Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
This year brought the fresh meat to the Alpha Showdown. We had some first timers battle one another in Round 1, but this time out we have a newbie taking on a veteran.
The vampire Slade from Teresa Gabelman’s The Protectors series is new to VBC, but his fans came out big time in the nomination rounds. Can this vampire take on one of our favorite assassins? Gin Blanco is a certified badass, and she runs a barbecue joint, which makes her good people in our book. Can she cut down this vampire? 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: The Protectors series by Teresa Gabelman
First Appeared In: Duncan, but is the protagonist in Slade (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural Status: Vampire
Championed by: Amy from VBC
One of the great things about VBC and the Alpha Showdown is being introduced to new hot alpha males. The guys of The Protectors series by Teresa Gabelman certainly fit that bill, but Dr. Slade Buchanan definitely stands out from the crowd.
Being a vampire and already having lived for hundreds of years, Slade is pretty much over having to “prove” himself. That doesn’t mean he won’t flex his powers to anyone who would threaten him or those closest to him.
When he’s first introduced in the series, he’s just this domineering presence right from the start. It’s a few pages before we even know his name he’s simply referred to as “the man,” but I was immediately drawn to this mysterious person and wanted to find out what his story is.
Jill tried to push herself up, but her body protested. Suddenly, Jeff was slammed next to her, his face smashed to the ground. He struggled against the large hand holding his face to the concrete…. He was large, larger than any of the other Warriors. ‘I’m going to let you up, badass, so I suggest you calm down.”
As soon as the man lifted his hand, Jeff jumped up to get in his face. ‘You son of a bitc-’ Jeff’s voice squeaked to a stop as soon as he realized he was yelling into the man’s chest. His head tilted up to look the man in the face, his throat working visibly hard to swallow.
Come on, tell me you aren’t intrigued by that little snippet of our first introduction to Slade?
Once we get to his featured book, we see a more intimate side of Slade while he’s in pursuit of Jill. It’s true that Slade will spout no false claims about his “dominance,” but a good alpha will always make sure he gives as good as he receives: “I am demanding, but my main purpose in the end is to make sure you have the pleasure you desire…you will always be taken care of in every way, in and out of that bed.”
Slade is the perfect top-of-the-line alpha because he completely understands the responsibility of life, whether the taking or preserving it. An alpha needs to make those decisions all the time whether they want to or not. Slade is in a position where his healing knowledge even brings other alphas / dominate-types to him for help with what they don’t understand. Oftentimes he balances precariously with the ethics of it all:
“Even though my priority is to save lives, there are some lives not worth saving.”
But typically this only occurs when those he cares about or those weaker than their attacker are threatened. Being relied upon to know the difference and having the power to make that decision, and knowing it’s right, is pretty damn sexy and completely worthy of the 2015 Alpha Showdown champion title.
You know her from: Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep
First appeared in: Spider’s Bite (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: Elemental with stone and ice powers
Championed by: Isalys from Book Soulmates | @IsaBookSoulmate
“You can work with me – or you can wade through the blood and bodies after I’m done.” – Gin Blanco, Spider’s Bite (Elemental Assassin #1)
Gin Blanco…it’s little wonder that she’s one of the few badass females in this year’s Alpha Showdown! Gin’s my girl, my womance, and one of the characters I have the most respect for. She started off as any other little girl. Well, except for one small detail: she’s an Elemental with powers in not just one, but two elements: stone and ice. The big bad knew this and wanted to get rid of her while she was young but even as a kid, Gin wasn’t so easy to kill. Orphaned and with nowhere to go, she was taken in by The Tin Man, the best and most reputable killer money could buy. He raised her, taught her all about the family business, and now The Spider is the one to fear!
Now before you judging my girl too harshly for being an assassin, keep in mind that even killers have some rules and integrity. She doesn’t kill animals, she doesn’t kill children—ever, and she doesn’t kill innocents. If she wants you dead, then you’re already as good as dead and you damn well deserved it. She may prowl the streets at night as the deadliest, quietest, and most patient of killers – hence her moniker – but by day she’s just Gin Blanco, best cook in Ashland. Homegirl can whip up the best barbecue and dessert pie in town at her diner, The Pork Pit where you can wash it down with the some good ‘ol Southern sweet tea or chicory coffee.
As with all alphas, you definitely want to stay on Gin’s good side. She’ll offer you service with a smile, but cross a line with her family or friends and she’s just as quick to gut you with the very knife you used to cut your food. Of course, being an assassin is a dangerous line of work. Lots of villains out there want nothing more than to take Gin’s head home as a trophy, but they’re usually the ones that end up headless. Gin’s elemental powers give her an almost endless supply of protection and weapons to work with. As a wielder of stone magic, she can listen to what buildings have to say, topple them, then harden her skin to protect her from the avalanche. Double-whammy…she can also use her ice magic anywhere from picking locks to turning you into a human popsicle.
Don’t confuse Gin with the bad guys, though. Villains revel in the kill and the power they feed from that kill. Gin is far more humble than that. She doesn’t kill because she likes it; she kills because she wants to protect herself, protect those she loves, and like Robin Hood, protect those who are victimized by the powerful and wealthy.
“…I went from being the Spider to the Robin fucking Hood of the greater Ashland area.. Instead of stealing from the rich, I’m stabbing them to death for the poor.” – Gin Blanco, Venom (Elemental Assassin #3)
Gin’s the girl you want to be best friends with. She’s beautiful, funny, can feed you the best damn meal of your life, and you can sleep safely at night because you know The Spider will always have your back!
I rest my case for Gin to be the Top Alpha Bitch in the 2015 Alpha Showdown! *drops mic*
Who are you putting your money on: the vampire or the elemental assassin?
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 4 three lucky VBC readers will each win a copy of Katherine Harbour’s Thorn Jack. It’s a haunting romantic fantasy retelling of the Ballas of Tam Lin. The sequel comes out on June 2, so when you fall for it, you’ll be able to dive into the next one stat. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
Wooot the first to vote and it was for Gin Blanco!!! Got to love her Elemental power.
**high five**
Gin! Because Barrons should not have beaten Jane.
Amen to this
Of course Barrons should have defeated Jane, you cant compare the twi. Barrons will always be the ultimate alpha
I voted but went in blind since I haven’t read either read yet , But it looks like I will be checking these ones out to see if I voted right …
Don’t know these two, so picked Slade!
Slade!
I have only just started the Protectors series (about 80% through the Damon book) so I haven’t come across Slade. I really loved the Gin Blanco books but I lost interest around book 7 for some reason. Anyhoo, you didn’t need to know that – I voted for Gin
I read the first Spider book a few weeks ago and I lov it . So i vote for gin
Slade
The protectors series is amazing!!!! Hot dominate sexy vampire Dr. Slade oh yes!
I voted for Gin Blanco.
I haven’t read either of these but now have plans for both… My vote went to Gin though. Gotta love a badass female <3
Yay! Me too! Gotta love girls who know how to kick ass & take names 😉
Don’t know Slade but nice abs. I happily voted for Gin Blanco.
*high five* Team Kickass Chicks! 🙂
Slade
Love the Elemental Assassin series! Gin is such a badass and who doesn’t love a badass assassin?
Exactly, right?!
I am for Gin – love the series and the Champion pitch with the drop mic. Although The Protectors sounds good – will put on my TBR list.
Hehehe, thanks! I think the gif added a nice touch 😉
I have to say Slade hands down he is tough and rugged and down right sexy that man just screams Alpha and makes no excuses for it
Slade all the way!
Slide all the way. Best series out there
Gin Blanco is awesome! Love the gif.
I voted for Gin! I haven’t read any of The Protectors series, but that is why I love this contest, it adds to my ever growing to be read pile.
These character’s books are on my “to read” list.
Slade is the man 🙂
The Slade Train! All aboard!
GIN for the WIN!
How Barrons beat Jane I will never know. He’s an alpha but not an alpha hero. Meh.
GIN FOR THE WIN! 😀
Slade!
I voted Gin. Now I have more books to read!
Havent read either but voted anyway! More added to my to read list!
Love, love, love Gin! Come on people show the girl some more love!
Amen sista! Gotta show our girl the love!
Ummm…don’t really know either of these characters so I went based on the VBC writings about them. Went with Slade, though I’d be sad to lose another female this early in the competition.
Definitely Gin.
SLADE all the way!!! DrMcHottie is smokin hot! cough cough I think I need a housecall
Slade is mine!!!. Love him
I love me some Slade!!
Gin Blanco for President!!
Yesss! She’s definitely got my vote 😉
Slade might be a sexy alpha but Gin is my girl!!! #TeamGin
Heck yeah!!! *high five*
Kickass girls gotta stick together 😉
Slade is the man, he definitely gets my Vote!
Slade is awesome ! Great series, the Protectors!
I have not read any of this series, yet. So , since I haven’t read any, I will definitely be voting for Gin.
Gin ROCKS!! Thanks for the vote and definitely read the series. It’s awesome!
Gin – love the elemental assassin series!
i voted for Slade
I have only read one of these competitors and have voted for the one I haven’t read but the description of Slade was just to mouthwatering to overlook. Off not to buy the first book in the series.
I voted for Slade. I love this series! !
I vote for Slade
Slade
I voted for Dr. McHottie Slade!!!Love that Vamp!
Don’t know Slade, but I do love Gin!!
Gin would kill pretty much anyone!!
I’m going for Slade even though I don’t know ether of them.
Gin Blanco is unbeatable!
Girl power! Gin Blanco trumps any old vampire.