Jean Hart Stewart is the brilliant author today with her latest release Song of a Druid Princess. She has the patience of a saint. I drove Jean nuts when I lost her interview, but instead of cyber slapping me she was very gracious and re-sent it to me. I’m sure maybe she rolled her eyes, but she was very polite. Jean has a successful series of books out called Garland of Druids through Cerridwen Press. Next week’s interview is author and blog mate Kelly Kirch and her soon to be released book Time for Love.
Song of a Druid Princess - Book III of the series, Garland of Druids
The Blurb...
When Kate Dellafield is accepted as a student at the Conservatoire de Paris, she’s ecstatic to attend her first class as a student of the renowned Gabriel Jourdain. Gabriel is revered throughout France for his brilliance as a pianist and his wartime heroism. Handsome, commanding, charismatic, with a shock of hair attractively greyed by the war, he tries to drive Kate from his classroom with sarcasm. Kate refuses to leave, and Gabriel must then fight daily against his compelling attraction for the beautiful Druid.
Can Kate overcome his gifts and make him acknowledge their ever-growing love? When a student stalks her and kidnaps her, Can Gabriel find her before she is raped or mutilated.
Even when he finally admits his love, he claims they have no future together. Can Kate make him acknowledge the secret that is keeping them apart? Even when he seems to accede, she needs Druid power to save them both. Will he acknowledge his love and her Druid abilities in time for a happy ending for them both?
Will the lilting song in her heart convince him they belong together?
The Interview
1. How hard is it to write sex and make it convincing?
Writing sex scenes is always difficult. It’s fairly easy to describe the act in an objective manner, but then you only end up with one body part fitting another body part. The hard element is to get enough emotion into the scene that your reader can feel the passion motivating the couple, their responses that make you feel you’re in the bedroom with them and thrilling to their rapture. I read other writer’s scenes that I’ve admired to get me started, think a little,(or something a lot) while I try to put myself into the minds of my heroines and hero. By this time I know them well can picture their response as individuals I’ve grown close to. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes not.
2. Romance and the condom. How hard do you find to slip it in or on when the action is hot between characters?
Romance and the condom. I’ve never worried about that. My books are historicals and even as late as my last one (1933) condoms weren’t a big deal. Pregnancies were. Lots of suspense possible there. The hero might have compunctions about putting his partner at risk but the blazing attraction usually overrides his qualms.
3. Do you think romance just happens or do you make your characters work for it?
Definitely my characters work hard to deserve romance. They may feel the attraction pretty instantly, but sometimes fight it, sometimes don’t recognize it. They generally have a bumpy road to fulfillment.
4. What is it about your hero that makes him irresistible to women?
My heroes are all strong in some particular way. Generally physically, but that isn’t what counts. Book IV, (Kiss of a Druid Bard) is released Dec. 13th and Stephen must fight to protect his love in every possible manner, including calling on his Druid powers. In Druid Redeemed Book V (coming next March) Devon has decided he can’t ever live up to his perfect parents so doesn’t try. Only when he realizes he has to change to win Jocie’s love back does he become the man he was meant to be. Adam in Book VI (Druid Triumphant is strong and protective in a very sweet way. I just finished the first edits on Adam. Of course they’re all drop-dead gorgeous men. (I’m licking my lips here)
5. Do you think readers want to escape or do they want to identify with a character?
Readers want to both escape and identify. You can’t do one without the other.
6. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when writing romance?
The most important thing to remember when writing romance is you’re writing for real people and so your characters must be completely real to you. If they aren’t real to you they won’t be to anyone else. I spend several weeks before I start a new book sketching out the life and background of my hero and heroine, and the past events that made them what they are. I don’t refer to much of that at all, sometimes almost none, but I know them well before I put down a word.
7. What are you working on now?
I’m just starting book VII in the Druid series. Have my characters sketched out and firmly in my mind, and am doing research for the plot. It will tell the story of Jamie, the litte boy kidnapped and rescued in book one, Druid’s Daughter. He’s grown up now, thinks it’s time he married, but has been surrounded by strong Druid women all his life and doesn’t want to marry one. Not about to happen. Tentatively titled My Own Druid, but that will probably change. It’s going to be fun to write.
***Click on the cover and buy the book***
Last week brilliant author – It was me as I had a dizzy spell and forgot to have an interview scheduled – forehead slap
Anny has the latest in the blog saga on www.annycook.blogspot.com today as well as being Santa’s little helper. Not sure what Kelly will wax lyrical on though it’s bound to be fascinating so check out www.kkirch.blogspot.com and be amazed…or not. 
12 Days of Romance Contest
Do you want to win some fantastic holiday reading? If so come celebrate the Twelve days of Romance with 12 authors from Ellora's Cave, Wild Rose Press, Total-E-Bound and Cerridwen Press. Each day beginning December 8th and running through December 19th one of the twelve authors will tell what their "True love gave to them" on either their blog or website.
Collect all twelve answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with 12 days of Romance in the subject line to win some great books. There will be three lucky winners. The prizes –1st prize--6 books2nd prize--4 books3rd prize--2 booksAll books and prize winners will be drawn randomly
Anny Cook Winter Hearts
Sandra Cox Boji Stones
Bronwyn Green Ronan's Grail
Heather Hiestand Cards Never Lie
Barbara Huffert Deal of a Lifetime
Amarinda Jones Mad About Mirabelle
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Cindy Spencer Pape Cowboy's Christmas Bride
Brynn Paulin Fallen
Jacquéline Roth Access Denied
KZ Snow Mrs. Claws
Lacey Thorn Earth Moves
www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?
Showing posts with label Jean Hart Stewart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jean Hart Stewart. Show all posts
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
The Wednesday Interview
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Hello Emmeline...fancy meeting you again...
"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." -- Confucius Damn straight Confucius - AmarindaI decided to go back to the future with the blog serial…what do I mean? If you recall Grasshopper had the purple box coming to life in Louella’s hands on www.kkirch.blogspot.com yesterday. Now please read on and see what happens next…
“Holy crap where am I?” One minute Louella was in a generic motel room and now she was…where? In the middle of a forest?
“Who the hell are you?” Asked a tall, warrior-like female.
Louella stared at the woman in amazement “You’re…you’re Emmeline…from the television show.” What the? Louella looked at her with goggled eyed amazement.
“No I’m Emmeline from Gamma Seven.” She levelled her peeler at the suspicious looking woman. “And what is that in your hand?”
“I’m Louella Hawkins and this is a purple box.” She knew the box was special but she had not expected transportation into a fantasy world.
“I can bloody see it’s a purple box, blondie.”
That was such an Emmeline thing to say. “I can’t believe you’re real.”
“Are you on drugs?” That was all Emmeline needed. She already had to put up with the Bobbsey twins and the virgin assassin- and now there was some blonde with a purple box adding to her problems.
“No.” Louella looked around her. Where were Sam and Jonas? “Um, where are we?”
Emmeline flipped the switch on the peeler to stun. “Only a spy would act so dumb. You know exactly where.”
“Oz?” Was there a wizard?
“Who are you working for? Queen Zahara?”
Okay, who was she again? She thought back through the previous TV episodes.
Oh, the nympho queen. “No I’m by myself.”
“Then no one will miss you if you die.”
Oh frig! What to do? She thought rapidly. “If you kill me you will never know the truth about…er…” What could she say to save her arse?
“Holy crap where am I?” One minute Louella was in a generic motel room and now she was…where? In the middle of a forest?
“Who the hell are you?” Asked a tall, warrior-like female.
Louella stared at the woman in amazement “You’re…you’re Emmeline…from the television show.” What the? Louella looked at her with goggled eyed amazement.
“No I’m Emmeline from Gamma Seven.” She levelled her peeler at the suspicious looking woman. “And what is that in your hand?”
“I’m Louella Hawkins and this is a purple box.” She knew the box was special but she had not expected transportation into a fantasy world.
“I can bloody see it’s a purple box, blondie.”
That was such an Emmeline thing to say. “I can’t believe you’re real.”
“Are you on drugs?” That was all Emmeline needed. She already had to put up with the Bobbsey twins and the virgin assassin- and now there was some blonde with a purple box adding to her problems.
“No.” Louella looked around her. Where were Sam and Jonas? “Um, where are we?”
Emmeline flipped the switch on the peeler to stun. “Only a spy would act so dumb. You know exactly where.”
“Oz?” Was there a wizard?
“Who are you working for? Queen Zahara?”
Okay, who was she again? She thought back through the previous TV episodes.
Oh, the nympho queen. “No I’m by myself.”
“Then no one will miss you if you die.”
Oh frig! What to do? She thought rapidly. “If you kill me you will never know the truth about…er…” What could she say to save her arse?
Tomorrow Anny will up ante on www.annycook.blogspot.com as only the Zen queen can. And Molly? See I told you I would bring Queen Zahara back.
Mrs Giggles gave me a 75 out of 100 for The Goddess Within. I can’t remember exactly what that means in her ratings but it’s something like does not suck too badly. Thank you Mrs G. I was disappointed she did not spell the hero’s name correctly but then as we all know, no one is perfect. However I still want to interview you on the blog Mrs G – so drop me a line. I don’t bite…much.
Herbert Jones died. Who was he? Apparently he was a very old and wealthy man. How do I know this? Well I received an email today from a man with an unpronounceable African name in my amarinda_jones@yahoo.com.au inbox. It seems I am some long lost relative of Herb’s and the only beneficiary to his vast estate. Well, what do you know? Mr What’s-his-name was emailing me in great urgency to tell me of my good fortune and to ask for my bank account number and PIN number so he could transfer the vast sums of money. Well gee, as much as I would like to give those incredibly personal details. I do not have sucker written on my forehead. I did email back to advise I could provide my shoe size if that helped him any. No reply as yet. I filed the email under ‘b’ for bin. I then flicked through to read that I had been offered vast of quantities of Viagra at varying prices. One hundred tablets can start from $39.95 and go to $69.95. You learn something new every day. And no, I did not take up those offers either for it seemed all too hard…Next – Congratulations Amarinda Jones! You have won the UK Sweepstakes! How lucky am I am the moment? Both money and sex everywhere. I told my best friend Ethel. She said go with the money and decline the sex as it involved too much effort and who had the time? Words of wisdom there.
Herbert Jones died. Who was he? Apparently he was a very old and wealthy man. How do I know this? Well I received an email today from a man with an unpronounceable African name in my amarinda_jones@yahoo.com.au inbox. It seems I am some long lost relative of Herb’s and the only beneficiary to his vast estate. Well, what do you know? Mr What’s-his-name was emailing me in great urgency to tell me of my good fortune and to ask for my bank account number and PIN number so he could transfer the vast sums of money. Well gee, as much as I would like to give those incredibly personal details. I do not have sucker written on my forehead. I did email back to advise I could provide my shoe size if that helped him any. No reply as yet. I filed the email under ‘b’ for bin. I then flicked through to read that I had been offered vast of quantities of Viagra at varying prices. One hundred tablets can start from $39.95 and go to $69.95. You learn something new every day. And no, I did not take up those offers either for it seemed all too hard…Next – Congratulations Amarinda Jones! You have won the UK Sweepstakes! How lucky am I am the moment? Both money and sex everywhere. I told my best friend Ethel. She said go with the money and decline the sex as it involved too much effort and who had the time? Words of wisdom there.
Excerpt from Song of a Druid Princess - Book 3 in the Garland of Druids series -by Jean Hart Stewart out now through Cerridwen Press. It is a must read.
The next day Gabriel sought out Kate. He found her in the practice room. He stood in the shadows outside the door, listening as she played Brahms First Concerto. He’d give a part of his soul to accompany her on the soaring score. He’d never be a concert pianist again, but he’d find great pleasure playing with Kate. His hand might permit him, but not his conscience.
With a groan, he forced himself forward. Best to get his disagreeable errand completed. He must find the courage to alienate her. Just as he took his first step, she turned away from him and shrieked with seeming delight.
“Vivie! You’re back. Don’t ever, ever do that to me again.”
She evidently heard something he could not, as tears began to roll down her cheeks.
She listened, saying nothing herself, nodding her head at times. She finally buried her face in her hands. Gabe could no more stop himself than he could a surging wave.
He went to her, his hands outstretched.
“Princess! What’s wrong? Can I do anything to help you?”
Once again his stupid arms went around her, and she accepted his hard body pressing against hers.
“Oh, I’m so glad it’s you.” She lifted her face and her spontaneous smile lit his heart. “Everything’s wonderful. I was so startled I think I answered Kate aloud, as well as in my mind. You must think I’m insane.”
She threw her head back and her emerald eyes searched his own. Her long brown lashes were matted with tears, although he could see her face was shining with joy. Her beautiful face, surely one deserving to be painted by a master artist or sculpted by the foremost craftsman of the ages, smiled with joy.
He thumbed some tears off her cheeks with a tenderness he did not try to conceal. He’d break with her later.
“My dear girl, you’d better explain. I have no idea what you mean.”
Kate gave a shaky laugh, but made no attempt to move from his embrace. Suddenly realizing how his arms so sweetly enclosed her, he dropped them and stepped back. She fit against him as if she’d been made for just this one purpose.
She looked puzzled, but used her fingers to comb her auburn hair from her face.
“It’s hard to explain to a non-Druid, but Vivie and I talk a lot in our minds. She’s my twin and we’ve always done this. For the last few weeks Vivie has shut me out, for the first time in our lives. I felt so lost without her. I was overjoyed when I felt her mind opening to me just now I must have called out. Usually our communications are silent.”
Her adorable face looked so anxious and yet so delighted he could say nothing for a long moment. Truth was he didn’t know how to approach this ridiculous statement. She obviously believed in the nonsense she spouted.
“You’re telling me you were having a conversation with your twin and it took place in your minds?
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“And where is your twin right now?”
“At the clinic in London, of course.”
Her face started to shadow as she saw the pity in his face.
“You don’t believe me. Oh dear, I should have known. Wait. How can I explain. What’s today, August 19th, right?”
As Gabriel nodded his head she exclaimed. “I’ll ask Vivie if anything happened today in London which would soon be in the papers here.”
He watched, but although she closed her expressive eyes she made no motion of her lips. Very soon however, she opened her lids with a look of triumph.
”Vivie says our father just stopped by and told her Afghanistan was granted its independence today from the United Kingdom. Will newspaper confirmation convince you?”
With a groan, he forced himself forward. Best to get his disagreeable errand completed. He must find the courage to alienate her. Just as he took his first step, she turned away from him and shrieked with seeming delight.
“Vivie! You’re back. Don’t ever, ever do that to me again.”
She evidently heard something he could not, as tears began to roll down her cheeks.
She listened, saying nothing herself, nodding her head at times. She finally buried her face in her hands. Gabe could no more stop himself than he could a surging wave.
He went to her, his hands outstretched.
“Princess! What’s wrong? Can I do anything to help you?”
Once again his stupid arms went around her, and she accepted his hard body pressing against hers.
“Oh, I’m so glad it’s you.” She lifted her face and her spontaneous smile lit his heart. “Everything’s wonderful. I was so startled I think I answered Kate aloud, as well as in my mind. You must think I’m insane.”
She threw her head back and her emerald eyes searched his own. Her long brown lashes were matted with tears, although he could see her face was shining with joy. Her beautiful face, surely one deserving to be painted by a master artist or sculpted by the foremost craftsman of the ages, smiled with joy.
He thumbed some tears off her cheeks with a tenderness he did not try to conceal. He’d break with her later.
“My dear girl, you’d better explain. I have no idea what you mean.”
Kate gave a shaky laugh, but made no attempt to move from his embrace. Suddenly realizing how his arms so sweetly enclosed her, he dropped them and stepped back. She fit against him as if she’d been made for just this one purpose.
She looked puzzled, but used her fingers to comb her auburn hair from her face.
“It’s hard to explain to a non-Druid, but Vivie and I talk a lot in our minds. She’s my twin and we’ve always done this. For the last few weeks Vivie has shut me out, for the first time in our lives. I felt so lost without her. I was overjoyed when I felt her mind opening to me just now I must have called out. Usually our communications are silent.”
Her adorable face looked so anxious and yet so delighted he could say nothing for a long moment. Truth was he didn’t know how to approach this ridiculous statement. She obviously believed in the nonsense she spouted.
“You’re telling me you were having a conversation with your twin and it took place in your minds?
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“And where is your twin right now?”
“At the clinic in London, of course.”
Her face started to shadow as she saw the pity in his face.
“You don’t believe me. Oh dear, I should have known. Wait. How can I explain. What’s today, August 19th, right?”
As Gabriel nodded his head she exclaimed. “I’ll ask Vivie if anything happened today in London which would soon be in the papers here.”
He watched, but although she closed her expressive eyes she made no motion of her lips. Very soon however, she opened her lids with a look of triumph.
”Vivie says our father just stopped by and told her Afghanistan was granted its independence today from the United Kingdom. Will newspaper confirmation convince you?”
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
