Books and Jams Readalong discussion

Share your thoughts on chapters 7-12. Feel free to put the chapter you're talking about as a heading so those who might not have gotten that far can hopefully avoid any spoilers.

Chapter 7
I knew that the man walking the dog was Graham I just had this feeling. And it is like she has this automatic connection with him. I love when she says " Stuart might be nice to look at. Graham was the kind of man I couldn't look away from." love it...
It is definitely strange how her layout of the castle and the layout that Dr. Weir had where exactly the same. It is almost like she is traveling in time and doesn't realize it.


III
Who is the crazy gardener and why does he stare at the girls. Kinda creepy. Love Kristy's personality, seems as if she may bring Sophia out of her shell. I have a feeling something very bad happened to her when she was with John Drummond. Especially it seemed worse to her than her parents death.
Who are these men on the ship I agree with Sophia are they good or bad? What is it they want.

Chapter 8
I find it strange how she is so attracted to Graham, is he someone from the past that Sophia is going to meet? Or does the past have something to do with there attraction to each other. So many questions. Why doesn't she find it strange that she can remember places that she hasn't been and it is so easy for her to tell this story?

IV
OMG this is getting crazy. Who is this Mr Moray. Why is Sophia drawn to him. I am hoping he is a good guy not a bad one. So many man wonder who Sophia will end up with. Her dad talks about David John McClelland there relative, who is he? When she is talking her dad he is shocked that she knows all of this information. John Drummond was a friend of her fathers it seems but Sophia called him her uncle. Why would her dad leave him a third of there lands in his will? I am really getting into this story. So many questions and twists. Is the Countess a spy for Scotland?

Chapter 9
So she Carolyn goes and talks to the doctor about unconscious memory and could it be possible she may have her ancestors memories. I have never heard anything like that. Not that I am a psychology person. I couldn't imagine if that was really possible the things that be people could learn. Edinburgh had some information that I don't think she expected to find, like the fact that in real life Dr. Hall did exist and did take Sophia to Slains. So her story is not necessarily and historical fiction. It is become more really as she learns more.

V
I really want to know what happened to Sophia when she was with John Drummond. She is so afraid of him. The Countess seems to realize this also by how she introduces her nephew I believe also named John Drummond. It seems they underestimate Sophia at least Colonel Hooke does. For some reason it seems Sophia doesn't trust Hooke, I am not sure did I miss something from chapters before this that I should know why.
Mr Moray reminds me of Jamie Fraser from Outlander he was wanted also. And just maybe his real name is McClellend I hope so. And can someone tell me why women never speak up in books when they have feeling for someone. That is one thing that really bothers me.

I forgot to put another quote that I really liked down from chapter V
"She has a wildness that she keeps hid behind this gentle face." Sophia is talking about the horse, but I think Mr Moray sees it in Sophia also.

Chapter 10
yeah it finally happened the kiss, And him telling her he didn't want to share her. Love it.

Ch7 - I am totally here for a Graham character! Tall, dark and handsome! haha. I love that sentence you pulled out, Wendy. Stuart is nice to look at but she can't look away from Graham. Love it. We get our first glimpse of the title in the text in this chapter. After her time with Graham on the beach she sits down to write a character description with him as inspiration and she says "eyes the color of the winter sea". I love finding the title in the book! Interesting at the end of this chapter when she hears a voice saying she feels the pull of Slains and it's not Sophia's voice but her own this time.


III - Yeah the gardener was creepy. Hope he doesn't show up more. On her trip up the coast with Kirsty Sophia shares more of her back story about losing her parents. I love her thought "There never was a tragedy except the Lord has some plan for turning it to good". In the midst of the grief that thought isn't particularly comforting, but in hindsight I've found it almost always true. I am curious to know more about her time with her Uncle. We've only been given tiny glimpses, but I have a feeling it was pretty awful. I felt the intensity of them running back to the castle trying to beat the boat coming ashore.

Ch8 - This chapter was her walk with Graham and just had some cute scenes. I love that he showed up at the cottage and she was a hot mess. The meter and stove had gone out and she was trying to get it warm again. It was a nice "knight in shining armor" moment for him and he definitely lived up to it. Got the place warm and cooked her breakfast! Swoon! haha. On their walk she again has some massive dejavu type moments. I am starting to wonder how it's all happening. It's not just coincidence.

IV - We meet Mr. Moray. Sophia feels intense connection to him. I like the advice Sophia remembers from her dad - Men who watch but say little very often are much wiser than the men they serve. I think Moray is a decent man, but we'll see. I agree there are a lot of questions without answers. I'm totally drawn in to both Sophia and Carrie's stories!

Ch 9 - The idea of genetic memories is what Carrie is thinking is the problem. I think it's probably something a little more supernatural or fantastical than that. We'll see. She goes to Edinburgh to look up more about the Duke of Hamilton and discovers not only is she getting names and dates right, but basically her whole story so far is true. Crazy!

V -
More Jacobite talk with Colonel Hooke and the others. Sophia proves to be more than just a wallflower. I am wary of Hooke because Sophia doesn't trust him. I wonder if the Countess feels the same way. The scene in the stables with Moray was sweet and I loved it! I hope he proves to be a good guy!


Wendy, we are right on track with each other so far! haha.

Krista wrote: "Ch7 - I am totally here for a Graham character! Tall, dark and handsome! haha. I love that sentence you pulled out, Wendy. Stuart is nice to look at but she can't look away from Graham. Love it. We..."

Yep Krista we are. lol, I totally missed the mention of the winter sea, I remembered reading after I saw you put it in you chapter paragraph. That is so awesome.

Chapter 10 - Graham and Carrie go for their driving tour, but the rain prevents them from going far. They end up in his friends barn for a bit where they have a chance to chat some more and there's just a bit of flirting, but it doesn't feel frivolous. I LOVE the scene back at her house when he walks her to the door then comes back to tell her he didn't tell his dad because he didn't want to share her just yet. Then they share a brief (and of course powerful) kiss in the rain. A bit tropy, but I don't even care! So cute!! I laughed out loud when he said, "Put that in your book." haha

VI - I had a feeling we weren't quite done with the creepy gardner. Mr. Moray to the rescue!

Chapter 11 - Oh Stuart, clueless Stuart. He's like a puppy. I found him charming at first and he still is, but annoying now because...Graham!! I do still love the interaction between this family of men. During Graham's "history lesson" for Stuie I wanted a family tree or some kind of visual. I'm still not sure I've got everyone straight in my head, but that's ok. Then, when Graham sort of stepped down because Stuart had staked his claim in a sense, I was so bummed and yet had respect for him and his love for his brother. Obviously it's not going to last, right?

VII -
Funny that Carrie wrote this chapter in response to her evening with the boys. But she gave Moray a stronger response than what she got from Graham.


Ch 12 - Whoa, Dr. Weir actually found something about genetic memory! Interesting. I love that he just takes her at her word and believes it all. We all need someone like that in our corner! And interesting that she thought she wrote that last chapter in response to her evening but then found proof that Captain Gordon really did come ashore and other facts that proved it happened as she wrote it. Crazy.

VIII -
I love that we're getting two romances in one book! haha. And I don't mind the love triangles either. Sometimes they're annoying, but I am ok with these. What do you guys think?
The scene at the shore was lovely. I'm glad Sophia opened up to Moray about her time at her uncle's house. And his protective response. Oh boy and the kiss. Or should I say kisses. I'm just so loving the romance. Have I said that yet? haha.

VI
What a creeper thank god that Mr Moray came around the corner. What a jerk. And still the female says nothing. This time I understand because she doesn't want him to do anything that can get him in trouble. I can't remember if Sophia's husband's first name was John. I have to check back through my notes.

Chapter 11
Ugh Krista yes Graham did do the brotherly thing, but they just had there first kiss (lol) A brother triangle is never a good thing though.
I agree with you on the family tree, I was so confused but tried to keep up. No such luck there.

VII
Oh boy art and here is the art echoing life that Carrie spoke about. Another possible triangle. Captain Gordan and Mr Moray. I choose Mr Moray. Isn't he closer to her age also. I liked his line "No fear of that I do not lightly lose the things that are my own." don't think he was talking about his gloves. (lol)

Chapter 12
Not much to say other that the other than wow on the trans life regression through hypnosis. How people believe it is a previous life you lived. When it could actually be you remembering a ancestors past life. Very Interesting. Oh and that what she created about Captain Gordon actually really happened. Can't wait to find out what is really going on with her and really want to know what is going to happen with her and Graham. Also I guess Graham is really the good guy giving up his chance at playing professional rugby to take care of his father. Going to be hard to date Carrie if Stuart still likes her.

VIII
Krista I agree with you I just love the two romances. Not hating the love triangle either, but don't want there to be issues between the two brothers. The other with Captain Gordon, so love Mr Moray. I am glad that she opened up also. I knew what her Uncle did was something horrible but did not see her sister being molested by him I assumed it was her. So glad they finally kissed and he told her that as long as he lived no one would hurt her.