Heartlines – notes from a romance author’s heart
The Joy of Giving
Another of my favorite parts of the holidays is the presents—and not just receiving them, but the thrill of shopping for the perfect gift. As the triplets have grown older, I’ve had to get more creative every year. The days of toy spreads under the tree may be behind us, but I still try to make sure there’s something fun waiting for my family each Christmas morning.
Our stockings have become a cherished tradition, filled each year with what I call “stocking staples”—useful items from my husband’s and my childhoods: underwear, socks, lip balm, electric toothbrushes, and other little necessities. But there’s always something unexpected, too. One year it was mini Nerf guns we immediately loaded and fired across the living room. Another year, it was miniature versions of our favorite toys. I never quite know what this year will bring, but I do know this—it will be fun, and full of laughter.
Behind the Story: Highlander’s Holly & Ivy
When I finished Thistle in the Mistletoe in the fall of 2023 for its Christmas 2024 release, I knew I wanted to tell the story of Mary and Roderick’s son—Alex MacDougall. At first, I struggled. I’d written myself into a corner by setting his parents’ story so close to the historical events surrounding Culloden. It meant Alex would come of age just after that devastating battle, one of the most turbulent and painful times in Scottish history.
How do you write a love story in the shadow of such loss? For a while, I wasn’t sure I could. Then, while reading through old Scottish newspapers, I stumbled across a small wedding announcement—a Scottish solicitor marrying an “English rose.” It was simple, almost unremarkable, yet it sparked something. That was the love story I’d been searching for—a romance shaped by conflict yet strong enough to survive it.
From that moment, Highlander’s Holly & Ivy began to take form. I wanted Alex and Iris’s love to reflect the world they lived in: divided by politics and heritage, tested by duty, but bound by something greater than either could control. Their love story unfolds against a backdrop of tension between England and Scotland, but through that struggle, they find the courage to choose love over loyalty.
Readers have noticed that balance—the blend of history, political turmoil, and heart—and it’s exactly what I hoped for. A romance rooted in realism but carried by faith, destiny, and passion.
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Gratitude and Good Cheer
As Christmas draws nearer, I’m reminded how joy so often comes from the smallest things—a good cup of coffee, twinkling lights, shared laughter, or a story that finds its reader at just the right time.
Thank you for continuing to support my writing and for making this journey such a joy. I hope your holiday season is filled with warmth, love, and moments that linger long after the gifts are opened.
With gratitude,
Margaret Izard
Award-Winning Author of the Stones of Iona Series
https://linktr.ee/mizardauthor
