In Stone of Hope, a man trying to save his niece and nephew travels through time and meets a brilliant archaeologist who finds herself questioning his motives. I find the setup of the novel entertaining. How did this idea start and develop as you wrote?

Dominic DeVolt’s story first came to me while I was writing the first book in the series, Stone of Love. There, I hinted at how his relationship with his sister had grown distant. Imagining what would happen after he nearly abandoned her to cope alone with their mother’s cancer and death, I realized his story needed to be told. He wasn’t shallow as he may have seemed in Brielle’s memory—just deeply wounded.

By the time I wrote the third book, Stone of Lust, Dominic’s character and backstory were well-formed in my mind: a young man who channeled his grief into Air Force training, determined to become the best fighter in the force. Meanwhile, Brielle’s journey—taking her beloved artifacts discovered in Scotland on a museum tour—created the perfect chance to move the Iona stones’ magic beyond Scotland and into another world: Egypt in the 1930s, during the height of archaeological discovery. Adding Brielle’s children, who possess Fae powers, to Dominic’s time-hopping adventure was too tempting to pass up. This development naturally led into the next two books, each featuring one of Brielle’s children as an adult.

Blending elements from some of my favorite action-adventure films—The Mummy, Night at the Museum, Romancing the Stone, and Escape from Witch Mountain—I crafted this action-packed time-travel romance, weaving in my own vision of love during Egypt’s archaeological heyday.

What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?

I enjoy writing each character for different reasons. I wanted to include the twin niece and nephew as teenagers to add both realism and humor to Dominic’s and Moira’s struggles. It allowed me a chance to introduce them and vest them with readers.

Moira White was a delight to develop. She’s a woman with modern ideals who was raised by a beloved uncle, traveling all over Egypt on his quest for historical treasures. What young woman wouldn’t want that kind of life? She’s very much a woman ahead of her time.

Dominic, however, was more challenging. Striking the right balance between his deep emotions and the charismatic, adrenaline-junkie persona shaped by his military training was no small feat. He’s a great example of the ideal “book boyfriend”: a warrior with a soft heart, a hint of mystery, and just enough “bad boy” to keep things interesting. Finding those softer moments without losing his hard edge was a welcome challenge, and I believe I did his character justice.

What was the inspiration for the love story and the connection the characters have?

Opposites attract. Each unknowingly needs what the other offers. It’s through their journey together they find how they each bring balance to the other through their love.

Can fans look forward to a fifth installment in the Stones of Iona series? Where will it take readers?

Stone of Doubt, book 5, Stones of Iona will release March 17th, 2025. It is available for pre-order now. To view the trailer, visit YouTube. To read an excerpt of the next installment of the series visit: https://margaretizardauthor.com/stonesofiona/hope/

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