Don’t Bite the Director by T.M. Kirk: Road Trips, Reels & Really Hot Vampires
If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a terminally ill indie film director and a smoldering vampire got stuck on a road trip with unresolved sexual tension, sharp dialogue, and a ticking clock of doom… well, congratulations—you just described the chaotic brilliance that is Don’t Bite the Director by T.M. Kirk.
From the opening scene, this book oozes heart, horror, humor, and heat. I went in expecting a quirky vampire romance and walked out emotionally unprepared, deeply entertained, and a little bit obsessed.
Meet Cora Lee, a no-nonsense, sharp-tongued indie horror film director with one last passion project to finish—a vampire movie, naturally—before she succumbs to a terminal illness she made peace with long ago. She’s not afraid of death. What she is afraid of? Not finishing her damn movie.
So when an actual vampire struts onto her set trying to shut the whole thing down, Cora is not here for it. She’s got zero time for undead dramatics, no matter how painfully attractive the guy is.
Saiden is the vampire sent to silence the production. But instead of a quick job, he finds himself face-to-face with the woman the universe has apparently chosen for him: his mate. Awkward. And just a little complicated, since he still has orders to carry out. But what’s a little cosmic soulmate drama in the grand scheme of things?
His plan? Lie. Stall. Woo. Bite (eventually). Easy, right?
Wrong. Because Cora is the definition of stubborn and her number one rule is the book’s title:
Don’t. Bite. The. Director.
What follows is a deliciously offbeat road trip romance full of existential dread, found footage horror energy, snarky banter, vampire politics, and just the right amount of steam. Every scene between Cora and Saiden crackles with tension—romantic, emotional, and yes, sometimes mortal.
This isn’t your average vampire romance. There’s something raw and bittersweet here, a tension between life and unlife that feels deeply personal. Cora is facing the end of her story, but Saiden is desperate to write a new one with her. It’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and surprisingly profound.
T.M. Kirk nails the tone—a perfect balance of snarky irreverence and emotional gut punches. The writing is witty, atmospheric, and undeniably original. Think: indie horror film meets paranormal rom-com with a side of soul-searching.
Whether you’re here for the vampire-lore-meets-Hollywood-drama, the crackling chemistry, or the surprisingly thoughtful exploration of mortality and legacy, Don’t Bite the Director delivers it all in spades—and then drives it across the country with a coffee-stained screenplay and a reluctant immortal in the passenger seat.
If you love books that are quirky, smart, a little spooky, and a lot swoony, this one is a must. Cora and Saiden are the kind of couple you root for with your whole heart (even if one of theirs might not be beating). Add this to your TBR if you’re craving something deliciously different.
And remember: don’t bite the director… unless she asks nicely.