Monkey Wrench

Title: Monkey Wrench

Author: Xara X. Xanakas

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Publisher URL: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

ISBN/BIN: 978-1-61372-757-7

Genre: {M/M} Paranormal Series

Rating: 4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer: Dragon Minx

Aaron Thorne’s a spider monkey. He’s also a police officer and because of the way he looks, he’s involved in an investigation of a new drug that forces were’s to shift. It puts Aaron in some bad situations but in reality, the real danger comes from an unexpected source. Aaron’s attacked at home—by a person he trusts—making him doubt his abilities and judgment.

Good friends are supportive during the aftermath of Aaron’s assault, including Gerry, a sexy silver fox whose friendship he hopes might become something more. It’s hard maintaining his independence when his friends want to protect him. Then his ego takes a beating when the other cops either pity or belittle him. Aaron has a lot to prove and he’s determined to help finish the investigation and he has to do it while balancing a new love interest. Aaron meets Iggy—a sexy bartender who sets his blood on fire. Will life ever settle down for this little spider monkey?

Monkey Wrench is the second release in Xara X. Xanakas’s series Were Menagerie. It follows shortly after Snakeskin ended, and while it’s possible to read it as a standalone, I recommend they be read in order.

As a paranormal book there’s a lot about this one that’s follows a usual pattern but what is unique is the variety of shifters Ms. Xanakas uses as characters. I don’t know about you but I’ve never read a book with a were-spider-monkey. It certainly caught my attention. And this spider monkey just happens to be a police officer involved in an undercover drug investigation. These scenes are interesting and written well and they definitely kept my attention.

Aaron’s sweet, a bit confused about his feelings and very hyper. Ms. Xanakas did a nice job in developing his personality. The scenes of Aaron’s assault and those afterwards are heart wrenching as he deals with what happened. And he has his friends to help him—Brad and Jeff from the first release. Seeing these two is nice and adding in new characters Gerry and Iggy round out the plot nicely, especially when Aaron realizes Iggy’s his mate. Strangely enough they don’t come together until near the end so we don’t see that much of them as a couple. That doesn’t mean they don’t a have sizzling chemistry. Oh and there isn’t any sex in this book, which is just the opposite of Snakeskin.