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It Started With “Happily Ever After”
Stone of Fear follows a woman working on a mosaic floor who is abducted by a fanatical priest who thinks she has the ability to produce magic and is taken back in time. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I introduce Marie and John in Book 1, Stone of Love. Since that storyline focuses on Bree and Colin, the reader doesn’t know what happens in the future while Colin and Bree travel to the eighteenth century. Marie and John are left in the future with nothing to do but spend time together. So they fell in love. Book 2 explores their story and John’s hereditary duty to find a magic Iona stone at the request of the Fae.
I enjoyed the romantic relationship between John and Marie and how it grew despite her being swept back in time. How did their relationship develop while you were writing it? Did you have an idea of where you wanted to take it, or was it organic?
I faced a challenge when I started drafting Stone of Fear, the second book I wrote. I had to start where book 1, Stone of Love ended, yet in my mind, Marie and John fell for each other during the first book while Bree and Colin traveled back in time, but I didn’t tell their story. It also became a writing challenge for me, as I had to progress in the storyline of the magic Iona stones and tell a tale seamlessly via flashbacks.
I start the book with “happily ever after,” which is after John has asked Marie to marry him. Naturally, in all tragic love stories, if I start at the end, I must tear the “happily ever after” apart so the reader experiences how the characters rebuild their relationship.
I show the character’s connections through flashbacks as the two love birds become separated by Marie’s kidnapping at the hands of a fanatical priest who thinks her talents as a historical religious building’s expert hold magic. Through John’s pursuit and Marie’s confinement, we see their love story develop via their history. From the first glance, the first touch, and yes, that first kiss, their love story is more than a kiss. It’s how they connect on a human level.
How did you balance magic and its use throughout the story to keep it believable?
I treat magic almost as if it were a character in itself. The magic occurs either at the hands of a Fae, the hands of a human, or by the will of the magic. Each magic act has a purpose. It shows something, acts upon something, or initiates something, moving the story forward. What makes it believable is the characters believe it. Even when the characters question it, the magic still proves to be a force existing within the human realm.
Can you tell us where the book goes and where we’ll see the characters in the next book?
Stone of Fear travels to Dunstaffnage Castle in the thirteenth century. Marie’s abductor forces her to search historic crosses for a magic Iona Stone as he believes the Book of Kells, he holds tells him where to look. After witnessing Marie’s abduction and travel through the Chapel portal, her love, John, follows, chasing her across the Scottish Western Isles in the thirteenth century.
What’s coming next, and where do they go?
Stones of Iona Series is a seven-book series with three Christmas companion books.
Coming next is…
Stone of Lust, book 3 in the series, will be released October 21st. This book features Colin’s sister, Ainslie, a special ed teacher obsessed with the Viking times who gets pulled back in time while trying to save her sister-in-law, Bree, from an abduction by her ex, which an evil Fae possesses. Landing in the twelfth century, Viking times, Ainslie enlists the help of her ancestor’s lead warrior, Rannick, to rescue her sister-in-law.
The first Christmas companion book, Thistle in the Mistletoe, will be released November 4th. It features a favored couple from the eighteenth century, Mary and Roderick, whom we met in Book 1, Stone of Love. The enemies-to-lovers holiday tale occurs before Colin and Bree travel back and tell Mary and Roderick’s courtship tale. While there’s no time travel, there is a little Fae magic.
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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?
Stone of Fear
In Stone of Fear, author Margaret Izard weaves a captivating narrative that intricately blends elements of fantasy, love, and historical intrigue. The protagonist, Marie, finds herself in the midst of refurbishing a mosaic floor in Dunstaffnage Castle when her life takes an unexpected turn. An enigmatic visitor, drawn to her work, reveals motives far beyond mere admiration. Marie’s ensuing abduction propels her away from the castle and from John Macarthur, the Captain of Dunstaffnage, who is entwined in a mission to protect the mystical Stones of Iona. The plot thickens as it becomes evident that these stones are precisely what her captor relentlessly seeks.
Izard skillfully deceives the reader initially, presenting a story that appears rooted in romance, as seen through tender moments like Marie leaning against John’s chest. Enriching the narrative, the author masterfully weaves in elements of fantasy, myths, and legends, evolving the tale into a more intricate and captivating adventure. This gradual infusion of fantastical elements deepens the plot and enriches the reader’s understanding of the characters’ backstories and the intertwining of their fates through adventure and a shared purpose. The novel’s dialogue is a particular highlight, with Izard’s use of dialect lending authenticity to the setting and depth to the characters. Phrases such as “how do ye get…” and “Aye…” transport the reader to the heart of the story’s locale. The occasional repetition of character reflections on the past serves to deepen the reader’s understanding of their journeys, adding to the story’s richness without diminishing its overall enjoyment.
Stone of Fear is a unique and engaging read, marked by its fusion of romance and fantasy within a historical context. Izard’s narrative is compelling, encouraging readers to delve deeper into the story. This book is highly recommended for those seeking a novel that combines heartfelt romance with the intrigue of fantasy.
A Turbulent History
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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Dusted in construction dirt, the curvy beauty in his study captivates Colin. As Brielle steps to the window, her brunette tresses halo in the sunlight, and he sees her as his dream soul mate. When he learns his hereditary duty is safeguarding magic Fae stones, all he wants is to protect Brielle from the evil forces of the Fae.
Traveling to the past to assume his forefather’s identity and find a missing magic stone is challenging enough. When Brielle appears, an undeniable attraction to his ancestor ignites, causing her confused passion. Faced with fighting an evil Fae to save the realms, Colin must choose between saving the stone or saving his love.
Stone of Love
Stone of Love by Margaret Izard is a captivating romance novel that seamlessly blends modern-day Scotland with its rich history and mythology. The story revolves around Brielle DeVolt, a dedicated scholar determined to restore an ancient Scottish chapel belonging to the MacDougal clan. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets Colin, the newly appointed Laird of the chapel, still grieving the tragic loss of his parents in a car accident. What follows is an intriguing tale of mystery, magic, and love.
One of the book’s standout features is its meticulous exploration of Scottish myths and legends, adding depth and authenticity to the magical elements of the plot. The supernatural aspects of the story are well-crafted and thoroughly thought out, highlighting the author’s dedication to creating a rich and believable magical world. The Scottish characters can have traditional traits, showcasing the author’s attention to detail. The American protagonist, Brielle, maintains a more neutral characterization, avoiding typical clichés but occasionally displaying a trace of the assertive American attitude when far from home.
The palpable tension and the gradual blossoming of affection between the main characters enrich the narrative, infusing it with an alluring dimension. While the romantic elements occasionally take the spotlight, this amplifies the story’s overall charm rather than detracts from the primary plot.
Stone of Love intertwines the allure of Scottish mythology with a stirring romance that transcends the ordinary. Margaret Izard invites readers into a world where ancient magic and modern love collide through the journey of Brielle DeVolt and the enigmatic Laird Colin. This novel is a mesmerizing dance of passion and mystery, making it a must-read for anyone who craves a love story with a touch of enchantment.
Pages: 309 | ASIN : B0CQPB6W46
LITERARY TITAN 