Scorpius has spread throughout the world and Eleanor Smithers knows that with this pandemic the world will never be the same again. She has a feeling that this is only a BLAZE ERUPTING, and she is only hopeful that there will be a world of some kind after the virus runs its course.

Hugh Johnson doesn’t plan on being any kind of hero. He’s a simple man and he wants his quiet evenings hanging with his brothers and hound and to do his job. Unfortunately for him, sweet Ellie Smithers walks back into his life. She somehow convinces him that there is going to be a nuclear meltdown. Saving millions of lives might not make him excited but Ellie has always done just that.  So despite his plans for a simple life, he follows the Brigade computer expert into the unknown. Soon the truth is out and the world they knew would never be the same and neither will they.

BLAZE ERUPTING is a 1001 Dark Nights novella by Rebecca Zanetti and is the perfect introduction to her Scorpius Syndrome series. It shows the beginning of the pandemic that would change the world as it was known and the lives of those who survived and began the Brigade that would be a strong beginning for the Scorpius Syndrome series.

Hugh and Ellie met up in college, both having crushes on the other, but nothing came of it as both were strong in their plans for the future. But now it is years later, both secure in who they are they find there is still a spark that easily ignites again. It is perfectly intermixed with the danger and drama of the new Brigade team getting to know and trust one another. There is a little secret that Hugh brings into the situation, but I will leave that to those who want an amazing read to find out for themselves.

Other characters that might sound familiar to Scorpius fans are Deacon (Deke) MacDougal, Nora Medina (MacDougal), Ivan Milleroff and Connor Lewis. Even though this is a book filled with a couple of serious situations there are moments of laughter. The funniest moment is when Hugh is injured (you got to read about this one) and Deke, Ivan and Connor all check on him but in fear of running into Ellie. She was a tad angry with him for how he was hurt.

Though BLAZE ERUPTING is a novella and way too short for Scorpius fans it is still a Rebecca Zanetti book. Which means amazing from start to finish, filled with danger and intrigue, romance and humor. The perfect introduction to the Scorpius Syndrome series but also a fascinating stand-alone romance.