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The Everyday Heroes World
Control Line
After leaving the Army, Zamantha Kessel longs to fulfill the dream she once shared with her late fiancé. Instead, she finds a blistering hot firefighter she can’t seem to stay away from. Getting involved with him could incinerate everything she believes in.
Can she turn her back on a man who sets her heart ablaze?
“Barney” is one step away from living in his truck after the IRS declared him dead. Thankfully, he still has his job, which puts a roof over his head. As luck would have it, living next door is a frustratingly sexy neighbor who is hot enough to scorch the earth yet cold enough to put him in a deep freeze.
Can a man who’s supposed to put out fires light a controlled burn in her wounded soul?
For the flames of desire to engulf them both, they have to breach the control line.
Can she turn her back on a man who sets her heart ablaze?
“Barney” is one step away from living in his truck after the IRS declared him dead. Thankfully, he still has his job, which puts a roof over his head. As luck would have it, living next door is a frustratingly sexy neighbor who is hot enough to scorch the earth yet cold enough to put him in a deep freeze.
Can a man who’s supposed to put out fires light a controlled burn in her wounded soul?
For the flames of desire to engulf them both, they have to breach the control line.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
125 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2021
12 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Verlene Landon
37 books447 followersVerlene was born and raised in the south. Thanks to the military, she's traveled the US, but now calls Sin City home.
Self proclaimed zombie apocalypse enthusiast, word porn peddler, human canvas, Manowarrior, serial grammar killer, rabid Bama fan, accidental dust bunny population specialist, and abuser of the word f*ck. She's thrown live grenades, survived the tear gas chamber and forced road marches, but still thinks writing and publishing are more brutal.
Lemmy said it best, "Born to lose. Live to win."
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Self proclaimed zombie apocalypse enthusiast, word porn peddler, human canvas, Manowarrior, serial grammar killer, rabid Bama fan, accidental dust bunny population specialist, and abuser of the word f*ck. She's thrown live grenades, survived the tear gas chamber and forced road marches, but still thinks writing and publishing are more brutal.
Lemmy said it best, "Born to lose. Live to win."
SIGN UP for VL NEWS
SHOP
READER GROUP
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 13, 2021
Love love love
Barney and Zee
Intense emotional broken twisted heartstopping love story
Ready for more
Barney and Zee
Intense emotional broken twisted heartstopping love story
Ready for more
August 31, 2021
Control Line is a part of Everyday Heroes world but it can be read as a total standalone. I couldn’t help but be captivated by the amazingly written story and a raw, a bit twisted, beautiful storyline that the author so skillfully intertwined and told. With fantastic characters, powerful, raw, engaging and captivating storytelling this book is going to evoke every single emotion. A wonderful addition to Everyday Heroes world.
Zee and Barney’s story is so beautiful. They shouldn’t work but they absolutely do. They challenge each other and make each other better. What I loved about them is that they are both flawed and complex characters. From the moment they met there is an undeniable attraction and sparks fly whenever they are near each other or together. The more time they spend together the stronger their connection became. I loved their interaction which was full of witty banter, a little angst, action, romance, and a few clever twists. It's messy, emotional, healing, insanely romantic, steamy and utterly beautiful with ALL.THE.FEELS. and SWOON. Watching their relationship grow and develop into something beautiful while earning trust and respect for each other was really amazing.
Zee and Barney’s story is so beautiful. They shouldn’t work but they absolutely do. They challenge each other and make each other better. What I loved about them is that they are both flawed and complex characters. From the moment they met there is an undeniable attraction and sparks fly whenever they are near each other or together. The more time they spend together the stronger their connection became. I loved their interaction which was full of witty banter, a little angst, action, romance, and a few clever twists. It's messy, emotional, healing, insanely romantic, steamy and utterly beautiful with ALL.THE.FEELS. and SWOON. Watching their relationship grow and develop into something beautiful while earning trust and respect for each other was really amazing.
September 27, 2021
Control Line by Verlene Landon ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Barney is dead. Yeah, you read it right. He's dead... I mean, not exactly HIM, but the guy who stole his identity is. And ever since, his life turned to sh!t. And as the government doesn't like dead people renting apartments or working regular jobs, Barney has been forced to couchsurf and count on his firefighter mates to help him make ends meet. The firefighter sees himself working as a Yogi Patrol for the season so he could have a roof over his head... Needless to say he hates it, but sucks it up.
Meanwhile, Zee is trying to find comfort moving to Barney's city after losing her boyfriend, Billy, in a car accident. Billy always talked about his hometown and Zee thought that maybe she could find some closure if she moved there and ends up opening a hiking company.
Zamantha and Barney are now neighbors and they share a bathroom. Yes... The two cabins have only one bathroom (I've read a lot of 'there's only one bed' stories, but 'there's only one bathroom' is definitely a first for me.) and, being the playboy that he is, Barney really wants to get into Zee's pants, but as they get closer, their relationship stops being just a hook up and evolves to something much bigger.
Zee and Barney's story is very cute and well written. Both of them are facing very different and yet painful emotional struggles - He's trying to prove he's alive and she's trying to deal with her boyfriend's death - that makes them evolve beautifully throughout the book and even though is a short story, it doesn't feel too fast... Well, until the end. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and maybe it could have been a bit more explored, but it didn't affect my feelings toward the book very much.
I highly recommend the read.
For more reviews, follow @thatbrazilianreader on Instagram.
Barney is dead. Yeah, you read it right. He's dead... I mean, not exactly HIM, but the guy who stole his identity is. And ever since, his life turned to sh!t. And as the government doesn't like dead people renting apartments or working regular jobs, Barney has been forced to couchsurf and count on his firefighter mates to help him make ends meet. The firefighter sees himself working as a Yogi Patrol for the season so he could have a roof over his head... Needless to say he hates it, but sucks it up.
Meanwhile, Zee is trying to find comfort moving to Barney's city after losing her boyfriend, Billy, in a car accident. Billy always talked about his hometown and Zee thought that maybe she could find some closure if she moved there and ends up opening a hiking company.
Zamantha and Barney are now neighbors and they share a bathroom. Yes... The two cabins have only one bathroom (I've read a lot of 'there's only one bed' stories, but 'there's only one bathroom' is definitely a first for me.) and, being the playboy that he is, Barney really wants to get into Zee's pants, but as they get closer, their relationship stops being just a hook up and evolves to something much bigger.
Zee and Barney's story is very cute and well written. Both of them are facing very different and yet painful emotional struggles - He's trying to prove he's alive and she's trying to deal with her boyfriend's death - that makes them evolve beautifully throughout the book and even though is a short story, it doesn't feel too fast... Well, until the end. I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and maybe it could have been a bit more explored, but it didn't affect my feelings toward the book very much.
I highly recommend the read.
For more reviews, follow @thatbrazilianreader on Instagram.
August 31, 2021
I wasn’t prepared for Zee and Barney. They are so hot together, and yet both carry so much baggage from their pasts. They suffered at the hands of someone they cared about--in very different ways--and their pain was tangible while I was reading it. While I suspected what was going on, it was still a slap in the face when everything came to light (for me as well as the characters themselves). I was heartbroken, and kept pulling for this couple to find their way back to each other. This was another scorching hot read from Verlene; one that I thoroughly enjoyed!!
September 1, 2021
Loved Barney and Zamantha's story! A wonderful quick read. A great addition to this Everyday Heroes World. Barney is a firefighter who is dealing with someone who stole his identity and is declared dead. Zamantha has moved to Sunnyville after leaving the military to open up a business in the town her late fiance always talked about. Both characters end up sharing a bathroom between cabins and there is an instant attraction. Loved the story and the characters. I found it entertaining.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
August 19, 2021
This is a wonderful addition to this amazing series and is Zee and Barney’s story. Zee is former military, and Barney is a firefighter, and they are neighbors. Both of these character have demons that they carry on their shoulders, and the chemistry between them is combustible and undeniable. This is a well written tale which is emotional, humorous, entertaining, and with love, witty banter, which all leads to a steamy and all-consuming addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
August 20, 2021
Zee and Barney are perfectly flawed as individuals. Together they fit so well. I wanted to protect Zee for what she has gone through but applaud her for being able to pick herself up and be even stronger than before. Barney is living a second life that he has an opportunity to be more than before. When they meet for the first time, sparks fly. When they talk for real, it becomes an inferno. I loved their story and wanted so much more.
August 22, 2021
Zee is trying to rebuild her life after learning her boyfriend not only cheated on her but had moved most of his stuff out before he died. Zee turns to the town he grew up in. She starts to find friends and gets her business running. Barney is a firefighter fighting to reclaim his life and identity after finding someone stole his. Can these two work out all the kinks and male a relationship work or will everything come etween them. Will their secrets destroy what they have?
March 24, 2022
Both Not Knowing The Same Man
This was a very enjoyable passionate and romantic book. The comedy between the two was awesome. Their passion was also off the charts. What hurt was learning they both were talking about the same man who stole part or all of their lives. What of the child though? What was the closure beside the emotional part? Regardless of my own thoughts. This was an excellent book to read.
This was a very enjoyable passionate and romantic book. The comedy between the two was awesome. Their passion was also off the charts. What hurt was learning they both were talking about the same man who stole part or all of their lives. What of the child though? What was the closure beside the emotional part? Regardless of my own thoughts. This was an excellent book to read.
August 18, 2021
This story had me pulled in to their lives from the beginning. I love strong characters, a strong woman that can stand on her own two feet and we get that with Zee. She's former military and she's pulling herself up from a failed relationship and making her path in the world. I enjoyed everything about Barney, even though he can be a bit of a short fuse, there's reason for that. The story progresses well, I love how things play out and had me gasping.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 22, 2021
Whew this book is a hot one so make sure you have a fan handy to help cool down. Barney intrigued me so I was excited for his story and it was a good one. Him and Zee have this relationship that will make you laugh one minute and swoon the next. One I couldn’t put down and love how well it adds to the series. Add, download, and read this one. You don’t want to miss out.
September 7, 2021
LOVED this one! It was hot and wonderful. The best part was it was a little unexpected and that doesn't happen often for me. Zee was so strong picking herself up from the pain she was put through and that made me love this story even more.
September 13, 2021
Barney and Zamantha are living in close proximity and can’t resist their attraction to each other. As their journey unfolds, things come to light that neither were expecting. This was an awesome story. Loved it!!
August 19, 2021
It's HOT in here! This was scorching hot and not just because of the fires. The chemistry was on point but I also loved the humor the author throws in because there were moments I could not stop laughing.
August 24, 2021
I was hooked from the start! The characters and story just draw you in and keep you interested. A definite must read.
September 10, 2021
Finding love
A great story of finding love. I love how the characters are connected but they don't realize it. Figured it out early.
A great story of finding love. I love how the characters are connected but they don't realize it. Figured it out early.
Read
February 11, 2023Dnf
August 13, 2021
Two warnings to begin with. 1) Make sure you are not eating or drinking anything while reading this book because you will either choke or spit it out while laughing, 2) You may want to make sure you have a towel handy because this book is a hot one!
This book was amazing. I fell in love with the characters right away. The way they were written felt "real". The books pace was well done, I didn't think anything felt rushed or pushed. The intimate scenes were HOT as HELL! Like I went back and reread certain scenes! The auxiliary characters were well written and you fell in love with this little town. I highly recommend picking up this book!
This book was amazing. I fell in love with the characters right away. The way they were written felt "real". The books pace was well done, I didn't think anything felt rushed or pushed. The intimate scenes were HOT as HELL! Like I went back and reread certain scenes! The auxiliary characters were well written and you fell in love with this little town. I highly recommend picking up this book!
February 22, 2022
2.5 rounded up. Just meh, too short, and some word choice/ tone didn't make sense
August 14, 2021
Whew this book is a hot one so make sure you have a fan handy to help cool down. Barney intrigued me so I was excited for his story and it was a good one. Him and Zee have this relationship that will make you laugh one minute and swoon the next. One I couldn’t put down and love how well it adds to the series. Add, download, and read this one. You don’t want to miss out.
August 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Zee and Barney are perfect together. The story was easy to follow. A great read while sitting poolside or at the beach. The characters were really well written and I loved them instantly.
August 8, 2021
I LOVED it!
Zee and Barney are hot together. I mean HOT! Whew. I needed a fan to cool me down. I loved the story and the progression that the characters made. They both started off angry and hurt about their circumstances, but with the help of the other they were each able to get through it. The s*x scenes were 🔥🔥🔥on top of all that.
Zee and Barney are hot together. I mean HOT! Whew. I needed a fan to cool me down. I loved the story and the progression that the characters made. They both started off angry and hurt about their circumstances, but with the help of the other they were each able to get through it. The s*x scenes were 🔥🔥🔥on top of all that.
December 26, 2025
“If I don’t give you a friendly warning, Emerson will have my ass. Be careful with Zee. She’s in a vulnerable state and the town needs her here. Ruck Up is going to add so much to our hidden gem. Not to mention, the Malones have already claimed her via Emerson, so mess with her and—”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Mess with her and suffer the full force of the Malones. You guys I can handle, but Miss Betsy scares the hell out of me"
Wouldn't the Malones have claimed him first since they knew him longest? Basically telling him he's not important to them because Emerson met a woman the day before.
“It was your razor I promised not to use, not your all-in-one."
No, she literally said 'I won't touch your shit, you don't touch mine' he had only asked her not to use his razor on her legs
"Derek had beat the odds and Barney’s insurance company never found out it wasn’t him in the hospital bed."
How tf didn't Barney put it together about who had stolen his identity lol
“You’ve always thought the worst of me, so why should I even bother to respond? You’re going to believe what you want.”
“Let’s be honest, you earned the reputation. Hell, you revel in it, except now. Which is how I know something I didn’t know Saturday. You care about her, at least on some level. Or you want to.”
Grant being judgy irked me considering he was 100% the same as Barney before Emerson came back.
Near the beginning, the FMC implies that someone else boxed up her fiance's things from their apartment. She implies his family or someone else took care of everything because she'd legally just been her roommate. But about 75% in she says she knew he lied about his name and also that she has his remains to spread over Sunnyville. Why would she have his remains? And if she knew he lied about his name, and affairs, why did she automatically NOT assume he'd lied about his hometown?
We then found out that when she picked the remains they were of Winslow William Barnes III. I know almost everyone called him Barney, but Grant and his Co workers called him Barnes and his captain always called him Winslow. Before the clean up party he explicitly told her his identity was stolen and the people died. And was from Olanthe. How was she this stupid not to know
So the two MCs have sex, and he told her he loved her, Zamantha shoved him off her and started heading for place, then the GIANT hypocrite inner monologs this shit
"Before she could make her excuse of going for a run and jet, Barney practically dismissed her.
“I’m sure you’ve got some big plans for your day off.”
He might as well have said thanks for the fuck. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.
It hurt beyond reason that he didn’t want her to stay even if she was planning on bolting already."
"When Emerson saw him, she’d walked up to him and smacked him across the cheek, pretty damn hard at that, and walked away. Not a word. It was like he didn’t deserve her attention, only her anger. She wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t the smack that stung him, it was the look she gave him. One of utter disappointment that matched her husband’s.
The elder Malone masked his disgust a little better, but it was there. Boiling under the surface, threatening to spill over and through the man’s fists"
I recall Emerson using Grant just for sex while he always wanted her. Grayson was an ass and broke Sydneys heart. How dare they physically attack a man for breaking up with a woman, especially since they don't even know what actually happened. This author really turned the Malones into self righteous assholes
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Mess with her and suffer the full force of the Malones. You guys I can handle, but Miss Betsy scares the hell out of me"
Wouldn't the Malones have claimed him first since they knew him longest? Basically telling him he's not important to them because Emerson met a woman the day before.
“It was your razor I promised not to use, not your all-in-one."
No, she literally said 'I won't touch your shit, you don't touch mine' he had only asked her not to use his razor on her legs
"Derek had beat the odds and Barney’s insurance company never found out it wasn’t him in the hospital bed."
How tf didn't Barney put it together about who had stolen his identity lol
“You’ve always thought the worst of me, so why should I even bother to respond? You’re going to believe what you want.”
“Let’s be honest, you earned the reputation. Hell, you revel in it, except now. Which is how I know something I didn’t know Saturday. You care about her, at least on some level. Or you want to.”
Grant being judgy irked me considering he was 100% the same as Barney before Emerson came back.
Near the beginning, the FMC implies that someone else boxed up her fiance's things from their apartment. She implies his family or someone else took care of everything because she'd legally just been her roommate. But about 75% in she says she knew he lied about his name and also that she has his remains to spread over Sunnyville. Why would she have his remains? And if she knew he lied about his name, and affairs, why did she automatically NOT assume he'd lied about his hometown?
We then found out that when she picked the remains they were of Winslow William Barnes III. I know almost everyone called him Barney, but Grant and his Co workers called him Barnes and his captain always called him Winslow. Before the clean up party he explicitly told her his identity was stolen and the people died. And was from Olanthe. How was she this stupid not to know
So the two MCs have sex, and he told her he loved her, Zamantha shoved him off her and started heading for place, then the GIANT hypocrite inner monologs this shit
"Before she could make her excuse of going for a run and jet, Barney practically dismissed her.
“I’m sure you’ve got some big plans for your day off.”
He might as well have said thanks for the fuck. You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here.
It hurt beyond reason that he didn’t want her to stay even if she was planning on bolting already."
"When Emerson saw him, she’d walked up to him and smacked him across the cheek, pretty damn hard at that, and walked away. Not a word. It was like he didn’t deserve her attention, only her anger. She wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t the smack that stung him, it was the look she gave him. One of utter disappointment that matched her husband’s.
The elder Malone masked his disgust a little better, but it was there. Boiling under the surface, threatening to spill over and through the man’s fists"
I recall Emerson using Grant just for sex while he always wanted her. Grayson was an ass and broke Sydneys heart. How dare they physically attack a man for breaking up with a woman, especially since they don't even know what actually happened. This author really turned the Malones into self righteous assholes
January 25, 2023
**I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
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