Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
The VBC crew took some much needed rest over the holidays. There was baking, pub shenanigans (looking at you, Jo), puppy snuggles, quality time with kids, and mega binge watching on Chelsea’s part (I was sick, y’all). But we’re back, and pretty pumped about everything on deck for 2018. Did you hear that Kresley Cole’s The Dark Calling has a release date—Feb. 13—and that Chelsea and Jo might have cheered... 
Have you stuck a toe in the paranormal romance waters and found yourself wanting to sink to its depths? It’s understandable. There’s a brilliant escapism with paranormal romance. The swooning is there, as you expect, but most everything is on a grander scale. The alpha males are turned up to eleven, thanks to their non-human status. The black moments involve fighting against one’s nature and/or being... 
Dragonbane (Dark-Hunter #26) Sherrilyn Kenyon Published Aug. 4, 2015 (St. Martin’s Press) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Krista Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will make reference to previous books. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book #0.5, Fantasy Lover. So I have been reading... 
Alterant (Beladors #2) Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love Published: Sept. 27, 2011 (Pocket Star Books) Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Jill Rating (out of 5): 5 stars Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it does make references to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Blood Trinity. Poor Evalle has... 
Blood Trinity (Belador #1) Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love Published: October 19, 2010 (Pocket Books) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Review source: purchased Reviewed by: Jill Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars Evalle is part of a band of supernatural warriors called the Beladors. They fight against anything that harms humanity, which usually takes the form of black magic witches. She happens to be an... 
Update: Only 100 votes separated these two in the end, but like the unknown beast he is Barrons came out on top. Two ultimate leaders are pit against each other in this round of the Alpha Showdown. They’re also both big-time favorites and frequent faces on book boyfriend lists everywhere. But we’re mean, so we’re going to make you pick: Acheron or Barrons? We’ve lined up great bloggers to explain why each... 
Update: Sabina put up a good fight, but in the end Acheron took home the victory. He’ll advance in the Showdown. Round 8 of the Alpha Showdown is the first-timers’ round. If we hadn’t changed our rules this year—taking off the “published in…” limitation—these two wouldn’t have made the bracket. So we’re pleased we made the change, because your nominations showed both of these characters are long-time... 
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for January 2014. 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.... 
Styxx (Dark-Hunter #23) Sherrilyn Kenyon Published: Sept. 3, 2013 (St. Martin’s Press) Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon Review Source: Purchased Reviewed by: Candace Rating (out of 5): 5 stars This review begins with a personal story. There is one book in my collection that I have not re-read and that is Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Acheron. It is one of my top 20 favorite books of all time, but I cried for...
In an effort to help you keep that to-read list updated, I’ve compiled the hot urban fantasy and paranormal romance releases for September 2013 (and it’s full of PNR heavy hitters). 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... 
