Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
A couple weeks ago I joked on Twitter that I was in need of a book boyfriend Advent calendar. There was quite a bit of “yes, please!” from others, but no one could find a good one. Clearly, this was up to me. So, to make the chaotic holiday season a little more fun and a lot more sexy, we’re going to feature a book boyfriend every day for the next 25 days. That’s right. Welcome to VBC’s 25 Days of Book...
A couple weeks ago I joked on Twitter that I was in need of a book boyfriend Advent calendar. There was quite a bit of “yes, please!” from others, but no one could find a good one. Clearly, this was up to me. So, to make the chaotic holiday season a little more fun and a lot more sexy, we’re going to feature a book boyfriend every day for the next 25 days. That’s right. Welcome to VBC’s 25 Days of Book... 
Well, VBC readers, you’ve survived the preliminary bouts of the 2015 Alpha Showdown. Today starts the semifinals. It’s about to get cutthroat. Are you ready? Mad Rogan from Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series crushed the badass assassin Celaena. Today he takes on ultimate vampire Vlad from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Prince series. Vlad fought valiantly against wolf shifter Charles Cornick and came out on top....
It’s all about the veterans in Round 5 of the Alpha Showdown. Neither of today’s alpha characters have won the battle before, but they both have fervent fanbases. Will this be their year? Charles Cornick from Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series is a powerful werewolf. Jeaniene Frost’s Vlad from the Night Prince series, though, is that Vlad. The ancient vampire has plenty of practice at the art of war....
We told you from the start that the Alpha Showdown would be brutal. We’re only three matches in, and we’ve already had to make tough choices. Round 2 is still open, and it’s very close between Jane and Barrons. Kate Daniels isn’t scared of a vampire, but we doubt Bones is scared of anything. He’s battled some heavy hitters before. In an alternate universe, these two would probably end up hanging out, but... 
A recent Molly Harper binge got me thinking again about the differences between urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Ultimately, I don’t think it really matters. Read what you like. Who cares what they call it? But I’m still a word nerd so I’m compelled to contemplate. Harper’s Jane Jameson series falls into that awkward space between UF and PNR (VBC’s review of Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs). It’s not... 
Bound by Flames (Night Prince #3) Jeaniene Frost Published: January 27, 2015 (Avon) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Chelsea Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: This review assumes you’ve read the Night Prince series. If you’re not up-to-date, please check out our review of Once Burned. Vlad and Leila have had a lot... 
The Beautiful Ashes (Broken Destiny #1) Jeaniene Frost Published: Aug. 26, 2014 (Harlequin) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Chelsea Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Ivy is having the worst week of her life as The Beautiful Ashes opens. Her parents have died in a suspicious car accident, and her sister Jasmine has... 
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for August 2014. 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, SF is science fiction...
Update: Both sides fought hard here, but only one can come out on top. Adam Hauptman took 62 percent of the vote and moves on to face Reyes Farrow in the next round! Two more big-time fan favorites are pitted against each other in today’s Alpha Showdown round. It’s vampire versus werewolf as Jeaniene Frost’s Bones takes on Patricia Briggs’ Adam Hauptman. Which one advances in the Showdown is up to you!... 
