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Parker's Price

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She was sexy, smart...and for sale.

When Parker Quinn is forced to accept an outrageously high bid at a charity auction, she has no choice but to go out with the last man on earth she wants to spend time with. Dean Maxwell may be one of Manhattan's most eligible bachelors, but he's also the man who had an affair with her sister and abandoned her when she became pregnant with his child...

Dean doesn't know why Parker hates him so much, but he's determined to show Parker the type of man he really is. Whisking her away to a private island in the Bahamas for a sensual, sun-drenched week together, Dean leaves Parker's preconceptions shattered and her desires inflamed.

But even as their passion reaches irresistible heights, Parker has a decision to make. Can she allow herself to fall for the seductive magnate, or will family secrets and a dangerous ex tear them apart?

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2010

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35 people want to read

About the author

Ann Bruce

21 books38 followers
Ann Bruce is the pseudonym for a self-professed computer geek who, in between snowboarding, reading comic books, and wearing out the buttons of her PS3 controller, writes because it's an acceptable means of explaining all the voices in her head.

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Mandi.
2,368 reviews732 followers
July 7, 2010
Dean Maxwell wants to be anywhere but the charity auction he is attending, until he lays eyes on Parker Quinn, who happens to be running the event. Lust at first sight, he “rescues” her from a man that is giving her a hard time. Parker, who was quietly fighting with her ex, is thankful to Dean for the distraction. That is until she finds out his name. Dean Maxwell, wealthy business man and also the man her sister claims is the daughter of her niece. The man who refused to be a part of her niece’s life. Parker is very close with her mom and sister, at times supporting them both. The warm attraction Parker first gives off quickly turns to ice.

Dean notices the reversal of Parker’s attitude and is puzzled. He refuses to give up though. Parker is in charge of the charity auction and after all the models are through being auctioned off, to her surprise there is one last bidder – for her. Dean Maxwell offers $40,000 to go on a date with her. Parker finds there is no way to graciously decline, and grudgingly agrees to one date. Dean is an artist at seduction and is not going to let Parker go without a fight.

I have something shocking to say – I found Dean too alpha. I know, I know..I never thought I would say that. I love a wealthy, stern, powerful man. But Dean just crossed that line a bit too far with me. He came across pushy, bossy, and demanding. Frustrated all the time when he doesn’t get his way. He was sexy – and I enjoyed his intense attraction, but then he would go overboard and he would lose his appeal.

Parker’s friend told her she is usually the one in charge, never letting men boss her around – but you never see that side of her here. She tries to fight back, but always ends up giving in to the more aggressive Dean. At one point after knowing Dean for only two days, he whisks her away to a private island. She doesn’t even know him yet lets him make all the decisions. Plus he is the father of her sister’s kid. She is very close with her sister. Why would she have a fling with this man without first addressing this news that is so important to her? Also, when Dean denies he is the father, Parker automatically assumes her sister is the liar. I would think she would take a step back and settle for more of a gray area.


Parker’s Price has some hot scenes in it and I like the way Ann Bruce writes. I just didn’t like Dean. If he had been more toned down and Parker more secure I would have enjoyed this one better.


Rating: 2.5/5
Profile Image for Erotic Horizon.
1,738 reviews
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July 6, 2010
Parker Quinn’s job is a simply one when she attends the auction charity ball that she had help to organize – mingle, get the word out about what the charity is about and smile, but more importantly, make nice. Make nice kinda didn’t involve her being on the auction block with the highest bid for the charity placed on her IF she accepts.

The bidder is none other than rich, fickle and one of Manhattan's most eligible bachelors Dean Maxwell, who Parker hates.

Dean Maxwell has been bored with the evening of mixing and mingling which his sister has dragged him to. While he is not opposed to giving to the needy – he has no time for the beautiful people who tend to gravitate towards these setting. As he is about to call an end to the night he spots Parker, a flower in this garden of beautiful thorns.

Dean being Dean does not hesitate but moves in and try to make a move on her – however this is one woman who seem to be onto him and not in a good way if her glare is anything to go by. Dean is surprise to say the least and he cannot let the night end without finding out what he had ever done to deserve that brush off.

Using what he has the most of, he goes after her, which only put Parker’s in a position she can’t back away from. Dean doesn’t intend to play fair, but with Parker’s family and ex – things will get mightily interesting and dangerous before he gets what he wants – which is just Parker.

I along with a whole lots of other bloggers and readers have been fascinated by Carina Press’s first step into this world of books that we love so much. As an off shot of Harlequin I probably am being less than courteous in saying that I am expecting Saturday morning or just before bed type reading material from most of the books that Carina Press produces and this is what I got with PARKER’S PRICE.

For the record I love Saturday morning and just before bed reading material and as such I really like this book.

From the blurb to the cast, to even the dual plotline that runs through PARKER’S PRICE– it doesn’t purports to be anything more than a sweet read with little to no angst involved and while a lot of things are stereotypical, this works for me.

Parker is the classic chick who “protest” yet caves at the first sign of those brooding eyes or when those arm wraps around her - but I liked her. She is shouldering a lot of responsibility as well as trying to be practical in how she hopes to deal with her future. When she meets Dean, who she never though she would, it was not the “I hate your guts” sort of moment that she always though it would be – she liked him and she is conflicted.

Dean is just Dean – he made me smile alot. Too much money, got his way too often and other than his sister who knocks him back when needed – he more or less gets his way. I liked him as well.

Ms Bruce tossed in a minor mystery plot for a but of bulk – but it really felt like it was just there to make some minor cast involvement seem worthwhile, but it really didn’t have the depth or involvement to put any sort of strain on the book.

If there was one thing I did not like about this sweet read – it was the reasons why Parker did not like Dean and probably the ease at the resolution. In life there are just some lines you do not cross even in fiction and that did not sit well with me and because of this it rather let a bit of the book down for me.

The book moves around a bit as well and this makes it a really fast read. There is smexing between Parker and Dean and a pretty decent amount of it as well.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a light easy read, with characters that makes you grind your teeth as well as smile a time or two – then PARKER’S PRICE is one that fits the bill.

This is definately a modernise version of the classic Harlequin tale and readers who require more from their reading should not read this one. If you are however a lover of the Harlequin or Mills & Boons range of books – you will love this one.
Profile Image for Brande Waldron.
60 reviews21 followers
July 12, 2010
Fourty Thousand dollars to Parker's charity is all it took to get her off to Dean Maxwell's private island. Well, actually it took a little more than that, but Dean was smooth and determined, this sexy alpha male who always got what he wanted no matter the cost wasn't going to let Parker's supposed grudge against him slow him down. In Ann Bruce's June 14th release from Carina Press, PARKER'S PRICE, Parker Quinn didn't know the name of the man she hated with all her night and the sexy, denier man in front of her were one in the same until it was too late. Her body pulled towards him and Dean felt the same, the magnetism between the two was undeniable and hot,hot, hot.
Putting her hate aside, how can this be the man who wanted her sister to abort their baby. The man who denied that he had a child and left her poor sister in the leerch to raise their beautiful baby on her own???? Is couldn't be, could it.
Parker didn't want to believe it, with every touch from Dean they grew closer and her heart was starting to get so attached to him she was struggling with her inner demons. What would her sister say when she found out she was away with him? Not to mention the connection Dean and Parker have built, all her insecurities are being exposed with this devilish man.
But not everything is at it seems and Parker realized that she soon will have to fight her own vulnerabilities if she wants to be with Dean, he loves her, she knows deep down. But her fear that he will leave her is all consuming for her.
Family secrets, lies, shame, a stalker and a jealous ex, all these come to a head just while Dean and Parker are trying to find their way in to each other's hearts.
She has always had to be so strong, her for mom, her sister, her company, sometimes a girl just has to let go and let the man she loves take care of her. With Dean, he was so romantic and he knew what he wanted.... Parker. Out to prove his innocence to her with her sister and move on with their lives he steps over Parker's boundaries a little and tries so hard to protect her that he just might lose her in the end. Erotic and sexy, this story was absolutely deliciously sinful with every word, carrying the reader away with this entertaining plot and emotional love story. If you are in the mood for a sinfully sexy man who will stop at nothing to get the heart of the woman who holds his heart, smokin hot love scenes that will make you blush and an intriguing plot twist that will keep you guessing, this is the perfect read for you!
Profile Image for Habrewer.
439 reviews6 followers
February 11, 2011
Parker’s Price by Ann Bruce
* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

During Parker's annual charity auction, Dean Maxwell comes to her rescue and saves her from her ex-boyfriend. She is drawn to him instantly, until she finds out who he is.

Dean has been drug to another charity function by his sister. He doesn't want to be there until he spots Parker across the room. He is enraptured with her but puzzled by her response when he told her his name. He is determined to spend more time with her so he makes a silent bid for a date with her.

Parker is shocked when the emcee announced the silent bid of $20,000 for a date with her. She wants to refuse but can't, especially when Dean increases the bid to $40,000. She is conflicted because she feels a connection to him but she doesn't want to betray her sister and niece.

I really liked this book. I loved the fact that the primary story is about the struggle that Parker is dealing with and it's not just about the sex. Don't get me wrong, I like steamy romances with HOT sex scenes but I loved the build up and the tension that Ms. Bruce has added to this story. It makes the ultimate payoff all the sweeter.

There are other issues that they face besides whether Dean is Savannah's father or not. Parker's ex-boyfriend is jealous of her new life and is causing problems for them or is he? Someone broke into her apartment and trashed it while they were away and now Dean is concerned for her safety.

Parker is a strong character and I definitely can relate to her because she is the one that is keeping her family together. She makes sure that their rent is paid, that they have food on the table and gives up her vacations to provide for them. Dean is a complex man and isn't what he appears. He runs his own company, is demand with the ladies and looks great in a tux but deep down, he would rather be in a pair of jeans or out running in the park. He values family above all else.

The book is well paced and flows very nicely. The scene in the gym was very HOT and well worth the wait. The ending had a nice twist and definitely surprised me. I love when a book does that. It's definitely worth picking up.

Overall I give Parker's Price 4 flaming hearts.
Profile Image for Lexie.
2,066 reviews358 followers
March 29, 2016
Its a little bit dishonest to say that Parker was for 'sale'. Dean more or less manipulated her into a position where if she refused too much she would look really bad (PR wise). The rest applies--and the cover is very pretty isn't it?

As most of you know I don't read contemporaries too often, but I've become intrigued by Carina Press--the digital off-shoot of Harlequin with Angela James as its editor. They have one of my favorite historical romance writers, Donna Lea Simpson, as one of theirs and a couple of their paranormal romance titles looked interesting enough for me to buy a whole bunch of them with my left over amazon GC. Parker's Price is the first one I've read and I'm not disappointed in the least.

The story is hot and sensual; Parker and Dean's alternating hot/frustrated relationship seductive as I read to see how Dean convinced Parker to succumb. Dean's a real alpha male and though I found his tactics a little high-handed, I couldn't really blame him because Parker was being pretty unreasonable. I didn't feel the tension of her dislike for Dean, for a past misdeed he supposedly did towards her sister, because he was all she thought about. She would begin strong, then falter amazingly fast. There was an extreme lack of communication between the two I think.

There was a sinister secondary plotline, involving Parker's apartment being vandalized and escalating from there. Who was behind it all was a twist, but I guessed it about halfway through (you can blame my love of procedural dramas and mystery shows for this) so the pay out was the reasoning. I'll go on the record as saying her ex Tyler is a scumball.

I enjoyed my foray into contemporary romance with this new publisher. As a bonus I found an author I really enjoy and will look forward to reading more by her!
Profile Image for Brandi.
622 reviews31 followers
July 27, 2011
Dean Maxwell is a man on a serious mission: to woo a woman who wants nothing to do with him. Dean Maxwell rescues Parker Quinn from a potentially embarrassing situation but the moment she finds out who he is, she makes a mad dash for the exit. Dean does not make it easy for her to forget him. So he takes a risk that will either get him all that he wants to leave him with some serious regrets. Parker has her reasons for running from her attraction to Dean but can't seem to help herself. Dean is a super confident man and steamrolls her into doing what he wants. He is a man's man in a custom made suit. Though quite wealthy, Dean is likeable guy with a normal background and a normal attitude. Parker is a regular working woman with realistic personal insecurities and family issues.
This is a really sexy read but I went in thinking that this book would be based on non-stop sexual encounters and nothing else. However, Dean seems to be really into Parker and is not afraid to chase her until she gives in. Although there is some serious sexual tension, they don't do the "dirty" for quite some time (in bookland); this build up more far more satisfying than some quickie in the hall closet or elevator. There is a way that Dean looks at Parker that says that he knows her quite intimately even before they have sex. Dean's confidence is one of the sexiest aspects of the book. Add some family drama and a crazed, unknown psycho and this makes for a really good, sexy book. Much more than what I'd expected.
Profile Image for Kristiej.
1,551 reviews99 followers
August 21, 2010
When I read a review of this book, the main objection seemed to be that the heroine was alternately drawn to and repelled by the hero because she thought he had got her sister pregnant and then abandoned her. I agree with Wendy, that that was a bit squicky. It wasn’t until fairly late in the story, after Dean and Parker had become intimate that she finally breaks down and tells him why she has run so hot and cold. I have two younger sisters and to me that’s a big no no. You don’t sleep with someone your sister has slept with.

BUT

Damn but I love her writing. Although I thought Parker was wrong in what she did, keeping to herself what she thought Dean did, the story kept me fully engaged. And the love scenes – wowzers – very well written. I left a comment on Wendy’s review that I would probably love the hero and she was right. I did really think Dean was mighty fine. He really took charge of Parker, but in a good way, and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Since he didn’t know what she seemed to have against him, he didn’t know why she was holding him off, but he was very good at accepting and respecting her boundaries, even if she did seem to run hot and cold.

In fact, I had no sooner finished this book, then I went searching for more books she’s written and luckily I've found a couple I plan on getting.
Profile Image for Kim (Wistfulskimmies Book Reviews).
428 reviews12 followers
August 15, 2011
I enjoyed this. It's billed as erotic but it isn't in your face. In fact I got nearly half way through before there was any sort of steaminess. I loved the slow burn of Parker and Dean's relationship, and I was amused to note the use of safe sex. Again I liked the fact that it was a proper story and built up to the steamy scenes, you weren't just thrown into them right away. I also liked the fact that there was a psycho ex-lover side story running in the background, it made it all tie together very nicely.

I received a complimetary copy of this book in order to review it.
Profile Image for SW.
799 reviews16 followers
July 28, 2011
It starts off with an auction and Dean buys his date from Parker for 40K. (do they really do these in real life??) He tried to court her a couple of times and she brushes him off, he claims that it doesn't count as a date. Scary break-ins and ex-boyfriends are thrown into the loop. Parker gets whisked away to a remote island with Dean for a couple of days; there's a lot of sexual tension, alpha male-ness, and misconception. Typical romance novel with steamy sex. I enjoyed it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it
Profile Image for Jill.
265 reviews9 followers
December 26, 2015
who needs to buy porn on the internet when you can read romance novels?
Profile Image for Molly.
Author 34 books27 followers
October 8, 2013
Good story! Kept me scrolling, and I was thrilled to know what I suspected about the sub-plot was correct:)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews