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The Pleasure Master
A wild and passionate love affair brings our hero and heroine together. Neither can resist the attraction they feel for one another and everything else takes second place.
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
7 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Nina Bangs
43 books673 followersTalk about misspent youth. What did I do during those lazy summer days of childhood when I could’ve been honing my writing skills? Nothing. Okay, so I spent a lot of time dreaming I was a cowgirl with a trusty black stallion. Oh, and I read every Walter Farley horse novel. I was an only child so I relied on my imagination to supply the excitement in my life.
By high school, I’d decided to trade in my lariat for a trench coat. I was into dark and dangerous. As an intrepid foreign correspondent, I’d stalk the mean streets of the world. Did I actually write anything? No, but I did read all of Agatha Christie’s mysteries.
I worked at a department store during college. My short stint in the accounting department taught me a lot about math. Three hundred-dollar shortages plus hysterical tears equaled instant move to gift-wrap. A career in math was not in my future. I didn’t care because I’d discovered “real” literature. I plowed through James Joyce’s Ulysses and Tolstoy’s War and Peace. If it didn’t make my eyes cross then it wasn’t worth reading. Yes, I admit it, I was a literary snob.
Nina and best buddy, Barbara Joyce.
Folk singers extraordinaire.
But there’s just so much “real” literature one person can take. I graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in English Literature and a determination to avoid books that induced eye crossing or had tragic endings. The only things I managed to write during those years were research papers.
I taught second grade for several years then spent two years in Dublin, Ireland. A friend and I supported ourselves by singing folk songs in Irish pubs. We weren’t great, but we were young, enthusiastic, and wore short skirts. It was obviously my destiny to be the next Judy Collins. I spent a lot of time poring through music books.
Returning to New Jersey and reality, I taught elementary school until I grew restless again. My cross-country odyssey included stays in Arizona, California, and Texas. Along the way, I indulged my love of horses. No black stallions, but I did have several beautiful Arabian mares. I read tons of books on breeding and showing.
Somewhere between California and Texas I grew addicted to romance novels and cats. The cat’s independent attitude was exactly the quality I admired in my romance heroes. And once I decided to try writing my own romances, I made sure a cat crept into each story.
Texas is my permanent home. I’ve come full circle. Born in San Antonio, I spent most of my life in New Jersey. Maybe the Texas in my blood accounts for my attachment to strong men, fast horses, and wide-open spaces. My love of cats? Haven’t a clue.
By high school, I’d decided to trade in my lariat for a trench coat. I was into dark and dangerous. As an intrepid foreign correspondent, I’d stalk the mean streets of the world. Did I actually write anything? No, but I did read all of Agatha Christie’s mysteries.
I worked at a department store during college. My short stint in the accounting department taught me a lot about math. Three hundred-dollar shortages plus hysterical tears equaled instant move to gift-wrap. A career in math was not in my future. I didn’t care because I’d discovered “real” literature. I plowed through James Joyce’s Ulysses and Tolstoy’s War and Peace. If it didn’t make my eyes cross then it wasn’t worth reading. Yes, I admit it, I was a literary snob.
Nina and best buddy, Barbara Joyce.
Folk singers extraordinaire.
But there’s just so much “real” literature one person can take. I graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in English Literature and a determination to avoid books that induced eye crossing or had tragic endings. The only things I managed to write during those years were research papers.
I taught second grade for several years then spent two years in Dublin, Ireland. A friend and I supported ourselves by singing folk songs in Irish pubs. We weren’t great, but we were young, enthusiastic, and wore short skirts. It was obviously my destiny to be the next Judy Collins. I spent a lot of time poring through music books.
Returning to New Jersey and reality, I taught elementary school until I grew restless again. My cross-country odyssey included stays in Arizona, California, and Texas. Along the way, I indulged my love of horses. No black stallions, but I did have several beautiful Arabian mares. I read tons of books on breeding and showing.
Somewhere between California and Texas I grew addicted to romance novels and cats. The cat’s independent attitude was exactly the quality I admired in my romance heroes. And once I decided to try writing my own romances, I made sure a cat crept into each story.
Texas is my permanent home. I’ve come full circle. Born in San Antonio, I spent most of my life in New Jersey. Maybe the Texas in my blood accounts for my attachment to strong men, fast horses, and wide-open spaces. My love of cats? Haven’t a clue.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 2, 2014
Eh. May just not have been in the mood. Or maybe I didn't really see the humor. Whatever...
Early in Ms Bangs' writing career, she had an idea; she just didn't quite know how to implement it. That idea was a reformed cosmic troublemaker named Ganymede who played matchmaker and arranged time travel. We meet him for the first time here - as a toy robot who spouts seemingly random movie quotes. The next book - Original Sin - he's a cat, and we first see what turns out to be The Big Boss. The third book, he'd vanished and been replaced by some sort of mystical white deer that travel the galaxy. The fourth, he's in human form, and Sparkle is seen. So is the first of the MacKenzie vampires. She figured it shortly after that.
Right now, in this book, she's still fumbling. Oh, there's humor to be had - the h rescuing the H from the clutches of some dominatrix while wielding a toy light saber. And at least the h is wary enough to not just fall straight into the H's bed (a relief since he's a professional seducer). Still... It was missing something.
Maybe what it's really missing is closure. I've only got one more of Ms Bangs' backlist to read and I *know* that the H's brother isn't in it. In fact, this book pretty much leaves *2* loose ends - Neil (one of H's brothers) and Coco (lawyer). The two were indulging in phone sex (don't ask) and seemed to be hitting it off but he remains behind when the H/h go back to her time.
Early in Ms Bangs' writing career, she had an idea; she just didn't quite know how to implement it. That idea was a reformed cosmic troublemaker named Ganymede who played matchmaker and arranged time travel. We meet him for the first time here - as a toy robot who spouts seemingly random movie quotes. The next book - Original Sin - he's a cat, and we first see what turns out to be The Big Boss. The third book, he'd vanished and been replaced by some sort of mystical white deer that travel the galaxy. The fourth, he's in human form, and Sparkle is seen. So is the first of the MacKenzie vampires. She figured it shortly after that.
Right now, in this book, she's still fumbling. Oh, there's humor to be had - the h rescuing the H from the clutches of some dominatrix while wielding a toy light saber. And at least the h is wary enough to not just fall straight into the H's bed (a relief since he's a professional seducer). Still... It was missing something.
Maybe what it's really missing is closure. I've only got one more of Ms Bangs' backlist to read and I *know* that the H's brother isn't in it. In fact, this book pretty much leaves *2* loose ends - Neil (one of H's brothers) and Coco (lawyer). The two were indulging in phone sex (don't ask) and seemed to be hitting it off but he remains behind when the H/h go back to her time.
February 20, 2024
It is what you would expect for $1
July 29, 2010
My second Nina Bangs book and I just can't get enough of her. This time, her heroine is transported into the past, to a sexy highlander/pleasure master (I know, its weird, but its absurdity makes it even better).
Kathy is a hairdresser from New York who is in the middle of a divorce from a very selfish and kinda emotionally abusive husband. With the help of a strange toy, she gets transported to Scotland and Ian Ross, the local Pleasure Master. To sum it up, he's the sex therapist and relationship counselor of the past. Women come to him for advice or pleasure. Unfortunately, he sucks with feelings and emotions - which makes me wonder how he even lasted as the Pleasure Master. Anyway, to keep his place as Pleasure Master, he has to seduce our heroine Kathy, before his brother seduces Kathy's friend, or before his other brother seduces the local mad woman (who happens to be young and pretty and with a healing touch)
There was also a 3-legged cat and a strange toy that Kathy named 'Peter' (which added his own movie quotes when he felt necessary). I loved these characters and they added even more comic relief to a fun story.
Essentially, this is the fun type of time-traveling story that people like me imagine in my head, but never find in mainstream romance. Of course, in my case, I fashion myself crashing the ton during the Regency.
Kathy is a hairdresser from New York who is in the middle of a divorce from a very selfish and kinda emotionally abusive husband. With the help of a strange toy, she gets transported to Scotland and Ian Ross, the local Pleasure Master. To sum it up, he's the sex therapist and relationship counselor of the past. Women come to him for advice or pleasure. Unfortunately, he sucks with feelings and emotions - which makes me wonder how he even lasted as the Pleasure Master. Anyway, to keep his place as Pleasure Master, he has to seduce our heroine Kathy, before his brother seduces Kathy's friend, or before his other brother seduces the local mad woman (who happens to be young and pretty and with a healing touch)
There was also a 3-legged cat and a strange toy that Kathy named 'Peter' (which added his own movie quotes when he felt necessary). I loved these characters and they added even more comic relief to a fun story.
Essentially, this is the fun type of time-traveling story that people like me imagine in my head, but never find in mainstream romance. Of course, in my case, I fashion myself crashing the ton during the Regency.
July 30, 2012
I love Nina Bangs' novels for a few reasons, but mostly I love her unique sense of humor and how she effortlessly weaves it in with the sensuality of the storyline. I thought the concept was interesting and fulfilling even if the device to get the main character back in time was slightly cheesey and a little unsubstantiated. The epilogue gave some more information and insight, but still left the reader with a sense of non-closure. As I don't like to ruin stories for people, I won't comment on any specific plot details, but as far as sexual tension goes, the book has PLENTY of it! I love that Bangs builds the relationship thoroughly before capitalizing on the expectations of the reader. I rated this book 4 stars because of the thoroughly developed characters and the relatability to the readers. Her characters are always feisty and stubborn, and lets just say I like those qualities in a well-written character. I docked 1 star for a lack of closure and a somewhat unrealistic ending that was unable to give me the closure I wanted from the storyline. However, I would read it again, and would encourage you to as well! Nina Bangs' continues to be one of my favorite authors and I look forward to the next novel I pick up off the shelf.
May 26, 2011
KICK ME IF I EVER READ THIS BOOK AGAIN!!! The story was fair (hair) there were moments where I'm sure the author thought she was being clever (hair) but she wasn't.
The main characters bothered me (hair) in that they weren't strong characters. they acted strong but they came off pushy and whiny. (hair) the whole book was about (hair) sex! "can I screw you yet?" I mean come on!!! (hair) The only thing I really had to look forward to was (hair) the movie quotes and how she (hair) managed to squeeze them in. (hair)
In case you haven't noticed the constant references to HAIR bothered me A LOT!!! (hair) Because, let's admit it, if you went back in time where you knew you were going to be odd enough, you wouldn't draw attention to yourself by claiming you were a PRINCESS OF HAIR!!! and could she have been less creative when she claimed her father was KING CLAIROL?!?! I honestly don't know anyone (and I know several hair stylists) who claim that their whole goal in life is to make women feel better about themselves by "GIVING THEM GREAT HAIR".
The main characters bothered me (hair) in that they weren't strong characters. they acted strong but they came off pushy and whiny. (hair) the whole book was about (hair) sex! "can I screw you yet?" I mean come on!!! (hair) The only thing I really had to look forward to was (hair) the movie quotes and how she (hair) managed to squeeze them in. (hair)
In case you haven't noticed the constant references to HAIR bothered me A LOT!!! (hair) Because, let's admit it, if you went back in time where you knew you were going to be odd enough, you wouldn't draw attention to yourself by claiming you were a PRINCESS OF HAIR!!! and could she have been less creative when she claimed her father was KING CLAIROL?!?! I honestly don't know anyone (and I know several hair stylists) who claim that their whole goal in life is to make women feel better about themselves by "GIVING THEM GREAT HAIR".
February 9, 2010
I don't like time travel books. I find them too far fetched and well, just silly. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at this one and putting it down frequently with frustration at how stupid the storyline was. The only thing I liked in this book was the main character had a big bag full of toys when she was sucked into 16th century Scotland. One of the toys (which happened to be responsible for her time travel on Christmas Eve-hence the toys she had) was a walking, talking robot thingy. The robot followed them everywhere they (the two main characters) went and according to whatever conversation and or situation going on at the given time, the robot would throw funny movie quotes that fit the conversation/situation perfectly. That is the one thing I enjoyed in this book.
April 14, 2011
Time travel. Why do so many authors like to use this gimmick?
It wasn't a bad time travel romance. Kinda weird with all the toys and such. I kinda wanted to LOL at the "pleasure master" thing...
The movie quotes were kinda funny.
My first Nina Bangs book.
It wasn't a bad time travel romance. Kinda weird with all the toys and such. I kinda wanted to LOL at the "pleasure master" thing...
The movie quotes were kinda funny.
My first Nina Bangs book.
October 10, 2009
Nina Bangs brings pleasure to the minds of fantasy readers. She's a good read and a fast paced page turner. I soak up her stories like a sponge to water.
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September 17, 2022In honor of our Old School reading this month, we decided to look at our reading archives and see what turned up. Unfortunately, we read the books in the listicle linked below so long ago, we don’t remember much. Maybe we can interest you in these books based on what we do remember?
Find the full list at The Smut Report
All I remember about this book is…
…it’s about a woman who gets sent back in time (by a talking toy…monkey?) to some guy who lives in a cave (not sure why) in medieval Scotland. He has sex magic.
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Find the full list at The Smut Report
All I remember about this book is…
…it’s about a woman who gets sent back in time (by a talking toy…monkey?) to some guy who lives in a cave (not sure why) in medieval Scotland. He has sex magic.
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May 1, 2019
This book had me laughing out loud multiple times. God, those toys were so weird but funny. I loved how Peter always had a movie quote. The author must really like movies. I was impressed with how many s(he) knew.
I really felt like both learned from each other. Kathy learned pleasure, and it took Ian a while, but he finally learned to trust and love.
Also there was the mystery of Peter. His movie-quote spouting was too good to be true for him to be a mere toy. I wish his identity was explained more in the epilogue... (spoiler: so he was a cabbie??)
Besides Ian's talent at creating fantasies and being a good lover, what makes him special to be the Pleasure Master? His ways of pleasing women are the same as any good lover...
I really felt like both learned from each other. Kathy learned pleasure, and it took Ian a while, but he finally learned to trust and love.
Also there was the mystery of Peter. His movie-quote spouting was too good to be true for him to be a mere toy. I wish his identity was explained more in the epilogue... (spoiler: so he was a cabbie??)
Besides Ian's talent at creating fantasies and being a good lover, what makes him special to be the Pleasure Master? His ways of pleasing women are the same as any good lover...
August 16, 2017
Not one of her better books. I liked the idea of thef the movie quoting robot but the chemistry betwqeen the main characters wasn't believable and the toy wars was neither particularly funny or inventive. I missed Sparkle Stardust- who would have been a perfect counteragent for the Pleasure Master. Some how I could never quite believe his job mattered to the village or that he would inspire such hatred in a neighboring clan.
July 31, 2022
If you have ever thought to yourself, Hmmm, I wish someone would write a Month Python/Voyager mash-up, and make it dirty, this may be your book.
If you also thought to yourself, I wonder if we could work on a sentient robot and a three legged cat? This IS the book you have been looking for... And maybe you need to lay off the shrooms.
Funniest thing I have read in years, totally worth it.
If you also thought to yourself, I wonder if we could work on a sentient robot and a three legged cat? This IS the book you have been looking for... And maybe you need to lay off the shrooms.
Funniest thing I have read in years, totally worth it.
May 15, 2019
Compared to Nina's other book this was a let down.
I spent more time trying to picture Peter/Genymede than I did everything else.
Confusion trumped the sexy
For a Pleasure Master he dolled out very little pleasure IMO
I spent more time trying to picture Peter/Genymede than I did everything else.
Confusion trumped the sexy
For a Pleasure Master he dolled out very little pleasure IMO
July 30, 2013
Well, I have to say I wanted to pull out Kathy's hair, then I wanted to smack Ian and finally I laughed. What a wonderful roller coaster ride. Kathy Bartlett really has had a rough time with men. But now, I think things have gotten worse. She travels in time to find her self in the Highlands of Scotland. And not only has she been plopped down in the middle of nowhere. She is with some of the hottest Highland warriors. Ian, Neil and Colin. From the beginning the laughs start. The things you can do with mousse. When Ian decides to take pity on Kathy of Hair, he has no idea the things he is getting himself into. Likewise Kathy has no idea she has just found The Pleasure Master. Oh yeah I do believe she has met her match. I won't giveaway the ending but I do have to say I LOVED the ending. I laughed out loud. Because a certain character from another series shows his little cosmic troublemaker self. One of my ALL time favorites. Again this book was just great Thank Nina.
August 4, 2012
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okay, this book was freaking hilarious. My favorite character wasn't really a character per say. He was a toy. A toy with a rotten sense of humor and a love of movie quotes. My favorite quote that he said was "If I'm not back in five minutes.... just wait longer." haha. Jim Carrey. sorry, I love Jim Carrey. I loved Kathy and her tough New York attitude. she was so sarcastic. I am also a huge fan of sarcasm. all in all, it was a cute read full of time travel, humor, and three- legged cats (okay. one three- legged cat). I guess I cannot complain too much about the excess talk of sex and seduction when the title of the book is The Pleasure Master. haha. anyway. It was really cute. but i liked it because it made me laugh. There were some things not to love about it. but then it is full of hot scottish guys running around in kilts...so yeah. :)
okay, this book was freaking hilarious. My favorite character wasn't really a character per say. He was a toy. A toy with a rotten sense of humor and a love of movie quotes. My favorite quote that he said was "If I'm not back in five minutes.... just wait longer." haha. Jim Carrey. sorry, I love Jim Carrey. I loved Kathy and her tough New York attitude. she was so sarcastic. I am also a huge fan of sarcasm. all in all, it was a cute read full of time travel, humor, and three- legged cats (okay. one three- legged cat). I guess I cannot complain too much about the excess talk of sex and seduction when the title of the book is The Pleasure Master. haha. anyway. It was really cute. but i liked it because it made me laugh. There were some things not to love about it. but then it is full of hot scottish guys running around in kilts...so yeah. :)
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May 24, 2010I really enjoyed this book. It starts off right from the start to throw you into the past. The story line, totally non-realistic, but that's what makes it great! You aren't "trying to believe it could really happen" so the author didn't bog us down with too many "this is how they figure it out" details. This is the first Nina Bangs book for me, and what a steamy story she created! I can't wait to try another of her books! The images she is able to create throughout the story are wonderfully vivid!!!
April 20, 2011
Time travel caused by...something or someone.
Kathy finds herself in 1542 but can still talk to her attorney on her cell phone.
She's brought a lot of TOYS with her to amaze, astonish and terrify the Highlanders.
Except for the Pleasure Master, Ian. He's just curious about all of the things that she's brought, although he doesn't believe she's really from the future, just from a far away land.
At one point she calls him the PLEASANT Master and I have to confess to laughing out loud at that moment.
A few plots blips, some sexy times, an enjoyable way to pass a few hours.
Kathy finds herself in 1542 but can still talk to her attorney on her cell phone.
She's brought a lot of TOYS with her to amaze, astonish and terrify the Highlanders.
Except for the Pleasure Master, Ian. He's just curious about all of the things that she's brought, although he doesn't believe she's really from the future, just from a far away land.
At one point she calls him the PLEASANT Master and I have to confess to laughing out loud at that moment.
A few plots blips, some sexy times, an enjoyable way to pass a few hours.
August 9, 2010
While it's a cute story, it REALLY doesn't need to be 300 pages. Most of that consists of dragging the story out and saying the same cute or navelgazing things over and over again.
Worth it for "Peter" alone. I honestly can't decide if this is a keeper, though.
Worth it for "Peter" alone. I honestly can't decide if this is a keeper, though.
March 17, 2012
With our a doubt this was one of the funniest books that I have read in years. I'm not sure that I loved the story line so much but if your looking for a good laugh this book is all that you will need!
February 18, 2011
Story was far fetched, a little fantasy/sci fi mixed in. i had a couple of laugh out loud moments so glad I read it.
June 29, 2012
My excuse was that it was on a time travel list. STUPID!
April 13, 2012
This book made me want to read ALL of Nina Bangs books and set me on the path to find and buy them all! I truly enjoyed this book and found parts of it hilarious!!
July 29, 2016
I finally got to this one. This was a for fun read. I really enjoyed it.
May 8, 2012
This was a great book could not stop laughing :)
February 13, 2013
It was such a long time ago, I vagely remember much, just that it did leave an impression on me and that I did like it very much.
April 19, 2014
I have to admit, at the 'fantasy' part, it was pretty hot seeing who's telling the tale describtion ;p
November 23, 2014
This one was a change of pace for me. It is a cute little farce that made me laugh out loud.
February 26, 2016
This sucks you right into the story. Towards the end it was hard to put it down.
April 8, 2016
A must read romance that's infused with movie quotes, fun and is just plain yummy!
June 14, 2011
I couldn't finish this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews