Welcome back to paranormal romance author Margaret Izard. Today we’re chatting about Book 6 of her Stones of Iona series, Stone of Faith.
Margaret has a Stone of Faith Book Swag box (a $100 value) giveaway as she does her virtual book tour. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!
If you’d like to read our interview about Book 5 in the series, visit here.
Bio:
Margaret Izard is a multi-award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college and 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.
Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Margaret. Please tell us about your newest release.
Stone of Faith is the sixth book in the Stones of Iona series. This story takes readers beneath the waves, where the powerful Stone of Faith has been lost to the sea. It follows Ewan MacDougall, a Highland warrior burdened by legacy, and Lorelei, a siren bound by dark magic, as they’re drawn together in a dangerous quest that blends pirates, mermaids, and Fae intrigue.
At its heart, Stone of Faith is about sacrifice, freedom, and believing in love even when the odds are impossible. It expands the world of the series into an underwater realm full of danger and enchantment, while continuing the MacDougall family saga that readers have been following since Stone of Love. Adventure, romance, and myth all collide in this story—and I can’t wait for readers to dive in.
What inspired you to write this book?
The inspiration for Stone of Faith really grew out of the ending of Stone of Lust. In that book, the Stone of Faith was discovered in the sea and then lost there again. From that moment, I knew this stone was water-bound and that its story would have to unfold in the ocean.
That realization opened the door to pirates, mermaids, and sirens—an irresistible combination for me as a writer. I wanted to explore the famed folklore of Lorelei and create my own vision of the merpeople’s realm, full of danger, enchantment, and beauty. Pairing that with Ewan MacDougall’s journey gave me the chance to tell a love story about sacrifice, freedom, and the kind of faith that carries us through the darkest storms.
In short, this book was inspired by the sea itself—the mystery it holds, the legends it carries, and the magic I wanted readers to experience beneath the waves.
Excerpt from Stone of Faith:
The cannons drowned out Low’s response as Ewan spied the woman again, standing on the bow alone—the same as she had every time he’d robbed Low. No one else seemed to see her, and the battle raged on without hitting her her once.
As the wind tossed her bright red hair, the mane spread around her head. That scent—fresh seaweed and sun-warmed air—washed over him, just as it did every time he saw her. Her cream-colored skin glowed. When their eyes connected, a blush rose on her cheeks. She possessed Fae eyes, a brilliant white-blue that shone on their own. A siren she was, a woman from his dreams. Someone, no one else saw but Ewan. She took his breath away each time, touching his soul and making his heart beat harder. Butterflies erupted in his belly.
He whispered, “Tha thu bòidheach.” You’re beautiful.
Doug shifted in front of him, breaking the spell. The sounds of the battle rushed back like a freight train.
His friend yelled, “Ewan, ye must shift us before the ship breaks up! We’ve taken the plunder and already freed the slaves. It’s time for Blackbeard’s ghost to disappear.”
Cannon fire broke apart pieces of his prized ship. Doug was right. It was past time to disappear.
Ewan gathered energy, concentrating on the Chapel in the Woods at Dunstaffnage Castle in the future. He thrust his hand out, opening the portal, and sent a ball of energy through. He called the ship, and all within forward in time.
The world swirled, and the ship tilted as Doug’s cheer rang in Ewan’s ears, drowning out all sound when the vessel flew through space and time, popping out of the chapel door and landing in the loch beyond Dunstaffnage Caste, rocking a bit from the force. He and Doug tumbled on the chapel floor, coming to rest, lying on their backs. The crew Ewan knew faded—spirits brought back to serve him who dissipated with his spell. Ewan lay there for a moment, allowing his body and mind to rest. Doug did too, their breaths echoing in the empty nave..
Boot steps sounded, and before Ewan could rise, his da’s angry face appeared over him, upside down. “About damn time ye returned! I’ve waited half a day for ye to get yer pirate ass home!”
His da strode away, calling out when he neared the chapel door, “Both ye sorry mongrels get yer asses into the study! And, Ewan, make that scraggly beard disappear!”
Ewan sat up, waving at his chin, the long hair fading as Doug stood. “Mr. Mac, it’s just a bit of fun, that’s all!”
Colin Roderick MacDougall stopped, straightened his back, and turned slowly.
His angry countenance was one Ewan rarely witnessed. “Just a bit of fun, Douglas MacArthur? Just a bit of fun?”
His da fisted his hands. “Yer pirate games have gone too far!” He slashed his hand to the side. “The study, now!” The last he bellowed, echoing beyond the chapel.
Ewan stood, knowing his da’s wrath did not easily rise to the surface. Even when disciplining his children, except when… “Wait, Da, what has happened?” He and his sister Evie had gotten away with so much as kids and on into adulthood. Most of the time, his da had grunted while applauding their Fae skills. But when a Fae Fable showed and a magic Iona stone needing hunting for the Fae…
His sire pointed a finger at him. “A Fae fable has appeared. That’s what’s happened!” He strode to Ewan and aimed the finger, hitting Ewan’s broad chest, jabbing when he yelled, “The Stone of Faith!”
Ewan blinked. The Stone of Faith fable had two stories they knew of—both including the Stone of Lust. The one in the Fae Fable Book from the Stone of Lust story told of a greedy man and an island sinking with his ma on the land representing the maiden and no ending. Then there was his Auntie Ainslie’s version told to her by his grandma—the story of a female Viking warrior, like Auntie Ainslie. As children, when Brigid the MacDougall Fae had him and his sister learn all the fables, the Faith stone didn’t have a tale of its own.
Ewan tilted his head. “Ainslie’s story or the other one of the island and treasure?”
His da folded his arms, then growled his answer. “The island of treasure.” He leaned forward till their noses nearly touched. “And the tale is not about yer ma. The fable’s one of its own, and the damn thing has an ending!” He turned and strode out of the chapel.
Ewan blinked. “The Stone of Faith has a fable?”
What’s the next writing project?
The Stones of Iona books are complete with the last one, Stone of Destiny in final production with a likely release early 2026. The second Christmas Companion book, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy releases December 1st. The last Christmas Companion book is complete, and I hope to see it out in 2026. My next series, Dragos of Tantallon, the first four of the books in that seven-book series are complete, and I just recently completed the draft of book 5. When will they come, hopefully in 2026.
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
The biggest challenge with Stone of Faith was balancing scope. On one hand, I wanted to expand the series into an entirely new realm—the ocean depths, with pirates, mermaids, and the water-bound Stone of Faith—while still keeping the heart of the story focused on Ewan and Lorelei’s romance. It was important to me that the world-building felt vivid and layered without overwhelming the emotional core.
Another challenge was weaving in the existing threads of the Stones of Iona series. By book six, readers have followed the MacDougalls through multiple adventures, so I had to ensure continuity while still making the book accessible as a standalone. Finding that balance—between myth and heart, action and intimacy, continuity and freshness—was a delicate dance, but also what made writing this book so rewarding.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
Research is such a big part of my process because my books blend real history, myth, and fantasy. I do a lot of groundwork up front—studying Scottish history, castles, clans, folklore, and geography—so I have a solid foundation before I ever start writing. That gives me the authenticity I want readers to feel when they step into the world of the Stones of Iona.
That said, I also research as I go. If I’m writing a scene with pirates at sea, I’ll pause to check sailing terms or ship details. If a Gaelic phrase or old legend comes up, I’ll dig in to make sure it rings true. And finally, when the draft is complete, I go back through to fill any gaps and make sure the details support the story rather than slow it down.
So, in short, my research happens in layers: before writing for the big picture, during writing for the moment-to-moment details, and after for polish and accuracy. It keeps the world rich, immersive, and believable—even when magic is at the center.
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
I used to write in a chair in the great room right off the kitchen—which in our house is basically “grand central station.” With my adult triplets, my husband, and the pets constantly passing through, I learned pretty quickly that writing in the middle of all that chaos wasn’t going to cut it.
Then on vacation, I fell in love with this little cozy nook in our rental, and it sparked an idea. When we got back, we looked at our very 90s, very ugly wet bar in the game room and thought, why not? We flipped it into a study-slash-beverage nook. It’s still technically open to the rest of the house, but being tucked away makes all the difference. It’s my little corner of quiet—and my favorite place to disappear into a story.
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
I read pretty widely, both inside and outside my genre, because I love seeing how different authors build worlds and characters. Within romance and fantasy, I enjoy authors like Karen Marie Moning and fellow Wild Rose Press author, Mary Morgan, who blend history, magic, and passion in ways that inspire me. I also admire Rebecca Yarros for the intensity of her characters and relationships.
Outside of romance and fantasy, I love diving into historical fiction and even contemporary women’s fiction—authors like Diana Gabaldon and Nora Roberts have been long-time favorites, while others surprise me with fresh perspectives that spark my imagination in unexpected ways. I think reading across genres helps me bring more depth, variety, and texture into my own stories.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
Always check my socials for any upcoming parties, events or appearances. Connect with me here -> https://linktr.ee/mizardauthor
Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!
Thank you for having me again!
Links:
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Inside the Stone of Doubt Book Swag Box:
Teardrop Lab Sapphire Necklace
Signed copy of the book.
Large Stone of Doubt book bag
Small Stone of Doubt book bag
Insulated wine glass with Stone of Doubt logo
Dublin shot glass with etched Stone of Doubt logo
Stone of Doubt bookmark
Stone of Doubt recipe card
Wild Rose Press (publisher) 2025 calendar (While supplies last)
Thank you for having me again!
It’s always interesting to see where the author gets the idea for a book from. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for hosting.