Danita Minnis

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Margaret Izard will be awarding a Highlander’s Holly & Ivy swag box* ($100 value) to a randomly drawn winner *US Only*. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

*Inside the box: Kissletoe Holiday Crystal Ornament, signed copy of book, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy book bag, Insulated wine glass with Highlander’s Holly & Ivy logo, Dublin shot glass with etched Highlander’s Holly & Ivy logo, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy bookmark, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy recipe card, Wild Rose Press (publisher) 2026 calendar delivered in custom printed Margaret Izard Author Book Swag Box.

Margaret Izard Interview

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
I write romantasy because I love pure escapism—I’m a hopeless romantic who believes in love at first sight, destined fates, and true soul mates. Highlander’s Holly & Ivy grew from that same place. While exploring the turbulent era right after Culloden, I found a tiny wedding announcement in an old Scottish newspaper: a quiet note about a Highland solicitor marrying an ‘English rose.’ That single spark inspired Alex and Iris’s story.

At its heart, this book is about love in a time of upheaval—about the traditions we cling to, the ones we let go, and the new ones we build with the person who feels like home. The holly and the ivy became the perfect symbols for that kind of winter romance: evergreen, resilient, and rooted even in the harshest season.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?
I’m a middle child—the odd sheep of the family, as I like to say. I grew up in a house full of intense intellect, and I had to fight to survive in the best way possible: by letting my creativity shine. While everyone else excelled in logic and academics, I was the overly imaginative one, dreaming up worlds, stories, and characters long before I ever wrote them down.

Being the middleborn taught me to embrace my quirkiness, trust my instincts, and observe people closely—all of which show up in the creative, sometimes unexpected ways I tell my tales.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?
I used to write sitting in the main chair in our great room—which is basically Grand Central Station in our house. Needless to say, it didn’t go well. After being inspired by a perfectly cozy vacation rental, we converted the old wet bar in our game room into a little study-and-beverage nook. That became my office.

It’s still open to the rest of the home, but it’s my own corner of the world—and it’s where my entire romantasy universe lives.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
I’m actually very matter-of-fact about killing my darlings. Anything I do in a story—every act, death, birth, twist, or heartbreak—has a purpose. Nothing is random. Some deaths have been fully justified, others have been painful to write, but every single one feeds the larger arc of the world and the characters who live in it.

And as for what happens to the remains? Well… it depends on whether they’re Fae or mortal. In my universe, those two outcomes look very different.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
Diana Gabaldon – If you could go back to the moment before you wrote the first sentence of Outlander, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give your younger writing self—especially about building a world and characters that would captivate readers?

6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.
Well, I collect earrings—far too many, if you ask my jewelry box. I’m also a huge musical-theatre fan; if there’s a soundtrack, I’ve probably sung along to it. And when I’m not writing, I fall down endless rabbit holes of cooking videos because I genuinely love to cook. Those three quirks pretty much sum up my creative chaos.

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?
If I were stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company, I’d pack a massive notebook with plenty of pens—because if I’m stuck, I’m at least coming home with a new book. I’d also bring matches, because even a romantasy author needs fire to survive (and to set the mood). And of course, I’d pack chocolate. I’m practical… but not that practical.

8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?
If I could have one superpower, it would be healing. Imagine being able to take someone’s pain—physical or emotional—and ease it. To mend, soothe, restore. As a romantasy writer, I’m always drawn to characters who can heal others or help them transform, so having that ability in real life would feel like the most meaningful kind of magic.

9. Favorite snack?
My favorite snack is chocolate—always chocolate. I love that first moment when it softens on your tongue, the way it melts just enough to coat your mouth in sweetness before the richness settles in. It’s my little moment of bliss between chapters… and sometimes during them.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?
Indy 500? Oh, I’m absolutely the writer making a few dramatic left turns at Mach 50. I usually know where I’m going, but I’m definitely not driving the speed limit to get there.

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?

Read an Excerpt

Iris strode down the street beside her faithful maid, Laurel. “Miss, yer Gaelic is awful, and that accent.”

Iris clipped her reply. “What of my accent?”

Laurel groaned. “It’s English, very English. Ye’ll stand out like a sair thumb among all the Gaels.”

She wrapped the plaid, no arisaid tighter around her. “Sair, you mean sore?” She kept walking. “I am dressed like you. I can walk like you. I’ve un-styled my hair.”

Laurel barked a laugh. “Ye walk like royalty, and no matter how much Gaelic ye learn, ye still sound like the Queen of England.”

Iris stopped and turned to her maid. “I want to meet your people. Not because of the novelty.” Laurel rolled her eyes, making Iris smile. “Well, aye, the novelty, but I want to learn the culture, about yer people.”

Laurel’s eyes crinkled. “Ye really want this lass?” Iris nodded. Laurel took her arm in hers as they continued at a slower pace. “Then we need a plan, a canny one at that.” She breathed. “Ye’ll be my cousin. Ye wear the Comyn plaid, so ye’ll be a Comyn. Stay beside me, and for all that is holy, don’t speak. We’ll say ye have a throat injury, so ye can’t talk.”

Iris stopped. “But what if I have a question or something to say?”

Laurel pulled her along the lane. “Ye don’t have anything to say, and questions are for later. Just watch and listen. No talking.” They came up to the bridge—many had already gathered as the slaughterhouse’s smell blew their way. Iris held her wrap to her nose, wondering how they tolerated the stink.

A woman approached and took Laurel into a hug. “So glad I am to see ye today.” Laurel hugged her back. “Mabina, glad I am to be here.” She waved to Iris. “My cousin, who is mmmm…”

Iris’ eyes went wide. She didn’t want to use her real name and be found out before it was all over. She panicked and glanced around. The pub beside the bridge already had decorations for the holiday season, and holly and ivy graced the doorway.

She pointed to the ivy, and Laurel grinned. “Ivy. Ivy Comyn.” She leaned over, whispering to Mabina, “She doesn’t talk, an old injury from a redcoat who tried to have his way with her. Her throat don’t work no more.”

The woman tsked, “Sorry I am to hear it, Ivy.” Iris nodded as the plaid fell away from her head.

Mabina smiled. “Ye are a pretty thing, though.”

About the Author:

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.

Website: http://www.margaretizardauthor.com
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Buy Links: https://linktr.ee/mizardauthor