She's the One Who Can't Keep Quiet
(Book Five 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:
Do you know what your problem is?
Celestine, the fifth of seven sisters, is tired of hearing about hers. Father thinks she’s frivolous because she likes pretty clothes and caters to the crowds in the taverns who adore her music. Mother thinks that because she’s the most social daughter in the family, she can’t keep quiet about anything.
They’re both wrong. Celestine hides a secret she has kept for most of her life.
As the family beauty and a talented musician with a lyrical voice, she has the best prospects for marriage to a prince. When such a liaison never happens, people assume Celestine is too choosy. But even in somewhat tolerant Ilari, a daughter hates to disappoint her family. How can she tell them she’s in love with a princess instead?
Lucky for Celestine, all her sisters are obsessed with an invading army headed to their realm. Celestine would rather ignore the threat and enjoy the freedom their lack of attention gives her. But, her voice can unlock a power that may help save Ilari. And the woman she loves is determined to fight these invaders. And her family, for all their talents, seems clueless about how to motivate the masses.
Celestine knows she can inspire the citizens of Ilari to do what needs to be done. Is it time to put her inhibitions aside and use her voice to save those she cares about?
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EXCERPT
When I was a little girl, Kolada was my favorite time of the year. There were sweets, and pretty decorations, and gifts to open. The world sparkled and I loved sparkling things.
I still do, but I’m more jaded now. Performing for the public does that to you, as you learn to use sparkle to create an image.
I sat in the center of the stage in a large public room in K’ba, plucking the strings of my psaltery as the little mirrors hung around the many candles on the walls filled the room with glitter. People from the wealthy nichnas of Pilk, Kir, and Lev packed the tavern, hoping to celebrate the holiday in style in this fashionably artistic place.
I seldom bothered to scan the crowds for a familiar face. Those who could afford to travel to listen to the likes of me hadn’t spent time in my social circles. It’s why I looked right past her, more than once, as I performed. When I finally noticed Firuza, my fingers faltered for a heartbeat, then they resumed.
It had been half a year now since I took her summer class on the nature of the moon, and I hadn’t known if I’d ever see her again. If I did, I had no reason to think she’d speak to me. For although the recollection of her scent lingered along with the memory of my longing, what had passed between us eighths ago was surely gone.
Yet, she stood off to the side of the stage waiting to speak with me when I finished. Even in the eclectic mix of people visiting K’ba, Firuza stood out with her wide smile and her dark eyes full of life.
“Celestine. I’m so glad I could get into this show. Your performance was beautiful!” Her voice still carried those traces of her homeland somewhere to the south, and she still smelled of a spice I didn’t recognize.
She came to see me. I had to concentrate on my breathing.
When she invited me to share hot spiced wine, I gave my musical group a wave to let them know I was fine and joined her at one of the little tables.
“I love to visit K’ba,” she said. “I feel freer here than I do in Pilk. Less observed, if you know what I mean.”
Yes, I did. I felt less observed here, too.
She stroked my hand with her fingers, then she looked into my eyes.
“Would you like to take our hot wine back to my chambers? It’s quieter there. We could visit and get caught up.”
My insides trembled as I answered yes. I knew what was going to happen in her room, and I knew I’d never wanted anything more.
We both set down our wine as we entered. It would still be tasty once it cooled.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Sherrie Cronin writes stories about people achieving the astonishing by developing abilities they barely knew they had. She’s made a lot of stops along the way to telling these tells — living in seven cities, visiting forty-six countries, and working as a waitress, technical writer, and geophysicist. She’s lost too many beloved cats to mention, but has acquired a husband and three children who are all doing fine, despite how odd she is.
Today she lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina where she writes, answers a hotline, and occasionally checks her phone for a message from Captain Picard. She still hopes to get the chance to pursue her remaining dream in life and become Chief Science Officer on the Starship Enterprise.
Author Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cinnabar01
Facebook: www.facebook.com/46Ascending
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.r.cronin/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5805814.Sherrie_Cronin
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Sherrie-Cronin/e/B007FRMO9Q
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/s-r-cronin
Author Blog: https://troublesome7sisters.xyz/
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
S. R. Cronin will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
I liked the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an excellent read.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the great excerpt
ReplyDelete