-by Christine Rimmer
I’ve been writing for SE for a very long time. I have more than eighty published contemporary romances to my credit and most of those stories came out in Special Edition. Though I’ve written for other lines and imprints, I always seem to come back to Specials. The line suits my voice and writing style perfectly.
I love to write about families, and SEs are often stories about women finding love while dealing with any number of family issues. Love that. Love writing that. Love stories about finding family, and many of my stories feature the “finding family” theme.
I also love taking a secondary character from one book and making him a hero in his own story. I do that a lot. With heroes and heroines. I’ve written three miniseries of my own in SSE: The Jones Gang, The Bravo Family stories and a contemporary Viking series, Viking Brides. The Bravo Family saga, my most successful series, which has come out under four different miniseries titles, is approaching forty books long now, and I’m far from done yet. In April, I launched the first book in a 9-book Bravo series, the Bravo Royales, about the children of Evan Bravo. The Bravo Royales will be nine books long—four princes and five princesses.
In SE, you’ll find all the most beloved romance situations. Some may scoff at the classic romance plots. Not I. Secret babies, fake engagements, babies found on doorsteps, pregnant heroines, bosses and secretaries falling in love, marriages of convenience…you name the classic romance convention and chances are we’ve got it for you in Special Edition. I love reinventing a classic plot every time I do it.
In SE, we do have it all. The heroes can be beta, they can be the guy next-door. They don’t have to be macho tycoons or ranchers or sheiks—but it’s way more than all right if they are. That, to me, is the best thing about SE. As long as it could happen in what most of us think as “real” contemporary life, hey, you will find it in SE. And even the “reality” parameter is occasionally stretched. I wrote three contemporary Viking stories in SE. Yep. Seriously. I created an imaginary Viking country where the Norse ways still held sway. And one of my earlier SE heroines had psychic powers. So even the “real people in the real world” rule can be stretched. And sometimes broken.
And then there’s the sex. In SSE, if the story doesn’t require a full-out consummated love scene—there won’t be one. Of course, such a thing would never happen in one of my books. Even now, I still adore creating a hot, character-driven love scene. Or ten.
In SE, there’s a whole lot of variety and a whole lot to love.
So…do you read SE? Tell me what kind of stories you love most. Leave a comment here today or tomorrow. I’ll draw a winner Thursday for a $10 gift card to your choice of Amazon or B&N. Good luck—and happy reading!
I loved those Vikings, which read like contemporary historicals!!
Here’s my story: I became a Special Edition reader because of two authors: Nora Roberts and Christine Rimmer. Eons ago I attended a book signing event hosted by a local bookseller. Christine was one of about ten local authors there. In advance of her coming I read a book of hers that she’d set in and around my town. That was all it took. Great story, wonderful characterization. I was a fan for life. Then I got to meet her, and she was so much fun and lively and entertaining (you all can tell by her posts how much fun she is).
Mostly because of meeting Christine, I started writing my first-ever contemporary romance and aimed it for the Special Edition market. When it was done, with my heart in my throat, I contacted Chris and asked if she knew an editor at (then) Silhouette who might be looking for new authors. She did. I sent my manuscript in. It wasn’t bought but the next one was, although for the Desire line, and thirty-eight books later, I’m still at Harlequin, having made the switch from Desire to Specials sixteen books ago.
All because I fell in love with Christine’s Special Edition, and then her. I’ve been fortunate to call her friend for almost twenty years now. We room together at the National RWA conferences. We email. We talk on the phone. I read lots of other Specials, but hers are always the most special to me
.
All hail Special Editions—and Christine Rimmer, who turned me into a reader and a writer of Specials.
Susan
Aww, Susan. Tearing up here. You are so the best. And I love that you write Specials now. Even though your Desires were always tops, too! Is it really twenty years? Seems like just yesterday we met. And yet, as though I’ve always known you…
I love Special Editions too! The wide range of stories that can be found in the line is amazing. We’re seeing therapy dogs, royals, cowboys, babies, mountains, children… all kinds of characters and exciting story lines! I’ve loved Christine’s books for a long time. I love her warmth and humor and the way she generates heat between the hero and heroine!:)
Leanne, we have it all! We do, we do! thank you! I’m so glad you’re in Specials now. I like that we have all the best, smartest, most creative authors in our line!
I love special Editions because almost every author I read has at least written one or two books at least! Agatha
Agatha, an excellent reason to love Specials. XOXOX!
I like the family aspect too. I have tried to write the billionaire hero and I just can’t. So the “real” contemporary feel is what appeals to me. I actually finaled in a SSE online pitch contest a couple years ago and got a request for a full. Didn’t work out but I still like SSE. There are several in my TBR pile right now.
Marilyn, I know what you mean about the family thing. No line does it as well and as in-depth as we do. Congrats on that request. Keep writing and submitting. Hope you’ll join us someday soon….
I love Special Editions…in fact, my SC ms was targeted so SE, but unfortunately, Harlequin took a pass. Family stories, out of the ordinary locales, small towns, the variety of vocations (of both the hero and heroine.)
Jaye Marie–I love our variety too. And don’t stop targeting SE. Sometimes a book isn’t right for the editors, but that doesn’t mean the next one won’t be…
When I first started writing contemporaries with Harlequin/Silhouette in mind, I read across the lines, but I kept coming back to SE for all the reasons Christine mentioned. The classic plots with new twists; the different types of heroes for “everyday” heroines; the importance of family and friends in the hero and heroine’s life.
I’m still so thrilled to be published with the line I love best!
Stacy, and we do love having you with us! I think it’s the connections, the whole community element of Specials that I love the very most. But then again, there are those classic plots…and all the directions we can go with a story…the list of good things goes on and on.
Christine! What a magnificent spokesperson you are for Special Edition. I love the line for every reason you’ve stated. I feel honored to write for this line, too. It truly is a SPECIAL line.
Lynne, wow! Thank you! Our line is SPECIAL indeed! XOXOXO!
i actually just finished reading THE RETURN OF BOWIE BRAVO such a awesome book….and i still cant get over the name serafina teodora..makes me think of her in the kitchen cooking italian food lol
Amy, you know I’m thrilled you liked Bowie’s book.
And you’re right. She will probably grow up a chef in an Italian restaurant! 
yea if she can get away from being a step-daddys girl
No i know. Thank you for sharing this.
I read a lot of the different lines, but SE and AR are my favorites. I remember reading the early Jones gang, with the irascible Oggie. I loved the series, and grew to love the author
. I like stories with strong women, but also strong men. I’m a big fan of cowboys, cops, and soldiers. I also like the older man who doesn’t know he needs the heroine; those guys can be such *guys* sometimes…
C-Jay, thanks! You make me want to write another story with Oggie in it messing with everyone’s life. I know what you mean about being such a *guy*. It’s like they know it all–but they haven’t got a clue!
I read SE!!
I’m more partial to a friends-to-lovers story, but if the back blurb and the first page grab me – then I’m up for anything.
Marcie, hey! Friends-to-lovers is almost always a winner. There’s something about two people starting to see each other in a whole new light that simply can’t be beat!
I love Special Editions! I’m a sucker for all those romance tropes you mentioned – especially the boy-next-door, friends-to-lovers, unexpected pregnancies, stranded in a snowstorm, to just name a few! Sure, I read a lot of longer, more “literary” works too, but I always come back to the series romances like SE. There’s just something so comforting in the HEA, and they are some of my favorites. So, keep on writing! Thank you!
Laura, thank YOU. I love that SEs are your come-back-to read. And I’m glad the classic tropes work for you.
Wow! This is a great post and this is so true
Special Edition is just that Special. So many great authors and great stories. Have been reading them for a long time. Christine you mentioned all the reasons I love these books.
Ruth, XOXOXO! I love to hear when a reader has been coming back to SEs for a long time. It means our books really do work for readers–and that’s what it’s all about.
I never read the special edition but i know nora roberts…
I’ll try to read ms Christine book.
Rosalina, did you know that Nora Roberts used to write Specials. It was a while back, but she wrote several. And they were all terrific. I would be honored if you’d give one of my books a try.
And the winner is…Agatha P. Townsend! Congrats, Agatha! Email me at christine@christinerimmer.com and tell me the email address where you want me to send your $10 gift card. Choose from Amazon or B&N!
Thanks for visiting, everyone! XOXOXO!
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I Love Special Edition…and Win a $10 Gift Card | Special Edition Authors’ Blog
I Love Special Edition…and Win a $10 Gift Card | Special Edition Authors’ Blog
I Love Special Edition…and Win a $10 Gift Card | Special Edition Authors’ Blog
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I Love Special Edition…and Win a $10 Gift Card | Special Edition Authors’ Blog
I Love Special Edition…and Win a $10 Gift Card | Special Edition Authors’ Blog
I Love Special Edition…and Win a $10 Gift Card | Special Edition Authors’ Blog