The new anthology, SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH, is out as of today! It has a number of great stories, by wonderful authors from Neil Gaiman to Carrie Vaughn and Robin Hobb (all enthusiastically recommended)--and it does, of course, have one by me.
This story is titled "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows," and tells the story of Roger MacKenzie's parents. It also fills in the interesting hole I opened in ECHO, wherein we learn that Jerry MacKenzie probably wasn't shot down in his Spitfire during the War, and there is Much Speculation as to what really did happen to him.
This story will tell you. (Though one rather perceptive--if cynical--commenter observed that while I may have filled in that particular hole, I undoubtedly did it with dirt dug from another one. How well you people know me....[g]). I think you'll enjoy Jerry MacKenzie, though, and his story.
The book is available in both hardcover and Kindle e-book formats, here.
Thanks to all those who've read the story already and written to tell me what you thought!
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Looking forward to reading it Diana! I have asked Santa to bring it these year. Hope Ive been good enough to get it. Lots to read at the moment including your sons book which I have purchased already so lots to keep me occupied till book 8 is out :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm enjoying it! The holes are changing, but the quality of the story is all ways marvelous. Thanks again, Diana.
ReplyDeleteMy pretty pretty book just arrived *pets*
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read.
Loved it! Like the Titanic, you know how it will end but you hope for a happy ending anyway.
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to see how this chapter fits into Book 8...
Thanks so much!
I just started it last night and I am loving Jerry already. I have a feeling there will be some questions to ask at the end of this wee story. :P
ReplyDeleteI was wondering...do you think there's a chance (maybe after the series concludes) of an anthology of all of your 'Outlander' short stories in one collection?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for mine to get here. Your excerpt starring Frank is what really caught my attention. I think he is one of your most fascinating and complex characters, and I can't wait to learn more about him. I also can't wait to see how he plays into the rest of your 'big' story. Jamie's the man...but could Frank be the ultimate hero? Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteDear Lisa--
ReplyDeleteYes, I think so. Depends on how many short stories there end up being, of course. (The Lord John novellas either are or will be all collected into volume form. HAND OF DEVILS includes the first three novellas, and there are two more LJ novellas in existence at the moment--"The Custom of the Army" (that came out in an anthology called WARRIORS, this last March), and "Lord John and the Plague of Zombies" (which will be in another anthology sometime in 2011).
--Diana
Hopefully I can order this book in Sweden aswell!! I really want to read your novell about Jerry MacKenzie. In the book I really start wondering however he survived, somewhere...
ReplyDeleteOrdered it and read it on my Kindle last night. My review: it's wonderful! Made me a little teary in places but such a great story. Thank you!!!! Karen
ReplyDeleteDear Mavis--
ReplyDeleteIt's not a novel--it's a short story. It's published in an anthology (a collection of stories by a number of different authors), which you _should_ be able to order through amazon.com--though I don't know what the shipping costs to Sweden might be. [g]
Hope you enjoy it, if you get it, though!
--Diana
Yeah! I ended up getting the Nook version for my iPad. Thanks for getting this out on Nook so fast, too! I was afraid I'd have to wait.
ReplyDeleteRead it, loved it! I really liked Jerry and my opinion of Frank went up a little more. I enjoyed reading the Ten Commandments, they all made sense (not that I would know what it is like to fly in combat but I can guess).
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing up one of the questions from Echo. Now I am even more impatient to read the next book.
I am also a LJG junkie. I hope it isn't too long before the next LJG book is out.
I ordered the book but have to wait until next week for it to arrive! I have read _all_ your books and am now listening to the audio books read by Davina Porter: this gives another dimension to the story, and I'm sure the short story will add more too!
ReplyDeleteI finished the story yesterday and now I can't wait until Book 8 comes out to fill in the new holes....you will, won't you? Really now, you must. My friend and I meet once a week and discuss your books; we're your biggest fans. Last night we were trying to compose a paragraph and we wondered where you were to give it just the right "hook".
ReplyDeleteBeautiful
ReplyDeleteReceived 'Leaf' today and finished it just now, needless to say I shed a tear or two. SPOILERS COMING IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT...
ReplyDeleteI don't know why though, tears of joy perhaps, that Dolly and Jerry were together when they died.
I loved it when Roger came back to tell his Dad that he loved him, and I was pleased to find that Buccleigh survived the crossing, so I will assume he dies during the quest for Jem. Poor Morag...
I'll go out on a limb (it's probably a lead pipe cinch) and say that Rob, Amanda and Bree will join the rest of the family in #8 'cause I hope and pray that Jem is thinking of his Grandda when he crosses.
Loved the story Diana, we know where Roger got his spunk now, from both Mom and Dad. The book is beautiful and now I will read the rest of the stories. Thank you again, the tale was fascinating.
:)
ReplyDeleteDear ML--
ReplyDeleteEr...Jem _didn't_ cross into the past.
Dear Diana,
ReplyDeleteI know Jem didn't cross in 'Echo' and I'm hoping he doesn't in #8. It is all wishful thinking on my part that the entire family be together again, just supposition and thinking out loud...or expressing it in black and white as the case may be.
It seems I'm too involved with your characters and am filling in a few holes for myself until you reveal all. :)
Wonderful, lovely story! I've just finished reading the entire Outlander series for the second time and the story was the perfect "Amuse-Bouche" for Book 8.
ReplyDeleteMay I just say, I'm obsessed with the series, just discovered Outlander in April and have read the entire series, twice and listened to the audio version of the series. Guess I need to come up for air and back to reality, but who wants that? I'm pretty happy hanging out with Jamie, Claire, Roger, Bree and the rest of the gang . .
Thank you for sharing your amazing gift of story telling with us.
Love it!!! Just finished and I have to say I was so thrilled to get to know Rogers' father. Captivated, I did not want the story to end!!! Fantastic, I am looking forward to whats to come! Thank you, Diane!!!
ReplyDeleteBrandi
I got my husband to read your books. To quote him, "I LOVE Jaime". hehehehe Do you know if the "Songs of Love & Death" will become available for the Nook?
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ReplyDeleteThank you Diana for correcting me.
ReplyDeleteGuess what?! The book is available in Sweden, an internet bookstore has it. Because it hadn't the same cover I did'nt realise it was the one...
Did order it today, have to tell my "Gabaldon"-friends...
Dear Anonymous--
ReplyDeleteA friend was just telling me she'd read it on her Nook, so I'm guessing it's already available. Hope your husband enjoys Jerry, as well as Jamie! [g]
--Diana
Dear Mavis--
ReplyDeleteGlad you can get it! I hope you'll enjoy it. [smile]
--Diana
Loved the story - and the ending was quite a surprise, but so apropos, somehow, not to mention the appearance of two persons who shall remain nameless - way to surprise us all. I see you've already mentioned that it is available for the Nook - this was my inaugural read on my new Nook.
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous story. I like that I was surprised, and delightfully so! (I had guessed 2 other routes he could've taken back in time, both were wrong, of course.) What a dear,sweet story. While Exile was fun its way, I missed your writing (in non-GN form). Love it. Loved how you described Frank's eyes....oh Frank!...loved Frank. (-: I'll shut up now, just coming off my post-read high (-: Love ya, DG! Keep it coming!!!
ReplyDeleteNice story, but I'm not at all convinced Jerry could have been flying "under the radar" in pre-Blitz WWII. Otherwise, just as pleasing as any other story in Diana Gabaldon's world. I love your ear for dialects and idiom, and the rich texture they bring to all of your writing.
ReplyDeleteDying of love, dying for love. Beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteEven if brief, I enjoyed Frank's appearence in this story. It shows who he truly was and how much he loved his wife. It was obvious in his body language, in his consideration for Jerry's desire to see his own and in the one line where he mentions her.
Beautiful and painful... just like love.
Enjoyed the excerpt VERY much! I am waiting till I have a few projects around the house completed (new kitchen cabinets & sink being the main one) to pick up the book, because I know I will not be able to put it down once I start!! As an avid reader since grade school, once I find a series I love, it is very hard to take any kind of break from a new release. I fell in love with Outlander right from the start in 1992 & have read each book many times over.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your world; many days I would rather spend time with Jamie, Claire, Bree, & Roger, than in the mundane world. As soon as I have my cabinets back in order, I will be curling up with Jerry MacKenzie to find out his part in the whole story.
Diane I
I'll certainly try to order it....Just a question though....where exactly in ECHO there's the mention that maybe Roger's father didn't die in the II World War ? I propably have missed the clue for this relavation came very surprising to me !
ReplyDeleteLoved the short story.Kinda sad Roger didn't talk to his dad abit more though.Only chance he would ever get.Even though I know they were on the hunt for Jem.
ReplyDeleteI am also injoying the other short stories in this.
The book didn't end like I thougt...But it was nice to read about Rogers father and sad at the same time! I wanted som more.
ReplyDeleteAmor vincit omnia...
Mervi
Ehhhh.... read it, loved it, re-read Echo, re-read Leaf. I want another one! what happens next? when will you please tell me???? not that I don't have other things i should be reading/doing, but I really LIKE your people and want rather desperately to know what happens to them next!
ReplyDeleteLois (the Librarian)
Read it last night, and loved it! I guess it shows how deeply involved (my less kind friends might say "obsessed") with these characters I am -- I stayed awake for quite some time worrying about you-know-who and you-know-who and what happened to the timeline! (Trying to avoid giving anything away...)
ReplyDeleteDiana! I just finished reading Songs of love and death... Your story was wonderful! I love how you tied it into the outlander series, brilliant! Now I understand how my wee dog feels, those pieces of chicken or cheese I give her here and there are just as tasty and cherised (and devoured whole) as the full plate I give her. It was a treat to read! Thank you!
ReplyDelete~ Your loyal reader
I just finished 'Leaf' and I want to sob out loud! I'm usually a crier anyway, but this was excellent. I didn't want it to end even though I knew what was coming! You certainly know how to dig those holes. ;o)
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