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 with 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.




Review:




I love this post-apocalyptic world!




One of my favorite series and so glad that the Author is keeping the series going.




This books is about Greyson Storm, leader of the Mercs and Maureen Shadow, Raze's sister. If you have read the other books in the series you will definitely recognize these two. This book starts off simultaneously with parts of the other book, but this way we see their whole story from the beginning. So, really if you have not read any of the other books you could read this one and not be lost. Though it is a continuing saga, so best read in order.




This like the other books in the series are full of action and intrigue. There is a lot of action in this one which of course leads to loss. There is hope in this story too. The last story wrapped up a lot of questions/hanging threads, but this story starts on some new ones. We meet some new faces who should figure greatly in upcoming stories and put to bed some others. I think the thing I loved most about this book is Grey & Moe, they are truly a united pair. They start out very rocky. At their core they are two strong, individual people but become such a team that they help bring together the Mercs and Vanguard. Plus, Grey and Moe are super sexy together that burn up the pages with their chemistry. Of course, we see all of the people from previous stories until now because even though these are romances and have a central couple in each one, they are ensemble pieces. I am curious to see who is next. Hopefully we will not have to wait too long.

Love the series and get more attached to the characters with every book.




5Stars

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book provided by the publisher.*

I love this series. It's my favorite of all of the ones she writes. The characters are great and it's action packed. I'm ready for the next one!

Greyson is the leader of the Mercs, a total bad a$$, and a bit of an anti-hero. He's tough and takes no prisoners well, no prisoners except for biotechnical engineer, Maureen Shadow. He needs her as leverage so he kidnaps her (but then promises to let her go if he gets what he wants). Maureen does not want to go with Greyson and fights him the whole time...until feeling start to change and she sees Greyson for the man he really is...the one meant for her.

I really enjoyed this book. There was so much going on...lot's of danger, intrigue, drama, violence, and sexy-times. Greyson and Maureen are just so good together...even when they're fighting it out. I've missed a couple of books in the series which I'll probably go back and read. You get some background in the book but I would recommend reading the other books in the series.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Raz Ink LLC, via NetGalley. My opinions are honest and my own*

In the latest installment of Rebecca Zanetti’s Scorpious Syndrome series, the surviving factions of mankind are still fighting amongst themselves to a degree, just trying to survive, but the Vanguard and Mercenaries have begun working together to defeat President Atherton and Vice President Lake. The two groups have a tentative peace because the Mercs helped Vanguard rescue Vivienne Wellington and Lynn Harmony from President Atherton when they were kidnapped in the book three. Peace is tenuous, at best, because Greyson Storm has decided to kidnap Maureen Justice, Raze’s sister because she’s the key to something he wants: the man who “purposefully spread the pandemic while killing indiscriminately.”

Life is stressful and difficult. Some people have been infected by Scorpius and some haven’t. Some have died, and some have survived … and of those survivors, some are crazy and violent as shit and some came out stronger. Can you imagine never letting down your guard? Greyson and Maureen have a strong attraction to each other, but he never crosses the line since she’s not on level playing ground with his. She’s his captive, for all her freedom within Merc territory. But one night …

Pregnancy in this new world poses a horrible truth: no babies have been born… to anyone. Both Grey and Moe have survived the bacterium, which makes it more unlikely the new life growing with her will make it. The race is on and even more desperate than before to find a cure, or more acutely, the way to ensure a full, viable pregnancy and birth. Grey will stop at nothing to make it happen.

Zanetti keeps readers on the edge as Grey and Jax continue to battle their instincts. Ban together to build a safer, stronger society; work independently to keep the status quo? Greyson wants to wind up on the winning side of things, so that means he’s torn between siding with the Prez and the possibility of the country being rebuilt, versus siding with Jax and the Vanguard. Maureen’s loyalty lies with her brother, who is a Vanguard, but her heart is with Greyson, who is Mercenary. Grey’s loyalty has been to his people and his dead friend, Ferris… but Moe holds his heart.

This is romance, and it doesn’t get any better than this!

I love the Scorpious Syndrome series. In this series it's generally concentrated on the differences between Vanguard and the president. In the last book we were introduced to the leader of the Mercs who is Grayson storm. I wanted to learn more about the Mercs and exactly who they wanted to ally with in the series.
The romance between Grayson and Maureen was very interesting. There was a kidnapping and it was interesting to see the chemistry between the two characters.
We met other people in this world that has been decimated by the scorpious virus. We once again saw the corrupt president and he seems even worse now.
The romance was fantastic and the story was thrilling until the end. I can't wait until the next book. The characters are do well written that I just want yonlearn more about everybody.
I was provide s copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an unbiased honest review.

Storm Gathering is book four of Rebecca Zanetti's Scorpius Syndrome. (Heads up there is quite a bit of name calling in this review and Amazon will have me censor it) I wasn't sure I was going to like this one, I really wanted to read it because I am interested in where RAZ is going with it but Greyson is not my favorite, I don't hate him as much as Jax but he's up there. I mean why would I like the guy who kidnapped my favorite character's sister and blackmailed him? ( see Scorpius Syndrome book 2 Shadow Falling) Another thing I was worried about was how this romance wasn't going to be Stockholm/Lima Syndrome case (turns out it was more like Lima than Stockholm. It's not really but it gets really close to it). So Greyson isn't as much of an asshole as I thought he would be, he is kinda sweet when he wants to be but still a hard headed prick most of the time. Hell, even Moe wasn't sure she liked him, sure she was attracted to him but it wasn't until almost the end when she realized she loved him.

Greyson Storm is the leader of the Mercenaries, he kidnaps Maureen Storm to use as leverage against her brother Raze Storm into doing his bidding. Which is to take Vivienne Wellington from the Vanguard Territory and bring her to Grey. Grey is looking for someone and he believes Vinnie knows where he is hiding. All of this happened in Storm Falling, the beginning of this book, the first couple of chapters is from the POV of Moe, Maureen Storm, during the events of that book and how she doesn't give up trying to escape. Moe is attracted to Grey he's walking sex on stick, she also sees that he is a good leader and he makes sure innocents are sent down to Vanguard territory. One drunken night Grey and Moe give into the temptation.

Once Moe is with her brother Raze and the Vanguards, she starts to miss Grey, she also knows he can help her. She needs to find out if there are any viable seeds or green houses in the area. Grey promises to help her if she comes back, even if it's just a week. Raze and Jax won't let her go so easily even if she wants to. So Grey kidnaps her again. They work it out. One of my big issues is how stupidly stubborn Jax and Grey are I swear at one point I wanted to bang my head on my desk, oh wait I actually did. But it's funny because even Moe comments on how things should be run by the woman. Grey has a big moral dilemma, he knows he has fallen in love with Moe but the sociopath of a President has dangled the one thing Grey has been working for since this all started, vengeance. But with Moe in his life now can he risk her?

Overall, it was an enjoyable read despite some of the very aggravating asshole things that happen and as always, like with the other three books, I wish it was more like the prequel novella and more technical and sci-fi than romance. And of course I keep reading because I want to find out about Nora and Deacon!!!! It seems like they have a list of all the obstacles that they need to overcome but with every book they discover a new one and they overcome another one or two, but they didn't start really accomplishing shit until book three. Despite the hesitancy going into this book I did enjoy it, even if the Scorpius Syndrome gives men an excuse to act like alpha assholes.

Since the emergence of the Scorpius bacterium that wiped out the majority of the population, Greyson Storm has successfully led a group of men, known as the Mercenaries, through this tumultuous time. Everyone knows that the country’s resources are beginning to dwindle, so in preparation for the future, Grey kidnaps Maureen Shadow, a renowned Bio Engineer, in hopes that she can help figure out the problem with the dying crops. What neither is looking for in this time of uncertainty is an attachment, but that’s exactly what they find in one another.

After a drunken night of sex leaves Maureen pregnant, Greyson will do anything to ensure her, and the baby’s, survival, even if it means forsaking the tentative truce between the Mercs and Vanguard, and allying himself with the President.

I liked that Storm Gathering takes us away from the Vanguard/Jax Mercury territory that has occupied this series for the first three books. It was interesting to get a different perspective from a different group who is just trying to survive in this crazy new world, just like the people of Vanguard are trying to survive.

Rebecca Zanetti really does a great job of taking Greyson Storm and using his character as a way to show the internal conflict that occur alongside the external conflicts imposed by the dystopian state of the world after the virus. It’s also interesting because after having been in Vanguard territory, so to speak, for the last three books, as a reader it’s difficult to imagine Grey not immediately aligning himself with the group that we’ve come to know and love. But when you look at the basics of the situation he finds himself in (trying to protect his unborn child when no child has been born post Scorpius Syndrome thus far), you see why he gives pause.

I liked the relationship between Maureen and Grey just fine. Honestly, I almost liked seeing them more in the secondary role in previous books because I could just feel the attraction jumping off the page more so there than I could once they moved to be the front and center couple. Also, Grey’s alpha protectiveness was bordering on too much for my tastes (and this is before he finds out Maureen is pregnant).

One thing I noticed more in this book, and which I hope continues in books to come, is the female bonding going on. I mean we are four books into this series, and we have strong, smart, and capable heroines standing next to our heroes. I want to see this group of women grow and form their own “squad” (I know, I’m sorry) apart from the very testosterone-filled antics of the men.

Overall, I’m enjoying how Rebecca Zanetti is crafting this series. With each story we inch along the path to where we need to end up in the long run, and while she succinctly points out the issues our group(s) still have to deal with, I’m very interested in seeing how all storylines for our current characters continue while paving the way for more additions to the group down the line.

In this installment of The Scorpius Syndrome we get Greyson and Maureen. We met these two in a previous book but did not get their beginning. I was glad that the author started their book with how they met and got to the point of their entry in the last book. We learn that while Maureen was taken to get Raze to deliver Vivienne to the Mercs. Despite being kidnapped by Grey, she comes to learn how honorable he is and makes the choice to keep working with him against her brother, Raze's wishes to see if they have any viable plants to help with future food growth.

We have more battles with the President, Vice President and the Elite force. Some progress on Zach Barter and decisions that need to be made about where they need to finally settle that can provide the right soil for planting, wild game and fresh water all the while Grey and Maureen grow closer. Because of their relationship, Maureen has a new reason to get her hands on the Scorpius research to save not only the future of food growth but the future of a new generation of people.

I think it's safe to say that I am in love with this series. Each book just gets better and better. I've found that I like a book that keeps me guessing as to what is going to happen next or what will get revealed to expose the plot of the series.

While all this is going, Rebecca Zanetti brings me the alpha heroes I absolutely love to read about. I love reading men be men who fall fast and hard for their women. I love to read these men go all caveman and protect these women at all costs without being a complete jerk about it. Greyson is one of the best examples of this. I also love to read about heroines that are tough, independent and don't blindly follow what a man says. These two combinations in main characters make for an exciting dance and the sparks just fly.

I would not suggest reading this series out of order. while each book focuses on one couple, it continues on with an overall plot from the start. Each character from each book continues onto the next. ARC provided by NetGalley.

I loved this book. It is well written and got me hooked.
I only wish I would have read the previous books because I loved this book so much and I know I would have loved the previous books as well.

I give this 5 out of 5

I've followed Rebecca Zanetti's Scorpius Syndrome series from book one with Lynne and Jax and have absolutely LOVED it since. This latest installment features Maureen Shadow and Greyson Storm and boy is it amazing! Like in all her books, the author continues to keep the plot interesting and flowing and the chemistry between Maureen and Grey was ON FIRE. FLAMING HOT people!! Prepare to get scorched because this book was insanely hot and amazing!

After seeing the chemistry and unspoken attraction between Maureen (Moe) and Grayson in the previous books, I was DYING for their book. I needed to know their story and see their chemistry in detail. In Raze's book we see the introduction of Greyson, the HOT alpha Merc Leader and Maureen Shadow (Raze's scientist sister) and a glimpse of their connection and attraction. We know he kidnapped her but we're not sure as to why and what his reasoning was.

I absolutely FLOVED this book. I thought this author couldn't get any better after Justice Ascending..but nope. She killed it with Storm Gathering. I loved their connection and fiery chemistry and could not get enough of them. Maureen was a spitfire that Grey was not expecting. She was half his size and did not hesitate to put him in his place. I absolutely FLOVED their banter and their initial meeting: *Gah* I had butterflies. Zanetti knocked it out of the park with this book and I LOVED how after each book, the storyline progresses more and more. I am sooo deeply hooked that I neverrr want this to end. This is one of my favorite series EVER!! I never want to leave this world and am soooo ready for Damon and April's story!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review! Bravo! 5 stars! ~Ratula

4.5 STARS


Those who have been following this series have met Greyson Storm, the fearless and enigmatic leader of the Mercenaries, and Maureen "Moe" Shadow, sister of Raze who we met in "Shadow Falling."
What we know so far is that Moe was kidnapped by Grey and held captive and Raze can free her when he does Grey a "favor." Neither of them expected the strong attraction they would feel for each other but there are more surprises for the beautiful scientist and the rough-around-the-edges Mercenaries leader yet to come.

Tying into the last installment of the series in which Moe was saved from the insane self proclaimed president Bret Atherton, they are trying to deal with all the consequences. The Mercs and the vanguards reach an uneasy and tenuous truce and Moe, a biotech engineer, rejoins the Mercs in the bunker to help find a way to survive in this now hostile environment. For herself and everyone she loves.


In the review for the last book I have complained a little bit about the overarching story line not moving forward. I was hoping that Rebecca Zanetti would finally take the threads of it in her hands and continue spinning the president's demise. I'm happy to say that my prayers were heard and we get a good dose of that in this book. At the end I cheered a little. A war is always an imbalance of losses vs. wins - and in this installment there are battles lost but also a great win for humanity.

We see Grey's struggle to choose sides. The options being joining the Vanguards and fighting the president or aligning with the president fighting the Vanguards and most likely losing Moe in the process. It should be a no-brainer but there are so many things factoring into this decision and while it would have been a no-brainer for *me* I get why Grey is so conflicted about it.

Meanwhile Moe is keeping a secret from Grey. Before she confides in Grey she needs to know if she can trust him - there is so much to learn about this complex man and she doesn't know a lot about him. Add to that, that her brother is fighting for the Mercs' adversaries she needs to treat carefully.

“I wish I knew you better,” she said quietly, her eyelids closing again.


Grey is a born leader - he looks out for the people, doesn't expect things from people that he wouldn't do himself. He gives his people confidence and is ruthless if need be but never without compassion. Grey faces some hard decisions and sometimes they seem a little dubious but he is a good person in an impossible world trying to live another day. That Grey's charisma attracts Moe is only understandable and their connection pretty obvious from the get-go. He can be high-handed and bossy but it is always for the good of those he cares about. And he is as possessive as they come.

When he let his guard down, he could be the sweetest man she'd ever met. It was hard to reconcile that with the killer he'd made himself become to survive the pandemic.

Maureen is a strong heroine, a spitfire, just like I love them. She has an iron will and stands up to Grey and her stubborn brother. Grey confuses her - he is advertised as cold-blooded killer but soon she finds that there are more layers to the Mercs leader than she was lead to believe and soon she finds herself falling for the charismatic Grey. But that doesn't make her brainless and I absolutely adored that about Moe. She keeps Greyson on his toes and challenges him.

“With you, I feel whole. Like there's hope somehow. I forgot that it even existed. In the apocalypse, you gave me hope.”

I think this is my favorite book in this series as yet. Rebecca Zanetti's story-telling is compelling and her characters lovable. We are now perfectly set up for the next book in this series - Damon Knight, Greyson's loyal second in command is featured pretty strongly in this installment. I hope the author continues weaving the threads of the overarching plot - I really would love to see the despicable Bret Atherton hurt. So now the anticipation for Winter Igniting starts, which we will get in our hands in March 2018.

With this apocalypse Scorpius Syndrome series by Rebecca Zanetti, I have enjoyed some of the stories more than others. Storm Gathering, book four of the full-length books is a highly intriguing and entertaining addition; one of the better in the series. I think this is besides the romance the big story has some major play too.

Maureen Shadow is an engineer scientist who is important to the overarching theme of the series which helped move that part of the story along, with Greyson having to form an alliance with one of the other two main groups. I was glad to see this aspect of the story gain some momentum.

The relationship romance between Maureen and Greyson is hot but has Ms. Zanetti’s signature characters of the alpha male leader in this case and intelligent, resource female. At times Greyson crosses over into bullying. This seems intentional on the author’s part playing up to the harsh, survival existence in which the world has become. I am not sure how the leaders like Greyson could actually be different. Still not a trait I admire in leaders so it kept it from being a 5 star book for me.

As I have said earlier, this is a series best read in order, starting with Scorpius Rising, the prequel novella.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.

Greyson, as the leader of the mercenaries, or Mercs, is a hard ex soldier. He had captured Maureen because her background in biology was needed by his group. Their attraction for each other was immediate, though they both fought hard against it. Maureen, although a scientist, and uber smart, was one of the less physical heroines in this series. I only point out that fact because Greyson seems to be the most unemotional and physical of them all. Maybe they were attracted to each other because their traits balanced the other half? I don’t know but because he was so stoic, I had a hard time liking him as much as I did some of the other male characters in the series. At times I wanted Moe to just write him off and let her brother Raze take her back to the Vanguard compound. Of course in a post apocalyptic world where the Scorpius virus seems to have created super soldiers, I guess a sensitive man wouldn’t survive for very long.

This was a good novel, but my least favorite in the series so far. However, I am invested in the overall plot. Will they find the cure to the Scorpius virus? Will the human race die out because pregnancies don’t survive the virus? Will this evil president ever die? There are so many questions unanswered! I’ll just have to read the next book to find out! ❤️❤️❤️

Technically, you can read this book as a standalone, but there appears to be lots of back story that has been dealt with in previous books.  So, whilst you can do as I did and dive in here, you might want to read the previous books in the series.

And so to the story.  Fast paced, full of action and some serious chemistry between the two main characters.  And, albeit a frustrating relationship between Greyson and Maureen, their back and forth was entertaining to read and flowed very well (even given the speed of their connection).

This was definitely a book that kept my interest from start to finish, with a dystopian scenario that felt eerily possible.  

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

This is one of my favorite series out there. It has everything I want...there's action, intrigue, romance, a plot line you become invested in and a detailed, slightly horrific, post apocalyptic world that will suck you in from the start.

Storm Gathering is the 4th full length novel and is chalk full of the characteristics that made me fall in love with each book that came before....it's gritty, suspenseful, and features a passionate love story between Greyson and Maureen, a couple I've been anxiously awaiting since the first kidnapping in book 2. Many a time, when I am looking forward to a book so intensely, it just can't live up to my expectations....thankfully, that was not the case. I loved it from the beginning to the end and can not recommend not just this book, but the entire series, enough.

I do suggest if you're new to the series, to start with book one in order to fully enjoy it and understand the plot....but also, you will not be disappointed in any Scorpious book.

Absolute 5 stars.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

Yet again I will start my review as I have started every one in the series… I am not a fan of apocalyptic/dystopian stories. However this is Rebecca Zanetti so I read it and enjoy it.

This story is filled with adventure and hot romance (read: sex) but I would expect nothing less from Zanetti. Her books make it hard to stop reading no matter the time of night. Greyson is hot. No doubt about that. Maureen is a great character that I enjoyed reading.

This is part of a series and I suggest reading them in order so you understand the world the characters are now living in. You will not be disappointed reading this series even if this is one a genre you would normally pick up.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

One can find hope in the apocalypse…

This is the fourth book in the Scorpius Syndrome series that can be read as a stand-alone, the author provides relevant information where needed, but the read is enhanced if you’ve followed the series.

When the world was upended by Scorpius, a deadly space born pathogen, Greyson Storm’s military training was a definite advantage for survival. This former sniper is head of the Mercenaries, a group of men with similar backgrounds who control a West Coast beach area. Greyson has one agenda driving him, vengeance for a friend, to accomplish that objective he kidnapped a woman to force her brother’s assistance in a hostage trade. When his intelligence proved faulty he released the woman unharmed but now he finds himself thinking of her often and wants her back for her skills and another reason he hasn’t admitted. In a chaotic world alliances are essential for long term continuation of the species and the first engagement with Vanguard does not bode well for the future.

As a biotechnology engineer Maureen (Moe) Shadow might be humanity’s hope for food production, resources are scarce and her knowledge of crops is invaluable. She thought she was safe in one of the last governmental research sites yet she was taken hostage not for her skillset but for who she was by an intense, cold hearted man who’s also exceedingly sexy. With a brother who was in the military she knows the type but she never figured she’d find herself drawn to such a man, he’s a complex mystery that draws her but whether he is friend or foe is a serious question, a wrong decision could cost lives. Yet instinctively she trusts him, a loner raised in the foster care system who hides a softer side.

The strong sexual attraction between Greyson and Maureen is vehemently denied by each making the romance an intense simmering burn that inevitably ends in a passionate explosive eruption. The author pitted a feisty, sassy, intelligent heroine who gives as good as she gets and who stands up for what she believes in against an often ruthless alpha anti-hero, a man who’ll kill with no compassion or remorse if the situation calls for it yet has a moral code, is protective, and respects the memory of the woman who was his foster mom as seen in his journal notes.

One of the things I like about this series is that even after Armageddon the human condition still burns strong and when all else has fallen apart it is within each other that lightness out of the darkness can be found. As Greyson said to Moe: “In the apocalypse you gave me hope.” In a world where anarchy reigns there are reasons to fight to live, not just to exist for the sake of existence.

We’ve seen life at Vanguard previously and now we see life with the Mercenaries, their rigid adherence to certain rules has reached a breaking point showing the need for change and a strong working alliance with migration to safer and fertile lands becoming more evident with each passing day and dwindling of crucial resources. Amid distrust and hatred can the powerful men of these groups forge a way forward together? Perhaps friendship born of respect as each proved their worth might sway reluctance.

The underlying plot leapt forward in this book, the action and suspense was riveting, the characters were likable and psychologically fascinating, the post-apocalyptic world constantly evolves, the more answers one learned the more questions one posed. How will it all end is anyone’s guess. The psycho President who is not easy to kill seems to have more lucky lives than a cat is said to have nine of them. Some events were concurrent with those in the previous books. It’s rare to find books in a series that are consistently great, this series is an exception; this reader has loved every book to date and looks forward to more.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

If the Scorpius Syndrome should happen tomorrow, and you were one of the survivors which side would you be on? I want to believe that I would be on the side that would fight for a cure. Storm Gathering is a work of fiction. It is not too often that we come across fiction especially in a romance that the heavy topic of death and how one can change society if we all just work together.

Storm Gathering is book # 4 in Rebecca Zanetti’s thriller post-apocalyptic romance The Scorpius Syndrome. Maureen Shadow may be the only Biotechnology Engineer left living and the most valuable to both allies and enemies.

If you haven’t read book three, Maureen Shadow was kidnapped by Greyson Storm to keep a vow to a dead friend. But later he let her go. But by then the attraction for Maureen just grew to where he couldn’t stop thinking about her. And now that there is finally a chance for him to keep his promise, he must decide if a promise to a dead friend is worth risking what he hopes to gain with Maureen.

I am really enjoying this series, and without a doubt, Storm Gathering fits right in with the others in this series. What I love the most about this story is all the characters from the previous story made their appearance. Also, this series feels like one big movie just without the movie screen. Storm Gathering will have you thinking, cheering and crying until the very last page has been turned.

So, after you read Storm Gathering if Scorpius Syndrome should happen tomorrow what side would you take.

I would recommend Storm Gathering for any hard-core Science Fiction lover how also love a good romance.

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.

This series is everything! I love a good romantic suspense, but added in is the apocalyptic nature of the story, an insane Commander in Chief, gangs, cults, you name it - this story has it. But always at the focus is the relationship that grows between the featured couple. In this we get to learn about what grew between Greyson and Maureen when he kidnapped (!!!) her, and what this means for the survivors in Vanguard and the Mercenaries. Tough decisions are made and loyalties shown as Greyson and Moe figure out their feelings for each other, while dealing with some very big issues. I can't get spoilery like I want to, but I'll just say that if this series goes on for 100 books, I am there! Always excited when I can get my hands on any Scorpius Syndrome reads!