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.”
Oh what torture!!!!
Ooooh I love it! You are a tease for sure, but I highly enjoy it. Can't wait for the upcoming book… and more upcoming teases I hope!
Dear Diana,
this is my first time posting and I will try to say my opinion about triangle Jamie, Claire and Lord John. I love your books, and the end of Echo didn't disappointed me at all. I know that life sometimes could be much worst.
I wasn't surprise that Claire slept with John….Jesus, there is War going on…and when on the top of it,she get the news that someone,who she love most is gone,I don't even dare to think, what that would to do to everybody! and if is someone there to hold her, even slept with her, I understand.
and than …Jamie is back…well…I hope he will not kill John and also will understand, but it is up to you:-)))
If someone know how to claim the mountains, know also "cliffhanger", I realy like them. and I also will wait patiently for something you do best..another book. I apologize…English is my second language, maybe should be better.
Take care and best whishes. Kyra
Dear Diana,
The cruelest cut of all!
Jamie's resigned himself regarding LJ's affections toward HIS person, but how will he handle the knowledge that LJ apparently now has such feelings for his wife?
Hee Hee.
Wasn't really his fault about the shipwreck mix-up, but Jamie is going to pay for it a bit, isn't he?
Bonnie
ARGGGH! I can't handle this! I am literally pulling hair out! Why do I let these books take me over! My heart is ripped and hemorrhaging for Jamie! I can't wait for you to finish, Diana! Thank you for letting us know you are working on it
Enjoy September.
Diana,
You know how to just wet enough of our appetite for Jaime & Clair. I can't wait until the next book comes out. However I do know that when the next book does come out, their is most likely only one more book after that. So take it slow. I can take the suspense as long as I know their is more to come.
Hmmm- After reading the other posts, I find there is a very different mindset than what I had about Lord John's last comment. I didn't take it to mean that he now had overt feelings for Claire, but that it was the only way he could ever have a physical connection to Jaime again. I wonder which way it will end up…
For some unknown reason I woke up today just posessed by my Outlander series addiction, which grows worse every fall, and fall is now hinting in our Michigan air. Logged on to your site here (after a 6 month hiatus) and WHAM! Got slammed with SO much news (knee surgery complete with gross cyber-borg attachment, a new book in the making, a new Companion, green slime and UK Echo editions containing book 8 excerpt, a possible MUSICAL, possible TV MINI-SERIES, CD, and THIS delicious teaser!!!)!
Diana, you_have_me_REELING!
(and I concur with the post by Perduret, but wish he would have kept his thoughts to himself!)
Have fun on your tour, good luck with your writing and THANK YOU for making me INSANE today!!
Thank you so much for this little tease. I remember reading Echo and thinking OMG what is Jamie going to do, but I honestly think that so much has happened between Jamie and Claire for this to put a strain on their relatinoship. There was no malice in what happened between Claire and John, although I wish it didnt happen, but despair had taken over and that was their outlet. Jamie will not like it, but will understand. Thank you Diana for writing these books.I have never been so taken with a character as I am with Jamie. It is torture to know that book 8 wont come out for awhile, but this teasers certainly help out. I just hope that after book 8 there is no more cause I do not think I can handle waiting another 4 years lol. I think Jamie and Claire have been through it all.
Teasers are painful! I need to work on better will power and not read them. And the Annonymous: bite your tongue! Please do not hope for no more books. I'd be quite happy if this series never ended!
Maybe I’m in the minority, but the way I see it, Book 8 is like the last present under the Christmas Tree. You can’t wait to see what it is. You know it’ll be amazing, but part of you wants to wait, to leave it wrapped under the tree — because once you open it, Christmas is over. You’ll have to wait a long time for the magic to happen again. I think the anticipation is part of the fun.
Felicity, Jessica, Anonymous, etc.–
I don't personally _know_ if BOok Eight's the last book or not. I think it might be–but I thought that about ABOSA and ECHO, too. [g]
However…you do also have THE EXILE (and possibly other graphic novels to come), plus a few "short pieces" (there's Roger's parents' story, "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows"–this is a short story, in the anthology SONGS OF LOVE AND DEATH, which you'll get in mid-November _this year_!)here and there, and the Lord John novels–AND the OUTLANDER:The Musical CD, to keep you going!
http://www.outlandermusical.com
Delicious! That played out somewhat like I was expecting/hoping…much better than having Jamie hoist Lord John up by the lapels and bash heads! *G*
Yes, M&M I can hear Jamie's blood boil and see the steam coming from his ears too. Hope his blood pressure can take it.
Thank you Diana for the teasers, you are so generous to share what is going on in your devious mind…and if it is payback, then I will take it with thanks. Thanks also for allowing us to post anonymously…not that there is any secret to who I am, but I had trouble posting before.
See you in October!
VickiB
UGHH!!! That was awesome! I cant wait! I miss Jamie!
You think Book 8 might be the last?? You don't mean that, do you? Please no!
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
You're a wicked, wicked, woman, Ms. Gabaldon!
Thank you Diana…I needed this today!
Squueee! Simply can't wait for this book!
Thank you for feeding my Jamie appetite just a bit Diana…when it comes to him, this sistah is always ravenous!
you are wicked!!! and I'm so glad, lol. How many times should I ask when the next book will be out to annoy you enough to post another excerpt??
O why, why do you have to tease me this way! Diana I thank you for my early Birthday present and wish I could have more, more I say!