Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Update: Never mess with a man who can control fire. Vlad took home the win swiftly and soundly.
Two lethal vampires enter the Alpha Showdown.
Will the Master of Cadogan House top the pyrokinetic vampire of legend? You 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: Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill
First appeared in: Some Girls Bite (VBC Review | Chicagoland Vampires at Saucy Wenches | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Master Vampire
Championed by: Barbara Bones and Zee the Terrible from Saucy Wenches Book Club | @SaucyWenchesBC
Ethan Sullivan, Master of Cadogan House, is the epitome of Alpha. A soldier in his human life with centuries of experience as a warrior and leader, equally comfortable dispatching foes using the various weapons with which he is proficient (and which currently decorate Cadogan House) or with his vampirically enhanced bare hands. But don’t be fooled, Ethan isn’t merely a warrior; he is also strategic to the core, inspiring fierce loyalty in the vampires under his purview, with incredible political savvy and a knack for making the best choices in difficult situations.
Ethan has a not-so-secret weapon in his badass arsenal—his Sentinel. Merit is not only the protector of Cadogan, a fierce warrior in her own right, she is also Ethan’s love, whom he gave his life for and now lives for. Note that when no one else could keep up with Merit’s growing abilities she had to be trained by the best—Ethan. Despite his impressive prowess, Ethan trusts his people to protect both him and the House, the mark of a true leader. And when it’s time to do the protecting, Ethan is right there in the fray. Whether holding off shifters attacking his House or annihilating vicious harpies, Ethan kicks ass. Impressively.
Ethan’s amazing growth as a character sets him apart from all other Alphas. He makes mistakes, but owns them, and does everything in his power to make them right. He learns that he can love Merit and still protect Cadogan, and that they are much better, much stronger as a team. Silly male pride is NOT one of this alpha’s weaknesses.
While his confidence sometimes borders on arrogance, Ethan’s arrogance isn’t theatrical, dramatic, or showy—he’ll never be dubbed a “show hound” (looking at you, Vlad). Sure, Vlad can eliminate foes with his fiery gift (from a distance) but Ethan will kick your ass up close and personal. Thoroughly. He’s also Alpha enough to communicate openly with the woman he loves, without resorting to invading her thoughts. He may be old as dirt, but he’s enlightened enough to respect her privacy and win her (and us) without any coercion or “I know what’s best” attitude. *ahem Vlad*
So, if you like your Alphas evolved, sophisticated, noble, fierce and sexier than melted chocolate on a chiseled, male torso (which is likely to happen), come to our side, we have cookies… and lots of very hot sex. You won’t regret it.
“I suggest you return to our apartment; otherwise you’ll be ravished here and now where you stand, and the door is open.”
You know him from: Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost (and Night Huntress books, too!)
First appeared in: Once Burned (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Master Vampire
Championed by: Candace from Vampire Book Club
“Vlad’s seething masculinity was matched only by his incredible power, and though both were way out of my league, I was drawn to him like the proverbial moth to a flame.”
Vlad the Impaler, Showhound, Vlad Tepesh and, lastly, Dracula. There have been many names for the iconic vampire based on a Romanian Prince, and this one blows all the others to shame. There are many Draculas, but only one Vlad and baby, it is this one.
Vlad caused ripples from his introduction into the Night Huntress World. By the end of At Grave’s End, he had talked Cat down from suicide and burned his way through a zombie attack.
“Ecstasy grew along with an inner ache that demanded more without caring if it was too much. He was too hot, too big, too rough – and I’d die if he stopped.
Really, does that need more explanation? Over six centuries of refined lethality combined with a body honed by killing and keeping his people in line, and his domain is not the only thing Vlad is master of.
I could make arguments and give you examples all day long, but Jeaniene Frost has done the best job of this. She has given a whole new life to a character that has captured fans for centuries, and in doing so, has given his a sexual charisma that others only dream of. Vlad is everything other vampires want to be, he has a line of loyal followers and sated lovers in his wake and is second only to Mencheres in power.
If Vlad Tepesh isn’t the definition of Alpha, then I don’t know what is.
Don’t you think that it is time for a Night Huntress vampire to hold the Alpha Showdown title? I do. Vote for Vlad and let’s get him in the finals.
WINNER: VLAD
It’s time to pick your vampire!
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 4 we’re giving away a copy of the just-released House of the Rising Sun by Kristen Painter, 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.
Ethan — he is just too awesome.
Wow, this one is really tough, but I have to choose Vlad at “the end of the day” wink wink
I hated to leave Ethan behind, because I love him, but Vlad… the guy is LITERALLY on fire! I’m sorry I can’t vote for both of them.
Drac… I mean Vlad!! Sexy vampire!
Vlad
ETHAN yummy-lishes
ETHAN!!!!! <3
Sullivan!
I picked Vlad but it was just a flip of a coin since I hadn’t read either 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Ethan sullivan
Ah!!!!!!! This one is extremely hard!!! but I think Vlad wins it, I mean he can control fire
Go Vlad!
This one was so hard. I love Ethan but in the end Vlad is bad!!!
gotta go with Vlad on this one, sorry Ethan
Ethan all the way!
This one was too hard to choose! A real tough one…..but I’ll give it to Vlad.
That was too hard to choose…
ok, but Ethan!!!!
Vlad! The oldest and the best, especially as written about by Jeaniene Frost.
Vlad- cause I’m feelin hot hot hot!
Ethan all the way!
Ethan Sullivan
Vlad the mysterious man
Vlad!
Vlad, Vlad, Vlad!
Vlad is the bomb, he is strong, dangerous and HOT!
While I love Ethan, Vlad is the man. He got my vote. 🙂
It has to be Ethan!
Ahhh! Ethan! =)
Vlad all the way!!! 🙂
Another tough one, but I have to go with Ethan.
Hard choice … Went with Ethan.
ethan!!!!
I never really liked Ethan.. On the other hand who can’t love Vlad??? :)))
No contest here – Vlad!
Had to vote Vlad for his love and strength of commitment – Ethan is a strong character, enjoyed the books but his stop and go with Merit and the emotional pain he caused put me off him.
Ethan because there is no character that is sexier.
Defiantly Ethan 🙂
Vlad the epitome of vampire
Vlad!
Ethan is who I voted for since I haven’t read Vlad’s series as of yet (on my wish list)
Ethan
Vlad
Hands down no contest…VLAD!!!
Vlad!!
Ok this was a tough choice for me I <3 them both but I think Vlad has the edge so I voted him! 😀
Vlad all the way!!! <3 3:)
Had to go with Ethan on this one!
Well, I like Ethan a lot better than Vlad he just never did it for me but… Since this is ALPHA contest and not sexy contest I had to vote for Vlad. I think Vlad is much more Alpha than Ethan.
Vlad!
Ethan
I voted for Vlad! Love him.