Boogaloo, boogaloo, boogaloo! It’s
a fun word to say *and* write! Now that I’ve got that out of my system, I’m
here to share that romantic comedy author Lucy Woodhull has released RAGNAR AND JULIET 2:
CONCUBINE BOOGALOO (2012, Liquid Silver Books), the sequel to her 2011
comedic sci-fi romance (see my post about the first book here.)
The cover for RAGNAR AND JULIET is
one of my favorites and it was a treat to see the theme continued for book two:
Cue the LOL! Not only that, but CONCUBINE BOOGALOO
features the same couple, a rarity in SFR. So if you like that kind of
continuity in your science fiction romance, along with tails, epic wacky
in-law drama, and manageable hair, then this is the two-book special for you.
Here’s the story blurb:
Sometimes the biggest risk a lady can take is not battling an evil planetary emperor with questionable taste in muttonchops, but baring her heart to the alien she loves. And his tail.If you’re a bounty-hunting floozy with a stellar rack, what do you do when an evil despot is hell-bent on your destruction?Stage a coup of his planet, of course.Juliet Lawrence’s plans for defeating King Bob the Nefarious are going better than her relationship with hunky alien ship captain, Ragnar Manscape. Oh, the sex is great. His pecs and their laughs are top notch. The meeting with his parents goes … somewhat worse. It’s always a bad sign when your boyfriend’s folks choose the family spider over you.The secret Juliet’s been keeping from Ragnar doesn’t help—uncomfortable conversations about “feelings” are not her forte. Fortunately, Juliet has lots of time to plot the downfall of King Bob’s intergalactic concubine slave trade once Ragnar unceremoniously dumps her.Can Juliet defeat King Assface with the help of her computer genius ex-boyfriend Erit, their flying toilet, and her brand new nun habit? Will Ragnar leave Juliet to the space wolves or go along with her crazy plan to topple a government using hair pins? And can Juliet really have it all while maintaining bouncy, manageable hair? Find out in RAGNAR AND JULIET 2: CONCUBINE BOOGALOO, the sequel to RAGNAR AND JULIET, the book Just Erotic Romance Reviews called “… delightful! This book definitely goes in my re-read stack to keep me warm this winter!”
I invited Lucy Woodhull aboard to
tell us about the making of this book. Following my interview with her is a
giveaway. Enjoy!
The Galaxy Express: Congratulations on the release of RAGNAR AND JULIET
2: CONCUBINE BOOGALOO! Please tag the story in six words.
Lucy Woodhull: freedom, feminist,
sci-fi (it is so one word!), tail, love, acceptance
TGE: Did you envision the Ragnar and Juliet adventures as a series from
the beginning?
LW: Not from the very beginning --
I'm a pantser, not a plotter, so it's all a question mark to me when I first
dive in. By the time I got to the end of the first book, I knew I wanted
to write the next one; the story wasn't finished.
TGE: Sci-fi romances that feature the same couple over the course of a
series are extremely rare. Was there any resistance to your decision to follow
the same couple in book 2?
LW: Nope. Ha! That was
a boring answer. But no -- I wrote the sequel, sent it to my publisher,
they accepted it. Yay! I never really think about what is rare in
my genre. I write to serve the characters and the story, and to make
people laugh.
TGE: Your stories fall under the comedic SF umbrella. Even the blurbs
are stuffed full of humor. Comedy-wise, who/what are your influences?
LW: Mel Brooks is my number one
hero. One time, I got to see him introduce a double feature (Young
Frankenstein and The Producers) and he spoke for five minutes,
telling stories and whatnot. I sobbed the whole time. Literally
sobbed. I embarrassed the hell out of my husband, but he's used to
that. Seeing my idol in person, being funny and charming, I was just overwhelmed
at the genius in front of me, at the man who'd brought me so many hours of
brilliant laughs. Of course, I cry at the drop of an anything, so what
are you gonna do? I love Monty Python, naturally. I also admire
tons of amazing, funny women -- Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Melissa
McCarthy. The ladies are hilarious -- who knew?!
TGE: If Juliet were to tell a knock-knock joke to distract one of King
Bob’s goons, what would it be?
LW: Juliet says, "Knock.
knock."
The goon scratches his most-oozey
scab. "Knock what?"
"No... ugh, you're supposed to
say, 'Who's there?' It's a joke."
Goon swivels his head from side to
side. "Someone's there? I don't see nobody."
Juliet couldn't quite roll her
eyes, seeing as he was trying to choke her to death. "You know who's
there?" she croaks. "Boobs!" She tears open her
blouse. Buttons bounce off his sweaty forehead, and he drops his hold on
her neck, which she considers real progress.
"Boobs!" He
repeats, eyeballs agape.
She kicks him in the nuts and
runs. He wasn't any good at this whole "knock, knock" thing,
anyhow.
TGE: Rate the heat level for this story on a scale of 1-10.
LW: I'd rate Ragnar and Juliet
at about a 6 out of 10, considering 10 to be lots of group sex involving
whipped topping. Ragnar and Juliet 2: Concubine Boogaloo is more
like an 7. There are more sexy times in the sequel -- I know what my
depraved readers like, God love 'em.
TGE: Tell us three little known facts about Ragnar.
LW:
1. Before he became a trader,
Ragnar dreamed of playing Tail Ball professionally. However, he refused
to use appendage-enhancing drugs, so couldn't make the cut.
2. He once won a "Best
Buns" contest, beating even the entrant from Gluteus 4.
3. His favorite non-Alutian
author is Judy Blume.
TGE: I need to stock up on holiday gifts. Where can I
purchase some flying toilets?
LW: They're not on sale anywhere per
se, but I can point you to some reputable dealers for both toilets and jet
packs. A couple of bungee cords later, you've got yourself a super unsafe
john. Only give them to relatives you don't like very much.
TGE: What’s next for Ragnar and Juliet?
LW: Concubine Boogaloo was the
second and final title in the series -- (spoiler) our star-crossed lovers get
their happily-ever-after, which they deserve after all the crap I put them
through!
TGE: Where can readers find you?
LW: Wherever injustice is done,
I'll be hiding in the corner, cowering. Or, here: Website
Goodreads Twitter Blog Facebook
TGE: What are you thinking about right now?
LW: My husband is making some end tables for us (he's a
gifted carpenter) and is running back and forth getting tools and such. I
was just thinking how damn cute he is when he's being all woodworkey.
Really sweaty, but cute. Harrison Ford was a carpenter, too, so basically
I'm married to Han Solo.
***
Ms. Woodhull, thanks so much for your time, and for your
art.
Now for the giveaway! Lucy Woodhull has generously provided
a copy of RAGNAR AND JULIET and RAGNAR AND JULIET: CONCUBINE BOOGALOO to give
away to one lucky passenger! Winner’s choice ePub or PDF.
The deadline to enter is Sunday, 12 midnight PST.
To enter, create a word (or make up a word and tell me what
it means) from “Boogaloo” in the comment section!
Joyfully yours,
Heather