Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
One of the great things about conventions like Authors After Dark is how accessible the authors are to readers. This wasn’t just a meet an author for a minute at a signing, but time to really hang out as friends. After several versions of this recap, I’ve decided to do this the same way I handle True Blood recaps for Heroes & Heartbreakers: highlights and snark. No order here. Just awesomeness and plenty... 
Short and sweet today because I’m on vacation. I’ll bring y’all back something nice! Oath Bound Cover and Blurb I can get a little bit fangirl over Rachel Vincent books. They tend to tie me up in knots. I’m excited to see we now have a cover and blurb for the third book in her Unbound series Oath Bound. (If you haven’t read the series, click over to my review of Blood Bound.) Oath Bound is set for a Feb.... 
Rachel Vincent Talks Soul Screamers Spoilers I won’t embed the video here because of the spoilers, but if you’re up-to-date on the Soul Screamers series and missed Rachel Vincent’s live chat, never fear! The whole thing is posted online. It’s 70 minutes of Rachel talking all things Soul Screamers and answering questions (with lots of spoilers). Blurb for The Indigo Spell I am silly excited for the next... ![Auction: Urban Fantasy Set 1 featuring Jim Butcher, Allison Pang, Jaye Wells, Seanan McGuire, E.S. Moore and Kylie Griffin [Books Fighting Cancer]](http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1329104700l/8058301.jpg)
Big traditional urban fantasy fan? Oh, do we have the auction for you. One lot of eight stellar books and swag for the ultimate urban fantasy fan. Highest bidder will take home: Signed, first edition of Jim Butcher’s Ghost Story Signed copies of both A Brush of Darkness and A Sliver of Shadow by Allison Pang Character named in an upcoming novella by Jaye Wells (She wants to remind you this is a Jaye Wells... 
It’s been a busy week at VBC HQ, so we’ll jump right into the news after reminding you to enter our giveaways for a signed copy of Lothaire and a copy of Cinder. First taste of Iced Karen Marie Moning has officially started teasing her Fever series spinoff Iced. The short teaser posted this week is good. I have been fretting over this novel, because the protagonist is Dani O’Malley — the irritating young... 
I’m lucky to have Jaye Wells living in the same metro area, because I get to visit her book signings often. (Really, the woman is probably sick of me.) Last Friday night she held a fun signing event for the just-released fourth Sabina Kane novel, Silver-Tongued Devil. In addition to nabbing my own signed copy, I picked up one just for VBC readers. I haven’t read it yet, as I’ve been entrenched in another... 
Well, it’s no secret I loved Jaye Wells’ Red-Headed Stepchild (spoiler-free review). If you’ve already finished the book and are itching to chat, the spoiler discussion thread is now up. I’m really looking forward to hearing what you think of Sabina, Giguhl and everyone else. It’s already time to start thinking about the December group read. (I’ll give you a moment to process that. Sneaky holidays,... 
Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane #1) Jaye Wells Published: 2009 (Orbit) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars I love when you finish a book craving the next in the series. That’s how things go with Jaye Wells’ Red-Headed Stepchild. Wells weaves a tale of unending rejection, resolve in new friends and a chance for both redemption and revenge. (Go ahead, just order the...
I’m doing something a little different today. Most of the time we do a poll for the group read, but so many times Red-Headed Stepchild misses out on being our group read by a vote or two. You want to read it. I want to talk about it. Cue executive decision: the November group read will be Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells. The novel is great urban fantasy with magic, vampires and one hell of a sidekick.... 
I’m planning something fun for Halloween. It will require some participation though. You’ve been warned. Until then, dig into Book Bits. Authors talk badass heroines at NYCC I couldn’t attend New York Comic Con, but luckily NAL/Berkley decided to film the great “We’re No Angels” panel. Top urban fantasy and paranormal authors got to together to chat about their strong female characters in SF/F. On the... 
