Author: Chantal Gadoury
Narrator: Dollcie Webb
Length: 6 hours 53 minutes
Series: The Lena Series, Book 1
Publisher: The Parliament House
Released: Dec. 20, 2018
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
A legend
A magical shell
A girl who dreamed of something more…
Lena, a Merrow girl, lives in the Skagerrak sea with her father, Carrick and her brother, Javelin, who tells her of the legend of the Merrow Queen murdered by her human lover when greed takes over. But what’s worth spilling the queen’s blood? Gifted from Poseidon, himself, a magic shell gives any human the ability to control both land and sea.
When Javelin is called to join a clan of Merrow soldiers bent on protecting their waters from human invasion, Lena resists Merrow law and ventures to the shore with no choice but to swim to land.
With newfound legs, Lena is whisked away on a new adventure with new friends and new trouble. Everyone seems to want something from her as intrigue lurks around every corner.
Trying her best to hide who she is and remain safe from the dangers of the human world, will Lena finally find where she belongs, or will she be swept into a strong and stormy current by lust, greed, and jealousy?
Amazon Bestselling Author, Chantal Gadoury, is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published The Songs in Our Hearts, and The Songs We Remember, with 48Fourteen Publishing. Allerleirauh, Between the Sea and Stars, Blinding Night and WinterDream with the Parliament House Press. Chantal first started writing stories at the age of seven and continues with that love of writing today. For Chantal, writing novels has become a lifelong dream come true! When she’s not typing away at her next project, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of Iced Coffee, and watching Disney Classics. Chantal lives in Muncy, Pennsylvania with her Mom, sister and furry-‘brother’ Taran.
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“Daydreams and whimsy with a touch of pixie charm.”
A long-time daydreamer, Dollcie Webb has always carried a special fondness for Young Adult Fantasy literature. The poetic imagery and enticing otherworldliness call to her sense of curiosity, satisfying a deep desire to explore the world around her. A graduate of Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor’s in Theatre and Electronic Media Performance, she’s taken her experience in audio and theatrical performance and has melded the two into a career as an audiobook producer and narrator.
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I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Chantal Gadoury. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I love a mermaid story, so this series intrigued me right away. Between the Sea and Stars starts off the trilogy with tragedy and exile and magic. Lena leaves her Merrow world behind and is learning to be a human on land. She has many secrets and is terrified of getting found out because of the dangerous consequences. She fears for good reason, there are those out to get her, those who want the magic she possesses that gave her the legs she is wearing. The shell that holds tremendous powers. But I’m also happy she finds allies and friends who somehow already know the truth and want to help her.
The audio narration is wonderful. I enjoyed the voices, the tone, and speed of delivery. The pronunciation was great and the intensity of emotions was believable and kept me engaged with the story.
This first book starts and ends with a bang, and while it isn’t exactly a cliffhanger, you know the big bad is coming for her any minute. I’m definitely curious to see how the story continues.
Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing? – To be honest, no. I hardly ever think about the other avenues that can occur while writing. My main focus is usually just getting the story down on paper (or screen) and hoping for the best in publication. But now that I can see it’s something that can happen, and something that I personally love to use in my own daily life – I’d love to see more of my books go down this avenue!
How did you select your narrator? – I found out about Dollcie when she was working for another author in the Publishing House. When I heard her reading, I remember asking my publisher if perhaps Dollcie would be interested in being the voice to one of my books. It seemed that Dollcie was excited to, and from there – the production of “Between the Sea and Stars” began!
Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing? – For “Between the Sea and Stars,” I really drew on inspiration from my time of roleplaying on Tumblr as Ariel from “The Little Mermaid.” As you find on the internet, and in “writing-roleplay-forums,” you as the writer can often take liberties with the characters and create your own stories – which is exactly what I did. But for years after that time, Ariel’s voice remained very much intact in my mind, and I knew I wanted to continue writing her story, but in a new way. I also draw on people I’ve interacted with, places I’ve been (the beach) and other Disney characters that I’ve grown to love as I grew up.
Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?: I am an audiobook listener! I really enjoy being able to listen to a book if I just don’t have to actually read it myself. And sometimes, it’s just nice to have someone read to you – it makes the world and the characters even more real. With the help of a great narrator, one can truly become fully enveloped in the story. I think for me, it’s all about the voice and how well they can draw me in. Whether it’s changing their voices for character’s dialogue, the music in the beginning; just like writing, not one thing makes a book good, it’s several things. But I can’t deny the convenience that audiobooks give to a listener!
Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?: Yes! When I listened to Dollcie’s performance of the book, I found the scenes when Lena is knee-deep in her relationships with the humans on land – and discovering things about herself and them. . . it really came to life. I will add, the ending in particular, really struck me and kept me on the edge of my seat. Dollcie had a way of making me forget that I was listening to something that I actually wrote.
If you had the power to time travel, would you use it? If yes, when and where would you go?: Oh yes. I would. I would go back in time to different eras, just to see them. Particularly the Victorian times in London, England. Maybe even the Colonial times in America.
How did you celebrate after finishing this novel?: I take a big sigh of relief, save my manuscript, send it to my beta reader and then shut down my computer. If I have a TV show or movie that I’ve really wanted to watch – I’ll treat myself. I might even go get an iced coffee or a glass of wine. Simple – but fun!
What’s your favorite:
- Food – Chinese food, for sure.
- Song – Hmm. . . It’s a mixture between “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story” from Hamilton, or “Stay With Me” by Chanyeol & Punch (two very different songs/genres) (orrr – “A Million Dreams” from the Greatest Showman Soundtrack.)
- Book – “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J Maas.
- Television show – Right now, I’m going through a phase of watching nothing but Korean Dramas. “Cinderella and Four Knights” was among my favorites (along with the tearjerker – “Moon lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo”
- Movie – Pretty Woman / Beauty and the Beast
- Band – Coldplay
- Sports team – I don’t really have one. My dad used to cheer for the underdogs of football games, so we as a family either went with the team he was supporting, or we’d go with the opposite to make things fun.
- City – Denver, Colorado. It’s beautiful there.
Are any of those things referenced in appearance in your work?: I think when you boil down the stories and the music, you’ll find the common thread in them is “Romance.” And in “Between the Sea and Stars,” there is a romance. Lena, the merrow, learns about the many different forms of love and the complexities of human emotions (along with her own.) There might not be an outright appearance of the things that I love in the book, but the central theme of love (which I am a person who loves love!) is definitely prevalent.
What bits of advice would you give to aspiring authors?: My advice to aspiring authors is often the same. I usually say to always write. To make time for writing. And to not give up on your dream of publishing a book. Be mindful that it takes a lot of work – revisions, editing, going through the many stages of manuscript to a finished product. Just as it is time consuming to write, it can be quite time consuming to have your book published – and to get it out to the public! But always write – and write what makes you happy. Don’t write for an audience, but rather – yourself.
A lot of narrators seem to have a background in theatre. Is that something you think is essential to a successful narration career?
Yes I do. My theatre background gave me the skills I need to be a successful audiobook performer. I don’t think a BA in performing arts is 100% necessary to being a successful narrator but for me I wouldn’t be here without it.
What type of training have you undergone?
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Electronic Media Performance from Michigan Technological University. I also attended the VO Atlanta conference my senior year of college and learned a. LOT. It was there that I realized how far-reaching the voiceover world is and how I could actually make a living using the skills I acquired from college.
How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for narrating?
It took me a year after I started narrating to realized burn-out is a very real phenomena. I help prevent burnout by making sure to take care of myself and making sure to replenish my creative well. Reading stories for the fun of it, singing in the shower, listening to podcasts for authors and narrators, watching TED talk videos, watching cartoons, and listening to audiobooks.
Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
Love audiobooks! One of the things that I love about the audiobook format is that it allows for a very personal relationship between an author and listener. When a skilled narrator can communicate the author’s words in a way that embraces and honors the story it gives a special experience to the listener. A well-told audiobook can transport you INTO the world of the book and the narrator disappears.
What would you say are your strongest narration abilities?
I would like to think that my strongest ability as a narrator is that I find joy in the stories I narrate. I genuinely enjoy the stories I read and I like to think that translates over to my performance; giving each day in the booth my best effort and fully immersing myself in the story. Some books I have to work at more than others to reach that mental state but for me that is what marks the difference between narrating as a hobby and narrating as a career.
How closely do you prefer to work with authors?
Usually as closely as possible. I know how much time and effort I put into working on the audiobook and that can’t even compare to the amount of time that the author invests to write the book! I have so much respect and admiration for the authors that I work with, I want them to know that we’re on the same team and we both want the audiobook to do well.
How did you decide how each character should sound in this title?
It was about balancing how I heard the characters in my head when I first read the book, and then gauging what my voice is capable of. Then I designated a voice from there. Sometimes I have trouble pinpointing side characters (Jepsen the creepy man in the fish market for example) but when those situations happen I like to throw caution to the wind and just try reading the line in the most obnoxious voice possible. Often I’ll figure out a hard-to-hear voice by playing around that way!
What types of things are harmful to your voice?
Big seasonal changes wreak havoc on my voice. I’ve developed some terrible allergies as I’ve gotten older and they really mess with my sinuses which in turn negatively affect my voice.
What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
I have to say that is an uncharitable way to view the medium! Firstly, it’s not like audiobook are hurting anyone, so why put the effort into maintaining such a strong negative thought about it? Secondly, think of how audiobooks are opening a world of information to consumers who otherwise might not have access. People commuting to work, the visually impaired, small children learning to read, the disabled who may not have the motor reflexes required to hold a tablet or flip a page, ALL of these people now have the option to enjoy stories that would be difficult to read without the assistance of audiobooks. Physical reading is a luxury not everyone has the time or means to enjoy. Audiobooks are tools that help level the field between literate healthy readers and those readers who could use a little assistance.
Bonus question: Any funny anecdotes from inside the recording studio?
My cat, Oscar, likes to try to join me in my booth while I’m recording. He’s unusually cuddly for a cat (and I’m not going to lie, it’s super cute!) but when he doesn’t gets attention he will meow and rub all over you until he gets what he wants. There were many times when I needed to edit out unexpected cat noises because Oscar demanded I attend to him!
Prize: Real Conch Shell Necklace
Giveaway organized and sponsored by the narrator, Dollcie Webb
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