Claiming The Highlander by Mageela Troche #MFRWauthor #AHAgrp

TGIF! Please welcome Mageela Troche to my blog today with her book, Claiming The Highlander. Mageela shares a most embarrassing situation that happened to her, and thank goodness, now she can laugh about it!

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​I’m not someone who embarrasses easily. But one incident that burned my cheeks is one I rather forget. It started off simple enough. I had to go to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I was in my PJs and changed into a t-shirt and my comfy camouflage pants that I had for almost ten years. I went to the store with no problem, and was returning home when I heard a teenage boy saying Excuse me I didn’t really pay attention but I heard those two words again so I looked.
He told me that my pants were ripped. I craned my neck and sure enough, there was a rip that ran along my right butt cheek and my underwear was on show for the world. Oh, yeah, my cheeks burned (pun intended). Luckily, my t-shirt was long enough to cover the split and I hurried home.
At least, I can chuckle about that event now but I really miss those pants. One day, the incident may work its way into a novel somehow...that’s if I can stop laughing at myself. 

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I think I died right along with you, Mageela! Red in the face for sure!  

​Tell us about your story, Claiming The Highlander.

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​Caelen MacKenzie married heiress Lady Brenna Grant in his youth for a large parcel of land and an earldom. Years later, Scotland trembles from the tales of the Viking Highlander yet Caelen must face his most challenging battle—returning home and to the past he ran from.

Lady Brenna loves her husband. As her loyalties are tested, the life she was reared to live is in jeopardy. She knows no other life but the one as Countess and wife to Caelen. Snagged in the power plays of men, she will do anything to save that life and the man she loves.

From the rugged western highlands to the glittering Scottish court, they must battle the machinations of powerful men scheming against them.

Will they be triumphant in this game and live happily ever after?

Excerpt:
     She reached the last step and halted. The smoke must have conjured images. Caelan stood at the end of the corridor. She blinked, believing the vision would vanish into nothingness. The arched doorway framed his muscular form, which was draped in plaid. His head hung down. His long locks draped around his face and blocked him from her view. Light flickered over his Viking blond hair. She blinked a few times, waiting for him to notice her standing here. She must have moved because his head flew up.
“Caelan.”
He faced her. A smile spread across her face and her cheeks hurt from it. She wanted to throw herself in his arms. Instead, she buried the urge. She even squeezed out a couple of tears.
Her feet skipped over the floor as she raced to him. She threw her arms around him and squeezed him tightly. She lacked the strength to hold him as she wished. Caelan was all hard muscle. He smelled of the outdoors—greenery, and of the fresh wind that whirled about him and caught in the weave of his plaid, along with a manly scent that was his own. She stroked her cheek against his plaid. The scratchy wool scraped her skin. An itchy tingle spread through her cheek.
She ran her hands over his thick arms. He had come for her. She linked her fingers with his. She leaned her head to the side to look at the shut chamber door. Last night had been a difficult one. The healers and servants had been going in and out through the night. Their muffled voices floated to her chamber along with the groans of pains coming from the laird—aye, the laird would be leaving this earth soon. Her smile dimmed along with the heady delight within her. “You have finally returned.”
Caelan arched a brow, revealing his blue eyes. She loved his pure, blue hue that shined bright with shards of white, unlike her plain, brown ones. He pulled his hand away. She tucked her empty hand within the pleats of her dress. This was not the reunion she had imagined since she learned he was returning home. Caelan was supposed to grab her in his arms and swing her about. After her holding her close for a drawn-out moment, he was supposed to slide her down his body, and then kiss her. After he ravished her mouth, he was to stare deep into her eyes. He might have even whispered tenders words. Instead, he stood there, his arms at his side. The man didn’t even reach out to her.
His sharp gaze slid over her. The heat of his inspection sent a flush through her. He no longer looked at her as a little lass. Caelan looked at her like a man to a woman. Pure heated desire that set her heart racing. The last time he saw her, he had treated her a like a child and shown even less interest. He no longer looked at her as a little lass. “You look well, Brenna.”
“You haven’t cleaned up from your journey.” His plaid was wrinkled and the pleats were flat. She brushed at a smear of dirt marring his leine. It was just a reason to touch him.
“Seeing my father was more important.” He peeked over his shoulder. “I should have been here earlier.”
She licked her lips. “Has the laird fallen asleep?”
“Nay, he…he started coughing.” He shook his head. The ends of his blond hair fanned out. The pale tips caught the amber light of the torches. His strong brow was more pronounced from the lowering of his brows.
“Last night was hard for him, but your arrival shall make him feel better. When I sit with him, he always speaks of you.”
When he hung his head, she wished she could take back her words.
“You sit with him often?” He pushed back his hair.
“Aye. Sometimes, we discuss you, and other times he tells me stories or curses the healers. It depends upon how he feels.”
His broad shoulders that seemed to be able to bear all of Scotland and England upon them, straightened. “I am here so I can see to the running of everything. You shall assist me.”
She rose to the tips of her toes. “Of course. I am your wife.”
 
Buy link:  
https://www.amazon.com/Claiming-Highlander-Medieval-Scottish-Romance-ebook/dp/B079SD7D8X?pd_rd_wg=idCAs&pd_rd_r=14dedaf5-2494-4596-8094-84f8d7e2df0f&pd_rd_w=d8iKS&ref_=pd_gw_simh&pf_rd_r=V9ZMX0YGJYAQ5HFDJF9Q&pf_rd_p=b841581f-e864-5164-afa6-4c18a8348879

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What an interesting read! Thank you for sharing. Tell us a little about you!

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An Air Force brat, Mageela Troche has lived throughout the world then landed in New York City. She wanted to leave the same day she arrived. Yet, with her stubbornness, Mageela learned to like the place and the libraries were the main reasons. Since she was a little girl, Mageela wanted to be an author and an actress, however, once in college, Mageela changed her life plan in the pursuit of money. After all, college loans must be repaid. At Syracuse University, she studied International Relations and Geography with plans to make the world a better place.
But after a tragic life event, Mageela put those plans aside and returned to New York City where she tried to find her way through life. After studying fashion design, working for various jobs, she decided to take a risk and do what she truly desired all her life–writing.
Mageela returned to writing and focused on the romance genre. Her first break came when she sold a short story to a magazine. She sold two more before the publication of her historical romance novel, The Marriage Alliance. She has gone on to write four more and a novella.
Mageela is currently writing in the cramped corner of her Big Apple apartment. She is the proud owner of a Black-masked lovebird named Boobula. She loves to hear from her readers and can be found online.
 
Links:
                Website:  http://www. MageelaTroche.com
                Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMageelaTroche/
                Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MageelaTroche
                Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/mageelatroche
                Blog: http://www.Trocheauthor.wordpress.com
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Thank you, Mageela, for stopping by. I hope you have great success with your book. 

If you are visiting, please leave us a comment and let us know you've stopped by. We authors love to hear from our readers!

Thanks
​Connie

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