This Chick’s Audio Review: The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5) by Diana Gabaldon, narrated by Davina Porter

The Fiery Cross, as a novel, is a behemoth. The paperback novel numbers 1008 pages and the audiobook somewhere around 55+ hours. This is truly a commitment to read and listen to, however Diana Gabaldon’s writing does a great job of continuing the story of one of the most beloved romantic couples, Jamie and Claire Fraser. It is the year 1771 and war is quickly approaching. As the founder of Fraser’s Ridge, Jamie and his family have founded a Scottish community based upon those he trusts. He does so with land he received from the Governor of North Carolina, stating that he will gather a group of men and support the Governor’s and England’s cause. Twice in this novel, Jamie must gather the troops assured somewhat by his time traveling wife and daughter that the war is still a few years in the future.

After 55 hours of listening to The Fiery Cross over six weeks I have determined that this novel is one of those that connects the dots to future novels. Davina Porter, our narrator, does a great job with all of the characters voices, accents, and imbuing life into situations and scenes about everyday life that were just interesting enough to keep me listening. Or maybe it was just my resolve to just finish. I’m not sure, but if I had stopped listening it would not have been Davina Porter’s fault. She is truly amazing. As a lot of other reviews have said, The Fiery Cross gets bogged down in details and descriptions, moving at a snail’s pace and ultimately only reaching a conclusion that is similar to the sun setting on another day.

I read the Outlander series for Jamie and Claire, not Roger and Brianna, so I’ll admit to wanting to hurry the book along when the scene shifts away from the main duo. However, if it weren’t for all of the bad things that happened to Roger in this book, and Jamie’s intense feelings of needing to save his daughters husband time after time that kept this book interesting. So, for once, I will say “thank you Roger” you kept this book moving, while at the same time I have to say to this author, “Ms. Gabaldon, you need to give this guy a break!”. I swear, Roger had just about every bad thing that could happen to him happen in The Fiery Cross. Maybe the book should’ve been re-titled “Roger’s Cross to Bare”. I felt really bad for him.

If, like me, you are reading this series for all of the romantic moments between Claire and Jamie, you won’t be disappointed. He is truly lovely in this novel and his love for Claire only grows stronger as they age. They have been through a separation for 20 years, her raising his daughter in the future while married to another man, his being married to another woman, having a son out of wedlock, and then reuniting and overcoming all of these hurt feelings etc. It is a wonderful thing to still see how strongly they feel for each other.

Would I recommend listening to 55 hours of The Fiery Cross? If I were reading the novel I could’ve skimmed ahead and skipped some gruesome medical descriptions or banal day to day activity, but I’m not sure I would’ve felt as strongly about these characters and their future stories. Listening to all 55 hours takes commitment between the reader and these characters. A commitment that will give me the resolve to listen to book #6 A Breath of Snow and Ashes. I’ll admit that I may let another year go by before I commit the time. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* The Fiery Cross

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This Chicks Sunday Commentary: Favorite Fictional Couples 

I have never been the type of person who gets crushes on famous actors, has a book boyfriend, favorite band or heck, even a favorite food.  Sure I have likes and dislikes; I like Chris Hemsworth more than Liam Hemsworth and Mexican Food more than Chinese, but never have had an outright favorite.

I do however have favorite fiction couples. Is it the thought that there is one person out there for everyone? Sure. But it’s more of how those two people fit together and that chemistry thats so fascinating. Let’s analyze a few of my favorites.

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon – Jamie and Claire

I read these books when they first came out in the ’90’s. Yes, some of you weren’t even born yet! ALL the women in my family passed these books around to each other and swooned over Jamie and Claire. One of my Uncles even named his daughter Claire ( yes, the men in my family have read Outlander, even my own husband!). Why do these two connect so well with us? Claire is a modern woman, well modern for historical highland Scotland anyway. She’s smart, stands up for herself, and even though torn between two men finds enough love within herself for both. Jamie is the love of her life or lifetimes, as the case may be. Jamie, a young handsome highlander likes her smarts, sass, and experience. Most importantly, he allows her to to be Claire. In doing so, he captures her heart even when they live centuries apart. That separation and the fact that Claire travels through time to be with her true love only makes us love it and them more.

Click this link to purchase! Outlander

In Death series by J. D. Robb – Eve and Rourke

She’s a cop, and he’s a gazillionaire ex-thief and the setting is futuristic New York. Despite their surface differences they have commonalities in their depths. Eve was abused and raped by her own father and she killed him when she was a child in self defense. Roarke was a street punk who survived by those artful dodger skills. Both lacked love as children but somehow overcame that to have thriving careers and ultimately finding that love they needed from each other. He is whimsical and uber brilliant, and she is steely and analytical and because of those traits they are the yin to each others yang. It’s great fun to see Eve discover her own hidden depths and Roarke to love in overwhelming waves and to see each other grow as a couple because of their trust for each other.  His gazillionaire status doesn’t play into it at all though all his gadgets, gizmos and exotic locations do make for a fun read

Click the link to purchase! Naked in Death (In Death, Book 1)
The Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews – Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan

An Urban Fantasy series, the third,Wildfire, came out this week and I am reading right now. (I MUST get back to it!) Connor Mad Rogan, is a Prime. A mage with an extraordinary skillset that has been used in battle and earned him a certain reputation. He and Nevada cross paths when they are both investigating the same crime. He is instantly intrigued by her and although she can’t ignore how attractive he is, his reputation is pretty scary (hence the nickname “Mad”) and she isn’t interested. However, forced to work together she is drawn to his strength and honor, and see’s that young boy inside of him that suffered from a lack of love. Those things whittle away at her walls until she lets him in, and at that moment, he has her trust, heart, and hope. Connor, with all of that power never used it to win her over. I think it was the fact that he let her grow without trying to influence her, fought by her side, protected her family and ultimately that strength of passion that won her over. Oh, don’t forget their incredible chemistry. Wowza!

Click the link to purchase! Burn for Me (Hidden Legacy)
A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas – Feyre and Rhysand

This YA fantasy series used misdirection and an evil enemy to move our two heroes Feyre and Rhysand together both in the fight against evil but also in a bonding love that would seem to be everlasting. Feyre, human turned Fae, is certainly put through the wringer in these books. Fighting for herself and her family, the whole time. Rhysand, introduced to the reader as the King of darkness, had a lot to overcome, both with Feyre and the reader because Ms. Maas manipulated our minds into believing he was the bad guy. As the story unfolds and we see the true nature of Rhysand and Tamlin (the red herring) our own hearts unfold, right along with Feyre’s and we bleed our love for Rhysand. Or at least that is what it felt like to me. Theirs was a union that had to overcome death, deception and war. In comparison their happy moments felt like golden moments of stolen time, sure to be taken away. Feyre, although not my favorite female character of all time, was held up as part of one of my favorite couples because of Rhysand’s grit and fortitude, and yes love and passion. He was desperately fighting for their love, we just didn’t realize it until later, and when we did, we bought it and him, hook, line and sinker.

Click the link to purchase! A Court of Thorns and Roses

The more I think on this topic the more I could go on and on and on. I left out the obvious classics like Romeo and Juliet (although they both die so really does that count?), Ron and Hermione for the Harry Potter fans, and even Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. These four are a few of my favorites and I know my choices lean towards fantasy which may not appeal to everyone.

I would love to hear who is your own favorite fictional couple. Do they come from the classics? Contemporary romance? Or are they from fantasy novels like mine? Please comment below and lets talk.

Until next Sunday!

Deb

This Chick Read: Finding Fraser by K.C. Dyer

K.C. Dyer has written a clever, funny, and sweetly romantic book about a young woman who is out of work and unlucky in love.  Emma, a HUGE fan of Diana Gabaldon’s book, Outlander, decides to take what little money she has and travel to Scotland to find her Jamie Fraser, and blogs about her journey.  Emma’s blog attracts a loyal following of young women, eager to hear her exploits with Scottish men, and root on her search exuberantly. Continue reading “This Chick Read: Finding Fraser by K.C. Dyer”

This Chick is Exploring My Bookshelves

   Exploring My Bookshelves is a weekly meme created by Victoria at Addlepates and Book Nerds and co-hosted with Shannon at For the Love of Words. Visit either blog for the list of  topics.  I found out about this through Zezee with Books whose blog I really enjoy.

How this meme works:

Take a “shelfie” (a picture of your bookshelf Continue reading “This Chick is Exploring My Bookshelves”

This Chick Read: A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware

I was recommended this book by Goodreads because I’ve read and liked books by Susanna Kearsley and Diana Gabaldon.  All of these authors write historical fiction, but that’s the only commonality I see. Kearsley’s novels are richly detailed and emotionally impactful and Gabaldon’s historical research gives her novels depth Continue reading “This Chick Read: A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware”