We chat with #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips about the next book in her Chicago Stars series, Simply The Best, which sees a successful sports agent and the sister of his biggest client engage in a take-no-prisoners battle of the sexes.
Hi, Susan! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’ve been writing long enough to have seen monumental changes in the publishing and romance industry: the rise of social media, the emergency of e-books, and the shift in the public’s respect for the size and importance of the romance market. It’s been fascinating, but that’s not really what this question is about, is it? In addition to writing, I’m an avid hiker and traveler. My favorite thing in the world is being with my kids and grandkids, every one of them a joyous nutbar. My girlfriends are the best women in the world, smart and genuinely good people. And then there are the books. As with most writers, I’m a big reader. I enjoy romance, cozy mysteries, non-depressing women’s fiction, and good non-fiction.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I wrote my first book in collaboration as a fun thing to do when I was home with small children. It was an unusual beginning, and anyone interested in the whole story can read more about it right here.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: THE BOXCAR CHILDREN, by Gertrude Chandler Warner
- The one that made you want to become an author: I didn’t. I dreamed of being a movie star. Writing is my fallback career.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, by Lisa See
Simply the Best is the latest instalment in the Chicago Stars series and it’s out February 13th! What can readers expect?
They can expect a hard-driving (hard-headed!) sports agent… A failed (but adorable) chocolatier… Her superstar football player brother (who goes missing)…A quirky pink and purple food truck (with a bad muffler, among other problems)… And, to really screw things up, a very unfortunate murder. (Don’t say you weren’t warned.) The book is funny, touching, and sexy, with the kind of flawed characters we can all cheer for and a story that poses a question¾ How far are any of us wiling to go to be SIMPLY THE BEST?
Where did the inspiration for Simply the Best come from?
I’m always looking for an idea that wll lead me back to the Chicago Stars, and my previous book, WHEN STARS COLLIDE, introduced youthful quarterback Clint Garrett, a very nice guy who was too young to be the hero of his own book but made me think about what it would be like if he were a younger brother, a guy who was great at everything he did, while you, his older sister, were kind of a screw up?
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I absolutely love it when my heroes and heroines start butting heads, especially when they say the most outrageous things to each other. This happens a lot of SIMPLY THE BEST. I also love the story of our heroine Rory’s relationship with her “wicked” stepmother.
What do you love about writing within the romance genre?
Easiest question in the world. Happy endings! Life is hard, and watching my heroes and heroines fight both themselves and each other to become better people is something I could write about forever.
What’s next for you?
Another Chicago Stars book. Other than, I’m not ready to say more. I’m mysterious that way!
Lastly, are there any 2024 book releases that you’re looking forward to?
So many! Christina Dodd has A DAUGHTER OF FAIR VERONA coming out in June, a book about the adventures and misadventures of Romeo and Juliet’s daughter. (Yes, you read that right.) I’m waiting for a new book from Jayne Ann Krentz, who’s always a comfort read for me, even when she’s writing about something scary. Susan Mallery has a book out the same day as SIMPLY THE BEST, and I know it’s going to be a great read. Anything by Kristan Higgins. She can’t write fast enough for me. And speaking of Kristin’s. I was fortunate to receive an early copy of Kristin Hannah’s THE WOMEN. All I can say is, “Wow!” it’s terrific.
