Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
First line: People disappear all the time.
Summary: Claire Randall is a combat nurse. The Second World War has just ended. With her husband, Frank, they travel to Inverness, Scotland for a belated honeymoon. But while there both of their lives and time will change. While visiting the standing stones she is transported in time back to the year 1743. Not knowing how she got there or if she can even get back to her own time, she is taken captive by a group of Highlanders. As her life gets intertwined with the politics and intrigue of the local laird she finds herself caught between her love for her husband and a young Highland warrior, Jamie Fraser.
My Thoughts: Now I know that this sounds like a typical bodice ripper. And that is what I thought originally too. But then I watched the first season of the show and was absolutely hooked on these books. There is lots of history included in with the romance. There are some naughty bits but that is to be expected in most books now but that is not the central part of the story. I love the characters. It was hard to lose many of them over the course of the book and in the sequels. But there is action, politics, intrigue and like I said, HISTORY!
I had never heard of the Battle of Culloden before this. I knew barely nothing about Scottish history outside of Mary, Queen of Scots. I think Gabaldon has done a great job giving us a thrilling story but also bringing this important piece of history to millions of readers.
As I am writing this I am working on reading book six, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, in anticipation of season six debuting on Starz on March 6. I always have a little get together with friends where I make drinks and snacks while we watch a new episode every week. It is always a highlight of my week to spend time in the Outlander world with friends for an hour each week.
FYI: Lots of violence. Some sexually disturbing scenes.