Damien is a mage, inheriting from Merlin the potential for enchantment and wizardry. When he rescues Toria from drowning herself, Damien knows she claims a special place in his heart. He will need all his abilities to help Toria overcome her fear of being touched by any man after she was raped by her guardian. He hides her in a school for girls until she is of age, and then brings her to Tregaron, his home as Earl of Sinclair.
Toria’s lecherous guardian, Baron Heath, continues to stalk her. Damien must summon all his capabilities to protect her. As he tries to safeguard her life, the battle to conquer her fear of men looms ever more difficult. Damien refuses to influence her thinking with his extraordinary powers. Will he be able to triumph, save her from the wicked baron and finally claim Toria as his destiny?
Jean was born in Ohio but has lived most of her life in southern California. Her insatiable love of reading started at age seven, when her widowed mother accepted a teaching job. For many of her formative years Jean was housebound in the afternoons until her mother returned from work. She happily spent untold hours reading everything and anything. This joy of reading has influenced her whole life, and is still one of her chief pleasures. Writing is equally enjoyable, and now takes top place in her favorite activities.
Her journalism degree was used only infrequently until recently. Marriage, two children and two grandchildren took priority. After some twenty years of being a real estate broker and having her own firm, Jean returned to her always beloved writing. Through the years she and her husband have enjoyed collecting art and minerals. Her husband now is of great assistance as an enthusiastic editor and a valuable critic.
The Druid series, eight books in all, is now complete with the release of Druid in Flight. She's started a new series which will deal with mages. Merlin was a mage and the hero has inherited his powers. Damien's Destiny and Gareth's Gambit have been accepted and will be released soon. All ten of my published books are e-books, although the first two, Druid's Daughter and My Darling Druid, are now in print and can be purchased at Amazon under the title Druid Desires. Books three and four in the series, Song of a Druid Princess and Kiss of a Druid Bard, have just appeared in print any day now.
Recent awards include nomination for best book of 2008 from Love Romances Café, as well as best paranormal for Druid Triumphant. Nominated for three CAPA Awards in 2008.
Back list:
Druid's Daughter
My Darling Druid
Song of a Druid Princess
Kiss of a Druid Bard
Druid Redeemed
Druid Triumphant
Druid Disdained
Druid in Flight
An Interview with Jean Hart Stewart
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Jean, thank you so much for talking with us at TRS. Please tell us about your featured book, Damien's Destiny.
JHS: Love to talk about Damien's Destiny, since I was able to pull two of my favorite themes into this book. Giving back to the world whatever has been given to you, especially in the matter of gifts of character. And learning to trust completely in order to fully love another. This book is very much from the heart.
HH: Your hero is a nobleman and a powerful mage. Where did you get the idea for this incredible character?
JHS: I've long admired Merlin, and feel he's gotten little sympathy for the role he played in Arthur's life. He knew Arthur was predetermined for greatness and could help him achieve that. But he also knew Guinevere was fated to destroy everything Arthur had worked for, and had to stand by and watch it happen. I wanted a hero with Arthur's greatness of character but one able to correct his own flaws.
HH: He saves a young woman who's been through so much. Where did you get the idea for this touching tale filled with mystical power?
JHS: The idea for my heroine, a young girl raped by her guardian, has been in my mind for a long time. Can't tell you where it came from. Whenever I read about rape in the newspapers I always wonder how the victim recovers a normal outlook on life
HH: What do you like best about Damien?
JHS: This one is really hard. I totally LOVE Damien. I think I feel that way about many of my heroes, but Damien's patience and empathy are special.
HH: You also saw the recent release of Druid in Flight. What can you tell us about this story and your Druid series?
JHS: Druid in Flight is the eighth in my books on Druids. The Druid books are about a family where the protagonists are descended from an ancient Druid priestess. The series starts in 1898 and then takes up the children and their friends. How their mystical abilities impacts all these lives is a major part of the series, although there are plenty of crises, love scenes, and happy-ever-afters. Each book stands alone, as does each book in my Mage series.
HH: What are you working on at the moment?
JHS: I've just finished the fourth book in the Mage series. They are Damien's Destiny, Gareth's Gambit, Jennivere's Journey, and this one that's about to go off to my editor. It's tentatively named Twin Quest One, and I've got the first few pages of Twin Quest Two started. Love my mages!
HH: How much time do you devote to your writing career between writing, promotion, appearances...?
JHS: I generally do e-mail and promo in the mornings, and after some time with husband, shopping, meals etc, write anywhere from 3-bedtime. I don't have time for much social life, although try to keep up with my special friends. E-mail is invaluable there.
HH: What goals have you set for yourself at this point in your career?
JHS: Of course I want to finish the mage series. Books 6, 7, and 8 are still pretty hazy. I've also had a few requests for another Druid book, which is tempting.
HH: What do you enjoy reading?
JHS: When I'm doing research I concentrate on that.
Sometimes I have little time for reading, although I always keep a historical romance of some sort in progress. I'm a rapid reader so go through them pretty quickly. Fortunately we have a good library with a great second hand store attached, and I circulate books with my friends.
HH: What are you doing this summer?
JHS: Nothing special on for this summer. My husband has been ill but he's doing better. He's my first editor and is a very good one. We'll probably stick close to home. Not a bad place to be, since we live in southern California and I love it here. Good libraries and good intellectual friends, both ideal for book inspirations.
