BURNING ALIVE

Book name: Burning Alive

Author: Shannon Butcher

Author's website: http://shannonkbutcher.com/

Release date: May 2009

Category: M/F

Main characters: Helen and Drake

Series: The Sentinel Wars

Available at: Amazon   Barnes and Noble   BAM

Blurb: They are the Sentinels. Three races descended from ancient guardians of mankind, each possessing unique abilities in their battle to protect humanity against their eternal foes--the Synestryn. Now, one warrior must fight his own desire if he is to discover the power that lies within his one true love...
For too long, Helen Day has been haunted by visions of her own death, surrounded by flames as a dark-haired man watches her burn. So when she sees the man of her nightmares staring at her across a diner, she attempts to flee--and ends up in the man's arms. There, she awakens a force more powerful and enticing than she could ever imagine.
The instant the Theronai warrior Drake touches Helen, the anguish he has borne for years fades away. He is determined to know why this beautiful, fearful woman has such power over him. The answer lies in his very blood--and in Helen's as well. For together, they may become more than lovers--they may become a weapon of light that could tip the balance of the war--and save Drake's people...
'Til death...
Helen shivered and heard a small moan lift from her mouth. Every cell in her body stood at attention from that one little touch. Her skin grew warm and her abdomen tightened against a jolt of heat. She wanted something she couldn't name. Needed it. It wasn't just desire. It went deeper than that. Bone deep. Soul deep. He had something that belonged to her and she wanted it. Even if it killed her.
His lips slid over her cheek, barely touching. Maybe not even touching, just stirring the fine hairs along her skin. Whatever he was doing, it was wonderful, fear or not. She felt like she was being filled up with energy. She felt more alive than she ever had before.
All from a barely-there touch from the man who would watch her die...

Shonna's review:   The vision is clear and she believes it will come true. The last  moments of her life and how she will die are so vivid to Helen as she sees it over and over in her head. Burning alive, screaming in pain while a man watches, smiling at her while he does nothing to help. Now she knows it won’t be long before she dies because the man in her nightmare is looking at her from across the diner. Fear and panic overtake her, but also the emotions of feeling drawn to him for some explainable reason. She knows her fate is now sealed yet now she decides not to run when she might be able to accomplish one last thing before her final hour.
The lifemark upon Drake’s upper body reveals the truth that he doesn’t have long to live. The constant pain he endures will soon be to much and his needed warrior abilities will no longer help his people, the Theronai, against the war with the demon Synestryns. His only chance is a mate to wear his Luceria necklace and cypher off the excess powers that build within his body. Yet almost all of the Theronia women have been killed and the once strong race now becomes hopeless and grow weak as the future looks bleak. Then in a moment everything changed. With one touch from her bare skin she gave him a new beginning and at last a hope for his kind to live on.
This is the first book in the SENTINEL WARS series and I am sorry to say it took me so long to read it. I really enjoyed it and look forward to digging into the rest of the installments that Butcher has. The characters are wonderful and as in real life, not everything turns out okay in the end. One character doesn’t make it, I’m sorry to say. I would have loved to read more about him in his own story. But don’t worry, there are so many more waiting in the wings that I have no doubt that this talented author will keep my interest throughout all the coming adventures that I can not wait to get my hands on.
My Rating: 4.5