Review: Thrilling Ride!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 26, 2013
If Coral Russell's Sacrifice was a boxing match, it would soon break out into a full-scale riot, such is the array of rival factions whose thirst for money, power, drugs and influence spills out onto the streets of Juarez then takes the short journey across the border into El Paso. Fleeing from Juarez is Roberta who is out to make a new life for herself and needs to make money fast. She finds her dream ticket in Luis, a top-notch car salesman, who falls for Roberta and finds himself entering a new and dangerous world. There is good money to be made in drug trafficking but as with most businesses, there are rivals to contend with.Enter rival gang leader, Duke, whose devotion to his family leads to his dying great-great grandmother revealing a long buried secret that sends Duke on the warpath. It's not all bad guys though. There's Frankie who is the local law and finds himself working long hours when gang members' bodies start to appear. Something has to give in this fierce battle for control and though Roberta is strong and resourceful, no one is safe with Duke seeking revenge for wrongs done to his family many years before. A resolution is reached, of course, but who survives to see the end?My previous experience of Russell's work was with a hotel haunting in Amador Lockdown. Sacrifice is a very different book but if forced to compare I would favour this one for it displays a growing confidence from Russell in her writing. The characters are fleshed out to give us enough insight without being a detriment to the overall narrative. This is a fast-paced, action-packed, no holds barred experience and a rewarding read as well.