Thanks for stopping by to talk a little about your writing! Let's
jump right in. When did you begin writing and why?
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing or at the very least
conjuring up stories in my head. But I had stop when I was a teenager since I
had been discouraged by my teachers. I thought it was a silly dream. Then after
college, I was depressed. My fiancé had died and I need a passion in my life
and that’s when I returned to writing and decided I would be a published
writer.
Do you have a favorite genre? Is it the same genre you prefer to
write?
I love books. But my favorite genre is Historical romance and that
is what I write. I prefer a happy ending. There is too much sadness and tension
in life. I don’t want to spend my day like that.
Do certain themes and ideas tend to capture your writer’s
imagination and fascinate you?
I write romance so my theme is Love conquers all. And I truly
believe that loving someone and being love can let you accomplish great things.
Another theme that I tend to write about is family. Either the family is in
danger or plays some part in the character’s conflict or goal because for me,
nothing is more important than my family.
How do you balance long-term thinking vs. being nimble in today's
market?
I don’t know if I do that. I just write the stories I love because
I know that there are people out there who love a historical romance. Also too,
I tend to just focus on myself. So if I’m bored, annoyed or just plain over
something, I imagine other people are too.
How do you find readers in today's market?
I’m always working on that. I have a newsletter, social media
accounts, a blog and guest post on other blogs. But I’m always open to
opportunity. Also too I try not to always be selling my books. Most important
though is for me just to be me and share that will people.
Do you come up with the hook first, or do you create characters
first and then dig through until you find a hook?
I generally have characters first and they are usually in a scene
then I start building on it, figuring out goals, conflict and motivation.
How do you create your characters?
They come to me. And once I have the Goal, motivation and conflict,
I start writing and they develop in the writing.
What's on the top of your TBR pile right now?
That is a very big pile. But at the top is A Daring Arrangement by
Joanna Shupe.
Tell me a little about the characters in Highland
Scandal.
Lachlan Gordon is a man with charm and good looks. His ready smiles
and easy jokes hid his heartache. As the bastard son of the Chief Gordon, he
knows that he cannot have the woman he loves—Rowan MacKenzie.
Rowen MacKenzie is the daughter of the Chief of MacKenzie. Most
people are frightened of her because of her pale blonde hair and skin. They
call her banshee and in the superstitious Highlands that has set her apart. She
has learned to hide her feelings but Lachlan is the only one who can stir her
love.
Where’s the story set? How much influence did the setting have on
the atmosphere/characters/development of the story?
Highland Scandal is set in 13th century Scottish Highlands. In
Scottish and Irish folklore, A banshee is a fairy that heralds death with
wailing. So that played a part in creating my heroine Rowan. And the setting of
Scotland played a part. I wanted the reader to be transported to the medieval
Scotland of my characters.
If you had to write your memoir in five words, what would you
write?
creative, independent, stubborn, tender and loving
How often does your muse distract you from day to day minutiae?
Very often and I do not mind. My mind is always filled with
characters, scenes, settings or emotions.
What do readers have to look forward to in the future from you?
I have a novella The Chieftain’s Secret coming out soon. Also I
have my regency, His Lady Charlie being release this year. And I’m working on
more novellas.
Highland Scandal
Historical Romance
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:
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
Social Media Links
website: http://www.MageelaTroche.com
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/MageelaTroche
Pinterest: http://www.Pinterest.com/MageelaTroche
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mageela-Troche/e/B00CHTIRFW/
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