A little while ago, I wrote about my reactions to viewing the first episode of Starz’s new series Outlander.

The show is based upon the books by Diana Gabaldon, which were already on my wish list, but as of yet, still unread.

After watching the show, I immediately ordered the first book in the series.

And once I opened it, I was absorbed.

At first, all I could see in my head were the characters and scenery from the show, which actually wasn’t a bad thing as I feel the show did a good job in representing the novel, but, eventually, my mind took over and the novel transformed from a television show into a fully layered world.

I walked around, in between reading binges, seeing castles and forests and thinking in a Scottish accent.

I dreamt of Jaime and wondered what I would do in Claire’s position.

I often thought that I was so completely taken with the story because, even for Claire’s tendency to make hasty decisions and lose her temper, I felt that I would have made all of the same decisions had I been in her place.

Well – most of them, anyway.  But that’s part of what makes a story amazing:  its ability to surprise the reader.

And shock was certainly in ready supply.

The book was often violent, and the words often tore at me.  I sobbed into the pages more than once.

But for all of the violence, there was also a palpable tenderness.  In both the characters and the environment.  I longed not only to find myself nestled along the shore of a loch, with the breeze in my hair and the song of the birds in the air, but also firmly within Jamie Fraser’s arms.

I became so taken with the book, in fact, that as I found myself nearing the end, I made up an excuse to rush to the bookstore and purchased the second novel in the series.  I nearly shook with fear at being abandoned by the book when I finished reading it.  I needed to have the second one sitting next to me as I finished the first, for comfort.

It wasn’t all that necessary, though.  After I finished the book, and sat there with it clung tightly in my fingers, I felt no desire to pick up the second book.  I wanted to open up the first novel and read it all over again.

I loved it that much.

The witty words, the beautiful setting, the fierce adventure, and the burning passion…

It didn’t really end when the book ended.  It’s still playing in my mind.

But I’m still going to read the next book.

Tonight.  :)

If you’re at all interested in experiencing romance and adventure in the 18th century Scottish Highlands, I strongly suggest you read Outlander.  You won’t regret it.