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This has been an intense Alpha Showdown. We have our first ever female alpha in the championship round. We have a newcomer in the finale. And we had some of the hottest contested battles in a long time (more than 10,000 votes when Kane fought Barrons). Take a look at the bracket for a recap of how it all went down.
Kane as proven himself against some all-time favorites like Jane Yellowrock, Mercy Thompson and Barrons. Kate Daniels defeated powerful alphas like Naasir, Raphael and Charles Cornick. This is going to be a hell of a match. Who will win and be crowned victor of Alpha Showdown 2016?
Your votes will 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: Blackthorn Series by Lindsay J. Pryor
First appeared in: Blood Shadows (Amazon)
Supernatural status: Master Vampire
Championed by: Tracey Rogers from Tracey Rogers Author
They say you always remember your first and you will remember this first timer. Step forward vampire, Kane Malloy. Not just any vampire, Kane, leader of the east side of Blackthorn, is a master vampire. A dual feeder, he’ll take your blood and your energy too. And you’ll thank him for it. With some serious skills, this bad boy can take down both the third and the fourth species.
Master vampire and a master of sex, Kane isn’t purely a vamp of action, he has the cunning label snagged too. He’s a game player, cleverly building his alliances and earning loyalty. He’s waited patiently in the shadows for years, plotting vengeance for the death of his sister, Arana, whilst remaining mindful of the Blackthorn prophecy and the looming war ahead. His enemies fear him and rightly so—with no soul, Kane will dare to go there. You want dark? Kane will go as dark as it gets.
Some say he’s a bad ass anti-hero, I say he’s a bad ass anti-hero—but maybe a little misunderstood. Fiercely protective of those he loves, he has his tender moments. So tender they’ll make you weep. He has a cobra tattoo guarding his heart, but still he let Caitlin in. But this vamp sure as hell doesn’t sparkle. He’ll have males fearing for their lives and females falling at his feet—with only his killer smirk. You’ll definitely want Kane on your side, you’ll want Kane all over you. Did I mention he has skills? Oh and a bow! Luscious navy eyes and a bow. Hello hotness.
‘I’ll make you feel as alive as I can. I’ll make your pulse race and your heart beat so fast it hurts.’ – Blood Dark
You’re asking for an alpha—he’s here. Kane’s loyal to those who deserve his loyalty and ruthless to those who don’t. Please don’t underestimate this vampire, he’s already sussed out the competition and smirked.
You know her from: The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: Your guess is as good as mine. Can we just say badass?
Championed by: Amy from VBC
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say most of you are already familiar with Kate Daniels. She’s been one of the staples of the annual Alpha Showdown since its inception in 2011.
Kate began the series trying to project herself as that of a lowly merc. Hiding does no good because it’s clear very early on that she’s packing some whopping power. With her predilection for finding trouble in all its forms, Kate has had plenty of opportunities over the course of the series to flex her muscles—both with her unmatched ability with her sword, and with her inherent knowledge of magic.
Kate has faced Gods, demi-gods, vampires, mages, legendary creatures, shifters gone loup, egotistical warlords, plus her own maniacal father—just to name a few. She’s come out on top each time not only because she’s a skilled fighter, but because she has the knowledge and understanding of so many religions and mythologies, and she uses that knowledge in cunning ways to thwart her enemies time and time and time again.
Putting all that aside, though, this is the year for the first ever female Alpha Showdown winner. No one deserves that title more than Kate Daniels.
Now for some facts*:
Kate Daniels has made it farther in the competition than any other female contestant.
Not only is she the most nominated female, she’s also one of the most nominated competitors in general for the competition (male or female).
Besides Kate, only Kate’s honey-bunny, Ethan Sullivan, and Bones have been nominated as many times. And out of these Kate has bested both Curran and Bones in past years (Kate has yet to be put up against Darth Sullivan, but I’m confident that if that comes to pass she’ll wipe the floor with him too).
You, dear fans, have made the effort to vote Kate Daniels into the competition year after year and now is your chance to crown her the 2016 Alpha Showdown Champion!
When the time comes click Vote: Kate Daniels.
*All research was done by yours truly, any errors are my fault.
Who are you putting your money on: Kane or Kate?
At the request of Alpha Showdown voters, we’re leveraging traditional polls for the voting, but also keeping reading for your chance to win awesome books. Your to-be-read pile could always use more. Trust us. Each poll will be open for 48 hours.
Participating in the Alpha Showdown is all about fun, and free books equal fun, right? We hope you’ll find lots of great new reads during this year’s Alpha Showdown, and to help that along, we’re giving away some stellar reads.
For the championship round, we needed an championship-level prize. So how about an ARC of Nalini Singh’s Allegiance on Honor?
Omg first one to comment!!!! Kane and Kate are both tied for 2 votes
Kate Daniels all the way… She is the true ALPHA of this competition!
Kate Daniels all the way!
kate 4 the win!
Go Kate!
Kane always and forever baby <3
KATE!! KATE!!! KATE!!!
Kate FTW!!
Kane is the Master!
Kate all the way. Sorry Kane
Kane all the way… <3
Two worthy champions, but Kane all the way for me.
Kane Malloy all the way for me,he is one hot badass sexy Master Vampire.The Blackthorn series is a must read then u will then understand what we r all talking about…..Kane all the way.
Kate, always. Come on Kate people! VOTE!!!
Kane all the way!
Kane all the way!
Come On!!! Kane for the win. Blackthorn is an amazing series. XxX
Always Kate!
Though Kate is pretty amazing, I absolutely have to go with my vamp! Kane to win!!!!!
In this case Kate 😉
Go Kate!!! she may be a little behind now but i’m sure she can win!!!! GO KATE!
Well, now I am familiar with Kane but I’d say Kate would win so vote goes to her…even if he is awesome with a bow ;p
Kane all the way for me. He’ll always be my Alpha.
I re-read Blood Shadows and Blood Dark at the weekend, inspired by this Showdown and those books get better and better.
Come on Kane !
KATE!KATE!KATE! I purchased Blood Shadow, because of the showdown, and I’m not impressed. Still have a few chapters left, but Kane and the rest of the characters haven’t won me over yet. Kate is by far my favorite.
You need to keep reading Julie. and not just the 1st book!
Kane Kane Kane!! I love my master vampire! He’s had me since the first few chapters!! Hot!!!!
I started reading book one on a free preview. Then I bought the book instantly! Once I was done book 1 I got the remaining 4!!!!
Hard not to like Kate, but I loooooove Kare. So easy choice for me. Kane, Kane, Kane all the way
Kate all the way xxx
Kane all the way xxx
My phone seems to have put Kate instead of Kane xxx
Go Kate!
I adore Kane. Really hope he wins but this one will be tough! go Kane!
Go Kate!
MY vamp to win (no one else’s). Kane Go Kane.
Love the Blackthorn Series!!! Kane for the win!!!
I haven’t read either, but might need to move they up on the TBR!
Kate for the win! Yet to read the Blackthorn series, but Kate will always get my vote.
Kate to win, I thought Blood Shadows was average and Kane doesn’t seem to have any special abilities – how could he take down someone as kick-ass as Kate?
Keep reading through the series, and you’ll learn more about special abilities/skills he has; trust me, he’s not one you want to underestimate 😛
Kane will always get my vote <3
I seriously love vampires and Kane is the Master. So, its Kane for me but I love seeing all the enthusiasm for PNR books and authors!
KANE TO WIN!!! Blackthorn is a fab series, yet to read another book/series that’s hooked me like this has. love this comp my TBR pile has shot up!!
Kate! One tough cookie.
GO KATE!
Kate can do it! She can do anything 😀
Kane FTW! Not only is he an expert archer but as a Master vampire that has been charged with playing a role in the prophecy of the Tryan, he’s a master swordsman as well- not to mention all the knowledge he has gained on magics and various fourth species that are always deadly! He’s not one that you want to underestimate 😀
I think Kate needs to go on my TBR pile, but I’m a Blackthorn girl through and through, Master Vampire Kane for the win.
Go Kane!!!
I have to go with Kate!!!
Kate needs to win! She is the true Alpha winner of this competition. She’s already taken out some of the biggest and baddest Alphas. She can certainly handle another Master Vampire.
Kate Daniels all the way!!
Kate! It has to be Kate. She takes over vampire minds and destroys them. Just because she does not have a penis does not mean that she can’t pound someone into the ground and make them wish they were dead.
Kate, the ultimate Alpha. 🙂