The things you find when trawling through the library catalogue.
I was just trying to fill the hole that the conclusion of the first season of the Outlander TV series, based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, had left in my leisure time.
I found a blog post about the source novels, and an If you like... Diana Gabaldon book list. It seemed I wouldn't have to wait until the next series to get some more 18th century kilted historical-time-travel-romance in my life. Very good.
But then I idly went searching to see if we had any copies of Highlander (either the movie, or the TV series) and shove me in a sheep's gut and call me haggis, I stumbled upon... a bunch of shirtless kilt-wearing cover-boys. And not just a couple, but legions of them. Well hello, Jamie Fraser!
It must have been warmer in Scotland in days of yore if this lack of upper body garments is anything to go by. Will ye nae put a vest on, lad?
After rigorous research I can confirm that covers in this particular genre fall in to three categories in which the muscular hero can be -
holding a lady,
holding a sword, either pointy side up...
...or down,
or at least, wearing some kind of armband (face optional).
And am I allowed to say that some of the titles are AMAZING? For my money Mad, bad and dangerous in plaid is a standout, though Temptation in a kilt must surely get an honorable mention.
You'll be pleased to know that almost all of these titles are available in eBook format, possibly as a result of the "embarrassment factor" that does apparently influence choice of format for recreational reading. Though why you'd be whakamā about reading In bed with a highlander on the bus, I can't imagine (okay, yes I can).
Which of the above is your favourite Caledonian cover-boy?
Add a comment to: Outlandish kilt addiction