Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
This month’s group read — Kristen Painter’s Blood Rights — has characters with chemistry that pops off the page. Only they aren’t a couple. Chrysabelle and Mal’s interactions ripple with tension and unspoken desire. They like each other, but both think it’s a bad idea. The complexity of their fight against intimacy is made exponentially complicated by the fact Chrysabelle needs Mal’s saliva to keep... 
The Taker Alma Katsu Published: Sept. 6, 2011 (Gallery) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5 stars): 4.5 stars I never thought I’d compare a book to Interview with a Vampire, but that day has come. Alma Katsu’s The Taker is a tale of regret, unrequited love, darkness and that glimmer of hope that keeps us moving on. And while there is nary a vampire to be found, Lanny’s tale stung... 
Vanish (Firelight #2) Sophie Jordan Published: Sept. 6, 2011 (Harper Teen) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Note: While there are no spoilers for Vanish, we’ll give away the ending of Firelight. If you haven’t read the first book, read my review of Firelight instead. In Firelight, Jacinda longed to return to her Draki home. She wanted to fly, she wanted to be with... 
One Grave at a Time (Night Huntress #6) Jeaniene Frost Published: Aug. 30, 2011 (Avon) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: This review is spoiler-free, however, it makes reference to events in earlier Night Huntress books. If you’re new to the series, take a look at my review of Halfway to the Grave. Cat’s always interesting when dealing with the ‘borrowed’ powers... 
Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid #6) Richelle Mead Published: Aug. 30, 2011 (Kensington) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 4 stars Note: If you have not read earlier Georgina Kincaid novels, there may be spoilers below. There are no spoilers for Succubus Revealed, however. I didn’t think I was ready to say goodbye to Georgina Kincaid — or Seth, Carter, Jerome or even Doug.... 
Wild & Steamy Meljean Brook, Jill Myles & Carolyn Crane Published: Aug. 2, 2011 Purchase at: Amazon Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars “Blushing Bounder” by Meljean Brook (3 stars) Meljean Brook’s story is set in her Iron Seas world, before the events of The Iron Duke. We get to learn how Constable Newton ended up in London and learn about his wife. He and the missus are Bounders — what the London folk call... 
We’re giving away a copy of Body of Sin. Be sure to enter on or before Monday, Aug. 22. Head over to this post for all the details and to enter. Body of Sin (Otherkin #4) Eve Silver Published: Aug. 23, 2011 (HQN) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Note: Because I love you guys — and I believe this novel can work as a stand-alone — there are no spoilers from the previous... 
Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) Andrea Cremer Published: July 26, 2011 (Philomel) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5) 4.5 stars Note: There is no way to write this review without spoilers from the first book. If you haven’t read Nightshade, please read the VBC review of that book instead. Trust me. But I promise not to spoil Wolfsbane at all. Wolfsbane picks up quickly after the crazy... 
Touched by an Alien (Katherine “Kitty” Katt #1) Gini Koch Published: 2010 (DAW) Purchase at: Book Depository, B&N or Amazon Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars If you need a book to break you out of a reading rut, pick up Gini Koch’s Touched by an Alien. The paranormal fantasy is cheeky, action-packed and sexy. (I suppose that also makes it a perfect summer read, too.) Kitty, the heroine of Touched by an Alien,... 
I realize many of my favorite books — and recommended series — may not have their first few books reviewed on VBC. I’d like to get everyone caught up. In the coming weeks, I’m going to try and get reviews up-to-date on series from two of my favorite authors: Richelle Mead for her Georgina Kincaid series and Jeaniene Frost for Night Huntress. Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid #5) Richelle Mead Published:... 
