Pre-order Written In My Own Heart's Blood

In theory this should be an amazing post but given the fact that Diana hasn't even finished writing the latest Outlander book I guess Amazon is being a little over enthusiastic with giving a release date of 10th December 2013.  If it's ready by then that's excellent but it's unlikely as it's been claimed that Amazon pull these things out of mid air!  We won't know the actual release date until it's officially announced. 

However Amazon do seem to be taking pre-orders for
Written in My Own Heart's Bloodso I for one am getting more and more excited about the prospect of getting my hands on a copy ... or more likely getting it downloaded onto my Kindle! What does strike me as great though is the artwork on the cover. It's simple and straightforward but really effective at the same time.  I love it! 

Casting of Jamie Fraser is confirmed by STARZ!

At Last!!!!

There are so many of us who have been eagerly awaiting the news of exactly who will play out favorite Scots Highlander in the upcoming TV series of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and I'm happy to say that today it's finally being announced and I couldn't be happier!!!! I had an awful feeling that the casting would go to someone who was only considered because of his fame and not because of his ability to encompass the spirit which is James Alexander Malcolm McKenzie Fraser! However looking at the Google images of this actor I can really see him being able to act like Jamie as well as being tall and what's more he's actually Scottish! So here he is ... meet the new Jamie Fraser ....  

.... oh who am I kidding ... Happy April 1st ... please don't hate me I couldn't resist!

 

My latest Lord John Grey candidate

Am I fickle when it comes to choosing actors for the Outlander mini-series? I have to admit that Jude Law has always been the man I see in my head whenever John Grey ... sorry Lord John Grey ... comes onto the page but my mind was suitably blown away a few weeks back when I saw a suggestion on Tumblr that the awesome Lord John Grey could be played  by the equally awesome Tom Hiddleston!  Now before you go "the bad buy from the Avengers? Really?" think about it! 

You are probably thinking of ...

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Louise on Pinterest

... but clean him up a bit and turn him into a blonde and you have ...

Source: kamero-gomez.tumblr.com via Louise on Pinterest

He's probably not the exact mental image most of us have of Lord John Grey but he is an awesome actor and I'm sure he would make Lord John come alive on the screen before our eyes. 

What do you think?

The Space Between (Spoiler Free!)

I felt the urge to share my views on the new story in Diana Gabaldon's Trail of Fire anthology released in the UK a few days ago. My initial idea had been to read is slowly over a few days to really savour the new story but it's never been said that I'm the kind of person with lots of willpower. Whilst the first three pages were read with a degree of patience at 10 am before I set about the ironing, my Kindle refused to leave me alone and sat laughing at me on my bedside cabinet .... it kept saying "one more page" and so by 11pm I had finished the entire story!

If I were to say it was good would be an understatement because let's face it we fans wouldn't settle for anything less but in traditional Gabaldon fashion it left me pondering who? why? where? and what?  I would have read it again the next day but my Kindle was "kindlenapped" by my Mum when she found out I had downloaded a previously unread Outlander story!  It resulted it a lengthy telephone call whilst we discussed every single variable it brought up and then we went off into speculation land and came up with some really bizarre conclusions!

It's hard to give a real review without giving away too much information but like other "short" stories The Space Between ticks all the boxes and keeps you interested from the very beginning.  The story centres around Joan McKimmie (Marsali's sister) making the journey to France, accompanied by Michael Murray, in order to become a nun.  We have seen these two people briefly in Echo in the Bone but we soon learn much more about these fascinating characters. I'm really hoping that all the conflict and issues brought to light in this story are continued at a later point because I'm really interested in what happens! 

At the same time we also find out more about the Comte St Germain who has always been steeped in mystery.  I honestly thought he was going to be a nasty piece of work but I actually found myself feeling a great deal of sympathy for him and we get a glimpse into his abilities and his past. I can't wait to find out more about him in the next "big book" and as this story is set in 1778 I have a strong suspicion he'll be making an apperance in #moby i.e. the next "big book".

Outlander TV Series News

I'm a very happy woman right now! I've just heard the news that the much awaited Outlander TV series will be developed by Starz! If you aren't sure who they are they are the company who were responsible for the Spartacus mini-series which has to be one of my favourite shows of all time!  To say I'm feeling optimistic about the final outcome of the Outlander TV series is an understatement!

This is the kind of thing we have to look forward to ... but with Scottish accents and kilts!

I have always love this particular video from Spartacus because I have always seen the late Andy Whitfield as having very "Jamielike" characteristics. He may not have been tall enough, red headed enough or Scottish enough but the way the character of Spartacus has such strength and love for his wife, the way he never gives up really reminds me of Jamie and his love for Claire.

If I Were The Outlander Casting Director ...

... I would want to audition these potential Dougal MacKenzie candidates! Honestly can you blame me?

Dougray Scott 

I do seem to think that Dougray Scott is a little old to play our Dougal at 47 but he has the added advantage of actually being Scottish! He has that rakish charm of a player and the sly streak would be easy for him to portray with those cat like eyes.  

I fell in lust with this actor when I saw him many years ago as the slightly dippy Prince Henry in the Cinderella knock off Ever After with Drew Barrymore. 












Joe Manganiello

Today I had an epithany! Someone on Pinterest make the comment that Joe Manganiello would make a good candidate for Dougal and to be honest it isn't something that I had even considered.  

After much deliberation I realized that the main reason I hadn't given him much thought is that there are few photographs of him when he isn't bare chested. Don't get me wrong I adore his chest but it does seem to take the emphasis off his face somehow!  He may not be auburn but I'm willing to sacrifice that point.  Are there any scenes in Outlander when Dougal has his shirt off? If not there should be.









   Gerard Butler

 Associating Gerard Butler with the Outlander TV series is becoming a little cliche don't you think? In the early days he was a contender for playing Jamie Fraser but as time progresses it's becoming more and more unrealistic due to his age and ... well ... due to the fact that he looks nothing like Jamie at all!  Don't get me wrong I have a huge soft spot for Gerry but to paraphrase a great woman "he ain't no 23 year old virgin and make up can only do so much"!

I do however think he would be a good candidate for Dougal because not only does he have the obvious advantage of being Scottish but he can really act when given the right part.