I am so
excited that BETWEEN THE SEA AND STARS
by Chantal Gadoury is available now and that I get to share the news!
If you
haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book by Author Chantal Gadoury, be sure
to check out all the details below. I have included an awesome excerpt for you to read and a very insightful interview with the amazing author!
This blitz
also includes a pre-order giveaway courtesy of Chantal. So if you’d like a
chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.
BETWEEN
THE SEA AND STARS
by: Chantal
Gadoury
Pub. Date: June
19, 2018
Publisher: The
Parliament House
Formats: Paperback,
eBook
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?
---
Excerpt:
“Tell me the legend of the Skagerrak queen.”
Javelin lifted a brow. “It’s hardly a legend, Lena,” he said. “It’s
barely been a decade.” His voice was easy, unbothered by the possibility of
being overheard. They were alone in this place. There was no need to whisper or
scold or shush. Still, he groaned. “I’ve told that one a thousand times. You
should know it by heart. Aren’t you tired of it yet?”
“Come on,” Lena urged him. “It’s my favorite. Tell me again.”
He rolled his eyes, but his mouth curved into a grin. “Fine.” His scooped
a clam shell out of the sand and began sliding the sharp side of a rock against
its grain. “The queen fell in love with a human man,” he began, his strong
fingers holding the clam firmly in place. “Every full moon, she used her magic
to travel ashore to see him.”
Lena settled onto her elbows, relishing the smooth sound of her brother’s
voice as he recited the tale.
A dreamy smile spread over her lips.
“I wonder how she met him,” she murmured softly, tilting her chin up and
letting her lashes flutter shut.
“Likely the same way any merrow meets a human,” Javelin teased.
“Shipwrecked during one of Poseidon’s storms. She should have drowned him
immediately.”
“But she couldn’t!” Lena’s eyes pinged open. “For he was devilishly
handsome, even soaking wet. The most handsome man she’d ever seen.”
“Devilish is right,” Javelin allowed. “Whether he was handsome or not,
I’ll let your imagination decide.”
“Oh, he was.” Lena was smiling widely now. “He was, perhaps, the most
beautiful human man in existence, and desperately enraptured by the queen. Each
full moon, he waited for her, pacing the beach like a madman. And when she
would emerge from the sea, he’d run hip-deep to meet her, unable to spend one
more moment apart. He’d wrap his muscular arms around her—”
“For Poseidon’s sake, Lena.”
“And they’d dance together,” she pressed on, giggling, “as only humans
can do. They’d dance and dance the hours away, bathed in starlight, humming
songs into one another’s ears.”
“Until one night. . .” Javelin prompted smugly, and Lena rolled her eyes.
“Until one night,” she sighed, “something overcame the queen’s lover.
Greed.”
“Human greed,” Javelin corrected. “Human nature. It was only a matter of
time.”
She glared at him, but didn’t interrupt as he continued. This was the
best and the worst part of the tale, and Javelin—damn him, was good at telling
it. And he knew.
“That night, the queen swam toward the surface, impatient as ever she
was. Ready to be rid of her tail. Ready to be human again. Her magic was a gift
from Poseidon himself, contained in a delicate shell which she wore around her
neck on a gold chain. It gave her the ability to explore the shore, and to
control the storms and seas.”
Lena leaned in.
“As she swam, the queen began to change. Faint sobs faltered over her
blue-scaled lips—cries of pain, lost to the rushing lull of the waves and the
urgent beating of her fins. Swiftly, her tail separated into two perfectly
shaped legs, and she rose out of the sea.”
“Don’t leave out the good parts,” Lena whispered. She knew her brother
would skim over the romance just to annoy her.
Javelin gave her a pointed look. Then he grinned. “The moon was high that
night,” he said, lowering his voice to a hush for effect. “The land was
illuminated by an eerie, silver glow. Beneath its light, the queen’s new flesh
was creamy and soft. Her hair became one with the wind, and her body shivered
against a violent, uproarious breeze. Perhaps it was a warning from the gods,
but the queen didn’t see it as such. The human lands were cold, suffering a
new, frigid season, but her heart remained warm. She smiled, though her
transition had been agony, when she heard the sound of water splashing and saw
her beloved moving toward her through the shallows.
“She sang his name as he brushed chaste kisses against her neck, and
relaxed fully against him, trusting him completely. She was blind to the wicked
yearning which had wrapped around his heart. Which made his body tense, which
crushed his lungs till he could hardly breathe. He wanted her shell, for he’d
discovered what powers were locked inside that delicate charm. Powers gifted to
whomsoever possessed it. His fingers dipped to her throat, caressing the shell
which had allowed her to return to him, again and again. The queen eyed him
strangely, and he dropped his hands to her waist, tugging her against him,
kissing her deeply.”
Lena sighed, and Javelin smirked.
“She was a fool,” he said.
“She was in love,” Lena amended.
“She was both,” he conceded. “And that foolish love consumed her.
Deceived her. Seduced her. Clouded her eyes, so love was all she could see. But
that fateful eve, her beloved’s affection was not what it seemed. He’d seduced
himself too, with all the prospects of what might be. His own love had been
replaced by a lust for riches unknown. For control of the land and sea.”
Lena winced, for she knew what came next.
“He pressed his mouth against the queen’s skin, whispering sweet words,
distracting her. She was smiling as he sent a knife into her back. Smiling,
even as her eyes went wide with shock.”
Lena shuddered, picturing it. A joyful mouth, frozen in place. Bulging,
horrified eyes going dim.
“The queen’s lover twisted his blade, releasing her cold merrow blood to
the sand. He reached for the shell, yanking on its golden chain. But in the
last throes of breath, the queen resisted him and threw the shell into the
crashing waves, bidding Poseidon to wash it away.
“With a promised curse on his lips, her lover trailed back into the
night, determined to one day possess the world between the sea and stars, and
all who dwell beneath the earth, in the ocean’s depths. Our people.” He glanced
sidelong at Lena, his meaning clear. “The merrows.”
“And the queen. . .” Lena murmured, though she already knew how the tale
would end.
“He left her to dissolve into sea foam. She was washed away forever by
the waves.”
Lena released a long breath and gazed at her hands, trying to imagine
what it would be like to watch herself slowly disappear; what heartache and
betrayal the queen must have felt in her last moments. She knew this was a
gruesome tale, but a part of her thought the better parts, the magic and
romance, were worth the gruesome bits.
“What do you think it would be like, to walk?” she wondered aloud. “Would
it be like having two tails?”
“I don’t know,” Javelin chuckled. “I suppose it might be.”
“Where do you think the shell is now?”
Javelin shrugged. From a stony shelf above his head, he retrieved a slim,
wooden railing he’d found in a ship a few days before and carefully tied his
sharpened clamshell to its jagged end.
Lena smiled, realizing he’d made her a hunting spear.
“Poseidon is said to have hidden the shell before the human lover, or any
human, could steal it. It could be anywhere.”
“If you could go to the surface, would you?”
Javelin pinched his lips together and didn’t speak. It was a silent
reprimand. He knew how Lena longed to break through the waves, to see the human
world with her own eyes, to know the uses of all the odd objects they’d
collected over the years. But the laws of the sea were strict, and the king’s
leniency had all but vanished in recent years.
Any merrow caught peeking at the shore was punished. Some were even
struck down by Poseidon and reduced to sea foam, just like the queen.
“This is where we belong, Lena,” Javelin said softly, firmly.
“But how do you know?” She swirled upright and swam along the edge of the
grotto, brushing her fingertips over cups and spoons and heaps of sodden
fabric. Over small chests and tarnished, palm-sized figurines and other
mysterious, unnamed things. “Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like,
to live on the land? To live among them? To be one of them?”
“Not as much as you have, I can see.”
She groaned, and sank to her brother’s side, resting her head on his
shoulder. “It can’t be as bad as everyone believes. Humans can’t all be the
same. We’re not all the same,” she reasoned quietly.
---
Author Interview:
How were you inspired to become an author?
I grew up with parents who encouraged me to read. My mom took me to my local library every Saturday, where I had the delight of picking out my own books. So with this love already established, it was an even easier transition in creating my own stories. I spent one summer when I was 14, writing non-stop. It wasn’t until “Twlight,” by Stephanie Meyer that I finally decided that it was something that I would hope to accomplish. But it was more of a “bucket-list” sort of thing, rather than a full-fledge career. There are several things, I suppose, that lead to my desire to be an author. But there was never just one moment where I thought, “Yes, I want to be an author.” I think I always carried that hope with me, in one form or another.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Like, I do my best writing here, I always have to have this drink, I spin around three times before sitting down to write, I write the first draft with paper and pencil, etc.,? I do my best writing at home – in my room, at my desk. I usually try to have something to drink, whether it’s a glass of wine or a cup of iced coffee (just depends on how much writing I really want to get done, and how late I’m willing to stay awake.) Sometimes I’ll do an outline. Most of the time, I’m just pulling up a blank Word Document and writing.
Your earlier book, Allerleirauh, was inspired by a classic Grimm Fairytale. What made you choose this fairytale as your first retelling?
I was always really intrigued by the story. As a kid, I saw a very kid-friendly cartoon version, and was always fascinated by the magical dresses and (of course) the handsome prince. One day, I was talking to an old friend who had endured some really tough stuff in her life, and mentioned that I’d always wanted to write this story – but wanted it to carry a significant message to the reader. And she encouraged me – so, I decided it was time to write it. It was a story that I had been carrying around in my head since I was six or seven. Call it Fate . . . Destiny . . . ?
What inspired you to write Between the Sea and Stars?
Right after college, I joined a roleplaying writers group on Tumblr, and wrote as Ariel from “The Little Mermaid.” The many adventures that she (and I) experienced always stuck with me. After several years of that experience being over, I decided that I wanted to try my hand at going back to that world – to a mermaid character who felt just as familiar as Ariel – and write my own twisted “Disney Crossover.” And thus, “Between the Sea and Stars” was born. It’s definitely inspired by a romance thread that Ariel (and I) had experienced, with twists and turns and fun, magical elements along the way. I was also inspired by the original fairy tale, with its Danish / Norse origins – which gave the story even more depth.
Since this is the release week for Between the Sea and Stars, what do you do to celebrate a book release?
I don’t really celebrate. For me, the release week is really only the beginning. I might grab an iced-coffee and pat myself on the back, but no real “celebration” is had. (In my opinion, that should SO totally change.)
What made you want to write retellings?
Well, great writers always say “Write What You Know.” I grew up reading fairytale retellings like “Beauty” by Robin McKinley. “East,” by Edith Pattou. If I found a book that was inspired by a fairy tale, or a retelling, I grabbed it and drank it up. I remember when I was taking a novel-writing class in college, I thought about “what sort of books would you want to write,” and fairytales had been the answer. I know fairytales. I love fairytales. And if I can create them and perhaps someday be someone’s “favorite fairytale author,” then – talk about full circle! That would be the ultimate dream.
How are your books different from other retellings that may be out there?
I’m not sure if my books are entirely different from other retellings out there, and that’s probably a good thing. I wouldn’t want my work to be so vastly different from the great fairytale authors that no one would want to read them. I think if anything, they’re different because they cover subjects that not a lot of people like to share, talk about, or incorporate into their work. I think every author writes with a certain amount of emotion, but I like to think my stories are emotion-driven. I’m not writing another “Cinderella” story. I’m not writing a “Beauty and the Beast” tale. I’m trying to stay away from traditional stories that you see over and over again. I want to give life to tales that people just don’t know about. (And I also want to give the Princes in the stories, more of a storyline than what you might see in a Disney film.) I want to keep an element of magic, of romance – and to keep these characters human.
What is your favorite fairytale?
I’ve always been a “Beauty and the Beast” sort of girl, but I also love “The Little Mermaid,” and “Cinderella.” And I like when the stories are told well. “Allerleirauh,” obviously is a favorite of mine. “Twelve Dancing Princesses,” “Swan Lake,” “Thumbelina.”
What are some titles of your favorite retellings?
To this day, I still adore “Beauty” and “Rose Daughter,” by Robin McKinley. I also love “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” by Sarah J Maas.
Do you think in the future you might try out other genres, or are fairytales your knack?
I have written a contemporary romance called, “The Songs in Our Hearts.” It’s based / inspired by my own high school experience – including a built-in playlist and a cute boy to pine over. There’s a sequel due to come out soon called, “The Songs We Remember.” While it was fun to write, it was also therapeutic. I wrote it around the time of receiving some grief counseling over the loss of my Dad – so it was my chance of writing about my dad, and immortalizing him in my story. I think either genres are my “go-to” knacks. I love to read contemporary romances (YA) and I love to read fantasy / fairytale retellings!
Have you ever had any strange/weird/odd “compliments” on your writing?
I can’t say that I have. Everything has been pretty normal in the department of compliments. Complaints are a different story.
I know Between the Sea and Stars literally just released, but do you have any plans for writing another book?
Of course! The 2017-2018 year was a heavy “writing” year for me. So I wrote “The Songs We Remember,” – the sequel to “The Songs in Our Hearts.” I’ve also written a book called “WinterDream,” which is a Nutcracker Retelling – or. . . continuation of sorts. I’ll also be releasing a book called “Blinding Night,” which is a paranormal romance / retelling of the Hades and Persephone story. I have hopes to someday write a “Swan Lake” story – just lots of ideas going on in my brain, but just not enough time (or fingers!) to type it all. Obviously, I’m also working on the sequel to “Between the Sea and Stars,” which I’m hoping to release next summer.
I grew up with parents who encouraged me to read. My mom took me to my local library every Saturday, where I had the delight of picking out my own books. So with this love already established, it was an even easier transition in creating my own stories. I spent one summer when I was 14, writing non-stop. It wasn’t until “Twlight,” by Stephanie Meyer that I finally decided that it was something that I would hope to accomplish. But it was more of a “bucket-list” sort of thing, rather than a full-fledge career. There are several things, I suppose, that lead to my desire to be an author. But there was never just one moment where I thought, “Yes, I want to be an author.” I think I always carried that hope with me, in one form or another.
Do you have any writing rituals?
Like, I do my best writing here, I always have to have this drink, I spin around three times before sitting down to write, I write the first draft with paper and pencil, etc.,? I do my best writing at home – in my room, at my desk. I usually try to have something to drink, whether it’s a glass of wine or a cup of iced coffee (just depends on how much writing I really want to get done, and how late I’m willing to stay awake.) Sometimes I’ll do an outline. Most of the time, I’m just pulling up a blank Word Document and writing.
Your earlier book, Allerleirauh, was inspired by a classic Grimm Fairytale. What made you choose this fairytale as your first retelling?
I was always really intrigued by the story. As a kid, I saw a very kid-friendly cartoon version, and was always fascinated by the magical dresses and (of course) the handsome prince. One day, I was talking to an old friend who had endured some really tough stuff in her life, and mentioned that I’d always wanted to write this story – but wanted it to carry a significant message to the reader. And she encouraged me – so, I decided it was time to write it. It was a story that I had been carrying around in my head since I was six or seven. Call it Fate . . . Destiny . . . ?
What inspired you to write Between the Sea and Stars?
Right after college, I joined a roleplaying writers group on Tumblr, and wrote as Ariel from “The Little Mermaid.” The many adventures that she (and I) experienced always stuck with me. After several years of that experience being over, I decided that I wanted to try my hand at going back to that world – to a mermaid character who felt just as familiar as Ariel – and write my own twisted “Disney Crossover.” And thus, “Between the Sea and Stars” was born. It’s definitely inspired by a romance thread that Ariel (and I) had experienced, with twists and turns and fun, magical elements along the way. I was also inspired by the original fairy tale, with its Danish / Norse origins – which gave the story even more depth.
Since this is the release week for Between the Sea and Stars, what do you do to celebrate a book release?
I don’t really celebrate. For me, the release week is really only the beginning. I might grab an iced-coffee and pat myself on the back, but no real “celebration” is had. (In my opinion, that should SO totally change.)
What made you want to write retellings?
Well, great writers always say “Write What You Know.” I grew up reading fairytale retellings like “Beauty” by Robin McKinley. “East,” by Edith Pattou. If I found a book that was inspired by a fairy tale, or a retelling, I grabbed it and drank it up. I remember when I was taking a novel-writing class in college, I thought about “what sort of books would you want to write,” and fairytales had been the answer. I know fairytales. I love fairytales. And if I can create them and perhaps someday be someone’s “favorite fairytale author,” then – talk about full circle! That would be the ultimate dream.
How are your books different from other retellings that may be out there?
I’m not sure if my books are entirely different from other retellings out there, and that’s probably a good thing. I wouldn’t want my work to be so vastly different from the great fairytale authors that no one would want to read them. I think if anything, they’re different because they cover subjects that not a lot of people like to share, talk about, or incorporate into their work. I think every author writes with a certain amount of emotion, but I like to think my stories are emotion-driven. I’m not writing another “Cinderella” story. I’m not writing a “Beauty and the Beast” tale. I’m trying to stay away from traditional stories that you see over and over again. I want to give life to tales that people just don’t know about. (And I also want to give the Princes in the stories, more of a storyline than what you might see in a Disney film.) I want to keep an element of magic, of romance – and to keep these characters human.
What is your favorite fairytale?
I’ve always been a “Beauty and the Beast” sort of girl, but I also love “The Little Mermaid,” and “Cinderella.” And I like when the stories are told well. “Allerleirauh,” obviously is a favorite of mine. “Twelve Dancing Princesses,” “Swan Lake,” “Thumbelina.”
What are some titles of your favorite retellings?
To this day, I still adore “Beauty” and “Rose Daughter,” by Robin McKinley. I also love “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” by Sarah J Maas.
Do you think in the future you might try out other genres, or are fairytales your knack?
I have written a contemporary romance called, “The Songs in Our Hearts.” It’s based / inspired by my own high school experience – including a built-in playlist and a cute boy to pine over. There’s a sequel due to come out soon called, “The Songs We Remember.” While it was fun to write, it was also therapeutic. I wrote it around the time of receiving some grief counseling over the loss of my Dad – so it was my chance of writing about my dad, and immortalizing him in my story. I think either genres are my “go-to” knacks. I love to read contemporary romances (YA) and I love to read fantasy / fairytale retellings!
Have you ever had any strange/weird/odd “compliments” on your writing?
I can’t say that I have. Everything has been pretty normal in the department of compliments. Complaints are a different story.
I know Between the Sea and Stars literally just released, but do you have any plans for writing another book?
Of course! The 2017-2018 year was a heavy “writing” year for me. So I wrote “The Songs We Remember,” – the sequel to “The Songs in Our Hearts.” I’ve also written a book called “WinterDream,” which is a Nutcracker Retelling – or. . . continuation of sorts. I’ll also be releasing a book called “Blinding Night,” which is a paranormal romance / retelling of the Hades and Persephone story. I have hopes to someday write a “Swan Lake” story – just lots of ideas going on in my brain, but just not enough time (or fingers!) to type it all. Obviously, I’m also working on the sequel to “Between the Sea and Stars,” which I’m hoping to release next summer.
---
About Chantal:
Amazon Best
Selling 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" with 48Fourteen Publishing, and
“Allerleirauh” with Parliament House Press, with future titles to follow.
Chantal first started writing stories at the age of seven and continues with
that love of writing today. Writing novels for Chantal has become a life-long
dream come true! When she’s not writing, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of
DD Iced Coffee, and watching Disney classics. Chantal lives in Muncy,
Pennsylvania with her Mom, Sister and furry-‘brother’ (aka, puppy) Taran.
---
Pre Order Giveaway!
Enter your
Receipt for the chance to win a "Mermaid" Giveaway!
A Mermaid-Themed
Tumbler, Notebook, Nail Filer, Face Mask, Hand Sanitizer, Handcream, Makeup
Bag, Popsocket and an autographed
Paperback of "Between the Sea and Stars."
Submit Your BETWEEN THE SEA AND STARS Book Receipts HERE!
Any format of this book will qualify: E-Book or Paperback.
It can be purchased at any retailer; Amazon, Kobo, B&N,
Parliament House - etc.
Receipts must be dated before June 24th.
You can also submit your receipt by emailing
cgauthorgiveaway@gmail.com
