She's the One Who Doesn't Say Much by S. R. Cronin - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hey, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host S. R. Cronin and her new book, “She’s the One Who Doesn’t Say Much,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with S. R. and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

She’s the One Who Doesn’t Say Much

(Book Four of the War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters)

by S. R. Cronin

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GENRE: Historical Fantasy

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BLURB:

Olivine, the fourth of seven sisters, has been hiding a secret as she travels to K’ba to meet her artist friends. Others assume she has fallen in love with another artist, and it’s not a match Mother would consider suitable. But it’s much worse that. For on the way to K’ba is the dirt poor nichna of Scrud, a place scorned by all other Ilarians. And in Scrud is the one man who understands her.

However, Bohdan is also is a realist, and a man who recognizes the dangers posed by an impending Mongol invasion. When he learns of Olivine’s unusual visual powers, he convinces her to pick up her bow and arrow and start practicing.

She does, though she’s more concerned with producing enough art to raise the funds to run away from home and live in K’ba, where she can paint all day and see Bohdan as often as she wants. If only her sister Ryalgar hadn’t learned of what she can do and decided Olivine and her fellow long-eyes held one of the keys to defending the realm.

Then, as if life wasn’t complicated enough, Olivine learns the artist community she yearns to be part of has developed a different take on the invasion. They feel certain the only way to survive is to capitulate completely to the Mongols demands. Artists who feel otherwise are no longer welcome.

Where does her future lie? The supposed invasion is coming soon and Olivine doesn’t have much time to decide.

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EXCERPT ONE:

“What’s your name?”

The softness in his face told me he meant to be polite, nothing more, but such a direct question from a Scrudite made me nervous. Yes, I needed his help, but I’d been taught to use caution when dealing with these people.

“Must you know my name in order to tend to my injured horse?” I asked. I stood tall, willing my slight frame into all the bulkiness I could.

He laughed, but his shoulders slumped as he turned away from me.

“No, I’ll help you no matter how disagreeable you are.”

Bold words from one such as him. “I’m not disagreeable.”

“Perhaps not,” he said. “Maybe you’re frightened. I have trouble telling the difference.”

His words froze the response on my lips. I was scared of him and his people. Most Vinxites, especially those from families like mine, had never spoken to a Scrudite.

I turned my artist’s eye upon him. Despite his weathered skin he was young, like me. Unlike me, he had muscles from a life of strenuous work. His hair, lightened by the sun, shown with glints and his clothes were the usual mishmash of tattered rags worn by Scrudites.

“It’s just a sprain,” he said as felt around my horse’s front right ankle. The mare stood still, unusually cooperative around a stranger. He massaged her leg gently.

“I’ll get a poultice on it. Let her rest overnight; she’ll be able to walk on it tomorrow and carry your things, though you shouldn’t ride her yet. Not for a few days.”

“She can’t possibly rest here for the night. I’ve no place to stay.”

I had to pass through a small piece of Scrud to get from my parents' farm to the art studios in K’ba where my friends lived. I knew our poorest nichna lacked the inns found throughout the rest of the realm, but I hadn’t worried. My journey was short, and I didn’t intend to stop. Who knew what a stranded traveler did here.

“No Scrudite would expect a stranger to sleep alone in the desolation.” He seemed offended at the thought as he pointed out toward the dusty openness. “Our wolves are far too bold. You’ll sleep with me.”

“I’ll do no such thing!”

Another laugh, this one more amused.

“That’s not what I meant. The people of Scrud do not force themselves on each other, much less on those passing through. One of my sisters will be glad to share my hut to put you at ease. I’ve room for three. I’d prefer to send you to her hut, but your horse needs to remain still, and I suspect she’ll only do so if you stay nearby.”

This man, this Scrudite, was doing his best with me. It wasn’t his fault my horse had managed to step into a hole only paces from where he made his pitiful life. Despite his situation, he’d offered me as much courtesy as any gentleman in Pilk would have. Perhaps more.

“Thank you. If your sister is as kind as you, I look forward to meeting her.”

I looked around. He and his family had to be part of the clan of Scrudites who lived in tiny huts hugging the forest’s scraggly edge, making their meager living carving the beautiful hard woods growing at the margins of their nichna. Our entire realm valued the products they produced, and some thought his clan accessed ancient magic to infuse into their creations.

I’d always considered that last bit to be wishful thinking. Some Ilarians imagined they saw the old magic everywhere they looked.

As he turned to fetch his sister, I reached out for his arm to stop him. He seemed startled at my touch.

“Olivine,” I said. “My name is Olivine.”

“Odd name. Mine’s Bohdan.”

“Thank you for helping a traveler, Bohdan.”

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

Another powerful story from S. R. Cronin!!

The War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters Book Series continues with an exciting, intriguing, engaging, and stirring read in Book Four, “She’s the One Who Doesn’t Say Much.”

This is the EIGHTH book I’ve read from the inspiringly talented writer, S. R. Cronin.  To say I’m a fan, would be an understatement lol!!  Earlier this year, I had the privilege of diving into her new Book Series, “The War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters.”  Although, with a family emergency and health issues, I sadly wasn’t able to partake in all her exciting book series tours.  I was fortunate to read Book One, “She’s the One Who Thinks Too Much,” and now Book Four, “She’s the One Who Doesn’t Say Much.”

Having missed Book Two, “She’s the One Who Cares Too Much,” and Book Three, “She’s the One Who Gets in Fights,” I was worried that I might get lost jumping into Book Four.  However, that couldn’t be further from the truth.  Right away I was fully immersed back into the story line and into the 13^th century.  S. R. Cronin, seems fully aware that readers may not always read her book series in order, but that’s okay, as she uses her creative story telling to fill in any unknown background info that plays off as a light handed, friendly reminder for those who did read the previous books, and an enjoyable quick highlight reel to those who may have missed a few books in between.  This is truly an important skill that S. R. Cronin has not only found, but also exceeds in.  Although, I think everyone, myself included, would get the most out of these books and this series, if they were read in order.  However, the author provides enough info to keep the reader engaged and able to easily follow along regardless of the order her books are enjoyed.

This book is filled with interesting, intriguing, and enchanting content!!

Olivine, a free-spirited, talented artist steals this story with her striking and passionate dreams of a better place.  However, her mother and sisters are quite worried and concerned with the decisions she’s making and her plans to stay in K’ba.  Olivine, possesses a very special gift, which is referred to as “LongEyes.”  This special ability allows her to view an object that is far-away, but as if it were up-close.  While this unique talent is extremely beneficial in her artwork, it is also considered to be a key asset in her families upcoming battle against the Mongols.

While this story strongly focuses on the upcoming war preparations, there is a bit of a sweet, but forbidden love story with Olivine and Bohdan.  Olivine is clearly the rebellious sister lol.  But her clever wit, feisty attitude, and whimsical charm prove that this sister should not be underestimated.  Ultimately, Olivine is left torn between the artist community life she dreams about and helping her family fight the impeding invasion.  With time running out, Olivine must quickly choose which side she’s on.

So far, each book focuses on a specific sister, understanding her unique ability, and how she plays a part in this upcoming war.  I love seeing all the different angles of this story as each sister brings a different viewpoint!!  Reading each book is like collecting puzzle pieces!!  It is so fascinating how each piece fits together!!  At first, it’s like you can’t quite see the whole picture or how it’s all going to turn out, but with each piece you get a little more insight and a little closer to figuring it out!!

As per usual, I was swept away with Cronin’s storytelling and her ability to completely engage the reader from page one!!

S. R. Cronin’s worldbuilding skills are strong, consistent, cohesive, and believable!!!  Her writing process and development are full of original, carefully thought-out, and thoroughly extensive details!!

I am excited to continue on in this book series, collecting more puzzle pieces, and hopefully finding time to swing back to the previous two I missed out on.  I can’t wait to learn more about these incredible sisters and how they saved their realm.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!!  I think all historical fantasy readers will like this book, and this book series too!!  So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations**

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AUTHOR BIO:

Sherrie Roth is the author of a collection of six speculative fiction novels known as 46. Ascending and is now in the process of publishing a historical fantasy series called The War Stories of the Seven Troublesome Sisters. A quick look at the synopses of her books makes it obvious she is fascinated by people achieving the astonishing by developing abilities they barely knew they had.

She’s made a lot of stops along the way to writing these novels.  She’s lived in seven cities, visited forty-six countries, and worked as a waitress, technical writer, and geophysicist. Now she answers a hot-line. Along the way, she’s lost several cats but acquired a husband who still loves her and three kids who’ve grown up just fine, both despite how odd she is.

All her life she has wanted to either tell these kinds of stories or be Chief Science Officer on the Starship Enterprise. She now lives and writes in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where she admits to occasionally checking her phone for a message from Captain Picard, just in case.

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CONNECT WITH S. R.:

Author Blog:

https://sherriecronin.xyz

Book Series Blog:

https://troublesome7sisters.xyz

Email:

lola.zeitman@gmail.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Number46Ascending

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/cinnabar01

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5805814.Sherrie_Cronin

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58592929-she-s-the-one-who-doesn-t-say-much

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2SYuW36

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

http://amzn.to/3DSPEu7

Amazon Paperback:

http://amzn.to/3yPFRRw

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shes-the-one-who-doesnt-say-much-s-r-cronin/1139107112

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Shes-One-Who-Doesnt-Say-Much-S-R-Cronin/9781941283684

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

S. R. will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.