Andrew is a vampire from New Orleans, exiled to a tropical island in the 1800s as punishment for his human bloodlust. During a storm, a ship crashes off shore. After rescuing a sailor from the cannibals native to the land, Andrew becomes fascinated with his brilliant, beautiful new companion, Edmund.

Edmund is a British naturalist who has sailed the world seeking new species. Intrigued by creatures that might kill him, immortal Andrew is this scientist’s dream-but so is making his way back home. Edmund will fight to survive, even while wrapped in the arms of a monster.

As light touches and laughter turn to something much more passionate, the cannibals creep ever closer to Edmund. Can the ancient vampire keep his human alive long enough to escape exile and explore their newfound love, or will Andrew’s bloodlust seal his own doom?

A delightfully dark read of a romance. And a little bizarre. This is the first story I’ve read by the author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a beautifully written story, “I’m a ship lost at sea, and Edmund is my compass.” with a different twist on the usual vampire tales.

A little darker, than the ones I’ve read before, “If I were to kill him, he might not even struggle – although I like that part, the struggling – and Edmund looks strong.” A little more heat than others yet darkly funny too. “”Did you have a profession?” Yes, I seduced and murdered lovely things like you.”

It’s a short read and fast paced which is slowed down by some flashbacks into Andrews life in New Orleans before his exile that paint him as somewhat of a monster but one that was easy to have some empathy for.

This is the first book that sets up the next in series well and I look forward to catching up with Andrew & Edmund again in Escaping Solitude.