I’d like to start by thanking Smexy books for having me as a guest today! I have to admit, I spend a fair amount of time lurking around this blog. Okay, a LOT of time. ‘Nuff said. ;)
I write alpha females. I can’t really help it. Not that I’m an alpha per se, because I’m not. But I do consider myself pretty independent. I can change a tire, lift heavy stuff, and take care of car repairs… I don’t usually call my husband for help, that is, unless I’m dealing with our nasty Ameraucana rooster who for some reason hates my guts. Seriously! That rooster listens for the door, and he will run from wherever he is to chase me back in the house. I turn into a damsel in distress whenever I catch a whiff of that damn rooster. But I adore strong women and I love to see strong female characters in urban fantasy. So I thought I’d share with you today 5 of some of my most favorite alpha females.
5. J.R. Ward’s Xhex:
Okay, so even though Ward’s females don’t exactly star in her books, Xhex is just too amazing for me not to put her on my list. She’s an assassin for starters. Tougher than tough. She’s built for fighting, but that doesn’t mean that sexy John Matthew doesn’t see her for the beautiful woman she is. The thing I like most about Xhex, though, is that she’s got a mind of her own. No one and nothing is going to stand in her way once she’s set on a course of action. Her stealth is impressive, and the girl knows her way around an armory. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, too, which is always a plus. I hope she gets more action in future books. She’s definitely an alpha to be wary of.
4. Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson:
Mercy Thompson, WV mechanic, knows the ins and outs of being a member of a pack. Raised by the alpha of all alphas, Mercy has been dealing with werewolf pack structure since her teenage years. But don’t think for a second that just because she knows the pack hierarchy, that she’s just going to avert her eyes and play meek. This coyote doesn’t work that way. She’s got a super special heritage, which gives her a little something extra in the power department. Whether she’s fighting vampires or ancient river monsters, Mercy can bring the pain. And she might be mated to the pack alpha, but she’s got Adam right where she wants him.
3. Jeaniene Frost’s Cat:
From the first chapter of One Foot in the Grave, I was hooked. No one messes with this half-vampire/half-human, unless they want a stake to the chest. That is, until she meets her match in the form of one sexy British vampire named Bones. But even after she’s been swept off her feet, Cat doesn’t become the damsel in distress. Throughout the course of the series, Cat displays her independence, giving her vampire husband Bones more than a few headaches. And once Cat graduates from hybrid to full-blooded vamp, she’s an even greater force to be reckoned with. I love this potty-mouthed, gin swilling alpha female. Villainous supernatural creatures beware. Cat’s got a heavy supply of weapons stashed under her coat, and she’s coming for you!
2. Larissa Ione’s Sin:
Oh, man! How I looooove Sin. And you’ve probably noticed by now that I sort of have a thing for assassins, too. Sin is unique in that she’s the only female Seminus demon around, and this assassin master has attitude in spades. You have to be tough when you play with the boys, and Sin can give as good as she gets. In fact, she doesn’t even need a weapon to take down her targets. With a touch of her hand, Sin can send a deadly disease into anyone’s body and her marks are taken out before they even knew what hit them. But this tough girl does have a chink in her armor. Namely a sexy dhampire named Conall. One silver-eyed glance her way might just cause her to put that tough girl persona on the back burner. For a while.
1. Lillith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet:
In my opinion, Jill Kismet is the queen of all alpha females. You can’t get any tougher than this demon hunter. Jill works with the local police on cases of the supernatural variety and her mortal enemy comes in the form of Perry: evil incarnate, and demon overlord extraordinaire. Despite the fact that he makes her skin crawl, Jill puts Perry in his place time and again. This demon hunter steps up to the plate. She does what has to be done. Period. And let us not forget that she uses a whip. A whip, people! If that doesn’t make Jill a total badass, I don’t know what does. Jill takes more beatings than your average alpha female. Even with her supercharged healing, a right hook from a demon is going to do some serious damage. But Jill bounces back and keeps fighting till the bloody end. She guards her territory with a fierceness that has demons shaking in their boots. And rightly so. Jill knows how to offer up the hurt in a big way.
Well, there you have it. Who are some of your favorite alpha females? Do you enjoy the tough as nails female lead or do you prefer your leading ladies to have a softer side?
Thanks Amanda! Today we have one copy of Shaedes of Gray to give away! To enter, just answer Amanda’s question above. Open to US/Canada through December 17.
My favorite alpha females are:
Elena Michaels (Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series) because she is so smart and capable,
Gin Blanco (Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassins series) because she is as loyal as she is deadly,
and Kitty Katt (Gini Koch’s Alien series) because she does everything with a great sense of humor.
I do prefer my characters to be multi-faceted. I think it makes them more interesting. Two of the three I’ve listed are married and mothers of small children. Thanks for the post and giveaway.
You picked some of my favorites too.
I also love Kate Daniels (Ilona Andrews), Jax (Ann Aguirre) and Gin (Jennifer Estep).
Alpha heroines are great. You have picked some good ones. I also like Rachel Vincent’s Faythe and Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen.
I love Kate Daniels. She is my all-time favorite!
Thanks again to Smexy books for hosting me today! I have to say, Kate, Gin, and Kitty would go on my list as well! Riley Jensen, too. :) I have a feeling my TBR is going to double after reading everyone’s suggestions today!
My favorite alpha females are Kate Daniels from Ilona Andrews’ series. Gin Blanco from the Elemental Assassins series also comes to mind.
Depending on what I’m reading, I like both kinds of females. If I’m reading a vampire novel, I want the heroine to be strong and powerful. I love Amelie in the Morganville Vampires because she has silent power that rarely comes out to play. But if I’m reading historical romance, it’s nice when the heroine has a softer side :)
email: cruz042 at cougars.csusm.edu
I think you pretty much named all of my favorite alpha females. I love books with a women who know how to kick ass! Jill is probably my favorite.
I think Kitty Katt is a strong female too and I want them to multi-layered with their life and fighting bad guys.
I agree with with those on the list –also Mercy and Xhex –very strong females :)
some good ones! i love the alpha female.. but she can also have a softer side..
i agree with mandi.. kate daniels and gin are the best!!
also, Nalini singh’s Elena… riley jensen from keri arthur are some other great ones
Not entering the contest, as I live in Holland. But yes, I do love Alpha females. And not only in Urban fantasy, also in historical romance and paranormal romance, in every genre actucaly. How about Kim Harrison’s series? There are two in there. Perhaps three.
Yasmine Galenorn and her Sisters of the Moon series? Three kick ass sisters.
Put me down for Kate Daniels, too! Love, love, love that character. Funny though, there are tonnes of strong female characters in UF/Paranormal books, but I’m actually having a hard time thinking of other alpha heroines (I see them as quite different things). They may be more rare than I thought. This is a great list, it’s reminding me of all the series I’ve not yet read.
I do love tough as nails heroines as the one who started me off on really enjoying them was Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake. Loved her earlier books in that series.
Definitely Gin Blanco and Kate Daniels!
*chants* mercy Mercy! Yes I love her. She is the best, kick-ass and just, Mercy :)
All my favorites are listed! I will add that Shelley Laurenston/GA Aiken writes some awesome Alpha females, even though it’s PNR, her character’s kick ass.
I love strong female characters. Don’t necessarily have to be strong physically, but a strong spirit will win me over too. The first kick ass heroine that got me hooked was Anita Blake.
I agree with everyone! Alpha females are the best. :)
That is an amazing list. I prefer my female leads to be strong, but that doesn’t necessarily mean physically strong. I can’t stand whimpy or whiny leads. Even the tough-as-nails alpha female needs to have something to soften her, or she doesn’t seem real….as real as a lady fighting demons/werewolves/giants/fae/etc. etc. can be.
My favorite Alpha Female is Kate Daniels by Ilona Andrews. It used to be Mercy, but Kate has taken the crown for me.
akbabcock at gmail dot com
Some of my fave Alpha females would have to be Gin Blanco[Elemental Assassin series], Elana Michaels [Otherworld series] and Tate Eresby [Golgotham]
A soft side is ok, but not squsihy soft..noone would take them serious.
Some of my favorite alpha females are Jennifer Estep’s Gin Blanco, Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock, Jeaniene Frost’s Cat Crawfield, Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen, and Ann Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax. I love the tough as nails female lead, they’re so much fun to read about.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
I heart Sabina Kane!
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
Love your picks! I love Mercy and Cat too. I enjoy alpha females, girls can kick butt just as well as they guys. And hey, every alpha has a little bit of a soft side hidden away somewhere.
eyesofblueice (at) gmail (dot) com
Gin Blanco from Jennifer Estep spider series is great. Your book sounds great. I am adding to my wishlist.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
Katniss from the Hunger Games is one of my favorites. I like alphas, but softies are good too – just depends on the character.
With the exception of Kate Daniels, you’ve pretty much named my list. The ending to the Jill Kismet series was so good. I’m glad Lilith Saintcrow wrapped it up in a good way, and even gave Jill an HFN. I guess I do love alpha females the best.
I love the Dante Valentine series.
My favorite is Anwyl the bloody from G.A. Aiken’s Dragon Kin series. That is one scary tough woman but sweet with her family.
There are soooo many! LOL
I love tough, no nonsense female leads… Kate Daniels, Nyx Ciar, Gin Blanco to name a few.
The softer women are fun to read as well, just not as much LOL…
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
You named two of mine already Cat and Mercy Thompson (just reread Bones Crossed last night). I’d also add Kate Daniels from Ilona Andrews series and Gin Blanco from Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series.
acm05atjuno.com
you already named my favorites =)
i love to read about strong females.
reginamayross@gmail.com
Looks like I haven’t been reading the right books. I don’t really have a fave but would enjoy this type of story. Your new one sounds GREAT. Would love to read it. Thanks for the chance, great giveaway.
Carla63@windstream.net
My favorite is Merit from The Chicagoland Vampires!! She knows how to really kick butt while looking good in leather!
I would have to sat Hex from BDB is the number 1 for me. She is soo alpha. And also, any of the females in Kate Douglas’ “Wolfe Tales” series, both Eve and Keisha come to mind first though. God I love theses books!!
I like a bit of both. I want them tough as nails but also tough. Mac from the Fever series is that. She goes through phases Mac 1.0, 2.0 etc. and I love seeing her grow.
Kate Daniels is my all time alpha female favorite. I love Mercy Thompson, Sirantha Jax and Gin Blanco too.
Kate Daniels
Mercy Thompson
October Daye (Seanan Mcguire)
Kaylin Neya (Michelle Sagara Cast In Series)
Charlie Madigan (Kelly Gay)
Jane Yellowrock (Faith Hunter)
Love these strong women!
Kate Daniels, Mercy Thompson, Mac, Merit, Anita Blake, Cat, Mercy Thompson. I would have to add Chess Putnam in Stacia Kanes Downside Ghosts series and Meredith Gentry in Laurell K Hamiltons. Thanks for the givaway.