Readers once again find themselves caught amongst the chaos of the outspoken but supportive O'Brien clan as the hard working Declan finds himself falling for the feisty and kind-hearted Melissa. Add in issues about disability, abuse, and expectations and you'll find yourself quickly consumed by how it all works out. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Feel Me by Cecy Robson, along with my impressions of it, then discover more about it by visiting the other sites hosting this tour. In honor of this fourth installment in the O'Brien Family series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a COACH purse, a signed copy of Inseverable, a tote bag, and coasters too!
RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in FEEL ME, Declan, the sexy, driven powerhouse meets the one woman immune to his charm...
Declan O’Brien was always driven to take his place among Philly’s elite, working hard for everything he’s earned, including the title of Assistant District Attorney. He’s won seemingly impossible cases, so he’s furious when he’s assigned to lead the one unit he doesn’t want.
Melissa Fenske was born hearing impaired to a neglectful mother, finding solace when she was adopted by a young attorney, now Declan’s boss. As the current Director of Victim Services, Melissa’s livid when Declan is placed in the main unit she oversees. She can’t forget their disastrous first encounter. Or shake how he makes her feel.
Declan considers the assignment another step toward his political aspirations, despite that he can’t get Melissa out of his mind. Melissa sees Declan as egotistical and self-serving, kicking herself for how fast she’s falling for him. Someone as hot, smooth, and perfect as Declan isn’t supposed to want her.
In another situation with any other woman, Declan wouldn’t hesitate to take Melissa to bed. But she is the boss’s daughter, and for once, Declan finds himself wanting more than just a one night stand.
Neither counted on each other. Both just met their match.
Declan O’Brien was always driven to take his place among Philly’s elite, working hard for everything he’s earned, including the title of Assistant District Attorney. He’s won seemingly impossible cases, so he’s furious when he’s assigned to lead the one unit he doesn’t want.
Melissa Fenske was born hearing impaired to a neglectful mother, finding solace when she was adopted by a young attorney, now Declan’s boss. As the current Director of Victim Services, Melissa’s livid when Declan is placed in the main unit she oversees. She can’t forget their disastrous first encounter. Or shake how he makes her feel.
Declan considers the assignment another step toward his political aspirations, despite that he can’t get Melissa out of his mind. Melissa sees Declan as egotistical and self-serving, kicking herself for how fast she’s falling for him. Someone as hot, smooth, and perfect as Declan isn’t supposed to want her.
In another situation with any other woman, Declan wouldn’t hesitate to take Melissa to bed. But she is the boss’s daughter, and for once, Declan finds himself wanting more than just a one night stand.
Neither counted on each other. Both just met their match.
EXCERPT:
My hands fall to my lap. “I suppose now is a good time to tell you what I’m looking for,” I say quietly.
“What you’re looking for?” he asks.
I tilt my chin, wondering why he seems confused. “Well, yes. I have certain needs that I’m hoping you’ll help me with."
His grip to his pen tightens. “Needs? For yourself?"
“For my unit,” I clarify. I wish like his brother, Declan also understood American Sign Language. Then I could sign and not give away how nervous I sometimes feel around him. I roll my ankle, trying to shake off some of my anxiety. For all he drives me crazy, he’s doing a hell of a job making me feel self-conscious. That doesn’t mean I’ll cower or stay quiet. “It’s my understanding that the assistant D.A.s currently assigned to SACU are burnt out and requesting reassignment."
“That’s right,” he says, his expression sour. “Just a few hours on the job and I’ve already received transfer requests in writing."
“I’d like to help select their replacements.” “Excuse me?” he asks.
Okay, here we go. Boob appreciation hour is officially over. “I’m not trying to step on your toes."
“But?” he asks, leaning back against his chair.
“But nothing. I respect that the decision is ultimately yours. I’m only asking for the opportunity to provide input.” He keeps his expression neutral, and I can’t be sure he’s listening. I force myself to continue. “There have been a few new hires, and a few D.A.s looking to be challenged. I’d like to observe them in court and see how they perform on their feet. More importantly, I want to observe how they interact with victims of the more violent crimes."
Declan appears anything but pleased. Either I’ve pissed him off or I’ve pushed him into something he’s not ready for. “I’m going to lay it right out for you,” he says, his tone matter-of fact. “SACU is the unit attorneys least want. I’m surprised the A.D.A.s currently there have lasted as long as they have."
All right. I did annoy him. “They’ve lasted because it takes a while to become acclimated,” I counter. “But once there, they realize their importance and how much the victims and their families depend on them to help them through the process."
“I’m not saying the work or the victims aren’t important. What I’m saying is no one is exactly begging to work there."
“I realize SACU is the last place our attorneys want to be placed,” I say, staring straight at him. “Especially those who enter this office strictly to make connections and jump start their political careers. But it’s one of the most important units because of the sensitive subject matter and the degree of violence we see."
I don’t mean to be so blunt, and maybe he doesn’t either, but here we sit with our gazes locked and the tension between us escalating.
Damn it. Dad wants us to work as a team. But the more we speak, the more I’m reminded Declan doesn’t want to be a part of this unit, and nowhere near me.
I inadvertently trail my fingers above the collar of my dress, it’s a nervous habit, much like when women tuck a strand of their hair behind their ear. But I never tuck my hair with my hearing aids in place. Any sound that brushes too close to the receiver such as the movement of hair, putting on a hat, resting my head against a pillow, even an intimate whisper, creates back noise similar to nails on a chalkboard.
My fingertips stroke close to the swell of my right breast as I think our situation through. I freeze when I realize Declan’s stare is following each subtle movement.
This is too weird. No way can Declan O’Brien be eyeing me like he wants to take a lick.
I ran into him at a restaurant a few weeks back. I was picking up takeout following a five mile run, still wearing the shorts and sports bra I ran in. Of course I had to see him. And of course he had to look good . . . and so did the blonde on his arm. She was a total stick and all legs, wearing a dress I don’t think I could have shoved my left breast into. I’m so not his type. So then why...
“I’ll allow the input,” he says.
“I’m sorry?"
“I’ll allow the input,” he says, a little louder.
This time I don’t correct him. I didn’t hear him, too busy watching him watch me which is absolutely ridiculous―ludicrous even―and good God, why does he have to look so good in that damn suit!
“Thank you,” I say, tripping over the word.
FIND THE O'BRIEN FAMILY SERIES ON GOODREADS here.
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MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
Readers find themselves once again caught up in the chaos, outspokenness, and wholehearted support of the O'Brien family in this fourth installment in the series that blends ambition, abuse, disability, and a steamy romance of reluctant frenemies to lovers. From start to finish this story pulls you in, all the highs and lows their relationship goes through become yours, and by the end you'll be left cheering.
Declan comes from a large family that struggled mightily to keep food on the table and their bills paid after the death of their father. The oldest sons worked hard, not only in their jobs but in school too, to make something of themselves which would benefit the entire family. Not everything went according to plan though as a younger brother was abused along with his sister being traumatized by a world he swore to protect them from in his role as the family sheepdog. This legacy of needing to protect has led him to the DA's office where he makes those who hurt others pay. It's just a stepping stone though as he has even higher political aspirations. Another legacy he's left with, courtesy of his father's indiscretions, are his doubts regarding love and HEA. Seeing the pain his mother went through in the name of love has him wanting no part of it as he lives a life free of committment. Seeing his brothers slowly succumb to love shifts something inside him though, a longing that arises just as he gets put into close quarters with the strong-willed Melissa. As his new role starts weighing on him emotionally he comes to count on her support and though they started out as reluctant friends they quickly become more. Just when everything he ever wanted for his career starts happening, his relationship takes an unexpected turn which will mean choosing between love or his career in a heartwarming and hard-fought conclusion. Declan's a self-assured man who's always been good with the ladies. He's charming and sexy and before meeting Melissa he eschewed anything long-term. In his career he's focused on handling the high profile cases and is frustrated when he's handed the job of victim's services. It's a job that wears you down as people do the most vile things to each other. The lone bright spot of this job though is getting close to Melissa. Their first meeting went badly astray, but she's been on his mind ever since and he relishes getting to know her better. Declan treats Melissa with great respect, values her opinions, and never sees her hearing impairment as an obstacle. His interactions with her are flirty from the very start and teem with sexual tension and sensually-charged banter in an immensely appealing coupling that leads to lots of scorching encounters.
Melissa's childhood was one of abuse and abandonment until the day she was adopted by a kind-hearted man who opened up her world to all sorts of new possibilities. She's profoundly deaf and by him learning ASL it was the first step in a bonding that pitted the two of them against the world. Though her self-esteem was sometimes bruised through the hurtful words of other children she never let it define her or hold her back from succeeding. Her adoptive father may have taught her how to love, but it's still not easy for her to open up her heart. In that respect her and Declan are a perfect match. With her father's illness putting her in direct contact with the sexy DA, she soon finds herself fighting off an attraction that she knows won't go anywhere. The stronger their feelings become, the more they come to count on each other for support, the more complicated things become as Declan's always had his eyes on the prize when it came to his career. She's the only one to get his heart into the equation in a relationship that saw her doubts pushing them to the brink. Melissa's an immensely appealing heroine very attuned to the feelings of others. With her tragic beginnings she can easily relate to victims of crime which brought a lot of emotional moments to the story and showed the sacrifices some people are willing to make to help others. Her hearing impairment is dealt with head-on and the actuality of having this disability is addressed in realistic detail. It's not at all heavy-handed and is seamlessly incorporated into the narrative. With her deafness there's a sense of loneliness surrounding her as her life revolves around work and her father until Declan came into the picture. I never saw her with friends, having others as a support system, which was just one of the reasons I was rooting for their HEA. For so long it was just her and her dad and now she has the whole wonderful O'Brien clan ready to bring her into their fold.
This was a charming and heartwarming romance with a main couple whose attraction was crackling. They were subtle adversaries at the start but quickly found a connection through their heartbreaking dealings with victims. Declan put work above all else at first but meeting Melissa gave him a glimpse of something more profound. For so long he was the caretaker and now he has someone taking care of him. Melissa's always felt a bit inferior when it comes to relationships. Her childhood feelings of being unloved weigh on her still today and have her doubting the feelings Declan's finally uttered and frustratingly led to an unnecessary speed bump very late in the story that's thankfully resolved quickly. Along with this likable main couple readers see the return of the entire O'Brien clan with all their brashness and familial support. There's great humor, witty banter, and obvious love surrounding this family in each of their interactions with Declan that were endearing. They unwaveringly embraced Melissa, treated her deafness with nonchalance, and after all she experienced early in life it's a family she richly deserves. As a disabled person I applaud Ms. Robson's handling of Melissa's disability. It was done with realism and respect and I wish more authors would depict characters that I can more easily relate to. Disability doesn't make you any less worthy of HEA and by the end of the story I was definitely cheering. I'm also left waiting breathlessly for the next installment in this delightful series and the next boisterous brother to find his own HEA.
Declan comes from a large family that struggled mightily to keep food on the table and their bills paid after the death of their father. The oldest sons worked hard, not only in their jobs but in school too, to make something of themselves which would benefit the entire family. Not everything went according to plan though as a younger brother was abused along with his sister being traumatized by a world he swore to protect them from in his role as the family sheepdog. This legacy of needing to protect has led him to the DA's office where he makes those who hurt others pay. It's just a stepping stone though as he has even higher political aspirations. Another legacy he's left with, courtesy of his father's indiscretions, are his doubts regarding love and HEA. Seeing the pain his mother went through in the name of love has him wanting no part of it as he lives a life free of committment. Seeing his brothers slowly succumb to love shifts something inside him though, a longing that arises just as he gets put into close quarters with the strong-willed Melissa. As his new role starts weighing on him emotionally he comes to count on her support and though they started out as reluctant friends they quickly become more. Just when everything he ever wanted for his career starts happening, his relationship takes an unexpected turn which will mean choosing between love or his career in a heartwarming and hard-fought conclusion. Declan's a self-assured man who's always been good with the ladies. He's charming and sexy and before meeting Melissa he eschewed anything long-term. In his career he's focused on handling the high profile cases and is frustrated when he's handed the job of victim's services. It's a job that wears you down as people do the most vile things to each other. The lone bright spot of this job though is getting close to Melissa. Their first meeting went badly astray, but she's been on his mind ever since and he relishes getting to know her better. Declan treats Melissa with great respect, values her opinions, and never sees her hearing impairment as an obstacle. His interactions with her are flirty from the very start and teem with sexual tension and sensually-charged banter in an immensely appealing coupling that leads to lots of scorching encounters.
Melissa's childhood was one of abuse and abandonment until the day she was adopted by a kind-hearted man who opened up her world to all sorts of new possibilities. She's profoundly deaf and by him learning ASL it was the first step in a bonding that pitted the two of them against the world. Though her self-esteem was sometimes bruised through the hurtful words of other children she never let it define her or hold her back from succeeding. Her adoptive father may have taught her how to love, but it's still not easy for her to open up her heart. In that respect her and Declan are a perfect match. With her father's illness putting her in direct contact with the sexy DA, she soon finds herself fighting off an attraction that she knows won't go anywhere. The stronger their feelings become, the more they come to count on each other for support, the more complicated things become as Declan's always had his eyes on the prize when it came to his career. She's the only one to get his heart into the equation in a relationship that saw her doubts pushing them to the brink. Melissa's an immensely appealing heroine very attuned to the feelings of others. With her tragic beginnings she can easily relate to victims of crime which brought a lot of emotional moments to the story and showed the sacrifices some people are willing to make to help others. Her hearing impairment is dealt with head-on and the actuality of having this disability is addressed in realistic detail. It's not at all heavy-handed and is seamlessly incorporated into the narrative. With her deafness there's a sense of loneliness surrounding her as her life revolves around work and her father until Declan came into the picture. I never saw her with friends, having others as a support system, which was just one of the reasons I was rooting for their HEA. For so long it was just her and her dad and now she has the whole wonderful O'Brien clan ready to bring her into their fold.
This was a charming and heartwarming romance with a main couple whose attraction was crackling. They were subtle adversaries at the start but quickly found a connection through their heartbreaking dealings with victims. Declan put work above all else at first but meeting Melissa gave him a glimpse of something more profound. For so long he was the caretaker and now he has someone taking care of him. Melissa's always felt a bit inferior when it comes to relationships. Her childhood feelings of being unloved weigh on her still today and have her doubting the feelings Declan's finally uttered and frustratingly led to an unnecessary speed bump very late in the story that's thankfully resolved quickly. Along with this likable main couple readers see the return of the entire O'Brien clan with all their brashness and familial support. There's great humor, witty banter, and obvious love surrounding this family in each of their interactions with Declan that were endearing. They unwaveringly embraced Melissa, treated her deafness with nonchalance, and after all she experienced early in life it's a family she richly deserves. As a disabled person I applaud Ms. Robson's handling of Melissa's disability. It was done with realism and respect and I wish more authors would depict characters that I can more easily relate to. Disability doesn't make you any less worthy of HEA and by the end of the story I was definitely cheering. I'm also left waiting breathlessly for the next installment in this delightful series and the next boisterous brother to find his own HEA.
My rating for this is an A-
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
Cecy Robson is an award-winning author of magical realms and to-die-for Alpha heroes. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and published author of more than sixteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.
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This is a beautiful words. I'm completely choked up by your kind words. Thank you for reading and for joining the blog tour.
ReplyDeleteTY for stopping by and for taking the time to read my impressions of your latest book release! Care to share which O'Brien brother readers will see in the spotlight next?
DeleteThe Scarf Princess
Lovely review.
ReplyDelete