Border Town

SLICE Agency #1

by Louisa Bacio

A thin line exists between reality and the paranormal, between one country and the next. Lucia grew up stuck between cultures on the border of Texas and Mexico and the wavy lines of reality. With the help of her two sisters, she runs the family ranch, or what’s left of it. A hurricane shifted the river, with land ending up on the other side of the Rio Grande. Mother Nature unleashed more than land wars. A prophecy foretells a supernatural beast slaughtering the livestock every seven years. When the carcasses of goats show up drained of blood, she reaches out for help.

Shaw McDiamond doesn’t want to be stuck in a hick town that’s dry and humid, chasing after the legend of the chupacabra. As part of an elite force of paranormal agents that work the border, Shaw’s group, S.L.I.C.E., exposes aliens of another kind. This vampiric creature is like nothing he’s encountered before, and the woman he’s working with unnerves him even more.

Lucia and Shaw clash over legend and reality, prophecy and free will. As the killings escalate with the attack of a ranch hand, the storm returns, and the two become trapped in an ever-shifting world they can’t control. But to survive, they’ll have to do it together.

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Fantasy

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2017

Reviews

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a paranormal suspense with a side serving of romance involving the Supernatural Legion Interspecies & Customs Enforcement - better known as S.L.I.C.E - that Shaw McDiamond works for. When Lucia is struggling to cope with the unexplained deaths of goats on her family ranch near the Texas/Mexico border, she phones for help. After being passed on from one person to another, she eventually ends up speaking to Shaw. His disbelieving reaction to her call ends up with her hanging up on him. However, he takes a team to investigate . . . .

This is a paranormal mystery, with family and local legends, plenty of action and even romance. It has great characters and the plot is well developed. The ending adds another mystery that I presume will be the main focus for the next book in the series! I have only read one novella from this author in the past as part of the anthology Romance Stories Inspired by Duran Duran, I’ll definitely look out for more of her books in future. The characters and scenarios are brought to life, taking the reader into the dramatic story. I particularly enjoyed how she built up the tension and eeriness through both her descriptions and the dialogue. I’ve found myself another author to look out for! If you enjoy reading paranormal mysteries packed with suspense and romance, I highly recommend you look out for this one!

I requested and was given a copy of this book via the publishers and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

[Jaclyn Roche · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read from Louisa Bacio and I liked it. Really liked it. I loved the tension and sexual chemistry between Shaw and Lucia. The story was beautifully written with a nice twist. All in all, I would absolutely read this author and buy the next book in the series.

[Evita · Rating 5 out of 5]

What really attracted me to this story is just how strong of a character the heroine is, Lucia is basically running the family farm, while also taking care of her sister.

Shaw is the agent that comes to investigate, he and Lucia have an instant attraction as they investigate the mystery of farm animals dying in abnormal ways. At first he does not believe her, but as time goes by, he begins to see what she is seeing and it definitely is unexplainable. And it’s also around this time that they give in to their attraction and find that they are what each other has been looking for.

I come from a Hispanic background and let me tell you that the Chupacabra is definitely something that is still being talked about. But…that ending, whoa, that will make for the next part of the series something to really look forward to…I highly recommend this story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

What caught my interest in this one was the title with that agency. Once I started though Lucia will catch it with her wit and determination especially when a mysterious element comes close to home. Reaching out for a bit of help and when talking to Shaw you come away wanting to slap him the sparks will also be there. When him and the guys come along you sit back knowing it has really begin with the characters really bringing it all to life. It was always on the edges but the hunt and chase will pull you to the edge and the heat will throw you back. Even though only fragments come out what they are chasing and looking for you are hooked already to this series. Sneaky author too ensuring we stay right here with the ending she traps us to them.

[Tara Dorough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Border Town by Louisa Bacio is the first book in her new series, SLICE Agency books. SLICE is a secret government agency that handles the unknown. The agents cover any called in threats that don't have an easy explainable cause. They watch and read everything about rumors, sightings, deaths from odd causes. In Broder Town the SLICE agents are in a small town on the Texas and Mexican border. The owners of a goat farm have had numerous unexplained deaths of their goat stock. Could it be the legendary Chupacobra? Lucia, the oldest daughter of the farm owner and agent Shaw share an instant attraction. I received an ARC from the publisher. This is my honest voluntary review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

First get a load of that cover. NUM! Second I’ve read and loved several of this authors works and this is no different. This book has it all a fun love story and a scary mystery and a shocking twist at the end that gave me nightmares (but then again I am a wuss when it comes to the creepy and scary). Lucia is all about home and family and Shaw never had that but when he sees it he discovers that he just might not be able to live without it. This book is perfect for this season and if a wuss like me can enjoy it I know you braver souls will definitely get a kick out of it.

[Kimberley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucia knew there was a creature killing there animals and was sure that was why her mom vanished. She called in the government to help her figure out what it was and get rid of it. Shaw shows up with his crew with no notice and Lucia was grateful. Although Shaw knew there were paranormal creatures he acted like he did not believe her. Working together he soon realize Lucia is in control and runs her family and he might want what he sees this is a great book loved the mystery and the ending will have you covering your head to sleep