Heated Rivalry [Paperback]

Patricia Sargeant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2010

Heated Rivalry is a contemporary romance set in Miami, Florida. The story's theme is self-worth. The readers follow the characters on a journey that takes them from allowing other people to measure their worth to recognizing their own value.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Charismatic former NBA star Steven Crennell joins a Miami ad agency and finds himself facing off against the owner's determined daughter in this sexy contemporary romance. Valerie Parker resents having to compete with newcomer Steve for accounts, especially when her father, Garry, gives Steve a client that Valerie brought in. The rivalry heats up as Garry continues to value Steve's household name status over Valerie's hard work. Valerie can't deny her attraction to Steve, but how can she trust him when he won't take tough stands against predatory women (including his gold-digging ex-fiancée) or Garry's unfairness? As Valerie and Steve slowly discover their own moral and emotional strengths, Sargeant (You Belong to Me) turns this slightly Freudian tangle into an absorbing if lightweight emotional journey with broad appeal. (Apr.)
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Review

"When ex-NBA star Steven meets advertising executive Val, The Taming of the Shrew never read so well - or so sexy." --Shirley Hailstock, best-selling author of The Right Wedding Gown

"The age-old romantic conflict of opposing lovers is fresh and exciting in the skillful hands of Patricia Sargeant. Heated Rivalry steams the page from the beginning to the satisfying end." --Donna Hill, Essence best-selling author of What Mother Never Told Me

"Patricia Sargeant not only touches the heart, she touches the soul of the reader." --Karen Kelley, USA Today best-selling author of Dating Outside Your DNA

"Heated Rivalry sparks with sexual tension." --Janice Maynard, USA Today best-selling author of The Mating Game

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Dafina; 1 edition (April 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075823144X
• ISBN-13: 978-0758231444
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #850,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Award-winning author Patricia Sargeant writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance.

Patricia's romantic suspense novel, You Belong to Me, earned third place in the 2006 Reviewers International Organization's award of Excellence in the Favorite Debut Novel Category.

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 she's addicted to Law & Order and TruTV.
Patricia loves to hear from readers.

Raised in New York City, Patricia now lives in Ohio with her husband.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heated Rivalry is smoking hot, April 21, 2010

By 

Judy "book reader" (Cincinnati, ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heated Rivalry (Paperback)

Heated Rivalry by Patricia Sargeant is another exceptional story of love and emotional growth.

Valeria Parker pushes herself to excel at her fathers ad agency. It seems no matter what she does she falls short in wining his approval. Now she has to deal with the new hot shot partner Steven Crennell. Val feels she is ready for more challenging accounts and a much deserved promotion but Steven keeps getting in her way.

Former NBA star Steven Crennell wants to prove he is more then just a basketball player. His work at the Parker Ad agency is challenging and fulfilling. When his ex tries to worm her way back into his life he needs Valerie to run interference. Val agrees to work with Steven on his ex's account by posing as his new fiancé.

Working so closely with Steven on the account has their normal competitiveness turning into an all consuming passion. Can Steven get Valerie to trust him and turn their fake relationship into the real deal?

Heated Rivalry has compelling characters that have problems that are touching to watch them work them out. Steven and Valerie are both driven to succeed but have to learn to let the really important things like love into their lives. Patricia Sargeant writes books that are keepers for me, I can go back to them at any time and fall right back in love with the characters.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 3.5) - Fevered Competition, June 1, 2010

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heated Rivalry (Paperback)

Valerie Parker is employed at her father's advertising agency and he's decided to assign the advertising campaign she's been working on to her nemesis, Steve Crennell. She's furious and is determined to get her campaign back; however, she also has to deal with her growing attraction to Steve. Steve can't understand why the attractive Valerie despises him the way she does and wants to find out why. When Steve's past makes an appearance, he turns to Valerie for assistance and she reluctantly agrees. Before long, their attraction becomes intense and they must decide if their rivalry is worth the trouble.

This is a tale of how differences between two people can blossom into a budding relationship. Ms. Sargeant smoothly and suavely depicts Valerie and Steve's love story. The sub characters were lively and offered a humorous twist. HEATED RIVALRY is a treat and worth the read for the true romantic.

Reviewed by Jaime L. Lincoln
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fighting For Attention, April 6, 2010

By 

Priscilla C. Johnson "bookmaniac" (Baltimore, Maryland USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Heated Rivalry (Paperback)

Valerie Parker was smart, attractive, and a work-a-holic. After gaining the interest of Good N Healthy Foods, she was ready to prove that she was more than capable of bringing in the big accounts as well as serving as artistic lead. But her father, Gerry, co-founder and senior partner of Parker Advertising, had other ideas. He assigned the account to his junior partner, Steven Crennell, retired NBA star, who was also drop-dead gorgeous. Steven had an idea that could benefit them both - but Valerie wanted guarantees that she would get what she wanted. In Patricia Sargeant's Heated Rivalry, Valeria found herself fighting for accounts, her father and her heart.

Sargeant gives readers an interesting twist to a repeated theme. Valerie and Steven had to learn to trust each other and to accept a few hard truths about themselves. I found the story entertaining and would recommend for romance readers.

The book was provided by the author for review.

Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub