The Pleasure Garden (Zebra Historical Romance) [Paperback]

Regan Allen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Zebra Historical Romance | Publication Date: April 5, 2005

A secret agent in His Majesty's service, Jason Kitterage is much in need of diversion - and a solitary stroll through the shadowy, perfumed lanes of Vauxhall provides it. Quite by chance he meets Miss Angelica Pruitt, a young beauty who is less than forthright about her reasons for being there. Her sensual charm intrigues him but she cannot be a mere file de jole - her elegance and impeccable manners mark her as a lady. Yet Angelica is alone...Angelica well believes that the darkly handsome baronet could win the heart of any woman with just one smouldering glance, for he has captured hers. An amorous dalliance on such short acquaintance would be most improper...and impossible to resist...

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Even angels, it seems, can be tempted. For Angelica Pruitt, the lovely but impoverished minister's daughter living in a squalid London boardinghouse, the inducement is a good meal after three days without food. Reluctantly she agrees to help noted courtesan Cicely Bryant entertain a small party of gentlemen at dinner in a secluded Vauxhall grotto. But when dashing adventurer Jason Kitteradge arrives to claim her for his dinner companion, she loses her nerve and flees. Jason is intrigued by the would-be demimondaine who claims to have read Homer in the original Greek and to know the legend of Aphrodite's Mask, which he plans to sell in order to recoup the family fortunes. When he pursues her, however, one of Cicely's footmen strikes him unconscious. Allen has woven magic and myth, temptation and innocence, historical tidbits and artifacts into a captivating Regency-era romance with a paranormal twist, complete with an engaging appearance by the prince himself. Lynne Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zebra (April 5, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082177798X
• ISBN-13: 978-0821777985
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,387,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Regency with magical tones., March 21, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pleasure Garden (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

This story is set in the Regency era. Angelica "Angel" Pruitt is the daughter of a famous orator. He died only a few years before. Angelica teaches Cicely history and literature so she can speak with her "protector", Lord Geoffrey, about his interests of Greek mythology.

Angelica accepts Cicely's offer to a party in Vauxhall's pleasure garden for the sole reason of a meal. It is at this party that Angel meets Jason Kitterage. The attraction between them is mutual. Refusing to lower her standards though, she quits the party early. While doing so, Jason is hurt and has no choice but to care for him for a few days.

Jason is an antiquities collector and seller. He is offering an ancient treasure, called the Mask of Aphrodite, up for bid to others that had attended the previous party. Once well enough, he convinces Angel to stay with him and his father. He vows not to press his attentions on her. She sets the pace.

The Mask of Aphrodite is surrounded by legends. It is said that any woman who wears the mask becomes irresistible to all men and can enslave them to do her bidding. Problem is that the legends are true. Angel and Jason must keep the mask out of the wrong hands.

***** No hot love scenes here. This is a clean and sweet regency romance. However, there is danger and magic throughout the tale. This book proves that you do not need hot bedroom scenes in order to have a marvelous story. Jason's father and brother are secondary characters in this book and their personalities light up the pages just as brightly as the main characters' do. In fact, I have high hopes that the brother will get his own magical story soon! Author Regan Allen proves herself to be an enchantress in this gem. I was enthralled quickly and left begging for more. Highly recommended! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

4.0 out of 5 stars WARNING!!!!, February 1, 2010

By 

Stephanie (Sacramento) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pleasure Garden (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

I have no problem with the story, prose, or characters, what I DID have a problem with is the end. I wont spoil the end, but keep in mind if you do read this the book was written in 2005 (5 years ago) and the end STRONGLY suggests a continuation of characters... these characters AND others in a second novel, but a release date has yet to be hinted at. The author doesn't seem to have a website, and the book sites I tend to look at hasn't listed any other books for this author that have anything to do with these characters.

That being said, the novel takes place during the Regency era, it focuses greatly on the relationships that a young woman, left alone in the world, forms and what she learns of the less sheltered side of life as a single woman in Regency England (not always a pleasant experience). It certainly hints at religion, but it never outright convinces you to become more religious (thank heavens... pun intended). I was not disappointed, but have felt myself left wanting for the "rest of the story", which is one of my most hated feelings when I read books.

All in all, its a fun book. In a nutshell a woman goes to a "sketchy" engagement because she's starving, meets a man she can't resist and ends up fighting her own moral upbringing in the struggle to survive, love and hopefully have love returned. All this happens while the "lover" is attempting to sell a "magical" mask to several interested but not so pure of heart characters that are more than willing to pull any despicable moves necessary to ensure they are the ones that ultimately gain said mask. A fun mix of a fantasy element, relationships, some humor, love, and the ultimate morality battle of a young religious woman in love with a man that has absolutely no urge to commit.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enticing Historical!, October 14, 2006

By 

Beverly "Beverly" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pleasure Garden (Zebra Historical Romance) (Paperback)

Desirable, fascinating, sensual and magical are words to describe this historical romance set in the Regency period. The alluring Angelica Pruitt, down on her luck, hungry, and looking for work in London, is lured to madam Cicely's promise of an evening of entertainment and food, in exchange for being a campanion on the arms of gentlemen looking for entertainment at the Vauxhall pleasure garden. Innocent Angelica has spent her life in the country as the daughter of a vicar and is tired of trying to avoid the darker sides of London and what can happen to a beautiful young womnan. That night she meets Jason Kitterage, who is so drawn to Angelica, as are many of the men at the gardens. This handsome hero eventually sensually lures Angelica to pleasure and she moves into his home to become his mistress. Sweet, innocent Anglica soon becomes a healing balm to Jason's family and staff of his townhome. This is an interesting and heartwarming story that also involves mystery and historical relics with powers. The characters are well-developed and the story moves along, absorbing the reader into the lives of the characters and into the mystery of the famous ancient Mask of Aphrodite. An enjoyable read.