Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
![Round 5: Adam Hauptman vs. Dragos Cuelebre [Alpha Showdown 2013]](http://vampirebookclub.net/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/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 five is shifter time. Both Adam and Dragos know how to lead their people, but how will they fare in a fight?... 
Fury of Fire (Dragonfury #1)
Coreene Callahan
Published: Feb. 14, 2012 (Montlake Romance)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Reviewed by: Mary
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
At first glance, Coreene Callahan’s Fury of Fire (Dragonfury #1) seems to meet all the requirements for your typical paranormal romance reader. Hot-head alpha male: check. Otherworldly abilities (in this case, dragon... 
Lord’s Fall (Elder Races #5)
Thea Harrison
Published: Nov. 6, 2012 (Berkley)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Reviewed by: Candace
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars
I’ve faced monsters and demons and nightmares that most people have never heard of, but you have always scared me the most. We might make a list of pretty words that we can call each other or use for our relationship, but I don’t feel... 
As happens from time-to-time here at VBC, I’m making an executive decision. We’ve had Thea Harrison’s Dragon Bound in the group read poll several times, and it always just misses being selected. Well, I had it on my physical to-read shelf for a long time. I quit waiting and finally read the book last month and Oh My God it was fantastic.
In the interest of good reading everywhere,... 
Dragon Bound (Elder Races #1)
Thea Harrison
Published: May 2011 (Berkley Sensation)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Reviewed by: Chelsea
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars
Lately I’ve been trying to make time for the highly recommended books on my to-read shelf. The ones I bought on a friend’s recommendation and then got so busy with new review books that I didn’t sit down and, you know,... 
My other online home Heroes & Heartbreakers has snagged an exclusive release from Donna Grant. The novella, called Dark Craving, will go up in three parts on July 23, 24 and 25. Here’s the official blurb:
Fueled by ancient magic—and enflamed by human desire—the Dragon King known as Hal can transform himself at will into one of the legendary winged creatures he is sworn to protect. But one... 
The Dragon Who Loved Me (Dragon Kin #5)
G.A. Aiken
Published: Sept. 1, 2011 (Kensington)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Review by: Kelly from Reading the Paranormal
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
I have to come right out and say this: I had no idea that G.A. Aiken and Shelly Laurenston were the same person. Or different sides of the same person. Or one body, two peeps. However you want to look at it.... 
Vanish (Firelight #2)
Sophie Jordan
Published: Sept. 6, 2011 (Harper Teen)
Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars
Note: While there are no spoilers for Vanish, we’ll give away the ending of Firelight. If you haven’t read the first book, read my review of Firelight instead.
In Firelight, Jacinda longed to return to her Draki home. She wanted to fly, she... 
Dark Embers (Dragon’s Heat #1)
Tessa Adams
Published: 2010 (NAL)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
Phoebe has been researching lupus ever since it claimed her mother and sister. Unfortunately, Harvard has just nixed her grant money. That’s when Dylan enters her life. The dragon king is losing members of his clan to a vicious illness, and he thinks getting human... 
We’ve taken a little break from Waiting on Wednesday posts, but we thought you could use a little visual stimulation. EONA offers up big-scale fantasy, a strong woman, strong men and effin’ swords. The follow-up to Alison Goodman’s EON, EONA hits shelves on April 19.
If you dig the trailer, you can pre-order EONA from Book Depository or... 
