Tour Stop/Giveaway: Highlander's Holly and Ivy by Margaret Izard

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.

Talking with Margaret Izard

Tell us about your latest book, who are the main characters and what we can expect when we pick it up.

My latest release, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy, is a warm yet emotionally layered Scottish Christmas romance set during one of the most turbulent periods in Scotland’s history—the years immediately following the Battle of Culloden. It’s a story of love, loss, and tradition, set against a backdrop of cultural suppression and a nation learning to rebuild itself.

The book follows Alex MacDougall, the son of Mary Comyn and Roderick MacDougall from Thistle in the Mistletoe. I always intended to give Alex his own story. Still, by placing his parents’ romance in a specific historical timeframe, I inadvertently set his adulthood in the most challenging era imaginable. That choice shaped everything about him. Alex is a man caught between clan loyalty, political uncertainty, and a longing for something more than the aftermath he was born into.

Opposite him is Iris Erskine, the “English rose” whose origin was inspired by a single wedding announcement I discovered in an old Scottish newspaper. Though Iris herself is a fictional character, she represents the courage and grace required for an Englishwoman to step into Highland society during such a fraught moment in history. She is thoughtful, observant, and far stronger than anyone gives her credit for.

When you pick up this book, you can expect:

• A slow-burn romance shaped by tension, trust, and deep emotional stakes.
• A richly researched historical setting that honors both the heartbreak and resilience of Scotland after Culloden.
• Cultural conflict woven closely with tenderness, as Alex and Iris navigate two very different worlds.
• Winter traditions, holiday symbolism, and the meaningful presence of holly and ivy throughout their journey.
• A whisper of magic that ties the story into the larger Stones of Iona megaverse.
• A love story grounded in courage, sacrifice, and the belief that new traditions can rise from the ashes of the old.

At its core, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy is about love finding a way in the harshest season—about hope, heritage, and two people brave enough to choose each other when the world around them is in flux.

If you’re drawn to Scottish romance filled with heart, history, and a touch of enchantment, this book will feel like stepping into winter with a promise of warmth.

 

Taking the story from a concept to a published book is a long and involved process. How does that usually work for you?

Readers often ask what the process looks like—from the moment an idea sparks to the day the finished book arrives in readers’ hands. For me, it’s a journey of instinct, planning, patience, and a whole lot of editing. And with Highlander’s Holly & Ivy, that journey began earlier and more urgently than usual.

When I finished writing the first Christmas companion book, Thistle in the Mistletoe, I knew without a doubt that I had to tell Mary and Roderick’s son’s story next. Alex MacDougall wasn’t just a side character anymore—he had a voice, a journey, and a love story of his own tugging at me. The moment I closed the final chapter of Thistle in the Mistletoe, his story arrived almost fully formed in my mind.

It was August 2023.
The book wouldn’t release until 2025.
And yet… I had to write it.

I outlined it immediately—because that’s who I am. I’m a plotter through and through. My outlines can easily stretch to 200 pages, sprinkled with dialogue and scene structure. Once I had Alex and Iris’s story mapped out, I dove straight into drafting rather than letting it sit, because the book felt alive and urgent in a way I couldn’t ignore. I wrote it knowing I would finish it months before the deadline.

Most of my books follow a more measured path.
Usually, I outline, draft, then let the manuscript rest. When I return to it, I edit relentlessly—refining, tightening, deepening—until it feels ready for submission. After that, it enters the next phase: my publishing editor’s desk.

If a contract follows, the book moves into production. That means more editing, more refining, cover design, final proofs, and all the behind-the-scenes work that turns a manuscript into a polished novel. Once it’s released, there’s still a three-month window before release. I love this stage—it’s where marketing planning lives, and as a former marketing manager, that’s one of my favorite parts of the process.

By the time release day arrives, I’ve seen the book through countless versions, but it never loses its magic. Each novel carries a piece of me—a twist of history, a spark of imagination, a world I’m eager to share. And when I finally get to place that story in your hands, it feels like the journey was always worth it.

Thank you for walking these paths with me, book after book.

 

Which of your books would you recommend for readers to choose first if they’re new to you and your books?

If you’re new to my books, I always recommend starting at the beginning. Of everything I’ve published so far, the best entry point is Stone of Love, Book One in the Stones of Iona Series. I’ve written each book to stand on its own, but reading them in order gives you a much richer, more immersive experience of the entire series arc and the growing megaverse behind it.

Stone of Love is also special to me because it was the first full-length novel I ever wrote—my book baby. It introduces readers to Colin and Brielle’s story, the magic of Iona, and the origin point of the Stones of Iona world. Everything that follows—the Fae, the dragons, the curses, the soul-bonding rituals—begins right there.

So if you’re looking for the perfect starting place, Stone of Love is where the journey truly begins.

We are very curious about your writing process.  What is a typical writing day like for you?

My writing days are a 9–5 kind. I settle into my little study nook every morning, coffee and/or water in hand, and treat writing like the full-time career it is. My nook used to be an unused wet bar in our game room, but after a 2021 vacation inspired me, we transformed it into my own tiny creative corner. It’s open to the rest of the house, but it’s mine, and that balance of coziness and connection works perfectly for me.

I usually start my day by answering emails, checking in on marketing tasks, and clearing out whatever digital clutter might distract me later. Once that’s done, I dive into a task. Some days are drafting days, others are editing days, and some are dedicated entirely to marketing or admin. But no matter the task, I work steadily through the day, taking breaks, staying hydrated, and letting the story unfold in its own rhythm. If I hit a snag, I step away and do something mundane—laundry, unloading the dishwasher, taking a short walk. That always clears my mind and helps the story loosen up again.

By late afternoon, I wrap up, reread what I’ve written, make notes for tomorrow’s pages, and close out with a sense of order and direction. Every book takes shape one steady day at a time, and that predictable rhythm keeps my creative world spinning.

What trope have you not written yet but want to?

A trope I haven’t written yet—but would love to tackle—is a full Regency-style ‘marriage of convenience.’ I’ve never had two characters bound together for practical or societal reasons—inheritance, duty, reputation—only to discover that the real complication isn’t the arrangement at all, but the feelings that grow afterward.

I love the elegance and tension of that trope: the polite distance, the awkward new domestic life, the stolen glances, the slow shift from obligation to affection, and the moment they both realize the marriage they entered for convenience has become the one thing they desperately want.

Set against the rules and restrictions of a Regency-inspired world, with maybe my Fae or magical elements woven in, it would be a delicious blend of propriety, tension, and temptation. One day, I would love to write that story, maybe sooner than later 😊

How do you approach character development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or methods that you find particularly effective?

Character development is one of my favorite parts of writing, and I approach it very intentionally. Every major character begins with five anchors: their goal, their motivation, their conflict, their flaw, and their stakes. Once I know those, the entire emotional arc opens up.

Their goal gives the story direction—what they want.
Their motivation reveals the heart—why they want it.
Their conflict defines what stands in their way—externally or internally.
Their flaw adds depth—what holds them back from succeeding.
And their stakes shape the tension—what they stand to lose if they fail.

From there, I layer in backstory, emotional wounds, personal quirks, and the spiritual or magical element that connects them to the greater Stones of Iona megaverse. I’m a heavy plotter, so all of this gets woven into my outline long before I ever start drafting. Sometimes the outline for a single character spans pages of notes and bullet points.

But the most effective technique for me is letting characters surprise me. Even with a meticulously planned outline, I leave space for them to grow naturally on the page. They reveal truths about themselves through dialogue, conflict, and the choices they make under pressure. And because my stories blend romance, history, and Fae magic, those choices often carry emotional, cultural, and supernatural consequences.

By the time I’m done drafting, the characters feel fully realized—not just players in a plot, but people with desires, fears, contradictions, and growth arcs that feel authentic. That combination of structure and discovery is what brings them to life.

What do you believe sets your writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers choose to read your books?

What sets my writing apart is the way I blend romance, history, and Celtic-inspired mythology into one interconnected megaverse. Each book stands alone, but together they create a richer world filled with Fae, dragons, ancient stones, and generational storylines that reward readers who follow the journey from the beginning.

I write deeply emotional romances grounded in strong character arcs—each built around clear goals, motivations, flaws, and stakes. My worlds are immersive, my magic has meaning, and my characters face impossible odds with heart, grit, and a little supernatural chaos.

If readers are looking for romance with depth, sweeping history, and a touch of enchantment woven into every page, my books are crafted to sweep them away.

 

Can you discuss any upcoming projects or books that you’re currently working on? What can readers expect from your future works?

Yes—I’m incredibly excited about what comes next. With the Stones of Iona Series reaching its epic conclusion in the final book, Stone of Destiny, releasing February 9, 2026, I’m now turning my full creative focus to my next world: The Dragons of Tantallon.

This new series follows three dragon-shifting brothers and their offspring—born of a forbidden love between a Fae and a human—who were cursed by their ruthless father, Balor, the exiled king of the Formoire. Each brother has spent centuries battling a legacy of darkness while longing for freedom, love, and redemption. Their fates are bound to an ancient soul-mate ritual: succeed, and they break the curse; fail, and they become sealed in Fae crystal for eternity.

Readers can expect sweeping romance, powerful magic, political tension within the Fae courts, and the kind of deep emotional arcs that defined the Stones of Iona series—now with dragons, ancient rituals, and even higher stakes. The series blends action, sensuality, Celtic lore, brotherhood, redemption, and the slow-burning soul-bonding I love to write.

Although Dragons of Tantallon is a new series, it still connects to the larger megaverse, and readers of the Stones of Iona will recognize threads that deepen the world even further.

In short: expect magic, passion, danger, dragons, Fae intrigue, impossible choices, and love stories powerful enough to break curses. The next chapter of this world is just beginning.

 

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.”

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