Thursday, August 26, 2010

Cliffhangers

Why, yes, actually I _have_ (in and amongst everything else) been working on Book Eight. [g] I think I showed you a brief snip of the pickup to the Jem-in-the-tunnel cliffhanger last month; here's a likewise brief snip of the one between Jamie and Lord John:


Excerpt, Book Eight
Copyright 2010 Diana Gabaldon


He’d been quite resigned to dying. Had expected it from the moment that he’d blurted out, “I have had carnal knowledge of your wife.” The only question in his mind had been whether Fraser would shoot him, stab him, or eviscerate him with his bare hands.


To have the injured husband regard him calmly, and say merely, “Oh? Why?” was not merely unexpected, but…infamous. Absolutely infamous.


"Why?" John Grey repeated, incredulous. "Did you say 'Why'?"


"I did. And I should appreciate an answer."


Now that Grey had both eyes open, he could see that Fraser's outward calm was not quite so impervious as he'd first supposed. There was a pulse beating in Fraser’s temple, and he'd shifted his weight a little, like a man might do in the vicinity of a tavern brawl, not quite ready to commit violence, but readying himself to meet it. Perversely, Grey found this sight steadying.


"What do you bloody mean, 'why'?" he said, suddenly irritated. "And why aren't you fucking dead?"


"I often wonder that myself," Fraser replied politely. "I take it ye thought I was?"


"Yes, and so did your wife! Do you have the faintest idea what the knowledge of your death _did_ to her?"


The dark blue eyes narrowed just a trifle.


"Are ye implying that the news of my death deranged her to such an extent that she lost her reason and took ye to her bed by force? Because," he went on, neatly cutting off Grey's heated reply, "unless I've been seriously misled regarding your own nature, it would take substantial force to compel ye to any such action. Or am I wrong?"


The eyes stayed narrow. Grey stared back at them. Then he closed his eyes briefly and rubbed both hands hard over his face, like a man waking from nightmare. He dropped his hands and opened his eyes again.


"You are not misled," he said, through clenched teeth. "And you _are_ wrong."

96 comments:

  1. You're evil, Diana. Just plain, plain evil (g).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a tease!! ;) I love reading your excerpts, but I can't wait for the whole thing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow. Just wow. Absolutely cannot wait to read the rest!

    Is your Methadone list posted anywhere in its entirety?

    ReplyDelete
  4. OOOOHHHHH! I was so upset over the cliffhanger(s) at the end of the last book, but now that I've resigned myself to the wait I'm quite enjoying the suspense. I do love a good surprise and you never dissapoint.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is so not fair! I've been addicted to your books for 17 years and have have read them so many times that they are falling apart. I don't want to wait for the rest. (sigh) Thanks for the snippet to keep the appetite whetted.

    ReplyDelete
  6. thanks Diana! You just made my day :) I have been looking forward to this scene between Jamie and John since I finished Echo. Can't wait to read the rest!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's like having someone hand me *one* tiny bit of dark chocolate, when I want the entire bar.

    But it's better then no chocolate at all.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You are wicked, simply wicked. However, I will continue to torture myself by constantly logging onto this blog to for any nuggets you toss our way.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Amaaaaaaazing! Thank you, Diana, for sharing this with us! Must......have........more.......Jamie.....uggh! The waiting is torture! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Being true to the title of this post, right? Thanks anyway, because this scene is actually one I'm so so so looking forward to and any glimpse of it, is highly appreciated. Even though it's wicked to keep us hanging there. But we all know that you are Black Jack Randall after all :-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Diana,

    I hope you know how torturing it is for us all to be waiting. However, my-other-self argues that I need to wait because I know it will be worth every bit of it. (if that makes any sense.)

    Well, back to the excerpt; after reading this, I'm on the edge of my seat, thinking -- what does this mean? -- Why do I think that something BIG going to happen – Does LJG just about to reveal his (new found) feeling he has toward Claire -- to Jamie? Does LJG has a change of heart?

    ReplyDelete
  12. My day brightened substantially when I saw that you had posted an excerpt, following up on my favorite cliffhanger of Echo. Of course, you managed to tease me even more. Black Jack Randall, indeed. Still....I loved it, as I do any piece in which Jamie is involved. Thanks for giving me my daily Jamie fix. Can't wait to read more.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Am I the only one who can hear Jaime's blood boiling?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Black Jack...er...I mean... Diana,

    I'm convinced that Cliffhanger Excerpts are your revenge for the constant when-will-the-next-book-come-out?? questions!

    But I ask you...with Jemmy standing (possibly) on the precipice of time, his hair crackling with static electricity, and Jamie circling LJ like a wolf stalking his prey... how AM I going to get any work done today???

    Maybe we're all a bit sadistic...because we love it anyway!! Thanks for keeping us on the edge of our seats!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love it! I have been imagining my own scenarios, but I know they will not be as wonderful as what you give us!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wasn't expecting this, this morning. I like it! Dinna piss off the J-man! *g*

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear Felicity--

    ["I'm convinced that Cliffhanger Excerpts are your revenge for the constant when-will-the-next-book-come-out?? questions!"]

    That's _very_ perceptive of you! [g]

    (Mind, the end of ECHO was revenge on the people who all wrote to me in droves whining about how ABOSA was the end of the story and what were they supposed to read next? Look, guys, it's not over 'til I say it is! [g])

    --Diana

    ReplyDelete
  18. Patience is a virtue but virtue is very overrated!!!! Repeating: Diana is BJR and verra evil!!! Karen in PA

    ReplyDelete
  19. If you are going to continue to do stuff like this, you better step into high gear and get the doggone book done! I can't wait much longer!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dear Lizzie--

    Um. Figure you got a choice? [d&r]

    --Diana

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you! I love reading these, they get me even more excited for the book to come out. I am looking forward to the book and I will wait as long as it takes you to finish it because I know that you cannot rush creativity! Thank you again. I really enjoy reading your blog! Hope you have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wooo-hoooo! Bring it on, Diana!

    I don't know, though, what's going to be worse - Jamie finding out the details of what physically happened or of what mentally happened inside LJ's head. But he (J) owes the Big Guy one more life, right?

    Right?

    ReplyDelete
  23. OMG. I normally don't read the excerpts, and I will admit I didn't read the other one you put up. But I couldn't resist this one. This is the one I have been waiting for. My sister feels the exact same way and will also not read the excerpts, so I just left her a VM message reading this to her. I'm just evil like that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ahhh! I thought the excerpt might ease the anticipation of the next book a bit, but that just made it worse!!!!! I can't wait for the next book. Diana, you are fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  25. love it! i am totally looking forward to read that when its done! and to whoever said it...yes I can hear Jamies blood boil!! lol

    ReplyDelete
  26. Woo hoo!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

    Judie

    ReplyDelete
  27. I just finished "An Echo in the Bone" and I eagerly await ... to find the entire family on Frasier's ridge. Surely there's a place for William and John Gray.... Can't wait to "see" Ian and Rachel's children, and Briana and Roger in their own Ridge home with children. Diana! hurry. Love Sue

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi-I'm new to blogs...but I need to ask Diana if she could do us all a big favor-we need a geneology chart in one of her books-something that will trace characters, relatives, families etc.. how they crossed over other family lines and the future/past travellers. Is there such a thing out there that we can see or not at all??! thanks much!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dear anonymous--

    There's not _quite_ such a thing yet, but there will be, in the OUTLANDISH COMPANION, VOlume II.

    --Diana

    ReplyDelete
  30. You must be having such a good time writing this book.....and torturing your devoted readers! I know it will be worth waiting for. Thank you for dangling these little bits in front of us.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh my, I cannot wait for book 8. Thank you for these little teasers! I normally don't read them but with your books, I can't resist!

    ReplyDelete
  32. This was the cliffhanger that upset me the most! I had to go back to the beginning, to Outlander, to reassure myself that things would be all right. Jamie & Claire have endured and conquered many things but this was.....I don't even have words to describe it! Thanks for the excerpt! GinaD - St. Charles

    ReplyDelete
  33. Oh God! Such a tease!

    Now I think I understand how addiction works!
    Thanks so much for this excerpt Diana.
    I am looking forward to the next of your books, and all the rest. Make the 8th one in this series be the best, and take your time writing it...not too long though...I might be able to stop reading over and over your books, maybe for a bit...and find something new while waiting.
    Should I cure my Outlander addiction, or keep it vivid for the next 3 years?
    Happy writing Diana!
    Milly

    ReplyDelete
  34. How wonderful to read just a bit...I must have missed lasts months bit about Jem...will have to look for that. Thanks Diana. The addiction for more continues!

    ReplyDelete
  35. after reading the comments from Diana, I see so much of Diana in a number of characters.. but this time Claire that is comeing out.... :)
    thanks Diana, these little carrots you dangle keep me sane with my addiction, yet wanting MORE at the same time :)
    Cheers Jo-Anne ( Australia )

    ReplyDelete
  36. Ooooh I love it! You are a tease for sure, but I highly enjoy it. Can't wait for the upcoming book... and more upcoming teases I hope!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Dear Diana,
    this is my first time posting and I will try to say my opinion about triangle Jamie, Claire and Lord John. I love your books, and the end of Echo didn't disappointed me at all. I know that life sometimes could be much worst.
    I wasn't surprise that Claire slept with John....Jesus, there is War going on...and when on the top of it,she get the news that someone,who she love most is gone,I don't even dare to think, what that would to do to everybody! and if is someone there to hold her, even slept with her, I understand.
    and than ...Jamie is back...well...I hope he will not kill John and also will understand, but it is up to you:-)))
    If someone know how to claim the mountains, know also "cliffhanger", I realy like them. and I also will wait patiently for something you do best..another book. I apologize...English is my second language, maybe should be better.
    Take care and best whishes. Kyra

    ReplyDelete
  38. Dear Diana,

    The cruelest cut of all! ;) Jamie's resigned himself regarding LJ's affections toward HIS person, but how will he handle the knowledge that LJ apparently now has such feelings for his wife?

    Hee Hee.

    Wasn't really his fault about the shipwreck mix-up, but Jamie is going to pay for it a bit, isn't he?

    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  39. ARGGGH! I can't handle this! I am literally pulling hair out! Why do I let these books take me over! My heart is ripped and hemorrhaging for Jamie! I can't wait for you to finish, Diana! Thank you for letting us know you are working on it :) Enjoy September.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Diana,
    You know how to just wet enough of our appetite for Jaime & Clair. I can't wait until the next book comes out. However I do know that when the next book does come out, their is most likely only one more book after that. So take it slow. I can take the suspense as long as I know their is more to come.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hmmm- After reading the other posts, I find there is a very different mindset than what I had about Lord John's last comment. I didn't take it to mean that he now had overt feelings for Claire, but that it was the only way he could ever have a physical connection to Jaime again. I wonder which way it will end up...

    ReplyDelete
  42. For some unknown reason I woke up today just posessed by my Outlander series addiction, which grows worse every fall, and fall is now hinting in our Michigan air. Logged on to your site here (after a 6 month hiatus) and WHAM! Got slammed with SO much news (knee surgery complete with gross cyber-borg attachment, a new book in the making, a new Companion, green slime and UK Echo editions containing book 8 excerpt, a possible MUSICAL, possible TV MINI-SERIES, CD, and THIS delicious teaser!!!)!
    Diana, you_have_me_REELING!
    (and I concur with the post by Perduret, but wish he would have kept his thoughts to himself!)
    Have fun on your tour, good luck with your writing and THANK YOU for making me INSANE today!! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thank you so much for this little tease. I remember reading Echo and thinking OMG what is Jamie going to do, but I honestly think that so much has happened between Jamie and Claire for this to put a strain on their relatinoship. There was no malice in what happened between Claire and John, although I wish it didnt happen, but despair had taken over and that was their outlet. Jamie will not like it, but will understand. Thank you Diana for writing these books.I have never been so taken with a character as I am with Jamie. It is torture to know that book 8 wont come out for awhile, but this teasers certainly help out. I just hope that after book 8 there is no more cause I do not think I can handle waiting another 4 years lol. I think Jamie and Claire have been through it all.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Teasers are painful! I need to work on better will power and not read them. And the Annonymous: bite your tongue! Please do not hope for no more books. I'd be quite happy if this series never ended!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Maybe I’m in the minority, but the way I see it, Book 8 is like the last present under the Christmas Tree. You can’t wait to see what it is. You know it’ll be amazing, but part of you wants to wait, to leave it wrapped under the tree -- because once you open it, Christmas is over. You’ll have to wait a long time for the magic to happen again. I think the anticipation is part of the fun.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Felicity, Jessica, Anonymous, etc.--

    I don't personally _know_ if BOok Eight's the last book or not. I think it might be--but I thought that about ABOSA and ECHO, too. [g]

    However...you do also have THE EXILE (and possibly other graphic novels to come), plus a few "short pieces" (there's Roger's parents' story, "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows"--this is a short story, in the anthology SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH, which you'll get in mid-November _this year_!)here and there, and the Lord John novels--AND the OUTLANDER:The Musical CD, to keep you going!

    www.outlandermusical.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Delicious! That played out somewhat like I was expecting/hoping...much better than having Jamie hoist Lord John up by the lapels and bash heads! *G*

    Yes, M&M I can hear Jamie's blood boil and see the steam coming from his ears too. Hope his blood pressure can take it.

    Thank you Diana for the teasers, you are so generous to share what is going on in your devious mind...and if it is payback, then I will take it with thanks. Thanks also for allowing us to post anonymously...not that there is any secret to who I am, but I had trouble posting before.

    See you in October!
    VickiB

    ReplyDelete
  48. UGHH!!! That was awesome! I cant wait! I miss Jamie! :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. You think Book 8 might be the last?? You don't mean that, do you? Please no!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

    You're a wicked, wicked, woman, Ms. Gabaldon!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Thank you Diana...I needed this today! :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. Squueee! Simply can't wait for this book!
    Thank you for feeding my Jamie appetite just a bit Diana...when it comes to him, this sistah is always ravenous! :)

    ReplyDelete
  53. you are wicked!!! and I'm so glad, lol. How many times should I ask when the next book will be out to annoy you enough to post another excerpt?? ;)

    ReplyDelete
  54. O why, why do you have to tease me this way! Diana I thank you for my early Birthday present and wish I could have more, more I say!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Yes, it is wonderful to connect with Jamie and LJG and continue Echo, but am I the only one to have been sweetly fooled by a teaser in Echo? I remember reading a lol teaser about Jamie and Claire reconnecting in adjacent jail cells after she thought he was dead. Touching fingers through a hole in the plaster.. something about 'Why did you marry my best friend, Sassenach?' And William helping them escape. So I kept waiting, smugly thinking this scene has got to play out soon.. and then the master/mistress Gabaldon changed it on me... and a whole new scene appeared in Echo... I loved it! And what a hoot -- the joke was on me... so don't think this is the only possible scene in the fabulous Gabaldon brain! Keep 'em coming!

    ReplyDelete
  56. And in those few words I'm reminded what I love most about your writing: the characters.

    Thank you, you evil woman. :o)

    ReplyDelete
  57. Actually, this confirms what I've thought all along...LJ and Claire comforted one another, there was no change in orientation for LJ and Claire, if you remember, only comforted him in the second session in bed and he understood, she would not betray Jamie.
    Her deep grief combined with intoxication led to the first episode and it would never have been repeated IMHO.

    I hope Jamie is quite upset and overcomes his anger when he learns that they came together grieving his death. The 'why' really rankled me at the end of Echo, and this only rankled me further!!
    Loved it Diana, cliffhanger after cliffhanger...

    ReplyDelete
  58. I was the type of kid who never went looking for hidden Christmas presents when I was little, because I didn't want anything to spoil the wonderful magic of Christmas morning. But the pull of these excerpts is beyond anything I can resist... I simply MUST read them the second they hit! This was another wonderful "sneak peek," and I (along with everyone else) am alternately joyous and more tortured for it!
    Thank you so much for your interaction with your fans, Diana!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I miss Jamie and that teaser was torture.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Diana,
    Thanks for the teasers! I love reading them and trying to fit them into where I think the story may be heading. You must love Lord John to torture him so.
    I also enjoy reading about your travels...thanks for being so, um, prolific with your online writing. I am hoping to see you in Winston-Salem in September!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Diana,
    Are you a fan of John Mellencamp's music? If so, I know the perfect song to go with this and all the other snippets you are giving us: "Hurt So Good".
    Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Diana,

    It'll be amazing whenever you (and the characters) decide to end the story, and I am most definitly enjoying all the other amazing 'Outlandish' stuff you've given us in the mean time! (My CD is on its way!)

    Thanks for putting your heart so fully into this story that we love so much!

    ReplyDelete
  63. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Now we have to "wait and see"!
    Mean, mean, mean.

    Thank you for the excerpt :)

    ReplyDelete
  64. Thank you for the excerpt...Just like most who have commented here I cannot wait for the next book.
    I am so addicted that I check the blog everyday (along with a few other choice blogs). I love getting all the latest on the books. Keep up the good work! BTW my husband is a HUGE fan of yours also.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Thank you so much for writing such fantastic stories! I just finished Echo (after re-reading the entire series again), and of course am very sad that I must wait for book 8. Maybe it's a little odd, but my favorite part of Echo was when Roger opens Claire & Jamie's books. The description of the authors' prints made me cry, cry, cry! Again, thank you so much for my favorite series! I love recommending them to all my reader friends.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Dear Diana,
    I confess that as soon as i realised Jem's whereabouts in one of the very last chapters i totally skipped it and went on reading the others.
    It took quite some time to sum up my courage and find out what happened to him. He may be a brave wee lad like his father and grandfather but a wee lad nevertheless!
    I discovered your books three years ago, and was thrilled to know that the first two of them had been translated also in Greek. As soon as i was hooked and addicted to them, i had to read the rest of them in English, ordering them via Internet. That was till ABOSAA. I was so content to find out last fall that all big book stores in Athens- Greece had - at last- "Echo" available on shelves and ofcourse some of your previous books as well....
    Looking forward for number Eight !
    Cordially saluts !

    ReplyDelete
  67. I have just turned another friend into a fan. That makes quite a few so far. It's not my doing, however. The deed is yours. All I have to do is wax poetic and swoon. And then my husband starts in about how much he enjoys the series as well. Really, they never stand a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  68. "Absolutely infamous" - you couldn't have described it better! Jamie's calmly uttered "why" was the one cliffhanger that sent me right over the edge. Loved the teaser and wonder where your incredible imagination will take us in the next and hopefully not last book.

    ReplyDelete
  69. OK My husband of 47 years and I are coming to a crisis in our lives; for a long, long time, we've read at least one "Outlander" chapter aloud before we turn out the light to sleep. We're nearing the end of Echo and we're going to go into withdrawal and not be able to sleep at all until book 8. My husband did suggest that we start all over again....mmmmm...that's a thought. We've tried other books, but they're so deadly dull after yours; that won't do at all. Keep stoking your inner fires and sharing them with us. Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I'm trying to find the excerpt/cliffhanger that Daina wrote about Jem in the tunnel from book Eight-where is it? anyone...? Would love to read it! thx!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Diana I LOVE all of your books, but I do have one question about Echo that I found didn't quite sit well with me, and that was Claire sleeping with Lord John. Still processing that one...

    ReplyDelete
  72. What a way to start the work day - with this lovely torturous tidbit! I have my daily Outlander fix because I listen to your books while I knit - but this isn't going to be fixed by listening.....I think I am going to have to re-read Echo. Again!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Really Diana, you are a master of suspense!!
    Reading the comments here I see that everybody (or almost) are thinking of what Jamie will do or feel. He is a great caracter I love it, but I think that Claire an LJ are much more interesting, clever an intelligent.
    Each one of your characters has somthing special, but Claire and LJ are the best

    ReplyDelete
  74. Dear dp--

    Well, everyone has his or her favorites--and sometimes they change. [g] From my point of view...

    Well, there's a group of local fans who take me out to tea every spring, to pick my brains about what I'm up to. On one of these occasions, they got started on the character of Black Jack Randall: "Oh, he's so _loathsome_...he's disgusting! He makes my skin crawl..etc."

    And I sat there placidly sipping my Earl Grey and thinking, "You have no idea that you're _talking_ to Black Jack Randall, do you?"

    Bear that in mind, won't you? [g]

    ReplyDelete
  75. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Dear Diana,

    I wish I could physically see the workings of your ingenius mind.

    It's really weird, but sometimes after reading a book with a cliffhanger I tend to dream about it that night and my subconscious spits out a continuation. In my dreams I always wake up at the most pivotal point and once again I'm left without closure. This scene has been one of those frustrating dreams. I cannot wait until the Claire-Jamie-John dilemma is solved!

    You're da bomb Diana! I can't wait to see how book 8 plays out :)

    ReplyDelete
  77. Dear Diana,
    That's totally weird that you answer my comment with that precise quote. I've read that in the Outlandish Companion. I didn't read the whole book, (i'm waiting for the second one to have the whole story), but one day I did browse in a book store and I came about that particular quote, and I could picture you there, with your witt, sagacity and intelligence, looking at the people talking about BJR and hear your toughts so well!! I wont forget that ever!.
    What I admire most in your books is the deep knowlege that you have of the human soul and are not shy to express it on your writing.
    The story lines are very good an one cannot stop reading, but the little pearls are the ones that you trow there to be found
    And for that I tank you very much

    ReplyDelete
  78. :) That took me right back! Oh, Jamie!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Hello Diana,

    Brilliant and cruel. Does Jamie sock Lord John or not? Of course we'll have to wait until book...eight...sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  80. oh I love it!

    I think Jaime will handle it ok. There will likely be tension..but that is always there anyway. The connection between Claire and John isn't physical in the sense that they want to get it on. It is a connection to another human being, physical yes but not necessarily sexual, mental, emotional, maybe even a little spiritual. John is an honorable man, as is Jamie. He would protect and take care of Claire. He offered to do that for Jamie and for Claire and for himself. His connection to Jamie. The sex wasn't wanted or even desired. I can't wait to hear the conversation between Claire and Jamie. I also venture to guess that John will grieve a little. The intimacy (again not sexual) between him and Claire will be altered.

    ReplyDelete
  81. It brought me right back and now I can't wait for book 8!

    ReplyDelete
  82. After initially finding him a bit of a nuisance, I've become extremely fond of LJG, love his sense of humour and the way he articulates - have read all his novellas. Particularly admire the way all the characters keep evolving, especially young Ian. Would like to see you soften up Brianna and make her less self absorbed - even if just for Roger's sake as he always seems to get it in the neck. All my extended family and friends have now read the series and likewise cannot wait for book 8. Happy writing Diana, take your time, it's worth the wait......

    ReplyDelete
  83. K-i-l-l-i-n-g Me s-o-o-o slowly! God I love you but this is just mean. Oh, and thank-you.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Thanks for this little taste, Diana. It's interesting to have the tables turned on Jamie. After all, he married the dreaded Leghair, I mean Loaghaire, when he thought Claire was gone forever. It will be fun to see this play out.

    Looking forward to seeing you at the Decatur book festival today.

    Lady Grey

    ReplyDelete
  85. My heart is pooouuwwnding! I'm so happy! thank you so much Diana! My life (and marriage:)) are so much better with Jamie and Claire in it. I'm a younger generation reader, and I can only hope that I can be privileged with 17+ years of loving the series and being tortured for the next book like so many others. My Jamie and Claire obsession runs bone deep and I hope he shows her just who her daddy really is! I love it! I love you, and I can wait as long as it takes!

    Ps... not too long though!

    ReplyDelete
  86. When can I hope to buy book 8? Do you have an eta?

    C Allen Graham, WA

    ReplyDelete
  87. Jamie will ultimately understand. I think not before he runs Lord John through the ringer. I think somehow Jamie needs to be made to realize how at the end of her rope she was having lost the other part of her.... she was after all heavily drugged (she did take some laundenum, which she never did, and was contemplating using a blade on her wrist... very unClaire-like, yet without Jamie, what was her reason for being - she was barely drifting throug life.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Really, Jamie & Claire are the best characters ever written - Lord John is in his own right a fascinating character and I think this is a righteous twist to the story! I feel as I said, Claire was under the influence, considering ending it all for hours - and not sure she should (thank God!) How Romeo and Juliet would that have been, for Jamie to have come back to find his Claire dead???!! Anyway, they were making love to Jamie - but Diana will not let this smooth over simply.... She loves to kill us with anticipation! AND Claire loves to say much less than the situation warrants and Jamie more! Claire NEVER tells Jamie I love you very much and regardless of her personality, her reserve - I think SOMETIME (Please Diana!) she needs to break out of her shell for 5 minutes and GUSH to him! Anyway,I think Jamie will get through it - whether he and Lord John will be able to spend much time in near proximity again is another thing... We'll definitely see how "progressive" Jamie is in the next book. As I've said before tho..Diana has given us this wonderful gift of 2 people who are not whole apart, who are totally part of each other - one flesh they really exist for each other and are much better people because of the other...I know she will not let us down. I am trusting in her 100% to give us a glorious reunion and many great conversations and just a great life for these two. Diana has managed to spin a dream that we all hope for and won't let us down now.

    ReplyDelete
  89. A great excerpt! I carnt wait for your next installment, DG so I spose the excerpts will have to tide me over. Keep them coming!
    Just a quick question for MS Gabaldon. Will your 8th installment of the Frasers, friends and family be available in audio? If not, I don't know how I will read it as I carn't read print.
    Keep up the wonderful work, and we all carnt wait to see what happens!

    ReplyDelete