This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by
Goddess Fish Promotions. Margaret Izard will be awarding a Highlander's Holly & Ivy swag box* ($100 value) to a randomly drawn winner *US Only*. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
*Inside the box: Kissletoe Holiday Crystal Ornament, signed copy of book, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy book bag, Insulated wine glass with Highlander’s Holly & Ivy logo, Dublin shot glass with etched Highlander’s Holly & Ivy logo, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy bookmark, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy recipe card, Wild Rose Press (publisher) 2026 calendar delivered in custom printed Margaret Izard Author Book Swag Box.
A Christmas Companion book to the Stones of Iona Series.
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?
Read an Excerpt
Iris strode down the street beside her faithful maid, Laurel. “Miss, yer Gaelic is awful, and that accent.”
Iris clipped her reply. “What of my accent?”
Laurel groaned. “It’s English, very English. Ye’ll stand out like a sair thumb among all the Gaels.”
She wrapped the plaid, no arisaid tighter around her. “Sair, you mean sore?” She kept walking. “I am dressed like you. I can walk like you. I’ve un-styled my hair.”
Laurel barked a laugh. “Ye walk like royalty, and no matter how much Gaelic ye learn, ye still sound like the Queen of England.”
Iris stopped and turned to her maid. “I want to meet your people. Not because of the novelty.” Laurel rolled her eyes, making Iris smile. “Well, aye, the novelty, but I want to learn the culture, about yer people.”
Laurel’s eyes crinkled. “Ye really want this lass?” Iris nodded. Laurel took her arm in hers as they continued at a slower pace. “Then we need a plan, a canny one at that.” She breathed. “Ye’ll be my cousin. Ye wear the Comyn plaid, so ye’ll be a Comyn. Stay beside me, and for all that is holy, don’t speak. We’ll say ye have a throat injury, so ye can’t talk.”
Iris stopped. “But what if I have a question or something to say?”
Laurel pulled her along the lane. “Ye don’t have anything to say, and questions are for later. Just watch and listen. No talking.” They came up to the bridge—many had already gathered as the slaughterhouse's smell blew their way. Iris held her wrap to her nose, wondering how they tolerated the stink.
A woman approached and took Laurel into a hug. “So glad I am to see ye today.” Laurel hugged her back. “Mabina, glad I am to be here.” She waved to Iris. “My cousin, who is mmmm…”
Iris’ eyes went wide. She didn’t want to use her real name and be found out before it was all over. She panicked and glanced around. The pub beside the bridge already had decorations for the holiday season, and holly and ivy graced the doorway.
She pointed to the ivy, and Laurel grinned. “Ivy. Ivy Comyn.” She leaned over, whispering to Mabina, “She doesn’t talk, an old injury from a redcoat who tried to have his way with her. Her throat don’t work no more.”
The woman tsked, “Sorry I am to hear it, Ivy.” Iris nodded as the plaid fell away from her head.
Mabina smiled. “Ye are a pretty thing, though.”
What are some of the writing
rituals that you practice to keep the juices flowing?
My
writing rituals are a mix of structure, sparks, and simple pleasures—and yes,
chocolate, water, and wine absolutely keep me going. I start every project with
research because it grounds me in the world I’m creating, but day to day, my
biggest ritual is rhythm. I’m a 9–5 kind of girl, and treating writing like a
real workday keeps the creativity flowing. I rarely hit a true block, but when
I do, I step away and do something wonderfully mundane—take a walk, fold
laundry, unload the dishwasher. Those little resets clear my mind, and suddenly
the story starts talking again. And when the draft is finally done, I have one
last ritual: I read the entire book and ask myself if it moves me. If it
doesn’t hit in the right places, I keep shaping until it does… fueled, of
course, by more chocolate, more water, and maybe another splash of wine.
About the Author:
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.
Website:
http://www.margaretizardauthor.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mizardauthor
Buy Links:
https://linktr.ee/mizardauthor
