Today, award-winning author Margaret Izard is guesting. She’s talking about her latest release, Highlander’s Holly and Ivy, part of the Stones of Iona series, a paranormal romance. Don’t forget to enter the King Sumo giveaway.
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The Stones of Iona: What They Are and Why They Matter
The Stones of Iona are the foundation of my entire megaverse—ancient, enchanted artifacts created by the Good Fae to safeguard the balance between realms. Each stone embodies a powerful human virtue or force: Love, Faith, Hope, Doubt, Fear, Lust, and Destiny, which reveal themselves as the world expands.
But these aren’t simple gems or symbolic trinkets. They’re living vessels of Fae magic, capable of bending fate, altering history, and exposing the deepest truths within anyone who touches them. They respond only to emotion, intention, and sacrifice—never brute force—making them both deeply coveted and dangerously unpredictable.
The stones originated on the sacred Isle of Iona, Scotland, where the veil between the mortal world and the Fae realms is at its thinnest. Over centuries, the stones have been lost, stolen, hidden, corrupted, or reclaimed. Every time a stone is moved or awakened, it sends ripples through both worlds.
And here’s the most critical truth: Whoever possesses all the Stones gains the power to control both realms. That is why the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Good Fae, protect them with their lives… and why the Evil Fae, the Formoire, will stop at nothing to claim them.
Their significance is not just magical—it’s moral. Each stone tests the heart and exposes the soul. They force characters to confront their darkest fears, deepest desires, and most impossible choices. They shape destinies, forge soul bonds, and drive the battles between light and shadow.
For readers, the Stones act as the guiding thread running through every book. Even when the romance takes center stage, the stones hum beneath the surface—guiding lovers, challenging heroes, tempting villains, and binding all the stories into one interconnected universe.
In the end, the Stones of Iona represent everything at stake in my world: power, destiny, sacrifice, and the fragile line between the mortal realm and the Fae.
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Title: Highlander’s Holly and Ivy
Series: Stones of Iona, companion novel
Author: Margaret Izard
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 228 pages
Release Date: December 1, 2025
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
A Christmas Companion book to the Stones of Iona Series.
Blurb: In a land torn by politics and heritage, Alex MacDougall—Scotland’s Lord Justice Clerk—balances loyalty to the British crown and his secret role in preserving outlawed Scottish traditions. When tasked with retrieving a mystical stone tied to Scotland’s destiny, he crosses paths with Lady Iris Erskine, an Englishwoman captivated by Scottish culture. Disguised as Ivy, Iris masquerades as a highland lassie to be close to the dashing highlander.
Love blossoms between Alex and Ivy as tensions simmer between the English and Scots. While Iris vexes over revealing the truth to her handsome Scot, Alex grapples with his family’s secret duty to protect magic Fae stones. With his beloved targeted and hidden truths emerging, the world he once knew dissolves before his eyes.
Can two hearts bound by fate be enough to stave off an evil Fae intent on destroying the MacDougall Clan, or will Alex lose all he loves?
Available at:
The man in the blue plaid from last week approached and took Laurel’s hand. “Laurel Comyn, I am happy to see ye this week.” His regard drifted to her. “And yer friend as well.” His eyes went to her arisaid, “A Comyn. She’s ye…?”
Laurel shifted closer to him as she waved to Iris. “John MacArthur, my cousin Ivy Comyn.”
Mabina spoke from beside her. “She’s mute, John. Lost her voice.” Iris nodded and moved her hand to her throat.
A voice deep and rich called out over the crowd. “Welcome all!”
Everyone turned and perched on a box he stood—him, the man in the red plaid from last week. His deep black hair fell to his shoulders loose. As he raised his flask, his muscles undulated under the fabric of his shirt. Her focus traveled down, and today, he didn’t wear trews under his plaid. Bare knees exposed above his woolen socks and boots fit for working on a farm were on his feet. Her knees became weak, and she reached out to Laurel as she stumbled.
Laurel took her hand. “First time ye seen bare knees, lassie? Does the same to me every time.” When Iris’ gaze returned to him, his eyes were on her.
He nodded her way and called out. “To whisky and Scotland!” The crowd repeated his toast, and everyone broke out in conversation.
Laurel turned to speak to John, leaving Iris beside the crowd. Many mingled and spoke lively. Men offered others sips from their flasks as the women huddled together, gossiping about whatnot. Iris picked up a Gaelic word here and there. Taigh for house and bonnach for bannock. She enjoyed the rich brogue of the men’s voices and the rolling of the r’s in the women. Their outspoken banter brought a smile to her face.
A gust of wind blew through the area, clearing the slaughterhouse stench but brought on a chill. Iris went to cover her head, and her arisaid fell on one side.
“Here, lassie, allow me.” His rich baritone voice sent chills down her spine, and as she turned, she came face to face with—him.
He’d caught her plaid and wrapped it around her body, tucking it into the folds so it stayed put in the breeze. “My ma taught me the simple fold to keep her plaid in place.” His hand lingered on the fabric near her face. “Comyn, ye are a Comyn, like my ma.”
She swallowed and shivered again, but not from the cold. The light blue of his eyes lit up the night as they followed hers. She glanced down again, unsure what to do without a voice to converse with.
When her face rose, his eyes crinkled. “Have I scared ye lass?” His hand dropped, and he blew his breath. “I didn’t mean to.” She stared at him, a highlander she craved to be near, her highlander. He cleared his throat. He’d asked her something. Iris shook her head, her hand going to her throat. She opened her mouth, and nothing came out but air, hoping to get her point across.
Her Highlander’s eyebrows rose. “Ye can’t speak?” Iris shook her head.
His smile bent kind of sideways. “I am Alex, Alex MacDougall.” He took her hand in his and caressed it. “What shall I call ye then?”
Iris’s focus went to the greenery décor, and he followed. “Holly?” She shook her head, her gaze never leaving his.
He grinned. “Ivy then?”
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Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. Her latest awards are 2024 Reader’s Favorite Honorable Mention for Stone of Love and 2024 Spring BookFest Silver Award for the same title. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her desire for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets.
Follow Margaret: Website | Link Tree | Facebook
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(Note: This giveaway is only open to USA residents.)
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Maggie Blackbird 
Thank you for having me!
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Thank you so much for featuring HIGHLANDER’S HOLLY & IVY today.
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