Genre: Contemporary, Historical, Holiday
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
About The Book
Merry Christmas from the Earl of Crofton. Come and read about the festive goings-on at Crofton Hall in this collection featuring characters from the Modern Crofton and historical series.
Stories are from Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future.
Christmas Past
A Gift for the Man Who Has Everything: Anthony and Sebastian
Twenty Buttons: James and Adam
Merry Gentlemen: Charles and Timothy
Christmas Present
Ben and the Mistletoe: Ben and Ashley
Chris and the Kittens: Chris and Jack
Christmas Telly Sucks: Dara and Nathan
Ashley’s Twelve Days of Christmas: Ben and Ashley
Christmas Future
The First Christmas in the Cottage: Karl and Val
New Year’s Eve at Fairbanks: Simon and Robin
The First (and last) to Make it Home: David and Kieran
The Review
Rebecca Cohen has penned a marvelous new collection of stories for the holidays with Christmas At Crofton Hall. Her creativity takes readers through the ages Crofton Hall, starting in the 1600’s with Sebastian Hewel and Anthony, Lord of Crofton. Anthony is up to causing mischief, and leaves Sebastian with doubts about the Christmas festivities.
In 1690, Adam Dowson and James Redbourn, 4th Earl of Crofton, are at a party before returning to Crofton Hall. James is now forty, and Adam has to agree that his age hasn’t diminished his handsomeness. In fact, James is even more attractive now. Everyone, men and women, wants to get close to James for various reasons. Adam is eight years older, and feels out of place. Will Christmas save them with a special gift?
In the 1820’s, Timothy and Charles, Earl of Crofton, spent a long time away from Crofton Hall in order to be together. When returning to Crofton Hall for Samuel’s Christmas party, they use the names Mr. Bentley and Mr. Hope. Samuel’s lover Hugo Cavalier is also in attendance at the festivities. Timothy is watching out for the Danderby’s, especially, the wandering hands of John. These parties were known for how scandalous they could be. And of course, Charles can’t resist to try and rile Timothy with a bet.
With Christmas Present, Ashley and Ben are getting ready for the very special Christmas Festivities. Ben loves this time of year. He’s been to London trying to find the right present for Ashley, who is is planning to go home for Christmas. Ben isn’t happy about that. They do have time to go ice skating together before Ashley leaves. Ben has plans on how they will spend the time, but Ashley has a plan of his own.
Chris is still uncomfortable about his relationship with Jack. Jack is Ashley’s best friend and former lover. Ashley is still protective when it comes to Jack. Chris and Jack are planning to marry, but a date hasn’t been set yet. He’s worried and feels things may change, especially when Jack starts to act strange.
Dara and Nathan always seem to never get enough time together. Nathan is always producing a show somewhere, and Dara spends his time in the Archives of Crofton Hall.
Dara’s not overly excited with Christmas, but will his feelings change when they spend time together for the holiday?.
Ben and Ashley get another story, with Ashley being exhausted as baby David Redbourn has been keeping him hopping. This is the first Christmas for them as parents, but Davy isn’t having it. Even Mr. Mog can’t seem to help Davy settle down. So Ashley comes up with a new idea for the Twelve days of Christmas.
With Christmas future, Karl and Val get the perfect story. Karl gets a gift he can’t refuse, and he hopes that Val will want to share it with him.
The situation is not going well for Simon and Robin. Simon is at home with the children, while Robin is living life in the fast lane. He certainly seems to be neglecting his home life. Ben Redbourn steps in and lays out the truth to Robin, in the hope that it’s not too late for him to make things right.
And finally, David “Davy” Redbourn is now in his twenties and away at college. He even has a boyfriend, Kieran. Kieran is a breath of fresh air for Davy, different from others he has dated. Kieran often worries about that. Davy is taking Kieran home and to meet his parents and the entire Redbourn clan for the first time. That’s sure to make Kieran even more nervous.
I highly recommend Christmas At Crofton Hall. It’s a great reunion for those who follow the Crofton series, and still enjoyable for those who don’t. Ashley and Ben always get the front row seat, but it was heartwarming to hear about Chris and Jack; Dara and Nathan, Karl and Val; and Davy and Kieran. I loved finding out how the new children have become a part of Crofton Hall.
There are lots of family and friends here who have shared a special love through time. A festive (and steamy) Christmas time for all.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
