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It makes sense in a battle of ultimate alpha characters that we’d have the primo leaders of their respective worlds in this year’s Alpha Showdown. In Round 7 we have two of the biggest, baddest and most loved leaders.
Raphael is an archangel—leading angels and vampires and watching over humans—from Nalini Singh’s excellent Guild Hunter series. Wrath is the vampire king in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Both are ruthless in battle, especially when protecting the ones they love, but who will emerge victorious in the Alpha Showdown?
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: Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh
First appeared in: Angels’ Blood (LE Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: Archangel of New York
Championed by: Jackie from Literary Escapism (Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | GoodReads)
It has taken me a bit to put my feelings into words on why Raphael deserves your vote as the biggest, baddest alpha out there. He’s not an easy angel to love. In fact, it can be damn near impossible since he is an archangel. The problem is, he is not just any archangel, but the one who was able to take down another archangel caught in the clutch of madness. The one who rules over North America with an iron will that suggests no weakness.
“Call it what you will but remember this”— he leaned in, 
speaking in an icy whisper that cut across her skin with whip-lash cruelty —“ if I fall, if I fail, the vampires go completely free, and New York drowns in the blood of innocents.” (Angel’s Blood)
He has to be ruthless and unforgiving to those who go against him; but harm any that are loyal to him and there is no rock that could hide you from his merciless vengeance.
No matter how brutal his actions can be, when he gives his love, his friendship, he does so with just as much raw power and savagery. He is a warrior in every sense of the word and will fight to even his own death to ensure those he loves will survive.
If this is death, Guild Hunter, he thought to his mortal as angelfire scored through his bones and touched his heart, then I will see you on the other side. (Angel’s Blood)
How can one not love a man who can be ruthless in his devotion, brutal in his passion, and yet unexpectedly tender when a moment rises?
Eternity would mean nothing without you. For no power on this earth would I trade my Elena. (Archangel’s Legion)
Tearing off the paper, Elena found seven simple words written on the slim wooden handle: Each consort has her own unique weapons. God, she thought, her entire face a smile, her Archangel had serious moves. (Archangel’s Legion)
Simply put, you’re not going to find another alpha who can out-Alpha the Archangel Raphael. He is ruthless when he needs to be, to defend those under his protection, and a loyal friend always.
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: the archangel or the vampire king?
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 7 we have a two copies of Ilona Andrews’ Burn for Me up for grabs. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
The King is my favorite but also love Raphael
Raphael for me! Been some tough choices this yr!
I have to go with the blind King, Wrath. Raphael, just can’t get into him.
Love both series, so it was tough to choose! Keep the showdowns coming!
Wrath is my favorite!! Love the BDB series!
Archangel hands down
i like both men but I think Raphael would win!!!
Raphael is definitely my favourite!! he is just amazing.
Wrath all the way. J.R. Ward one of my top 10 favorite authors.
Raphael all the way. Warrior women rule!!
Wrath all the way. I can’t think of an Alpha more deserving
Wrath all the way. The BDB is definitely one of my TOP favorite series, and Wrath is simply the best. Also, J.R. Ward one of my top 5 favorite authors.
Oh c’mon! Raphael sooo deserves this!!
Omgs i love the BDB series but i gotta say my favorite character is Zsadist
Both are such amazing alpha males!
Wrath would win.
Raphael is great but Wrath and the BDB is the best.
I’m not a huge fan of Ward, but i simply adore the Guild Hunter series, so go Raphael! Also, he has wings for god’s sake, ladies!!!
Lol yessss, voiced my opinion exactly!!! You cant compete with wings!!!!
Wrath. Hands down. No prob.
Raphael all the way
C’mon Raphael! Who dares compete against the Archangel of New York?? 😛
Love Raphael– No contest between the two, the Archangel wins. <3
It’s nearly tied
Wrath all the way!!
Ok, you have Wrath versus Raphael. Evil versus Good? Vampire versus Archangel? Crap! I love them both, but I picked Wrath. Lol
I love Wrath but Raphael all the way!
Looks good!
Raphael edges it just a smidge
Raphael always!
Wrath! He is the ultimate male. Loyal, loving, caring, fierce flipping warrior, no holds bar will tear your a&& up just to teach you a lesson and hug you right after, honest, treats females as equal to males in fighting and lets face it the male is a force to be reckoned with.. bred and natural born leader..
Wrath!
Raphael alll the way! But wrath will abviously win because this is a BDB post.
Raphael is amazing he deserves to win.
I love Wrath and the BDB series, but no one is more alpha than Raphael!
I voted for Rafael because The King was less than I expected for such a long book. And Rafael ALWAYS pleases me. . . . Er . . Did that come out right?
Love Wrath, Jr Ward is one of the best
wrath!!!
The Blind King.. all day…. idk who this other guy is… i don’t believe in reading other vamp novel.. BDB for life
Raphael. He is the best. Also Wrath is perfect, but Raphael the best 😀
Wrath is the KING and should win for sure!
I love them both, however, The Archangel is my heart he is so sexy!
I love love love Wrath more than Raphael. Raphael is a bigger badass though!
Raphael is hands down the bigger badass, but I will forever love JR Ward for giving us Blay and Qhuinn (hint hint* Sparkles and Bluebell!)
LOVE ME SOME BLIND KING WRATH!!!! <3 <3 <3
Oh Holy Hotness! Both of these men make me sweat! This is a really hard decision! I mean both are bad asses to the core. Hmmmmm I need a minute to think!
Raphael for sure!!
Raphael
Wrath is King
This one is hard and close but have to go with Raphael even thought Wrath is such a bad ass too. Tough decisions…
Wrath for sure
Wrath! Wrath! Wrath!
WRATH ALL THE WAY!!!