Highlander's Holly and Ivy (Stones of Iona Series) Paranormal Romance by Margaret Izard Release Blitz with Guest Post & Giveaway

 

HIGHLANDER’S HOLLY & IVY

Margaret Izard

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GENRE:  Paranormal Romance

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BLURB:

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?

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EXCERPT

The man in the blue plaid from last week approached and took Laurel’s hand. “Laurel Comyn, I am happy to see ye this week.” His regard drifted to her. “And yer friend as well.” His eyes went to her arisaid, “A Comyn. She’s ye…?” 

Laurel shifted closer to him as she waved to Iris. “John MacArthur, my cousin Ivy Comyn.” 

Mabina spoke from beside her. “She’s mute, John. Lost her voice.” Iris nodded and moved her hand to her throat.

A voice deep and rich called out over the crowd. “Welcome all!” 

Everyone turned and perched on a box he stood—him, the man in the red plaid from last week. His deep black hair fell to his shoulders loose. As he raised his flask, his muscles undulated under the fabric of his shirt. Her focus traveled down, and today, he didn’t wear trews under his plaid. Bare knees exposed above his woolen socks and boots fit for working on a farm were on his feet. Her knees became weak, and she reached out to Laurel as she stumbled. 

Laurel took her hand. “First time ye seen bare knees, lassie? Does the same to me every time.” When Iris’ gaze returned to him, his eyes were on her. 

He nodded her way and called out. “To whisky and Scotland!” The crowd repeated his toast, and everyone broke out in conversation.

 

Laurel turned to speak to John, leaving Iris beside the crowd. Many mingled and spoke lively. Men offered others sips from their flasks as the women huddled together, gossiping about whatnot. Iris picked up a Gaelic word here and there. Taigh for house and bonnach for bannock. She enjoyed the rich brogue of the men’s voices and the rolling of the r’s in the women. Their outspoken banter brought a smile to her face. 

A gust of wind blew through the area, clearing the slaughterhouse stench but brought on a chill. Iris went to cover her head, and her arisaid fell on one side. 

“Here, lassie, allow me.” His rich baritone voice sent chills down her spine, and as she turned, she came face to face with—him. 

He’d caught her plaid and wrapped it around her body, tucking it into the folds so it stayed put in the breeze. “My ma taught me the simple fold to keep her plaid in place.” His hand lingered on the fabric near her face. “Comyn, ye are a Comyn, like my ma.”

She swallowed and shivered again, but not from the cold. The light blue of his eyes lit up the night as they followed hers. She glanced down again, unsure what to do without a voice to converse with.

When her face rose, his eyes crinkled. “Have I scared ye lass?” His hand dropped, and he blew his breath. “I didn’t mean to.” She stared at him, a highlander she craved to be near, her highlander. He cleared his throat. He’d asked her something. Iris shook her head, her hand going to her throat. She opened her mouth, and nothing came out but air, hoping to get her point across. 

Her Highlander’s eyebrows rose. “Ye can’t speak?” Iris shook her head.

His smile bent kind of sideways. “I am Alex, Alex MacDougall.” He took her hand in his and caressed it. “What shall I call ye then?” 

Iris’s focus went to the greenery décor, and he followed. “Holly?” She shook her head, her gaze never leaving his. 

He grinned. “Ivy then?”

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Guest Post:

Writing Romance After Culloden: Balancing Love with Scotland’s Darkest Era

When I began writing Highlander’s Holly & Ivy, I had no idea just how challenging the setting would become. By choosing the historical moment for Thistle in the Mistletoe, I unintentionally placed Mary and Roderick’s son, Alex MacDougall, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden—a period marked by grief, suppression, and the dismantling of Highland culture. That meant his Christmas romance couldn’t live in a peaceful, nostalgic winter. It had to grow in a world where traditions were outlawed, clans fractured, and everyday life seemed shadowed by political tension. Balancing that reality with the warmth of a holiday love story became the book’s guiding challenge. Alex carries the weight of this era—loyalty, loss, responsibility—and Iris Erskine enters as an “English rose” inspired by a real historical wedding notice I uncovered during my research. Their relationship allowed me to explore love that rises from conflict, connection that defies expectations, and hope that rebuilds where war stripped away old traditions. Writing romance in Scotland’s darkest era required a delicate touch, but it also made the emotional beats richer. The holidays—feasting, candlelight, holly, ivy—became symbols of resilience. Love became an act of courage. In the end, that contrast—light against shadow, love against loss—is what gave Highlander’s Holly & Ivy its heart. Sometimes the strongest warmth comes from the coldest season, and sometimes the hardest stories are the ones that matter most.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

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.

http://www.margaretizardauthor.com

https://linktr.ee/mizardauthor 

https://www.facebook.com/mizardauthor

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GIVEAWAY

Margaret Izard will be awarding a Highlander's Holly & Ivy swag box* ($100 value) to a randomly drawn winner *US Only*

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