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A Heart for Milton

by Trudy Brasure (Goodreads Author)

3.48 of 5 stars 3.48 · rating details · 77 ratings · 24 reviews

A romantic continuation story based on the novel 'North and South' by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Paperback, 398 pages

Published October 13th 2011 by Createspace

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Aug 06, 2012 Maria Grazia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, north-and-south-sequels

When a love story fraught with misunderstandings, separation, financial problems, and social unrest finally begins to reveal a glimmer of happiness a moment before the closing words, you can’t help but heave a sigh and think: “If only there were a few pages more. How romantic their relationship would be!”
If you’ve thought something like that after closing the book “North and South”, I’m sure you’ll love to read “A Heart for Milton,” a sequel based on Gaskell’s work.
Actually, this continuation st...more When a love story fraught with misunderstandings, separation, financial problems, and social unrest finally begins to reveal a glimmer of happiness a moment before the closing words, you can’t help but heave a sigh and think: “If only there were a few pages more. How romantic their relationship would be!”
If you’ve thought something like that after closing the book “North and South”, I’m sure you’ll love to read “A Heart for Milton,” a sequel based on Gaskell’s work.
Actually, this continuation story starts well before the end of Gaskell’s book and slightly changes the path the tale had taken after Margaret’s parents had died. Aunt Shaw comes to Milton to take Margaret back to London with her - for good. The poor girl mustn’t remain in that awful place a moment longer. She has suffered so much! But this time, Mr Thornton won’t let her go. Struggling with his powerful feelings, he discerns that Margaret sounds changed while bidding him farewell. Her previous proud rejection of him still burns and hurts, and his suspicions of her relationship with the handsome young man at the station still haunt him but … he must know her feelings, he must ask her. What if she has had a change of heart?
She has given him her father’s Plato and he will treasure it, but he decides to give her a book, too … with a special note inside. That trick works magic. Margaret is impelled to answer him and sends a message back to him: “My heart belongs to Milton.”
Imagine John Thornton riding a horse , “the steady clopping of the horse’s hooves matched the drumbeat of his heart” and trying to reach Margaret before she leaves for London at the Milton station. Imagine him asking her to stay and marry him. How different would their story be then? Vastly different. And after an exciting, maybe awkward second proposal, what do you think Margaret will do? Well, accept it of course! And that’s the beginning of a dreamy fairy –tale.

Margaret and John, betrothed against Aunt Shaw’s dislike for the man, will have to wait – but not too long - to see their dream come true. They will marry in Helstone and their honeymoon in a country cottage will be unforgettably passionate and romantic. Margaret and John will be thrilled by the discovery of how unbelievably happy their life together may be in that idyllic environment.
The return to reality will be inevitable. They will have to go back to Milton. Margaret will have to share Mrs Thornton’s responsibilities in the management of the house, try to get on well with her, and take care of John. He will have to cope with a terribly difficult moment at the mill with the help of loyal Nicholas Higgins. How will their love go through these impending troubles? Will Margaret remain at her husband’s side during the hardships of financial failure?
Margaret and John’s married menage in “A Heart for Milton” is full of delicious romantic scenes as well as steamy moments. They are so passionately in love with each other that they can’t stay apart for too long and giggle at Mrs Thornton’s conventional propriety in preparing separate bedrooms for the two of them. Their attraction transforms into passion so often that the pattern may become repetitive, but I’m sure that Mr Thornton’s fans, as well as Margaret herself, can never have enough of his sexy charms and will thank Trudy Brasure for the chance to drool over many delicious scenes.
Reading A Heart of Milton was truly a pleasure. It was a quick, light read which gave me new occasions to appreciate the characters in North and South - all of them - from Mr Bell (who didn’t die!) to Mrs Thornton and Fanny, from the Higgins family to Dixon, from Edith to Henry Lennox, and from Aunt Shaw to little Sholto.
Will Margaret and John ever quarrel? Will they have children? Will their bliss be troubled by jealousy?
Will they overcome their business troubles and how? Will young Mrs Thornton help John in the mill and get on well with old Mrs Thornton? To find answers to all these questions and more, you must read this lovely tale by Trudy Brasure.
Oh, I forgot to tell you… there’s only one thing you won’t find if you look for it: brooding Mr Thornton. Love will have transformed him into a sexy, smiling, tender lover. Are you ready for that?
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Sep 24, 2012 Suzan rated it 5 of 5 stars

My disclaimer : you need to take this book for what it is, and that is a 21st century extension of a very good mid 19th century novel that ended too abruptly, even by Gaskell's own admission. In other words, the author had a lot of great material to build on and a rather poor ending from the original to set right. Heart of Milton is a enchanting story about our heroine and hero, Margaret Hale and John Thornton of North and South. Admittedly, the only people reading this book are fans of Gaskell'...more

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May 20, 2012 Xenia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, classic-romance

I loved this sequel to Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South. This to me is the best sequel to N&S and there are at least 3 of them out there by different authors. John Thornton is so passionate in this version and reminds me more of the John Thornton that was in the BBC movie. The intimate love scenes were written very tastefully and beautifully. I love the build up and excitement to the Wedding in London. I love the development of all the main characters in N&S too. It was also nice to...more

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May 03, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am obsessed with all things Jane Austen and North and South but usually hate fan fiction. I was recently re-watching North and South, googled a discrepancy between the book and the movie and wound up with this book as a search result. I started reading it on the author's website and was hooked. Fan fiction is normally just plan bad. The characters are distorted, the sex scenes are repetitive, nothing happens, the writing is awful, too many modern additions make the story feel forced. In the be...more

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Nov 04, 2011 Sarah Pawley rated it 5 of 5 stars

In America, when one mentions "North and South," one usually thinks of an eighties television mini-series with Patrick Swayze. This, at least in my experience, is the reaction I always get. For me, that is a disappointment, considering that the "North and South" I speak of is a fantastic 2004 mini-series by the BBC, and it is based on a marvelous book by British author Elizabeth Gaskell. For those who have neither read the book nor seen the series, I highly recommend it.

It is the story of a you...more

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May 19, 2013 Tanis Sweetnam rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Romantic, period piece lovers!

Recommended to Tanis by: No one....

Luv'd this read. So many period books end in the fashion that "North and South" did, leaving you hanging and wanting more. Authors did not seem intent on writing sequels so you had to let your imagination sore. I guess that was probably the point but this reader really did want to go deeper into the story line. This reminded me of when I read Gone With the Wind, same kind of ending.....

I realize different author than the original but I do believe that Trudy tried very hard to keep with the origi...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Kristina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-love, read-in-2012

I was wary about starting this book as so many "sequels" to the classics are simply horrid. They usually fall into the trappings of 1) horrid writing 2) too modern writing style 3) way too explicit. I enjoyed this one. The writing was well done, and close enough in style to the original, that it didn't lose me. The ending of the book was altered slightly, but that worked fine. My biggest complaint was that it was either just a bit too long or needed a more in-depth plot besides John and Margaret...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

For people who just loved the movie, this one may prove to be a satisfying read...especially if they also enjoy adult romance novels. (The scenes are mild in comparison to some, but this book is definitely not 'clean.') It is an adaptation or variation on Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. This book has them marrying sooner, and it starts off with great promise. It follows their first year of marriage--for better or worse, a first year which also includes a pregnancy. This is a financially dif...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Megan rated it 2 of 5 stars

To be honest I gave up on this book 3/4 of the way through (because it wasn't holding my interest and I had started to just skim it) but I still think I should get credit for reading most of it.

There's a reason most romantic fiction ends with happily ever after. As much as we don't want the story to end the next part is fairly dull. The "honeymoon phase" in this book lasted for almost 50% of the story. At first it was sweet and I enjoyed reading about Margaret and Mr. Thornton's undying love fo...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Carla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Would you like a story originated from the excellent novel by Elizabeth Gaskell, "North & South"?
Yes, of course. Don't stop the pleasure of reading if the writing is good, I say.

This writing, by Trudy Brasure, is really a good one. The story starts from a very gloomy point of the original book, the dreadful leaving of Margaret Hale from Milton, after her beloved father's death. John Thornton and Margaret Hale love each other, but circumstances prevent them from an open declaration.

Trudy beli...more

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Aug 24, 2012 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, social-commentary, for-review, sexy-romance, historical-romance

Based on the iconic work of Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South, Trudy Brasure’s A Heart For Milton picks up in the middle of the original work, with Margaret, a 19th century unmarried English woman, ready to leave her home soon after the death of her father. She has finally realized her love for John Thornton, an industrialist and mill owner in their small town of Milton, but fears a relationship between the two will never happen due to her earlier dismissal of him. In the original tale, they ar...more Based on the iconic work of Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South, Trudy Brasure’s A Heart For Milton picks up in the middle of the original work, with Margaret, a 19th century unmarried English woman, ready to leave her home soon after the death of her father. She has finally realized her love for John Thornton, an industrialist and mill owner in their small town of Milton, but fears a relationship between the two will never happen due to her earlier dismissal of him. In the original tale, they are kept apart, yet in this work, a brave move by Thornton ensures their immediate and happy marriage and settling in Milton. Brasure then weaves a tale of challenges, twists, and romantic turns that face Margaret and John in their new life together.

When I read Gaskell’s North and South I continually commented to myself about how much I liked the way Gaskell presented both the thoughts of the north and the south of England on the Industrial Revolution and social issues of the time. The romance took a backseat to the more prevalent storylines of striking mills and labor unions. I was happy to see Brasure add these differing opinions into A Heart For Milton. Including these discussions on social issues not only offers the reader insight into what living in 19th century England was like, but it also offers deeper insight into all of the characters in general once one begins to understand the social context of the time.

Brasure’s vision of Thornton was a truly spectacular one. In the original North and South we know from his interactions with Mrs. Thornton that he is a caring, hardworking man. From his interactions with Margaret we know him to be a stoic intellectual. Brasure’s vision of him as a completely besotted husband was wonderful new layer. This softer side of Thornton, falling in love with Margaret, as well as the beauty of southern England, made the story warming and romantic. It was wonderful to see the side of him that is wholly mesmerized by his wife. It was also wonderful to see Margaret not only as a doting wife, but a woman that still stuck to her principles. Their developing relationship was a worthwhile journey to follow.

The only thing that became a bit repetitive was Thornton and Margaret’s ways of describing each other in their minds. The adjectives became a bit overused by the end of the novel and I found myself getting agitated. Other than this, however, I really enjoyed seeing the fleshed out roles of Mr. Bell and Mrs. Thronton. I was always curious to how Mrs. Thronton would adjust to Margaret being in their lives, considering that she is such a formidable woman. In all, Brasure’s work was a great fit with the original, dovetailing nicely and giving readers of North and South a great fairytale that they can enjoy for years to come.

Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-1an (less)

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Jan 31, 2013 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

When I first heard of this book I thought is was a "sequel" to Gaskell's North & South. Nope, it isn't. It is a nicely done fan novel about John Thornton and Margaret Hale's relationship.

Ms Brasure takes the liberty of changing some of the Gaskell novel to make this her own story about these two beloved characters but she still manages to present John's insecurities and feelings of self worth along with his fears of Margaret loving him as well as Gaskell did.

Ms Brasure's depiction of the rel...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Flavia rated it 4 of 5 stars

After re-watching the series and re-reading the book "North & South" I could not be happy with the ending, not that it didn't end the way anyone would have wanted, a 'happily ever after', but it just felt so abrupt, leaving us speculating, and John can tell you how dangerous that is. Well, if you are like myself, craving for more this is the book fit for you. It doesn't start exactly where the book or series finished, it saves us from one year of torment, by us I refer mostly to poor Mr. Tho...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Brenda rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of BBC's 2004 version of North & South

Shelves: north-and-south, favourites, favourites-2012

While I have read many continuations and variations of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, this is the first variation story I have read of Elizabeth Gaskell’s North & South, and phew! What a way to start!! If you have watched the 2004 BBC adaption of North & South, fallen completely in love with John & Margaret and have wished for more beyond the captivating train scene at the end, then look no further!

This story begins with a slight variation. When Margaret was about to leave for...more

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Dec 06, 2012 Melanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This bit of fan-fic satisfies the desire for more John and Margaret *ahem* "together" time. We get to spy on them as their engagement and early marriage progress.

It is tastefully done, and mostly style-and-period authentic, but somehow a bit too drawn out for me. I enjoyed the epilogue, which went in a direction I wouldn't have thought. However, this would have worked much better for me with a lot of the middle chopped out and re-worked as a novella.

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Jun 17, 2012 Shiron Roshni rated it 2 of 5 stars

taking a classic and making it some erotic romantic novel never sat well with me . This book had some potential at the beginning ie the language was quite impressive . But once the author started concentrating on the lovemaking it sadly went downhill . I am very disappointed that such a promising novella did not live on its promise.

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Sep 30, 2012 Mrs. Tolbert rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Heart for Milton is a variation on Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. In this version, John and Margaret admit their love for one another before she leaves Milton and, therefore, marry about a year earlier than the original. The plot then follows the next year of their life together as a young married couple.

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Aug 06, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I loved this. Thank you to everyone on Goodreads who recommended this. Don't let the disparaging remarks in other reviews dissuade you. This is not your traditional bodice ripper. Very heartwarming, and romantic, and keeps to the spirit of Mrs. Gaskell's original story. It was very hard to put down! I wanted to stand up and clap at the end.

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Aug 06, 2012 Tyler Griffith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Read this book all the way through, and you'll find it to be an amusing story with beloved characters. For the first half, the author focuses on repeating the same scene of does she love me; yes she does; oh no, does she still, over and over. However, when you remember that these characters never dated and this is the time for them to learn about each other and form their relationship, it becomes more understandable why these reactions may be plausible. By the second half though the story really...more

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May 17, 2013 Patty rated it 5 of 5 stars

North and South books are so hard to find but this one was delightful. Loved reading their happily ever after.

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May 18, 2012 Nathalie rated it 5 of 5 stars

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell, adapted by BBC is a real masterpiece of the 19th century. I love this story so much that it was aching to end it so quickly because I've dreamt so much about their future.
Trudy Brasure has made my dreams a book. I have enjoyed every single paragraphs, reading again and again some parts with a smile on my face and so many emotions in my heart. I have been so overwhelmed... And I cried at the end, my tears rolled down my cheeks...
You are a fan of John Thornton...more

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Mar 22, 2012 TuRtLeFaEiRe marked it as to-read

I loved "North and South". Would love to read this book. I am just a romantic fool.

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Feb 22, 2013 Donna O'neill rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved it, big fan of Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South, great sequel

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Apr 17, 2013 Stacey Leahey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very romantic and wonderful to get a happy ending to North an South

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May 06, 2013 Ann rated it 4 of 5 stars

Guilty pleasure.

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Apr 30, 2013 Christina rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked this a bit better than the other N&S continuation I read recently, but the last 1/4 or so of the story dragged on and on. We get the happy ending, but then it's as if the author didn't know how to stop writing.

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Aug 09, 2012 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Nicole by: Brenda Wood

Shelves: north-and-south

4.5 Stars!!!

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May 22, 2013 Brittany rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 21, 2013 Karen is currently reading it

May 19, 2013 Yumna rated it 3 of 5 stars

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Q&A with Trud...: A Heart for Milton: A Tale from North and South	28	31	Jun 12, 2012 11:50pm

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About Trudy Brasure

Trudy Brasure is a hopeless romantic and a history enthusiast with a penchant for the Victorian Era. She enjoys steeping her imagination into the past to create stories that entrance the heart as well as capture the essence of the age. She writes most often in the morning, before her three children awake and homeschooling begins.

The author began her own personal romance story with a whirlwind cour...more

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“She felt the burden of loneliness lift from her, unaware that she had long been wearing it's mantle.” — 1 person liked it

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