Spotlight: Between the Sea and Stars by Chantal Gadoury and narrated by Dollcie Webb
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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?
Q&A
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.
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.
About the Author: Chantal Gadoury
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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About the Narrator: Dollcie Webb
"Daydreams and whimsy with 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.
