Initial Thoughts
This was good! I have been looking forward to Tace's story because he is such an interesting character and I think that Sami is his perfect match. There were a lot of developments in this installment that kept me glued to my headphones. This is a series that really needs to be read in order since each installment builds on the last and the characters from previous books play an important role in this story. I thought that Michael Pauley did a great job with the audio.

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. Full review to be posted soon.

Justice Ascending is the third book in Rebecca Zanetti's Scorpius Syndrom series. It is a dystopian type of science fiction in that it takes place in the future after a bacterium called Scorpius tears down society as we know it. It kind of has a similar vibe to zombies, however people aren't becoming mindless and walking dead. But the bacteria does make them want to bite more people thus spreading the infection.

In the previous book which takes place days before this book, Tace Justice got infected with Scorpius. He has survived the infection with the help of Vitamin B injections, but it has changed him. He cares less and less about everything. He has acquired OCD, and he is starting to obsess about someone else at Vanguard, Sami Steel. If you haven't been reading the series, Vanguard is a small community of survivors who are just trying to survive and maybe find a cure for this ilness. Sami says she used to be a cop before Scorpius but hasn't fully convinced everyone, though she does have some amazing hand to hand combat skills. She is a poor shot.

Sami has always been interested in Tace, but with how Scorpius changed the world and some serious secrets she's harbouring, she tries to stay away. Now that Tace has become more interested in her, she is finding it harder to maintain distance. The are both sent to a rival community's base to help because Tace is a medic, and the experience ignites their passions. Then Tace starts to show symptoms of something that only Sami may be able to help with, and the expense of her secrets.

Within this highly intense way of life, passion is on high for these two. It was too much for my personal tastes. I just wanted them to get back to fighting Scorpius and the corrupted president, etc. I was dissapointed in the changes in Tace. Up until this book, he has been a favorite character. Now he becomes an overbearing jerk in my opinion. He tries to work through his new feelings (or lack of them) but he struggles greatly.

I am still in love with this series storyline, and new discoveries in this book lead to more questions. I just have to know what happens to these characters! I plan to continue reading the series, though I am behind now as I think two more books have been released.

I absolutely love and adore every book that Rebecca Zanetti and this book wasnt the exception. It was thrilling hot and sexy with plenty of danger thrpwn in to keep you engaged. I would highly recommend this book and can't wait for more from this series.

This is my favorite type of romance-post-apocalyptic. I've read each of the books in this series and it only gets better and better with each book. Though this is the third book in the series, they can be read as standalones, though the story is so much richer by reading them all and in order.
Trace was a medic before Scorpius and is a valued member of Vanguard. Sami is a kick-ass lieutenant of Vanguard and claims to have been a member of the LAPD. It's been fun watching these two dance around each other up to now. But the the time has come to fish or cut bait. While the action is nonstop, the romance is hot and adorable. Zanetti has added yet another winner to this series and at two books a year in this series from her plus her Blood Brothers series, my hero!

I'm all in on the Scorpius series as fiction. Romance wise it's not the most romantic, most erotic, etc. but as fiction entertainment I'm hooked.

I want to know:

Do they find a cure for Scorpius? Do they find the cure in the computer room?
Do they find a way to grow food, find water?
Is there hope for the future?
Do they kick out the non-infected in their camp?
Do they find the President?

If you're looking for pure romance this isn't it. If you're looking for an entertaining read with smart characters, intriguing plot, and a little passion this is for you.

I love how series like Scorpius Syndrome take us into the thoughts and lives of individual characters via the various books. First Jax, then Raze... now Tace.

We've met Tace in the first 2 installments of the series. He is an integral part of the Vanguard team being their medic, but now he is recovering from the virus and trying to deal with the changes it has made to his pysche. As the medic he has always been empathetic, but now he's having trouble caring about anyone - or anything.

As always, Rebecca's writing is engrossing. The world draws you in and the characters suck you down into another reality. As an author Rebecca successfully makes you care about her characters by feeling empathy for them, and she does that by being a master wordsmith.

I highly recommend any books by Rebecca, but especially the Scorpius Syndrome series.

**I received a complimentary copy of this ebook via NetGalley.**

My kindle has broken and I am unable to resend it as it has been archived

Scorpius strikes again… and the world will never be the same. Everyone’s favorite Vanguard Combat Medic was infected in the previous novel in the series and we have all been watching and wondering just how he would come out on the other side of Scorpius. Tace Justice has gone from being a sweet and funny good ole’ boy from Texas to becoming an intense and challenging opponent and he has decided to make his next battle with the sensual Sami Steel, and he is determined to break her down and discover all of her secrets. Tace knew that if he survived his Scorpius infection he was going to be fundamentally changed, but since every survivor exhibits different symptoms he can’t discount any personality changes, and his former fear of becoming a sociopath is no longer a fear—though he’s not sure if that means he is already a sociopath or if he has escaped that fate. He has known from the beginning that Sami was hiding something from them, but when they are thrown into even closer confines then just sharing the vanguard territory, the attraction between them is no longer denials and it is definitely undefinable. Sami has been avoiding her feelings and increasing fears of Tace, knowing that If she ever gave in to him he would discover her every secret and out her to the entire world. But as their chemistry turns into something much deeper Sami is faced with a choice; She can either out herself, with the distinct possibility of losing her place in vanguard if not her life, and definitely her relationship with Tace, or watching him die in her arms. For Sami there is no choice at that point. Sharing her secret with her new team has some serious and long lasting consequences, but as long as Tace is able to be saved, Sami is willing to pay the price, proving that she is truly a woman with principles and the courage to stand up for them even at the expense of her own heart and soul. Tace is beyond pissed when she shares that she has been keeping the location of “The Bunker” they were all searching for a secret, but more than that he is angry that she didn’t trust him to know the truth of her past. Together with their friends, Tace and Sami have to find a way to get the resources they need, keep their people safe, and hopefully find the forgiveness and bravery to give their hearts to one another in this terrifying and all to possible new world they live in. I enjoyed getting to see how Tracers mind is working with these new changes and there were definitely some moments where the thoughts running through his mind were beyond hilarious. Finally getting to know the real Sami was interesting too, seeing her passions and conviction and willingness to sacrifice for others shows me that she is truly a great character and a woman to be reckoned with. The heat and passion between Tace and Sami sometimes has a darker shade than I prefer in my reading, but in the end the two of them were perfectly matched and I loved seeing them settle into their love and beginning their future together. While I am not generally a big fan of Post-apocalyptic stories, Rebecca manages to bring all the craziness and changes down to the level of basic human needs and how to survive in whatever world you find yourself thrown into. Magic once again, Rebecca!

I absolutely loved this!
I was on pins and needles the whole book! I can't tell you how many times I was holding my breath, trying to read through a scene, until the excitement ended. It's an emotional rollercoaster or laughs, tears and anger.
I've loved every book in this series and I can't wait for more!!!
Definitely 5 stars!

I’ve really enjoyed this series from the beginning. Tace is a character that I’ve loved since I met him in the first book. I’ve been a bit worried about him, since he contracted Scorpius, but learning that he was getting his own book made me very happy.

So, if you’re not familiar with this series, it is a post apocalyptic story. There is a bacteria that has been released on the world and it is changing people. Most people don’t survive if they contract this bacteria. They can survive and live a pretty normal life (as normal as a post apocalyptic life can be), if they get high doses of vitamin B. Without the vitamin B, they survivor could be high functioning, but psychopathic or they could be low functioning, almost zombie like or act like a dog or something. The current president of the US is one of these high functioning psychopaths.

Both the hero and heroine have been a part of this story since book one. Tace is former military and a field medic. He is working as the Vanguard’s medic and really their doctor (medical training of any kind is a high priority). However, he was infected and they didn’t have vitamin B at the time, and so his personality has changed since we first met him in book one.

Sami is one of the guards in Vangaurd. She has gotten herself into the inner circle with Tace, Jax, Raze and a few others. She told them she was a rookie LAPD cop before Scorpius broke out. She’s a good fighter, so that helps her out, but she isn’t a very good shot, which doesn’t. Especially when a rival group, the Mercs, start working with Vanguard and the main guy they work with is a former LAPD member.

So a lot happens with the overall series story arc. There is stuff going on with the Pure, a group of religious fanatics that thinks they were saved from the bacteria because God wants to keep them pure. Their leader has segregated the group and taken all the children with them. The Vanguard inner circle is working to make sure that everyone joined the group willingly and that the children are safe.

There is also this battle with the President and Vice President and their soldiers. The search for the Bunker which might have the cure for Scorpius or possibly a way to make the human body to produce these large amounts of vitamin B. There is also the search for Jax’s brother Marcus.

So a lot happens in this book outside of the romance between Tace and Sami. It is a fast paced story. There is a ton of action, but we also get plenty of romance too and not just from Tace and Sami. It was great to see Jax and Lynne and Raze and Vinnie together too.

Quotes:
Tace Justice read the last depressing line on the page and growled, tossing the journal across the room. When it landed, the cover slapped back into place with Hello Kitty smiling at him. Jesus. Paper was scarce, but doc could’ve found a different notebook when she’d ordered him to start journaling. Like his descent into madness really needed to be recorded by a happy cat.

Tace lifted his head, his body going into overdrive. “What happened to your mouth?” The Merc leader’s lip was already swelling nice and fat.
“Your woman kicked me in the face,” Greyson growled, gingerly touching his mouth.
Anger, the real kind, sped through Tace so quickly his ears burned. “What did you do?” He advanced.
Grey held up a hand. “Just threatened to shoot you. We didn’t touch her.”
Tace paused. A smile tickled his mouth, and warmth bloomed in his chest. “She was defending me?”
“Apparently.” Greyson frowned. “She didn’t need to kick me in the mouth though.” He shook his head as Tace started to ask the question. “Of course I didn’t retaliate. Even though it’d be a fun contest, I don’t hit women. Even mean ones who kick a guy in the lips just for making an ordinary threat against somebody not even present. God.”

She rolled her pretty green eyes. “Okay, tough guy. Sit on the table, and I’ll get Tace. He’s much better at stitching people up.”
“Tace punched me through the glass door.” Jax jumped onto the table.
Lynne paused. “Is he still breathing?”
“Yes,” Jax sighed. “He thought I made Sami cry, and he reacted, which was probably a good thing so they can get their shit figured out. So I didn’t kill him. See? I’m growing as a person.”
Lynne hustled to the counter and yanked out surgical stuff that looked pointy and painful. “You really are.”

I will keep it short and sweet. I figured out early on what Sam's secret. I was also very frustrated by the push and pull between the two main characters. However, I was sucked in with the plot and wanted to know what was going to happen next. I can't wait for the next book!

I absolutely love Rebecca Zanetti's writing, and I love this series!! I love that this series is an adult, romance dystopian! You should for sure read the previous books because they are awesome! And there is also a continuing storyline throughout the series, I suppose you could read this on its own, but you wouldn't get the full experience of this series. In this series, a deadly bacteria, Scorpius, has infected most of the population and many have died, but some of the survivors are doing what they can to find the cure, and to survive the disease and other people. In this book, we get the story of Tace and Sami, both are soldiers at one of the survivor compound. Tace and Sami have both survived Scorpius, but Tace is experiencing some effects of the disease because he didn't receive a shot that he needed on time. Tace and Sami have felt an attraction towards each other for awhile, but neither has acted on it because they are partners in the field, so they felt it wouldn't be accepted by their leader, but it's becoming more and more difficult for them to stay away from each other. Plus, both are withholding some very important information, so each has a bit of a wall up. I love how badass Sami is! She kicks butt! She's definitely not a damsel, and I enjoyed seeing her evolve, I was hoping that she wouldn't be so blasé about Tace's extra curricular activities right before her, but she probably more mature than I am, lol! Tace has a bit of a dark side, which I loved, and I love how protective he is. There is tons of awesome action going on, and I loved getting to see previous characters! I'm definitely reading more by Zanetti, and in this series! I want Grayson's book!!! So, if you want some action-packed, fast-pace, amazing storytelling, and deep romantic connections then definitely read this book and this series!

I love a good dystopian/apocalypse book and this series has been such a treat for this genre. The disease killed off most of the earth's people and what's left is now gangs of people fighting not only the disease but each other. There are limited resources and of course everyone wants them for themselves.

Tace used to be the light hearted one of their group but after getting the virus and somehow surviving it, he's now broody and angry. Sami is his work partner and there has been something between them for awhile. That something takes off in this book.

This entire book was a fast paced adventure in addition to a steamy romance. I really liked it and can't wait till the next in the series.

**ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

The race to the survival of the fittest goes on in Rebecca Zanetti’s The Scorpius Syndrome Series. Since Scorpius Syndrome swept through the nation, only a few survived but Vanguard continues to thrive despite this chaos they live in. The search for the secret bunkers continues and for the first time, the cure to Scorpius may be a possibility.

This series has become one of my favorite reads and always highly anticipated. The post-apocalyptic storyline is thought-provoking of what could be in our world. The testing for vaccines, studies, and its possible chaos intrigues me, as well as how realistic Zanetti makes the aftermath survival feel.

This installment focuses on Tace and Sami’s story. Tace has survived Scorpius but now experiencing symptoms that are getting worse. While Sami has a secret that is proving to be a big problem, not only in the mission to find the bunker but to what their relationship could be. It will be quite a battle before they can get their HEA.

Their overall romance was sweet with a little angst. Tace and Sami are not my favorite couple, but I love that they overcame the hardships. I love seeing the other characters from the previous books. I think Zanetti did a great job with keeping them in the loop with this story. After all, they are all pretty connected considering the world they live in. There is a big discovery at this end of this book and it looks like there will be big changes coming to Vanguard but I’m not sure how close they are to curing the deadly disease.

There were a few chapters parts that I thought was a bit cheesy but overall, I enjoyed reading this installment. Of course, Zanetti did not fail to include action-packed scenes that will have you at the edge of your seat.

Another hit by this author! Loving the world building. She is a master at PNR and romantic suspense. An unlikely pairing between these two team mates, but the world has changed. Tace and Sami can hopefully heal and Support each other. Happy to see some light at the end of the tunnel for the Vanguard crew.

Can't wait for the next book to come out!

I love Rebecca Zanetti's books. I have never not loved one of her books. I usually do not like end of the world books, but I love this series! There is so much action and adventure, but it still has romance. This is Tace and Sami's story, but you should read the whole series to really know what it going on. They are labeled as standalone books, but you will not know what is going on without reading the first 2 books. Tace is the typical southern boy, but he has been infected with the Scorpious virus. He has survived the virus, but his personality gets darker and he trying to avoid becoming a Ripper. Sami has been hiding secrets, and Tace has to figure out what they are. I love how Sami is a tough chick, and she can totally take care of herself. Wait until the and to hand combat fights!! This book answered a lot of the questions from the previous books, but there are still some points left unfinished. There are still the Rippers, the evil president and his elite force. I cannot wait to read the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy.

The Scorpius Syndrome series never disappoints. The world as we know it is gone, as is most of the population and life is harsh. Groups of people are struggling to survive. Some never got sick and are organizing to scavenge from the old for survival. Few people have survived the bacterium, but those that do are changed. The disease has turned many feral, willing to take from those that are picking up the pieces.
Tace survived the disease and he notices that he has changed. Before, he was an affable "aw shucks, ma'am" kind of guy. Since he survived, he is different. He has an edge to him and he is stronger. He fears that he might turn bad the way many have, but he is a good man who is stronger than he realizes.
Fighting along side the Vanguards is Sami. She and Tace are attracted to each other as they search for all the things the group needs to survive and that includes weapons and ingredients for a cure which of course is in short supply. Their chemistry is getting to hard to deny, but Sami has a secret.
Although the premise of the story is bleak, the characters shine throughout each book. The men are warriors and they will do what must be done to protect their group. The women are smart, strong and kick-ass! They are the people you would want watching your back as the world fights to get back on its feet. Tace and Sami have a hot and sexy chemistry which has you rooting for them. Ms. Zanetti's storytelling is fast paced and exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

4 Wine Glass #Review for Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti

The third book in the Scorpius Syndrome series, following the group of Scorpius survivors at Vanguard, delivers a flurry of action and intrigue with a scintillating amount of passion.

Tace Justice was one of the good ole' boys, a natural charmer with a boyish grin and a slow Texas drawl...until he contracted Scorpius. With barely enough vitamin B to keep him from turning Ripper, Tace teeters on the edge of sanity. No one knows how bad it has gotten though. Numbness and blackouts, indifference and apathy. Until Sami...
Sami Steel is a Vanguard soldier, just another one of the guys. What she feels for Trace though, is all woman. Too bad she's hiding a secret that could ravage everything she's built for herself in this new world. When her secret may be the only thing that can save Trace's life though, Sami has to decide if her knowledge is worth possibly sacrificing her own life.

Justice Ascending continues the story of Vanguard, a group of survivors in this post apocalyptic world led by Jax and his trusty lieutenants. With enemies on all fronts (the President, the Twenty gang, Rippers, and Scavengers) and the search still on for the Bunker, tension is at an all time high. I enjoy the dynamics of this group, and each of the character's relationships. They've created their own family in this society where many have lost everyone they've known. The world around them is still crumbing from the after effects of the Scorpius virus, with different factions fighting for power, it's hard to know who to trust. While Tace, our lovable cowboy turned dark and brooding bad-ass, struggles with what he knows he should feel, and what he actual does feel, or doesn't as the case may be. You could tell from the beginning that there was some sort of spark between him and Sami, and Sami was just the thing Tace needed to realize that he wasn't totally lost to Scorpius. These two sizzled together. I loved Tace's newfound dominance, as well as Sami's tough, no holds barred attitude.

A lot of little threads that have been left loose so far throughout the series finally come together, while a lot more are remain dangling. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series, maybe it will be about a sexy Merc fighter and a certain someone's sister? While each book in the series can technically be read as a stand-alone, past main characters have recurring and essential roles in each new installment. I would definitely recommend readers start with book one in the series!

JUSTIC ASCENDING takes us back into author Rebecca Zanetti's post-apocalyptic Scorpius Syndrome series and as I have looked forward to Tace's story I must say it is amazing. The pace is fast as we delve again into the survival of these survivors. But it is more than simple surviving, they are trying to live again, finding things that bring pleasure back into their world, as well as working to find a cure for Scorpius and the after affects of the virus. I enjoy a series that keeps the characters throughout but concentrating on one main couple. This is without a question Tace's and Sami's story and I have to say I loved it.

Sometimes when you read a book you have a certain idea how you want a couple to be and are disappointed in what the writer did, but this is not the case for this couple. The storyline flowed from the last book to this one without a hitch. They bicker, they fight each other verbally and physically, and for each other and most of all they love. In each book we are getting a better look at Vanguard people; the mercenaries (who just might not be all that different from the Vanguard's); the Pure, who are willing to use the Vanguard people as guards and fighters, but don't want to chance getting the virus from them. I can't wait to see what happens next in this crazy, impressive world. If you love action packed storyline, strong, fierce men and women, emotional scenes and hot, steamy moments then JUSTICE ASCENDING will give you an amazing ride.

~Annetta Sweetko, Fresh Fiction review

The complete review may be found at: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=62216