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Heated Rivalry
She Wants What He's Got. . .
Valerie Parker is desperate to win the affection of her emotionally distant father and land a promotion at his advertising firm. Her biggest obstacle is junior partner Steven Crennell, a dazzling former NBA star who scores all the big accounts. But Valerie's attempt to outshine her charismatic rival unexpectedly leads her straight into his arms. . .
And She's Everything He Needs. . .
Steven hopes to dispel the playboy stereotype left in the wake of his NBA career. Between battling his ex-fiancée and focusing on his work, finding his soul mate isn't on the agenda. . .until he meets his match in Valerie. And when competition leads to explosive passion, he learns that the game of life--and love--involve a very different set of rules. . .
"A stellar read!" -- Coffee Time Romance on You Belong To Me
"Sensational and engrossing." -- Romantic Times on On Fire
Valerie Parker is desperate to win the affection of her emotionally distant father and land a promotion at his advertising firm. Her biggest obstacle is junior partner Steven Crennell, a dazzling former NBA star who scores all the big accounts. But Valerie's attempt to outshine her charismatic rival unexpectedly leads her straight into his arms. . .
And She's Everything He Needs. . .
Steven hopes to dispel the playboy stereotype left in the wake of his NBA career. Between battling his ex-fiancée and focusing on his work, finding his soul mate isn't on the agenda. . .until he meets his match in Valerie. And when competition leads to explosive passion, he learns that the game of life--and love--involve a very different set of rules. . .
"A stellar read!" -- Coffee Time Romance on You Belong To Me
"Sensational and engrossing." -- Romantic Times on On Fire
- GenresRomance
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
48 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Sargeant
40 books93 followersPatricia Sargeant is a national best-selling, award-winning author of romance and mysteries. She also writes contemporary romance under the pseudonym Regina Hart. Her work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews.
A voracious reader, Patricia first realized she wanted to be a published author at the age of nine. She was drawn to write romances because she loves happy endings. Her romantic suspense novels feature ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her contemporary romances reveal characters struggling to overcome their inner demons.
In addition to reading, Patricia’s hobbies include music, jogging and hiking. She loves movies and sports.
Patricia loves to hear from readers. Her e-mail address is BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com.
For more information about Patricia and her work, visit PatriciaSargeant.com.
A voracious reader, Patricia first realized she wanted to be a published author at the age of nine. She was drawn to write romances because she loves happy endings. Her romantic suspense novels feature ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Her contemporary romances reveal characters struggling to overcome their inner demons.
In addition to reading, Patricia’s hobbies include music, jogging and hiking. She loves movies and sports.
Patricia loves to hear from readers. Her e-mail address is BooksByPatricia@Yahoo.com.
For more information about Patricia and her work, visit PatriciaSargeant.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 14, 2020
Poor Valerie
I can't say I care for this book. No one really had Valeries' back but Manuel, her assistance. Not her father, not Aunt, which is sad. Steve did better towards the end. And the reason her father have was bogus..fool please
I can't say I care for this book. No one really had Valeries' back but Manuel, her assistance. Not her father, not Aunt, which is sad. Steve did better towards the end. And the reason her father have was bogus..fool please
March 13, 2020
Insecurities plagued by seeking to prove worth
Enter the world of Parker Advertising Agency. Where you have the dynamics of a father daughter with a strained relationship. Followed with a former athlete who has to overcome just being a joke but a force to be wrecked with. Garrison had this strained relationship with Val due to miscommunication and unhealed past. Val having to deal with family and work. Left to misplace emotions. But as the story progresses you see why her Steven came to be. Finding their way and discovering their love. The side characters of Manuel and Aunt Lo provides the balance in which to develop them heart of Valerie. Along with Steven's parents and best friend.
Enter the world of Parker Advertising Agency. Where you have the dynamics of a father daughter with a strained relationship. Followed with a former athlete who has to overcome just being a joke but a force to be wrecked with. Garrison had this strained relationship with Val due to miscommunication and unhealed past. Val having to deal with family and work. Left to misplace emotions. But as the story progresses you see why her Steven came to be. Finding their way and discovering their love. The side characters of Manuel and Aunt Lo provides the balance in which to develop them heart of Valerie. Along with Steven's parents and best friend.
Read
February 7, 2020Very good the second time around. I did have a problem with the female character i kept screaming at her to speak up and her romantic male character to stand up. I'm glad they got it together in the end. Her dad was a butt, i understand why but the time it took for him to finally get it together was frustrating.
January 30, 2020
Enemies To Lovers
Steven and Valerie started out very rocky because she was jealous of the business and personal relationship that he had with her boss and father Garry. Eventually, they all worked through their differences.
Steven and Valerie started out very rocky because she was jealous of the business and personal relationship that he had with her boss and father Garry. Eventually, they all worked through their differences.
April 19, 2020
Rivalry
There is nothing like a war. Between employers, I think it persons to stay on top, and their mind on the final goal. Most People like to get lazy when things to not remain interest. The mind words better when their are challenges
There is nothing like a war. Between employers, I think it persons to stay on top, and their mind on the final goal. Most People like to get lazy when things to not remain interest. The mind words better when their are challenges
May 5, 2020
People Pleaser?
Advertising, sports, family, disappointment, and love all intertwined to provide a moving, crazy, entertaining story with lots of interesting characters.
Advertising, sports, family, disappointment, and love all intertwined to provide a moving, crazy, entertaining story with lots of interesting characters.
September 11, 2021
Although I really enjoyed this story, I hated the way Valerie's father treated her. And his reason was as sleazy as he is.
Poor Steven was caught between a rock and a hard place trying to hold on to his job and support Val at the same time.
Poor Steven was caught between a rock and a hard place trying to hold on to his job and support Val at the same time.
January 14, 2015
Valerie Parker and her father Garry owns Miami advertising agency with a partner from the NBA player of great talent, Steven. The family business is doing very well except for the rivalry with Valerie and Steven. Valerie has way more talent then Steven but Garry put him in charge because of his status as an NBA star… and totally disregard Val status.
All Valerie wants is Garry acknowledgement of her natural abilities and stop putting her down as his daughter/employee. For years Valerie has been dealing with the lost of her mother and needs the attention of her father. Val can’t get ten minutes of her father time without Garry bringing in Steven into the conversation which becomes a problem, to make Val dislike him more. If only Val could get his attention/time long enough she would be so happy….
Steven is a people pleaser, butt kisser and Garry likes this. All hell brakes lose when Steven ex-fiancée Tracy appears out of the blue and wants Steven back after she gets rid of Steven to marry another NBA star that have greater money. Instead of telling Tracy that she couldn’t have him back, flat out… He declares to Tracy that him and Val is a couple and is engage. Val goes along with the falsehood to come out later to find Steven was worth the untruth.
Garry is old and sat in his ways, he continues disregarding Val request to treat her as an equal and it takes Val to walk away for him to appreciate her natural abilities that made the company.
With all the highs and lows there’s middle to all the madness. The story was very touching about two adults that are at each other throats to have their relationship bloom into a very pleasing and impressive ending. I highly recommend this book for all romance lovers.
All Valerie wants is Garry acknowledgement of her natural abilities and stop putting her down as his daughter/employee. For years Valerie has been dealing with the lost of her mother and needs the attention of her father. Val can’t get ten minutes of her father time without Garry bringing in Steven into the conversation which becomes a problem, to make Val dislike him more. If only Val could get his attention/time long enough she would be so happy….
Steven is a people pleaser, butt kisser and Garry likes this. All hell brakes lose when Steven ex-fiancée Tracy appears out of the blue and wants Steven back after she gets rid of Steven to marry another NBA star that have greater money. Instead of telling Tracy that she couldn’t have him back, flat out… He declares to Tracy that him and Val is a couple and is engage. Val goes along with the falsehood to come out later to find Steven was worth the untruth.
Garry is old and sat in his ways, he continues disregarding Val request to treat her as an equal and it takes Val to walk away for him to appreciate her natural abilities that made the company.
With all the highs and lows there’s middle to all the madness. The story was very touching about two adults that are at each other throats to have their relationship bloom into a very pleasing and impressive ending. I highly recommend this book for all romance lovers.
January 11, 2023
Rivals to lovers, ex NBA star hero and some fake engagement sprinkled in. Had the potential to win me over but every one just treated Valerie (our heroine and genuine saving grace) like complete 💩. Her father was the worst culprit but supposedly a few minutes of him crying is supposed to be enough to make up for everything he's put her through the last 12 years (multiple crying sessions included).
Stephen (our hero) was the epitome of a doormat for the majority of this book and seemed incapable of having a decent original idea. While I appreciated the subplot of him realising this aspect of his character and working upon it, I didn't want him for Valerie... she deserved so much better!
Also both her father and love interest called her unreasonable and too emotional because her father (the boss) took a client that she had researched, cultivated and was in the process of working with and gave it to Stephen for no reason other than Stephen was famous and so he should be the face of it. Apparently her pointing out she would like to present this project since she's done all the work for it and Stephen has plenty of other projects already is being unreasonable ... It was really hard to get me to like Stephen or her father after that and that was in Chapter 1 or 2.
Stephen (our hero) was the epitome of a doormat for the majority of this book and seemed incapable of having a decent original idea. While I appreciated the subplot of him realising this aspect of his character and working upon it, I didn't want him for Valerie... she deserved so much better!
Also both her father and love interest called her unreasonable and too emotional because her father (the boss) took a client that she had researched, cultivated and was in the process of working with and gave it to Stephen for no reason other than Stephen was famous and so he should be the face of it. Apparently her pointing out she would like to present this project since she's done all the work for it and Stephen has plenty of other projects already is being unreasonable ... It was really hard to get me to like Stephen or her father after that and that was in Chapter 1 or 2.
September 17, 2011
I loved this book. The characters were realistic and likeable. I fell in love with male Steven and I liked and sometimes identified with the female character Valerie. This was a quick read and such a cute love story. The story was unique and fun to read.
May 12, 2014
The talk is sports (NBA) and advertising -- it's a dog eat dog world in both arenas! Who will come out on top?
December 1, 2015
Loving, Learning and Forgiving
Steven and Valerie are both bold and vulnerable. Will their past relationship experiences, personal and familial, hinder them or bring them together ?
Steven and Valerie are both bold and vulnerable. Will their past relationship experiences, personal and familial, hinder them or bring them together ?
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews