Burning Alive
Shannon K. Butcher
Onyx, May 2009, $7.99
ISBN 9780451412713

In a diner in Olathe, Kansas, Helen Day recognizes the man who has been the focus of her nightmares. She is positive she never met her Vision Man before except in her dreams, but she knows that face is the one she sees almost every time she falls asleep because y when she is awake she recalls the details of this male standing near her while observing her die in a fire.

Drake is a bit stunned by the deep attraction he feels for Helen; as he has been around for ages. He is a Theronai warrior, whose species is dying; he fears for the safety of humanity, who he and his peers vigilantly protect. Helen reciprocates his regard, but does not trust him as she fears their relationship will end in her fiery death. When their demonic enemy the Synestryn attacks her, Drake battles them to keep her safe. She still believes in her vision, but also believes Drake is on her side.

This is an exciting romantic urban fantasy starring two strong lead protagonists as star-crossed wannabe lovers. Fascinatingly though the two other species come across as genuine and the confrontations between them well written and exciting, the human Helen owns the entertaining story line with her divided emotions. On the one hand she is falling in love with her self-proclaimed guardian, but on the other hand she distrusts him as Vision Man does nothing to save her from her fiery nightmares. Shannon K. Butcher adds her trademark suspense with plenty of tension and danger to the mix of a terrific paranormal thriller.

Harriet Klausner