Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
Is November flying by for everyone else? It’s Thanksgiving here in the U.S. on Thursday, and it caught me by surprise. (I mean, yay turkey and pie, but also where did November go?) If it’s already the third week of November, then it’s almost Christmas, which means it’s almost time for VBC’s annual list of the Best Books of 2018. We need your help, though. Which books would you put on the list? Our... 
In case you missed it the VBC crew is full of HUGE Ilona Andrews fans. We’ve loved the Kate Daniels series and quickly glommed the Hidden Legacy books. If you missed Amy’s review of Diamond Fire, it’s the best way to get hyped for this giveaway. Yep. We have a paperback copy of the Hidden Legacy novella Diamond Fire for one lucky VBC reader. Here’s the official skinny on the book: Nevada Frida Baylor and... 
Today we have an exclusive excerpt from Heather Graham’s new Krewe of Hunters novella Haunted Be the Holidays. This one is part of the 1,001 Dark Nights series, which means the sexy sexy is in those pages. About HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS: From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Heather Graham comes a new story in her Krewe of Hunters series… When you’re looking for the victim of a mysterious...
Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy #3.5) Ilona Andrews Published: Nov. 6, 2018 (Avon Impulse) Purchase: Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it may mention previous events in the series. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Burn for Me....
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 2018. 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,... 
Shades of Wicked (Night Rebel #1) Jeaniene Frost Published: Oct. 30, 2018 (Avon) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for and honest review Reviewed by: Chelsea Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars Jeaniene Frost gave us an Ian book. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Starting today you can spend 384 pages discovering what makes Ian tick. Verbal sparring? Obviously.... 
Shadow and Ice (Gods of War #1) Gena Showalter Published: Oct. 23, 2018 (HQN) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 4 stars While on an adventurous getaway in the artic Vale London and her foster sister, Nola, become separated from their guide. They end up stumbling upon a centuries-long battle... 
Protected (Diablo Lake #2) Lauren Dane Published: Purchase at: Amazon Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Chelsea Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Lauren Dane is a master of female friendships and nuanced small-town romances. When she merges the rural, Southern charm of a small-town with fiery witches and the werewolves who love them in Protected she hits all...
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for October 2018. 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,... 
Uncontrollable (Beyond Human #3) Nina Croft Published: Sept. 25, 2018 (Entangled) Purchase: Amazon Review Source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review Reviewed by: Amy Rating (out of 5): 3 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will contain references to previous events in the series. Until a year ago, Quinn Sutherland thought he and the Tribe—a secret group of... 
