Diana Gabaldon

Outlander — (1991-2009) Publisher: Claire Randall is leading a double life. She has a husband in one century, and a lover in another... In 1945, Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon — when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach — an "outlander"—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord... 1743. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire's destiny in soon inextricably intertwined with Clan MacKenzie and the forbidden Castle Leoch. She is catapulted without warning into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life... and shatter her heart. For here, James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a passion so fierce and a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Available in audio formats
Forthcoming: At least one more Outlander book

Outlander

It’s 1945 and the war has ended. Claire Randall and her husband Frank are taking a second honeymoon in the highlands of Scotland after eight years of separation. One day, while Frank is absorbed in his research of his family history, former nurse Claire takes a walk to a small ancient rock formation to gather some plants for her collection. Suddenly and mysteriously she is hurtled back through time to the year 1743.

Alone and confused, Claire stumbles across a band of Scottish Highlanders and lies her way into their good graces. Within the group is Jamie Fraser, a charming and handsome warrior whom Claire finds herself drawn to. But what of Frank back in her own time? How will she get back? Does she even want to?

It has been a painfully long time since I have read a book as good as Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. I admit that the synopsis is cheesy, laughable even. Girl goes back in time? Come on, give me a break. Outlander however, is anything but cheesy in nature.

It is so hard to describe how wonderful Outlander was. I had so many “moments” throughout the entire (very lengthy) book. There were moments of sheer terror, joy, excitement, sadness, and even… dare I write it in a review?... a few moments that really turned me on.

Gabaldon’s characters are so real. Her characters were so relatable and so wonderfully physical and emotionally deep that I sometimes had to remind myself that they were fictional. Claire is so torn emotionally that I can feel her pain and her torment as she tries to decide what to do with her predicament, and Jamie… it must be said: what a hunk! OMG. I have not been this into a romance novel since Plains of Passage came out several years ago.

But Outlander is not just a romance novel — it's adventure, fantasy, historical fiction, and so much more. (However, I should say that it’s most likely to appeal to women.)

But… oh my goodness ladies: I’ve been done with Outlander for quite some time now and even glancing at the book on my shelf makes me fan my face. It was that good. I can’t WAIT to get my grubby little hands on Dragonfly in Amber… If it has Jamie in it… whew! Can you see me fanning myself? I am.

Five stars is so not enough. —Julie Waineo