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Round 8 of the Alpha Showdown 2012 puts a human in the ring, but if anyone can hold their own amid the weird stuff it’s Terrible.
Drug enforcer Terrible knows a thing or two about magic and ghosts — it goes with the territory of being a part of Stacia Kane’s Downside Ghosts world — while Kate Daniels has plenty of experience with supernatural types of all flavors as the heroine of Ilona Andrews’ series of the same name.
Both are fearless and tenacious, but which will win the battle?
Read the pitches, then make the call. Who should advance to the next round in the Alpha Showdown? The poll at the end of this post will be open for two days (closing at 11:59 p.m. CST on May 22). Remember, alphas don’t share titles. Your votes decide who advances in the Alpha Showdown 2012.
You know him from: Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane
First appeared in: Unholy Ghosts (VBC review, Buy it on Amazon)
Supernatural status: Human
Championed by: Jen at Red Hot Books
Being Alpha isn’t about being pretty. It’s not about being witty or snarky or supernaturally gifted. A real Alpha inspires respect and maybe a healthy dose of fear. There are few people foolish enough to cross Terrible. He’s a drug dealer’s enforcer, willing and able to take apart any threat with his bulk and bare hands. No fangs. No fur. Just raw power and grit.
His size is impressive and his looks are intimidating, but those are the not only reasons he makes us quake. Terrible possesses unwavering loyalty –not only on the job– but to the woman he has given his heart to. He makes us swoon with the simplicity and single-minded focus of his love and desire for Chess. A man of few words, he means what he says and his actions speak for themselves.
He’s got flaws and he has fears but he’s not ruled by them.
He’s never arrogant, never selfish. He doesn’t abuse his power. But he is strong. He is fierce. And he never gives up. He’ll fight to the death to defend and protect what’s his.
Whether you find him in a bare-knuckled brawl in the street, a frenzied fuck in the bathroom, or an unguarded moment of vulnerability, there’s something undeniably compelling about this man. He is Terrible. Wonderful. Terrifying. Amazing. Alpha.
Where you know her from: Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites (VBC review, Buy it at Amazon)
Supernatural status: Magic-wielding badass
Championed by: Julie from Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks
Kate Daniels is the ultimate Alpha. Really that is all I should have to say to convince you, but I know that it is part of our makeup as human beings to doubt what is said to us outright – that it is in our nature to require more information before deciding on anything important. And seeing that choosing only one Alpha *whispers “Kate”* is probably the most important verdict you will have to make this year, I will grant you what you need: I will tell you exactly why Kate is the only Alpha and I will do so so thoroughly that you will not have a single doubt in your mind.
When you think Alpha, you think strong, loyal, dependable, smart and willing to die to guard those they are sworn to protect. Kate is all those things and more.
She can battle the creepiest vampires, monsters and deities you will ever see. She is loyal almost to a fault; throwing herself into impossible situations because she sees a threat to someone she cares for. Hell, she would die to protect even those she didn’t know just because she felt that standing up and fighting is the best thing to do. She has walked through fire and even stabbed herself in the stomach because it was the best way to save those around her. And if she wants an opponent dead, they will be dead, pure and simple. She is a skilled fighter and one of the most (if not the most) powerful magic users around. Her Power words are scary they are so potent. On top of all that, she has the entire shifter population bowing down to her as she is already their Alpha through being Curran’s mate.
Think about it: She has fought twenty-two shifters to keep Curran in his rightful place as Alpha. That’s no easy feat considering shifters are crazy badasses. So what does it make you if you conquered 22? The Ultimate Alpha that’s what!
I mentioned that she is Curran’s mate. She is a force to be reckoned with on her own, but with Curran by her side, she is even more unstoppable. She never uses him as a crutch nor does she rely on him to help her save the world – she can do that all by herself thank you very much. It’s just nice to have her BFF Andrea and her mate Curran by her side for support sometimes. She is loyal to them therefore they are loyal to her and they would walk into battle just because she asked them too. That right there is proof that she is an amazing woman and that she is capable of leading.
Men want to fuck her, women want to be her. She is fair and just. She can make you laugh and she can bring you to your knees. She is unbreakable, trustworthy, strong and totally kick ass. When voting, she is the best choice. The only choice. Why?
*queue lightning strikes and thunder claps*
Because she is Kate Daniels and she IS the ultimate Alpha!
What, too much? Never.
Voting for Kate Daniels here!
No clue who this Terrible person is, so I feel a bit bad about voting, but KATE!
This is sooooo not a difficult decision to make. My vote is for Terrible, of course.
Best heroine ever! Tough, funny, loyal, and damn she can kick ass!! Completely badass.
Sorry, Terrible. This wasn’t easy. I hope you know I still think you’re awesome.
Just not quite as awesome as Kate Daniels.
I am so sorry Curran but Terrible gets my vote. It was painful b/c I love both. This is a good one! Great choices.
lol I meant Kate Daniels not Curran. The vote is still the same either way. Terrible get’s mine.
Is it too late to change my vote? Stacia Kane is offering really good bribes. I’m sorry Kate
Julie I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Chasing Magic and it was pure awesome. A look into this book it totally worth Terrible winning!
Kate!
Please, please let Terrible win!
Definitely Kate. I’m a fan of both series, and this was an easy call. Kate only takes orders to save lives; Terrible takes orders that sometimes don’t sit well but does the job anyway. To me, that’s not true Alpha.
Kate of course. She’s totally badass and can hold her own against anything that comes her way. Love her!
I have to go with Kate! Kate Daniels is awesome in every way! And she becomes more awesome with each new book.
Kate Daniels!!!!!!
Kate Daniels!
I’ve no clue who Terrible is so I’m voting for KATE!!
Kate daniels gets my vote!
Yay, Kate!
KATE!!!!
Terrible is cool and all, but Kate wins. Period. Her supernatural powers alone put her a cut above him.
Kate, All the way!!!
Who is Terrible?! “You think you’re badder than me? I never heard of ya!” Kate baby, all the way!
Kate. All the way. Nuff said.
OMG!!! So torn…I love Terrible. But have to go with Kate!
Must go with Kate. Never even heard of the other author, book series, or character. I also hate the type of name he or she has. Terrible is not a good character name. I also hate all the Black Dagger Brotherhood guy names (and I also quit reading the books long ago), so I’m glad that character didn’t make it either. Feels kind of sad to say I am glad someone didn’t win, but that’s how I feel.
Love Kate, love Ilona Andrews’s writing, and am happy to vote for them.
I vote for Kate~~~ 😀
I vote for Kate~~~ 😀
Kate! All the way!!
Kate! Don’t know who Terrible is, but magic or not, Kate’s a master swordswoman, and she’s fought plenty of tougher things than a large human guy who likes to use his fists.
Kate’s got my vote!
OMG it has to be Kate daniels !!!!! The bribe was great too 🙂
KATE DANIELS FOR THE WIN
good~~
I vote for Kate 😉
Kate Daniels is my choice.
Kate gets my vote.
I vote for Kate and Curran
KATE!!!
Oh man this sucks! I love me some Terrible but I agree with Julie^^^^ I think Kate has the better Alpha characteristics of the two!
Kate.
I vote for Kate~!!!
I love KATE!!!!! She is an awesome Alpha!!!
I vote for Kate Daniels!
Kate Daniels!
Kate Daniels, of course!
Kate!! I vote for Kate!
My vote goes to Kate Daniels!
Kate Daniels!
Always Kate Daniels for the win!!!
Kate!
Kate is the only choice!