Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Salt Lake Comic Con Schedule


Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience starts tomorrow!

Here’s my schedule of panels and signings.

Thursday April 17th
12:00 pm: What Inspires Writers?
3:00-4:00 pm: Book Signing

Friday April 18th
11:00 am-12:00 pm: Book Signing
6:00 pm: The Power of Imagination: Writing for Kids and Kid at Heart in Today’s Market
8:00 pm: The Hero’s Shadow: Writing Great Villains

Saturday April 19th
7:00 pm: Why is Disney Still Relevant to Adults?

See you there, hopefully in costume! 

Monday, February 17, 2014

LTUE Fantasy Conference



This last week at LTUE I got to participate as a panelist and speak about two of my favorite things: creating awesome villains, and young adult writing. Both panels went well, but I think the villain panel would have been even better had I dressed up as Maleficent... Maybe next LTUE. 
















I love going to writing conferences like LTUE because of how motivated you feel when you leave. After going to classes, listening to panel discussions, and meeting new writing friends, it's hard not to feel passionate about your own writing goals. 


So, fellow readers and writers, prepare yourselves. It's time to go after those goals. Ready? Charge! 

Monday, June 24, 2013

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

Saturday, May 18, 2013

ARC review of The Siren's Secret by Book Briefs

Book Briefs

Today's blog tour stop is with the wonderful Michelle at Book Briefs. She's posted a review of The Siren's Secret, and I've posted a little preview below. 

"I fell in love with The Shapeshifter's Secret as soon as I started reading it, so I jumped at the chance to read the second book in the series. I have been waiting for The Siren's Secret for a very long time. I couldn't wait to get back to Heather's magical world of shapeshifters and water nymphs and the evil guild. The Siren's Secret did not let me down! But what is even more interesting is that it was not exactly what I expected the sequel to the first book to be. It was darker and had a different overall tone. I liked the contrast to the first book. It was really interesting and honestly, it just makes me all the more excited to read the third book. I can't wait to see what Heather is going to do next. She has proven that she has such versatility with her writing and it makes me excited to see what else she is going to come up with."

To read the full review, visit Michelle's blog at: