Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
From VBC: It’s Valentine’s Day, and since my favorite book boyfriend is Zsadist, we’re talking about him today. I like ’em broody and conflicted. Out of the kindness of my heart (and my woefully full schedule), I agreed to let Louise borrow Zsadist for the day in the name of Character Love Letters. In her love letter to the scarred Black Dagger Brotherhood member, she’ll remind you why he’s a constant... 
Did you really think I could have an event like this without a fun giveaway, too? With two weeks of Character Love Letters under our belts, and two more to go, it’s time for your chance to write your own letter to the book boyfriend of your choosing. Doing so may win you two books and new jewelry. Maybe you’re swooning over one of the guys we are — Barrons or Rehvenge, perhaps? Or maybe like Terrible from... 
From VBC: Like we could have a Character Love Letters feature and not write to the champion of our Alpha Showdown? Pssh! Bells says what we all think to Barrons in the letter below. She tells him he’s an arrogant jerk, but we love him for it. Remember why you wanted to say his name by reading her letter to Jericho Z. Barrons. Dear Barrons, Let me start this letter off by saying… you rock my world! I knew... 
Note: We’ll have letters to four characters from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series by the end of Character Love Letters. Rehvenge was on Monday and Kelly — excuse me Khelly — solicited shirtless photos from the sympath. Today, Synde barters with Vishous on wax color and inflates the Brother’s ego a bit more. She doesn’t say it, but we’re willing to bet she wouldn’t mind him coming up behind her... 
As you read yesterday, I loved Karen Mahoney’s latest novel The Wood Queen. The just-released-today novel has a love interest who can be incredibly sweet and gentlemanly. He can also be a bit infuriating at times. Xan is often shirtless. The letter below isn’t spoiler-y, so if you’ve yet to read The Iron Witch, you’re safe, too. Read on as Xan tries to be romantic and write Donna a love letter. Bonus:... 
The Wood Queen (The Iron Witch #2) Karen Mahoney Published: Feb. 8, 2012 (Flux) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: This review contains no spoilers for The Wood Queen, however it does make reference to events in the first novel The Iron Witch. If you liked Karen Mahoney’s The Iron Witch, be prepared to love The Wood Queen. While the first novel introduced us to Donna’s...
UPDATED WITH RESPONSE FROM BRAN! From VBC: Today we’re swooning over a werewolf from not one, but two urban fantasy series. Mandi just can’t shake her attraction to Bran, and the fact his wife hates him only makes her want him more. Read on to find out why the shifter from Patricia Briggs’ series tops Mandi’s list. Dear Bran, I am choosing to write a love letter to you not only because I am a hussy for... 
Eternal Captive (Mark of the Vampire #3) Laura Wright Published: Feb. 7, 2012 (Piatkus Books) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Reviewed by: Candace Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Eternal Captive, the third installment in the Mark of the Vampire series, was the one I have been anticipating the most. It had some big shoes to fill. Nicholas Roman brought sexy back in a big way in book two of the... 
From VBC: Time for another character love letter. Kelly’s adoration for the mohawked club owner from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series is blatant, and we love her for it. We also really love how she negotiates for a shirtless picture of Rehvenge. Now, if only we can get her to share that photo… Dear Rehvenge, You might remember me from Zero Sum. I was the girl stalking you through the halls and... 
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for February 2012. All dates are U.S. and tentative. I’ve included genre classification with each book: UF is urban fantasy, PNR is paranormal romance, F is fantasy and YA is young adult. FEBRUARY 2 Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne YA Pulse by Tricia Rayburn (Siren #2) YA FEBRUARY 7... 
