Reviewed by Carissa
TITLE: Borderline 
SERIES: Delarosa Secrets #1
AUTHOR: T.A. Chase
PUBLISHER: Totally Bound Publishing
LENGTH: 144 pages
BLURB:
Surrounded by secrets, two men search for a serial killer, while trying to keep it from becoming personal.
Mac Guzman is a Texas Ranger and lead detective on a serial killer case rocking the city of Houston. He’s willing to take help from anyone, especially when it comes in the form of the gorgeous FBI profiler, Tanner Wallace. Mixing business with pleasure has never been an option for Mac, but he just might change his mind and seduce Tanner into his bed.
Tanner Wallace joined the Bureau and became a profiler to catch bad guys. Also, it might have a little do with making up for the evil caused by his family’s business. When he’s called in to consult on a serial killer case in Houston, Tanner never expects to meet Mac. The handsome Texas Ranger brings to mind hot, sweaty nights wrapped in each other’s arms, yet Tanner knows Mac would walk away if he ever found out who Tanner’s family really is.
With the threat of another murder hanging over their heads, Tanner and Mac will have to find a way to work past their differences before the killer strikes again.
Publisher’s Note: This book was previously released by another publisher. It has been revised and re-edited for release with Totally Bound Publishing.
REVIEW:
There is a man stalking the streets of Houston–kidnapping, torturing, and killing women–and Mac Guzman, Texas Ranger, intends to stop him. But even with several dead women already found, there seems to be very little that law enforcement officers have been able to pin down. That is where Tanner Wallace comes in. As a profiler for the Bureau, Tanner has spent years analyzing the scummier parts of humanity, and the Rangers hope that his help will lead them to something, anything, that will bring this serial killer to justice.
But while Mac and Tanner are determined to get their man, they are also having to deal with the almost instant attraction that they have for each other. Not only is it probably against regulations to fraternize while they are on the case together, but they really should be focusing on the killer, not how to best get into each other’s pants. Still, nothing in either of their lives has been simple, and taking the chance with each other, might be worth all the risk. Well, if their secrets don’t bring everything they have worked for crashing to the ground.
As odd as this may sound, for a book about a serial killer who likes to slice and dice his victims, this is a rather light story. Don’t get me wrong, it was a thoroughly entertaining story, and I really loved the policing in this book (which is something I usually have to suffer through), but it didn’t go in the direction that I thought it would, and I liked that. It had quite a few time where it could have easily skewed toward cliché, but it nicely avoided them.
I will say that it might not be the best thing to read right before you go to bed, even if it isn’t all that angsty. I personally enjoy not dreaming about being chased by a nutso with a knife (though I don’t think I can blame T.A. Chase for the crazy person turning into Lord Voldemort–that is squarely my fanfic addiction rearing it’s ugly head).
I didn’t go into this with very many expectations. I generally really enjoy Chase’s stories and it has been a while since I read anything crime-related, so it was more of a ‘why not?’ than a ‘give me now!’ But I am really glad that I picked up this story. It was very engaging and Tanner and Mac were awesome. I love their chemistry, and the way that seem to work so well with each other, both in and outside the bedroom. It doesn’t hurt that I was really happy with how all the secrets ended up playing out. It felt realistic enough that I didn’t have too many niggles, but also stayed true to how the characters would act.
If I would have one problem with this story, it would be how the case ended. Not so much with the resolution, but with how we kinda didn’t get to see it get resolved. I would have preferred to go along with Mac for that scene, instead of Tanner. As it is, it feels bit anti-climactic.
Did really enjoy this story though and am looking forward to the next book in the series, whatever or whoever it ends up being about. If you are looking for a good crime mystery but with a lighter taste, this might be right up you alley.
RATING:
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