An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon

The first of the Outlander books begins with feisty combat nurse Claire Beauchamp Randall visiting Scotland with her husband Frank after the ending of the second world war. On a trip to a stone circle, Craigh na Dun, she is thrown back in time to 1743 in the middle of a skirmish between the Clan McKenzies and a group of English dragoons. The Scots, wary of her identity, take her with them to Castle Leoch on the suspicion that she is a spy. Claire is later sought by the corrupt captain of the British garrison and in order to protect her she has little choice to marry the young outlawed highlander Jamie Fraser. Torn between her loyalty to her husband Frank Randall and her own safety she objects to the marriage at first but having already gotten to know Jamie, she knows that he is a man filled with honour and courage who will protect her no matter what the cost. Eventually through the trust they share they fall deeply in love and create a bond so strong and passionate that nothing can tear them apart. Not even two centuries ...

The books following Outlander continue the amazing saga of these endearing and charasmatic characters. Diana Gabaldon is truly an exceptional writer and her amazing ability to describe the drama, passion and violence of 18th century Scotland makes these books the most memorable I have ever read. Whilst many would describe the books as "historical romance" that is only partially true. The love story between James Alexander Malcolm McKenzie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp Randall is the backbone which runs throughout the books but to describe it as a historical romance is almost an insult to these amazing books. If you are expecting a fluffy story and a light read these books aren't for you. They are gritty, harsh, tragic and barbaric in places but this of offset with oodles of courage, determination, humour and passion.

Standing Stones by marksda1
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Claire: Where did you learn to kiss like that?
Jamie: I said I was a virgin, not a monk ... If I find I need guidance, I'll ask

Claire: Do you really believe me Jamie?
Jamie: Aye, I believe you, Sassenach. But it would have been a good deal easier if you'd only been a witch.

Jamie: I will find you, I promise. If I must endure two hundred years of purgatory, two hundred years without you ... then that is my punishment, which I have earned for my crimes. For I have lied, and killed, and stolen; betrayed and broken trust. But there is one thing that shall lie in the balance. When I shall stand before God, I shall have one thing to say, to weigh against the rest. Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well"

The character of Lord John Grey first appears properly in the Outlander series in Voyager (although he gets a guest appearance earlier on). Although his appearance is sporadic up until An Echo In The Bone he becomes an important person in the lives of Jamie and Claire. Depicted as a courageous nobleman with a unrequited love for Jamie Fraser he is dedicated and honourable. The Lord John books are period mysteries set against the backdrop of political upheaval of 18th century London.

There are currently three Lord John Books available and a further one "Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner" (Oh I wonder who that could be?) out next year.

The above Youtube video contained clips from several of Gerard Butler's films including Attila and Beowulf & Grendal. To see some of his other films take a look at my other lens here