12 Authors Similar to Diana Gabaldon You’ll Love

Few stories sweep readers off their feet quite like Outlander, with its unforgettable mix of history, romance, time travel and rich character development.

If you’ve found yourself captivated by that world and long to discover more books with a similar feel, there’s good news – many talented authors offer that same depth and emotional pull.

This list brings together 12 authors similar to Diana Gabaldon, writers who create immersive character-driven tales with a historical heart and often a touch of the mystical.

Whether you’re drawn to ancient Scotland or sweeping wartime epics, these storytellers promise a deeply satisfying reading experience.

12 Authors Similar to Diana Gabaldon

1. Sara Donati

Writing Style & Themes:
Donati weaves rich historical detail with compelling romance, spotlighting resilient women navigating the complexities of early American life.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Into the Wilderness
• Dawn on a Distant Shore
• Lake in the Clouds
• Fire Along the Sky
• Queen of Swords​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She crafts immersive tales with heartfelt characters and vivid depictions of frontier life.​

Sara Donati’s Website: https://saradonati.com

2. Susanna Kearsley

Writing Style & Themes:
Kearsley masterfully blends historical fiction with elements of romance and mystery, often incorporating time-slip narratives that connect past and present.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Winter Sea
• The Firebird
• The Rose Garden
• Mariana
• Bellewether​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She crafts atmospheric tales with rich historical detail and emotionally resonant characters.​

Susanna Kearsley’s Website: https://susannakearsley.com

3. Winston Graham

Writing Style & Themes:
Graham’s narratives are rooted in historical settings, particularly 18th-century Cornwall, focusing on complex characters and social dynamics.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Ross Poldark
• Demelza
• Jeremy Poldark
• Warleggan
• The Black Moon​

Why Readers Will Love Him:
He delivers richly detailed historical sagas with enduring characters and dramatic plots.​

Winston Graham’s Website: https://www.winstongraham.org​

4. Deborah Harkness

Writing Style & Themes:
Harkness intertwines history, science and fantasy, creating intricate worlds where time travel and supernatural elements enhance the narrative.​

Notable Books/Series:

• A Discovery of Witches
• Shadow of Night
• The Book of Life
• Time’s Convert
• The Black Bird Oracle​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She offers a sophisticated blend of historical detail and magical realism, appealing to fans of layered storytelling.​

Deborah Harkness’s Website: https://deborahharkness.com​

5. Jude Deveraux

Writing Style & Themes:
Deveraux specializes in romantic tales that often involve time travel, strong heroines and richly detailed historical settings.​

Notable Books/Series:

• A Knight in Shining Armor
• The Velvet Promise
• Remembrance
• Sweet Liar
• The Summerhouse​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She combines heartfelt romance with engaging plots and memorable characters.​

Jude Deveraux’s Website: https://judedeveraux.com​

6. Karen Marie Moning

Writing Style & Themes:
Moning’s work is known for its blend of paranormal romance and time-travel elements, often set against the backdrop of mystical Scotland.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Beyond the Highland Mist
• To Tame a Highland Warrior
• The Highlander’s Touch
• Kiss of the Highlander
• The Dark Highlander​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers passionate romances infused with fantasy and rich historical settings.​

Karen Marie Moning’s Website: https://karenmoning.com

7. Claire R. McDougall

Writing Style & Themes:
McDougall blends lyrical prose with time-travel elements, transporting readers to ancient Scotland through introspective narratives.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Veil of Time
• Druid Hill
• Iona
• Hazel and the Chessmen​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She offers a poetic journey through time, rich in Scottish history and personal discovery.​

Claire R. McDougall’s Website: https://www.clairemcdougall.com 

8. May McGoldrick

Writing Style & Themes:
McGoldrick crafts historical romances set in Scotland, featuring strong heroines and elements of adventure.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Highland Crown
• Much Ado About Highlanders
• Taming the Highlander
• Tempest in the Highlands
• Angel of Skye​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers compelling stories with courageous women and rich historical settings.​

May McGoldrick’s Website: https://www.maymcgoldrick.com​

9. Julie Garwood

Writing Style & Themes:
Garwood’s novels combine romance with historical intrigue, often set in medieval Scotland, featuring spirited heroines and honorable heroes.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Secret
• Ransom
• The Bride
• The Wedding
• Shadow Music​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She offers heartfelt romances with a blend of humor and historical charm.​

Julie Garwood’s Website: https://juliegarwood.com​

10. Lynn Kurland

Writing Style & Themes:
Kurland specializes in time-travel romances, weaving together medieval settings with contemporary characters and gentle fantasy elements.​

Notable Books/Series:

• A Dance Through Time
• The Very Thought of You
• From This Moment On
• Dreams of Stardust
• Till There Was You​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She creates enchanting tales that seamlessly blend romance, history and time travel.​

Lynn Kurland’s Website: https://www.lynnkurland.com​

11. Jennifer Donnelly

Writing Style & Themes:
Donnelly writes emotionally rich historical fiction, often featuring dual timelines and strong female protagonists.​

Notable Books/Series:

• Revolution
• A Northern Light
• The Tea Rose
• The Winter Rose
• The Wild Rose​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She delivers poignant stories that intertwine history with personal growth and resilience.​

Jennifer Donnelly’s Website: https://www.jenniferdonnelly.com

12. Paullina Simons

Writing Style & Themes:
Simons crafts epic historical romances set against the backdrop of wartime, focusing on enduring love and survival.​

Notable Books/Series:

• The Bronze Horseman
• Tatiana and Alexander
• The Summer Garden
• Children of Liberty
• Bellagrand​

Why Readers Will Love Her:
She offers sweeping narratives that explore love’s resilience amid historical turmoil.​

Paullina Simons’s Website: http://www.paullinasimons.com

Last Word on the Authors Like Diana Gabaldon

The above 12 writers like Diana Gabaldon each bring something special to the table, offering readers new adventures filled with romance, history and unforgettable characters.

From Sara Donati’s richly detailed frontier world to Deborah Harkness’s blend of fantasy and time travel, these writers carry the same spirit that makes Outlander so beloved.

Whether it’s the emotional depth of Paullina Simons, the time-slip storytelling of Susanna Kearsley or the sweeping Highland romances by Karen Marie Moning, each author opens the door to a captivating escape.

Whichever book you pick next from the above authors similar to Diana Gabaldon, you’re in for a journey worth taking.