Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
The matches in this year’s Alpha Showdown have certainly lived up to the name. The battles have been close, the champions true alpha. It’s gotten heated, and if you think the choices were hard before, it’s about to get worse. Take a look at the bracket! The alpha who wins this bout will secure himself a space in the championship round. Charles has defeated two mighty vampires in Bones and Vlad. While Kate... 
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) Ilona Andrews Published: Aug. 4, 2015 (Ace) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Krista Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will make reference to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Magic...
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... 
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) Ilona Andrews Published: July 29, 2014 (Ace) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: Provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Krista Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it does reference events from previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Magic... 
Update: Barrons advances to the finale! We’re letting two fan favorites—Jericho Z. Barrons and Kate Daniels—battle it out today in the Alpha Showdown. Barrons took out first-timer Simon swiftly, but only squeaked by Acheron. Will Kate be the one to take him down? She’s already defeated her husband and the original vampire Vlad. Who continues on to the final round is up to you. We’ve lined up great...
Update: Kate handed a serious ass-kicking to Curran. She advances in the Alpha Showdown. We seed the Alpha Showdown bracket. That means the battles in the first rounds are determined by the number of votes each character receives. It makes sure the top two vote-getters don’t end up facing each other in the first round. Unfortunately, sometimes it means we have to pit husband again wife. Like right now.... 
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...
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 seven is sure to be a tough one. Last year’s champion Curran returns to battle Alpha Showdown newcomer Holden from... 
Things are getting nice and busy here at VBC headquarters. I’ve loved reading applications for new reviewers (you can still apply) this week, and I have a couple very good reads atop my to-read pile. More Lady Corsair and Archimedes Fox! Next month we’ll get Meljean Brooks’ novella featuring the hero and heroine of Heart of Steel, a book I adored on an epic level. Tethered is an epilogue novella, which... 
The Beast Lord Curran is the reigning champion of the Alpha Showdown (which returns in May), so it’s not surprising I had more than one blogger want to pen a love letter to him for Character Love Letters. Marcela from The Bookaholic Cat won out. Haven’t met the hero from Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series? No worries, read on to discover why he’s worthy of your love. My Dear Curran, Since the moment I met... 
