Why, yes, actually I _have_ (in and amongst everything else) been working on Book Eight. [g] I think I showed you a brief snip of the pickup to the Jem-in-the-tunnel cliffhanger last month; here’s a likewise brief snip of the one between Jamie and Lord John:
Excerpt, Book Eight
Copyright 2010 Diana Gabaldon
He’d been quite resigned to dying. Had expected it from the moment that he’d blurted out, “I have had carnal knowledge of your wife.” The only question in his mind had been whether Fraser would shoot him, stab him, or eviscerate him with his bare hands.
To have the injured husband regard him calmly, and say merely, “Oh? Why?” was not merely unexpected, but…infamous. Absolutely infamous.
“Why?” John Grey repeated, incredulous. “Did you say ‘Why’?”
“I did. And I should appreciate an answer.”
Now that Grey had both eyes open, he could see that Fraser’s outward calm was not quite so impervious as he’d first supposed. There was a pulse beating in Fraser’s temple, and he’d shifted his weight a little, like a man might do in the vicinity of a tavern brawl, not quite ready to commit violence, but readying himself to meet it. Perversely, Grey found this sight steadying.
“What do you bloody mean, ‘why’?” he said, suddenly irritated. “And why aren’t you fucking dead?”
“I often wonder that myself,” Fraser replied politely. “I take it ye thought I was?”
“Yes, and so did your wife! Do you have the faintest idea what the knowledge of your death _did_ to her?”
The dark blue eyes narrowed just a trifle.
“Are ye implying that the news of my death deranged her to such an extent that she lost her reason and took ye to her bed by force? Because,” he went on, neatly cutting off Grey’s heated reply, “unless I’ve been seriously misled regarding your own nature, it would take substantial force to compel ye to any such action. Or am I wrong?”
The eyes stayed narrow. Grey stared back at them. Then he closed his eyes briefly and rubbed both hands hard over his face, like a man waking from nightmare. He dropped his hands and opened his eyes again.
“You are not misled,” he said, through clenched teeth. “And you _are_ wrong.”
If you are going to continue to do stuff like this, you better step into high gear and get the doggone book done! I can't wait much longer!
Dear Lizzie–
Um. Figure you got a choice? [d&r]
–Diana
Love it! Thanks.
Thank you! I love reading these, they get me even more excited for the book to come out. I am looking forward to the book and I will wait as long as it takes you to finish it because I know that you cannot rush creativity! Thank you again. I really enjoy reading your blog! Hope you have a great weekend!
Wooo-hoooo! Bring it on, Diana!
I don't know, though, what's going to be worse – Jamie finding out the details of what physically happened or of what mentally happened inside LJ's head. But he (J) owes the Big Guy one more life, right?
Right?
OMG. I normally don't read the excerpts, and I will admit I didn't read the other one you put up. But I couldn't resist this one. This is the one I have been waiting for. My sister feels the exact same way and will also not read the excerpts, so I just left her a VM message reading this to her. I'm just evil like that.
Ahhh! I thought the excerpt might ease the anticipation of the next book a bit, but that just made it worse!!!!! I can't wait for the next book. Diana, you are fabulous.
love it! i am totally looking forward to read that when its done! and to whoever said it…yes I can hear Jamies blood boil!! lol
Woo hoo!!!!!!!! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
Judie
I just finished "An Echo in the Bone" and I eagerly await … to find the entire family on Frasier's ridge. Surely there's a place for William and John Gray…. Can't wait to "see" Ian and Rachel's children, and Briana and Roger in their own Ridge home with children. Diana! hurry. Love Sue
Hi-I'm new to blogs…but I need to ask Diana if she could do us all a big favor-we need a geneology chart in one of her books-something that will trace characters, relatives, families etc.. how they crossed over other family lines and the future/past travellers. Is there such a thing out there that we can see or not at all??! thanks much!
Dear anonymous–
There's not _quite_ such a thing yet, but there will be, in the OUTLANDISH COMPANION, VOlume II.
–Diana
You must be having such a good time writing this book…..and torturing your devoted readers! I know it will be worth waiting for. Thank you for dangling these little bits in front of us.
Dear Diane–
My pleasure!
–Diana
Oh my, I cannot wait for book 8. Thank you for these little teasers! I normally don't read them but with your books, I can't resist!
This was the cliffhanger that upset me the most! I had to go back to the beginning, to Outlander, to reassure myself that things would be all right. Jamie & Claire have endured and conquered many things but this was…..I don't even have words to describe it! Thanks for the excerpt! GinaD – St. Charles
Oh God! Such a tease!
Now I think I understand how addiction works!
Thanks so much for this excerpt Diana.
I am looking forward to the next of your books, and all the rest. Make the 8th one in this series be the best, and take your time writing it…not too long though…I might be able to stop reading over and over your books, maybe for a bit…and find something new while waiting.
Should I cure my Outlander addiction, or keep it vivid for the next 3 years?
Happy writing Diana!
Milly
How wonderful to read just a bit…I must have missed lasts months bit about Jem…will have to look for that. Thanks Diana. The addiction for more continues!
after reading the comments from Diana, I see so much of Diana in a number of characters.. but this time Claire that is comeing out….
thanks Diana, these little carrots you dangle keep me sane with my addiction, yet wanting MORE at the same time
Cheers Jo-Anne ( Australia )
Oh I so can't wait!!!!