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A fierce looking storm is coming our way...
The Scorpius Syndrome
RAZ INK LLC
09/19/2017
Even before surviving the Scorpius bacterium, Greyson Storm was a lone wolf navigating minefields. As a kid, he learned to take a hit and find safety. As an adult, he joined the military and quickly learned how to protect and defend. When the world ended, he created a mercenary camp with military precision, no entanglements, and a promise to avenge a fallen friend. As part of that vow, he kidnapped Maureen Shadow, but now that he has let her go, her blue eyes and intriguing mind keep haunting him…
As possibly the only Biotechnology Engineer still living, Maureen Shadow might be humanity’s one hope to survive the aftermath of Scorpius, making her frighteningly valuable to both allies and enemies. Even after sexual tension explodes between her and Greyson, she’s not sure which camp he belongs to—friend or foe? Worse yet, survival may mean thwarting his prime mission, putting her in even more peril. When danger and seduction collide, there is no safety in this new world.
Well hello there Mr. Storm …
Let me start by saying that I love the name Greyson Storm. I also enjoyed his lover’s name, Maureen Shadow. Rebecca Zanetti names her characters well. I’m not joking when I say that a “bad” name can be distracting to a story. I’ve read a book where a woman was named Sissy and it drove me nuts every time I read the name. Maybe I’m an odd one.
Storm Gathering continues the storyline of The Scorpius Syndrome. If you’ve read the prior stories, you’re familiar with the post-apocalypse world. To sum up, one person went psycho after contracting Scorpius and purposefully spread it to others as quickly as he could. Thus, wiping out 90% (or so) of the population. There is not many people left, food is running out, there is no longer running electricity, and the president is a psychopath.
Friendly reminder, I’m never disappointed by Rebecca Zanetti’s books.
Greyson Storm leads “The Mercenaries” in Santa Barbara. His territory was once a wealthy neighborhood with ocean views. He kidnaps Maureen Shadow as his hostage to extort her brother Raze, a member of “The Vanguard” in LA. This is all laid out in book 2 (Mercury Striking). In Storm Gathering, we rewind in time to learn just how the kidnapping occurred and what kind of relationship was built while Maureen was kept in Merc territory. It’s not Stockholm Syndrome I promise. Zanetti was smart to zip back for a little while in the beginning of this book because it is imperative to their storytelling. Without learning the details of their interactions it would be hard to accept a relationship that originated from a kidnapping and extortion plot.
In Storm Gathering, Greyson has to choose a side with whom to align his people. Clearly if he becomes an ally of the crazy President he will lose Maureen. He could align with Vanguard (if Raze could bury his grudge with Greyson) but it isn’t the best option from a war-zone/tactical standpoint. Naturally, Greyson would normally make the logical choice without emotions; however, he’s in love now. Emotions have muddied his thinking and he finds himself forced to make some quick decisions in the heat of the moment that can either save or damn them all.
Kristin lives in the PNW with her husband, and three kids. She loves to read YA fiction, fantasy, and romance. She enjoys a few side-hustles, including creating bookreels/booktoks for authors. The only shows she watches are re-runs, and if she’s not reading a book, she’s listening to one.
