Thursday Tales: Jean Hart Stewart's Fiery Pursuit

Mixing Paranormal with Historical

Thanks to my hosts for suggesting this great topic. Actually I haven’t thought much about how to mix the two before. I just did it. I’m becoming more of a pantser all the time.

I’ve published two long, straight historicals, both centered about the battle of Waterloo. These have nothing paranormal in them. Everything else I’ve written is tinged with paranormal. Since my heroes are druids, mages, or elves, it seemed obvious to give them paranormal abilities. It’s a natural mix, I think, and a mix already solidified by histories of these races.

I set the ground rules near the beginning of the book, so the reader always knows what to expect of the characters supernatural powers. And be able to believe in them. First of all, they must never use their powers for their own good, only the good of others. That’s a fine distinction. And they must never their powers unless it is necessary. Noble causes are demanded for their usage, not just frivolous ones. To keep to these restrictions means I’ve got to set up some situation where the hero’s paranormal abilities are critically necessary and call forth a certain heroism on his part.

In older times paranormal abilities were taken for granted; indeed were expected. I was raised on the tales of Merlin, a true mage or wise man, and King Arthur. From the very beginning they are paranormal tales. King Arthur’s conception by a man not his father, but the one needed for Arthur’s exceptional abilities. Merlin’s raising of Arthur so that he could miraculously pull the sword from the stone. Druids lived in a time when paranormal abilities were taken for granted, so my stories of such talents made perfect sense to me. And of course elves have solid grounding for paranormal powers. Think of the elves in “Lord of the Ring”, a book that I’ve read again and again.

Here’s an excerpt from my latest book, Fiery Pursuit, and the first book in my erotic series about elves.

“Lars quickly unwound his turban, his long hair flowing to his shoulders. With a shake of his head, he let his peaked ears show. There were slight gasps from the houris and Ibn Saud glared at them.

Both men puffed on their pipes, each knowing there was something to come, and reluctant to approach anything disharmonious.

Finally Lars put his pipe aside.

“I was at the auction today, Your Excellency. The slave you purchased is indeed a treasure. I would enjoy the privilege of seeing her again.”

Ibn Saud kept puffing, but his eyes narrowed.

“But you have already seen her, have you not? Surely you remember her beauty.”

“Her beauty is such a man could scarcely forget.”

Lars’ heart plummeted a little even as he tried to make his answer smooth and conciliatory. The Caliph’s stance made it plain his suspicions were roused. This would be tricky indeed.

Ibn Saud relaxed although it was plain he hadn’t decided what to do. Lars didn’t doubt the eventual outcome. The pressure Lars exerted on his will, plus his innate desire to show off his possessions, won the day.

He clapped his hands, and a slave scurried forward and touched his forehead to the ground before his master, listening as the Caliph told him to bring the new slave.

“If she is still in her bath tell Jahiz to make her presentable and bring her at once.”

He turned to Lars, his satisfaction and anticipation plain.

“She has been undergoing relaxing massages and herbal wraps. Her hair has been washed with the finest of perfumed soap. I ordered it not to be cut. She should now be ready to be presented to me. I had a glimpse of her as Jahiz brought her in, although she did not know this. Now we shall both see this beauty, shall we not, my friend?”

Lars merely nodded. Of course he needed to see the girl again, but the fact she was already being treated as a favorite could complicate matters. But of course Ibn Saud wanted her perfumed and ready for the coming night of deflowering her and breaking her to his licentious will. He waited for the Caliph to speak. Men revealed more than they meant when they spoke to fill a blank space.

Neither of them broke the silence until they heard the light jingling of bells coming near. The new slave appeared, escorted by a furious-looking Jahiz. Her head was raised defiantly, but she refused to meet anyone’s eyes, staring the wall behind the two men.

Ibn Saud broke into laughter. “My faithful Jahiz, I’ve never seen you so upset. Did this slight girl give you trouble then?”

Jahiz reddened, even as he salaamed his master. “It is only that you forbade me to beat her. She is most impertinent, my Caliph.”

Ibn Saud laughed even harder. “Then let me look at this wonder, Jahiz.”

He walked to the girl and put his hand under her chin, holding her so she was forced to meet his eyes. She abruptly shut them, as one of the houris in the room gasped.

The Caliph’s eyes darkened. “I will punish you in my own way, and soon, my impertinent slave. Now, turn slowly before me. I would see what I have purchased. Jahiz, hand me a whip.”

The girl whitened and dropped her eyes, while Lars held his breath. He would get nowhere unless she temporarily submitted, and he at once sent this message into her mind.

Be quiet, girl. I’m here to help you, but you must appear more tractable or you’ll be whipped until you won’t have the strength to walk when I take you away. Do what they tell you for now. I will not fail you.

Love living in California, even though I’m a transplant. Love writing and all it entails, crazy characters demanding to be let loose on the page, long hours of research, every bit of it. I raised two children and spent about twenty years in real estate before I summoned the courage to quit and do what I always wanted to do, WRITE! While he was alive my husband was my first-stop editor and biggest fan. Now that my children are accustomed to my writing sexy novels they’re equally supportive.

I’m currently finishing my 24th book, tentatively named Double Pursuit and I have four books coming out this year. My Mage series is finished and I’ve started a new series where the new hero has Elfin blood. He’s fun, as well as tall, lithe and gifted. I think I’m blessed as well as lucky. Do write me with any questions. I love to hear from readers!

You can find me at my website, www.jeanhartstewart.com, on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and blogging regularly for RomanceBooksRUs and Sweet N Sexy Divas. My publishers are Ellora’s Cave, Passion in Print, and MuseItUp. Or write me at jswriter@earthlink.net. I love to talk to my readers.

FIERY PURSUIT

By

Jean Hart Stewart

When Lars uses his Elfin power to rescue Sophie from a slave market in Constantinople he knows instantly she is meant to be his mate. But the murderer of Sophie’s father still pursues her, and Lars must all his strength to try to save her. And convince Sophie he is what she wants.

The villain who sold her into slavery reappears and Lars needs all his Elfin strength. When his power mysteriously weakens, can Lars get it back? And will it be enough to save them both?

Excerpt 

Stephen Mallory stood staring at his downed rivals, his face contorted with triumph. One on the floor in an ungainly sprawl of death, the other on the floor, her tantalizing breasts moving in shallow breaths. Not only had he managed to kill his most formidable academic rival, but he’d overcome and chloroformed the desirable daughter. The girl he’d lusted after for months. He’d never planned on Sophia hearing their argument, let alone come barging into the room to protect her father. She’d doubtless seen him plunge the dagger into his rival. Well, he’d planned to subdue her sooner or later, but hopefully after she was his wife.

Damn this added complication. Perhaps a forced marriage? His groin tightened at the thought of holding her down by any means necessary. It would a pleasure to conquer her any way he could.  But she was feisty and he wouldn’t want to mar her beauty. He’d probably need another man to still her while he took his delight in that gorgeous body. He leaned over, caressing the delightful curves, now totally at his pleasure. He took the cap and snood from her hair, and drew a deep breath as the most glorious blonde hair he’d ever seen spilled down around her shoulders.

Then his mind started functioning, slowing his groping hands.

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