Salt Lake Magazine Interview

I'm still playing catch-up from all the craziness of this month! Last week I had four Costco signings, this week I have two, and next week I have another four. I always look forward to these signings, and I have a lot of fun meeting new people who love reading as much as I do. The Costco samples don't hurt either *grins.*

When I'm not signing, I'm writing, trying to finish the other two novels I'm currently working on. In between writing I work to promote and update all of my social media sites--my blog, The Shapeshifter's Secret Facebook page, Twitter, and my website. And June is also my month to teach sharing time for primary! But that's okay, because I'll catch-up eventually, and I like being busy (with writing stuff, not house cleaning or other boring things, haha, just had to be clear). 

Last week I was interviewed by Rachel Davies from Salt Lake Magazine. This is definitely one of my favorite interviews that I've done! We talked about who inspires my characters, how I've been writing about Julia since Jr. High, and how I used to be a terrible student! To read the interview click the link below. Enjoy! 

www.saltlakemagazine.com

The Siren's Secret in Deseret News

Last week was so busy that I never got to post about my review from The Deseret News! I absolutely loved what they had to say, and I was thrilled to receive such positive feedback. I've posted  most of the review below, however if you'd like to read the full article, visit Deseretnews.com.

Book Review: 'The Siren's Secret' is a fantastic fantasy for young adult readers. 

"THE SIREN'S SECRET: The Shapeshifter's Secret, Book 2," by Heather Ostler, Cedar Fort.

In a world of shapeshifting werecats and powerful water nymphs, things are not always as simple as they seem.

In her new book, “The Siren’s Secret,” Heather Ostler, a Utah resident of Highland, leads readers back to the magical world of Ossai.

As Julia returns to Lockham, an enchanted school dedicated to educating werecats and nymphs, she feels unsettled. Following a strange encounter with a siren, an untrusted group of women who haunt the magical world, Julia begins to notice strange changes in her life — especially when she is near water. Her dreams are also disconcerting and her perfect world begins to unravel.

Wrenched by strange forces that pull at her soul and tear her away from everything that matters most, Julia finds herself lost in unexplained mysteries and heartaches. Facing an island of devoted but bewitching sirens, a temperamental nymph queen, a truth ring, poisoned swords and a mother who doubles as her archenemy, Julia must fight determinedly just to survive.

When the people she loves lurch in to save her from agony, they too become entangled in torment and Julia is forced to take drastic action. With truths revealed and hearts broken Julia must come to terms with the person she deeply wishes to be so she can defeat the evil that yearns to destroy her.

“The Siren’s Secret” is an animated sequel to Ostler’s first book, “The Shapeshifter’s Secret.” The story strides forward decisively without feeling reckless and the characters are sincere and engaging.

Julia is the classic teenage girl — aside from the fact that she can transform into a tiger — so her emotions propel her toward choices that aren’t always wise. However, her desire to do what is best always sparks through her decisions.

The supporting cast is full of unique and loving friends and family, although most of them play a much smaller role than in the first story, leaving Julia’s connection with some of them feeling fragmented. However, the driving force of the story is powerful enough to carry it through and leave readers anxious for more.

This tale has a bit of everything, as romance, action, magic, adventure, mischief and friendships are scattered liberally through the pages.

The book is geared toward young adults and is a great choice for any young fantasy lover. Parents can be assured that the story is clean with no foul language, sexuality or graphic violence."

By Melissa DeMoux

demouxfamily.blogspot.com.

Lehi Costco Signing

I'm signing tomorrow at the Lehi Costco (198 N 1200 E

Lehi) from 12-3! I'll have candy, bookmarks, and plenty of books! Plus if you stop by, I'll come with you to try all the samples at costco*

*Only if the samples include chocolate ;) 

Hope to see you there! 

The Siren's Secret Launch Party

The Siren's Secret Launch Party was a success! As an author I value the power of words, and a picture is worth 1,000 of them. I have over 20 pictures to show you, so I'll let the pictures do the talking (though I couldn't resit a couple of captions). I had such a fun night, and I loved meeting so many of my readers. Thank you for your support on my journey of seeing The Siren's Secret come to life! 

Loved these sugar cookies from Kneaders. They had "SS" on them in silver, blue, and green. 

My husband. He had to transport so many books, gift baskets, and jars of candy. 10,000 brownie points goes to him for all his help! 

I loved this ensemble. Julia is a werecat tiger after all  and the tiger slippers were absolutely fitting. Why didn't I think to wear those? 

Barnes and Noble did a fantastic job getting everything ready for the launch party. The Shapeshifter's Secret and The Siren's Secret lined the back wall and it looked amazing! 

More support for werecat tigers!

Raffle drawing for the siren gift baskets, mermaid earrings, books, posters, and the iPad Mini. 

Remember those amazing sketches of Julia that I posted earlier this year? Those were done by a talented artist named Anastasia, and she was the winner of the iPad Mini! 

Thanks to those who shared their pictures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with #TheSirensSecret!

The Siren's Secret Launch Party!

Getting the Giveaways ready for The Siren's Secret Launch Party! I'll see you tomorrow, June 15th at 6 pm at the Orem Barnes & Noble!

Barnes & Noble Address: (330 E 1300 S Orem, UT 84058).

The Siren's Secret on The Daily Dish!

What a fun, busy, crazy week! Monday I was on Good Things Utah, Tuesday was the official release day and The Daily Dish, Thursday I will be on Studio 5, and Saturday is The Siren's Secret Launch Party! Thanks for joining me on my whole journey from writing and editing The Siren's Secret, to finally being able to see it at Costco and Barnes & Noble!

I had a wonderful time on The Daily Dish, and I got to meet Tony Toscano from Talking Pictures! 

Can't wait for tomorrow, make sure to watch Studio 5 on KSL at 11 am! (P.s. I know I use a lot of exclamation points, but everything seems exciting enough to repeatedly use them!).

The Siren's Secret on Good Things Utah

Today is the official release day for The Siren's Secret! It's been such a great week, and yesterday I had the privilege to be on abc's Good Things Utah to talk about The Siren's Secret. Here are some of the pictures! 

Troy is a fellow author, and I had so much fun talking with him (plus he has a fabulous Australian accent!). We talked about The Shapeshifter's Secret, The Siren's Secret, and the launch party this Saturday at the Orem Barnes & Noble. 

Do you like my siren green jacket? 

 I thought I would be nervous, but surprisingly it wasn't scary. I think I could talk about books and writing anywhere, regardless of whether or not there are cameras around! 

 And on the way out we found these guys. Damon said he can't wait to read The Siren's Secret ;) 

Thank you Good Things Utah for inviting me, I had such a great time! 

To watch my interview on Good Things Utah, click the link below.

www.abc4.com

I'll see you at the Orem Barnes at Noble at 6 pm this Saturday for The Siren's Secret launch party! 

Photography session with The Siren's Secret

 One of the first things I did last year when I received my first copies of The Shapeshifter's Secret was take a million pictures. I've done the same thing with the sequel, but now that I have two books I've gotten even worse. Both covers are so beautiful that I have to take pictures of every side and angle of the books. I can't help it! I was so excited to have both books finally unite! 

Warning: There are A LOT of cover pictures below. 

They meet at last! Shapeshifter meet Siren, Siren meet Shapeshifter. (I think they're going to be best friends). 

I loved the metallic font that they used for the inside cover, and I think the S is mesmerizing! 

As you can tell I'm very excited to put both these books on my shelf, and I hope you'll want them on your book shelf too! Thanks for bearing with me while I pretend I'm a book photographer ;)