Decatur Book Festival - Part 2

One thing we weren't expecting was a meet and great with Diana Gabaldon. When Anna, Natalie, and I were on our way to Emily Giffin's panel, we stopped by the AJC tent to get our picture taken.

There happened to be a small table set up and hanging from the bottom it said, "Diana Gabaldon 1-2." Of course we asked the guy standing there what that was all about and when he said the words "meet" and "greet" we were so going to be there for that. The only downside? It was at the same time as Terra Elan McVoy and David Levithan's panel  so we missed out on hearing them speak. Thanks to Julie, Heather, and Leah who went and were able to get my books signed for me, including my first edition of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist!

Anyway, after we left Emily Giffin's signing tent, we headed back to the AJC tent. Anna got in line while Natalie and I went to her car to get my 23 lbs (yes, 23) of Diana Gabaldon books. On the way back, Natalie tried blocking for me because if I went down, I'd look like this:

Once we got back to the tent, the line hadn't grown too much so we got at the end and OMG you guys, cue the uber-excitedness. I was literally shaking!

When it was finally my turn, I started rambling and I don't remember much. Oh wait, Yes I do! I told her about owning every single form of the series I could, having to get rid of the MMP copies so I could order the hardbacks, that I majored in Zoology and lived in Arizona. Somewhere in there she started telling me about the Outlander Musical and seemed very excited about it. What made her even more awesome was that Natalie told her that I was gushing about the books and it made her want to read Outlander. Diana gave her a promotional copy and signed it for her! Isn't that sweet?!

Here's me with Diana.

Later on at 3:00 she had her All Things Outlander panel, so of course the three of us were in that audience.

The panel took place in the Decatur Presbyterian Church sanctuary and it was filled to capacity. She talked about future books (in no particular order: The Outlander Companion 2, book 8, Lord John, Jamie's Parents, and Master Raymond), the musical (Allan Scott is now her Jamie), The Exile (even had a copy to look at!), the film option, and kilts. You can't talk Jamie without mention of a kilt. There was also a guy in the audience wearing a kilt and not only did Diana appreciate it, but he got a roaring applause.

Meeting Diana Gabaldon was my reason for going to DBF (which I also told her) and meeting her was all I hoped it would be and momre. She's sweet, funny, generous, and I loved hearing her speak. If you get a chance to hear her, don't pass it up.

I also have some video I'm going to try and post of everyone, I just need to figure out how to cut it.

If you're interested in checking out Diana Gabaldon you can visit her website, read her blog, follow her on Twitter, and buy her books
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The Fiery Cross - Diana Gabaldon

I just finished reading The Fiery Cross and let me tell you, it felt like a task. I started reading this book during my book funk so I don't think that helped any. Finally though, after a few months I have finished.

First of all, I love everything about this series. I love that these books are so long because I love spending all that time with the characters. My love wasn't enough to get me through this book as quickly as I did the others though.

The Fiery Cross started with Jamie, Claire, Brianna, and Roger visiting River Run for Jocasta's wedding to Jamie's friend Duncan. The first half takes place right before, during, and after the wedding and this is the part that seemed to drag for me. There were some interesting happenings going on, and everything was a good setup for future events, but for the most part I was ready for the next portion of this book and I really hoped it picked up. Boy, did it.

Not long after everyone returns to Fraser's Ridge Jamie and Roger must leave to stand with the Milita against the Regulators at Alamance. Once the skirmish is over, Roger is purposefully identified as a Regulator and what happens literally left me open-mouthed.

After leaving Alamance, Jamie, Claire, and family return to Fraser's Ridge where Jamie eventually teaches Roger how to fight and a plan is made to catch and kill Stephen Bonnet. Once put into motion, the plan for Bonnet does not go according to plan and he ends up in the same area as Claire, Brianna, and Marsali, instead of with Jamie and Roger.

The last few chapters of the book we are reunited with Jamie's nephew Ian and he brings along an interesting item along with him for Claire and we find out more about others who have passed through the stones.

Once I got past the wedding and all that ensues with that, the book seemed to get a lot more interesting and there were a lot of varied emotions. I couldn't believe all that Roger and Jamie had gone through and I was beyond excited that Ian was back in the picture. After all this, I'm once again excited about continuing the series and I think my book funk is officially over.

I will leave you with the last few lines of the book.

"When the day shall come, that we do part," he said softly, and turned to look at me, "if my last words are not "I love you"--ye'll ken it was because I didna have time." - Jamie Fraser