Author Brenda Novak Hosts 6th Annual Online Auction for Diabetes

Author Brenda Novak Hosts 6th Annual Online Auction for Diabetes

Ship of Fools

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you've read Chapter 31 in AN ECHO IN THE BONE.

Here's my watered-down consolidation of Chapter 31 in An Echo in the Bone:

So we were on the ship, sailing to Scotland, and we were boarded by a ship. And they were really mean. And Jamie got in a big fight and I woke up on another ship. And then we sailed that ship for a while and then another ship came along and started firing at us. And I fell on the bare wood and then I got up and fell again and then again and then I fainted and I woke up in the hold on the other ship. And then when we were on that ship, another ship started firing at us and they put me back down in the hold and then they fired again and then I fell on the floor and a nice kid who was helping me fell on the floor and then we both fell on the floor. And then we went above and I tried to take care of everyone because I'm a doctor and that's what I do, damnit. Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ! Here comes another ship.

There. That's where I am now and apparently have been for days, much to the chagrin of my sister, Tracey who is almost finished Echo (actually she may have finished last night.) I have tried to warn her repeatedly that she should slow down - because once she finishes, there is no new Jamie Fraser for another 2+ years. But - alas - she isna listening.  Echo is so damn good she canna stop, ken?

I'll keep you posted. I'm going back the ship now. Any ship. Whatever ship is nearby - that's where I'll be.

We Interrupt this Outlander Blog...

PILLARS OF THE EARTH IS COMING TO STARZ IN JULY!!! SQUEEEEE!!!!!! It looks REALLY GOOD!!!!!!!!!

Sail On...Honey... Good Times Never Felt So... Hmm...

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read Chapter 31 in AN ECHO IN THE BONE. 

I am on the boat with Jamie, Claire and Ian and LOVING IT. It's so verra Voyager. Which is funny because when I was reading Voyager I got a little "meh - enough sailing" but this is outstanding! The new boat is now right up alongside them... and it's firing at them... and Jamie is shite-ing his ever-loving pants. And he whipped his shirt off and started waving it around.... and I'm not sure but I think someone from the other ship actually asked Jamie to turn around (so they can see his back?!) I was reading in my car at school pick-up and Jen L came up to the car and started talking to me - so I dinna know what happens! And I'm sortof THRILLED at that prospect. I am literally thrilled to be in the midst of this scene and not know what's going to happen. Kindof like when Dallas ended without telling you who shot JR. So now I have to wait until I read more to know. It's wonderful! I love suspense!

Sailing... Takes Me Away...

SPOILER ALERT: DINNA read unless  you have read chapter 31 in AN ECHO IN THE BONE. 

OK so I'm sorry - I'm re-blogging. Like re-gifting. Because I need to go read, lassies. So here is the email I just sent Tracey. I will be backtracking a little later but for now - here's where I am:

"I'm on Chapter 31. Claire is exhausted and they're taking turns (Claire, Jamie and Ian) keeping watch while the others sleep so no funny business goes on on the boat. They're realizing that Rollo is on the other boat (I have all faith that we'll see Rollo again). And Claire just cried and Jamie stroked her hair and whispered soothing things in the Gaelic!!!  It was like early Outlander!!!  I died! ANDDD some dude called Jamie "a trifle elderly" and I almost jumped into the book and punched him in the nose."

Another Great Outlander Chat

Thanks to everyone who came to the chat tonight! I really look forward to talking to everyone every week. I have to give Sirena the "most hilarious" award - she had me laughing for an hour!

Hope to see you all next week. Even you lurkers! :)

OUTLANDER CHAT TONIGHT

Hi All - Today is Monday, April 12 and we'll be having our weekly Monday Night Outlander Chat tonight at 9PM Eastern. We'll be discussing up to Chapter 18, unless Shannon reads any more in the car today at school pick up. PS - Sally - I hope you can come tonight! :)

Que Sera Sera...

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read chapter 23 in AN ECHO IN THE BONE. 

Ho. Ly. CRAP. This book is so damn good I dinna know what to DO with myself!!! SO much has happened since my last blog; let's get right to it!

JAMIE SEES DEAD PEOPLE!!!!! OK wait. That's not right. But y'all know what I mean. He is having these dreams... and he's seeing Jem and Mandy playing at the cemetery at Lallybroch... and he has had multiple dreams about them in Lallybroch... and Claire remembers Lallybroch being for sale... so they KNOW ROGER AND BREE LIVE AT LALLYBROCH!!!!! I am shouting it from the rooftops! This. Is. So. Exciting!!!!! I canna WAIT for the next letter. They are going to say something about Jamie seeing the kids at Lallybroch... and then Roger and Bree are going to start looking for/finding things that Jamie and Claire have left for them - JUST like I predicted!! I can TASTE it like it was one of Mrs. Bug's bannocks ("lord of mercy on her" as my mother would say).

OK... so... next.... there are SO MANY NAMES popping up in this book that are making me go "Oh my gosh - that's so and so!" Like.... Randall-Isaacs??? HELLO?? Jack Randall's son/nephew!!! And he's a dirty dog who hangs around with Percy-the-Derelict. And how do we know this? Because Nessie (the madam who readers of LJG books know but the rest of us poor chumps are totally clueless about) told John Grey. And ewwww - he's hanging out with William (waaahh my French is terrible... please come helpppp me) to get dirt on LJG for Percy-The-Derelict! And here's poor William - knowing something ain't quite right... but not being able to figure out what it is. He knows Randall-Isaacs is interested in his dad... but doesna know why. What I want to know is if Randall-Isaacs has any sexual interest in LJG - or if he just wants info for Percy - and to meet him because, let's face it, LJG is DA BOMB and knows EVERYONE in England, France, Canada and the bad-assed Colonies!! Give Lord John his PROPERS, y'all! He da man!!!

OK enough of that - let's move on - how much did I go "RABBIE MCNABB!!!" when we got to the brothel?? Tracey doesna want to commit to the possibility that it's the same Rabbie - but I said "come ON! It HAS to be!" His wife is from the Highlands (I thought she might be someone we know but so far, there's not been much revealed about her) so it's GOT to be him. How can there be two Rabbie McNabb's?? Two Robbie's maybe... but Rabbie's? (I know, I know, Rabbie/Robbie are the same name but work with me here, people!)

LORDDDDD what else? SO MUCH DIRT! OHHHHH ROGER AND BREE!!!  HOLY CRAP - Jerry MacKenzie DIDNA DIE in WW2!!!  He WENT THROUGH THE FRIGGIN STONES IN NORTHUMBRIA!!! (Not to be confused with Umbria and Maggie Smith... Chris Cooper... ) THAT storyline is blowing my mind almost as much as Jamie dreaming in 20th century technicolor. Can you IMAGINE how badly Roger Mac will FLIP OUT if his father shows up? And they thought maybe that was who was skulking around in the broch (which Jamie isNA happy about). Poor Roger Mac canna handle a little conversation about his future career, let alone a visit from his dead father who is now a time traveler. I am going to be taken out in an ambulance when I get to THAT PART of the book.

You should have seen me reading all this on the plane today (in between telling my son to stop playing with the tray table every five seconds and telling my daughter to stop putting her iPod headphones in my ear)... I. Was. A. FREAK. At one point I reached across the aisle and whacked my husband on the arm. He was like "What was THAT for??" and I was like "What's it for??? ROGER MAC! THAT'S what it's for!" I really need an Outlander meeting with the girls STAT. (Oh and when we meet, I will be sure and ask them when precisely Roger started speaking as if he were born in yon 18th century mind you, do ye ken?)

PS - Could I have been ANY MORE WRONG about William's career choice? I truly thought the skunk and subsequent Hale hanging did him in - and he'd never choose Intelligence. Shows you what I know. One of these days I'll have to add up all my predictions/theories and see just how wrong/right I was!

"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!"

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read chapter 20 in AN ECHO IN THE BONE. 

I've been fighting it. Fighting William. I didn't really want to be interested in his life; it just... happened. And now I'm stuck. I am moving on to Chapter 21 - "The Minister's Cat" (which makes me giggle, as I love Bree and Roger's little game) - and I'm finding myself a little bummed; I want to know what happens! Will he take Richardson's offer and become a spy? I think not. I thought he was going to - until this horrible situation with Hale. And now I'm thinking he's going to say "no", now that he's gotten a taste of what it feels like to watch someone die - indirectly - by your own hands. Or your own actions.  I'm thinking William is going to realize it's better to kill someone outright on the battle field... than take part in killing someone by sneaking around lying and hiding. There is honor in fighting fair. And I have a feeling that William - like both his fathers - will choose honor.  I can't wait to read on and find out.

PS - Speaking of The Minister's Cat - am I the only one who gets a little giddy every time a new chapter starts with the word "Lallybroch"??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRACEY!

 Just wanted to throw a Happy Birthday out there to my sister and Outlander mentor, Tracey! Hope you had a great day (and that work wasna too grueling!)

We may have to celebrate your birthday when we celebrate Jamie's birthday! Won't THAT be fun?! :)