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It’s officially time for Alpha Showdown 2013! You made your nominations and we have 16 of the most badass, alpha characters from urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels locked into the bracket. Only one will be named champion and today’s first bout is sure to end in a knockout.
Round seven is sure to be a tough one. Last year’s champion Curran returns to battle Alpha Showdown newcomer Holden from Sierra Dean’s Secret McQueen series. Your votes decide who is the most alpha.
Read the pitches, then make the call. Who should advance to the next round in the Alpha Showdown? The poll at the end of this post will be open for two days. Remember, alphas don’t share titles. Your votes decide who advances in the Alpha Showdown 2013.
New for 2013! Every (non-spam) comment on an Alpha Showdown post will enter you to win books featuring the final four alphas. So make sure to join the discussion and cheer on your favorite alphas.
CurranYou know him from: The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites (VBC review)
Supernatural status: Beast Lord (shifter)
Championed by: Christen from Goldilox and the Three Weres | @Goldilox3Weres
Are you serious? Do I even have to work to convince you of Curran’s Alpha dominance? He is THE BEAST LORD for heaven’s sake! The king of the shapeshifters! The leader of the Pack! A giant freaking lion! Kitty kitty! Oh wait…forget that last one.
Curran is THE alphaiest Alpha out there. He drips authority (and sexiness…and charm…) all over the place. He commands the respect and adoration of the entire Pack and even though he rules with an iron fist, he still manages to be fair, logical, and compassionate. He is a force to be reckoned with, from the roar to the claws to the battle-tested fighting ability – Curran’s the Lord for a reason.
He’s also an Alpha when it comes to romance. I mean, how can you not vote for the man who brought Kate Daniels to her knees? The man who looked in the face of her snarky ‘kitty kitty’ and demanded she cook him dinner in the buff! Who else can make you dream about killing a dinosaur together and then having sex in the dirt? Who else can you lovingly describe as a psychopathic control freak? Who else demands you call him, “Lord” with all seriousness? Who else will glue your ass to your chair and you will still love him? There. Is. No. Other.
So, we’re in agreement then? Just go ahead and vote for Curran so he can take his rightful place as Alpha of this showdown. If you don’t, he will know. And since he is kind of a major badass…you might be in trouble.
HoldenYou know him from: The Secret McQueen series by Sierra Dean
First appeared in: The Secret Guide To Dating Monsters
Supernatural status: Pure Bad Arse Modern Vampire
Championed by: Tori from Smexy Books/Heroes and Heartbreakers/RT Magazine | @smexys_sidekick
Standing over 6 feet tall and dressing like he stepped out of GQ Magazine…Holden Chancery demands you bow to his superior alpha-ness. Brimming with snark and skill—he can destroy you both verbally and physically. As Secret’s former handler and now her right hand man, Holden rolls with the punches and adapts to the roles he needs to play. Like a chameleon, quiet and unassuming, he lulls you into a sense of false security then goes for the killing blow.
Born in ye merry olde England, this former farm hand went from the fields to the manor when he was changed to a vampire. Gifted with the ability to infiltrate your dreams, Holden keeps you on your toes, offering seduction or death, depending on your kink. He is dependable, loyal, cunning, diabolical, and dangerous with a capital D. You definitely want him ON your side.
Alpha isn’t always being the biggest and strongest…sometimes it’s being the most clever. Whether offering fashion advice or plotting ways to dispose of a body, Holden is the only Alpha who will survive this showdown.
This poll will be open for 48 hours. Alpha with the most votes will advance.
Curran HAS won before. It’s time for a new alpha!
You heard the lady! Fresh (alpha) meat! Nom.
HOLDEN!
No competition! CURRAN! CURRAN! CURRAN!
I’m thinking Curran won for a reason lol… He’s definately alpha! Good luck to Holden though.
Curran when are you going to dump Kate? you know we are meant to be together
Don’t you steal my man…
Curran is the most strong, powerfull, handsome, protector, awesome Alpha of the world. Plus, he has an unbelievable sense of humour !!!!!
Oh yes !!!
“To answer to your question, yes, you may kiss my ass. Normally I prefer maintain my personnal space, but you’re a friend of the Pack and your services have proven usefull once or twice. I strive to accomodate the wishes of persons friendly to my people. My only question is, would kissing my ass be obeisance, grooming, or foreplay ? ”
So funny !!! Go Curran !!!!
I do love Holden but Curran is most definitely the alpha here. Out of Secrets world I think Sig would stand a much better chance against the Beast Lord. Do you hear me, Ms Dean?Please give us more Sig, pretty please? 🙂
I haven’t read either of these series yet. Who to choose, who to choose?
You can’t go wrong with either. Both yummy and great characters.
Curran. Hands down. I have never met an Alpha that makes me laugh and respect as much as Curran.
Holden!!
Curran sounds like the right mix of alpha-ness.
Sorry Holden, I like you a lot, but Curran is
The Man
This should not be very difficult!!! 😉
I have to go with Curran on this one (most awesomesauce character out there).
I love Curran!
There is always one pairing that makes me think I need to read more. This one is it this round. *adding to the TBR*
This one was easy! Curran for sure!
For once no hesitation no indecision. Curran all the way. His Highness has no qualms about doing the right thing. Even if others dont see it. He cares about his people. Curran is the Beast with the most. 🙂
I voted for Curran but someone better take him down in the later rounds, he can’t win two years in a row! 🙂
I think Curran winning two years in a row is a better option than some of the other choices. *coughRyodancough* 🙂
*cough cough gurgle i agree cough cough*
So agree hope Ryodan don’t win
There is no competition! Curran is the better alpha!
Not difficult at all this one. CURRAN
Curran is the obvious choice. For me anyway.
Curran will always get my vote!
Curran has my vote!
Really?? no competition here Curran all the way, there is a reason why he won last year!
Holden who? I didn’t even read the article, Curran is my Alpha! Curran FTW!
You should check out the Secret McQueen series, too, though. Holden is yummy and Secret is badass. Worth adding to the TBR.
Holden!
Come on ladies let’s make it quick and clean!!!!
C U R R A N ! ! ! ! !
Love curran
I’m sorry Sierra I love Holden I really do and I voted for Secret but Curran is the Beast Lord!
I’ve only read the Kate Daniels series, so I guess it’s Curran for the win!
I don’t know either of them…how about THEM apples! LOL!! But…I voted for Curran! 🙂
No contest. Curran all the way.
It has to be Curran. I adore “his Fussiness”.
I need more books! I haven’t read either of these! =) I love hearing about good new series! =)
I love Curran!
I have added Secret to my TBR list, but, sorry Ms. Dean, even if I had read them, Curran has my vote. If no one wants a character to win a second year, then Curran should not have entered the competition. I am not sure Adam holds a higher place in my …heart, yeah, that’s it!
Oh hey, a bracket I probably won’t lose!! (Thus my curse ends!) Yay Curran 😀 😀 (Sorry Holden, you’re swell – but it’s, it’s his beastly majesty!!)
Unless the next 200+ votes goes to Holden, Curran is going to win hands down.
Anything is possible in the Showdown. We had 400+ votes change the game in the final hours of the Vlad vs. Christian round. The Holden fans have more than a day to rally.
Curran looks like a lock, but things can change in the Showdown.
This will be brutal! Go Curran, go! Make us proud!
Beast Lord, ‘Nuff said!
Secret is on TBR list but sorry, Curran is the clear winner of this and every round in my opinion, I’m with you all the way Beast Lord!
Curran, but I must read about Holden in the Secret McQueen series. It’s now on my TBR.
Oh please! Holden is great and all – but an Alpha? Pfffft. No. Sorry. Curran is ALPHA. Holden is a lackey – a sexy powerful one …but still a lackey. Now the blond hulk of muscle and sexiness (forgot his name…) leading the Council (in McQueen Series) whoooooooooooboy! He could contend in the Alpha comp. Holden? Not so much.
The name is Sig and ITA, he would stand a much better chance against the Beast Lord.
Thanks! Yes, Sig.
Curran has my vote. He is the ultimate alpha. I love him and Kate.
I don’t like Curran… I just don’t get it with him. But I don’t know Holden.. so I will leave this one to the rest of the readers 🙂
I’ll vote for Holden…cleverness and smexyness together would win any day 🙂
Woohoo Curran!!! I’m so glad you all recognize the ALPHA that is Curran!!!
Curran! He is Alpha to the bone. Holden is metrosexual to the bone
Curran is a freakin Beast Lord!!! Holden, really? He’s not even my fave in the Secret series (Desmond)…So my vote is for Kate’s man!
Curran, nuff said
Curran hands down and two years just shows his alpha status