Bombshell in Q&A with Jessie Terwilliger

Jan 23, 2009 Kay added it

I liked the fact that the book was partially set in a strip club, having strippers as characters, because of the novelty of it (at least for me, I think it's the first such book I've ever read). I have never thought being a stripper was the same as prostitution (nor do I now, of course), and yet the book opened my eyes in a way I couldn't quite put my finger on. I am old fashioned enough to have thought that being a stripper equals lack of morals -- right now I think being a stripper equals lack I liked the fact that the book was partially set in a strip club, having strippers as characters, because of the novelty of it (at least for me, I think it's the first such book I've ever read). I have never thought being a stripper was the same as prostitution (nor do I now, of course), and yet the book opened my eyes in a way I couldn't quite put my finger on. I am old fashioned enough to have thought that being a stripper equals lack of morals -- right now I think being a stripper equals lack of opportunities way more (as in the book were quite a few girls, including Marina, who chose this career because they needed the money (Marina to pay her school, her friend Silver to raise her girl) and there was no other way to make them). It all of course gets down to "judge not lest ye be judged", a saying I try to live by, and parts of the book have helped me to do just that.

Marina is (of course) very good looking (although small and with crooked teeth :P ), and she has quite a temper too (but I like plucky heroines). She has a dream she's not afraid to work hard to follow, and I have admired this part of hers tremendously. As for Graham, one, he tells funny police stories (especially when it comes to his first days on the force), and two, he is quite endearing and comfortable to be with -- although he doesn't hesitate to beat people up when it's needed, hee hee. While their love story started a bit too sudden (at least for me), it became more and more believable with each page turned (so much so that I was sorry to put the book down when it ended).

My favorite scene of them all was the scene where Marina and Graham get back together after being separated for a while (not actually a spoiler, every book featuring a couple falling in love usually has them fighting for some reason and getting back together after a while so why wouldn't this one :P plus this happens at about two thirds of the book, there are plenty things that happen next). I felt it to be well written and... well, real, as they both were trying to get past the hurt and see if they can go back to where they were before. I was expecting some sort of "oh, you're back, come into my arms" and I was happy to get a scene a lot better than that :)

Ever since first seeing the title I was amused by it and by its double meaning: a symbol of Marina's "sexittude" (sexiness + attitude), but also a reference to the path she wants to follow in life (to be part of a bomb squad). The same symbolism was in fact represented by Marina's favorite belly button charm, a little silver pistol (that I was happy to see featured on the cover), a reference both to her life as a stripper (where the belly button would be seen) and her dreams of one day becoming a cop. ...more

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