I currently manage conservation and education programs for Lindblad, and had the amazing good fortune to travel to the Galápagos Islands in 2016—an experience that touched me deeply. So I was delighted when Lindblad invited me to put on my author hat and share some of the incredible places that inspired the writing of Shipped (and served as the backdrop for Henley and Graeme’s romantic adventure)! Snorkeling and beach hikes and tortoise-spotting, oh my!

Click below to check it out…

Which location(s) in the Galápagos would you most like to see for yourself? Or if you’ve traveled to the Galápagos before, what was your favorite experience or place you visited? Share in the comments!

***

Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition travel company that works in partnership with National Geographic on its ship-based voyages to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce innovative marine expedition programs and to promote conservation and sustainable tourism around the world. The partnership’s educationally oriented voyages allow guests to interact with and learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools. As pioneers of global exploration, their collaboration in research, technology and conservation provides extraordinary travel experiences and disseminates geographic knowledge globally. For more information visit www.expeditions.com or find Lindblad Expeditions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

The post Guest Blogging for Lindblad Expeditions appeared first on Angie Hockman.

The Galapagos tends to do that. I don’t know anyone who’s visited these iconic islands who didn’t experience something profound. I know I did. The Galapagos is an incredibly special place, and, as you can tell, one that is very near and dear to my heart.

Right now, the people of Galapagos are enduring unprecedented hardship.

Upwards of 90% of the Galapagos economy depends on tourism, and since COVID-19 halted travel to the islands in March 2020, it decimated the local economy. No more Henleys or Graemes—or virtually any tourists exploring the wonders of Galapagos—has created immediate, disproportional hardship for the local people.

Businesses have lost livelihood-sustaining income. Students are unable to stay in school. And families are struggling to meet even basic needs.

To help the people of Galapagos get back on their feet and continue working toward a sustainable future for themselves and the islands, Lindblad Expeditions and 501(c)(3) charity Island Conservation joined local Galápagos non-profit FUNCAVID to launch the Galapagos Island Relief Fund: a campaign of hope to help families meet immediate needs, entrepreneurs develop new businesses, and students further their education by financing micro-loans for the community.

In support, I will donate $1 to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund for every copy of Shipped that is preordered between now and the end of 2020 (up to $500).*

To make your Shipped preorder count for a donation, take a screenshot of your receipt dated between December 21–31, 2020 and share it with me via email (angie@angiehockman.com) or DM me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Please feel free to black out any personal/sensitive information on the receipt such as your address, phone number, etc—as long as I can tell that you’ve preordered Shipped during this timeframe, and how many copies, it counts!

That’s not all: two generous individuals have pledged to match my donations dollar-for-dollar, tripling the impact of every preorder! So for every copy of Shipped preordered during this campaign, $3 will be donated to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund.*

NOW, combine that with the fact that ALL donations to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund will be matched 3:1 with an equivalent dollar-for-dollar donation from Lindblad Expeditions, its Board of Directors, and CEO Sven Lindblad and his family (up to $50,000 each), and that means…

…thanks to matching donations, every copy of Shipped preordered between now and the end of the year will result in up to $12 of support for the Galapagos!**

What do you say, would you like to help me support this cause?

If so, preorder my Galapagos-cruising rom-com, Shipped, between December 21st and December 31st, 2020!

Preordering Shipped in any format counts: e-book, trade paperback, or audiobook (including using an Audible credit to preorder the audiobook). Just don’t forget to share your receipt with me so your order can be counted toward my donation total!

Preorder SHIPPED

Want to do even more for the people of Galapagos?

Consider making a monetary donation to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund today!

Donate to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund

Thank you for your support!

*Angie Hockman will donate $1 to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund (up to $500) for every copy of Shipped that is preordered between December 21, 2020 and December 31, 2020 and for which the purchaser shares a screenshot of the receipt with her via email (angie@angiehockman.com) or direct message on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. For every $1 Angie Hockman donates to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund, two other individuals, who wish to remain anonymous, will make an equivalent dollar-for-dollar donation to the Fund as well (up to $500 each).

**Every $1 donated to the Galapagos Island Relief Fund (up to $50,000) will be matched 3:1 by an equivalent dollar-for-dollar donation from each: Sven and Kristin Lindblad’s Wanderlust Fund, Lindblad Expeditions, and the Lindblad Expeditions Board of Directors. See www.islandrelief.fund for more information.

The post Preorder SHIPPED & Help Galapagos Economic Recovery appeared first on Angie Hockman.

1. Sea Turtle Bracelet from Wildlife Collections

This bracelet is *the coolest!* It’s gorgeous and it comes with information about a real-life sea turtle you can track in the wild. Plus? A portion of proceeds from sales go to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing protection to sea turtles around the globe!

2. Blueland Hand Soap

Help a loved one ditch the single-use plastic soap bottles and buy them a Blueland Hand Soap Starter Set! Foaming hand soap is created by filling the reusable glass bottle with warm water, dropping in a tablet, and voila! Foaming hand soap that smells great and is great for the environment. The Starter Set comes with 3 tablets, and additional refill tablets are only $2 each.

3. Blue-footed Booby Socks

Want a loved one to get their blue feet on like the coolest bird in the Galapagos? Buy a pair of blue-footed booby socks from the Blue Feet Foundation and support species conservation. The neat thing about this nonprofit—apart from the fact that it was launched by two teenaged brothers!—is that all profits go toward efforts to preserve the blue-footed booby. Comfy for a good cause.

4. World Wildlife Fund: Adopt a Species

What better way to show someone you care (about them and the planet!) then by adopting a species in their name? The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) offers symbolic adoption kits for over 140 species that help protect wild animals and their habitats—plus the $100 kit comes with a super-cute plush and species information. For the serious plush lover in your life, consider a Build-Your-Own-Bucket of three 8″ wildlife plushes, available with a $75 donation to WWF.

5. Klean Kanteen Reusable Straws

Who needs plastic straws when you give them a set of Klean Kanteen’s Stainless Steel Straws? Made from high quality stainless steel with a food grade, removable silicone flex tip, these are a terrific alternative to single-use plastic straws (which, by the way, often end up in the ocean). Bonus: Klean Kanteen is a certified B-Corp, which means they’re a cream-of-the-crop eco-friendly company with a proven track record of using their business as a force for good in the world.

6. Fair-Trade Artisan Crafts

Did you know that artisan handcraft production is one of the most important sources of income for people in the developing world (Galapagos included)? So by purchasing fair-trade certified crafts, you’re helping an artisan somewhere in the world keep themselves and their family out of poverty. I love this sea glass ombre candle from Ten Thousand Villages, but there are oodles of fair trade shops you can peruse online to find that perfect gift.

7. Galapagos Conservancy Calendar

Give a loved one a yearlong gift of the sights of Galapagos with this beautiful 14-month wall calendar from the nonprofit Galapagos Conservancy—all proceeds from your purchase support land-based and marine conservation programs in the Galapagos Islands.

8. Silicone Stasher Bags

Okay, I seriously *love* these. I’ve tried several types of reusable food storage bags, and these are hands-down my favorite. Sturdy, easy to clean, and with a zipper that holds on tight, Stasher bags have essentially replaced Ziploc bags in our household. Eco-friendly & cost effective!

9. Hydro Flask

Help a loved one stay hydrated, no matter where their adventures takes them (even if it’s just to the backyard or neighborhood park at the moment), with a reusable, eco-friendly water bottle from Hydro Flask. With a lifetime warranty and technology to keep beverages cold for up to 24 hours, this water bottle is sure to please.

10. Subscription to National Geographic

Is there an adventurer in your life? If so, consider gifting them a subscription to National Geographic. An annual subscription includes 12 print issues plus access to natgeo.com and its 130+ year archive of stories. Or you can ditch the paper altogether and gift a digital-only subscription for $12/year. And for the kids in your life, check out National Geographic Kids magazine, perfect for children ages 6-9 to help foster their curiosity about the world.

So, what do you think? Are you going to give any of my gift ideas a whirl? If so, let me know which one(s) in the comments!

Note: this list reflects my own personal recommendations; I’m not a paid spokesperson for any of the companies or organizations featured above.

*Pssst* Have you pre-ordered Shipped, yet? My “laugh-out-loud debut about love on the high seas” (Publishers Weekly) comes out January 19th, 2021, so give future-you the gift of a romantic adventure by pre-ordering today!

The post Angie’s Shipped-Inspired Gift Guide appeared first on Angie Hockman.

What You Can Win

What kinds of goodies am I giving away, you ask? Fabulous ones, of course, with plenty of fun, Galápagos vibes and an eco-friendly edge. In addition to a signed ARC of my enemies-to-lovers romcom, Shipped, each giveaway swag bag will include one of each of the following:

• Signed Shipped bookmark
• Limited-quantity Shipped pen
• Terra Thread tote bag (organic, sustainable & Fair Trade-certified)
• Blue-footed booby socks purchased from The Blue-Feet Foundation (sock sales support blue-footed booby conservation in the Galápagos)
• Essie nail polish in “bustling bazaar” (seafoam green)
• Nautical-themed scarf from Etsy
• Flip-flop charm

How to Enter

There are two ways to enter this giveaway, and you can enter via BOTH methods for up to six entries total.

#1: Enter on Instagram

To enter, follow Angie on Instagram (@Angie_Hockman), like her November 13th Giveaway post, and tag a friend in the comments. Each extra friend you tag is an additional entry, up to five total Instagram entries. Awesome, huh?

#2: Enter by Subscribing to Angie’s Newsletter & Filling Out an Entry Form

Not on Instagram? No problem! You can also enter by subscribing to Angie Hockman’s newsletter and completing the Google Form here.

Deadline to Enter

The giveaway will run from November 13 to November 20, 2020. The deadline to enter is 11:59pm ET on November 20, 2020. Any entries received after that time will not be included in the giveaway drawing.

Official Rules

Open internationally to anyone residing in a country that can receive packages shipped via USPS. International entrants (residing outside of the United States) are responsible for checking current USPS shipping restrictions to ensure eligibility before entering. In the event Angie is unable to ship the giveaway prize pack to a winner(s) located outside the United States due to coronavirus shipping restrictions or other unforeseen circumstances, she will provide an alternative digital prize of equal or greater value to the original prizes listed above, including a digital ARC of Shipped.

Entrants may submit up to six entries; five entries via Instagram per the directions above, and one entry by subscribing to Angie’s newsletter and submitting the entry form provided above. No purchase necessary to enter.

If entering the giveaway by subscribing to Angie’s newsletter, please be aware that you may unsubscribe from her newsletter at any time; but to be eligible for the giveaway drawing, you must remain a newsletter subscriber for the duration of the giveaway. By unsubscribing before the giveaway deadline, you are withdrawing your giveaway Newsletter Entry.

Angie will randomly draw three winners from the entries received before the November 20th 11:59pm ET deadline, and will contact winners via either Instagram DM or email (depending on the submission method of the winning entry) on November 21, 2020.

The post Enter the SHIPPED ARC & Swag Bag Giveaway! appeared first on Angie Hockman.

Check out the G-L-O-W-I-N-G review below (bolding mine). You can also read the review from Publishers Weekly on their website here.

“A healthy dose of competition powers Hockman’s laugh-out-loud debut about love on the high seas. Twenty-eight-year-old Seattleite Henley Evans’s life is consumed by her job as marketing manager for an adventure cruise line, with a little time set aside for helping out her hot-mess sister, Walsh, and hating on her Michigan-based coworker, Graeme Crawford-Collins, whom she’s disliked ever since he took credit for one of her ideas. Now Henley and the irritating, attractive Graeme are up for the same promotion and their boss sends them on the company’s cruise to the Galápagos islands; whoever comes back with the best marketing proposal based on their experience will win the job. On board, they contend with watchful crew, overly amorous suitors, and familial drama while engaging in the timeless enemies-to-lovers dance of misunderstandings, false conclusions, and flirtatious verbal sparring. Meanwhile, Henley’s marketing brainstorming efforts lead her and the novel alike to a powerful environmentalist message. With flawed but lovable characters and exotic locales, this quirky, thoughtful love story will whisk readers away.

—Publishers Weekly

What do you say, are you ready to be swept away to an exotic locale this January? Do yourself a favor, and give future you a gift by pre-ordering Shipped today! Available in e-book, trade paperback, and audiobook format from the following retailers:

And don’t forget to add Shipped to your Goodreads to-be-read shelf and follow me for automatic updates

Happy reading, all!

The post Publishers Weekly Calls SHIPPED a “Laugh-Out-Loud Debut” appeared first on Angie Hockman.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Looking for a vicarious end-of-summer escape? Are enemies-to-lovers romantic comedies like The Hating Game or The Unhoneymooners your jam? Well then, you’re in luck because I’m giving away FIVE signed, advance review copies of my debut rom-com, Shipped—brought to you by my ornery golden retriever, “Cruise Director” Wally.

“Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne, Shipped is a fresh and engaging rom-com that celebrates the power of second chances and the magic of new beginnings.”

How to Enter

You can enter on each of my social media platforms—Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook—for a total of three entries. Simply click the buttons below to pull up the corresponding giveaway post and follow the entry directions (follow & retweet on Twitter; follow & tag a friend in the comments on Instagram; follow & share on Facebook). It’s that easy!

Enter on TWITTER

Enter on INSTAGRAM

Enter on FACEBOOK

Open to US residents only (sorry, international friends!). The giveaway closes at 11:59pm ET on August 31, 2020, so be sure to enter before then!

Five winners will be randomly selected to win a signed ARC of Shipped. Winners will be notified on September 1st via DM on whichever social media platform(s) they used to enter and will be asked to provide a valid US mailing address. Books will be mailed to winners in the fall. One ARC awarded per winner.

What are early readers saying about Shipped?

“An extraordinary debut. Witty, romantic, and completely addictive.” —Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author of Passion on Park Avenue

“Enchanting, hilarious and a perfectly delightful escape! I loved every second of this enemies to lovers romance. Henley and Graeme are relatable, swoony and all-around driven. The backdrop of the islands will have you yearning for sunny skies and sandy beaches.” —Nina Bocci, USA Today bestselling author of On the Corner of Love and Hate

“Shipped is a sweet, sunny getaway of a novel with an ambitious, funny, and relatable heroine and a hero who’s *chef’s kiss* a warm, supportive dreamboat (pun intended).”

Sarah Hogle, author of You Deserve Each Other

“Make some noise for one of the sweetest, most tempting, enchanting, heartfelt, hilarious, romantic novels I’ve read lately! I’m giving five blazing, breezy, exotic, well-earned stars!”

Nilufer O., top Goodreads reviewer

Want to see what all the buzz is about for yourself? Be sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win!

Shipped is coming out from Gallery/Simon & Schuster (US) and Headline Eternal/Hachette (UK) on January 19, 2021. Available for pre-order now.

The post Giving Away 5 Signed ARCs of SHIPPED! appeared first on Angie Hockman.

This is a FREE event, but be sure to click the button below to sign up on the event page so Kicks Mix can send you two Bingo cards to play along!

Reserve Your Spot via Facebook Today!

Cant wait to see you there!

Angie Hockman’s debut romantic comedy, Shipped, is coming out from Gallery/Simon & Schuster (US) and Headline Eternal/Hachette on January 19, 2021. Available for pre-order now.

The post Join Me For a Virtual Author Event on August 30th appeared first on Angie Hockman.

via GIPHY

Well, did you know you can explore the Galápagos virtually, right now, from your very own home?

via GIPHY

To scratch that travel itch and dive deeper into the magical backdrop of Shipped, I’ve created a list of my favorite resources to help you virtually explore the Galápagos Islands. So put on your explorer’s cap (or your comfiest pair of pajamas) and let’s go!

1) Dive into Galápagos with a Documentary

Why not start by kicking back with a bowl of popcorn and indulging in a documentary about the Galápagos? There are several excellent choices. Below are three I recommend—two I’ve seen, and one that looks promising—so take your pick!

Galápagos (2006)

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (available for purchase)

Why I love it: narrated by Tilda Swinton (enough said, right?), this three-part miniseries is the documentary I recommend for an engaging, thorough introduction to the Galápagos. If you don’t want to spend $7.99 on the full miniseries, consider at least watching episode 2, Islands That Changed the World (individual episodes are available from $2.99 on Prime Video).

Watch the trailer here.

Galapagos: IMAX (1999)

Where to watch: Hulu (free with subscription)

Why I love it: At a brisk 40 minutes, this documentary is an accessible, enjoyable journey through the Galápagos with Smithsonian marine biologist Dr. Carole Baldwin. It was originally released in IMAX theaters, so the visuals are stunning.

Watch the trailer here.

Wild Galapagos (2019)

Where to watch: CuriosityStream (currently available to watch with a free 7-day trial, but $2.99/month after so don’t forget to cancel if you don’t want the subscription)

Why I’m intrigued: This is the most recently filmed documentary on Galápagos I could find, and I like that it’s a 2-part series, giving ample time to explore the wonders of Galápagos. I haven’t watched it myself yet, so if you do tune in, be sure to drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Watch the trailer here.

2) Experience a Virtual Expedition to the Galápagos with Lindblad Expeditions

In case you’ve never heard of Lindblad Expeditions, this small ship adventure cruise line has a partnership with National Geographic, and with 50+ years experience bringing travelers to the Galápagos, they lead the way in responsible travel, sustainability, and harnessing the power of travel for good (plus, they’re my personal favorite cruise company and the inspiration for Shipped‘s fictional Seaquest Adventures).

While the pandemic has temporarily halted travel, Lindblad Expeditions has put out some wonderful virtual resources to connect folks with wild places like the Galápagos Islands. Watch the video below for an awe-inspiring highlight reel of the famed wildlife of Galápagos (many of which make an appearance in Shipped!)

If you found yourself gasping while watching that video (because wow the wildlife is incredible!), check out some of my other favorite virtual expeditions from Lindblad below:

• Wildlife of Gardner Bay (where Henley & Graeme snorkel!)
• Ahhhh Moment: Galapagos Giant Tortoises
• Visiting Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

Bonus! For any parents out there feeling YIKES about potentially homeschooling in the fall, Lindblad Expeditions also has some fun, educational resources for kids on their website such as Virtual Expedition Kids’ Corner: Galapa-guess, How to Make Paper Beads (like artisans in the Galápagos), and more.

3) Discover Darwin’s Living Laboratory with Google Maps

If you want an on-the-ground exploration experience with 360 degree imagery, maps, and resources galore, Google Maps has you covered. Check out their Galápagos Islands Google Earth page for a fabulous place to start.

Some of my favorite Google Earth treks in Galápagos include:

• Post Office Bay (featured in Shipped!)
• Tortoises in the Morning
• Tortoises at Night
• Champion Island East Snorkeling
• Marine Iguanas

4) Immerse Yourself in the Beauty & History of Galápagos with a Book

Want a book that will look spectacular on your coffee table while also introducing you to the Galápagos Islands through beautiful photography and informative text? Look no further than…

Galapagos: Islands Born of Fire

Tui De Roy

A renowned photographer who grew up in the Galápagos, De Roy captures breathtaking scenes and her book is one of my favorites about the Islands. I recommend this updated 10th anniversary edition.

More book picks…because you can’t have too many books!

Some other fabulous books about the Galápagos I love are:

Galápagos: Life in Motion

Walter Perez and Michael Weisburg

Another eye-catching photography book that any Galápagos aficionado would love to have on their shelf.

Galapagos: A Natural History, Revised and Expanded

Michael H. Jackson

For anyone looking for a thoughtful, complete, academically-oriented natural history guide to the Galápagos, this one’s the tops.

Island: A Story of the Galápagos

Jason Chin

A gorgeously illustrated journey through the geological and biological history of the Galápagos, perfect to share with young readers.

5) Explore the Charles Darwin Foundation’s Research Collections Online

If you want to venture down the rabbit hole of scientific research in the Galápagos from species names and IUCN status to climatology to maps, check out the Charles Darwin Foundation’s (CDF) dataZone. This collection of online databases is the product of 60 years of research in the Galápagos.

The mission of the Charles Darwin Foundation and its Research Station is to provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galápagos Archipelago.

Charles Darwin Foundation, About Us

What do you think? Are you ready to explore the Galápagos? Let me know which of my suggested resources was your favorite by commenting below!

*Pssst* And if you haven’t yet, be sure to pre-order Shipped! The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game in this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy set on a Galapagos cruise. Coming from Gallery/Simon & Schuster (US) and Headline Eternal/Hachette (UK) on January 19, 2021.

The post Explore the Galápagos Islands—from Home! appeared first on Angie Hockman.

When I first started writing THE HUSTLER around Christmas of 2015, I never could have fathomed that my story about a tech-savvy private investigator falling in love with the subject of her investigation—a dashing con artist with a heart of gold—would win such accolades. Thank you, Romance Writers of America, for this tremendous honor.

To watch the Awards ceremony, click play below. My speech starts at 44:30, if you want to take a gander!

The post THE HUSTLER wins the Golden Heart®! appeared first on Angie Hockman.

What will be different this year? This year, I’m a Golden Heart® Award Finalist for my romantic suspense, THE HUSTLER. *Cue internal screaming* For those who aren’t familiar with the Golden Heart, they are the romance industry’s top awards for unpublished writers. The counterpart award for published authors, the RITAs, are essentially like the romance-version of the Oscars. Which means dresses. Or, if you’re me, a sleek jumpsuit and sparkle shoes.

In an effort to squash my procrastinator tendencies when it comes to packing, I’ve made a list. Here it is:

• Business cards
• Laptop (for word sprints and/or brainstorming)
• Phone charger & external battery
• Melatonin
• Headphones
• Notepad
• Extra pens
• Printed blurbs and pitches for each book (to reference while pitching)
• A packed duffle bag to take back All of the Books
• Gum
• Toiletries & personal effects
• 4 business casual outfits
• 2 dresses
• 1 fancy jumpsuit
• Shoes galore

Am I missing anything? What else should I bring? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. You can watch the Golden Heart Awards—live!

If you’d like to watch the Golden Heart Awards live and cheer me on from afar, mark your calendars! On July 25 at 12:15–2:00pm go to www.rwa.org and click on the link to the livestream that will be posted on the homepage shortly before the event. Wish me luck!

The post Sparkle Shoes & Jumpsuits: My RWA Packing List appeared first on Angie Hockman.