OUTLANDER: Season 1 Episode 2: CASTLE LEOCH

While I loved the first episode of Outlander, I liked this one even more. I already can feel the inevitable sexual tension building between Claire and Jamie, though at this point she is far from recognizing it. Also, the sets, cinematography, costumes, and make-up are sumptuous and are a delight to watch. I find myself needing at least two viewings: one to listen and follow the actions, and one to take in the beauty of the art that is created in each episode.

OUTLANDER  Starz

In this episode we see Claire trying to make sense of her new surroundings, as all the while looking for a way to escape them.

The scene at the fireplace where she’s tending Jamie’s wounds did a lot to begin building the sexual tension, and did a nice job of weaving important backstory into the scene. We now have had a glimpse of Jamie’s history with Black Jack Randall. I don’t know about anyone else, but I could feel each one of those lashes, and flinched each time the whip made contact with Jamie’s back. Randall’s treatment of Jenny was handled well—as in I hated him. Tobias Menzies, (Randall) is doing a fantastic job in the role. I could almost smell the sweat and dirt on him as he held poor Jenny.

Also, in that same fireside scene, Jamie mentions Claire’s husband and notices her sudden despair. He asks if her husband is not alive. In the strange world that is time travel, it dawns on Claire that NO, he is not alive. But not in the ‘he’s dead’ sort of way, but in the ‘he hasn’t been born yet’ way. That’s only the beginning, Claire!

Mrs. Fitz is spot on perfect, and I had a fresh appreciation for a woman’s need of a servant when dressing as I watched the amusing dressing scene. But, is my memory hazy or has Claire been given far too many dresses? I remember two during her Castle Leoch time, and in reality that may be too many. Her many changes of wardrobe seem an anachronism.

Geillis Duncan. The actress Lotte Verbeek certainly has the spooky, witchy eyes, but I thought she was far too coy and flirtatious in the scene that introduced her. There was a gentle, virginal quality about her, and Geillis is anything but gentle or virginal. I have no doubt they will  make

OUTLANDER: STARZ

her everything Geillis should be, but for now I have reservations. Maybe I should review the book—perhaps this is how Gabaldon first introduces Geillis.

Neither hall scene was a disappointment. Claire happily downing the wine, only to find herself far too tipsy for safety, was delightful. And the Laoghaire scene was nicely played, with Jamie making his first appearance as the brave knight in shining armor. Surely that had to impress Claire, despite the barbarism. Incidentally, Nell Hudson who plays Laoghaire looks exactly like I pictured the character.

I felt more sparks flying in the air, as Claire visited Jamie at the stables. And ahhhh…we heard Jamie call her Sassenach as a term of endearment for the first time. Sam Heughan made it ring true. I think I’ll enjoy hearing that in the many episodes to come.

That Jamie is already developing feelings for Claire became obvious when he flinched as she told him she would soon be leaving. He was definitely disappointed. Of course, he needn’t have worried, as Dougal has no intentions of letting her go. No, as Colum said, she is a prisoner ONLY if she tries to leave.

MINOR SPOILER ALERT: When I watched the first episode, I had no inkling that the castle room in which Claire and Frank had a ‘romantic interlude’ was the room where Claire sets up shop as the Castle Leoch healer. I’m surprised I didn’t catch that. She’ll be spending a lot more time at that old table.

MINOR RANT ALERT: Caitriona Balfe continues to grow on me as Claire, though she really needs to eat whatever the 1743 equivalent of a hamburger would be. Caitriona is gorgeous and very slim, but Claire is more robust. She should be slender, but she should certainly look stronger. I’ll get over it. But if they have Jamie waxing poetically, as he does in the books, about her fine, plump, round arse, I will probably laugh. Yeah, I’m just jealous of the lovely Caitriona!

I’m excited for the next episode. And I’m even more excited to hear that after only one episode, the series has been renewed for a Season Two!! Yay! So much more Claire and Jamie to look forward to!

Slàinte mhath!

OUTLANDER DianaGabaldon.com

OUTLANDER: Season 1, Episode 1- SASSENACH

Like so many fans of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander book series, I’ve been wishing for a feature film or TV series/mini-series/TV movie version of the books for nearly two decades. So when the STARZ series was announced I started following every press release, casting choice, etc. as I awaited the first episode. I’ll be honest, I questioned some of the choices along the way, wondered about some of the rumors I heard in regards to changes to the story, but in the end I held my breath and hoped for the best. After all, Ms. Gabaldon seemed happy enough with the way things were proceeding.

Outlander--STARZ

On Saturday night I was able to release that long-held breath and I am happy to say it did not disappoint.

I’ll start with the one thing Outlander fans were the most concerned about: the casting of Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser. Even Diana Gabaldon had reservations when she heard Sam Heughan had been cast as Jamie. She looked him up on Imdb and pronounced him “grotesque.” But after seeing just a few minutes of him as Jamie she was won over and has been supportive of the choice ever since.

As I watched on Saturday, and again this morning, I felt Sam projected the essence of Jamie. Of course he doesn’t look anything like the Jamie I imagine in my mind—to do so would be impossible. But he is close enough that I can easily suspend any disbelief. He’s strong and rugged, and yet already we can see glimpses of his gentle side. No, Sam isn’t tall enough. This 

Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser: STARZ

was repeated several times by my friends as we watched together on Saturday. But I can live with it. He’s big and broad across the shoulders and looks strong. I’ll imagine him taller. Of course part of the height issue comes from the fact that Caitriona Balfe is too tall.

Next to Jamie, my biggest concern was how I’d feel about Ms. Balfe as Claire. And to be honest, the early reports from some people who watched it early were not encouraging. I went into my first viewing prepared to dislike her so much it might threaten to ruin things for me. But she won me over! Yes, she is far too wispy to be Claire, but Claire’s strength and no nonsense attitude come through loud and clear. I’m relieved and believe she will get even better as the series progresses. {Yes, she DOES need to learn to let it rip when she says, “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!”}

The rest of the casting is spot-on perfect, in my opinion, with Tobias Menzies as Frank/Black Jack and Graham McTavish as Dougal standing out from the rest of the excellent cast. Menzies IS Frank/Black Jack and McTavish IS Dougal.

Throughout the episode I had chills up and down my spine at all the right places, occasionally gasped, and laughed where I was supposed to laugh. Some fans have complained that there are scenes that differ from the book, but as I’ve heard Diana Gabaldon say, “It is an adaptation.” She usually goes on to explain that a book and a film are two different forms of media, and what works in one won’t necessarily work in the other. I felt that what I saw in this first episode was a true rendering of the beginning of her novel.

I can’t end this review without addressing a frequent complaint I’ve read on message boards. Many viewers, seemingly people who have NOT read the books, complained that the episode was slow and boring. Honestly, I don’t know how you can begin a 16 episode series based on a 1,000-page book without setting the scene and introducing the characters and circumstances in which Claire finds herself. I certainly did not find it slow or boring, in fact all of us viewing it together on Saturday evening couldn’t believe it when it was over—it seemed far too short.

Finally, the locations used were stunning—I love Scotland—the music was haunting, just as it should be, the attention to detail was impressive, and the overall experience was an excellent one.

I look forward to the rest of the series, and I’m so happy the two-decade wait is over. 

This review is very much centered on the general aspects of the episode as an introduction to the series. Future reviews will be much more specific to the storyline of each particular episode.

Come back next week to read what I think of episode 2.

Slàinte mhath!

Close Encounters with Diana Gabaldon

There are only a few authors out there that would make me act like a fool in their presence. I think I’ve well documented in this space my close encounter/possible Wordstock stalking of YA author Maggie Stiefvater. Not one of my prouder moments, but certainly one of the most exciting.

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to see (in the flesh!) and listen to one of the other authors I’d go all gaga over. Author extraordinaire Diana Gabaldon, of the Outlander books, was the keynote speaker at the Willamette Writers Conference gala. I’ve been reading and loving her books for twenty years and such an opportunity could not be missed.

Having experienced my Stiefvater moment, I prepared myself before attending the gala. Not that there would be a chance to actually meet her, after all this was a large ballroom full of people, and she would be far away on a stage. But just on the off chance I told myself I would NOT be interacting with Ms. Gabaldon. Didn’t want to embarrass myself.

Yeah. Right. That lasted about two seconds. But it wasn’t my fault that she walked right past my table when she entered the room, and sat at the table kitty-corner from mine. I was with two dear friends, and when I saw her I became flustered, and did a “oh my god, look it’s her!” as I watched her walk by with my jaw dropped. Dear woman, she saw me, and my total dorkiness, and smiled at me and said “Hi.” If I wasn’t already a superfan, I would have become one at that moment.

I won’t tell you how my friends and I rarely took our eyes from her as we ate our dinner and listened to awards being handed out.

As exciting as it was to see her, her speech was the true highlight of the evening. Her insights into the craft, her particular writing process, her words of encouragement for new writers, all was inspiring. I left wishing I had taken notes—she had so many valuable things to share.

Later in the evening, after she had signed books, I left the bar where my friends and I were having an after-gala drink, and happened to see her sitting at the book signing table without anyone left waiting in line. I considered walking over and telling her how much I enjoyed her books, but with the fear of becoming a rambling idiot I chose to leave well enough alone. Now, I’m wishing I had. Yes, I might have been that inarticulate fan, but I think every author—even a megastar—likes hearing that his or her work is appreciated.

Maybe next time I’ll practice what I’ll say, so that I can be articulate. But even if I didn’t want to risk it this time, something tells me Diana Gabaldon knew that the crazy woman in the audience loved her work!

Note: I’ve been waiting forever for Outlander to become a movie or TV series, and finally there is one, premiering on STARZ, August 9^th. I will be reviewing each episode on this blog. My plan is to post on the Tuesday following each Saturday episode. If you are an Outlander fan stop by, and I hope everyone will comment with their thoughts on the show as well.

Happy Writing!

The Newest Adventure

In the last paragraph of my last post, I mentioned having a YA fantasy out on submission. Perhaps it is time for me to come out of another one of my writer’s closets. Yes, I write YA. And no, I do not do so under the same name as I write Romance.

I have an alter ego.

My alter ego has been quite busy lately. It has set up its own Twitter account. And along with its two wonderful critique partners, it just started a YA blog. Yeah, I know, I can’t seem to keep up this one, so how will I ever keep up two?! I’m just trusting that somehow it will work.

Our new blog is going to be all about reading, writing and reviewing Young Adult fiction. We’re excited about all of the opportunities this will give us to share our love of Young Adult lit, including sharing our personal writing journeys.

We went live two days ago, with a post of our bios. It looks like tomorrow we will post our first book review. It’s moving along nicely and we’re jazzed. If YA fiction is an interest of yours, you may want to stop by occasionally. We’d love to have you visit.

We are at http://yatriplescoop.blogspot.com/

The YA Triple Scoop: Sarah, Monica, Heather

Happy Writing!

REFLECTIONS ON PUBLICATION

My debut novel, THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION, has been out for over three months now, and I’m ready to reflect upon this singular experience. What a journey—most of which was chronicled here in this blog. But it turns out that those early frustrations and concerns were only the beginning of the learning curve. It turns out that publication is a learning experience all of its own.

Things I’ve learned since April 7^th:

·      Hitting that SEND button when you send your manuscript and query letter off to a publisher or agent isn’t NEARLY as scary as worrying if anyone will buy your book once it comes out.

·      Worrying if anyone will buy your book isn’t as scary as worrying that they won’t like it.

·      Hiding your true identity behind a pen name so that the parents of the children you have taught over the last bazillion years and having your true identity come out just before publication and knowing that these lovely people WILL be reading your book, might keep an author up at night.

·      Learning the ins and outs of how to promote a book is enough to make your head spin. What is a ‘blog tour’? How do you set up a blog tour? Who are these people who organize blog tours, and what should you reasonably expect to pay them for this service?

·      Learning how Facebook promotions work can lead to overindulging in the red wine. I have book promo sites figured out, but I still have no idea what a Facebook party is, or how it works, or what you do at one. Do you make appetizers and have chilled wine available for your guests? REALLY I want to know! If some kind reader could explain Facebook parties to me I would be ever so grateful.

·      Discovering the kindness of fellow writers has been a lovely surprise. Not that we aren’t a kind group of people! I love my writer friends! But I was moved that friends and strangers approached me with invitations to guest on their blogs. It was great fun, and I am so appreciative of them.

I can’t think of any more present participles with which to begin bulleted paragraphs, so I’ll just close this post by saying that despite the publication learning curve, it has been a wonderful experience. There is nothing in life like fulfilling a dream that you’ve held since you were twelve years old.

Recently, I finished the manuscript for a YA fantasy, and it is now out on submission.  I also just finished a novella, which is a prequel for THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION. Fingers crossed on both.

The journey continues…

Three Days Until BOOK RELEASE!

The Big Day is fast approaching for this fledgling writer: Book Release Day! On Wednesday, (April 9), my debut novel, The Vampire’s Passion, will be available as an ebook, from Amazon and from Soul Mate Publishing. Later, it will also be available as a paperback. 

As a little teaser, I’m posting a short excerpt from the book. This scene happens right after the heroine, Claire Seymour, has discovered her gorgeous, enigmatic Oxford literature professor, Gabriel Augustine, in the midst of committing a heinous act. After becoming physically ill, she questions Gabriel about what she just witnessed.

**

“What the hell?” I tried to begin again. “Your mouth, her throat, the, the, oh god, the blood!”

Again in the low, throaty voice he answered, “I was getting sustenance.” His eyes never wavered from mine, even as he answered for the horror I had just witnessed.

“Sustenance,” the word rolled around in my mouth, like I had never heard it before, had no meaning to attach to it. I repeated it, my brows drawn together while I looked into his eyes, “Sustenance”.

“That which nourishes,” Gabriel helped.

“Yes, I know. But I can’t put that word together with what I saw.” I saw the image in my mind again and felt the bile begin to rise once more. I looked down at the hand that still held me, and he loosened the grip, ever so slightly.

For several moments neither of us spoke. Without looking at his face I knew his eyes were on me, could feel them. Suddenly cold, very, very cold, I shivered. Gabriel reached back into the pack and took out my sweater, placing it around my shoulders. I risked a look at him…

 …“What are you?” 

Gabriel moved his face closer to mine and nearly whispered, “Not human.” His face was but a few inches from mine—I could feel his breath on my face, smell his scent. His eyes continued to search mine. “I am vampire.”

“Vampire,” I whispered, feeling my mouth form the alien word. “You want me to believe,” my voice was getting louder and louder as I spoke the incredulous words, “that I just saw a mythical creature commit a mythical act?”

“No. I’m telling you that you just witnessed a vampire, me, drink the blood of a willing donor, so that it could continue to exist.” He spoke each word slowly, carefully, enunciating every syllable.

When he mentioned the “willing donor” I remembered the other party in this astonishingly macabre incident.

“The woman! Oh crap! She needs a doctor! That is if she is even still alive.” My eyes held a large question when I said the word “if”.

“The woman is fine, she doesn’t require any medical care,” he said dismissively.

He released my arm and took my hand in both of his. I was horrified. Horrified that I felt no need to pull my hand out of his. What was wrong with me?

“Claire, look at me.” Claire. He had never said my first name before. I had just seen this man sucking blood from a woman’s neck and all I could focus on at that moment was how my name sounded when he said it. It sounded lovely, melodic, seductive. I looked up at him. “Claire,” I watched his soft, sensuous lips form my name as he said it again. Lips that had just been sucking blood. “I am sorry, so sorry, that you had to see that, but I’ve been doing that for a very, very long time. I am a vampire. I continue to exist because I drink human blood from living people.” He was speaking softly, his eyes never leaving my face, continually scanning it to watch my reaction I suppose. “It is a part of who I am, yes, a part that is a monster from the worst kind of nightmare. But it doesn’t define me and never has. I am a man, an Oxford professor, a friend to many, and a mentor to still others. I cannot change what I am. Cannot change that I am vampire, not human.”

I could only stare at him, stupidly, mouth parted. What he was saying to me was outrageous and unbelievable, yet I knew it was the truth. He was telling me the truth. Our faces were still close together—I could still feel his breath on me. We sat there like that for I don’t know how long. Seconds, minutes, hours, time was meaningless. I was looking into the glorious face of a creature from horror stories, and I couldn’t look away. His dark, thickly lashed eyes, his long straight nose, deep pink, soft lips, the lock of dark hair that had fallen on his forehead.

“I was named for an angel, my surname is that of a saint, and yet I am a creation of Hades himself.” His quiet voice held despair.

**

I hope you’ll check out the rest of Claire’s and Gabriel’s story on Wednesday. Personally, I’m madly in love with Gabriel, and look forward to letting him finally see the light of day. WEDNESDAY!

Happy Reading!

It's time for a COVER REVEAL!

As you may know, this blog has been where I’ve been chronicling my journey as a newbie, FLEDGLING, writer. So it is thrilling for me to get to reveal the cover for my debut novel, THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION. From practice novel, to almost-published novel, this adventure has been quite a ride. I’m excited to not only share the beautiful cover, but also for the first time ever, to tell you a little about the story.

The enigmatic, ethereally handsome, aristocratic Gabriel Augustine, professor of Nineteenth Century English Literature at St. Giles College in Oxford, England, is a man with many secrets. And it is not his vampiric nature that is his most deeply held secret. Though few know he is vampire, not human, none know the horror that has haunted him throughout his long existence. He has spent centuries attempting to atone for his greatest sin.

Claire Seymour needs to forget her past. She is ready to embark on any journey that will move her away from the pain that has been her constant companion since discovering her fiancé with her best friend. Four weeks at the University of Oxford, in a class on her favorite author, Jane Austen, seems like a good place to start.

Neither is prepared for the other.

THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION will be available in April, from Soul Mate Publishing.

I’m doing lots of happy dances right now! Thank you for following me along the way. Next stop: RELEASE DAY!!

Happy Writing!