Author Interview: Killian McRae (A Love by Any Measure)

Today I close out the Tulipe Noir Press Blog Tour for Killian's McRae's A Love by Any Measure first with an interview with Killian and later today I'll post my review. 



Describe the area you write in.

Oh, this is a tough one. I write in many areas. My tendency is towards the paranormal, though if that means science fiction or urban/paranormal romance depends on the day. I also write romance, as well as fantasy and even some literary works.

What's your favorite season?

In California, where I live now, summer. However, back in the Midwest where I lived until my early 20’s, autumn. Nothing smells as good to me as the scents of a crisp autumn day.

Describe your ideal reading space (no expense spared here).

I don’t think it needs much of a budget. I like places with a low hum of humanity tempered by enough
serenity that lets my mind wander. When I get a chance, I like to hand out in coffee shops downtown.

What is a typical day like in your life?

My typical day is very mundane. I have a day job, like most writers, and that keeps me pretty Monday-
to-Friday regular. If I don’t have any evening obligations, the kids and I will have dinner then head to the
gym for an hour, or take the dog for a walk. Then back home for chores, and about 8 or 9 the children
settle down to reading or studying and I have 2-4 hours of writing/author work time.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Do I have to choose just one place? Both Egypt and Ireland hold an equal pull for me. Ideally, I’d like to
spend some time in both locales. But if we’re talking more general, my idyllic getaway involves a fire, a
cup of cocoa, and a small cottage in the mountains.

Tell us a little bit about A Love By Any Measure.

Someone writing a critique described it as a very unromantic romance. While I believe she meant it as a
criticism, I believe that’s a very accurate summation. It’s a historical romance set in Ireland and England
(and a bit of Boston) during the early Victorian period. While there are scenes of fire between the English
landlord August and the Irish tenant Maeve, there’s much more focus on the historical considerations
and consequences such individuals would have had in that time period. I generally shy away from simple,
formulaic plots and characters. If you like historical romances but feel like they’re becoming cookie
cutter, this could be a good read for you.

What made you choose to write in the historical romance genre?

History has always been a fascination of mine. Both of my two books in publication are historically-
themed (though the other is Science Fiction). And what girl growing up in the age of Disney doesn’t like a
love story?

Which character really spoke to you when you were writing A Love By Any Measure?

Rory O’Connor, Maeve’s father. As the old saying goes, he doesn’t say much, but he says it loud. Though
he doesn’t often appear in the story, when he does he’s always far more in the know than he lets anyone
know. Ultimately, while Maeve initially sets up to save her father, it is her father who sacrifices his
happiness for hers.

What are you working on now?

Two projects right now: The first is a mini-novella that will release in January, the first of a four-part
installment that continues in the universe I created in 12.21.12, and will lead up to the release of the
sequel in winter 2013. The other is an YA fantasy that I hope will release late winter 2012.

Do you have any upcoming tours, blog tours or events you would like people to know about?

The ALBAM tour is wrapping up now, but I urge others to check out some of the stops that have come
before during November. I’m planning on laying pretty low for the next several months, as projects have
me very busy in the foreseeable future. I’ll also be launching weekly podcast in January (because I don’t
like to sleep, obviously.)

Anything else you would like to share?

Just my thanks to you as well as to all the courteous hosts on the tour this month!



Thanks Killian!


About A Love By Any Measure

Lord August Grayson is a self-admitted English bastard. Or so he would like to have the beautiful Maeve O’Connor believe. Secretly, August has dreamt of the Irish girl since childhoods spent together in Killarney. He knows, however, that his poor Irish Catholic tenant would never be accepted in his world of propriety and pomp, but isn’t about to let a chance to have her, even if only in his bed, pass him by.

Maeve owns nothing in this world or the next but her good name, which proves just enough to net a proposal for a marriage of convenience to a good, Irish lad. Though she dreams of home and hearth with a man she truly loves, poverty and her father’s care limit her options. When Maeve seeks clemency on her family’s rent until she weds, August seizes the opportunity to present her with an alternative way to settle her debts. Allowing twice as long on each succeeding visit, she must permit him to do whatever he wishes in pursuit of his pleasure. Starting with a mere five seconds, pulses soon out race the ticking clock, as August’s pleasure and passion become Maeve’s own.

Working to bridge that which divides them, tempting fate with each stolen kiss, and torn between desire and obligation, Maeve and August strive to overcome all and find a love by any measure…