Title Stone of Hope, Book 4, Stones of Iona Series
Author Margaret Izard
Genre Paranormal Romance
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Only through hope can one find true love.
In a twist of fate, he’s shown her beauty through the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.
She fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?
He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She’d do anything for his love.
Excerpt
“Why, look at what you have found, my dear. Another tomb in the Valley of Kings. Why does this make it your duex or trois?” His French accent grating.
Moira huffed. She knew what Pierre’s goal was, and she vowed not today. “Third. And the last one you will steal out from under me, from my family.”
Pierre shook his head, tsking, but still held the gun pointed at her face. “Oh, my dear. So sorry to hear of your uncle’s passing. Tragic circumstances lead to—accidents.”
Moira raised her hand to wipe the dust from her face.
Pierre grabbed it. “Ah, ah, ah, dear. No sudden movements. Wouldn't want an accident happening again.”
Perrie gripped her wrist and stepped closer as the gun went to her cheek. “Such a jolie thing. It would be such a waste.” He wrestled her arm behind her back, twisting it, forcing Moira to arch her back.
Taking advantage of the position, Pierre rubbed his chest against hers. “A single young woman like yourself, alone in the world.” He bent close as their breaths mingled. The onions he’d eaten soured her stomach.
Moira turned her head to the side, but Pierre used the gun barrel to force her to face him. “Join me, Moira. Let's be partners. I’ve always wanted you, even when your uncle was my partner. I always wanted the beautiful, young Moira.” He kissed her lips and stayed connected, trying to insert his tongue into her mouth.
Moira kept her mouth shut. When he lifted his lips, she spat in his face.
Pierre’s reaction came swiftly. He dropped her hand and slapped her hard. Moira kept her head turned from the force of the blow.
He flipped her around, shoving her into the wall, and pressed his body against her back. “Bitch, have it your way, then.”
Pierre glanced to his thug in the shaft, speaking in Arabic, “Tamin al-haffar, wajma amalha. lakchaf ho alaan ley.” Secure the dig and gather her workers. The find is now mine.
Moira, understanding, struggled against his hold. “No, the find is mine. I registered it with the historical foundation. I have a permit and all. It's legal. I'm twenty-one. You can’t take it from me.”
Pierre ground his hips into her. His rock-hard erection dug into her rear, making Moira almost throw up.
Laughing, Pierre replied, “Silly girl, I’ve already taken it. Sadly, you didn’t file the permit correctly. Tsk, tsk. I filed it when the authorities released it—for errors.” Pierre leaned against her, whispering in her ear, “You should have taken my offer, girl. Now you lose it all, just like you lost your family.”
Wind blew her face and Moira shivered as the memory faded. Standing at a new dig in Tanis, Egypt she took a fortifying breath. A day didn’t go by she wasn’t reminded of that dig, of what Peirre had done. If it weren’t for Nubi and his village, New Gourna nearby, she’d never made it out of the Valley of the Kings alive. They’d treated her like family allowing her to stay until Pierre and his thugs left the valley. With her find packed and cataloged for filing as his.
It wasn't until that day that she learned of his true intent all those years ago when her uncle trusted him as his partner. All the times they’d lived in tent cities. The old man, Pierre, lusted after her. She shuddered as she shook off another chill.
That was five years ago, the last time Pierre stole a dig from her. Over time, she’d had many other projects, minor compared to the Ramesses II son’s tomb. Finds that were her own, under her name. She sighed and brushed her wayward hair away from her tanned face. The deep auburn curls were always unruly with a mind of their own.
She never returned to the United States after her parents’ death. Uncle Ben had been a famous Egyptian archeologist and raised Moira on digs. Her uncle’s death had rocked her world, tipping it upside down. She was always suspicious of the circumstances of his death. With Uncle Ben’s death, she’d lost her last family and had to make her way at twenty-one.
Five years later and much wiser, she’d begun her next dig. One she hoped held the promise of a great find. Her eyes roamed the hills. Other archeologists who’d tried this area claimed it held no significance. But she felt differently. There were discrepancies in the tomb labeling. In her heart, she felt this would be the next significant archeological find.
She turned to Nubi and the men from his village she’d hired at trade rates, not slave rates like Pierre.
Taking a deep breath she gave the order for her next dig. “Nubi, I feel it. We may discover something spectacular.”
Giveaway -
Enter to win an epic bookish swag box celebrating the release of Stone of Hope by Margaret Izard. Inside the box is the following:
Eye of Ra/Ankh Cross gem necklace
Signed copy of the book.
Large Stone of Hope book bag
Small Stone of Hope book bag
Insulated wine glass with Stone of Hope logo
Dublin shot glass with etched Stone of Hope logo
Stone of Hope bookmark
Stone of Hope recipe card
The Wild Rose Press (publisher) 2025 calendar (While supplies last)
Open internationally
Runs January 3 - February 20
Winner will be drawn on February 21, 2025
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
Preorder your copy today!
RELEASE DAY PARTY!
On January 13th, I will host a Facebook Release Day Party 10am-3pm CST on my page and give away one of my Book Swag Boxes. The postings will stay open from Jan 13th – Jan 15th. I will announce the winner on Jan 16th!
Author Biography
Margaret Izard is a multi-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.
Readers can email me at: info@margaretizardauthor.com
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