Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Last week Jo reviewed Amanda Carlson’s Hot Blooded. And she loved it. I mean loved it. She compared the Jessica McClain series to one of her favorites: Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld. From Jo that’s insane praise.
If you’ve already read Full Blooded (Chelsea’s VBC review) and pre-ordered Hot Blooded, which releases tomorrow, then what’s left? You’re a... 
I’m a big fan of Karen Mahoney’s writing. Both her nerd-girl vampire Moth from Falling to Ash and alchemist Donna Underwood from the Iron Witch trilogy are young adult protagonists I connect with and ones that resonate with teen readers, too. The third book in the Iron Witch trilogy The Stone Demon releases today. It is excellent (and Donna wears a really gorgeous dress at one point, which made me wish... 
Are you eager to read the finale for Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices trilogy? Need that hardback to complete your set? You’re in luck, then.
We have two copies of Clockwork Princess to giveaway to VBC readers. Hit the Rafflecopter form below to enter. Contest is open to U.S. addresses only. Be sure to enter on or before March 31.
Danger intensifies for the Shadowhunters as the New York Times... 
I’ve always been drawn to different mythologies and folklore. Norse, Greek, Celtic, Asian…there are so many wonderful, epic stories out there, I find something new every time I settle in with a fat reference book. If I’m struggling to start a new story, there is always some kernel of an idea that will pop up in some obscure tidbit. And I love when real world stories coincide with those of legend.
My... 
Here’s the setting of the Lady Lazarus trilogy: Europe on the eve of World War II. The protagonist, witch Magda Lazarus, travels a world ready to explode, in search of her magical inheritance.
That’s kind of like saying that I live in 21st century America — not too specific!
Here are five particular spots you will visit with my characters when you crack open the pages of Lady Lazarus,... 
One of the most important elements in the Shaede Assassin series (for me, anyway) are the flash back scenes. I think it helps to give the reader a more rounded story and better insight to Darian’s character when you can see what events have molded her present. I wrote a scene from Darian’s past that didn’t make it into Crave the Darkness (out today), and though it’s an unhappy memory, it was one... 
Karina Cooper’s Dark Mission series is one of my favorites. You’ll find it on the VBC paranormal romance recommendations page for a reason. All her couples spark with sexual tension. It doesn’t matter if they’re running from the bad guys, trying to decide which side they’re on, saving lives or, you know, making soup. The chemistry is there.
When I finished Sacrifice the... 
Both Jo and I put Amanda Carlson’s debut Full Blooded on our Best of 2012 lists. It has that breakneck pacing I enjoy and more than one super sexy shifter. Put that in a nice urban fantasy landscape, and well, we’re fans. However, if you read the first book, you know Jess isn’t exactly the mushy type and Rourke and her have a bit of forced distance until we get more in the second book Hot... 
I finally was able to meet Cynthia Eden last weekend at the Olde City, New Blood mini-convention. She’s delightful, and her love for paranormal romance—especially the alpha nature that is often inherent with vampires—was obvious. If you haven’t tried her The Fallen series yet (vampires and fallen angels), I suggest it. Read my review of Angel of Darkness for possible convincing.
Or, better... 
Lynsay Sands knows how to write a romance that readers get wrapped up in. Today we have a special treat in seeing this love letter from Anders to Valerie, the hero and heroine of her upcoming book Immortal Ever After. (Character Love Letters always brings the romance, though.)
The latest Argeneau book will release on Feb. 26, though you can pre-order it now. If you’re not current with the vampire... 
