Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti

January 25th, 2016 Kimberly Review 49 Comments

25th Jan
Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti
Mercury Striking
by Rebecca Zanetti
Series: The Scorpius Syndrome #1
Genres: Romantic Suspense, Post-Apocalyptic
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
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Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
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With nothing but rumors to lead her, Lynn Harmony has trekked across a nightmare landscape to find one man—a mysterious, damaged legend who protects the weak and leads the strong. He’s more than muscle and firepower—and in post-plague L.A., he’s her only hope. As the one woman who could cure the disease, Lynn is the single most volatile—and vulnerable—creature in this new and ruthless world. But face to face with Jax Mercury… Danger has never looked quite so delicious…

Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti is the first novel in her Scorpius Syndrome series. It delivered an intense post-apocalyptic romantic suspense that I devoured. Action packed, with strong alpha males and snarky, intelligent women Zanetti started this series off with a bang.

A friend recommended I read Scorpius Rising, Scorpius Syndrome #0.5 before beginning this series. The novella is part of an anthology called On the Hunt. When I saw it also contained a novella from Dianne Duvall, it became a no-brainer. While it is not necessary and shares the story of another couple, it did give me a solid footing into the world. For 1.99 it is worth snagging.

Breakdown of Mercury Striking

  • World: An outbreak caused by bacteria has killed most of the population. Survivors come in all forms and not all of them are good for the future of humanity.  The US is in shambles, and folks have no idea if the government still stands. Jax Mercury is a troubled solider who sets up a stronghold in L.A. protecting the weak. Lynn Harmony is a wanted woman who risks everything to ask Jax for help. Lynn may hold the key to a cure. L.A. is broken up into territories ruled by groups who do not have the kind of honor code Jax’s holds himself and his people too. The climate is brutal, and the need for supplies high. It created an intense world with page-turning, heart-stopping action.
  • The characters: We spend most of our time in and around the compound Jax has created. He, his soldiers and civilians work together to survive for another day. Zanetti did a wonderful job of introducing the characters. Key characters were fleshed out and secondary characters were given enough depth to allow us to feel a part of the unit. She created villains you will love to hate; some in warring territories and other are far-reaching and powerful enemies. Jax is confident, strong, and intelligent. He is one hundred percent alpha. Small talk is not his foray, but when he does, it is powerful. I really enjoyed Lynn. She has been through some shit, but is tough-as-nails, with a brilliant mind. She does not whine and she is not afraid to stand up for herself or say, “I am in over my head.” A little orphan was unique and I am anxious to see what role she plays in the overall arc. We also meet the next hero and heroine and already I am dying for their story.
  • The plot: In Mercury Striking Lynn needs Jax Mercury’s help with two things. First finding a site that may hold the key to the cure and second she needs him to kill someone. Being witness to these two feel each other out, learn to trust and become comrades was intense and satisfying. The romance was slow building and started with primal need before blossoming into something deeper. The overall arc is established and I can already tell the road ahead will have obstacles, danger and excitement.
  • The romance: With two head strong characters and lives at stake the chemistry between these two was intense. It may have started off sexually, but moved to something with more depth. Jax is definitely all alpha, and rules his unit with a firm hand. Thankfully, Lynn was more than able to handle him and actually softened him a little. Which made him a better leader.

    Mercury Striking     delivered an intense, high action tale with a sizzling hot romance that weaved in tender moments. Zanetti succeeded in making the reader care about the characters in this world. I am invested in hearing all of their stories to the end.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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49 Responses to “Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti”

  1. MarthaE

    This does sound good. Too bad I didn’t snag this while on sale. Now I have to wait until April to stay with my TBR Triple Dog Dare. 🙂

  2. Sophia Rose

    Just finished and wow, loved it, loved it. I read the prequel last summer and was antsy to get this one after that. Can’t wait to see what comes next with Viv and tall, lethal, and silent. 🙂

  3. Amanda

    I am looking forward to this! I love reading reviews and getting ideas about books I wouldn’t normally know about! Thanks!

  4. Melanie Simmons

    Sounds like a great read. I hope they put it on audio. If not, I’ll have to pick it up and actually read it. LOL. I’m listening to Dark Protectors right now.

  6. Lorna

    I think this sounds pretty great. I have read several books by this author and enjoyed them. I did read and review The Harvesting recently and loved it Kimberly. Thanks for recommending. I think I will be putting this one on my Amazon wish list 🙂

  7. Angel Erin

    Oh my goodness this sounds so good!! The world & the characters sound right up my alley. Fab review as always! 🙂

  8. Lexxie

    I love Zanetti, and I even have an ARC of Mercury Striking. Guess what I’ll get to after my current read, Kim 🙂 It sounds really good, and the mix of romance and suspense is something I think I need in my reads right now.
    Great review!

  10. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh I might have to pick up that novella as well. I haven’t read her yet, but I need to dive in. This one sounds like something I would enjoy and I haven’t read an apocalyptic read in a while.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      The sequel is a book with some awesome authors and for 1.99 you really cannot go wrong. Characters in it are mentioned and I liked knowing what the heck had happened before we reached this story.

  11. Lover Of Romance

    oh I am really excited for this one. Zanetti has never been an author to disappoint and I really like the set up of this one. I don’t read this genre too often so I am really looking forward to this. Great review you have here.

  12. Heidi

    I am always a sucker for apocalyptic type reads, and this one sounds very scary and realisitc. Yikes.

  13. Angela Adams

    “mysterious, damaged legend who protects the weak and leads the strong.” — makes for a great character! Great characters generally make for a great read. Thanks for the post.

  14. Candace

    I’m not usually a fan of post apocalyptic. Sometimes they work though so I just need to give them a chance more often I suppose. Or maybe it’s just that it seems so close to what *could* happen so easily it just freaks me out. Glad you enjoyed this!

  16. Sarah

    Oooh oohh you know I love me some post-apocalyptic romance. I need this book in my life! <3 Thanks so much for reviewing, it's going right on my TBR list!

  18. Tracy Terry

    Despite having several friends who highly rate this author I have yet to read any of their books. Not convinced this is a good series with which to start what I’m assured will be a love affair with Rebecca’s work but then I never say never.

  19. Jenny

    Oh I’m loving the sound of this one Kim! I’m a sucker for a good alpha hero, especially in a romantic suspense story, and I’m so glad Lynn is no shrinking violet. Alpha men only work for me if their women aren’t afraid to go toe to toe with them. Thanks for putting this new series on my radar!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed. I love when they give them a set down and all of his friends stand there with their mouths open half expected him to kill her…LOL

  20. Bookworm Brandee

    I could feel my tension amping up just reading your description of the world, Kimberly. I saw this somewhere and was tempted but didn’t pull the trigger. I’ll be pulling the trigger now. And thanks for the heads up about the prequel. Happy Monday, my friend! 😀

  21. Nick

    I was excited about this one as you know. I liked the world and the setting quite a bit. I just wish I was able to get over that one scene. There only few elements in books I can’t handle one bit and that’s one of it. It’s why I’m uncomfortable reading BDSM books although I realize that consent plays a role in that. Regardless, I might pick up the 2nd book? We’ll see! I’m glad that you enjoyed this so much, Kim! 🙂
    Lovely review as always!

  22. Ashley

    This sounds like a very interesting read. I;ll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing and glad you enjoyed it!

  23. Melliane

    Maybe but I don’t know I’m not that much into post-apocalyptic novels at the moment but I heard great things about this author!