Synopsis/blurb.....
Angel Dare went into Witness Protection to escape her past -- not as a porn star, but as a killer who took down the sex slavery ring that destroyed her life. But sometimes the past won't stay buried. When a former co-star is gunned down, it's up to Angel to get his son, a hotheaded MMA fighter, safely through the Arizona desert, shady Mexican bordertowns, and the neon mirage of Las Vegas...
Enjoyable while it lasted, but not especially memorable - I finished it just over a week ago and I can't actually recall how it ended without refreshing my memory with the last half dozen pages of the book.
Choke Hold is the first Christa Faust tale I've read, but it's the second Angel Dare book, after Money Shot. Money Shot is somewhere in my stash, but this came to hand first. My entertainment would have been slightly enhanced by reading in order. My OCD tendencies would definitely have been assuaged if I had done so.
We have Angel Dare, a former porn star, previously in witness protection before her cover was blown and she ran, working as a waitress. Sexual favours being traded for the boss, in order to pay for a false passport that will enable her to put a bit more distance between her and her Croatian enemies from Money Shot.
Her ex-lover, Vic has just been killed in a gunfight at her diner and she's been charged with protecting his son, Cody an up and coming fighter. Along the way we hook up with Hank, a befuddled and slightly confused and damaged ex-fighter who is friends with Cody. Cody has a date with destiny - a bright future working in Vegas for a big fight promoter.
The threesome endeavour to stay ahead of Angel's pursuers - the Croatians from the first book, and additionally a crooked businessman and his cohorts. Our businessman is a little bit sore at Cody for refusing to throw a fight he thought he had fixed. Along the way Angel develops a growing attraction for Hank, while simultaneously reducing Cody's testosterone levels. It's an interesting dynamic.Fast-paced, fun, sexy, populated by interesting characters with a lot of heart, an okay story line, plenty of humour, lots of action and drama, a decent setting, and a violent climax which doesn't end particularly well for any of our threesome, though it isn't terminal for all our combatants. An entertaining read but just kind of missing a bit of fizz to elevate it from a decent read to a truly great one.
Still lots to like with some food for thought with Angel, sometimes reflecting on her previous career in porn and unwilling to see herself the way others saw her, as a victim.
I'm looking forward to reading Money Shot at some point in the future.
4 from 5
Read in October, 2018
Published - 2011
Page count - 260
Source - owned copy
Format - hardback
I'm not sure this is for me, Col, if I'm being honest. But the Witness Protection Program is an interesting plot point. And the characters do sound solid. Glad you found things to like about it.
ReplyDeleteMargot, not everything I read is going to hold a massive appeal for you. I do like the blown cover angle where Witness Protection doesn't quite live up to its name, not just here but in my reading in general.
DeleteYou definitely need to read Moneyshot since that is where Angel Dare is introduced. I can't remember how Choke Hold ends so now I have to go back and re-read both books. I do remember that I very much liked the character of Angel Dare.
ReplyDeleteMack, I'm a bit annoyed at myself that I've come at it ass-backwards, but I will be reading the first in the not too distant future. I won't spoil things for you by refreshing your memory on this one!
DeleteI look forward to your feelings about Money Shot. I think it might have the fizz you see lacking in Choke Hold.
DeleteMack, I'll try and dig out it while I remember and before it languishes again in the ranks of forgotten books in my collection
DeleteCol, I have heard of Christa Faust though I have never read anything by her. I do recall seeing this Hard Case paperback elsewhere on the internet. In fact, I never miss out on a chance to pick up Hard Case books, used or new, 'cause I really like the covers and the printing inside.
ReplyDeleteThey do have some eye-catching covers which are a real throwback to the days of pulp. I picked up another 3 (Michael Crichton as John Lange) on my Dublin trip at the weekend!
DeleteI would give this a try if I had room for more books, but then it could show up at the book sale some year. If I do try them, I will go for Money Shot first.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a quick read so won't take up too much of your time. I'd hazard a guess, Money Shot reads in the same vein.
Delete