Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: To Love A Thief
Author: Julie Anne Long
Publisher: Warner Forever
E-ISBN: 0-446-61426-2
Release Date: April 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Historical Romance
Year/Setting: Early 1800's England
Overall rating: 5.0
Sexual content rating: Sensual
Julie's Website:
www.julieannelong.com
Pickpocket Lily Masters and Barrister Gideon Cole, love at first sight? Hardly.
Twice in as many days Lily is caught picking pockets. The second time, however, she's not as lucky in getting away as she was the first time. And who is it who comes to her rescue? None other than Gideon Cole, Barrister, man with a Master Plan.
Much to her dismay, Lily finds herself in debt to Gideon. She finds herself in a situation designed to help his Master Plan along.
Gideon's life has become rigid, his focus on his Master Plan is rivited to the exclusion of all else; his own desires and needs and emotional well-being. But he finds his Plan in need of a push or two and decides the little pickpocket is the one to help him out.
The idea? To refine and polish Lily. Make her a diamond of the first water in the eyes of the ton, in the eyes of the woman who Gideon wants to marry (her father has the position and clout to advance his career as well as money, much needed money) hopefully making her jealous. Make her think she has to have Gideon.
The idea? Doesn't go as "planned." Best laid plans and all that. Enter in attraction and admiration and desire to name a few things. They, Lily and Gideon, seem to take one step forward and two steps back when it comes to their burgeoning relationship. But when it comes down to it will they have taken too many steps backward?
All of the reader's emotions seem to get involved in the story. I laughed out loud. I got a bit aggravated here and there. I was sad from time to time. All of this in tandem with the characters and their feelings.
And speaking of characters. All were well done; from the main to the secondary. Each had a role to play and they played it beautifully.
The only thing that might deter one from reading the book is the appearance of a slow start. Hang on, because it will take you on a wonderful journey! I'm very glad I read To Love A Thief and didn't let my trepidation about reading it stand in the way. I loved it and will probably read it again some day.
In my humble opinion, Julie Anne Long has found her own unique voice. It is my hope Ms. Long does not stray from her pitch to seek another tone or octave. Her voice is at a perfect level, her style is full of wit and charm and warmth and is all her own.
Connie
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