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It’s been a wicked Alpha Showdown so far. Both the characters in today’s match had lots of fans come out for them in their first rounds. But they both won by only a handful of votes.
Will this round be the same? Kate Daniels from the Ilona Andrews’ series of the same name took out Bones, and Wrath from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood beat the archangel Raphael.
It’s going to be a close one, and your votes will decide the winner.
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 her from: The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: Good question
Championed by: Jen at Red Hot Books | @redhotbooks
You don’t have to be a man to be the top dog alpha. It’s something intangible that separates you from the sheep. It’s about strength of the body and mind. It’s about power. For a man, strength can be more obvious in the physical sense. His dominance can be downright sexy at times. But a woman who can burn the world with a strong sword arm and an iron will, to me, is even more impressive.
K
ate owes a lot of her strength to her lineage, but she is more than the sum of her parts. Her father passed on many of his powerful gifts, like the ability to manipulate blood. He can’t take credit for her years of training, though. He can’t compete with her drive to protect those around her and to save the day at all costs. The fire that is inside of Kate is all her own, and she will destroy you without hesitation if you are a threat to someone she loves.
She uses every weapon at her disposal, and is willing to risk everything to protect others. She’ll throw herself into a fighting pit, face off with her own deranged relatives, battle deities, and stare down supernatural baddies of all shapes and sizes –not for her own gain—but do what needs to be done for people who can’t do it themselves. She is strong, but not infallible, which is what makes it all the more meaningful when she puts herself in the line of fire. She could die, but she doesn’t. She prevails and lives to fight another day.
Kate’s abilities keep getting stronger. And she keeps getting smarter. Whether she is leading hundreds of shapeshifters or slapping down detractors; whether she is fighting alongside members of the Guild or against them; whether she is battling a legend or edging closer to becoming one herself… she is fierce. She is relentless. She doesn’t stop until she is done.
What other woman could be a worthy mate to Curran? Could hold her own with Aunt B? Who else could face off with Roland and walk away with an entire city under her protection? No one. Kate is in a category all her own.
And she could kick your ass. Without breaking a sweat.
You know him from: The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward
First appeared in: Dark Lover (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: The Blind King, the last purebred vampire
Championed by: Jill from VBC
Wrath is a no-hold-barred badass. He’s the king of the vampire race, but don’t let that fool you, he’s not some pompous politician. He could, and often does, take on anyone and anything. He’s a fierce protector of his people. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He’s exactly the kind of man that you would want to be your friend, your bodyguard, the leader of your people, or your sexy, badass, alpha boyfriend.
He is a very reluctant king. He just wants to be a simple soldier like the rest of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Wrath isn’t made for the simple soldier life, though. He’s way too much of an alpha to be just a warrior. Oh no, he’s the literal king of the warriors.
When some obnoxious posers decide that his chosen mate Beth isn’t vampire enough to be his wife, Wrath takes the throne so that no one will take his leelan. He has single-handedly fought off assassination attempts, evil soul-less demons, and smart-ass brothers, all in day’s work for this alpha king.
Throughout his few years as King, we see him grow as a man and as a leader. We’ve watched him discover love and loyalty, struggle with the heavy burden of leadership, and find the balance in being an understanding leader and not a political push over, all with his sexy shades and ass kickers on.
Wrath has a lot more coming his way, especially with the development in the newest book The King starring Wrath and Beth, set years after their first encounter. Wrath is compassionate, strong, intelligent, loyal, honorable, and this alpha king deserves your votes!
Who are you putting your money on: Kate or Wrath?
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 11 we’re giving away a signed copy of Lion’s Share by Rachel Vincent. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
Kate!
Love them both but it has to be Wrath!
Kate for the win!!
Kate all the WAY!!!!!! Kate for President she definitely couldn’t be worse then Obama 😡
Kate!
voting for wrath
I like Kate, but Wrath beats her hands down. No Contest!
Wrath!
He is a vampire correct? She should be able to squish his brain like taking a hammer to a grape.
Has to be Wrath!
This was another difficult choice but I went with Kate.
I like Wrath (not as much as Rhevenge or Zsadist, but I really like him), but I LOVE Kate, she’s such a magnificient character !!
Wrath!!!!
Kate!!!
Kate!
Kate can kick some mean butt .. Yeah Kate …
Had to go with Kate.
Comment
gotta be Kate!
I absolutely LOVE Wrath!
Kate is my girl and all but it is Wrath all the way. Anyone else against Kate. I would of chosen her. But Wrath. Yeah he is it.
I like Wrath, but Kate is awesome! And with how far she’s come along? Yeah, I’m voting for her.
Go Kate!
I feel a little guilty that in all these years I’ve not read the Kate Daniel’s series and always mean to. Still, Wrath has my heart and my vote!!
I am so envious you get to experience Kate from the beginning again. Remember it takes some people a little bit to get into the world.
Wrath is a Vamp? Kate would totally have his butt
Oh! These books are so fantastic!! I hope you give them a try.
Definitely Wráth for the win. He’s such a bad ass.
Really? Kate can control the undead. No contest.
He’s not undead. He was born a vampire. So, Kate loses. Wrath for the win.
LOL yes!!!! You are 100% right!!! Wrath all the way!!!!
Wrath!!
My vote goes to Kate. I’d love to see her win and really she has the power to back that up.
Kate!!
Kate and only Kate ….
Wrath Wrath!!!
Voted for Kate
Kate. Love Wrath, but Kate is one of my heroes. Or well, heroines.
Had to go with Kate!
Kate, her magic is older than vampires.
Kate is my hero! 🙂
Kate!
Kate can control pathetic zombies with no brains that require navigating because they are literal brain dead zombies. Dont get zombies and vampires mixed up, its a completly different universe. Wrath is extremely intelligent and can match many of her skills and more. Wrath all the way, baby!!!!!
Kate!
I love Wrath, the blind VAMPIRE King and all, but…
Just saying…
Kate’s dad created vampires, giving her the ability to control vampire blood and make their heads explode if she wants.
It does not give her the ability, you people are comparing ZOMBIES to VAMPIRE KINGS! She does not have the ability ti control Wrath, she never will. These are 2 completely different universes!!!!
Kate, because she can kick ass!
Kate 🙂
Definitely Kate….we’re still discovering the ways she can kick ass!
WRATH!
Kate for sure.
Team Kate!
Wrath!!!
Kate, of course!
Kate! I do love me some Wrath, but lets be honest, Kate is the most badass alpha out there!
Do you need to ask? Kate, of course! She’ll bring the dog to Grendel, after piloting Wrath out of the picture!