Stone of Love follows a woman and scholar who is determined to restore an ancient Scottish chapel but runs into some challenges with the unexpected addition of the Fae. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

In early research, I read about the Stone of Destiny, or the coronation stone, traveling through Scotland and stopping at Dunstaffnage Castle Oban, Scotland. Dunstaffnage Chapel in the Woods and the castle’s long, turbulent history laid the foundation of my series.

When I read about the Stone of Destiny and its rumored birthplace, Iona Island, I asked myself, what if the stone was magic? What if many stones were magic, and what would that mean? As I delved into research on Scotland, I found that many of its beliefs link to its folklore. These rich stories of worlds beyond ours became essential in capturing this country, its people, and its culture and bringing them to life.

Brielle and Colin are strong and unique characters that readers will relate to or want to know. Were the characters’ backstories something you always had, or did it develop as you were writing?

Their personas, quirks, wounds, and strengths I’d formed early on. Stone of Love was the first book I’d written. Writing both characters took time and patience, so they resonated in a way I wanted and needed them to tell their story.

While I structure all my characters from the start, they all take on an energy of their own and become alive on the page. Over time, while writing this series, I discovered that to have rich characters, a writer must write characters with multiple dimensions in mind. The first is what they say and do. Next, we dig into their psyche and how other characters or the world relate and react to the character. The latter took time to develop. Once I combined all those, I discovered I could engineer the reader’s reactions to each character or situation. For me, that’s the sweet spot in writing any story.

My favorite advice from an editor is, “Your plot is what your characters say and do. Your story is how your readers react.” This quote is my primary mindset while writing.

What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?

I read almost anything and everything I could get my hands on. The Historic Environment of Scotland proved to be a great source. I also spent much time reading local blog groups on their interpretations of the land, its history, and its cultural inspirations. Scots love to talk about their land and culture.

After drafting the first three books in the series, a trip to Scotland in June 2023 provided an inspiring view of Scotland and her people. I feel even more connected to the characters and their stories after visiting the locations featured in the series… Dunstaffnage Castle, Chapel in the Woods, Iona Isle and Abbey, and Dunollie Castle.

Can you tell us what the second book will be about and when it will be available for fans to purchase?

I am so excited to share that the second book in the series, Stone of Fear, Marie and John’s love story, will be released in the spring of 2024. A Christmas companion book, Thistle in the Mistletoe, will be released during the holidays of 2024, and Stone of Lust, Book 3 in the series, will be released later in 2024.

Stone of Fear

She’d give everything to keep his love. He’d chase her through time to save her soul.

Marie Murray, a spunky expert on spiritual buildings, jumps at the opportunity to renovate the chapel mosaic floor at Dunstaffnage Castle, where she falls hard for the dashing John MacArthur. From their first kiss, sparks fly.

Believing her religious renovation creates magic, a fanatical priest kidnaps Marie. Obsessed with obtaining a powerful magic Stone of Iona, he drags her to 15th-century Scotland.

With his love kidnapped, John must tackle his hereditary duty and locate a magic Fae stone while chasing his love across time. Her memories of their passion keep her sane. His, fuel his will to find her.

Will John get to Marie in time to save her soul?

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