by Hayley Charlesworth
Canadian author Keira Andrews is a prolific voice on the m/m romance scene, with nine books to her name, along with three others co-written with author Leta Blake, and a young adult novel written under the name KP Kincaid. Ahead of her upcoming release, A Forbidden Rumspringa, and to celebrate Canada Day, Keira chats to I'm With Geek about her work, the recent romance boom, and, crucially, Canada.
Canadian author Keira Andrews is a prolific voice on the m/m romance scene, with nine books to her name, along with three others co-written with author Leta Blake, and a young adult novel written under the name KP Kincaid. Ahead of her upcoming release, A Forbidden Rumspringa, and to celebrate Canada Day, Keira chats to I'm With Geek about her work, the recent romance boom, and, crucially, Canada.
We recently featured your book The Station on our Between the Sheets feature. For readers new to your books, could you give us a brief overview of your other work?
I write male/male romance in a variety of genres: contemporary, historical and fantasy. The common threads running through my books are relatable characters and happy endings. Whether they're spies, students, athletes or princes, my characters aren't perfect, but they do their best as they grapple with love and life.
Have you noticed a boom in the popularity of the romance genre with the advent of the e-book? Or do you think the popularity is down to something else?
I definitely think the affordability and convenience of e-books has had a huge impact. Romance readers tend to be voracious (myself included!), and it's so easy to have a new story on our e-readers with a few clicks, and for only a few dollars.
M/M romance also seems to have increased in popularity, especially among female writers and readers. Why do you think this is, and why do you choose to write m/m yourself?
I first wrote m/m fanfic for fandoms including Queer as Folk and Everwood. There's always been something appealing about subverting traditional gender roles and tropes in romance. When I made the leap to professional writing, gay romance was a far smaller niche, and it felt natural to try and fill that void. There's also the fact that I simply find two men together really sexy.
Can you give us a bit of information about your upcoming release, A Forbidden Rumspringa?
Isaac and David are two young Amish men in northern Minnesota. The Amish live without modern technology and convenience, and with extremely strict rules for everything from behaviour to the width of pleats on a bonnet. In some communities, before youth commit officially to the church they sow their wild oats in the outside "English" world during a period called "rumspringa" (translated as "running around"). Contrary to popular belief, rumspringa is not encouraged, and is nonexistant in some Amish districts, including Isaac and David's. They've both struggled with their secret desires and curiosity about life beyond their insular world. When David takes on Isaac as a carpentry apprentice, amid the sweat and sawdust their attraction grows—and threatens their very way of life.
A Forbidden Rumspringa is the first book in a trilogy, and will be available September 3, 2014.
Are there any other new projects that you're working on for us to look out for in the future?
There are indeed! In October I'll be part of an m/m military men novella bundle with some incredible authors including Cat Grant, SE Jakes and LA Witt. My story is about a Canadian army captain who journeys to the arctic on a routine mission and falls for a Canadian Ranger, one of the reservists who patrol the far north. Adventure, angst and sex in sleeping bags ensues.
In November I'm releasing Semper Fi, a post-WWII drama about two Marines in 1948. Cal and Jim became best friends as they struggled to survive the war, and Cal knows Jim will never return his feelings. But after the death of Jim's wife, Cal moves in with Jim and his children to help run the family apple orchard, and their relationship deepens in ways neither expects.
This isn't a common era to explore in m/m romance, and it was important to me to keep the book realistic while still giving Cal and Jim their happily ever after. This story is very special to me, and I hope readers will connect with the timeless themes of identity and striving for happiness after loss.
You've also written a young adult romance named The Next Competitor under the name KP Kincaid. Are there any plans to return to writing YA in the future?
At the moment I've got my hands full with adult romance, but I would love to revisit YA in the future. It was great fun to write with a different kind of voice.
Are there any books in the romance genre that you'd like to recommend to our readers?
I've been on a historical kick lately, and I love the collaborations between Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon. The Gentleman and the Rogue is a particular favourite. And now for something completely different: The Island by Lisa Henry. I couldn't put it down.
Finally, as a Canadian, how will you be spending Canada Day?
I'm actually in California for Canada Day this year! But I did bring a little container of custard powder (which is hard to find in the States) so I can make Nanaimo bars, my favourite Canadian dessert, for my host here. There will be fireworks on July 4, so only a few days late for me!
Check out our review of The Station by Keira Andrews here!
Want more from Keira? Take a look at her website, Twitter, and Goodreads.
I write male/male romance in a variety of genres: contemporary, historical and fantasy. The common threads running through my books are relatable characters and happy endings. Whether they're spies, students, athletes or princes, my characters aren't perfect, but they do their best as they grapple with love and life.
Have you noticed a boom in the popularity of the romance genre with the advent of the e-book? Or do you think the popularity is down to something else?
I definitely think the affordability and convenience of e-books has had a huge impact. Romance readers tend to be voracious (myself included!), and it's so easy to have a new story on our e-readers with a few clicks, and for only a few dollars.
M/M romance also seems to have increased in popularity, especially among female writers and readers. Why do you think this is, and why do you choose to write m/m yourself?
I first wrote m/m fanfic for fandoms including Queer as Folk and Everwood. There's always been something appealing about subverting traditional gender roles and tropes in romance. When I made the leap to professional writing, gay romance was a far smaller niche, and it felt natural to try and fill that void. There's also the fact that I simply find two men together really sexy.
Can you give us a bit of information about your upcoming release, A Forbidden Rumspringa?
Isaac and David are two young Amish men in northern Minnesota. The Amish live without modern technology and convenience, and with extremely strict rules for everything from behaviour to the width of pleats on a bonnet. In some communities, before youth commit officially to the church they sow their wild oats in the outside "English" world during a period called "rumspringa" (translated as "running around"). Contrary to popular belief, rumspringa is not encouraged, and is nonexistant in some Amish districts, including Isaac and David's. They've both struggled with their secret desires and curiosity about life beyond their insular world. When David takes on Isaac as a carpentry apprentice, amid the sweat and sawdust their attraction grows—and threatens their very way of life.
A Forbidden Rumspringa is the first book in a trilogy, and will be available September 3, 2014.
Are there any other new projects that you're working on for us to look out for in the future?
There are indeed! In October I'll be part of an m/m military men novella bundle with some incredible authors including Cat Grant, SE Jakes and LA Witt. My story is about a Canadian army captain who journeys to the arctic on a routine mission and falls for a Canadian Ranger, one of the reservists who patrol the far north. Adventure, angst and sex in sleeping bags ensues.
In November I'm releasing Semper Fi, a post-WWII drama about two Marines in 1948. Cal and Jim became best friends as they struggled to survive the war, and Cal knows Jim will never return his feelings. But after the death of Jim's wife, Cal moves in with Jim and his children to help run the family apple orchard, and their relationship deepens in ways neither expects.
This isn't a common era to explore in m/m romance, and it was important to me to keep the book realistic while still giving Cal and Jim their happily ever after. This story is very special to me, and I hope readers will connect with the timeless themes of identity and striving for happiness after loss.
You've also written a young adult romance named The Next Competitor under the name KP Kincaid. Are there any plans to return to writing YA in the future?
At the moment I've got my hands full with adult romance, but I would love to revisit YA in the future. It was great fun to write with a different kind of voice.
Are there any books in the romance genre that you'd like to recommend to our readers?
I've been on a historical kick lately, and I love the collaborations between Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon. The Gentleman and the Rogue is a particular favourite. And now for something completely different: The Island by Lisa Henry. I couldn't put it down.
Finally, as a Canadian, how will you be spending Canada Day?
I'm actually in California for Canada Day this year! But I did bring a little container of custard powder (which is hard to find in the States) so I can make Nanaimo bars, my favourite Canadian dessert, for my host here. There will be fireworks on July 4, so only a few days late for me!
Check out our review of The Station by Keira Andrews here!
Want more from Keira? Take a look at her website, Twitter, and Goodreads.
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