All The Write Stuff: Stone of Love

Against all odds, is true love strong enough to save a human soul?

Stone of Love

Stones of Iona Book 1

by Margaret Izard

Genre: Paranormal Romance

After leaving her abusive ex, American scholar Brielle DeVolt embarks on a career-changing opportunity, the renovation of Laird Colin MacDougall’s Chapel ruin. The attractive, broad-shouldered Laird leaves her weak-kneed, but can she trust herself to love again?

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.

GUEST POST

The Inspiration for the Magic Stones
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 for my series, Stones of Iona.

When I read about the Stone of Destiny and its rumored birthplace, Iona Isle, 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 the people’s 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.

After drafting the first three books in the seven-book 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 locations featured in the series… Dunstaffnage Castle, Chapel in the Woods, Iona Isle, Iona Abbey, and Dunollie Castle.

Why should readers read this book?

Stone of Love, Book 1, Stones of Iona Series is a swoon-worthy time-travel romance set in Scotland and an “add it now” for anyone’s reading list. Outlander readers will clamor for more after reading this one!

Come discover how a simple magic Fae stone can save the realms as an American scholar starts a new life by renovating a Scottish chapel as a Fae’s prophecy sends her through time into the arms of the modern Scottish Laird, posing as his ancestor who must find a magic Fae stone to bring order to the realms.

Next in the series…. Stone of Fear, Book 2, Stones of Iona Series, coming summer 2024 and look for the Christmas companion book to the series, Thistle in the Mistletoe coming Holiday’s 2024.

EXCERPT

At the study, the door was ajar. A low fire glowed around the room. Good, someone already lit the fire. Brielle slipped into the dim room, crossed to the fireplace, and set the candle on the mantel. A flash of lightning illuminated the room, drawing her gaze to the shelves beside the fireplace. She perused the shelving, trying to find the perfect book. She realized the one she wanted was three shelves up, and she couldn’t reach that high. Climbing to her knees on the lower cabinet, she stood and reached to the shelving above. Her fingertips barely touched the book she wanted. She stretched a bit more, and just as she was about to reach the spine marked Love Poems and Sonnets, a crack of thunder startled her, and she fell backward off the bookcase.

Her cry was cut short when she hit something solid. A warm, muscular chest shifted along her back, and strong arms cradled her. Mortified, she kept her eyes shut. How much worse could it get? Then the chest shook with a chuckle.

The voice that belonged to it said, “Careful what ye seek, lassie. Ye might find something ye aren’t looking for.” In utter embarrassment, she kept her eyes shut. It was Colin. “Ye can open your eyes, Brielle.”

She turned her head farther into his chest. That was a mistake. He was shirtless and smelled too damn good.

**Releases March 4th!**

Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://a.co/d/2CUXe3M

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stone-of-love-margaret-izard/1144487487?ean=2940186205173

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/stone-of-love-stones-of-iona-book-1-by-margaret-izard

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203763201-stone-of-love

Book Trailer:

https://youtu.be/QHgcAluid1E

What’s Next?

We are so excited to share that the second book in the series, Stone of Fear, Marie, and John’s love story, will be released on June 12, 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 in 2024.

Check out the Book Trailer for Stone of Fear:

https://youtu.be/MoLBapvIFK4

About the Author

Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. 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 passion 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 and loves to hear from readers.

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