In honor on #PrideMonth I wanted to spotlight an #MM Series each week this month. Unfortunately, I missed a week due to being laid up because of surgery. For the last week I choose the Souls of Chicago Series by Annabella Michaels. I heard great things about it and since I was laid up recovering that gave me plenty of time to devour and savor this series AND I had time to get in the new release in this series. SCORE!!! So, to close out #PrideMonth here is my #PrideMonth #ReadProud Recommended Read. However, I just want to say that the LGBTQ Community should be acknowledged, loved, respected and treated just like any other fucking human being every day of the fucking damn year and not just some fucking allotted month we're given to celebrated who we are, who we love, who we support or what's in our hearts. I'm Bisexual. And I'm proud to be bisexual every day not only just in the month of June...... Be kind. Be Compassionate. Read stories of two sexy men. Read this series...............IJS!!!
Title: Feeding the Soul
(Souls of Chicago #1)
Publication Date: June 1, 2016
Giovanni Romero had been dealt his fair share of heartbreak throughout his thirty years, including losing his beloved parents in a horrible car accident. After suffering yet another devastating loss, he decided to chase his dream of opening his own restaurant and was soon the proud owner of Romero’s, a hugely successful and critically acclaimed Italian restaurant, nestled in the heart of Chicago.
Knowing that one more blow to his heart could destroy him, Giovanni had built walls up around his heart to protect himself. He has created strict rules for himself about the men he sleeps with, which include never exchanging names and absolutely no repeat performances. That is until he meets a young man who he finds impossible to forget.
After spending the last few years travelling throughout Europe and
The Mediterranean, working as an apprentice to some of the world’s top chefs,
23-year-old Caleb Greene was finally moving back home. While he had enjoyed his
studies, he couldn’t wait to reunite with his big, crazy, loving family;
especially his twin brother, Carter. Most importantly, he hoped to finally
begin his career working as the head chef for Chicago’s most prestigious
Italian restaurant, Romero’s.
After a night of celebration with Carter, Caleb finds himself in a
rare position, going home with a tall, dark and sexy stranger. Caleb had never
had a one night stand before, but there was something about the man that drew
him in. Unfortunately, the man insisted they could only be together for one
night.
Unable to get the intriguing young man off his mind, but resolved
to let him go, Giovanni is shocked to find that Caleb has been hired as his new
head chef. Working in such close proximity to each other, could he keep his
carefully erect walls in place and protect his heart or would Caleb have the
strength to tear those walls down, setting Giovanni free?
4.5 Stars
This was
such a great read. It was sweet, romantic and extremely hot. I absolutely loved
the main characters. At first I wasn’t really too fond of Giovanni. I mean, I
get it. I understood why he was the way he was. He went through a lot
emotionally and was closed off to protect himself from getting hurt again. As
more of his story unravels, it’s just inevitable that you’ll end up loving him
just as much. Caleb is an absolute sweetheart and I just love the whole Greene
family period.
I can’t
believe that this was Ms. Michaels’ debut novel. It was very well written and
great character development. Not only was I entertained and intrigued by the
main characters but by the secondary characters as well. I just couldn’t seem
to get enough. There is just enough drama to keep your heart pounding, banter
and teasing to have you laughing, sadness that will have you tearing up, romance
that’ll have you smiling stupidly and whole lot of sex that’ll have your
panties melting <-- my favorite part. ;)
On that
note, can we just talk about Ms. Michaels’ sex scenes right quick?! This is
some serious hot shit right here!!! Phew! Caleb and Giovanni are amazingly hot
together. The story overall was great and I personally think for a debut novel
she did an amazing job. I’m only sorry that it took me this long to read it.
Seriously this is a must read. Great start Ms. Michaels it takes a creative
mind and some serious talent.
Title: Music of the Soul
(Souls of Chicago #2)
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Besides
his family, music had always been the most important thing in Carter Greene’s
life. Having a career in music was everything he had ever dreamed of. That was
until the terrible night when he nearly lost everything.
Carter
can’t get the image of one particular man out of his mind; the man who found
him in his darkest moment. The one who risked everything to save him and the
same person who most likely never wants to speak to him again.
Ryan
Marshall had led a pretty solitary existence ever since his grandfather had
passed away. He spent most of his free time renovating the property he had
inherited while avoiding the dating scene. Lately, he found himself longing for
someone special; a man he could share his life with.
One
fateful night, an emergency call placed Carter in Ryan’s life and the two felt
an immediate connection. Unable to stop thinking about him, Ryan decided to
reach out, but was disappointed when Carter was not at all what he expected.
Ryan
is determined to move on and forget all about the beautiful man he rescued, but
he soon realizes that sometimes fate has other plans.
Music
of the Soul is book 2 in the Souls of Chicago series and can be read alone or
as part of the series. This book contains sexually explicit material and is
intended for adults 18 and older.
4.5 Stars
Another
great read from Ms. Micheals. This is book two in the Souls of Chicago series
and this is Carter’s story Caleb’s twin. This story gets a little more
emotional than the first. Carter finds himself in a position where he’s not
only struggling physically but emotionally too. I loved Carter and Ryan. Carter
was just always so playful, fun, flirty and very kinky but I loved that we got
to see more of his vulnerable side. And Ryan. Is there anyone more perfect than
Ryan????
Again,
the Greene family is just amazing!!! I have a feeling that’s going to be a
repetitive sentence in every review for this series if this family continues to
be so supportive and amazing. I love the build-up in the relationship and the
connection that Carter and Ryan have. What they had was just beautiful and
passionate and Annabella waved her magic wand and made all the feels touch me
in all the right places.
Another sexy, steamy and
well written story from this talented author. I gotz my eye on you Ms.
Michaels!!
Title: Protecting the Soul
(Souls of Chicago #3)
Publication Date: January 17, 2017
For
Landon Greene, managing the band Carter’s Creed is more than just a job. It
also means being there to keep his brother safe. When someone begins sending
threatening letters to Carter, Landon feels overwhelmed with the need to
protect him. He’s relieved when new security is added, until he finds out that
the person hired to protect his brother is the same man Landon has spent months
trying to forget.
Micah
Hamilton recently moved back to Chicago to start his own security firm and to
be closer to his best friend, Giovanni. He’s ready to leave his past as a Navy
SEAL behind and settle into his new life, but his plans change when a friend
calls and asks him for a favor. There’s no way Micah can refuse the request,
even though he knows it will require him to face the one man he’s vowed to stay
away from.
Can
Landon and Micah put their differences aside in time to save Carter or will
their pride leave him at the mercy of a madman? Will they continue to resist
the undeniable chemistry between them or will they take a chance and possibly
find the greatest love they’ve ever known?
***
Protecting
the Soul is the third book in the Souls of Chicago series. It can be read as a
standalone novel, but is best read as part of the series. This book contains
sexually explicit materials and is only intended for adults 18 and older.
5 Stars
Wow!! Ok,
now things just got a whole lot more interesting!!!! I was so caught up in this
book I could not put it down. I was sitting on the edge of my seat with the
whole mystery twist. This author’s talent and creativity continues to shines
through with each book and she has definitely gained a new fan here. She has
yet to disappoint. Each book just keeps getting better and better.
This book
is full of stubbornness, suspense, sexiness, and more Greene family. Landon and
Micah are fire together. They are just what each other needs. Emotions are high
and the chemistry is off the charts. I so love how Annabella writes her sex
scenes, lol. Hotdamn, woman!!! Keep them coming.
But yeah,
Annabella pulled out the big guns for this one. I was consumed from the very
beginning and only frustrated when it had to end. This had a great storyline
and the MC’s tugged on my heartstrings.
Title: Renewing the Soul
(Souls of Chicago #4)
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
Rocko earned and loved his reputation as the wild child of the rock band, Carter’s Creed. His bandmates dubbed him Animal, not only for his skills on the drums, but because he was always looking for the next thrill. Sex, drugs and rock and roll were what he lived for. That was until one night when his wild ways nearly cost him his life.
As the owner of Golden Entertainment Studios, Lachlan Edwards had a vested interest in his newest clients, the members of the band, Carter’s Creed. He wasn’t surprised when they quickly rose to the top of the music charts, given their talent, but he was concerned with how their drummer, Rocko, seemed to be spiraling out of control. When Rocko seemingly hits rock bottom, Lachlan decides to step in and offer him a chance to recover.
Will Rocko accept Lachlan’s offer even if it means facing the past he’s tried so hard to run away from, or will it all prove to be too much and send him spinning out of control once again?
5 Stars
Ok so can
I just tell you that Annabella Michaels is fast becoming one of my favorite mm
authors! I was crying so hard in this book. This has been the most emotional
book out of the series and my heart went out to Rocko and Laclan. This book
just gives you all the feels. Annabella does a great job delivering emotions
from page to page. I was completely and utterly consumed.
Rocko and
Lacklan had my undivided attention and it was well worth the time I devoted to
them. Ms. Michaels delivers a beautifully written story. She delivers heartache
along the way but slowly yet beautifully, patiently and compassionately she
mends it back together. This is a great storyline. There was such great
character development. The relationship buildup between Rocko and Laclan was
just brilliant. A great addition to the series.
Title: Constructing the Soul
(Souls of Chicago #5)
Publication Date: June 27, 2017
Akio Forrest loved his life. He had an amazing job, great friends, supportive parents and was recently given the responsibility of heading up the Agape House project, the construction of a new facility for the Chicago-based center that helped LGBTQ teens. He knew it would be a huge undertaking, but being able to help more kids in need was something he and all his friends were willing to work hard for. Excited to begin the project, Akio was taken by surprise when he came face to face with strong, sexy and self-assured, Morgan Greene, the new contractor for the job.
Morgan Greene had always considered his life a good one. Born and raised in a small town in Tennessee by two loving parents, he owned a successful construction company. When circumstances in his personal life left him desperate for a change, he decided to leave his home and move to Chicago. The move would allow him to finally, live closer to his favorite cousins while also expanding his business. Never one to shy away from an adventure, Morgan was excited about starting the next chapter in his life. What he wasn't expecting was meeting someone like Akio Forrest.
Working together to make the Agape House project a reality, Akio and Morgan soon realized that what was happening between them was much more than just a simple attraction. When outside forces bring past hurts and doubts to the forefront, the two men are left to wonder if the foundation they'd laid was strong enough, or if everything they'd worked so hard to build come crashing down around them?
5 Stars
OMG! I absolutely loved everything about this book. I think Akio and Morgan are my favorite. They were just too dang cute. I don’t know what more I can say that will actually do this book and the author justice. She nailed it with this one. Annabella delivers a flawless and beautiful story of love. She pulls us in and captivates us with her beautiful words. She intrigues us and entertains with her enthralling characters. I adore everything about this book and the mission behind the scenes that the family and friends are set out to accomplish.
Annabella Michaels kudos yet again for another phenomenal read and I can’t wait to see what you have in store next. You always leave me wanting me so much more.
I am married to my high school sweetheart who let’s face it, is a saint for putting up with me all of these years. Together we have been blessed with the chance to raise two amazing human beings and so far we haven’t screwed it up; I’ll let you know for sure later. I am a business owner and spend more time laughing than actually working most days. I love watching movies, cooking, going to the beach and spending time with my family and best friends. I am an obsessive reader who is a complete sucker for a good love story, but loves to feel a broad range of emotions throughout a book. I think real life is hard enough and so my books offer twists and turns, but always with a happy ending.
