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Update: Kate handed a serious ass-kicking to Curran. She advances in the Alpha Showdown.
We seed the Alpha Showdown bracket. That means the battles in the first rounds are determined by the number of votes each character receives. It makes sure the top two vote-getters don’t end up facing each other in the first round. Unfortunately, sometimes it means we have to pit husband again wife. Like right now.
Will you give it up to the Beast Lord or to his sword-toting, asskicking wife?
We’ve lined up great bloggers to explain why each alpha deserves to advance. Read the pitches, and then make the call.
You know him from: Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural Status: Beast Lord aka Shifter
Championed by: Amy from Vampire Book Club
Even though Curran needs no explanation as to why he’s the alpha, I’ll never pass up an opportunity to gush about my favorite Beast Lord.
Out of the many shapeshifters in paranormal romance and urban fantasy, Curran is the one I compare them all to when I’m reading. It’s clear why he’s been known to have a “parade” of women following him around. His sexiness shows in both his strength and the dangerous vibe he gives off, but what I love the most is the golden glow in his eyes, you never know if it’s there because he wants to kill you or if he wants to sleep with you (pretty much it’s the former unless he’s looking at Kate).
If you were unsure of his alphaness maybe all the times he’s rescued one Kate Daniels from certain danger would tip you off. There’s no shortage of times where he’s jumped through fire, been impaled by a silver golem, stormed a rashaka stronghold, or battled necro-piloted cronies created by above referenced mate’s deranged aunt. Not to mention fighting a warlord with a strange obsession for your mate, with broken legs, and still winning the round. I guess always coming out on top would be a good indication of his strength.
Let us also not forget that Curran started the Pack when he was merely 15 after he was the only one willing to go after a shifter in a berserker rage. He doesn’t always need to belt out a mighty roar to get people’s attention (although those are rather impressive). He’s just as comfortable being cunning and shrewd in his dealings.
He started the Pack because it was something that was necessary, not out of some need on his part for power. What makes Curran alpha is that he has unmitigated power being in the position of Beast Lord, but he would give it all up in a second. He doesn’t need any validation that he’s the top dog (or lion as the case may be), it’s just plain fact. All of the 1,500+ shapeshifters he commands know it, and all the readers know it too.
You know her from: Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites
Supernatural status: Sword-Wielding Magic Badass
Championed by: Krista from Vampire Book Club
From the moment Kate walked on the page, we wanted to be her, we wanted to be her friend, but mostly we wanted to watch her kick the ass of anyone stupid enough to get in her way. The only person who is oblivious to the impact she has upon entering a room is Kate herself.
“At first glance you looked at Kate and thought “fighter” maybe merc. Five inches taller than me, she was all muscle-well and some boobs. She moved like a predator and when she got pissed off, she exhaled aggression like a hot breath on a winter evening. Still men looked, until they saw her eyes. Kate’s eyes were crazy. It was that hidden-deep crazy that you had no idea what the hell she would do next but whatever it was, the bad guys wouldn’t like it.”
Kate began the series in a purposely created mediocrity, but by book seven she is standing as the Consort to the Beast Lord. A position she didn’t earn by just being the Beast Lord’s mate but by killing all challengers in a two-week period. That was 22 “homicidal maniacs who grow teeth the size of switchblades and erupt into violent frenzies” in case anyone has forgotten. She made an army of demons kneel before her with one word. She has killed mythic creatures with her will alone, while lying in a gilded cage bleeding to death. She cuts down her enemies when she can’t even stand on her feet.
“Look at her, she’s half dead. She isn’t even on her last leg. She can’t fucking stand and she’s cutting you down like children.”
With every day Kate becomes more deadly and powerful. And I apologize to all her competitors but you all have peaked. Seriously. She has a sword that eats vampires for lunch. So lets us watch all the vamps leave the playing field with their tails tucked between their legs.
For you children of gods, she made “The Morrigan” goddess of battle, strife and sovereignty retreat and promise to never cross her path. So I highly doubt you would be any different. She could pluck Raphael like an overgrown thanksgiving turkey. Oh, you are evolving and growing more powerful. That’s a Tuesday for Kate. For Barron and Ryodan, the events have proven you can be permanently killed and really Kate has all the time in the world. What about the shifters? I refer you back to the 22 in two weeks. Yes, even Curran.
I have doubts that Curran could have dispatched Hugh if he had not been sparring with Kate on an almost daily basis. So yes, I believe that in a match to the death Kate could take Curran.
That being said every battle Kate has fought, survived and won was never for gain. It was always in protection of those she loved or just because it was the right thing. Her adopted father may have failed in his pursuit of making her into sociopath but she definitely focuses on her goals with an unrivaled single-minded ferocity. So readers don’t let your hormones sway you towards the pretty (unless they are swaying towards Kate, we know she can be a bad ass and still rock panties with little bows). To all the competitors out there I leave you with Kate’s own words.
“If you come, you better come in force because I will kill every single one of you. My hand won’t shake, my aim won’t falter. My face will be the last thing you see before you die.”
WINNER – KATE DANIELS
Only votes submitted via the Rafflecopter form below will be counted. This means your vote is tied to your email address. It also means we’re giving away something awesome.
For Round 2, you have the chance to win a copy of Blood Oranges by Kathleen Tierney. This contest is open internationally, provided The Book Depository will ship to your location.
You can get additional entries into the contest by tweeting, following and the like, but your vote is still only counted once.
Hard to choose but I DO love an alpha male 🙂
Kick Ass Kate,for the win! 😉
Love them both but has to be Kate
I love that they were pitched against each other though it was tough. I love Kate but in the end I think Curran is a tad more alpha where she is still learning not to walk alone.
Kate, absolutely. The natural alpha. Aggressive, protective and always prepared for a challenge, without having been brought up in a pack that promotes such things.
Kate’s awesome but gotta be curran this time
That was a difficult one… I guess Curran, but Kate is so good..
Argh !!! My two favorites… No, no, no, I can’t choose…
Kate
Wow, a difficult one. Kate is awesome, but Curran is a bit more Alpha.
I’m going with Kate.
This one’s mean!! At least Kate has a loup cage in her office, just for this kind of marital problems! XD
Go Kate, show His Furriness your Beast Lady-ness!
Curran.
I had to chose Curran, because well I just love them more
Curran
Kate
I’m going to agree with another commenter and say “Kick-Ass Kate.” I want a female Alpha to win his year!
I love Kate, but Curran is Alpha.
Kate!
Kate!
OMG!!! I always thought the early rounds were supposed to be easy. This is the VBC version of Sophie’s Choice!!
Putting Kate against Curran in round one, that is just mean. It was an extremely hard choice, but I picked Kate in the end.
Curran
Oh man I was so excited to see Round 2 was up. Then I saw the combatants. So not fair VBC :(. Those 2 are one. Ying and Yang. Now you just totally made me choose. I feel disloyal but I had to go with Curran. He is so DAMNNNNNN!!!
Kate is kick ass and sassy. But Curran is Curran. That is all that needs to be said.
Kate any other time challenger I would of so voted for you. But your man has to take this one.
Kate all the way!
This is a really tough one! I’m going to have to think on it for the day. Curran is by far completely Alpha, but Kate is coming into her own and though she doesn’t see herself as anything more then a loner. Others around her see her as Alpha, and pitting these two against each other just makes me want to stop and think about it for a minute.
Kate!
Love this series but it has to be Kate all the way!
Kate all the way!
Girl Power! Go Kate
Love them both, but I went with Kate.
Curran but this round is just cruel
Curran
Wow, this one was hard. However, considering Curran is the Beast Master, I had to choose him. I’m sure Kate understands;)
“Here Kitty, Kitty”…..remember that? I still crack up when I think of that…..Love Curran but for me, it is Kate all the way!
Kate! She’s is a self made bad arse. I respect that.
Kate! Kick A** women rock!!!
Kate is super tough, but I think that Curran is actually more alpha.
Curran
Actually, I’m going to go with Kate. There was nothing that prepared her for being alpha in her life in terms of nurturing care and good role models for NOT being a complete psychopath crazy who can’t love anyone. Curran might be a slightly better leader at the moment but Kate has overcome more to become who she is today. I also think Kate could take Curran in a fight. 😛
Curran
Curran!
Has to be Kate <3<3<3 but I can't believe this match up. I'm pretty sure that they would love this.
My vote was for Curran, but I must point out how unfair this round is. Curran and Kate are a mated pair, it makes no sense to me to pair them against each other.
I agree with some of the comments. When I saw the post on Facebook for round 2, I yelled, “That is just not fair.” Luckily, I was home alone with the dogs…
Kate!!!
Kick-ass Kate.
Soo hard to choose!
While I love Kate, she isn’t an Alpha! Curran is the definite Alpha in this pairing!
Curran of course but I kind of think this one doesn’t make sense. Of course Curran is the Alpha.