the line.
Again - great story Chris/Crystal!
Hey Crystal - I discovered you through the Blazes and
Bombshells and then moved on to SSEs, and that helped me discover how much I like the tone and voice of the SSEs
Penni - feel free to read the books before you send them on
(or you could always accompany them and read them here - the garden is changing to fall colours as I type, and DH has been working outside all afternoon to make it look tidy as well)
Hugs
Sadhbh
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
No more excuses, just READ!
Hi Crystal! ::waves
Hi Crystal! ::waves wildly::
I have to be honest and say that until last year Desire was my favorite line. I loved the character driven stories and the high level of sensuality. Then they changed direction and became more conflict driven. The alpha heroes were just a tad too alpha for me and too many of the books hinged on revenge.
So I began to look around for another line to read cause a girl's gotta have her HEA fix. I'd read a few SSE's through the years (I just started reading romance back in the early 2000's -- yeah, Crystal, that sounds wierd) but when some of my favorite Desire authors came over to SSE (hi Susan!) I began to read more of them.
I love series books, and the idea of setting one around a group of laundromat friends is unique and rather intriguing. I guess I know what books I'll be looking for -- unless I'm lucky enough to win them.
Marilyn
www.writingplayground.blogspot.com
Went to the store today...
and this posting managed to add two books to my stack since I found both the SSE and a Blaze that I didn't have since I stupidly didn't know I was supposed to be looking before! Now I know to check these two lines though.....
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Looks like reunion time here!
What fun to meet new people here and greet the ones I've enjoyed talking with throughout the years, too!
Debi, I appreciate your looking for more of my books. How cool! Writing for diverse lines keeps me on my toes. And thank you for going to the store for books!
Whoo, Penn! How great to see you, and I love that you're still meeting with everyone. Lucky you. I've been holing myself up and writing a lot, so I haven't been around the eHarl boards, but that's going to change. Funny, but I just read a Bombshell from my own TBR pile (I'm saving them and reading one every once in a while, trying to make them last, LOL.) It was Erica Orloff's TRACE OF INNOCENCE, and I really enjoyed it. Man, I miss those books!
Marcie--Oh, thank you! It's so wonderful that you're hooked on this line now, and your comment about Jenny and Liam seeming real makes me very happy. (I'm also happy that Jenny opened her eyes to see what was right in front of her at that Laundromat, LOL.)
Sadhbh--hey there! Another convert. (Awesome!) I never thought there'd be much of a crossover between Blaze and SSE, but I'm grateful to see I was wrong. BTW, your garden sounds beautiful and peaceful--enjoy!
Hey, Marilyn! How're you? Bummer about the Desires, but thank goodness you found SSE. I love a high level of sensuality, too (like Sheri Whitefeather's books, right?
). So wonderful to see you.
Hope your weekends are going well!
SSE's are one of the lines
SSE's are one of the lines I have not subscribed to, but I frequently buy them. To settle one one series that is a favorite would be hard because I have read several that I would have to say place right up there.
Thoroughbred Legacy is my current favorite--and considering I was never fond of horses I would say the authors are doing a terrific job of not just holding my attention, but have me eagerily looking forward to the next book.
Nancy
Hey, Crystal...
I don't think we've officially met. Amazing since we've both been in the business for quite a while. Anyway, I admire that you can mix up your sub-genres so well. You must have a very fertile imagination
. Looking forward to meeting you one of these days!
Susan
www.susancrosby.com
Wives for Hire from Silhouette Special Edition
THE BACHELOR'S STAND-IN WIFE, July 2008
THE SINGLE DAD'S VIRGIN WIFE, October, 2008
THE MILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS WIFE, November, 2008
Happy Sunday!
Sheandeen, thanks for stopping by, and that series you're reading sounds interesting. I'm so behind on my reading that I didn't even know about it. More books to buy!
Hey, Susan, and thanks so much! You know, about ten years ago or so, you visited the San Diego RWA chapter and I met you...but briefly. I think you were a speaker and I was a stars-in-my-eyes author who only hoped to be published someday, LOL. I look forward to a future meeting though because I've read your books and you're wonderful.
Love the cover...
Crys, reading your blog last night reminded me to check if 'Lone Wolf' was already at my grocery and, sure enough, there it was. Following characters through several books is like going back to your hometown and catching up with everyone in the next stage of their lives. Some bits are fun, some sad, some exciting, but all make the community what it is. Which, of course, is the best reason to love a miniseries, right? :)
Btw, the guy on the cover is gorgeous. ;)
Mary JF.
http://www.maryjforbes.com
AND BABY MAKES FOUR -- Silhouette Special Edition - Nov. 08
"Home To Firewood Island" miniseries -- Bk. 2
Of course!
I do remember meeting you in SD! My memory sure isn't what it used to be
. I kept thinking we'd met, but couldn't put together where that would've been. I'm glad to have the answer to that. That conference was sooo good. Jo Leigh read our Tarot cards, and she was eerily right 
.
Here's to meeting AGAIN!
Susan
www.susancrosby.com
Wives for Hire from Silhouette Special Edition
THE BACHELOR'S STAND-IN WIFE, July 2008
THE SINGLE DAD'S VIRGIN WIFE, October, 2008
THE MILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS WIFE, November, 2008
Remember the chat?
The chat where your friend from fencing class (wasn't it fencing class?) logged in? That was a while ago.
And yeah, Sheri's books rock. I haven't read her single title yet. It was so good to see her again in San Francisco, and I got to meet her son too.
I have also started reading Blazes (one of my website mates sold to Blaze last year and an RWA chapter mate writes for them) as well as the Presents Extras (another website mate sold to them).
That's what I love about Harlequin/Silhouette. There's pretty much something for everyone.
Marilyn
www.writingplayground.blogspot.com
Winner Announcement!
But before we get to that....
Mary J. Forbes, hello!!! Thank you for remembering to check the store.
And you're *so* right about how a series brings us back to our old friends. You know, even if I'm not totally into a series, I'll still buy the next book, LOL. It's not so much the stories as the characters sometimes.
Susan, your memory is really good! Wow. Say, I wonder if Jo Leigh would come to San Diego and work her tarots again. I'd love to hear what she has to say (with her cards and her wonderful workshops).
Marilyn, OMG, that was the chat with my friend Shine! What a fun night. And Sheri's ART OF DESIRE is soooooo dang good. Very erotic but with her usual amazing emotion.
Now...for the winner of MOMMY AND THE MILLIONAIRE and THE SECOND-CHANCE GROOM...
Congratulations, Sadhbh! Could you please email me at cgreenwrite@aol.com with your address?
Everyone, thank you so very much for being here. It was lots of fun chatting with you. I'll be back at some point with another blog and another contest. Meanwhile, there's an amazing lineup of Special Edition authors coming your way!
Congrats
Congratulations Sadhbh
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
Add like to add my congrats
Add like to add my congrats Sadhbh!
Nancy
Congrats!
How awesome for you, Sadhbh!
The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge
Congrats
Congrats, Sadhbh, even if I'll have to go back to the store to buy the current book and hit the eHarlequin store to buy the others. I thought the current book was part of the prize too (my bad!) and didn't buy it earlier today because I was thinking lovely thoughts and imagining sprinkling pixie dust and winning.
Ah well... such is life.
Marilyn
www.writingplayground.blogspot.com
Congratulations Sadhbh
I just know you are going to read them.
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
Thank you all, and especially Crystal
I'll email you shortly
Hugs
Sadhbh
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
No more excuses, just READ!