Ancient vampire Andrew escaped his tropical island exile with his beloved human sailor, Edmund. They’ve now returned to Andrew’s home in nineteenth-century New Orleans and must navigate not only their developing relationship—and equally haunted pasts—but also a hungry coven of vampires Andrew used to call friends.Desperate to stay by Andrew’s side forever, Edmund examines the impressive coven … coven library in search of an Elder, the only creature capable of turning Edmund. Although missing for centuries, Andrew believes an Elder must still survive somewhere; they just have to find him.
The search is put on hold when Edmund receives word that his mother is ill in London, and the lovers set off on an oceanic journey surrounded by new friends and old enemies. When things go terribly wrong, Edmund’s fragile human life hangs in the balance, and an Elder must be found or Andrew will be alone forever.
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This was another quick and engaging installment in this ongoing historical, paranormal, M/M serial. Andrew and Edmund are back on dry land and spending their time in New Orleans. With the help of Felipe and Michelle, Edmund is doing research on the whereabouts of the Elder. We also meet a few other new characters (Gabriel, Danys, and May). I am not sure I was a complete fan of the M/M/M scene between Edmund, Gabriel, and Danys. It was certainly hot but seemed out of character for Andrew to be OK with that especially since he said he wouldn’t let another man touch Edmund in the earlier book. Last, we are again left with a pretty huge cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to see what happens next for this intriguing cast of characters.
Escaping solitude
This book leaves off from book 1
Andrew and Edmund’s return to New Orleans that we’re Andrew live.
They both are happy and exploring there relationship.I like Andrew he an old vampire and he madly in love with Edmund there nothing he won’t do for him. I like how hot they are when they express there love.
Even his coven is surprise how much he changed.
Edmund is human but he in love with an vampire.
They are more alike then I realized.
I like that Edmund is adapting to his new home and he really smart and fearless.
He brings balance to Andrew in my eyes they are the perfect match.
When they decided to look for an elder to change Andrew that when things really get hectic.
Overall I liked the story this book was we’ll written. Even though it left off on an high note it really make u yern for the third book
So we can see what happens to them.
This book meet my expectations and more.
I voluntary read an advance reader copy and my opinion are my own.
This book was a delightful look at uncovering who Edmund and Andrew truly are when they’re off the island. At times their indulgence in all the sins that New Orleans had to offer were a bit too over the top sex heavy for me. Not something I usually say, I know. However, I did appreciate that underneath it all we could really sense the growing love and devotion these two share for each other. I also liked that we got to see more of a focus on some supplementary characters from Andrew’s vampire coven. They provide an interesting complement to our loving couple. I think I would have liked a few more moments focusing on Edmund’s research into locating an Elder, with some additional details of this unique vampire world we’re getting to know. The ending of this book? Wow, just wow!! It was everything I wanted it to be and more.
3.5 stars!!
I read book 1 in this series, Escaping Exile, a while back and was pretty much shocked that a paranormal, M/M, erotic, historical romance existed. I’d never heard of such a thing! And the fact that all of those things worked well together…well, that was just a big bonus! Like it’s predecessor, Escaping Solitude is a category-bending read with characters that are…interesting, to say the least.
This installment of the series finds vampire Andrew back in civilization (New Orleans) with his human lover, Edmund, after their rescue from the island. Together, they set about looking for an Elder so that Edmund can be turned.
Here’s what I liked:
1. The pacing is very swift. I like that story wasn’t too long and there weren’t a lot of scenes that didn’t seem important to the overall story.
2. I still find anti-hero Andrew to be endlessly fascinating, and I can’t say for sure, but I have a feeling Edmund is a sociopath and will only become more dangerous once he’s turned into a vampire. I sense BIG drama on the horizon there, and I for one am ALL FOR IT.
Now, sadly, there were a few things that bugged me about this one. Nothing so terrible that I need to rant, or even bad enough to make me stop reading the series. But stuff I feel compelled to mention nonetheless:
1. The M/M/M scene was sufficiently spicy for lovers of romantic erotica, but I found it a little out of character that Andrew, a super-possessive vampire, would let his mate have sex with two other men while he just watched.
2. This story felt very much like a bridge book to link the action of the first book to the action that will happen in the next book. Nothing too exciting happened in this one. I almost would’ve rather seen this book combined with the last one so that this series was a duology, as opposed to a trilogy.
3. Everyone who comes in contact with Edmund seems to adore him. I’m not entirely sure why. He’s gorgeous…OK. But is that enough to make everyone fall in lust/love with him at first sight? It seems a little far fetched.
But, all that said, this is still an interesting series that’s chock-full of interesting characters, and I’m SURE that the next installment will bring big changes for Andrew and Edmund–and I’ll be right there, waiting eagerly to read about those changes.
Full disclosure: We received an ARC from the author, free of charge.
And feel free to check out the Romance Rehab blog for more rants, raves, book lists, and other fun romance-y stuff: http://www.romancerehab.com/
Erotic and vividly written… but also much more than that…. every move I saw clearly, every touch and moan I felt and was electrifying.
I was in a cocoon with them…
Andrew loves Edmund deeply and can’t stand the feeling ever being separated from him.
They have to find an ‘Elder’ so they will be for ever together.
What if he can’t keep himself restrained from Edmund’s delicious tempting neck… Edmund knows precisely what Andrew need.
– I tell him I love him. He tickles my ear with his fingertips. “Love you more.”
The way Edmund is revealed before my eyes is stunning… I devoured him… I loved him more every minute… and goshh I was not the only one.
Beside the quite dark environments it had highly romantic parts… it made me smolder for more… the melancholic sensuality was… rapturous.
“Jesus,” he whispers. “I feel like a prime cut of meat.”
It’s just written in a way my heart loves… sensual, humorous, dark, needy, erotic and romantic.
Beautifully developed side characters working beside the stunning personalities of Edmund and Andrew.. I cried my eyes out… it was so emotional! Magnificent done… goosebumps!!
I loved this ‘livre noir’ immensely.
Highly recommended
Thank goodness I have already the next, as well the last installment because I simply can’t wait.
Kindly received an arc from the author
I contemplated not giving this 5 stars because it ends on a TBC that this time really is a cliffhanger, there really is no way you can call it anything else. But I have faith that everything will be sorted out in the last book, also while the MCs are in mortal danger, they are together and still very much in love. But I couldn’t mark it down for that in the end because I loved the story.
This is a continuation of Andrew and Edmund’s story. They’ve arrived back in New Orleans and are settling into Andrew’s old life at the coven.
I love the atmosphere that the author creates in these stories. It’s gritty and feels authentically historical despite the presence of vampires.
Andrew is smitten with Edmund and his love is evident in every action. Both MCs traits could make them unredeemable characters but somehow the author makes them both endearing and loveable. I think the strength of their relationship is what does this, they are stronger and better together.
Despite the ending (and yeah, I really need that last book now!) I highly recommend this book.
Gorgeous covers btw.
The first part of Escaping Solitude, Sara Dobie Bauer’s sequel to Escaping Exile, is full of wonderful descriptions of Andrew fully re-embracing his hedonistic and luxurious life. He’s celebrating his freedom, yay, but mostly he’s reveling in his complete and utter love for Edmund! The way these two men come together, and what they do for each other, both frantic and restorative – is spectacular.
Andrew’s return to his beloved New Orleans is delightful. With all the sights, scents, and sounds, plus the colorful and creative characters. Ms. Bauer paints a descriptive picture of what Andrew’s city is like in the 1800s.
Between the debauched parties, orgies in Andrew’s coven, time spent in a favored whore house, and just enjoying what New Orleans has to offer, both vampires and humans alike partake in the decadence.
Facing the prospect of Edmund’s mortality isn’t something either man is willing to consider, not when there’s something that can be done about it. So, Edmund sets his brilliant mind on finding a way to ensure they’ll be together forever.
The way these two men come together, and what they do for each other, both frantic and restorative – is spectacular.
Once they determine they need to find an Elder, an ancient vampire with the abilities to turn Edmund into an immortal vampire, they set off on an ocean voyage; both to find the Elder, and to visit Edmund’s sick mother in England.
The ending of Escaping Solitude is quite thrilling (yes, it ends on a cliffhanger). Not to spoil anything here, but I can’t wait to see what the Elder is like! Plus, Edmund’s mother and her reaction to the group that turns up to visit her on her sick bed… is sure to be fantastic.
Sara Dobie Bauer’s writing style is thoroughly enjoyable. Her descriptions are lush, and I love how this story is told from Andrew’s point-of-view and in the present-tense. His reactions and emotions come across clearly. An intimate, very well done look into Andrew’s character, it’s easy to feel his passion and desire, along with his every worry.
Fast paced and exciting, I can’t wait for the third and final episode in this wonderful must-read, The Escape Trilogy!
I was gifted my copy of this book, direct from the author, that I write a review was not required.
Andrew takes Edmund back to civilization, to his home in New Orleans. Andrew’s coven has some members who wish to harm Edmund, to take him away from Andrew and Andrew will not have it. To turn Edmund, Andrew needs an Elder so Edmund is let lose in the coven’s library to find him. Then Andrew is called home to England, so the trip to find the Elder is put on hold. That is, til a terrible accident on board.
Again, written only from Andrew’s point of view, in the first person/present tense, same as book one. Knowing this going in, made it easier to overlook that personal quirk that I don’t much care for books written as such.
And of COURSE I wanted to hear from Edmund! There were several keys points along the way that I really needed to hear what he was thinking.
Andrew introduces Edmund to some of his more baser pleasures, several of them, in the club with the red door, and oh that was such a surprise cos I did not see that one coming at me! So bloody hot! He also introduces Edmund to his coven’s parties. But rather than Andrew go all ALPHA-protect-what-is-mine, it’s Edmund who goes all don’t-touch-what-isn’t-yours on Felix, the one who touches Edmund. Oh of course Andrew wanted to rip Felix’ head off for that, but he left Edmund stake the claim of Andrew, rather than the other way round.
The trip home to England brought some more surprises, but also tragedy, when there is a storm.
And we’re left hanging!
Cliff hanger, people, of the highest order! Not QUITE the one I was expecting, but still a massive one, that could still go either way! And I have to wait til Jan next year for the final part, and Lord is that gonna be a wait!!
So, ONLY, only because Edmund doesn’t have his say, because I think if he had, this may well have been a 5 star review…
4 stars
3.5 stars–ESCAPING SOLITUDE is the second instalment in Sara Dobie Bauer’s historical ESCAPE paranormal, MM, erotic romance trilogy focusing on formerly exiled vampire Andrew, and twenty-eight year old, British naturalist Edmund. ESCAPING SOLITUDE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately following the events of book one-Escaping Exile.
NOTE: ESCAPING EXILE contains M/M and M/M/M/ sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers.
Told from first person point of view (Andrew) ESCAPING SOLITUDE follows Andrew and Edmund as they begin their life together in Andrew’s hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. No longer in exile Andrew is welcomed backed with open arms but Edmund’s presence is like a beacon to other vampires including Felipe, the consort to the vampire who sent Andrew into exile. Enamored with Michelle’s library of vampire lore, Edmund discovers the existence and whereabouts of an Elder vampire, a vampire with the ability to give Edmund a chance at forever with the man that he loves. What ensues is the growing relationship and love between Edmund and Andrew, and the potential fall-out as an accident threatens to end Edmunds life.
ESCAPING SOLITUDE is another quick and easy read; an erotic romance between vampire and human, with the possibility of a happily ever after. We are introduced to female vampire Michelle, and her consort Felipe, as well as the local boy-toys Gabriel and Danys, and their Irish madam May.
The world building continues to focus on Andrew and Edmund’s building relationship, their time together revealing a manic and inquisitive side of Andrew’s human lover, as well as the search for a vampire Elder. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate and erotic without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text; the characters are colorful and charismatic. ESCAPING SOLITUDE ends on a cliff-hanger-you have been warned.