"The Revolutionary and the Rogue," by Blake Ferre

Historical MM Romance

Book Blurb

Perrin deVesey knows pain. As a member of Crimson Rose, a secret club for men who love men, he’s taken the vow “to stand and shield.” Standing together during these perilous times is the only thing keeping their necks from the guillotine. Now their leader is using the club to rescue wrongly accused traitors. After losing a past lover to an unjust execution, the decision to support this treasonous cause is easy…until a devastatingly handsome Committee Officer complicates Perrin’s whole world.

Officer Henri Chevalier hates aristocrats. But the man he finds while investigating Crimson Rose is more than just wealthy and fancily clothed. He’s a rogue that could take him to the heart of the uprising and stop it before it starts. His plan to get close to Perrin and steal his secrets backfires, though, when Henri finds himself falling for the damned aristo and his dangerous smile. His heart is even more conflicted as he learns the truth behind their cause…and the truth his own people have been hiding.

Together they must make the choice—to stand and shield at any cost—and their love might be the deadliest weapon in all of France.

My Review

I received a copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re a long-time follower of my reviews, you probably know historical romance has never been my bag. I’m much more of a contemporary reader. However, every so often, a blurb piques my interest enough to draw me into a genre I might not otherwise read. The Revolutionary and The Rogue by Blake Ferre was one of those stories. I read the blurb and knew I had to get my hands on this read. It has such a wonderfully unique premise and I adore the enemies to lovers trope, which is embodied beautifully in this tale.

The only thing I know about French history is what I learned in high school and college GEC courses. Which, considering I retained about 0.001% of the knowledge from those types of classes, isn’t much. I’ve definitely heard of Robespierre and the French Revolution, but I knew precious little about it. But there’s no better way to learn, in my humble opinion, than through well-researched fiction. Reading dry text books has never been my preferred method of absorbing new information, but if you can find a way to weave an intriguing fiction story (or, in some cases, simply dramatize reality!) then there’s a good chance you’ll get my attention and I’ll retain a great deal of the facts surrounding the story. Win, win!

Although I can’t speak to the accuracy of the historical facts delicately woven into this story, I have a feeling they’re accurate. And I’m definitely stepping away from this read with a drastically increased knowledge about the French Revolution.

Henri and Perrin’s relationship is so multi-faceted. Not only do they face the struggle of finding love amidst a traumatic and dark period of history, but they were also on complete opposite sides of a deeply divided conflict. It left me, as the reader, turning every page with wonder, fascinated to see how their relationship would continue to progress through the murky waters of their external environment.

I would recommend this read to lovers of historical romance of any kinds, but there’s also enough focus on the romance itself that I believe others like me—who might not think they would enjoy a historical—will be able to find something to love about this story.

Sneak Peek Sample Excerpt of
The Revolutionary and the Rogue

De Vesey’s smile widened as if he knew precisely what was on Henri’s mind. “Chevalier,” he said, and Henri hated him all the more for how much his body responded. “I’ll ask you again. Friend. Why were you in my house?”
Henri’s mind jumped to the letter de Vesey had received yesterday, to Duclos’s capture only hours ago, to the rolled artwork he’d just uncovered… He swallowed. Grasping for any excuse, his gaze locked on de Vesey’s mouth. “I was hoping you might have returned.” His voice wavered, and his skin grew impossibly hot.
“Oh?” The aristo’s lips formed a fleshy oval that taunted Henri.
“Before, this morning, you made me think… I thought about…” Do something. Henri closed his eyes and lunged for the man, planting his lips to the insufferable aristo’s.
He’d only meant to throw the man off, to quiet him. But Henri’s body was met with addictive heat. His head grew light and floated on a blissful breeze.
Lips parted, de Vesey stumbled back a few steps, until he bumped into a large tree with bark that cracked into thin sheets upon the impact. They held still a moment, neither of them daring to make a move nor pull away. Then, as if too tired to fight the temptation, de Vesey melted into Henri’s hold. Splitting his lips open, de Vesey slid his wet, soft tongue into Henri’s mouth. He groaned, accepting the advance
The aristo’s sweet flavor met Henri’s mouth, yet it was a venomous nectar. Henri’s skin swarmed with energy, excitement, horror, and pure pleasure.
A few more steps, and they fumbled between the twisting branches. Though Henri’s legs wobbled, he managed to keep hold of de Vesey, his fingers kneading into the man’s back.
Henri would keep the memory of this passion in their unwarranted joining, but he’d not allow it to continue past this. Moaning, he massaged de Vesey’s taut muscles, inspiring the loveliest grunts and mewls.
He was losing his mind. But it felt too wonderful to stop. Just a few more moments of stolen pleasures. One single taste more.
Henri whimpered when de Vesey severed the connection. The aristo stepped to the side, snatching the control from Henri and leaving him fondling a cluster of piercing twigs and russet leaves. In frantic steps, de Vesey paced in front of the entrance to the muck-covered alley between the house and neighboring wall. He stroked the wayward strands from his wild mane, attempting to smooth the wavy tendrils to no avail.
As reality prickled its way into Henri’s thoughts, he spun around so that his back now nestled the branches and rubbed his twig-accosted hands. “That didn’t just happen.”
De Vesey stopped pacing and glanced over his shoulder with a wicked grin. “Oh, but it did. You hate that, don’t you?”
Of all the arrogant… Henri stood motionless, completely befuddled by what they’d done. And equally frustrated that all he wanted to do was drive his fingers into de Vesey’s tousled hair.
By all logic, he should hate this man. Hell, the kiss had only been intended as an element of surprise—something to get the aristo’s mind off Henri’s failed stint of espionage. The plan had completely turned against him. Henri brushed his fingers across his kiss-swollen lips. They still tingled.
This wouldn’t do. Not at all. Florine’s lifeless body haunted his mind. He’d not be played the fool by this rogue. Hadn’t he learned from his sister’s mistakes?
“I have to go,” he rasped, pushing away from the cursed twigs.
“What are you after, Chevalier?” de Vesey asked in a more serious tone. Gone were the flirtations from only moments before.
“I…”
De Vesey stepped so very near to him that Henri almost expected another kiss. “The next time you come to my house, I hope we’re inside…together.” He patted Henri on the shoulder, then strode past him with an arrogant sway.
Henri’s cheeks burned in spite of the cold breeze. Incroyable. The irritating viscount had spun his distracting web around Henri and caught him.

Blake Ferre
SHE/HER

Blake Ferre is a historical romance author whose revolutionary rogues and spangled spies find love and humor in unexpected places. A great admirer of the fashion and artistry from the eighteenth century, her stories weave in details of these luxuries, while also questioning the struggles hidden behind their production. Blake spends her free time painting and playing with her dogs and bunnies. She’s a theatre enthusiast and equally enjoys trips to the symphony. Before turning to writing, Blake competed as an amateur ballroom dancer. After suffering injuries that made it difficult to compete, Blake soon found herself spinning stories. It was during her first trip to Paris and Versailles that the fantasy worlds in her head truly came to life. She vividly pictured historical characters stepping onto the cobblestone streets.

Connect with Blake below!

So, what are you waiting for? The Revolutionary and the Rogue will be available for your reading pleasure on or after its release date of July 27th, 2020! Get your copy today!! 📖