Genre: Historical, Romance
LGBTQ+ Category: Gay
Reviewer: Maryann
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About The Book
William, Viscount of Crofton, is missing, feared taken. Anthony Redbourn, 1st Earl of Crofton, is beside himself with worry and anger, and sets out with his lover, Sebastian Hewel, to find his fourteen year old son and bring him home.
Only William hasn’t been stolen away by a gang preying on the heirs of nobles. Enthralled by the theatre, he’s run away to join a troupe of travelling players, and all goes well until someone realises who he really is…
This novel is to mark ten years of my Crofton men. Anthony and Sebastian first appear in The Crofton Chronicles, and this story is set several years after Anthony, Earl of Crofton chronologically.
The Review
THE LOVE AND THE ANGER BY REBECCA COHEN
The Love and the Anger is the latest book of to numerous “Crofton” stories by Rebecca Cohen. With this ten year celebratory addition, Sebastian Hewel and Lord Anthony Redbourn return to find themselves on a new and dangerous journey.
Lord Anthony Redbourn is holding festivities at Hertfordshire, in honor of Sebastian’s thirtieth birthday. Sebastian really could have done without all the fuss – he would have preferred a quiet, peaceful time with Anthony.
Along with various nobles, William, Anthony’s fourteen year old son, seems to be participating in the festivities, and Anthony is not pleased.
Anthony’s fatherly demands fall on mostly deaf ears, and William finds himself talking with Sebastian, who is more understanding of William and Anthony. William is curious about the theatere, and Sebastian tells him about the hardships the players face, and that not all find fame or fortune.
Two of Anthony’s close friends are also in attendance: Stephen Winters, Duke of Marchent; and Jacob Galloway, Marquess of Denmouth. Denmouth has to leave for London early, riding back with Sebastian, who is needed for a performance at the Globe theatre.
Denmouth discusses the urgency of his return with Anthony. Lord Greenham’s son has been taken and missing, and he’s not the only one. Ransom demands had been made for the missing boys. When William doesn’t return to school, Sebastian turns to his old friend Paul Wick and the traveling players for help.
When the culprits find out William’s true identity, things go from bad to worse. The search for William and the truth behind the kidnappings sends Sebastian, Anthony, Denmouth, Cartwright and Samuel Jenster on a dangerous journey.
Cohen has penned another exciting, action-packed, romantic tale from Crofton Hall. There are a number of beautiful moments between Anthony and Sebastian here, illustrating the love, romance, little jealousies and strength between them. But this tale is also about a father’s love for his son, and a man who never had a son of his own but loves William just as much.
There are always plenty of interesting side characters that pepper the tale. I liked the teasing side story of Denmouth and Cartwright. Then there are Lady Sara, Paul Wick, Roan, Percival Taylor and some of the Ladies that always vie for Sebastians attention in vain.
The Love and the Anger is another must read for followers of Rebecca Cohen, and anyone that loves a forever romance – the perfect way to celebrate ten wonderful years at Crofton Hall.
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.
