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Running With Monkeys

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1946. The boys are home from the war. Jules is looking for a way into polite society, but it seems like the moogs that didn’t go overseas have moved so far ahead he’ll never catch up.
His luck seems to change when he goes to the movies with his buddies Bobby and Audie, the other two monkeys. They had marched across Europe together, and now they were picking up dames, drinking too much, and generally letting off steam, which translates into trouble. Jules meets Isbe at the movies. Close dancing in a smoky club leads to love. The same night, Jules hooks up with the Irish mob. Love is thawing his hard heart, the one needed for survival in his new and violent world. Isbe vows to stand by, but Jules likes it on the edge. That’s a good thing, because Isbe’s father is chief of police and it’s a tangled gray web he’s soon caught up in.

447 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2016

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About the author

Diane Munier

13 books84 followers
Living comfortably in the heart of America with the people I love. I live an extroverted life, but I'm a genuine introvert. An urban kid, I spent much of my youth running in various neighborhood establishments. There I met many colorful characters and I learned to love them and be fascinated by them. My love of story comes from them. I learned to sit on a bar stool or a kitchen chair or in a pew and hear story. There is no greater honor than to hear someone's story. If you feel that way about the tales I tell...what more could I ask.

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
2 reviews17 followers
May 22, 2017
Diane Munier is an author skilled with handling historical detail, yet never losing the heart of her characters. You yearn right along with Jules and Isbe as you are slowly pulled into their world. Often when I read Ms. Munier's writing, I forget where I am in space and time. That is how vivdly she brings the past to life. Running with Monkeys has everything: romance, adventure, excitement, twists and turns, but at the heart of it all is the kind of love when a man finds the woman who makes it all worthwhile. I will read anything that Diane Munier writes; her writing is fresh, different, and so original. Every story is like a whole new world.
Profile Image for Gayle Pace.
1,110 reviews22 followers
June 22, 2017
MY THOUGHTS

Setting: 1946. The war is over and Jules is headed home, hoping for some peace. But he feels he's so far behind those that didn't go into the war. Can he ever find a meeting ground? He still had a couple of friends (monkeys) from the war, Bobby and Audie. They had shared it all while crossing Europe during the war and now, they were home, trying to get rid of the stress that had built up while in Europe. Drinking, carousing, all in excess and as always, that can mean trouble. Now here comes the start of the romance. Jules meets Isbe while at the movies one night. In one night, Jules starts to love Isbe while dancing close to her in a night club but that same night, he makes a decision that may change his life. He joins in with the Irish mob. Isbe is good for him. He's starting to find a bit of peace with her by his side, but how will he handle the cruelty and violence of the world he's come back to? A problem, Isbe's father is chief of police and Jules has just joined in with the Irish mob. That isn't going to go well for Jules or Isbe. Jule's has been so used to living on the edge while being in Europe and he still loves that thrill, that fine line.

The author gives us a story that brings three soldiers back from the war and three girls that brings fun and what we all love, romance. The author puts forth some good history along with characters you want the best for. The detail the author gives puts you right with the characters. You're taken back in time to 1946. The characters, not just Jules and Isbe, but the supporting characters are described so perfectly that you can picture these people at that time. The author puts you in the world of Jules and Isbe and what they are facing. The romance is just part of the book. The author gives you fun, a web that is twisting and turning with every page turn. You can't help but love Jules and Isbe. We have a man and woman who have found each other and stand by each other. The author shows the reader that no matter the year or the war, the monkeys that come back have so much to face. In a way it's another war, a war of the will and mind. It would be so easy for them to stay in the war, even though it's over. There is a war still going on to them, only it's a new war. You can't help but love Isbe who is the source of survival and change for Jules. Sometimes that's what it takes is love, real love to come back from war and survive. The author doesn't make it so simple, as a guy and girl meeting, falling in love. The mob is introduced which means definite trouble? Which way will Jules priorities go? Will he choose the mob or Isbe? Will Isbe's father have an influence on Jules since he is the chief of police? Or will Jules face the strong hand of the law?

I received a copy of this book from the author and PUYB and voluntarily decided to review it.

Profile Image for Peggy.
2,304 reviews43 followers
September 13, 2017
Loved how this book will take you to a different time. What seems to be stressful times then seems to be more relaxed times for now. Loved how I was able to escape into this book and feel as if I was living the life of these characters. Feeling like their everyday ways were my ways. Well thought out and written book!
8 reviews
February 10, 2017
OMG this was one wonderful story that I couldn't put down. Three former soldiers entering 'real life' again; and boy did they find it. Three girl friends come into the picture and the place lights up for all of them. Lots of fun and romance that will keep you enthralled. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews346 followers
December 3, 2017
1946, a time of change. A time of rebirth for many. All the rules change as men come home from war and women must give up some of their independent ways. Cops who play both sides of the law and mobsters who rule in Chicago, IL. Everyone doing what they can to survive, the most ruthless trying to thrive.
Three men who have been through military service together and fun times since, are out looking for a little entertainment. They walk into a movie theater, picking up some willing female company, and life is about to change big time.
Jules catches the eye of one sweet and innocent girl who decides on the spot she is going to make him her own. He's got two friends, she shares her house with two friends...
A mixture of romance and lust, trying to overcome one's history and realize their own potential, all while struggling to stay alive in the moment.
It soon becomes clear there is no finite seperation between white and black, no decision totally right or wrong. Can these monkeys build a new life, a good future, or must they battle the system already in place? Do they have a chance at winning?
With the jargon and pulse of the times, the reader is transported to those days gone by.
The characters are well developed and their dilemma stark.
For those who enjoy reading about the homefront during and after war.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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