Spotlight & Giveaway: Abandon Ship by Karigan Hale

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Karigan Hale to HJ!

Hi Karigan and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Abandon Ship!

 
Hello! As an avid reader of the blog, I’m geeking out being here on the author side!
 

To start off, can you please tell us a little bit about this book?:

I’d love to! No lie, this is one my favorite books I’ve written. It is the 6th book in the Love at Sea multi-author series. It’s a witty romantic comedy featuring a jilted bride who is reluctant to trust herself when it comes to love and a disgraced travel photographer determined to focus on recovering his career. Throw in an unapologetic and unfiltered best friend, a sassy octogenarian, amazing Caribbean locations, and steamy, slow-burn sexy times and you have the book in a nutshell. Abandon Ship was so fun to write–especially the witty banter between best friends Abby and Jazz and the sexy flirting between Abby and Gray. I hope it’s the perfect mix of sweet and steam.
 

Please share your favorite lines or quote(s) from this book:

Like I just noted, I hope this is a good combination of sexy and funny, so I’ve got a few lines to illustrate both:

Sexy: “You have an amazing body. I’d like to be under it again.”
Sexy: Think about my offer, Abby. And think about me peeling that jumpsuit off your sexy as sin body with my teeth.
Funny – a conversation between Gray and Abby:
“I’ve never been a one-night stand kind of girl.”
“Good thing we have seven more nights then,” Gray says with a crooked smile.
“You are incorrigible.”
“I think you said ‘irresistible’ wrong.”
Funny – conversation between Abby and Jazz:
“Oh, you have it bad, girl,” Jazz says.
“What? I do not,” I lie, thankful for the dim lighting to hide my blush.
She pretends to look under the table. “I’m sorry. Aren’t those the ashes of your panties on the ground? I think they spontaneously combusted when Gray touched you.”

What inspired this book?

First, the Caribbean locations for sure. I LOVED researching the different excursions and imagining what my characters could get up to at each one.
Second, the idea of the jilted bride really intrigued me. I’d never written this trope before and wanted to explore how we get over break-ups that threaten to derail us.
Third, the other author’s in the series. Collaborating with them to bring this world alive was so much fun!

How did you ‘get to know’ your main characters? Did they ever surprise you?

So, unlike many authors, I don’t ever feel like my main characters ‘speak’ to me. With this book, I knew I was starting with the jilted bride, so I read a lot of articles from real-life jilted brides to get some inspiration about how they were feeling before and after the event. I do pretty extensive character profiles of my two main characters before I write. I wanted her guy to be sensitive and sweet to overcome her mistrust, but also a bit naughty, because, of course.
The character that ended up surprising me was Abby’s best friend, Jasmine aka Jazz. I knew Abby was going to take her Honeymoon cruise sans husband, but I didn’t want her going alone. Jasmine was supposed to be just a fun friend to drag along on all the excursions. But, I think she is stealing the show. She always has the perfect snarky comment, she encourages Abby to awaken her inner horny goddess, and she is fiercely protective of her friend. She steals every scene. I am thinking of a spin-off with Jazz as the main character.

What was your favorite scene to write?

So many! My very favorite scene is a bit of a spoiler, so I’ll go with my second favorite scene. One the second night of the cruise, Abby and Jazz go to the on-board night club to dance. They encounter a bachelorette party and eventually Gray joins them. It’s the first time Gray and Abby really get a chance to flirt.

We walk past a group of girls all wearing matching tank tops. I think there are about a dozen, but it’s hard to tell in the constant strobe of their light up penis necklaces. They’re having a vibrator race across the table. Several girls wear headbands with bouncing penises on coils.
“God, it’s like Dicks ‘R Us threw up in here,” Jazz quips as we walk by. She slides a glance to me. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. At least Trey didn’t ruin my bachelorette party for me.” I paste on a smile. That was probably because he wanted to have his. My mood darkens slightly as I realize he probably did sleep with the stripper that night even though he said he smelled like sex because Parker did. Bastard.
We order drinks—a G&T for me, Sex on the Beach for Jazz—and scope out the room for an empty table. I spot one an acceptable distance away from the bachelorette party who are now taking shots out of each other’s cleavage.
We are half-way there when an already drunk bridesmaid accosts us. She drops two penis straws into our drinks. “If you aren’t sucking dick, what’s the point? Am I right?” She holds up her hands for a high-five like we’re bros in a locker room.
“Hell yeah,” Jazz yells, obliging. “High-five for sucking dick!”
I wrap my lips around that little plastic penis and suck away. No G&T left behind.
I sense him before I see him. Is it his scent? His aura? His cocky self-assurance? Or is my body still attuned to his even after all these years. He was my favorite of my brother’s friends, and I’d purposely goad him so he’d throw me in the pool. It meant he had his hands on me.
Before I can turn to greet him, Gray steps up close behind me and puts his mouth to my ear. “I missed you, Breezy.”
Is he talking about today? Or since high school? Obviously today, right?
“Did you have pleasant dreams last night?” I ask coyly. Jazz widens her eyes at me, amused. Maybe my flirt muscle isn’t completely broken after all.
He digs his fingers into my waist and growls. A shiver and a thrill pulse through me. Heat pools between my legs and I squeeze my thighs together so he can’t hear my naughty bits singing “Let’s Get It On.” They’ve already decided that rebound Grayson is a great idea. The best idea. A “fuck politeness and take me right here” idea.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” I say a bit breathless. I wrap my lips around the penis straw with more emphasis than necessary.
Gray grabs my wrist. “Is that what I think it is?”
I nod slowly, letting the straw bob in and out of my mouth. Seriously, though, this night is all about blow jobs. Why don’t they make vagina shaped straws?
“Do you need another drink?” he asks. “I need something to cool off.”
“Absolutely. Jazz?”
She nods and, after another squeeze of his fingers, Gray releases me to head to the bar.
Jazz nods her head and smiles at me across the table. “Oh, you have it bad, girl.”
“What? I do not,” I lie, thankful for the dim lighting to hide my blush.
She pretends to look under the table. “I’m sorry. Aren’t those the ashes of your panties on the ground? I think they spontaneously combusted when Gray touched you.”
“Shut up.”

What was the most difficult scene to write?

I think the first chapter was actually pretty difficult. It is the moment Abby gets jilted and I hope I did justice to those that have experienced this. It was hard to balance the anger and anguish while still staying true to the romantic comedy style. I hope I did it justice.

I rip several dress shirts from their hangers, buttons raining down like tears and chuck them out the window. Next comes Trey’s shoes and socks. I save the underwear for last so it’s on top for everyone to see. I hope it storms tonight. I hope the skies open and dump rain and hail and snow and frogs—an absolute plague. I hope there is so much wind, his precious clothes fly all across the neighborhood, and he has to explain to everyone why his tighty-whities are in their bushes.
Am I being dramatic? Am I my own version of cliche? Perhaps. But I don’t go full Betty Broderick and burn his shit, so I’m sitting on the right side of sane. For now. Of course, if I knew how to start the high-tech lawnmower Trey just had to have, his belongings would be in shreds right now.
Instead, I think about driving to his mistress’s house and throwing bricks through her windows. I think about calling the police with an anonymous tip that she’s running a meth lab in her basement. I think about calling Trey’s mom and explaining to her in detail what a cheating, lying asshole her “perfect” son is. I think about cutting all his beloved ties in half.
I only do the last one. See how rational and calm I am?

Would you say this book showcases your writing style or is it a departure for you?

This is definitely my writing style. I love a witty, snarky, smart heroine and a semi-sweet male. I also love reading and writing slow-burn romances–the build-up!–and this stays in that vein as much as possible on a 7-day cruise. My books are not insta-love stories, so these characters have a light back story before the cruise. I also love writing about the relationship between women, so Abby and Jasmine’s friendship is strong. I’ve had reviewers and other author’s tell me dialogue is my strong-suit, so I’ve focused on witty banter and flirting between characters in this book as well. And whenever I can include an 80-going-on-18 year old, I’m in Heaven (Gertrude, amiright?).

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

Even though this is a light-hearted romantic-comedy, I hope readers learn that one bad experience or one bad partner, even if they are literally the worst, shouldn’t discourage them from trying to find love again if that’s what they want. Often when people break up with us, it has more to do with them than us. We are all worthy of finding our true partners. And man, isn’t the trial and error fun?

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I’ve been working on a series of short novellas based on a Speed Dating company. Each story includes an intro and epilogue from the owner of the company, Jenna, who has a love-hate relationship with her business partner Sebastian. Each story is a stand-alone – they follow a couple who meet at or because of a speed dating event – but readers can follow along to get updates on Jenna and Sebastian as well. In fact, the company (and the star-crossed owners) are featured in the Love at Sea books as many of our couples attend a speed dating event aboard the boat! These are released 1-2 times a month.
I’m also writing in another multi-author romantic comedy series scheduled to release in 2024. This one is already shaping up to be such a funny and fun series. Be sure to sign-up for my newsletter for updates!
And I’m starting a new series involving a subscription box company employees. I don’t know about you, but I have way too many subscription box deliveries. LOL

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: One ebook from Karigan Hale’s backlist

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: I love a good second-chance romance but sometimes two people aren’t meant to be together. What would be a deal-breaker for you? What would cause you to not forgive and give someone a second chance?

 
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Excerpt from Abandon Ship:

I groan. Tequila and I have an interesting relationship. One that I usually like to reserve for nights alone at home. You know that country song “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off?” Yeah, that was written about me.
But when in the middle of the ocean surrounded by buckets of free condoms, why not? Right?
Gray passes around the shots and limes. Looking directly into his eyes, I lick the side of my hand by my thumb—wetting it to hold the salt. With parted lips, he watches my mouth move. I raise an eyebrow and smirk. Maybe flirting is like riding a bike. It’s all coming back to me now. And man is it fun.
He isn’t moving, so I take his hand and bring it to my lips. In a move that surprises even me, I run my tongue along his hand and scrape my teeth lightly on his skin. He blows out a long breath. I blink slowly. He forgets to inhale.
I release him and sprinkle the salt where I’d tasted. Before I can lick the salt from my own hand, he brings it to his lips and offers his own hand to me. I raise an eyebrow; he gives me his crooked smile.
As his mouth covers the salt on my skin, lazy waves of heat cascade over my body. He never breaks eye contact. Watching his lips on my skin is so sensual. When he finally releases my hand, I almost use it to tug him to me. To sear my lips to his. To taste his bottom lip. Just a nibble.
Oh, who am I kidding. I want to detach my jaw and swallow him whole. Not a good look in the middle of a crowded bar, however. Lifting the shots, we all clink glasses and toss back the liquid. I wince slightly as the heat slides down my throat.
He hands me a lime wedge, taking me out of my mini-fantasy.
“Damn, you two. You’re making me wet,” Jazz says. “But I have to pee.”
“Have you had enough alcohol to tell me more about what brought you here?” Gray asks as she leaves.
I sigh. “Fine. But it’s a boring story.” After another fortifying shot, I give him the short version of my relationship with Trey. The very, very short version.
“I was with this guy, Trey, for about two years. We got engaged, started planning our wedding. Then, about five months ago, we broke up after I found out he cheated on me.” I shrug it off, like it wasn’t the worst day of my life. “Tale as old as time.”
“You were engaged to the guy? Have you seen him since?” Gray asks. I search his face for pity but see none. The short version was the right way to go. I’m not Poor Abigail Winters, Jilted Bride around him. I’m just Breezy, Sexy Vixen in a Hot Dress Sipping from a Penis Straw. And I love that.
“Once. At a restaurant,” I answer him.
“How’d that go?”
A vivid memory of the large security guard’s arms around my waist hauling me out of the restaurant as I yelled, “You are the fuckiest fuck face in fuck land” at the top of my lungs plays in technicolor in my mind. And all because I threw a few wine glasses at Trey.
And a couple plates.
And the floral center piece.
And the fish off of his date’s plate.
“I was the epitome of grace and poise,” I say, looking away so he doesn’t see the blush heating my skin.
“Right,” he says slowly.
Jazz returns then, saving me from his scrutiny.
One more shot, and I’m ready for the dance floor. I grab Jazz’s hand and pull her with me.
“Come on, Jazzy Hands. It’s time to dance.”
We make our way hand-in-hand into the mix. When I turn to see if Gray is following, he stops in his tracks and gives me a long, hungry stare. He’s finally getting the full effect of the dress. The plunging neckline into the flirty little skirt make a striking dichotomy. And when I turn, it flares just so around my thighs.
He puts a hand on his chest and mouths, “Breezy.” Point one to this dress.
I hook a finger at him, beckoning him to me. He obliges, threading our legs as I drape an arm over his shoulder and begin to slow grind, moving my hips in time to the music, but keeping a bit of space between our bodies so he gets a good angle of my boobs in this dress. He puts a hand on my hip, digging in his fingers like earlier.
“You were right. I like this dress better,” he says, caressing me with his gaze.
“Told you.” I move a fraction closer to him.
“He’s a world-class idiot for cheating on you, Breezy. You know that, right?”
“I don’t want to talk about my ex. I just want to dance.”
As the alcohol mixes with the heat from his touch, I’m emboldened. I squeeze his thigh between mine. He yanks me forward, pressing his hips against me. I tangle my fingers in his hair and close my eyes. The music and lights swirl around us as we move together in perfect rhythm. His hand moves from my hip to my lower back, fingers spreading over my ass. I have no idea how many songs we dance to, and I don’t care. He’s strong and smells amazing and is a great dancer and that’s all that matters in this moment.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

A jilted bride with trust issues. A disgraced photographer with something to prove. A Love at Sea cruise determined to distract them both.
Abby:
Instead of walking down the aisle, my fiancé walked out the door. So I’m taking our honeymoon cruise without him. I’ll enjoy seven perfect days of endless margaritas, pristine beaches, and island excursions even more with my best friend instead. What I need is a complete break from ANYTHING akin to romance. Complete break. That includes the tempting Grayson Hamilton, I remind myself. No matter how much of a crush I had on him back in high school. No matter how lickable his abs turned out to be. I AM ON A BREAK!
Grayson:
Scoring my dream job with the industry’s leading travel magazine was a lucky break. Unfortunately, I’m just about out of luck. This all-expenses-paid cruise my employer sent me on is my last chance to save my reputation. I have to stay focused despite all the beautiful, single women on this Love at Sea cruise. Yep. Focused. Focused on my job. NOT on my best friend’s little sister, all grown up and smoking hot, looking like she needs someone to help her get over her freshly broken heart. On second thought, maybe a little distraction couldn’t hurt. Maybe an offer of a no-strings-attached rebound will help get her out of my system. Then I can concentrate on saving my career before we both Abandon Ship.
Abandon Ship is a jilted bride romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors – happily ever after guaranteed!
Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.

Book Links: Amazon |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Hi Readers! I am a writer, reader, wife, mother, teacher, and photographer. I married my high school sweetheart – a real-life second chance love story! – and have been a hopeful romantic ever since.
I’m highly susceptible to sudden summer thunderstorms and happily ever afters. Highly allergic to poison ivy and early mornings. And highly addicted to fountain sodas and true crime.
When I’m not reading or writing swoon-worthy romances, I’m usually stalki… I, mean, chasing my two daughters around with my camera, grading papers, or cleaning up after the animals on our mini-farm (at least emus, goats, chickens, dogs, and cats are cute, right?).
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