Ellis Island

Author: Kate Kerrigan
ISBN: 978-0-06-207153-8
Publisher: HarperCollins
Purchase Link: Ellis Island: A Novel
Source: TLC Book Tours
Read the Tours Reviews

About the Book:
Sweethearts since childhood, Ellie Hogan and her husband, John, are content on their farm in Ireland—until John, a soldier for the Irish Republican Army, receives an injury that leaves him unable to work. Forced to take drastic measures in order to survive, Ellie does what so many Irish women in the 1920s have done and sails across a vast ocean to New York City to work as a maid for a wealthy socialite.

Once there, Ellie is introduced to a world of opulence and sophistication, tempted by the allure of grand parties and fine clothes, money and mansions . . . and by the attentions of a charming suitor who can give her everything. Yet her heart remains with her husband back home. And now she faces the most difficult choice she will ever have to make: a new life in a new country full of hope and promise, or return to a life of cruel poverty . . . and love.

Review:
I greatly enjoyed this novel!  I love historical fiction and this book was simply unique.  I haven't read a similar storyline to the one in this novel and it was quite fascinating to say the least.  I felt as if I was sitting with a wonderful old woman as she passed on her life story to me.  The story in retrospect is full of wisdom, full of love, full of hurt and with or without regret a story of survival and choices.  It's life in the raw.  I was left to ponder questions such as "Can money buy happiness?"  "What is life without love?" and "What would I choose?"

Ellis Island is beautifully written, enchanting and engaging.  Kerrigan draws the reader deep into the story, transforming your reading spot into a time traveling machine.  I felt like I was able to watch the story play out while being invisible to others.  It was a sort of "fly on the wall" feeling, without being an ugly, nasty fly that someone would want to get rid of, of course!  The characters were intriguing.  You could feel the passion and emotion of Ellie though the others were not explored as deeply.  I wanted to know more about the other characters and see their stories developed, but it didn't bother me much that this was not done.  The story, to me, felt like Ellie's story and not John's or his families or any of the people she meets and works for in America.  I would read more about them in a future novel however.  Kerrigan left herself plenty of characters to work with in a second book to the series if she chooses to use them.

What really struck me about this novel was the vast difference between Ellie's former lifestyle in Ireland and her new lifestyle in America.  In order to put myself in her shoes I had to think.  Could I go back to a life without a flushable toilet? Running water? Internet? Cell phone? A car?  Obviously, some of these are not mentioned in the book but the idea is the same.  Ellie had a new and transformed life and had to choose between it and her old life which included her love.  The simple things we take for granted were major changes for Ellie, enough of a change to make her choose between luxury and poverty and love or no love.

Overall, this fast paced and addictive novel hooked me from the start!  I was drawn to the story and torn between Ellie's choices.  In the end I was left thankful and satisfied.  I only know for sure that I could not give up a life without books like these.  I highly recommend this book to readers of all genres.  It would be great for your book club.  The title does have mild profanity that is placed strategically and in context.  While it doesn't bother me, it may bother others.  However, in my opinion, there is not nearly enough of it to ward you away from this wonderful book.  It can easily be overlooked if you prefer not to read it.

Kate Kerrigan is the author of two previous novels in the United Kingdom. She lives in Ireland with her husband and their two sons.  Visit Kate’s website at www.katekerrigan.ie and follow her on Twitter: @katekerrigan.

 


Giveaway:  1 copy US/CAN only thanks to the publisher and TLC Book Tours. 

Leave a comment and tell me what you couldn't do without!  Make sure to tell me how you follow GFC or Subscribe.  Leave an email address in the spot provided for only me to see or in the comment which will be public.  I will notify the winner by email.  Contest ends August 5th at 11:59pm CST. 

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4.5 out of 5

How Huge the Night

Authors: Heather Munn & Lydia Munn
ISBN: 978-0-8254-3310-8
Publisher: Kregal Publications
Purchase link: How Huge the Night: A Novel
Source: Litfuse Blog Tour

Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.

Nina Krenkel left her country to obey her father's dying command: Take your brother and leave Austria. Burn your papers. Tell no one you are Jews. Alone and on the run, she arrives in Tanieux, France, dangerously ill and in despair.

Thrown together by the chaos of war, Julien begins to feel the terrible weight of the looming conflict and Nina fights to survive. As France falls to the Nazis, Julien struggles with doing what is right, even if it is not enough-and wonders whether or not he really can save Nina from almost certain death.

Based on the true story of the town of Le Chambon-the only French town honored by Israel for rescuing Jews from the Holocaust-How Huge the Night is a compelling, coming-of-age drama that will keep teens turning the pages as it teaches them about a fascinating period of history and inspires them to think more deeply about their everyday choices.

Review:

How huge the night was a wonderful, young adult, historical fiction novel. I was impressed with how well written the novel is for having two authors, since collaborating as an author can be difficult. The story is not a light read. It chronicles the coming-of-age period in Julien’s life while also telling the story of Nina and her little brother Gustav who are on the run from the Nazis because they are Jews. The stories are told side by side, flipping back and forth between the two, until they meet and merge. From the synopsis on the copy I was provided with for this tour, which is not the same as the synopsis above, I expected that Nina and Julie would meet much earlier in the novel than they did. I also expected their stories to be more of one story than two. This was not the case for a majority of the novel. The stories are very separate for the most part.

Though the story has a slow and thoughtful pace to it, I still enjoyed it. I loved the point of view in this story. Not many historical are written about the children affected by war, though those who survived have grown up with plenty of stories to pass on, fears to overcome and memories of life lessons learned at far too innocent an age. I was also drawn to the setting of this novel. When I think of WWII I don’t immediately thing of Southern France, thought the war did have its place in France. I enjoyed reading a WWII novel that stepped outside the boundaries of Germany. I also enjoyed learning a few new things from the historical facts in this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel despite its slow start. The story compels you to keep reading to find out what happens next with the characters. I found the events and circumstances that lead to the choices and actions made by Nina and Julien to be interesting and well written. The story of their lives and how they intertwine amidst a harsh environment and unfortunate reality was eye opening to read. I think the authors did a good job working together and telling this story, which is based on actual events though it is fiction. While it is not your beach read for this summer, it is a thoughtful and compelling story of faith that is tested and tried, friendship, family, loss and turmoil in the midst of war. This story leaves you with plenty to think about and be thankful for.

About the Munn's:
Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in southern France where her parents were missionaries like their parents before them. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and now lives in a Christian intentional community in rural Illinois, where she and her husband, Paul, host free spiritual retreats for the poor, especially those transitioning out of homelessness or addiction. When not writing or hosting, she works on the communal farm.

Lydia Munn, daughter of missionary parents, grew up in Brazil. She received a BA in literature from Wheaton College, and an MA in Bible from Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions. With her husband, Jim, she has worked in church planting and Bible teaching since 1983, notably in St. Etienne, near the small town in the central mountains of France which forms the background of How Huge the Night. The Munns now live in Grenoble, France.

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Desperate Desires

Author: Terri Wolffe
ASIN: B004MME1HA
WEBSITE: http://www.terriwolffe.com/
Source: Pump Up Your Book Promotions
Purchase Link: Desperate Desires (A Sweet and Spicy Novella)

Synopsis:
The cunningly audacious Lady Lucinda Davenport is by no means a conventional woman. Smart and fiercely determined, she’s more comfortable adding numbers than she’ll ever be socializing with highfalutin members of the ton. When desperate straits force her into action to save her home and lands, she finds herself faced with only one option. Summoning every ounce of her courage, she sets in motion a wild and raunchy scheme that would set the ton on fire if they ever caught wind of her actions.

Lucien Brandford, fourth Duke of Carlsborough, is a dangerous man. Wealthy beyond imagination and handsome to a fault, the Duke is sought after by nearly every woman of the ton. Single, widowed, or married, ladies vie for his attention with cutthroat precision. But the Duke has no tolerance for the machinations of his title and fortune-hungry peers. He seeks his pleasure from women who require no commitment.

That attitude ensnares the Duke in Lady Lucinda’s plan. Caught unawares, Lucien finds himself at the mercy of a bold and luscious woman whom he cannot decide if he wants to strangle or bed.

The sensual dance that follows between captor and captive as they engage in a volatile battle for control, culminates in a seismic eruption—both psychological and sensual. As tempers flare and sparks fly, an intense and erotic interlude of passion ensues.

The temperamental lovers soon discover what all the world knows: that in order to possess the love of a lifetime, they must submit to one another to conquer their own Desperate Desires.

Review

I loved the story that leads up to the erotic parts of this novel! That being said, I really wished this title would have been longer. I would have loved to explore a little more of the story and read less erotic but still spicy scenes! The author has amazing talent and the storyline is so refreshing and unique! I was hooked from the beginning.

The spicy scenes in this book were done well also, though I felt the historical language was slightly lost in these scenes as some of the terminology had a more contemporary feel to it. The characters are obviously attracted to each other and are extremely likable. Each character within the story is unique and lovable, bringing a certain flare to the story that would have been missed if they were not part of it.

The novella was extremely easy to read. I flew through it! It definitely kept my interest. The author has a wonderful writing style and is extremely talented. For those who don’t have an e-reader, I’m sorry; I could only find this book available in e-book format. Overall, it was a satisfying read but left me wanting more. I wanted to read more of the story before it starts and find out what happens next! It has definite series potential. If you love romance this one is worth the read.

**If you don’t like to read anything erotic, this one is considered “spicy erotica” and runs a line between romance and erotica. **

3.5 out of 5

Yesterday's Tomorrow

Author: Catherine West
ISBN 9781602902787
Publisher: Oak Tara
Source: Author for review on A Cozy Reader’s Corner Reviews
Purchase Link: Yesterday's Tomorrow
Reviewed by Malissa Weimer for A Cozy Reader’s Corner Reviews


About the Book:
She's after the story that might get her the Pulitzer. He's determined to keep his secrets to himself. Vietnam, 1967. Independent, career-driven journalist Kristin Taylor wants two things: to honor her father's memory by becoming an award-winning overseas correspondent and to keep tabs on her only brother, Teddy, who signed up for the war against their mother's wishes. Brilliant photographer Luke Maddox, silent and brooding, exudes mystery. Kristin is convinced he's hiding something. Willing to risk it all for what they believe in, Kristin and Luke engage in their own tumultuous battle until, in an unexpected twist, they're forced to work together. Ambushed by love, they must decide whether or not to set aside their own private agendas for the hope of tomorrow that has captured their hearts. 

Review:
I enjoyed reading Catherine West's story of Kristin Taylor, a young journalist trying to make her mark covering the Vietnam War in the book entitled Yesterday's Tomorrow. Determined to honor her father's legacy, after he was killed covering the same war years earlier, as well as keep an eye on her brother who’s is stationed in Vietnam, she heads into the country alone.

Once she arrives in Vietnam, she meets Luke Maddox. He is a photographer also covering the war. Luke is struggling with his past and Kristin is convinced he has a secret. The relationship between the two of them is very complex, yet it's easy to sympathize with both of them.

The author's Christian views are present in the story but don't overwhelm it. Kristin's struggle with her faith is very relatable after the death of her father and the surroundings in Vietnam. Luke's strong beliefs are somewhat enviable after all that he has been through.

I found the portrayal of Vietnam War pretty accurate based on what I've read and seen in movies. My stepfather is a Vietnam vet, so I was exposed to quite a bit of material growing up. I like that she touched on the homecoming the soldiers received when they returned from the war. She also covers the emotional toll it took on those who fought the war as well as witnessed the war first hand.

Overall, I found Yesterday's Tomorrow to be a very enjoyable book. I give it four stars. It moved smoothly from start to finish. I never got lost or had to go back to re-read a section. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a love story without the sexual content in most romantic novels.
------------
Malissa is a contributing reviewer for A Cozy Reader's Corner Reviews.

Winter Garden

Kristin Hannah ISBN: 978-0-312-66315-5
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Source: Authors on the Web
Purchase Link: Winter Garden

Synopsis:
Can a woman ever really know herself if she doesn’t know her mother?


Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time—and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya’s life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother’s life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.

Review:
Winter Garden is a novel full of love, loss and renewal. Meredith and Nina have never known their mother to be warm and loving and have certainly never felt her approval. When their father dies, the girls are hopelessly lost. Slowly, they get to know their mother because of a promise to their dad. The more they being to uncover her deeply tragic past the more they understand her and in turn themselves. Here’s a breakdown of this novel.

Storyline: There are multiple storylines running in this novel. The first involves the Winston family as a whole and guides the reader through Meredith and Nina’s childhood memories, their father’s death and the aftermath of his death. The second is told in the form of a fairy tale. The fairy tale is told by Anya, the mom, as a way to tell Meredith and Nina about her past. The third and fourth stories follow both Meredith and Nina in their personal lives as they struggle to discover who they are, what they want and ultimately try to understand their mother. Ms. Hannah does a wonderful job of keeping these stories separate yet entwined together to make one masterful story.

Characters: The characters in this novel were not all together loveable. It definitely took time for me to warm up to them. Each of the women is cold and selfish in their own ways. Meredith drove me crazy. Despite this, the characters are well developed and are who they need to be for the story. This kept me reading but also kept me at bay, feeling no strong connection to each of them.

Interest level: Overall this story kept my interest steadily though parts of it were slow and repetitive in regards to the characters thoughts and feelings. Once Anya’s story begins to be revealed the book is hard to put down. Ms. Hannah even throws an incredible surprise twist into the end of the story, one I did not foresee. It is a haunting story from the beginning to the end. Emotions can be felt on all levels making this book quite the journey to read.

Pace: The story starts off slow yet steady. It doesn’t really pick up until Anya’s story begins. For a while I wondered when the core story of this novel would begin. While parts of this novel were slow, for the most part the pace was steady though not fast by any means.

Writing Style: I enjoyed the writing style of this novel for the most part. The part that threw me off and didn’t feel quite right was when Anya started to tell her story. It started off in the same font and type and then would change after an introductory period of the story and then changes to italics and a separate section as I thought it should have been from the start.

Overall: This was a charming and emotionally harrowing story. It brings a lot of questions to the mind of the reader and would be great for book clubs. I enjoyed the novel and love the cover art! I would recommend it. There are also some wonderful recopies included in the back of the novel. The recipes are seen throughout the story and will make you hungry! I will definitely be trying them.  For those of you who care about half stars, I have to confess I had a hard time deciding between 3.5 and 4 pillows on this one.  I went with 4 because it is not a 3!  I didn't want anyone to round down, the novel doesn't deserve that.

Reviews: 10 Tips to Surviving the Scrutiny

by Ellie Newmark, Author of The Sandalwood Tree

Purchase The Sandalwood Tree: A Novel

**Guest post is part of Ms. Newmarks blog tour with Pump Up Your Book Promotions**

Reviews: 10 Tips to Surviving the Scrutiny

1. Be prepared for people who just don't like your book. They don’t like the setting, the characters, the story, nothing. Zip. Nada. They won’t have a reason; they’ll just say they didn’t like it. Then there will be some who have a reason, and someone else with a different reason and a bunch more with other reasons. If they all have different reasons you can ignore them; if they all have the same reason, it would be worth your having a second look at what they’re saying. Then there are reasons that don’t even have anything to do with your book. The reviewer was in a bad mood; she just had a fight with her husband; her teenager is driving her to the brink; the car broke down, again; the mortgage payment will be late... And then there are all those people who are just plain nuts or just looking for something to criticize.


2. Be prepared for people who don't like your characters. We want our readers to like our characters so that they will care about what happens to them, but one person's darling is another person's pain in the ass. Luciano, the main character of the Chef's Apprentice was generally considered a sympathetic character. A Dickensian urchin trying to stay alive on the mean streets of Renaissance Venice. He catches a break from the chef and we all want to see him make the most of it, right? Wrong. One reviewer said quite plainly, "I didn't like Luciano." She didn't give any reason; she didn't have to. It's the chance you take when you let a total stranger read your book and give them permission to let the world know what they think. No one asks how this person is qualified to review books. The Internet has created a place for is a self-appointed reviewers and we are at their mercy.

3. Be prepared for people who don't like you. Some people have trouble separating the author from the work. Everything that comes out of my characters' mouths is assumed to be a reflection of my own belief system. If that were the case, I would simply write an autobiography, but it's not. It's a novel. I make these characters up. I make up the story as well as the things the characters do and what they believe and how they behave. But there will always be those who insist on finding autobiographical material where there is none.

4. Be prepared for people who will go out of their way to set you straight on some historical detail that the copy editor missed. Apparently, there are people out there who read historical novels just looking for mistakes. I can feel the excitement in their e-mails as they deliver the news that a Chinese doctor would not wear his hair in the way I describe at that period in history. It is particularly unpleasant when the tone they take is contempt for having uncovered such an important detail. To them I say, get a life.

5. Be prepared for people who will ask you why you have written a book AT them. Why, they ask, did I decide to mess with their most strongly held beliefs. Why am I questioning their values? Why, they ask, can't I write a book that confirms and validates what they already believe? Six thousands religions in the world, and they want to know why I am not in perfect lockstep with theirs. I'm not kidding. Be prepared for people who really think this is a reason for a bad book review.

6. Be prepared for groupies, hangers on, people who want to know you personally and will try to establish some common ground. Am I Italian? Oh, what a coincidence! They are also Italian. Do I like to cook? They do too! I prefer being a traveler to being a tourist? Oh, of course, them too. I'm right-handed? I'm a mother and a grandmother? I’m a brunette. The similarities keep on coming. I've been married for 30 years? Them too! I mean, what are the odds?

7. Be prepared for extravagant praise from people for whom you have touched a nerve. They, too, think you wrote the book AT them, but in a good way. These people found a legitimate commonality and they want to push it into a personal relationship. They want to be girlfriends. As flattering as this is (in a sick way) it just isn't advisable to start making friends with fans. I have few friends scattered around the world and it took a lifetime to establish the rapport I have with them. Enjoying my book does not qualify for friendship.

8. Be prepared for people who simply missed the point but go ahead and write a review anyway. They don't even know they missed the point so they have no problem with writing a review.

9. Be prepared for people who don't even finish reading the book before they write the review. I have one on Amazon in which the reviewer actually admits to not having liked the book well enough to finish so she abandoned it halfway through, and then she wrote a book review. Is it just me, or is that just wrong on oh so many levels?

10. Be prepared to be nice and polite to people who don't deserve it. There are people who cross the line that separates a civil book review or email in which the rules of polite society are observed, and the hysterical emoticon with red, sweaty skin and bug eyes that rotate in separate directions. Be prepared to meet them both and yes, you have to be polite to them too, no matter how whacked they are.
 
Thanks for the tips Elle!  I'm sure many aspiring authors will appreciate your feedback.  I'd love to hear comments from this post!  What do you think?  Are these tips helpful?  Have you experienced any of these?  Reviewers, how does this enlighten you in regards to the authors end of the author/reviewer relationship?
 

A Dream Unfolding

Author: Karen Baney
ASIN: B004GNFT5I
ISBN: 978-1456512316
Publisher: Self Published
Source:Author for Review
Purchase Link: A Dream Unfolding (Prescott Pioneers #1)

About the Book
The promise of a new life and a chance to start over…

Hannah Anderson had the life she always wanted, married to the man of her dreams. When her husband’s brother gets in trouble with the law, the town turns against them, shattering her perfect life. Now they are left with only one choice—to head west to the Arizona Territory in the hopes of creating a new life. Will the journey be worth the cost?

Will Colter, after burying his father, is forced to leave the ranch he has called home for nearly thirty years. The journey is dangerous, challenging him and his men. Will he find the new life he was hoping for?

Or, is there a new dream quietly unfolding before their eyes?

Review
A Dream Unfolding is a delightful debut novel! I enjoyed this book immensely though I am not a fan of westerns, which this book reminded me of. This historical fiction takes place in 1800’s America, during the Civil War and Arizona’s statehood. While I was clearly aware of the plot set up from the very beginning, there were a few surprises, in terms of its execution, along the way. Here is the skinny on this title.

Setting – Perfect! The author does a wonderful job of being as historically accurate as possible when it comes to writing a historical fiction title. She even includes an author’s note at the end that clearly defines what details is fact, what's derived from fact or what's completely made up in the story. I appreciated this touch.

Characters – All the characters are well developed and throughout. It was easy to make them come alive in my imagination. I had a clear picture of them and their surroundings throughout the entire story. It was as if I was watching a movie in my mind. Just as with a family member or friend, these characters were lovable yet aggravating at times. I was happy they had friends in the novel that helped “enlighten” them when they needed it.

Pace - The novel has a steady pace that guides the reader. There is just enough action, story and plot to make it wonderful. I never felt the pace slack. It was very consistent.

Story – Though somewhat predictable in regards to its set up and direction, the story was very interesting and kept me captivated. I was aware of the “storyboard” with this title. It is very clear who the hero and heroine are once you are introduced to both sides of the story. From here it is obvious that certain events will take place in order to remove obstacles and bring the two together. There of course is a love triangle and all the other wonderful elements that go into a well written story. This was the only part of the book that I felt could use improvement. The author is very creative, well written, expressive and interesting. The only thing this book lacked was the ability for me to “forget” I am reading a book.

Audience – Though lovers of historical fiction, Christian fiction, romance and western related fiction will enjoy this title most, it is a book for any reader. The romance is extremely light and never goes beyond an Inspy heat level. The book has romantic elements but in my opinion barley qualifies as a romance, so don’t let that stop you from reading it!

Overall, I recommend this book! It really was a wonderful debut. It has a little of everything to offer the reader. I enjoyed the authors writing style immensely. She did a wonderful job switching between the two sides of the story and bringing them together as one. I’m thankful for the chance to read it and look forward to reading the second title in its series!

Outlander

Author: Diana Gabaldon
ISBN: 978-0385319959
Publisher: Delta
Source: Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis:
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.

Review:

The Outlander Series has been recommended to me on more than one occasion by different friends who all enjoy different genres. This seems to be the series the most readers seem to all agree on! When Outlander became available for me to review for this tour, I couldn't resist! I figured it was time to read it and now I wish I hadn't waited so long.....

Storyline/Plot: I enjoyed the storyline of this novel. It captures your attention and keeps it! Everything starts off normal enough as Claire is on her second honeymoon with her husband Frank. When she decides to go exploring and accidentally stumbles across a way to travel back in time the story takes an interesting turn. She ends up back in Scotland during the 1700s on the brink of a tumultuous historical time. Almost instantly she catches herself in a dangerous situation and is kidnapped by a group of Scottish men who think that she is an English spy. Within the group that takes her is a wounded man and Claire tends to him with her army nurse background. Soon she realizes that she is stuck in the past and basically being held prisoner. She uses her nursing skills to find a niche while all the while searching for a way to travel back to the future. Also, the wounded man that she tended to, Jamie Fraser, has been a presence in her new life and she can’t help but forming an attachment to him. Claire is torn between risking it all to escape back to her husband and life in the future and risking it all to stay behind with her new love and the new life she has become accustomed to.

Setting: Who doesn't love a novel set in Scotland? I don't think I ever tire of reading novels set in Scotland or England. Something about historical romance just screams "set me there"! I enjoyed the setting and couldn't imagine it being elsewhere.

Writing & Characters: Diana Gabaldon definitely did her research before writing this novel. Reading this book really taught me a lot about Scotland’s history and was so detailed and seemed incredibly realistic. The characters and the events are very detailed and all play an important role in the story either in the past, present, or (I've been told) her future novels. (This is the first book of the series to which many of the following books are already released) The time travel aspect to the novel is just one of the characteristics that had me wanting to read more. I also really liked how the author brought in Claire’s nursing background. Claire working as a “healer” back in the 18th century really put things in perspective. It also helps Claire cope with her situation in the past and allows her to keep her mind off of the future (or present) and her husband. It is also just interesting if you enjoy that sort of thing.

Overall: I loved everything about this book! The best part about this novel is the romance between the two main characters Claire and Jamie. This is one of the best love stories I have ever read. I myself have never been attracted to red-haired men in kilts…but after reading Outlander I have to say if I ended up back in the past with Jamie Fraser I think I’d choose to stay! There are steamy scenes to say the least, but it is also about the relationship they must form given their situation. They have to learn to trust each other and love each other. There are many barriers they must overcome and none of it is easy. I can’t wait to read the rest of the novels in the series!

Recommendation: Read this series! (In order... this series is one that is best to be read in order. The novel are all fairly long, though you won't feel like they are!) Start with Outlander and see why the many who have fallen in love with it are raving to their friends!

Giveaway: 1 copy of Outlander is available for US/CAN addresses only. Follow this blog, comment on this review and fill out the form below! 1 extra entry is available by spreading the news about this giveaway. Make sure to leave the link if you share the giveaway.

About the Author:

Diana Gabaldon is the author of the award-winning, #1 NYT-bestselling OUTLANDER novels, described by Salon magazine as “the smartest historical sci-fi adventure-romance story ever written by a science Ph.D. with a background in scripting “Scrooge McDuck” comics.”


The adventure began in 1991 with the classic OUTLANDER (“historical fiction with a Moebius twist”), has continued through six more New York Times-bestselling novels–DRAGONFLY IN AMBER, VOYAGER, DRUMS OF AUTUMN, THE FIERY CROSS, A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES, and AN ECHO IN THE BONE, with nineteen million copies in print worldwide

The series is published in 26 countries and 23 languages, and includes a nonfiction (well, relatively) companion volume, THE OUTLANDISH COMPANION, which provides details on the settings, background, characters, research, and writing of the novels. Gabaldon (it’s pronounced “GAA-bull-dohn”—rhymes with “stone”) has also written several books in a sub-series featuring Lord John Grey (a major minor character from the main series): LORD JOHN AND THE PRIVATE MATTER, LORD JOHN AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE BLADE, and LORD JOHN AND THE HAND OF DEVILS. Another Lord John book, LORD JOHN AND THE SCOTTISH PRISONER, will probably be published in 2011).

Returning to her comic-book roots, she has also written a graphic novel titled THE EXILE (set within the OUTLANDER universe and featuring the main characters from OUTLANDER), but told from the viewpoint of Jamie Fraser and his godfather, Murtagh. The graphic novel is illustrated by Hoang Nguyen, published by Del-Rey.

Gabaldon is presently working on the third Lord John novel (LORD JOHN AND THE SCOTTISH PRISONER), and the eighth book in the OUTLANDER series. In addition, she is working on a contemporary mystery series, set in Phoenix, and has written Highly Scholarly Introductions (with masses of footnotes) to recent Modern Library editions of Sir Walter Scott’s IVANHOE and Thomas Paine’s COMMON SENSE.

Dr. Gabaldon holds three degrees in science: Zoology, Marine Biology, and Quantitative Behavioral Ecology, (plus an honorary degree as Doctor of Humane Letters, which entitles her to be “Diana Gabaldon, Ph.D., D.H.L.” She supposes this is better than “Diana Gabaldon, Phd.X,”) and spent a dozen years as a university professor with an expertise in scientific computation before beginning to write fiction. She has written scientific articles and textbooks, worked as a contributing editor on the MacMillan ENCYCLOPEDIA OF COMPUTERS, founded the scientific-computation journal SCIENCE SOFTWARE QUARTERLY, and has written numerous comic-book scripts for Walt Disney. None of this has anything whatever to do with her novels, but there it is.

She and her husband, Douglas Watkins, have three adult children and live mostly in Scottsdale, Arizona.

You can visit Diana online at http://www.dianagabaldon.com/