So glad you are back...in a fashion!  hehehehe  the books by Diana Gabaldon are called the "Outlander series" in the USA, the first book is called Outlander there I believe, it's called Cross Stitch here in Oz & UK.  I found them very enjoyable, even Shane got hooked on them, we are avid readers in this house, Jessica & I are reading a chapter of Harry Potter each night, if you haven't read them yet, you should, there ARE great!  I had heard adults raving about them, but I didn't consider reading them, because I LOVE huge books.  Well, I have discovered already why they are so popular, last night Bryce Courtney even gave them unbelievable praise in a TV interview, he is the one who wrote the Power of One amongst other titles.  I have just finished one of his books called, the Family Frying Pan, it was excellent.  About a young women escaping from Russia on foot.  I couldn't put it down.