Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber, by Diana Gabaldon

This is my first post on Luminous, and I am admittedly scared. I wanted to write some elloquent, powerful analysis of the two tomes that have comprised my summer reading thus far. But I realized that such expectations would proabably keep me from ever posting. So, here is a brief response to the first two books of a 6-part historical fiction/romance series by (best-selling...dare I say that) author, Diana Gabaldon.

Claire Randall, a mid 20th-century woman, is caught in an unconventional love triangle that spans 300 years of history. On a vacation/research tour in the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Frank, Claire ventures off one afternoon and finds herself displaced. When she awakens, she realizes that while she vaguely recognizes the landscape around her, she knows she is not in the same place she just came from. Claire quickly learns that she has just traveled back to the 1700s!

Action immediately ensues as Claire is rescued from a harassing Englishman, Jack Randall, by James "Jamie" MacKenzie Fraser, a Scotsman. The relationship that develops between Claire and Jamie is the primary focus throughout the series (at least thus far). It is a relationship that the reader cannot help but support, regardless of the cost.

There was a secondary short-term "relationship," (perhaps better described as an encounter) that began in the first book between 2 of the above mentioned characters, while it's affects were explored further in the second book. It was this disturbing encounter that I found unforgetable. Not only for it's darkness, but for it's redemption. It was a glimpse into the emotionally and physically painful window of sacrifice in the name of the one (or even ones) you love.

So, would I recommend this series? If you are looking for something with a little history, a little (ok more than a little) romance, a little steaminess, a lot of adventure, and time traveling(!), then I would recommend you read Outlander. If you don't like it, I'm sorry. But if you do, there is good news!...The series is 6 books long; and each one is around 600+ pages (in small print), so you have time to revel in your facinatation with the story and it's characters.