Read : Day One Read : Ask Again Yes Read : The Office of Historical Corrections Read : Incendiary Read : The God Game Read : Blood of Zeus
“A beautifully written highly seductive debut….The chemistry between Branwell and Lydia positively crackles on the page….Masterful storytelling which is sure to delight fans of the Brontës and of historical fiction.” –Hazel Gaynor New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keepers Daughter This dazzling debut novel for fans of Mrs. Poe and Longbourn explores th“A beautifully written highly seductive debut….The chemistry between Branwell and Lydia positively crackles on the page….Masterful storytelling which is sure to delight fans of the Brontës and of historical fiction.” –Hazel Gaynor New York Times bestselling author of The Lighthouse Keepers Daughter This dazzling debut novel for fans of Mrs. Poe and Longbourn explores the scandalous historical love affair between Branwell Brontë and Lydia Robinson giving voice to the woman who allegedly corrupted her sons innocent tutor and brought down the entire Brontë family.Yorkshire 1843: Lydia Robinson—mistress of Thorp Green Hall—has lost her precious young daughter and her mother within the same year. She returns to her bleak home grief-stricken and unmoored. With her teenage daughters rebelling her testy mother-in-law scrutinizing her every move and her marriage grown cold Lydia is restless and yearning for something more.All of that changes with the arrival of her sons tutor Branwell Brontë brother of her daughters governess Miss Anne Brontë and those other writerly sisters Charlotte and Emily. Branwell has his own demons to contend with—including living up to the ideals of his intelligent family—but his presence is a breath of fresh air for Lydia. Handsome passionate and uninhibited by social conventions hes also twenty-five to her forty-three. A love of poetry music and theatre bring mistress and tutor together and Branwells colorful tales of his sisters elaborate play-acting and made-up worlds form the backdrop for seduction.But Lydias new taste of passion comes with consequences. As Branwells inner turmoil rises to the surface his behavior grows erratic and dangerous and whispers of their passionate relationship spout from her servants lips reaching all three protective Brontë sisters. Soon it falls on Lydia to save not just her reputation but her way of life before those clever girls reveal all her secrets in their novels. Unfortunately she might be too late.Meticulously researched and deliciously told Brontës Mistress is a captivating reimagining of the scandalous affair that has divided Brontë enthusiasts for generations and an illuminating portrait of a courageous sharp-witted woman who fights to emerge with her dignity intact.(less)