Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
A Note from Chelsea / VBC: All the suggested poolside reading lists we see online point to cheeky contemporary novels or lighthearted romps. Well, at VBC we know there are plenty of books featuring paranormal elements, badass heroines and sexy heroes that are perfect for reading out under the sun. So, of course, we’ve decided to do our own Beach Reads picks. Each Friday for the next several weeks, we’ll... ![Round 6: Eric Northman vs. Qhuinn [Alpha Showdown 2013]](http://vampirebookclub.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/VBC-HomeofAlphaShowdown-67822_200x200.jpg)
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 six puts vampire against vampire. The Viking vampire from Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series is known to be... 
Dead Ever After (Sookie Stackhouse #13) Charlaine Harris Published: May 7, 2013 (Ace) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Reviewed by: Chelsea Rating (out of 5): 2.5 stars If I could use only one word to describe this final volume in the Sookie Stackhouse series, it would be meh. After the ruckus online about the ending of Charlaine Harris’ popular series, I was sure I’d finish this book either...
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for May 2013. All dates are U.S. and tentative. Also: Click the title of any book to visit the Amazon page for pre-order or purchase goodness. I’ve included genre classification with each book: UF is urban fantasy, PNR is paranormal romance, F is fantasy and YA is young adult. MAY 2... 
I’ve had a higher-than-usual number of book recommendation requests on the VBC Facebook page and via Twitter of late. While I can, of course, just point you to the recommendations section, I decided to take a look at the most popular reviews here at VBC. Consider this post your quick access to the books reviews VBC readers found helpful. TOP 10 MOST POPULAR VBC REVIEWS Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris... 
If you’re a regular reader here, you know I value strong world building in novels. I’m more likely to give a book a rare 5-star rating if the mythology for the world feels real. This is especially true when the world is so vivid that the most fantastical elements becomes downright plausible. I need everything to make sense. I appreciate the logic authors put into the rules within their books. Even if they... 
Both Eric Northman and Kate Daniels were able to take out foes with formidable fandoms in their first matches, but how will they fare against each other in the Alpha Showdown Round 12? Viking vampire Eric Northman was able to slay a member of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (Tohrment). Kate Daniels took out ultimate enforcer Terrible. Fangs or blade will take one of these two onward in the Showdown. You get...
My gut says Round 7 of the Alpha Showdown 2012 is going to be another close call. Two vampires — always favorites here at VBC — and they both have huge followings. Things will get bloody. I’m okay with that. Today we see Eric Northman, the Viking vampire from Charlaine Harris’ ultra popular Sookie Stackhouse books, take on Tohrment, one of the beloved members of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. Will... 
Deadlocked (Sookie Stackhouse #12) Charlaine Harris Published: May 1, 2012 (Ace) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Note: While this review has no spoilers for Deadlocked, it does reference events from Dead Reckoning. Vampire trouble. Werewolf problems. Fairy plotting. Relationship woes. A murder. It must be May, because we only get that mix when it’s time for a new Sookie...
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for May 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. MAY 1 Bitterblue by Kristin Cashmore (Graceling Realm #3) YA Black Dawn by Rachel Caine (Morganville... 
