I’m glad to have Mageela and her delightful lovebird join us, a first on Furbaby Friday. I know feathered friends are also much loved, and most welcome. Mageela is sharing her Medieval Scottish romance, Highland Scandal.
Mageela: For my birthday nine years ago, I was given my lovebird by my niece, sister-in-law and brother. The pet shop called the black-masked lovebird Houdini since she always escaped from her cage and then would let the other birds out of theirs.
Well, I call her Boobula. She is the first bird I have ever had. And I was overjoyed that I was getting a lovebird. Much like other people, I sighed when I saw lovebirds paired up. They were just so cute and romantic, looking like a heart when their heads were put together. Besides what is a better pet for a romance author than a lovebird.
Boobula is never mated so that makes me her mate, which I thought was so sweet. That is until I got to know my bird. Most people think lovebirds are sweet and lovable hence the name. Not true, lovebirds are called the pit bulls of birds and Boobula is a temperamental diva.
And I wouldn’t have it another way. She makes her demands for potato chips, steals my popcorn and has torn up all my books, among a dozen other things. But she is just feathery cuteness. I also don’t mind that when I clean her cage she watches over me to see that I’m doing a proper job (I suppose). I don’t mind that I find feathers everywhere and I mean everywhere from the pocket of my coat to the laundry. The fact that I’m calling Boobula she is something I discovered this year when she laid four eggs to my utter shock.
When I saw that clutch of eggs huddled together in the center of her house, I had to do more than I double-take. I did a ten-take. And she was such a good mommy bird, sitting on her eggs but sadly, they will never hatch.
She bounced back to her old self, which means demanding to be let out of her cage, demanding anything I happen to be eating, demanding my attention when she wants it and for me to leave her alone when she doesn’t want to be bothered.
So, in truth, I guess, she’s not my bird. I am her human and mate. I could do worse.
Highland Scandal Blurb:
How long does happily ever after take?
They call her banshee. The taunt has pursued strong-willed Rowen Mackenzie through the glorious Scottish Highlands. One man sees beyond the superstition—Lachlan Gordon. This brave highlander is the man she loves but duty requires her to wed another.
Wickedly charming, Lachlan Gordon has loved Rowen Mackenzie since his first glimpse of the ethereal beauty. As bastard of Chief Gordon, Lachlan can never claim her as his own. When his father, Laird Gordon, is murdered, Lachlan becomes the clan chief…too late to marry the woman he loves.
Years later, Rowen is now a widow and mother and her son is in danger. She jeopardizes her life and most importantly, her heart to protect her son. Lachlan is the only man who can help her. For a second chance at love, he must risk all—his clan, his life and his love to win even as secrets threaten their happiness and their very lives.
Will Rowen and Lachlan have their own happily ever after?
“Must read for lovers of all things Scottish”—Paranormal Romance and Author’s that Rock
“5 Stars”—Goodreads Reviewer
“The book has it all war, scandals, death and undying love.” —Spunky N Sassy
Excerpt:
Lachlan lingered in the courtyard. He refused to step inside. No doubt, he could find a widow to warm the night with. He just had to stay away from the Great Hall and Rowen. Damn, she was so beautiful sitting upon her horse. She was so near to him. He could have snatched her up and run away. He couldn’t go near her. He kicked at a rock. Why did MacLean have to permit the marriage here? MacKenzie Castle was fitting enough. But the lairdess had to be pregnant. Murray’s lands were just as fitting, but lacked a female touch. Och, weren’t there women in the clan? Such ruminations failed to matter. She was here.
He peered up at the tower. She was in there and tonight he would be also…unless there was an attack or a raid. He prayed for a raid.
Lachlan leaned against the wall. He straightened as Caelen took his spot beside him, as he had countless times before. They watched the castle people stroll by them.
“All is good?” Caelen asked.
“Aye. Your wife?”
“Fat with child again. She wishes for a daughter.” He crossed his bare arms.
“You wish for a son.”
“I know what men do with women.” Castle folk hurried on at Caelen’s scowl.
“This marriage should happen soon.”
“Aye, Father Murray is here. I heard about Father Sullivan.”
Lachlan chuckled. “A skeleton of a man. Why they sent that man—I do not know. He had been here for two days. He stuttered whenever Duncan laid his gaze on him. When he saw me, he looked like he smelled something most foul.”
“Women?”
“Sin, so I guess the daughters of Eve left a certain smell only priest can catch whiff of. He fled in the morning.”
“Did you really chase after him?”
“Aye, he said, ‘you are the devil’. Me and Duncan were standing like this, so I had to find out which one of us he spoke of.” Lachlan chuckled. “I ran beside his animal. He kicked his heels harder, but I stayed alongside him. When I asked him, that poor holy man paled and then reddened. He proclaimed we were both devils. I thanked him and told him I wouldn’t want to lose my reputation.”
Caelen laughed. Lachlan felt a lightness that had been missing since the wedding negotiations began. It was the damn hardest thing to make Caelen laugh.
His laughter cut off at the approaching riders. The Murrays arrived. Lachlan stared at Eacharn riding among his father’s men. Bile rose in his throat and its foul taste filled his mouth. He gulped back the burning spew.
He should hate that man. He was getting to spend the rest of his days with the woman Lachlan loved. But Eacharn, the plump bastard, was a good man. He was always in the center of a fight. He was sharp-minded and loved Lachlan’s humor. Hell, Lachlan admitted it—he liked him. Not that he’d say it to him.
One more thing denied Lachlan. Nay, he was not feeling pity for himself. Never. His temper roared like a hundred Highlanders on a charge. He pushed away from the wall, only realizing Caelen had left him. Halfway out of the courtyard, he turned back. His duty was to stand with MacLean.
Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Scandal-Mageela-Troche-ebook/dp/B07KQLLPQY/
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Author Bio
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 reason. Since she was a little girl, Mageela wanted to be an author and an actress, however, once in college, she changed her life plan in the pursuit of money. After all, college loans must be repaid.
With life’s twists and turns, she returned to writing and focused on the romance genre. Mageela Troche’s 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 novels 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 at MageelaTroche.com
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