Control

4 ‘Practice saying yes’ Stars!
ARC provided by the author via Ink Slinger PR in exchange for an honest review.

K. Bromberg always does it for me! I loved this series and I was impatently waiting for Desi’s story since we meet her sassy self on the first book. And of course, I knew Kristy would make her justice and write a beautiful love story for her. And also create a swoony alpha that would steal Desi’s (and mine’s) heart. Oh yes, this was definitely a good read!

So, Control is a novella coming from Kristy’s Everyday Heroes series and, as I said, it tells the story of Desi Whitman (Em’s sassy BFF) and Reznor Mayne (a new to town sexy SWAT). Desi has actually experienced something that makes her insecure, especially around men, and now she is joining a self-defense class. Obviously, her hot instructor is Reznor. They start kind of badly but with a whole lot of sexual tension. That chemistry explodes and that becomes so much more. Something that neither Desi or Reznor were expecting: a beautiful connection that transforms into love.

“What are we doing here, Desi?”
“You’re going to kiss me and make me forget my bad dream, and then I’m going to kiss you back to help you forget about yours.”

Gah! K. Bromberg surely knows how to write a gripping love story, even when it’s a short one! I loved how she developed Desi and Reznor’s relationship: from the very start to the very end. I loved seeing all of Desi’s sides and how perfect Reznor is for her. He is such a wonderful hero! Reznor is protective, a pure alpha male and oh-so-sexy! The chemistry between these two was mindblowing and when vulnerability and feelings got in the mix it got even better. I was so happy to read how these two find each other and they fall in love.

“I’ve fallen for you, Desi Whitman, and I’m back here to chase you.”

Therefore, I am rating Control with 4 STARS because it was simply a great novella to read. Kristy’s writing is one of my favorites and I adore all the characters she writes. Desi and Reznor were no exception to that! heir relationship developed wonderfully and they got quite a beautiful ending. Yes, I do wish this short story was longer because I loved it and yes, I do wish it had an epilogue to wrap everything up better. But leaving that aside, Control was simply fantastic! Definitely recommend reading this.

I loved getting back to this group of characters and the town of Sunnyville. I loved Desi in Cuffed, so it was nice to go back and see her get her own HEA. I can’t remember if what happened with the guy that she woke up to in her house was in one of the other stories, or just happened with this story, but it made for a good starting point for this one. This was of course a short, quick read, it is a novella, as all the books in the 1001 Dark Nights series are. But the story was well played out, and other than I personally wouldn’t have been disappointed with another steamy scene at the end of the book, it was perfect in every way. Exactly what I always hope for, and receive from K. Bromberg. The names in this were definitely unique. Desi for one, and then you have to love Reznor, I mean, it just screams hot, sexy guy, or at least to me it did. Really, I hate that this review is so short, but I guess it is like the story itself, short, and sweet? Although the story was much sweeter, and steamier!

Control – it’s interesting how one short word of only six letters can have such an array of meanings…such contradictory reactions.

Some people abhor control, preferring to run a bit wild and free, not really understanding one’s need to stay inside the box or to maintain a certain amount of decorum and responsibility while others need the structure…the routine…the guidance of right and wrong to ensure that life doesn’t become too difficult to handle.

Control, K. Bromberg’s newest release in her Everyday Heroes series, readers get Desi Whitman and Reznor Mayne’s story, and as much as these two seem to have opposing viewpoints when it comes to control, by the time their story ends, it’s clear that they find a way to meet in the middle and there’s never been a more electrically charged, sexually infused compromise than the one these two characters come to when they allow themselves to give into the sexual tension that starts to build from their very first, not so friendly encounter.

It’s quite the journey that these two characters take readers on, partly because of the personal baggage they have yet to fully deal with but also because it’s beyond clear that there’s an instant spark between them, which makes their beginning hesitation a bit frustrating for this romance reader, even if it’s understandable in some respects.

I love that Bromberg provides readers with both Desi and Reznor’s perspective. More and more, this is my favorite type of story to read because it provides me with the big picture – I’m able to hear their personal commentaries…their internal musings and it offers the small tidbits of information that are essential in order to understand everything that they’re saying and doing, even if it still makes me what to scream at times!

Desi and Reznor are strong characters – ones who do the things that they do because it’s what they need to do to both cope with past events and move forward in their lives, and while they definitely work together to help ease each other’s trauma, there’s parts of it that they themselves must only contend with and it’s those times where readers see what these two are truly made of and why Desi has finally found the guy for her, even if he does like to take a bit more control than she’s sometimes willing to give him;)

4.5 Poison Apples

Gah, I’ve been waiting for a whole lot more of Desi’s story and I absolutely loved her romance with Reznor. These two impossibly stubborn, anti-relationship individuals fit ever so perfectly together.

I love how Reznor makes Desi feel stronger, safe—even when she’s in complete denial. Desi is an independent, fierce, smart woman and she’s met her match in gruff, grumbly, sexy AF Reznor Mayne.

The banter from Desi and Rez’s meet-cute through each and every time they’re together is smart, sexy, swoony fun. I couldn’t help but root for them to face their fears and admit they’re better together than separate.

Control is a wonderful addition to the terrific Everyday Heroes series. I loved catching up with Grant and Emerson too! Get one-clicking!

I absolute loved Desi and Rez! We met Desi in the previous Everyday Hero’s series. From the moment they meet we see how they butt heads but their personalities mesh so well. See her snarky sassy character be pegged down a lil is so entertaining. But seeing how Des handles him is quite a story. I love seeing characters from previous books it’s like a quick catch up session with them. I give this book a 5 star rating.

I got lost in another book and book boyfriend that completely left me begging for more, this is one of this year’s top reads! It’s very true when they say book boyfriends were created to apologize for real men. Everyone needs a hero like Reznor to take control as he makes your heart pound and pulse pump.
K. Bromberg delivered and left me breathless with her words and characters. I lost control of my heart on the very first page and still many hours after, Reznor’s still in control of it. He has managed to secure a top spot as one of my top rank book boyfriends of ALL time! #ControlMeReznor

Control est le tome 3.5 de la saga Everyday Heroes où nous découvrons les différents frères de la famille Malone. Il ne vous est pas nécessaire d’avoir lu les trois précédents tomes car cette nouvelle est à la fois un bonus pour les fans de la saga et une façon de découvrir l’univers dans lequel nos héros évoluent.

Desi Whitman est la meilleure amie d’Emerson que nous avions rencontrée dans le 1er tome Cuffed. Desi était un personnage vif qui poussait Em à se dépasser et à prendre les bonnes décisions. Après une nuit traumatisante, elle vit dans la peur mais refuse de le montrer. Elle se ferme dès qu’on tente d’évoquer son intimité et il sera donc difficile de percer la carapace de cette jeune femme. Elle est sexy et sait qu’elle a du charme mais elle refuse de s’engager dans une relation durable. On se demande ce qui pousse la jeune femme à se fermer à tout engagement car il est clair qu’elle n’est pas insensible au charme de son nouveau voisin. Il sait se montrer dans les moments les plus opportuns et prend un malin plaisir à lui démontrer que garder le contrôle est une bonne chose. Mais Desi est très bornée et même si son corps tient un langage , elle ne veut pas donner raison à son coeur qui s’emballe dès que le beau flic pointe le bout de son nez. Elle travaille avec des chiens et c’est dans ces moments là qu’elle est la plus honnête et qu’elle ne se cache pas car comme elle aime le répéter les animaux sont d’une loyauté sans faille.

Reznor Mayne est un ami de Grant Malone et il a lui aussi besoin d’une pause après une mission qui laissera des séquelles psychologiques. Quand on est officier au SWAT, on côtoie le danger chaque jour mais cela ne signifie pas qu’on se ferme à tout sentiment . Son chef Harry va donc lui octroyer un congé pour qu’il se ressource pour me revenir. A Sunnyville , on est loin des missions à haut risque mais on peut aussi tomber sur des choses qui font augmenter votre rythme cardiaque. Il est sous le charme de Desi dès qu’il la rencontre et il faut bien dire que leur premier moment est très hilarant. Entre Desi qui parle de Pussy et qui donne son opinion sur les personnes en charge de donner des cours d’auto défense, ils démarrent sur de bonnes bases (rires). J’ai aimé le caractère de Rez qui sait doser ses efforts pour pousser la jeune femme en dehors des chantiers battus. Il a une patience infinie car elle ne va pas lui faciliter la tâche. Il sera plus ouvert qu’elle sur ce qui le ronge et on espère donc qu’il trouvera une bonne raison de rester loin du SWAT et plus près de Sunnyville.

Bref, une nouvelle très sympathique à lire car K Bromberg nous permet de retrouver Em et Grant tout en nous permettant de mieux connaître les amis de ces héros qui nous avaient charmé par l’intensité de leur relation. Rez et Desi ne veulent pas s’engager sur le long terme et cette parenthèse sexy pourrait leur permettre de passer de bons moments ensemble. Mais sauront ils affronter leur peur et se donner une chance de vivre plus que des moments sexy à deux ?

Timing is everything!

Reznor Mayne has been commander of one of SFPD’s SWAT teams for the past fifteen years. Sadly there was a multiple fatality incident that happened and it has made him question his decisions that day. He requests some time off. It’s either that or quit. So his commanding officer helps him secure a small gig in Sunnyvale California teaching a self defense class. Coincidentally, it just so happens he runs into his old friend from the Police Academy, Grant Malone, here in Sunnyvale.

Desi Whitman owns and operates a pet grooming company in Sunnyvale by the name of Doggie Style. She’s also best friends with Emmerson Malone, Grant Malone’s wife. Desi recently had a very frightening experience waking up in the middle of the night and finding a strange masked man standing over her while she slept. Thankfully he ran off. Also thankfully he didn’t hurt her. The incident has left her traumatized though. Grant and Emmerson have both encouraged her to go to the self defense classes offered by Sunnyvale Self Defense. So after jumping at any sound, being on constant edge and many sleepless nights for a few weeks she signs up for a class in self defense.

Hence, Reznor and Desi are destined to meet and when they do, sparks fly…some good, some intriguing. Desi likes to hide herself behind her tough girl, sassy and humorous self. Reznor is all types of intrigued by her but he also sees beneath her disguise. The sexual tension between them is immediately intense. However Desi is hesitant and questions if somehow what happened to her was brought on by her own actions.

Both fighting their demons and fighting their attraction to each other, because neither of them thinks they are the settling down type, they find they just can’t stay away from each other. The sexual tension in this book is off the charts hot with these two. I hope you pick up a copy for yourself and enjoy their story as much as I have.

What a fun read! Desi is such a strong stubborn woman and Reznor her hot new neighbor. Let’s peak over the fence and see what he’s up too? Taking a self defense class to protect herself from an unknown intruder, Desi faces her instructor that coincidentally is her new neighbor. This small town she lives in seems to bring a few old friends together too. Yes, Kristy does not fail when it comes to the sexual tension that builds between her characters. Gotta read it to find out how intense the throw down goes. In self defense, Reznor can show me how to protect myself any day. A battle of wills, who wins in the end? Love it!!

I may have met my weakness.
A sexy cop? Sure.
A sexy SWAT officer? Getting better.
A sexy SWAT officer with a tattoo sleeve, muscles, and a beautiful heart? SOLD!

Reznor Mayne has a list of attributes a mile long. Not only does he ooze sex appeal, he’s also funny, charismatic, and infuriatingly annoying. But you can’t really stay irritated at him for long. He’s just too charming.

Desi is great. She’s smart, sassy, and independent. She enjoys the company of a good man, but she knows when enough is enough. She doesn’t believe in stringing people along and she’s never afraid to speak her mind.

The push-and-pull between these two is quite entertaining. Whether they’re fighting over something silly or trying their hardest to keep their hands off of each other, Reznor and Desi are always fighting for control. It’s definitely a great story all on its own, and it’s also a great treat for those of us who have fallen in love with the Everyday Heroes series.