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It’s all about the veterans in Round 5 of the Alpha Showdown. Neither of today’s alpha characters have won the battle before, but they both have fervent fanbases. Will this be their year?
Charles Cornick from Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series is a powerful werewolf. Jeaniene Frost’s Vlad from the Night Prince series, though, is that Vlad. The ancient vampire has plenty of practice at the art of war. These two are certainly alphas, but who will come out on top?
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 Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs
First Appeared In: Charles first shows up in Moon Called (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural Status: Shifter of the werewolf variety
Championed by: Sarah M. from Literary Escapism | @moore_mom2 | Goodreads
Charles is the epitome of the strong, silent type. As the enforcer of the North American werewolves, he strikes fear into the heart of many. Charles may appear cold at first, but you would too if you were a killing machine. When Charles is with his mate, Anna, his sensitive side comes out in full force. Super sexy, incredibly protective, and head-over-heels in love with his mate, Charles melts hearts (and maybe panties!).
In the Mercy Thompson books, Charles is a peripheral character. His cold, aloof nature renders him unapproachable. In the Alpha & Omega series, we discover that he just feels lonely being the hunka-hunka killing machine always dreading the day that he may have to take out an old friend (only if they’ve gone crazy or turned bad in the worst way, of course). A super-wolf with a vulnerable side? How do I find one of these for myself? Because Anna is an Omega wolf, she doesn’t need to fear him (in fact, the opposite may be true in this case). Instead, she heaps love and affection on this cranky, old wolf to great result. Charles dotes on her and provides for her in any way that he can (the last book, Dead Heat, even has him looking forward to their future in an unexpectedly sweet way).
Who doesn’t love a crazy strong, powerful, and sexy man…er werewolf that wants nothing more than to be the perfect protective and loving husband AND has an endearing vulnerable side? Well, if you don’t love him, then you’re just plain crazy. Charles for the win!
You know him from: the Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost
First appeared in: As a side character in At Grave’s End (Night Huntress #3), as the main character in Once Burned (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: Vampire Badass
Championed by: Christen from Goldilox and the Three Weres | @Goldilox3Weres
Prince Vlad Tepesh. Vlad the Impaler. THE Dracula. Could there be a bigger Alpha out there? I think not. Vlad inspired the greatest vampire legend in history. He is the Master of his people and a Master in the bedroom. Plus, he’s hot as hell. It would be nearly impossible to find a man more feared, respected, and desired. So, what makes him so feared? So respected? So ridiculously sexy that he heats up the pages of every book he’s in?
First of all, there are the flames. The burning, scorching flames that Vlad can create and wield with ease. Not only can this vampire comfortably throw a fireball like he’s tossing a baseball, he can surround himself and those he loves with a wall of those blazing flames. Fire cannot hurt him. Also, there’s the flying. Yes, Vlad can fly. A handy little ability that few other vampires possess, and none of those other vampires have the power and regard of my man Vlad. And then there’s his strength. The man is OLD. You are not taking him down no matter what. He has fought in wars as both a human and a vampire and survived. He has suffered repeated attempts on his life and survived. Vlad is a force to be reckoned with.
Also, there’s the sexy factor. My true Alpha must be powerful yet sexy at the same time. And Vlad has that sex appeal oozing out of…well…everywhere. He’s sexy when he’s taking Leila in the bedroom—among other places—but he’s actually at his sexiest when he’s demonstrating his power and protecting his loved ones. When he shows others the lengths he is willing to go to in order to protect his people, or to avenge them when needed, he is mind-blowingly hot! He can afford to be so confident because he knows what a baddass he is. He literally brought his own castle to rubble to demonstrate his power and his anger.
Need I say more? Are you convinced of Vlad’s dominance? His strength? His ability to take down any other so-called Alpha in the bunch? His sexiness?
Of course you are. You were already convinced of all that when you read Vlad’s name at the beginning of this post. So, just vote already. Or I’ll tell Vlad.
Who are you putting your money on: the shifter or the vampire?
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 5 we have a complete set of Kristen Painter’s Crescent City trilogy—House of the Rising Sun, City of Eternal Night, and Garden of Dreams and Desires—for one lucky VBC reader. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
Love Vlad!
Vlad had to go with him.
Sorry Charley. Vlad all the way
VLAD!
oh I’m in the minority, I chose Charles, I can’t bear Vlad
Sorry Charley Vlad is my bad boy for this round.
Oh come on… We are talking ALPHA here! Charles is the definition of Alpha male! Vlad may be a Hottie, but Charles Dominates on this one!
Vlad!
Had to go with Charles
Charles vlad is not a fav.
Vlad, Vlad, Vlad!
Love Charles.
Listen, I love Vlad, but sometimes I think a true Alpha means not having to be showy, just your whispered name being enough to make people pee themselves. That, to me, is Charles Cornick
Dude… He can incinerate you! Vlad of course. There’s no contest
I only recently met Charles, but in a fight between the 2, I think Vlad would come out on top. As much as it breaks my heart to say it, since Charles is more my man than Vlad is. UGH.
Sorry Vlad. It will always be Charles.
I love ’em both, but my vote went to Charles!
Going with Vlad, in a fight it doesn’t matter how badass Charles is, Vlad can truly destroy him. Like your a pile of ashes before you even get the chance to make a move, how can u fight against something like that? I read all te Patricia Briggs and Jeaniene Frost books and Vlad is a clear winner.
P.s please remember that its only one vote per person, lets try and keep these games as fair and accurate as possible.
I have always loved Charles, the Alpha and Omega books are just amazing, there is not a single thing I dislike in the series and about Charles. I was crazy about Vlad in the Night Huntress series, but was complete disappointed by his own series. Might be because I dislike Leila so much and it reflected on my love for Vlad as well, but he just wasn’t the same Vlad as the one from Night Huntress. I actually gave up on the Night Prince series. So, Charles for the win!
I know what u mean, I also really disliked Leila but the series gets a lot better and Vlad gets a lot hotter, like Jericho Barrons, Leila is Vlads only weakness and he uses it to strengthen his self, dont judge him to harshly, he truly is amazing and the ultimate alpha
Charles, no question!
I’ve gotta go with Vlad. What isn’t there to love?
Charles!
I had to go with Vlad and his pretty pyro show he can put on.
such hard decisions this year!
Charles is the one!
Oh, this is a hard one! I love both of them, but I’m going to have to go with Vlad. Sorry, Charles!
That is a hard one. Both these are serious alphas.
No doubts! There is just one right answer: Vlad! Sorry Wolfman, but Vlad would give you a run for your money!
Vlad!
Vlad all the way! I wasn’t too impressed with Charles. However, if this was Adam, hands down it would be way more difficult. I love me some Adam. 🙂
I’m a fan of both Charles and Vlad but I LOVE Vlad so he got my vote.
Vlad will win!!!
I like both, but ain’t no one more Alpha than Charles … except maybe his father.
I love both of them! But having to choose between the two of them, I’ll pick Charles every time. Sorry, Vlad!
I voted for Charles, though I think Vlad’s fire would be pretty hard to beat, but I really like Charles and Anna.
Charles by a landslide. Looking at everything he’s faced, not to mention he can do f-ing magic so probably would make himself immune to fire. Or get Arianna to do it for him. Vlad would have no chance.
While the other votes have been pretty clear cut for me, this one is a dilemma. I’m leaning towards Charles…because of the way he adores Anna. Call me sentimental.
Vlad!
i love both but i’ll go with Charles
VLAD……sorry Charles
Charles he’s just got — something.
Charles!
Hands down Vlad
Charles all the way.
Charles all the way!!!!!
No contest IMHO, Vlad all the way!
VLAD!
Vlad!!!
Charles