Another One Bites the Dust
Well, I suppose I’ll join the plethora of blogs lamenting the demise of Bombshell, the Silhouette line that will cease publication in January, 2007. I always lament the loss of any Harlequin or Silhouette line simply because it means that a good many of my friends are going to be out of work and well, that doesn’t sit well. It also means that readers who loved the line will now be disappointed when they go to the rack and look for their favorite books. I know I still feel the loss of Temptation very keenly, not just as a writer, but as a reader.
But there is something else about the death of this line that bothers me.
The kick-ass heroine.
Is she on her way out?
I mean, I have to admit that as much as I loved the concept of Bombshell and though I looked at them every month, I didn’t actually buy many. About a dozen, all by favorite authors like Vicki Hinze, Katherine Garbera and Erica Orloff. Of those, I read one. Why? Mainly because of Marisela. I didn’t want to be influenced as I developed this series about a kick-ass heroine by any other kick-ass heroines. But the one I read was great. And the ones I picked up every month to look at because the covers were amazing all sounded fabulous. The reviews were great. The books won RITAs.
I guess I was part of the problem. I didn’t buy more books.
But because of Marisela, I have to go back to my original concern…is there room in the current marketplace for the kick-ass heroine?
I think there is. Recently, at the Potpourri Board of All About Romance, a discussion went on where readers bitched about the lack of authentic female spy characters–women who were willing to do anything, and I mean, ANYTHING, to get the job done. I was very pleased to see my current Blaze, THE DOMINO EFFECT, mentioned because Domino is definitely a kick-ass heroine. She’s not as social as Marisela, but I think if they were trapped in a room together, they’d get along pretty damned well.
The difference between Domino and Marisela is big–Domino has been an assassin for 15 years. She’s lived the life of a spy exclusively since she was a teenager. She doesn’t know anything else, so therefore, she is very good at what she does. Her conflicts are deeply personal. Quiet. Hidden.
Marisela, on the other hand, is still figuring things out. She ran with a gang, but has loving parents. She’s constantly torn in two directions between being “good” and being herself. She has no regrets in her life, like Domino, but she struggles with right and wrong whereas Domino doesn’t really care about morality so long as she achieves endgame, which for her, is always the right thing.
Both characters intrigue me like no other characters I’ve written have. I’m trying desperately to figure out a way to write about Domino again, which judging by the end of the book (for those of you who have read it) isn’t going to be an easy task. But her story isn’t over yet. I can feel it.
And of course, you all know that I’m hoping that Marisela will go on for at least three more books. She has a lot of growing to do and I’m enjoying taking her on that journey.
But is the romance readership open to women like this, women who can honestly take care of themselves, who really don’t need a man, but he’s a really great perk?
It’s no secret that Marisela was partially inspired by Eve Dallas from J.D. Robb’s In Death series. I loved Eve because of her dark complexity and her innate capability. Rourke, her husband, is the ultimate hero. He’s powerful, sexy, irresistible…but not essential. Not, at least, to for Eve to be who she was. With Rourke, Eve becomes a softer, better person, but she is still the same capable, driven, kick-ass cop that you love before Rourke comes into the picture. It’s a different dynamic and one that I’ve explored with Marisela…just with two guys (well, three) instead of one.
I think about other female characters I’ve loved that go along this line…Sydney Bristow. Wonder Woman. Princess Leia. All amazing women from different eras in my life who only add depth with a man at their side…they can very well stand alone if they have to, which makes their love all the more hard to give, which ramps up the sexual tension.
What do you think? Do you like a kick-ass heroine? Which ones? And why?
(And don’t forget to pop over to my Marisela blog this week for a great contest!)
I am sooooo sorry to hear about Bombshell. But I’m not surprised. Not to be a wise guy, but I said on the day they announced the launch, “it can’t last and it won’t.” Why? NOT because we’re not ready for kick ass heroines like Marisela and Sydney Bristow (WE ARE!) but b/c like any other niche market, there is only so much you can do with it before you are repeating yourself and readers get bored. 4 books a month times 12? The cream rises to the top and the authors who do this well (like you, Julie and other Bombshell authors) will continue to write kickass heroines in another format - like Marisela - ST - Romantic Suspense - or other things. I think my point is, it was a good concept for a short time - like it should have been a series within series like “HEAT” or “Blaze” was within Temptation. One special book a month dedicated to the kickass heroine with say, Intrigue or IM. I like that concept. I’m so sorry for the authors who now have to scramble to find a home. But the kickass heroine? She already has a home and isn’t going anywhere. In my not so humble opinion.
Comment by Carly — August 16, 2006 @ 6:17 am
I’ll be honest - I love category romance, but I never picked up a Bombshell, much for the same reasons Carly mentioned, also because I like more traditional stories in those smaller books, and feel that it’s just to short of a format for the kinds of stories I want to read with kick-ass heroines. Give me something more the length of “Dirty Little Secrets” or an “In Death” book. I also don’t read the Intrigues, either. People may disagree with me but if I’m in the mood for a category, I know I can find wonderful stories without all that extra drama. Sometimes that’s all I need, and it works for me.
So yes, there is definitely a place for this type of heroine, and I will definitely buy books with her in them, just not the shorter books. I hope the talented writers who wrote for Bombshell find their niche and that this was just the starting point for them because there is definitely a market for kick-ass women and the men who love them.
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 16, 2006 @ 7:07 am
I have to agree that I am not surprised either. It does get very formuic, and boring, to read the same story line month after month.
As much as I love Eve Dallas, Kinsey Milhone or Stephanie Plum or Tempe Brennan- I would get bored if there was a new one each month. However, the are also the stong, capable, independent type of women I enjoy reading about and seeing what kind of trouble they can get into each month. The same thing goes for some of my favorite female characters in sci-fi/fantasy fiction. But I would get bored with them quickly if there was a glut of stories published.
No matter who publishes them, there will always be a place for a kick ass heroine!!
Comment by ev — August 16, 2006 @ 8:27 am
I don’t read many Bombshell books. But from what on other websites especially eharlequin it should have had it’s own line like Luna.
Comment by Christa — August 16, 2006 @ 10:16 am
I love kick ass heroine’s, but I do have to say that I didn’t care for the line. When it first came out I got all the books for the first couple months, but the stories really didn’t impress me much, but I think I like my action to last longer, seemed the stories were too short even though the plot was a good one.
Comment by Jessica M. — August 16, 2006 @ 10:21 am
knew it would be out. did not read much of it. i wonder what wil l be next
Comment by kim H — August 16, 2006 @ 11:39 am
Julie, like you, I STILL miss the Temptations–what a mistake to lose that line! I am always sorry when writers will be out of work. I only bought Bombshells when they were written by two favorite authors who don’t write much, Justine Davis & Ruth Wind (aka Barbara Samuel, who writes women’s fiction under her RL name). Both are such good writers I buy whatever they write. However, with the Davis releases, specifically, there were no LOVE STORIES to be found, so, I was very disappointed in the books. I was a big fan of ALIAS, but, the draw, for me, was the love story with Sydney/Vaughn within the kick-ass. No romance, I won’t be buying. Is it just me or does HQ seem to have lost its way as to what its readers want?
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 16, 2006 @ 11:47 am
I am sorry to lose yet another good line. I am still not over the loss of the Temptaion line, The Duets, or the flipsides. :cry: It seems that the powers-that-be think we have short attention spans and no loyalty. How else can you explain all the cancelling of series, lately?
I hope we don’t lose alot of good authors because they can’t find a place for their work.
Comment by Debbie — August 16, 2006 @ 12:46 pm
I am such a loser and don’t really read the ‘lines’, rather, I read specific authors. Whatever line they write for, I read. I am pretty new to you guys and I am trying to catch up on your books because you are such fantastic authors.
Comment by katie — August 16, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
Like Katie, I don’t really read the lines either. I have specific authors that I like, and it is those books that I buy. I do love a kick ass heroine though. And Marisela is my favorite by far in a book. TV wise it was and probably always will be Sydney Bristow….I absolutely LOVED that character.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with a woman who can take care of herself and kick a guys ass. LOL!!
Comment by Kelly — August 16, 2006 @ 1:21 pm
The only Bombshell I read was one of the first ones by Lindsay McKenna an author I love to read. My understanding is Harlequin is also taking Blaze in a new direction–not sure I am going to like that! Like others here & you Julie I miss the Temptation line. I do wonder what Harlequin is thinking & why they are making such drastic changes? Do they care about what the readers want?
There is my opinion!! 
I never did watch Alias but I know it had a big following. I do think there is a place for kick-ass heroines but I do think maybe they need a longer format & not a monthly one. Eve Dallas is very popular but I have only read 2 or 3 of them, the books were good but the futuristic aspect just doesn’t click with me except for once in a while.
Have a great day everyone.
Comment by Donna M — August 16, 2006 @ 1:23 pm
Donna, IMO, the new direction of Blaze is nothing to worry about. The promise of a hot, sexy read will not change. What Blaze is doing is letting the authors stretch more within that context. There will always be “classic” Blazes with the young, hip heroine finding sex and love with a super-hot guy, but there will also be time travels, paranormals, suspense, etc. to give readers more of a variety. My current Blaze is an Extreme, with the assassin heroine, which is a stretch from the original Blaze construct. I’ve taken the ballsy Blaze heroine to the extreme. But the story is still about the romance, even though it has a heavier suspense plot. All Blazes will remain all about the romance.
It’s good to hear that so many of you think the kick-ass heroine still has a home. Shew! Keep the comments coming, though. It’s very interesting to hear everyone’s take.
Oh, and Katie, you’re not a loser for not buying by the line! That is the original construct for Harlequin, but it’s been changing for years now. Blaze in particular brought in new readers who weren’t accustomed to the original construct.
I think that’s why Blaze is finally highlighting their biggest asset–their authors. Blaze has over a dozen USA Today bestselling authors in the “stable” as well as authors who are consistently writing successful single titles. Then they have a new crop of extremely talented authors who are on the rise. Playing to that strength is something they’d be stupid not to do…and luckily, Brenda Chin (the senior editor of the line) knows what she’s doing. I think the line will continue to thrive…at least, that’s my hope!
Comment by Julie Leto — August 16, 2006 @ 1:35 pm
From what I can gather, there is a place for kick-ass heroines…to answer your original question (I realized I forgot to do that earlier). Look at the popularity of “Alias’.
Comment by katie — August 16, 2006 @ 1:47 pm
I really enjoy kick ass heroines. My favorite is J.D. Robbs, Eve Dallas.
Comment by Estella Kissell — August 16, 2006 @ 3:21 pm
I’m a long time Harlequin reader but I must admit I’ve never bought a Bombshell. I always meant to but I bought other series instead. I bought all the Blazes every month since they first came out and I was starting not read all of them each month, they were getting repetetive and boring that is until I read your book this month. I loved it, I must confess I watched every episode ever of Alias so this book was just what I love to read and watch on tv. I loved the heroine she was Sydney Bristow and so much more, actually I rather see domino as Sydney’s alias Julia Thorne with a bit of Ana Espinosa thrown in. I loved it so much that as soon as I read it I mailed it out to a friend of mine so she could read it too. I hope you continue to write Domino’s story I think there is more to Domino and Luke’s story. Luke has so much to learn about her and her life before meeting him and it won’t be easy for him to trust her again.
Comment by Rose — August 16, 2006 @ 3:49 pm
Thanks, Rose! If you liked Domino and saw the similarities to Ana Espinosa, wait until you read DIRTY LITTLE LIES and meet Yizenia Santiago. The dynamic between Sydney and Ana really intrigued me (I’ve only ever watched the first season of Alias…loved the show, but I could never manage to get caught up since I started watching long after it had been on the air). I gave it a different twist in my book, but the basics of the relationship are there.
You totally understand my point about Domino and Luke! I will bring them back…just gotta figure out exactly how!
Comment by Julie Leto — August 16, 2006 @ 4:16 pm
I’m like Katie and do not really buy only certain lines but buy by the Authors that I like to read. I do buy new authors that people tell me about (blogs or in person) and I do look at the covers and title of new books and see if anything sounds like something I would like to read.
I believe that the kick-ass heroine is here to stay. Perhaps for older readers (I don’t mean that in a bad way) the kick-ass type may not be their favorite but there are so many young readers coming up now and they feel differently about how a woman is or what she wants.
I love Eve Dallas and for all the reasons that you mentioned Julie. I also love Marisela and her attitude. I hope she is around for many more books. I haven’t read Domino yet but I already know that I’m going to love it.
Of course I decided along time ago that I didn’t need a man in my life to make me happy but to share the happy. So…for me kick-ass all the way.
Comment by Vicki — August 16, 2006 @ 4:28 pm
I have 9 or 10 bombshells and I’ve always enjoyed them. H
Comment by jeanne — August 16, 2006 @ 4:29 pm
I have 9 or 10 bombshells and I’ve always enjoyed them. Hope they find new homes.
Comment by jeanne — August 16, 2006 @ 4:30 pm
I have bought Bombshells, but more by Author or a particular series like the Athena Force. I do believe that there is a place for the kick-ass heroine, and I like to read about them. Harlequin is doing a lot fo changes in a few lines, some I don’t agree with and I feel bad for the Authors in those lines. But they keep saying the changes are good and we will like them, although I have my doubts …….. so time will tell……………
Comment by Cryna — August 16, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
I am sorry that the BOMBSHELL line is coming to an end. I have read many in the line and have enjoyed them for the most part. as with all lines there are going to be some stellar books some ok ones and some no so great ones…and of course these descriptions will differ from reader to reader.
The line had some great authors like Lindsay McKenna and Vicki Hinze that will continue to write the same type of book as single titles or with new lines. The line let Katherine Garbera try something new and I think she will continue her writing of the KA heroine at BRAVA. The line provided a new outlet for readers to read work by Nancy Bartholomew. It introduced some newer authors like Erica Orloff who was writing chick lit and Rachel Claire who has a solid following in sci-fi/fantasy.
I often think that Harlequin/Silhouette trys to be too many things. They want a piece of all the pies out there. Instead of just adding a couple Kick Ass heroine type books to an existing line they have to create a new line. Often times they don’t stick with something long enough either…I think that’s the case with both Flipside and Bombshell.
Someone mentioned what the “new thing” would be. I believe the answer is silhouette Nocture…a line launcing in October featuring paranormal stories. I am excited about this line…Lindsay McKenna is the launch author and her story sounds great. I believe there will be two titles per month in this line. Unfortunatly I don’t expect this line to be around long either based on past harlequin actions.
I loved Temptations too and know of many readers who did but that made no difference to Harlequin as they pulled the line dispite reader protest. Luckely many of my favorite authors from that line have found homes elsewhere and I am sure that will be the case with the Bombshell authors as well.
Comment by Barbara — August 16, 2006 @ 5:50 pm
Julie, back again (after previous post #7, but, had to take care of errands). My fave kick-ass character is not at HQ, but, in the 3-book contemp STs that Suzanne Enoch has written (3rd just releasing shortly). Her heroine (Samantha) is a trying-to-be-reformed cat burgler (who won’t steal from museums), & who has fallen in love with a rich English businessman (Rick) from whom she first tried to steal. Rick is valiantly trying to keep her “straight”, yet provide her with the “rush” that she always felt when she was stealing. This element leads to great sensuous scenes between the h/h (which, to me, are always the best part–LOL), & the characters’ dialogue is written with a wonderful sense of humor. Sam is in really tip-top condition (climbing to all those upper-story windows) & always seems to be in trouble, but, she is bright, funny & iinventive. I am not a RS or mystery fan, but, this series has enthralled & charmed me.
Fot me, another interesting kick-ass character was Linda Howard’s Lily Mansfield in KISS ME WHILE I SLEEP, which deals with a hired assassin, working as a contract agent for the CIA. Lily has lost her humanity, & the story explores (in too-small terms) how she can be assimilated into normal life, post-CIA. This book is not Howard’s best, but, I give her credit for the latter element which doesn’t ever seem to be explained in RS books.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 16, 2006 @ 7:59 pm
Patricia wrote:
the story explores (in too-small terms) how she can be assimilated into normal life, post-CIA
Precisely the reason why I think I have more story to tell for Domino.
I will have to check out the Enoch series. Have you ever read Catherine Mulvany’s RUN NO MORE? It has a very similar theme…but with a time travel twist. Fabulous book.
Comment by Julie Leto — August 16, 2006 @ 8:37 pm
Can’t wait for the new book…
Lui
Comment by Lui — August 16, 2006 @ 9:25 pm
Julie,
No, I have never read Mulvany’s book, but, will look for it at my library UB sales. If you read the Enoch books, #1 is FLIRTING WITH DANGER, I think you’ll enjoy them. Just well-written, funny, sexy, romantic stories.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 16, 2006 @ 11:28 pm
Patricia
I love Suzanne Enoch series! Flirting with Danger and Don’t look down. I can’t wait for the third installment to see what kind of trouble Sam Jericho is going to get into.
Comment by TRICIA — August 17, 2006 @ 8:52 am
Tricia,
Glad to find another Enoch fan. I’ve always loved her Historicals, & am not a fan of RS or mysteries, but, I think her contemp series has just the right elements for a Romance reader. The h/h are so great together & I love their dialogue.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — August 18, 2006 @ 9:35 am
I must confess to never having bought any of the bombshell series, but I do have to say that there is nothing more hot then a “kick ass” chick. If I am gointg to read a suspence, thriller, action adventure book and it’s romantic in any way, well let me tell you it s**ks when they make the girl a wussy.
That’s why I loved your book so much about Marisela. She didn’t take any s**t from anyone, but she was human and deep down they all are. I love it when the main character is a women as spy. Lets face it it’s not a usual career choice for a chick, but they are out there. Women like Valerie Planes (before she was outed) work for the CIA and I think that is so cool.
If I had to restart my life and take a different path in life I definitely would have gone into law inforcement into the FBI CIA DEA etc. But, alas, that is not to be. This SAHM has kids to raise, although my 5 year daughter has told me often that she wants to be a police officer, FBI agent and a mom. Let’s hear it for multi-tasking!
Keep up the work Julie with Marisela.
As far as my favorite heroine I would have to say it would be Lara Croft “Tomb Raider” That is the ultimate chick!!!!!!
Comment by Olga R — August 25, 2006 @ 3:18 pm
Hiya. It is sad to lose a line, but in the end it comes down to this: If a line of books doesn’t make money, then it gets axed. That is what happened to Bombshell. No one was buying it.
Same with Flipside and Temptation. Yes, they both had very vocal and awesome fans- just like bombshell- but not enough- they were no longer making enough money to justify the money being put into them.
Harlequin would love to keep publishing your favorites, but if they aren’t being bought by readers, then they don’t have much choice. If you want the writers you love to be paid money to write their books, then Harlequin must continue to operate first as a business.
Comment by insider — September 1, 2006 @ 9:54 pm
Insider, I totally hear where you’re coming from…but that really wasn’t what my blog was about. I was voicing my concern that there wasn’t room in the publishing marketplace for kick-ass heroines like the ones written about in Bombshell and in my own Marisela series. From the comments, I don’t think that the theme of Bombshell is what led to its demise–thankfully.
Comment by Julie Leto — September 2, 2006 @ 4:38 pm