Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Do you ever wonder how your favorite supernaturals would celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Or think you’d like to jump into their world to join in the celebration? Us, too. We’d much rather hit up a vampire-filled bar than chug green beer with humans. Here are five of our favorite fictional bars to help you make the perfect party (reading) plans. 1. Howler’s from the Nocturne Falls series by Kristen Painter... 
The Myth Manifestation (SPI Files #5) Lisa Shearin Published: Jan. 16, 2018 (NLA Digital) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: library Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books in the series. Supernaturals from all over the world, and other worlds, have gathered at the Regor Regency Hotel in New York... 
Burn Bright (Alpha and Omega #5) Patricia Briggs Published: Mar. 6, 2018 (Ace) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Cry Wolf.... 
Lake Silence (The Others #6) Anne Bishop Published: Mar. 6, 2018 (Ace) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Written in Red. The... 
That Killer Smile (Bite Nights #3) Juliet Lyons Published: Feb. 6, 2018 (Sourcebooks Casablanca) Purchase: Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Dating the... 
We couldn’t let Valentine’s Day go by without talking about romance. For me, romance is comfort food all year long. You know it’s going to have a happy ending, even if it rips your heart out on the way there. Readers can also find comfort in the fact that most romances have at least one recognizable trope that lets you say, “Oh, it’s this kind of story.” Here are some of my faves: Friends to Lovers These... 
The Emerald Lily (Vampire Blood #4) Juliette Cross Published: Jan. 29, 2018 (Entangled) Purchase: Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous boooks. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, The Black Lily. So... 
Lions and Tigers and Boys Tawny Stokes Published: Jan. 8, 2018 (Entangled) Purchase: Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Margaret Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Okay, so Ocean’s Eleven meets The Wizard of Oz . . . at the circus. Is your mind blown? That’s what I was thinking after the first chapter. But let me explain. Dani Gale promised her dying... 
Last month we talked about series that ended too soon. But a new year is a time for new beginnings, so we want to share some of our favorite series that have gotten a second life through self-publishing. If you primarily read e-books you may not have even noticed a difference, but the transition to self-publishing generally means books are only available online. So if you prefer to shop in a brick and... 
I love a good binge read, though I don’t get to do it as often as I did before I started reviewing. But there’s a problem with reading like that—if not enough people buy the series when it first comes out, there won’t be enough books to binge. So when you find a series you love, don’t wait to buy all the books, check them out from the library, and tell everyone you’ve ever met how much you love it. A... 
