Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt from This Pucking Ship by AM Williams

by A.M. Williams

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What started as a one-night stand has become an entire week stuck at sea. Can these two unlikely lovers figure things out or will one of them jump off this pucking ship?
 
Maureen
 
Taking a job working in the gym on a cruise ship seemed like a good plan, especially after being dumped and fired from my last job, thanks to my cheating ex.
 
What I wasn’t counting on was running into the hockey superstar I had a one-night stand with.
 
Now I’m stuck trying to avoid the chemistry between us despite his relentless pursuit before I find myself put out to sea.
 
I just need to survive this cruise with my head down and avoid the drama.
 
Dylan
 
Being a guest on a lover’s cruise wasn’t my idea of a dream vacation. 
 
But running into the woman I can’t get out of my head? Now, that’s a dream come true.
 
I swore I wasn’t interested in a relationship, but the sparks between us make it hard for me to resist. Except she’s more worried about protecting her job aboard the ship than me.
 
Maybe it’s for the best if we go our separate ways especially once we’re off this pucking ship.
 
But back on land a unique opportunity to help Maureen secure her dream job presents itself. I’ll stop at nothing to make it happen because as much as she needs this job, I need her and this position will give us both what we want.
 
This Pucking Ship is a sports romance with a slightly forbidden twist, 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.
 

 My thoughts:

This Pucking Ship is the last book in the Love at Sea series.  This one is a one night stand to lovers trope.  It wasn't my favorite, but it is a cute story.  Throughout this whole series, I don't remember anything about the employees not being able to date passengers.  But, in this one it is apparently a thing now and drives the angst between Maureen and Dylan.  Anyway, I did like the chemistry between the couple.  Overall, it was a nice way to end out the series.

Excerpt
Copyright 2022 @A.M. Williams
 
It was October in New Orleans, so it wasn’t exactly cool outside.
But it was better than the oppressiveness of the inside.
I glanced up and down the street, noting more people were out now.
As I looked around, I noticed a small patio area I hadn’t seen before when we arrived, too busy sticking close to Heidi to notice anything about the place she’d taken me to.
A quick glance confirmed it was a part of the bar I was at and that it wasn’t packed.
There were empty tables scattered throughout the space. With the realization I could sit down, my feet started throbbing.
I practically sprinted to an open table along the wooden fence, sinking down and sighing as the pressure was taken off my poor feet.
That’s what I got for letting Heidi talk me into wearing one of her cute pairs of boots instead of the sandals I wanted to wear.
I sighed in relief as I sipped my quickly warming beer, watching the knots of people outside.
There were several groups clustered at tables and on the other side of the patio was an outdoor bar.
I briefly wondered why everyone hadn’t come outside instead of staying in, but realized that inside was where the real party was. It seemed like outside was where people came to hang out.
I was fine with the hanging out over the partying. I felt too old to be inside in the thick of things.
Come to think of it, the last time I’d partied hard had been my last year of grad school. Heidi had taken me out then, forcing me to drink shot after shot after graduating.
I suddenly remembered why I didn’t party hard and grimaced with my next sip of beer.
I shuddered at the memories and was glad I was sticking to beer and not drinking hard liquor.
“You look too serious to be sitting here alone,” a husky male voice said to my right.
I sipped my beer as I looked toward who was speaking and promptly choked on it when I got a look at the guy standing there. Tall, dark, and handsome barely scratched the surface of how good he looked.
I coughed as I put my glass down, sputtering and trying not to spit beer on him.
He smirked as he sat down across from me, a beer in his hand. “I can say I’ve had a lot of reactions over the years, but not sure I’ve ever had someone choke when they saw me.”
I wheezed as I tried to catch my breath, a knot settling in my throat as I tried not to hyperventilate.
After a few moments, I was breathing easier and looked back at the guy.
It was Dylan Harding. I recognized him immediately, which is why I choked.
He was starting forward for North Carolina’s hockey team. While hockey in North Carolina might not be as popular as you’d think, I took notice when there was a hottie on the team.
And Dylan Harding was the hottest of the hotties. When he’d first started playing, I was just starting my career as a physical therapist and hoped to work with professional athletes at some point.
He was only a few years older than me and dead sexy. Light blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and a physique that would make most grown men and women cry. I didn’t know anyone that was in better physical shape than he was.
So while I watched little hockey or really understood it, I understood a sexy man.
“Sorry,” I finally said, after realizing I was staring at him. I thought fast and quipped, “I wasn’t sure if I was really seeing a demon or not. You took me by surprise.”
Dylan grinned and laughed, shaking his head as he sipped his beer. “Quick on your feet. I like it.”
I shrugged and sipped my beer much more carefully this time.
“You from here?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nah, here for work. You?”
He got a funny look on his face at my question, but shook his head as well. “Nah, just visiting.”
Silence stretched between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.
I looked around us as I took another gulp of my drink, trying to grasp onto something to talk about with my celebrity crush, but was drawing a blank.
“I’ve seen some of your games,” I finally blurted.
Dylan’s eyes widened. “Games?”
I nodded quickly. “Yeah. At PNC Arena.”
He stared at me for a few beats. “You recognize me?”
He sounded baffled by this thought, and I narrowed my eyes. “Yes, I recognize you. I’m from North Carolina.”
His eyes widened briefly, then his expression cleared. “Sorry, I meant nothing by it. You just said nothing when I sat down, so I assumed you didn’t know who I was.”
I pursed my lips as I considered what to say.
“I wasn’t going to admit to knowing you,” I finally said. “But couldn’t think of anything else to say, so I panicked.”
He nodded slowly, studying me, his gaze raking over me.
“So you’re a hockey fan?”
 
About A.M. Williams

A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living in Germany for six years, and now in Florida. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and planning trips to the beach, which is now only an hour away. She’s a total beach bum and would spend every day there if she could. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as crisp, German white wine at any time of day.
 
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Review & Excerpt from The Forever Game by A.M. Williams

 
In THE FOREVER GAME By A.M. Williams, Daphne Abrams is used to being the family outcast but couldn’t be happier with the life she’s created, until Jameson Culter turns her world upside down. There are a million reasons why they would never work, but the universe won't give up while Jameson is hell-bent on winning my heart. Fans of Defending the Rush by Jamie Bennett will relish this must-read opposites attract, sports romance from the Meet Cute Book Club Series.
 

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Amazon → https://amzn.to/3Q3gZzU
 
Daphne
 
Being born as a creative with zero athletic ability into a family of athletes means only one thing - I’m the family outcast.
 
The one who no matter how successful I am, will never fit in.
 
That’s okay. I’m happy with my life. I’ve got my friends, good books to read, and my very own tattoo studio where I get to live my own dreams.
 
Things are going just fine for me.
 
Then he shows up. The definition of tall, dark, and handsome. I don’t think I’ve ever been this wildly attracted to someone at first glance.
 
There are a million reasons why things between the two of us would never work out.
 
But, the universe keeps throwing us together and Jameson seems hell-bent on proving me wrong.
 
 
Jameson
 
I’m in town for one reason and one reason only: recover in the off season so I can go back next year ready to dominate on the field.
 
After a brutal divorce and an even worse football season, I need to recoup and get my head in the game.
 
What I don’t need is distractions.
 
That’s exactly what she is. She’s gorgeous, funny, and has curves in all the right places.
 
There’s just two small  problems. I’m on the rebound and she’s the daughter of my mentor. Who would even want to go there?
 
But, somehow we keep crossing paths and there’s something tempting about breaking through all those stereotypes she has about guys like me.
 
Can we find a way to give in to what our hearts want and finally win the forever game?
 
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My thoughts:

The Forever Game is a cute romance.  It is a sports romance, but there isn't a lot of sports talk in it.  This is Daphne and Jameson's story.  I really loved Daphne's character.  I loved her artist personality.  I loved that she had made the best of her life having spent it not feeling like she fit in with her family.  The attraction between the couple was fun to watch.  I did think that the big conflict in the end was a bit over blown, but the grand gesture was really cute.  The only thing I really wish was more of a resolution Dakota, Daphne's sister. I feel like that was left hanging.  I do recommend giving this one a try.

 
Excerpt
 
Copyright 2022 @ A.M. Williams
 
He cleared his throat. “So dinner last night…”
He paused and glanced out the window, his brow furrowing.
I followed his gaze and just barely kept myself from groaning. Of course, my mother would come to the cafe and bring my sister with her.
“Did you tell them we were coming?” I asked Jameson, looking back at him.
He grimaced. “I mentioned we were meeting for coffee this morning.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “That was enough. I bet my mom has either been sitting outside waiting, or one of her friends texted her we were here.”
Jameson said nothing in response because my mom sauntered up to us with a huge grin. Dakota followed behind, glowering at me.
What else was new?
“You two look cozy,” Mom said, clasping her hands in front of her chest.
Cozy? We looked like two strangers meeting for coffee.
“He just got here,” I told her. “It’s hard to look cozy when we’re still warming up.”
Mom waved her hand in the air, like she was clearing my words from her presence.
“Nonsense. I just knew the two of you would hit it off.”
I stifled my groan as she gazed at the two of us. “We won’t keep you,” she continued. “But I wanted to drop in and say hello.”
Before either of us could say anything, she and Dakota went to the counter to order a drink and were gone in a few minutes.
Only then did I sag into my chair. “My God…” I muttered.
“Guess I should be glad this was coffee and not something fancy.”
I barked out a laugh. “You jest, but she probably would have crashed that, too.”
“What’s—“ Jameson started, but he snapped his mouth shut when Mrs. Aldrich, a retired elementary school teacher and one of my mother’s good friends, stopped by our table.
“You two make a fine couple,” she said, grinning at the two of us. “Tall, dark, and handsome, with fair and beautiful.”
I wanted to tell her she missed squat as my descriptor, but I didn’t want her to stick around longer than necessary.
“I’m so glad to see you dating,” she said, directing her gaze at me.
I pressed my lips together to keep myself from saying something rude and nodded.
With one last grin, she left the cafe.
Jameson cleared his throat. “I was going to ask you what the deal was with your sister,” he said. “But now I want to know what the deal was with her comment.”
He jerked his head toward where Mrs. Aldrich had disappeared outside the cafe.
“Nothing much to tell,” I hedged, not wanting to get into my dating history and how horrendous it had been. I also didn’t want to talk about my sister and hoped he’d take the hint.
I wasn’t so lucky.
“And Dakota?”
I was saved from thinking of a response by another person, this time my parents’ neighbor Mr. Creech.
“I thought that was you, Daphne,” he said, grinning at me. “But I forgot my glasses at home and my eyes aren’t what they used to be.”
I smiled at him with affection. Growing up, he’d helped foster my love of art and drawing. He also helped me get into the art program at Abbott Ridge College.
“Yep, it’s me.”
He nodded, flicking his gaze to Jameson, then back to me. “Who is this young man? Your beau?”
My face heated at his words, and I quickly tried to correct him. “No! I mean,” I cleared my throat, “no. We’re friends and we met for coffee this morning.”
Mr. Creech grinned at me and winked. “Sure, that’s what I said when I met my wife, you know. And look how that turned out?”
My mouth dried at his words. “Oh, it’s not—“
“I hope to see you next time you stop by your parents’. I have some stuff I think you might like.”
He nodded to Jameson, then shuffled out of the cafe. Thankfully, since he forgot his glasses, he didn’t walk to a car and get in the driver’s seat. He walked away from the parking area.
“Sure were quick to deny that I was your beau,” Jameson teased, chuckling.
I glared at him, wishing I could shoot lasers from my eyes as he continued to laugh while sipping his coffee.
“This isn’t funny.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” he drawled. “This is pretty hilarious to me.”
I stuck my tongue out at him for lack of anything better to do, and he threw his head back and laughed.
The joy on his face as he did so cracked something in the wall I’d built around my heart and made me question if being so adamant about us not being something was the right thing.
 
 
About A.M. Williams

A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living in Germany for six years, and now in Florida. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and planning trips to the beach, which is now only an hour away. She’s a total beach bum and would spend every day there if she could. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as crisp, German white wine at any time of day.
 
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Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Our Best Shot by A.M. Williams

 

Author: A.M. Williams
 
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Amazon → https://amzn.to/3ENIfv5
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Rory
 
On the outside, my life seems perfect. I have my friends, family, and quirky small town to keep me satisfied plus my secret writing career that’s done better than I ever dreamed. What’s not to love?
 
There’s just one thing missing. But I don’t know what it is.
 
At least until he comes back to town. The man I crushed on so hard in high school, I couldn’t talk in full sentences around him.
 
He’s back, he’s ready to settle down, and he’s set his sights on me, the wallflower.
 
Every time I turn around, there he is. He wants to know about me. And no matter how hard I try to ignore him...I can’t. He’s everything I wanted as a teenager.
 
And as an adult? I’m discovering that he’s the total package and is ready to sweep me off my feet.
 
Alex
 
Deciding to retire from my professional hockey career was easy. I miss my family, friends, and hometown. I crave a slower lifestyle so I can finally settle down.
 
What isn’t easy? Figuring out how to coach teenaged boys in how to play hockey and win over the woman I can’t stop thinking about.
 
I think about her constantly and am constantly finding ways to run into her ‘by accident’. I want to know everything about her, but she’s hesitant and I have my work cut out for me to convince her to step outside her comfort zone and date me.
 
But I’m up for the challenge. I’m ready to show her what being with me could be like and that she doesn’t need to be scared.
 
With outside forces working against us, can we get it together for our best shot at a happily ever after?
 

My Thoughts:

 

Our Best Shot is a small town sports romance.  Alex has decided to retire from his pro-hokey career and become the high school hockey coach at his old high school.  When he meets Rory, he is smitten.  Rory has always had a crush on Alex ever since high school.  Now that he is back in town, can her fantasy become real life?

I thought this was a sweet, yet slow burn romance.  I enjoyed watching Alex and Rory take their time before becoming a couple.  Alex's nervousness on their first date was very endearing.  I liked their chemistry and it made for a fairly smooth fall into love.  I say fairly because there are a few outside forces that do try to keep them apart. But the angst wasn't over the top. I do recommend this one and look forward to reading Bea's story. I hope there will be one!

Excerpt
Copyright 2022 @A.M. Williams
 
 “You want to sit for a little while?” Alex asked, pointing to a bench just ahead of us and off the main path.
 
I nodded, hoping that the bench would be enough out of the way that people wouldn’t notice us sitting there and stop staring.
 
 
We settled in and I sipped my coffee, looking the park over.
 
Compared to the weekend before, the park looked totally transformed.
 
There were bright tents throughout the trees with local crafters and artisans, and loud chatter filled the air from people walking around.
 
“This festival looks no different from when I came as a kid,” Alex said, pulling my attention to him.
 
I glanced at him and watched as he looked over at what I’d just been looking at.
 
“Are you surprised? You know we like tradition here.”
 
Alex chuckled. “Not really. I guess since it’s been so long since I was here, that I expected something to have changed. But nothing has. The same tents, same vendors, same atmosphere.”
 
I made a noise low in my throat. “There are some new vendors. They’re just peppered throughout. Some ones you’re thinking of don’t come anymore.”
 
What I didn’t say was that some owners had died because of how old they were and their businesses closed. The town had to get some new life for the vendors, otherwise this festival would have dwindled.
 
“Still. This is the same. If I close my eyes, I bet I could recall where everyone is and the order of the games at the rink. I feel like no time has passed.”
 
I said nothing at first. Then I asked, “Are you happy to be here at least?”
 
Alex met my gaze and nodded. “I am. It’s weird how I didn’t think about so much related to town while I was gone. I came home for holidays and brief visits, but everything else was just background. But now that I’m here, I can’t help remembering coming as a kid with my mom and sister. Hanging with my friends before our games. And all the other shit that the town does throughout the year.”
 
I thought about what he was saying. I didn’t have any experience not coming to the town events, considering I went to college close by and returned to town the minute I could. I’d kept coming to everything, even throughout college.
 
About A.M. Williams

A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living abroad. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and traveling as much as possible. She has a serious case of wanderlust and wants to go as many places as possible while she can. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as those crystal clear waters on the North Carolina coast.
 
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