Rebecca Zanetti has created an original world with compelling characters, that jump off the page and don't let you put down the book until it's over. I loved every second of this story and can't wait for the next one in the series. This is truly outstanding entertainment. Highly recommend!

We finally got to see the infamous bunker! Actually, this book took us to the President's and the Mercenaries compounds. I loved this book for all the action we got in it. Not only did we see the groups listed above, but we also dealt a little bit with the Pure. I've been waiting on a HEA for Tace. That he got it with Sami was pretty awesome. She was portrayed as a kick-ass fighting machine, but she was still a woman who needed to be treated as a woman. And if there's anybody who knows how to treat a woman nice, it's definitely Tace. They were great together. Now, let's see what's up with Mo and Gray.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Tace Justice and Sami Steel are two of Jax Mercury’s trusted Vanguard soldiers. Their team is responsible for both civilians and soldiers safety in the Vanguard compound in this post apocalyptic LA. We have gotten to know both of them in the previous two Scorpius Syndrome novels. Seeing how Tace’s easy going personality has changed since contracting the Scorpius virus. His southern charm still in existence, but he now has an edge that he didn’t have before, a dark side that he tries to hide from the others. Sami is a competent member of the team, a former LAPD officer, or so we believe. In Justice Ascending, we see how the attraction that has always existed between the two of them combusts and all of their secrets are revealed.

Tace has been one of my favorite characters in this series. His southern charm and funny one liners a great contrast with Jax Mercury’s alpha attitude. He contracted the virus in Shadow Falling, and his personality started to change. He no longer saw a clear line between bad and good and became almost robotic. I was really excited to see his emotions start to engage with his interactions with Sami. Something that I had really missed. Don’t get me wrong, he is tougher, stronger and has a definite alpha attitude, but she makes him a little lighter, back to delivering one liners to lighten the mood.

Sami was always a bit of a mystery. Even though she was on the elite team of soldiers and there was some comradery, she had drawn a line that she never crossed, keeping her secrets to herself. Justice Ascending breaks it all open and we learn why Sami held herself back and how her relationship with Tace brings those secrets all out into the open.

Justice Ascending was my favorite of the three Scorpius Syndrome books because I was eager to get to the back stories of these two characters. Rebecca Zanetti did not disappoint. Sami and Tace gave this story momentum, moving the Scorpius Syndrome plot forward, leaving the reader tense and eager for the next novel to come out.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Read my reviews of Mercury Striking and Shadow Falling the first two books in the series by clicking on those titles.

This is the third installment in the Scorpius Syndrome series and I would definitely recommend reading this series in order to fully understand the complex background of the protagonists and the workings of Rebecca Zanetti’s post-apocalyptic world.

This book focuses on the romance between Tace Justice, the once laid-back Texan medic who turned into a sociopath after surviving his infection with the Scorpius bacterium and Sami Steel, the Vanguard soldier with a past she keeps lying about. I was very curious about this pairing and Rebecca Zanetti didn’t disappoint. The revelation of Sami’s backstory illuminated some new aspects of the story that kept me glued to the pages.

I really enjoyed Tace and Sami’s story and I love this post-apocalyptic world, where you’re never quite sure if the person standing in front of you is your friend or foe, enemy or ally.

Another gritty, action-packed, dark and insanely hot addition to the series. Can’t wait to read book four!


* I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Rebecca Zanetti is one of those authors I can't get enough of. Sami and Tace are a couple that I have been rooting for from the first inklings of attraction and finally getting to read their story was something I've been looking forward to.

Unfortunately, I didn't fall in love with Sami and Tace the way I have with all the other couples. I'm not sure what got in the way, but their relationship just felt like more of the same. That being said, "the same" was still pretty good and I couldn't put it down.

There is a major plot development in this book and I still have no idea where it's going. It looks like a new couple has been added and I have a feeling little Lena will end up playing a big part in the series towards the end... other than that I'm just along for the ride. I have faith that all the little strings will end up in one heck of a bow with the final book (whenever that may be...).

On a side note... it has taken me 3 BOOKS to realize that the last name of each of the Heros is in the title of the book they are featured in.... I feel like such a ditz sometimes.

Rebecca Zanetti's The Scorpius Syndrome series keep getting better and better. Hold on to your hat when it comes to Tace and Sami! As a part of the Vanguard inner circle, Tace and Sami are both familiar characters. There has been something there from the beginning, but neither of them were willing to take it to the next level.

Sami has had a secret from the beginning. We know she was keeping something back, but when she comes clean, it's totally unexpected. Tace is struggling with coping with the changes from surviving the infection. He's "going dark" and isn't sure if he even cares. When they finally give in, the results are explosive.

Zanetti does an amazing job of creating these complex characters, then putting them into a world where the rules have changed. The internal struggle is very unique to each of characters and keeps you engaged to the very end. The pace of the story is amazing, keeping you on your toes and trying to figure what she's going to do next. She also does an amazing job of keeping her other characters engaged and evolving. You get to see Jax and Lynne and Raze and Vinnie continue to grow and evolve right along with Tace and Sami. She's also throwing out teasers, such as Grey and Moe, that make me excited to see where she's planing to take us next. Oh and don't forget Lena. She's one of my favorite characters.

If you haven't read this series, you need to, because its getting better with every installment!

in this thrilling, post-apocalyptic romance that all through the series, it was dark with sizzling heat. With Justice Ascending being no exception. Justice Ascending puts us closer to the end game. However, the question remains “Will civilization ever be the same?”

Justice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti
The Scorpius Syndrome #3

In a world gone mad Trace Justice, a member of Vanguard, is dealing with intense side effects from contracting the Scorpius virus. His partner, Sami Steele, is keeping secrets from those in Vanguard but when she realizes Trace might not make it if she doesn’t share her biggest secret things change. Both Sami and Trace are drawn to one another and act on their attraction but have no idea how it all will work out and whether or not Trace will live long enough for them to have a future together.

I really liked this book and was eager to read it after having already read books one and two of the series. Trace was a handsome charmer in the first two books but after contracting the virus becomes quite a bit darker. He and Sami are great together whether on a mission or in the bedroom. There were fights, missions, steamy scenes, contact with the mercenary contingent, gangs, children to save, religious fanatics, bunkers to breach, elite forces to deal with and more in this intense action packed story.

I am eager to find out who will have his story told next. Will it be Marcus and Penelope or Damon and April or Greyson and Maureen or someone else entirely? I want to know what Zachary, leader of The Pure is up to and would really like to know if The Brigade still exists and if so how they are doing. There will no doubt be an exodus at some point from Los Angeles with Vanguard moving to the country and much to be learned in a world where everything is so very different. How will they cope once all of the items we take for granted are gone? In a dystopian world nothing is easy and nothing will be easy as survivors learn to cope and move forward and make lives unlike those they once knew.

Great series, great novel, great characters – can’t wait for book four! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I have been looking forward to this book since book 1 of the series, and it didn't disappoint! In by opinion this has been the best so far, but you should read them in order so you know what in the world is going on. Each book only covers a small time period (usually around 1 month or less as far as I can tell), and this one picks up right where book 2 ends. There is action, love, mystery, and did I mention action? Lots of shooting, running, and blowing up things in this one, but the story kept me captivated, and hooked me into this world even more. Combine that with a super alpha male, and a strong and kick-ass heroine? Recipe for success! I'm eager for the next one! If you like dystopian romance this series is for you!

Justice Ascending (The Scorpius Syndrome) Kindle Edition
by Rebecca Zanetti 
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

First, let me state, I've read all of the Scorpius Syndrome and am deeply addicted to the characters and the story. I am a sucker for dystopian/apocalyptic romance and dystopia in general. I've probably read and reviewed half a dozen of dystopian novels in the last several months and this by far was the most enjoyable, if the end of the world could be enjoyable.

Scorpius is a bacterium that came from space. Geology students out meteor hunting found the rock that contained the bug and brilliantly decided to lick it. The illness then spread out from the there. Once infected, there are three possibilities – first, you die. Second, if you survive, you go a little nuts, often becoming a sociopathic Ripper or serial killer. Third, if you receive the right mixture of B vitamins, you survive with just a few changes to your brain.

Tace Justic, Vangaurd soldier and ex-field medic is infected by a bite from a Ripper. He does receive the B cocktail but it isn't known if it is in time. In fact, he believes it wasn't in time as he feels himself going dark and disconnecting. It makes him a better medic and a better soldier, but somewhere inside of him, he is afraid of what he will become. Things point to not good, as he develops OCD and other tics including physical symptoms that resemble seizures. The only thing that may save him from insanity is the obsession he has with Sami Steel.

Sami, also a Vangaurd soldier, claims to be a former LAPD rookie, but she is lying. Justice can tell when people, particulaly Sami, are lying. She has finally found a home at Vangaurd, the enclave run by ex-soldiers and doctors working on finding a cure, protecting survivors and starting over. And she has found a friend and patrol partner in Justice. The tension between them flairs in sparring sessions. When it goes further than that, when their passion reaches into her soul, she has to choose between her secrets and her best friend and true love.

Zanetti has a unique talent for combining the apocalyptic/dystopian realities (lack of food and simple luxuries), military needs and passionate friendships and romances. The soldiers are as passionate about protecting the survivors and uninfected in Vangaurd as they are about protecting and pleasing their women.

Zanetti also has a talent for the terse language of soldiers who know, rely and completely trust each other completely with not only their lives but with the lives of those they love. I grew up surrounded by military men and I hear echoes of them in the characters Zanetti has created.

The love scenes sizzle and thrill, there are hearts as well as bodies involved, making the scenes hotter than a cast iron skillet.

The slight hits of the supernatural, from Vinnie's telepathy to Lena's mystery gifts add hope to an otherwise bleak future.
All in all, my favorite of the series! And in one of my favorite series!

5 out of 5.

https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Ascending-Scorpius-Syndrome-Rebecca-ebook/dp/B01FBZXSI4/

ustice Ascending by Rebecca Zanetti is the fourth book in the Scorpius Syndrome series. This is a post-apocalyptic romantic suspense set in the post fall environment of Los Angeles. Justice Ascending shares Sami Steel the group’s lone female soldier’s romance with Tace Justice a former soldier and cowboy from Texas. Heat, suspense, ARC progression and a heartwarming romance kept me flipping the pages in search of an HEA.

Post-apocalyptic and dystopian series always fascinating me. When you mix in alpha males, brilliant women, and suspense I begin to drool. The overall ARC to the Scorpius Syndrome has held my attention from the beginning. While a virus that killed most of the population and changed the behavior of others is nothing new, Zanetti has added some fresh twists and made it her own. I liken it to Mira Grant’s Newsflesh world or Parasite world. Just mix in delicious romances. Each book deals with one member of Vanguard’s compound romance. There are several threads in the overall ARC from a zealot preacher to a frantic search for a secret government facility that may hold the cure to the Scorpius virus. While these could be read as standalone, I strongly recommend reading them in order. Not sure this is for you? Begin with the novella Scorpius Rising.

Sami Steel has been a favorite character of mine since the beginning. As the lone female soldier, she is demanding of herself. She is tough as nails with an unspoken grace. Steel has been hiding secrets about her past. Tace Justice, a former soldier, and Texan has just recently survived infection from the virus and with it comes changes both in personality and behavior. He has always been attracted to his partner. I loved their partnership, friendship, and romantic development. It felt genuine as Zanetti allowed me to connect and experience a range of emotions from laughter to tears.

The story had us visiting the Mercs compound, dealing with issues within the Vanguard compound and exciting discoveries that will have an impact on the overall arc going forward. Zanetti is a powerful storyteller and she threaded these tales together creating a story the ebbed and flowed between nail-biting battle scenes, humor and romance. Dealings with the Mercs proved interesting as the beginning of relationships developed. We were teased with them just enough to have us eager for more.

If you are a fan of romantic suspense and post-apocalyptic tales and haven’t tried Justice Ascending and the Scorpius Syndrome series I highly recommend them.

Why am I just now discovering this amazing series ? Justice Ascending is #3 in the series and thus far a first for me. Needless to say that I will be rectifying that situation ASAP .... as in immediately.

I lurve everything about this book / series. The characters are all amazing. This one of a kind dystopian world is simply fascinating. I might add that coming from one of my favorite and most trusted authors that the creativity and writing is awesome. Action. Suspense. Passion. This book didn't have any quiet moments. I loved every minute. Now it's onwards to catch myself up on the previous books and everything that I've missed.

Sami has been an active woman member of the elite Vanguard team since the beginning. She’s always had her eye on the nice guy Texan, Tace.

When Tace is struck with the virus his ability to distinguish between right and wrong get blurred but there is one thing he knows for sure…he knows Sami is lying about her past and he wants her.

Tace and Sami are sent into a rival territory to assist a competing fraction with medical services and to spy on them. Friendships and truces will be tested in this gritty world infected with the Scorpius virus

Both Sami and Tace have been favorite side characters so I was thrilled to dive right into their tale. Hot as heck, with the story telling visceral, edgy and raw.

Finally! We get to the infamous “bunker” in this high octane romantic suspense thriller, Justice Ascending. Loving this series, Zanetti grips her readers with intense action, suspense-filled anticipation and finding love in this most unhospitable post-apocalyptic world.

I received this ARC copy of Justice Ascending from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange for a honest and voluntary review. This book is set for publication Jan. 31, 2017.

My Rating: 5 Stars
Written by: Rebecca Zanetti
Series: The Scorpius Syndrome
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: January 31, 2017
ISBN-10: 1420137980
ISBN-13: 978-1420137989
Genre: Romantic Post Apocalyptic

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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Ascend...
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Reviewed for:
http://tometender.blogspot.com


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I don't read many dystopian stories although I really find a post-apocalyptic world totally fascinating. I keep asking myself what I would do if I were stripped down to my basics and had to survive on instinct and good fortune. I'd like to think I'd be one of the good ones.

Before falling victim to Scorpius Tace was always the charmer, the easy-going guy with the boyish, Texan charm. When he got infected he didn't get his Vitamin B right away, which is the only thing avoiding becoming a Ripper, a zombie-like creature. Some of these Rippers are really only existing on instinct, the others become brilliant sociopaths. Tace has noticed change lately, his emotions are way toned down, parts of his body go numb, he blacks out. The only people tethering him to his human side are his friends at Vanguard, the vigilante group of people with Jax at the helm. One person owns his thoughts pretty much around the clock. Sami Steele.

"She’d never, in her entire wild life, been kissed with such complete focus. His warmth drugged her, and his taste of mint, promise, and man seduced her more completely than any words of love. The kiss was all Tace. Everything she’d wanted and everything she’d feared.

Sami sees the darkness in Tace, the change, after he contracted the virus that killed the majority of mankind. She also is strongly attracted to the man who charmed all women with his good looks and easy smiles. When she is sent on a mission with Tace she is resolved to stay detached. She can't allow herself to fall for him, she would have to give up her secret if she did. And that would mean losing everything that means something to her. Tace and the family they have made at Vanguard.

"No way was she getting involved with a brilliant bad boy who freely admitted he was about to go dark— especially since he was smart enough to figure out everything she was fighting so hard to keep hidden.

Meanwhile, Jax is still looking for his brother and Lynne is working herself do death to find the bunker that is supposed to hold a cure for the virus. And as far as The Mercenaries are concerned it is still up in the air whether they are friend or foe.

Admittedly, I feel that the overall story arc could be moved forward a little bit faster now - there isn't much major development in that regard (except one thing but that would be a spoiler) in this installment and I feel a little bit stuck. I want to know where this is going and get a sense of why the world building needs to be dystopian, if you know what I mean.

Regarding the character development this author does a fabulous job to bring them to life for the reader. Tace is a dominant, moody, over-protective mofo despite his hampered feelings. Sometimes the charming Texan boy flashes through and you know it'll be alright. Along the way you can actually feel some of the old Tace coming back until he is a perfect mix of the dark guy and the pre-Scorpius Tace Justice.

Sami was a badass heroine with a soft heart. Her desire to be accepted and part of the Vanguard family is so strong that even under duress she'd rather expose herself than betray her new family. There is an unexpected gentleness and sweetness under the tough exterior that is very compelling and makes her an amazing heroine. I loved her.

There is a lot of steam between the main characters, the chemistry was lovely and Rebecca Zanetti sure knows how to write a HOT scene.
The camaraderie in these books is one of my favorite aspects. I loved how all men were horrified when faced with Sami's tears but all of them tried to awkwardly comfort her. And another zinger was this gem:

"She sniffed again and nodded. “Yeah. Do I look like I’ve been crying?” “Yes. Your nose is all red and blotchy and kind of big all of a sudden.”

I really enjoy this series. Rebecca Zanetti's effortless writing keeps impressing me. She creates likable characters and while I think the story arc that spans all books could be moved along faster it still has me invested and I want to know how this will continue. Will the Vanguards and Mercenaries become allies? Will we learn more about Jax' brother? I can't wait for the next installment and I'm curious who it will be about!

I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgally.

This book is about Tace and Sami. Both are soldiers and they have been friends and patrol partners since Sami's arrival a few months ago. Sami has not been totally honest about her past and unfortunately it comes back to bite her. Everyone knows it and have given her opportunity to tell them but she just plays it off. It is the first time in her life she has felt like she had a real home.

She and Tace are also fighting the attraction between them. He has become very protective of her, which infuriates Sami. Tace is having his own issues, medical issues, and Sami may be the only one that can save him.

I was first introduced to this author through a paranormal series she did. When this series came along, a post-apocalyptical series, I wasn't sure if I would like it because I am not normally into this type of genre. This has shown me that it is the writer, not the genre. I am such a fan!

This is the 3rd book in the series, all standalone reads. I think Tace is the sexiest of all the books so far but I may say that about the next one also...

When Sami's secrets come out, her future with Vanguard is questionable. Can she be trusted? Is she a spy? Can she make amends? Can she save her man?

This book is awesome, once I started reading I didn't want to stop. The flow was great, with a lot of action. This is definitely a good read!

Holy smokes, Ms. Zanetti has done it again. A superb story and romance. THANKS!!!

Scorpius continues to tear through the lives and bodies of Jax Mercury's soldiers but nothing will stop them from saving others. Tace and Sami, two of Jax top soldiers, deny their attraction to each other, but their love and bodies can't be denied. At the same time they must stand together with other survivors to defend their home, find supplies and ammunition. The story broadens the scope of Jax Mercury's crew to find the possible cure to this apocalytic disease. A great addition to the series, with hope the next book is soon on the horizon.

Sexy and Hot end of the world Zombie Apocalypse Romance, this book will join the rest in the series as a keeper for me!

3 "...there’s no light at the end of the fall." Stars

Whilst Justice Ascending had its enjoyable moments, I have to be honest: three books into the Scorpious Syndrome series and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere fast. As with the first two books, we have romance, action, drama and plenty of crap being blown up, but generally I'm finding myself willing the overall storyline to lead somewhere quicker.

"The world doesn’t create darkness. I’ve found that true darkness, the real kind."

Tace didn’t manage to win me over quite as quick as I'd have liked but he grew on me as the story progressed. Brooding in nature, as expected he oozes alpha and he and Sami do have chemistry, however for a the first half of the book they failed to convince me that they were right for one another: as has been the case with previous couples, they have what I’d term a volatile relationship. That said Zanetti does inject the heat between them and you can't fault the sexy time.

"There's no life for me without you."

But for all that I'm becoming somewhat bored and frustrated by the lack of development, after three books I’m still invested (or stubborn) enough to want to know how this series ends—that’s if there are plans for it to continue. Maybe it's me, maybe all this build up is leading to something that will wow, I really hope that's the case, because I know what Rebecca Zanetti is capable of, but I'm just not feeling that desperate need for more as I have when reading other continuing series' from her.

I loved this book, Tace and Sami were great. It was nice to see all the other characters from previous books. I hope we get to see Nora and Deke soon, and hopefully we get to find out what happened to Marcus.