Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Every year, I compile the standard year-end best books list—read 2012’s best reads list—and it’s a hard task narrowing things down. What’s harder though is picking the ten heroes from novels published this year to make my annual swoon-worthy list. Last year Eve Silver’s Lokan took top honors and the year before Stacia Kane’s Terrible was causing fevers all over the place. There are returning favorites... 
Shadow’s Claim (The Dacians #1) Kresley Cole Published: Nov. 27, 2012 (Pocket) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Reviewed by: Candace Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Every paranormal hero has a moment where the reader realizes he is not going to be soon forgotten. A British vampire waving a half-breed away in a bar. Two vampires discussing the latest fashion trends with their human friend who happens to... 
We’re doing things slightly differently this year. This is the first year where we have associate reviewers at VBC. As such, it didn’t feel quite right to only include my top 10. So, you’ll find my 10 picks for the absolute best books of 2012 and below that a top 5 list from Jo and Candace, respectively. Plus, of course, we have your winner for the reader’s choice best book. (See the Best Of lists from... 
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for November 2012. 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 and YA is young adult.... 
Poison Princess (Arcana Chronicles #1) Kresley Cole Published: Oct. 2, 2012 (Simon & Schuster) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Review by: Chelsea Rating (out of 5): 4 stars I was apprehensive about starting Kresley Cole’s first young adult novel. I admit, a bit shamefully, that it’s her well-written steamy scenes in her Immortals After Dark that make her such a standout. Or so I thought. With... 
And you thought these battles were difficult before. Two of the most ruthless of the vampires in the Alpha Showdown 2012 are pitted against one another in Round 10. Kresley Cole’s Lothaire managed to escape the silver stakes of Night Huntress’ Cat in his first battle, leaving him extra bloodthirsty. Nalini Singh’s Dmitri’s cunning helped him take crafty assassin Gin Blanco last round, but will he be able...
Round three of Alpha Showdown 2012 brings together our first vampire-on-vampire match. The ancient villain (and now quasi hero) Lothaire from Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series against the Red Reaper, Cat, from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series. Both have enhanced vampire skills. Hell, Cat sometimes has a heartbeat. Who is quick enough to stake the other? Your votes decide. Also, a quick... 
Lothaire (Immortals After Dark #12) Kresley Cole Published: Jan. 10, 2012 (Gallery) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Reviewed by: Candace Rating (out of 5): 5 stars “You know I can do anything. Trust me?” “Can I?” “You alone can trust me.” I’ve read so many books in my life, it would be impossible to get anywhere near an accurate count. Every once in a while, I’ve been lucky enough to read a... 
Yesterday Kresley Cole’s latest Immortals After Dark book — the OMG-I-need-it-now Lothaire — hit stores. In celebration for the book so many have craved, she is doing a brief book tour. The first stop was on release day in Dallas. And, for you, I went. Kresley decided to bring along the cover model for Lothaire, Paul Marron. Now, I can’t say enough how much I love my husband or how hot he is, but I still... 
