Julie Anne Long

Regency Romance

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Remember "Pretty Woman"?

Julia Roberts is a zany prostitute picked up in the streets by Richard Gere's ruthless businessman. Turns out she cleans up pretty good, so Gere decides to keep her.

"My Fair Lady"?

Professor Henry Higgins lifts gutter girl Eliza Doolittle from the maws of a London slum and provides the tuition necessary to pass her off among society as a "lady."

Turns out Eliza cleans up pretty well and -- well, you get the picture.

Based on Bernard Shaw's classic play, "Pygmalion," the theme of both movies is this:

A woman of low birth can better herself with help from a man of a higher station in life.

Now, before we shimmy a collective shudder of feminist mortification at that concept, let's remember something important found in many studies of women's fantasies. It relates directly to the popularity of many romantic flicks, and romance novels in general.

Women often fantasize about things they don't necessarily want to experience.

Feeling a little better about loving those "blushing virgin succumbs to medieval warlord" novels?

Me, too. And I understand better why we tend to dig the "Gutter Girl to Lady" theme, especially when done particularly well, as in Julie Anne Long's new novel, "To Love a Thief."

Beautiful pickpocket Lily Masters "relieves gentlemen of their valuables" on the streets of London. The scant profit provides for Lily and her little sister until her unblemished filching record is challenged by a lout who's caught her red-handed.

Enter Gideon Cole, the best young barrister in London. Gideon has little to show for his success because he's a soft touch, always taking on cases of folks who can't pay.

When Gideon spends his last 30 pounds to save Lily from the brute she's been caught fleecing, she agrees to repay the debt by pretending attraction to him in the presence of the lovely heiress Gideon hopes to marry.

A tug-of-hearts begins the moment Gideon and Lily meet. Her desire for him is at odds with her vow never to be obligated to a man. He struggles to deny a passionate nature he thought he'd conquered.

But Lily's just cleaned up so gosh darned well …

"To Love a Thief" is an example of a well-written novel with a very accessible, appealing story -- for my money, two important elements of a good romance. And Long gets sensuality just right: very passionate, but true to Gideon's and Lily's vulnerabilities, powerful attraction, and playful hearts.

It has something to do with Long's ability to write layers of personality and conflict into her characters, making them seem more human than abstract creation. Maybe that's why I still have a bit of a crush on our hero.

And, Long gives good heartache. This novel is full of delicious moments when Gideon and Lily make choices painful to the other. You know, the kind you read then have to remind yourself not to cry over because everything is going to work out in the end.

"To Love a Thief" is more than a keeper. It's earned a spot on my Don't Loan Out shelf.

Go Buy the Book.

Check out www.julieannelong.com for excerpts from "To Love a Thief," as well as Long's terrific debut novel, "The Runaway Duke."