Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
From Chelsea/VBC: This is the second in a series of spook-tacular posts leading up to Halloween. I’ve invited a few friends to fill us in on their favorite monsters. Today the too-clever-for-her-own-good (and talented) Kristen Painter convinces you to love her favorite vampire movie. Also, she gives away the first of her House of Comarré books, Blood Rights, and a copy of Near Dark. Pretty damn... 
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... 
I just got home from the Authors After Dark convention in New Orleans. It was a whirlwind experience full of laughter, photo ops, Bourbon Street craziness, food and Voodoo shops. I will have a photo recap of the whole thing with plenty of author and blogger fun, and a blurry picture of a male model climbing on VBC reviewer Candace. (So proud.) And I did get signed goodies and swag for a giveaway,... ![Auction: Signed books from Kristen Painter [Books Fighting Cancer]](http://vampirebookclub.net/wp-content/uploads/et_temp/9571401-200x200.jpg)
Kristen Painter’s House of Comarré novels are explosive with high levels of sexual tension. Just the kind of urban fantasy I like.
Kristen has donated signed copies of the first three novels to help the Books Fighting Cancer event. Now is your chance to bring them home.
Highest bidder will take home:
Signed set of the first three House of Comarré novels by Kristen Painter
Donated by: Kristen... 
Oh, readers, it is the epic return of If You Like…! I know we dropped this feature for a few months, but when you started asking again (and continually read the BDB/Demonica post), I decided I couldn’t resist any longer.
Today’s recommendation is for those who love their urban fantasy with heavy doses of sexual tension. If you’ve fell in love with Chloe Neill’s Chicagoland... 
Last year, I listed 10 of the most delicious heroes from novels published that year. You guys liked it quite a bit. As such, I bit my lip and narrowed down the giant list to give you the Top 10 Swoon-Worthy Heroes from 2011 novels. To make my life easier, I excluded YA novels here because you’re all going to get nasty in the comments. (It’s OK, we’re all friends here.) Also, if you need... 
The prize bin at VBC HQ is overflowing a bit. I’m still in the giving mood, so I’ve set aside 13 books — several are signed — for one big giveaway. We’ll have 12 winners (two of the books go together) and each will also get great book-related swag like bookmarks, pens and the like.
And I’m even making it easy to enter. Filling out the form embedded below is all it takes... 
It’s that time again. I spent far too much time attempting to whittle down the 100+ books reviewed on VBC this year to the absolute best. So, as those Amazon and B&N gift cards start rolling in, just use this list as your shopping guide. I personally promise the extreme awesomeness of all the novels listed below.
Also, at the very end you’ll see the VBC Readers’ Choice winner (which... 
Flesh and Blood (House of Comarré #2)
Kristen Painter
Published: Nov. 1, 2011 (Orbit)
Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
Note: This review may contain spoilers for the first House of Comarré book. If you’re concerned, please read my spoiler-free Blood Rights review instead.
I’m a bit of a reading masochist. Books that put my emotions in a constant... 
Lessons from Readers & ‘Ritas
I spent last Saturday at the Readers & ‘Ritas convention. My BFF Kristin from My Bookish Ways and I had a complete blast spending the day with many of our favorite authors. A few things I learned:
1. Kristen Painter is of the “go big or go home” mentality when it comes to costumes. She dressed up as one of the noble vampires from her House of... 
