Twilight Hunter: Execution Underground, Book 1

Newcomer Ballenger offers an extremely promising high-voltage start to her series about superheroes and their adversaries. Werewolf pack leader Francesca “Frankie” Amato and hunter Jace McCannon cross paths as they seek clues to a particularly perverse and sadistic series of murders in Rochester, N.Y., likely the work of a rogue werewolf. Jace conceals his supernatural talents (and serious emotional issues) from most of the rest of his team, and Frankie initially hides her rank from Jace, adding distrust to their already antagonistic relationship. Frankie is in her annual estrus when Jace takes her into custody, and they are unable to resist her biological imperative to mate. Readers will savor strong characterization, steamy animalistic sex scenes with dom/sub subtext, and an interesting series arc hinting at the romantic exploits of the other team members. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency. (Sept.)