Update: The werewolf defeated the archangel! Adam advances to the next round of the Alpha Showdown!
There’s no question Adam and Raphael are meant to be in the Alpha Showdown.
They’re both leaders, and have big followings within the VBC readership. (Heh.) How are you going to decide?
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: The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
First appeared in: Moon Called (Amazon)
Supernatural status: alpha werewolf
Championed by: The Book Pushers | Twitter: MinnChica | Has | Lou | E
No one can deny that Alpha werewolf, Adam, is as strong as they get. He’s fought off vampires, fae, demons, and even gods. He doesn’t shy away from walking into a fight, knowing that it might be his last. He even smooths it over with words that melt your heart:
“You should know that you brought joy into my life when I thought there was no joy left in the world.”
Even people who don’t belong in Adam’s pack think he is the best Alpha around:
“But Coyote waits until I meet everyone first. I like Adam. He’s what an Alpha is supposed to be and so seldom is.”
Not only does Adam stand for everything that is good and right, he can be playful and fun:
“He kissed me again, then put his head down to whisper in my ear. “I like you way better.” And then he nipped my ear and slapped my hip lightly and stepped away.”
So, Adam’s sexy, he’s strong. He’s a caring and loving father while also a fierce leader, but above all, he’s the kind of Alpha that takes care of everyone in his charge, even those he hasn’t sworn to protect:
“Tried not to hear the concern in Adam’s voice, the softness– and the satisfaction he got from taking care of her. Good Alpha werewolves take care of those around them it’s part of what makes then Alpha.”
What more could you want from your winner??
You know him from: The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh
First appeared in: Angels Blood (Amazon)
Alpha Status: Archangel
Championed by: Amanda from Vampire Book Club | @AmandaKByrne
There’s the usual motley collection of badasses in the Showdown this year, shifters, vamps, immortal creatures that we aren’t quite sure what they are – but none of them hold a candle to the Archangel of New York.
Raphael is the ultimate Alpha.
He’s strong. That’s a given. He’s not afraid to use his strength as a weapon, breaking bones (like, every bone in your body, including ones you didn’t know existed) without breaking a sweat. He’s not all brute strength, either, his intelligence just as ruthless. You can’t maintain the sort of power base he’s built up over the centuries without being wicked smart. People fear him, and they respect him, because they know he’s there to protect them from harm. And harm will come to those who try to infringe on his territory.
He’s absolutely gorgeous. I mean, come on. He’s a frickin’ archangel. Wings of white and gold. All that yummy sculpted muscle and those sapphire blue eyes…guh.
But it’s not just about his physical prowess or his smarts. If he descends into the Quiet, he’s beyond ruthless. He’s like a machine capable of higher thought yet completely lacking a conscience. He’s got powers – besides being able to fly, which, hi, yes please and thank you – he can glamour himself invisible, invade your mind and bend it to his will, and his newly found ability to heal is growing stronger every day. He Makes vampires, and he inspires loyalty so deep, they’ll be insulted if someone so much as hints they ought to make a play to knock him from power. And he’s unique. Not only is Raphael an archangel born of two archangels, he Made an angel.
This is what truly makes Raphael the ultimate alpha – his love for his consort, Elena. It’s fierce and unbreakable, and it’s what saved her life, literally. Some of the other members of the Cadre think Elena weakens him, but she doesn’t. She’s centered him, forced him to adapt and while sometimes the changes aren’t always smooth, she’s made him fiercer, harder in all the ways that matter. He would destroy the world for her.
Do we really need to have this Showdown? We know Raphael’s the most alpha of them all. Everyone else is just his minion.
WINNER – ADAM HAUPTMAN
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 7, we’re giving away a copy of Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells, compliments of Orbit Books. This contest is open internationally.
You can get additional entries into the contest by tweeting, following and the like, but your vote is still only counted once.
Love Adam!
Adam for sure!
Adam though it was a tough call
Adam, hands down!
Adam H!
Raphael is scarily alpha. 🙂
Definitely Adam!
I am TEAM ADAM all the way!!
Adam for sure. 🙂
Adam!
Definitely Raphael.
Raphael
Adam! Because he really is what alphas are supposed to be.
Adam
Adam is the man!
Always Raphael!
Adam!
Adam for the win!
Adam definitely Adam. The best ever!!
Adam!!!
Raphael
Ralphael! 🙂
Adam!!
Adam all the way
Adam.
Go Team Adam!!!
It looks like Raphael could use some more love – I like Adam but Raphael all the way!
Adam!
I voted for Adam (of course I don’t (yet) know Raphael…)
Raphael!
I love Adam!!
Adam clearly more of an Alpha.
If in doubt this comment should all there is needed to change your mind:
“He’s (Speaking of Raphael) like a machine capable of higher thought yet completely lacking a conscience.”
Adam is a great man: a charismatic, fair, romantic, heroic, protective, loving, strong, and handsome father, husband, and werewolf pack alpha. Truly, he is my ideal book boyfriend. 🙂
This is a really tough one, but Raphael is one of the scariest mofos around, inspires unwavering loyalty in his people and runs NYC. Yeah, he’s getting my vote. Sorry, Adam!
Its all about Adam: the definitive Alpha….
Adam!!!
Adam of course! Patricia Briggs writes the best characters every book is brilliant.
Team Adam rocks
Adam — though it is a tough call, it has to be Adam because he is all that an alpha should be! He is strong and dominant, of course, but also aware of each member of his pack’s strengths and weaknesses. He sees the details and the big picture. He is power and flexibility (on his terms) combined.
Definitely Adam.
Definitely Raphael….
Totally Raphael
I love Adam, but Raphael is one scary powerful Alpha.
Adam!
Adam Hauptman wins hands down, his depth of character means he’d always come out on top!!!
Adam, of course!!
Adam is the alpha I’d want to live with, but Raphael is the alpha I’d want to follow from a distance
ADAM all the way!!!!
Wow this is hard!
Love Adam, Mercy, and Master Coyote. Adam is the best Alpha ever.
Why must they put two of my favorite Alphas against each other? This was a hard decision!!!!