It’s the start of the sixth annual Alpha Showdown here at Vampire Book Club, and we aren’t messing around. Almost every year we’ve run this event, the Jane Yellowrock fans have come out for their girl. This year, though, Jane Yellowrock (from Faith Hunter’s series of the same name) had the most nomination votes of any character. Will this be her year? There’s stiff competition, just look at the bracket!
We have fresh faces this year, too, and one of them—Kane Malloy from Lindsay J. Pryor’s Blackthorn series— is going to try to take out Jane in round one. Can he do it? Who will advance in the Showdown, though?
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 Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter
First appeared in: Skinwalker (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Skinwalker
Championed by: Margaret from VBC
Urban fantasy is the genre for girl power. It’s dominated by female authors—in fact, all of this year’s Showdown contenders come from series written (or in one case co-written) by women. And it’s a genre full of powerful heroines. So why is it that we’ve never had a female Alpha Showdown champion? We have five ladies in the running this year, the most there have ever been, so this is the year to make it happen.
Let me tell you why Jane Yellowrock is just the woman for the job.
When we first met Jane seven years and ten books ago in Skinwalker, she was already a leather-clad, Harley-riding, vampire-hunting badass. But since then, she’s grown into a true alpha. Jane’s always been a little bit faster and a little bit stronger than human, but she’s become an expert fighter with blades and stakes stashed all over her body, even in her hair. She’s always had the ability to shift into animal forms, but she’s developed a half form with a big cat’s teeth and claws. And, as if she wasn’t already powerful enough, she’s gained the ability to stop time, which gives her an advantage in any battle.
Jane’s also built a team of equally badass people who all follow her lead. Soldiers, witches, vampires, and even the Master of the City, though he’d never admit it, all look to Jane for direction. They don’t follow her because she can kick their asses, though she totally could, but because she does what’s right and looks out for others. Jane’s grown from the “stake first, ask questions later” vampire hunter she once was into a leader who understands the supernatural community and its politics.
And if that’s not reason enough to vote for Jane, consider that you also get two alphas for the price of one. Jane has two souls, her own and that of an ancient mountain lion she calls Beast. Beast gives Jane extra speed and strength, cat-like reflexes, superior eyesight and a better understanding of her enemies even when she’s in human form. And just like Jane, Beast protects the weak. She has a particular soft spot for children.
Jane and Beast are formidable, they’re tenacious, and they’ve brought backup. They can take on any alpha and finally bring home a Showdown championship for the women.
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.
Who are you putting your money on: the Skinwalker or the vampire?
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.
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 Round 1, we have a copy of Katie Reus’s Avenger’s Heat up for grabs. It’s from her paranormal romance Moon Shifter series, and VBC’s Jo loved it.
Love this showdown! Always find new books to read!
Jane!! Wait…Jane’s Edmund didn’t get nominated, did he?
Jane all the way.
Jane 😉
Definitely Jane!!!
#TeamKane all the way! Love the Blackthorn series.
Go Jane!
Alpha Kane all the way!!
My comment is that I posted to Twitter and FB and it didn’t give me my extra entries. Oh well. Good luck to whoever you vote for!
We only do an extra entry for sharing on Twitter. Just paste the link to your tweet into the field on the Rafflecopter form and submit it, and it will give you the extra entry.
Jane all the way!
Team Yellowrock! But I love Alpha Showdown because I add new books to my TBR pile, I am forever grateful that I found Kate and Curran through the showdown.
Go Jane!
jane yellowrock!
The Jane Yellowrock series is my favorite! Jane rocks!
Jane is such a well rounded heroine – tough when it counts, very conscious of what’s going on around her and well totally KA when the rubber meets the road – Jane Yellowrock for me!
I am going to have to read or listen to the Jane Yellowrock series some time soon.
There isn’t a fang head on earth who could defeat Jane!
Thanks for the chance!
Jane all the way!!!
Go Jane all the way!
VLAD! TEPESH ALL THE WAY!
Crap, that’s another day. *looks up* Ooh, two new books to go on the reading list. Jane is hammering Kane, so I tossed a vote his way. But she’s got to be pretty badass, so I’m totally getting reading her.
Jane Yellowrock! Every time a new one comes out, I spend the days before listening to the entire series again on Audible! Then, I listen to the new one at least twice!
Jane Yellowrock!
Go Jane!!
Kane all the way love Blackthorn series
Jane is the best!! Go Jane!
Kane, Kane, Kane!
Come on Kane, love Blackthorn. Such an amazing series. X
Love KANE! One of the best characters ever!
Go Jane Go!!!
Jane is my favorite. Go Jane!!!
Jane all the way! She’s even better than ever in the newest book! Don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t read it yet but it’s fantastic!
Jane of course though Kane seems quite interesting. 🙂 Thanks for this awesome showdown. Always find new authors to explore
I am a HUGE Jane fan!!!
JANE!!
Love Kane
Great first match!
Absolutely love Jane! I look forward to the alpha showdown every year.
Love me an Alpha Showdown
Yellowrock fun !
I have not read any of these series. But they will be added to my TBR pile.
I went with Kane. He sounds hella interesting for me.
Come on Kane!! Love the Blackthorn series ❤
Time these tough as nails, kick butt heroines get some lovin’ Jane Yellowrock all the way!
Jane Yellowrock….one of the all time best!
Kane is my favourite bad boy of all time, gotta love the Blackthorn vampires!
I posted to twitter but didnt get extra votes?
Oh well kane all the way
Kane!
Jane, Jane, Jane!!!
Jane, of course.
Kane is my man, love Jane and Beast but Kane is just…..ahhhhhh