His Darkest Hunger

In this grim, sexy debut paranormal, shape-shifter Jaxon Castille plots to punish his former lover, Libby, for betraying their antiterrorist mission and causing his friend's death. But once he finds Libby, long-buried feelings prevent him from pulling the trigger, and when he learns that she has no memory of him at all and that his clan's enemies, the DaCostas, are plotting against them both, he's glad he held back. Though their passion is soon sizzling again, it takes Libby and Jaxon a long time to overcome their mutual bitterness and distrust, and combine their efforts to uncover and foil the DaCostas' plan. Stone keeps things moving quickly, but flat characters, gaping plot holes, and purple prose (“There was a river of hatred, mistrust, and pain between them”) will turn many readers off. (Apr.)