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It’s time for former Alpha Showdown champions to battle one another. We expect this is going to be a difficult round for everyone, especially these two alphas.
The Beast Lord Curran from Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series easily beat Simon in the first round. (Though to be fair, many commenters said they had to read The Others series to find out more about Simon. And they should! The books are awesome.) Barrons had a much stiffer battle as he took on the No. 2 seed Jane Yellowrock, but the mysterious man from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series prevailed.
Both Curran and Barrons have proven themselves time and again, but who will win this fight?
You decide.
We’ve lined up excellent bloggers to fill you in on 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: Shifter, Werelion
Championed by: Kathy F. from Stellar Four
At this point, it seems laughable that I have to write about Curran’s qualifications as biggest alpha in the G-D Supernatural Fantasy Universe. Does this former winner and multiple nominee need more than “It’s Curran, whose roar soils the undies of every adversary?”
All right, perhaps you require more convincing. This is the badass that united all of the shifters in magic-torn Atlanta into a Pack so strong the other biggest badass in this world sees Curran as a threat to be removed. He’s ripped the heads off gods, gone claw to claw with rogue vampires, and attended more boring meetings and weddings than a person should have to bear. His roar makes the primitive part of your brain scream “Run away!” even though you know by the time he’s seen you, it’s too late.
Being an alpha is so much more than the ability to rip your opponent to shreds in a nanosecond. There is the sense of responsibility to others, reputation for action, a commanding presence that makes everyone ask “how high” when he says “jump.” We’ve seen Curran’s protective nature spread from his Pack to his new family with Kate, and on to the whole city of Atlanta. That’s right, his alpha-ness is growing as the series progresses and he does it all without being a raging douchecanoe.
You know him from: Fever series by Karen Marie Moning
First appeared in: Darkfever (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: Other
Championed by: Jannelle from VBC | @JannelleReads
Barrons is not just an alpha—he is the alpha. His presence demands attention and subservience in the most primal of ways. His visceral nature is understood by every species in our beloved paranormal worlds as he is all about the primitive dominance of every one and every thing. For my fellow fans of the Fever series, you will know that Barrons is not a man of words, but a man of action. And if you’re not familiar with the series, well, now you know. Barrons gets things done, and if that means getting down and dirty, then he will be more than happy to do so.
You see, Barrons is the proverbial bad boy. Except that unlike every other bad boy cliché, there’s no hope of turning him good. He’s wild and dangerous, transforming that raw energy into the best kind—the sex kind. Barrons’ sexual magnetism is woven through every stance, word and gesture. It fills up the space around him and presses up against you until you can’t breathe without want of it.
But best of all? Barrons is honest, and (like the rest of you) I can appreciate that. While I’m not one for quotes, I think Barrons might be able to explain himself better than I could:
“I’m not the hero, Mac. Never have been. Never will be. Let us be perfectly clear: I’m not the antihero, either, so quit waiting to discover my hidden potential. There’s nothing to redeem me.” – Shadowfever
Whichever of his forms he is in—beast or… “Human”—you are experiencing an alpha male. There is no doubt that by voting for Barrons, you are voting for the winner of this Alpha Showdown because he always comes back.
Who are you putting your money on: Curran or Barrons?
At the request of last year’s voters, we’re going back to traditional polls for the voting, but keep reading for your chance to win awesome books. Your to-be-read pile could always use more. Trust us.
Participating in the Alpha Showdown is all about fun, and free books totally lead to fun, right? We hope you’ll find lots of great new reads during the Showdown, and to help that along, we’re giving away some stellar reads.
With Round 10 we’re giving away one copy of House Immortal by Devon Monk. This urban fantasy made our Best of 1014 list for a reason. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Open internationally.
Curran for the win!
Sorry Barrons wins this round, I’ve yet to read Curran!
Discovered Kate Daniels and the Beast Lord only recently. Currently on book 6. Im voting for Curran!
Bet you will change your mind once you read the Kate Daniels series….they are unbelievable!
Here kitty, kitty! Curran wins hands down. 🙂 If there was one alpha male I’d like to meet in real life it would be this king of shifters!
Curran of course. Love him.
Curran of course. Roar!
Love them both. But it has to be JZB!
Curran all the way how can you vote against anyone that sleeps with the most badass Alpha of them all!!!
Curran. I’m dancing with the one who brought me to the party, as it were…Magic Bites where I started, which led me into all kinds of good things. (Like Barrons, for example!)
Love Curran!
No contest!! Barrons is an arrogant, entitled ass. Curran may be arrogant, and he may be an ass, but he works for all he has and cares about his people.
Barrons!
Sorry, Barrons, Curran has to win! There is no competition here:-)
I love me some Barron.
Curran rocks!
This was very hard because they are both awesome but I went with Curran because I like him better. Personally, I would rather be treated like he treats Kate instead of how Barron’s treats Mac, so that’s what I used to make that decision.
Curran
Barron so rocks but this girl loves Curran and he purrrrsss…
Barrons! I have yet to meet an alpha male that can even come close to him. NO contest!
Curran❤
Curran
C U R R A N
I love Ilona but Barrons wins
Barrons
Barrons wins my vote!
Curran. Not even a question.
Love both but Curran is getting my vote this time.
Curran is my fav Alpha.. Barrons is my fav Alpha….. I think I’l get a heartburn if have to choose between these two….*closes eyes..picks one*
Curran all the way!
Yay Curran!
Barrons!!!!!! ALL THE WAY!
I cannot believe Barrons is losing! Barron’s is who kept me reading the Fever world!
Go Curran
This was a tough choice….but i gotta stick with Barrons!!!!
Curran!
Curran. No contest.
Curran may be my favorite alpha of all time. You don’t read of many alpha’s with such a great sense of humor.
Curran every book I love him more and more…well in Magic Rises I wanted to punch him, but still loved him.
i love jzb!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Curran to the very end! So cannot wait for the next book as the Curran and Kate start their new life!
Love Barrons! I have not read Kate Daniels yet.
Wow what a powerhouse match! This should be epic. I’m still deciding who to vote for. I may vote for both.
I love Curran but Barrons was killed and came back to life! That is very hard to forget about.
Curran all the way for me. Barrons never was my cup of tea.
What?! Why isn’t barrons winning?!
UM WHY IS BARRONS LOSING?!?!?! HE CANT DIEEEEEEEE
LETS THINK LOGICALLY PEOPLE!!!!!!!! IF SOMEONE CANT DIE THEN HOW EXACTLY CAN HE LOSE???? HERE’S A HINT: HE CANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BARRONS IS THE ALPHA OF ALPHAS, THERE’S NOT A CHANCE IN HEAVEN, HELL, AND EARTH THAT HE WOULD LOSE TO CURRAN.
Curran!!! <3
Curran!
May the best alpha (ha!) win.
Regardless JZB will always be the number 1 alpha!!!