Rhonda,

Glad to hear you finished. Obviously, you must have liked it if you plan to read the next one--Dragonfly in Amber. Personally, I think there's no better hero than Jamie. I love the fact that he seems to always know exactly what to say to handle any situation, no matter how challenging and that he's so loyal and protective of Claire.  I also love his sense of humor. Don't be thrown off; DIA starts a little weird, but eventually picks up right where Outlander left off.

This is probably my favorite book of all time.  I measure all my books against this one, and nothing has impressed me as much.  There is no other character I have found like Jamie Fraser.  I love the words that come out of his mouth, funny, sweet or angry.  He is great at expressing every emotion like various forms of poetry. I have read all six of her books.  I have also listened to the first two in audio unabridged.  They are great to listen to beause she writes in the first person.  The first three are the best.

I agree with you all, her writing just puts you right in the middle of every predicament with them, I truly have never read anything like it :)

Ok maybe I won't take a break LOL

LOL  I read Outlander in one night! Course it was a Sat. night. Didnt sleep until the next day after church. I love this series. I am currently reading Drums of Autumn. I agree with Rhonda and Amy's opinions of Jamie. WOW! He is definitely hero material. Definitely intense reading. I love the way he talks. I have always had a fasination with Scotland, especially the language. Julie Garwood's The Bride was my first Scottish/English historical romance.

Then I lived in England for 3 years. Talk about awesome! Got to visit Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Could listen to them talk all day long! :) Went to a Scottish festival at a castle in England. It was a battle of the Scottish bands. Got to see all the different clans competing against each other. LOVE those kilts! Puts a whole new perspective on sexy! The whole day was surreal. We had a wonderful time and made qutie a few new friends that day.

Well, I better get back to reading! LOL

Pam

Diane, I agree with you! The Outlander books have ruined me.  Other books seem so flat and shallow after her writing.  I'm afraid to start the last one, though, because I know it will be a while for the next book to come out.  I read that she will finish the series in 1800, so I'm guessing one more book past Breath of Snow and Ashes.  Anyone know when that last book is due out?  The funny thing is, the Outlander book sat on my shelf for months before I finally read it.  The decription didn't really grab me, and the size of it scared me, but once I got into it...  holy cow!  Here's an embarassing confession: I actually dream about the characters!  The setting is usually Lallybroch or Fraser's Ridge, and I'm like a fly on the wall watching their lives.  <groan> I know, I'm pathetic!  :)

Lorien

Lorein,

I am glad to see I am not the only one who dreams about the characters!!  LOL

Amy,

I agree with you 100%.  Gabaldon has spoiled me for all other authors; I measure all others against her and no one quite measures up.  Now, if only she would write faster; I'm anxiously awaiting book 7.    My favorites were Outlander, Voyager, Fiery Cross and Breath of Snow and Ashes, in that order. 

The only authors I've found that even come close in character development and emotional intensity are Galen Foley and Robin Schone.  However, no one even comes close in setting the historical scene and immersing you in the atmosphere and culture of the time period.

I'm amazed that anyone could read Outlander in a day! Each book took me about a week of reading nearly every spare minute. 

The last I heard, the final book in the series is "Sons of Liberty" and is due out in a couple of years.  There will also be a prequel about Jamie's parents, Brian and Ellen Fraser; not sure when, thought.

Write faster, Diana, write faster! 

Well,  I went and ordered Outlander because of this thread.  Most of the people who have read it, rave about it.  I have to get to know this Jamie Fraser:)

Doris

Jamie Fraser is the hero you measure all other hero's by. sigh!  He is wonderful! In Outlander when he and Claire got married and he said "dinna worry, its the two of us now"  wow - how does she think of such romantic things to say!  And I have to say I cried at the end of Dragonfly in Amber - it was just too emotional and I didn't want it to end -even at 900+ pages!

Sherri 

There's also supposed to be a "prequel" about Jamie's parents. So maybe not completely over. I agree about Jamie being the hero against which I measure all other heros. No one quite compares. My favorite scene is when he takes her back to the standing stones in Outlander when he thinks she wants to go back to her time and he says later that he prayed all the way up that hill, not for her to stay because that wouldn't have been right, but for the strength not to fall on his knees and beg her to stay. It's so touching that he loves her so much he's willing to give her up because he thinks going back to her time is the only thing that will make her happy.

Jamie seems to always know exactly what to say in any situation, no matter how bad or tense. I also love his brogue and his dry sense of humor. Never found another hero that quite measures up.

I just received Outlander today! i Am So excited that I am putting my TBR pile on hold! I have to read this now!!!

Oh Claudia I agree!!!  That is just the most heart wrenching scene!

Sherri

Currently reading: Jane's Warlord by Angela Knight

I haven't found any other authors that can hold a candle to Gabaldon; however, if you like emotionally intense and steamy, Galen Foley and Robin Schone (the Lover/Garbriel's Woman) are good.   In fact, although I read Gabriels' Woman approx. 2 weeks ago, I woke up thinking about the climatic scene this morning and it still made me cry. 

I just finished Outlander last night! I don't even know what to say! It was the best book. I don't know about you, but haven't we all wished we could go back into one of our books to see what it would be like to live in that time? Diana Gabaldon has touched on every Historical Ramance lover's dream! This book was awesome! We get to see exactly what time travel would be like and as wonderful as it was we see that it we should be most definitely be careful what we wish for!!! LOL! I loved it and am looking forward to read the rest of the series!