Why I originally read this book was because my cousin's Aunt (not my aunt) told me if I liked Scottish stories that I should read it. Okay so I looked into it and there is was on sale. I read the back (above) and thought.... I don't know. I bought it. It was only $4. Took me another week or two to actually start it but within the first couple of chapters I was soooo hooked. 
 The author, Diana Gabaldon, was new to me the first time I read it but this time... not so much as I've read everything of hers I can get my hands on. Diana is a spectacular writer who really puts you into the story and makes you see everything she describes. With the Outlander Series it seems like she really draws you into the massive adventure playing out throughout the series. 
 For Outlander she really makes you feel the stress that Claire and Jamie both go through along with the dangers and near death experiences that come flying from ever angel. She is good at surprising you, making you laugh, making you bawl your eyes out, and making you feel content with the characters she's created. 
 Claire, our heroine and time traveler, is one of the strongest women you will come across in a story. She's gutsy, self assured, skilled, intelligent and doesn't back down even when it would be better if she did. Sometimes you feel like Claire is older than her 27/28 years because of her maturity but there are other times when the young girl inside her comes out to tease, taught or just be amazed by something in the story. Diana really created a wonderful character in Claire. 
 Jamie, the hero and Highlander of choice, in our story is perfect in the regard that he is not. He's not completely unblemished, he's not tall dark and handsome, he's not the moral compass everyone should follow. He's fallible which makes him all the more wonderful. Jamie is tall (I didn't lie!) but he doesn't have the carbon copy look. He's got wild red hair and big blue cat eyes. He's not some huge muscle bound man but a fit man with muscles made from hard labor. He's scarred badly, stubborn, and an outlawed. He just happens to be the man Claire seems undeniably attracted too, after patching him back together, after stumbling 200 years into the past. 
 Jamie might seem like the perfect hero but he says things that get himself into trouble. He fights with his sister because pigheadedly he doesn't want to believe a truth she has to tell him and you get to clearly see that Jamie isn't a typical story hero. One of the best things about him is what you could call a flaw, I suppose. The man can't wink. He blinks owlishly at Claire which I find totally hilarious. 
 The historic references in this story bring everything around Claire to life, and when Diana says she's in the Highlands of 1700s you get to really feel it with bards tales, a clan gathering, a witch trial, cattle raiding and skirmishes between clans. It's really a fun adventure that not only caused me to keep the book but buy a second copy (in case someone barrows the other).