Review, Interview, and Excerpt from The Siren's Secret.

I am in absolutely in love with today's blog tour stop at Cover Bound. Mallory is an amazing host, and if you hop over to her blog you'll see the review, interview, and excerpt from The Siren's Secret. As a bonus you'll get to see awesome stuff like this:

It's totally worth it. I love her blog, please stop by! 

coverboundbookie.blogspot.com

Here are some of my favorite questions from the interview:

Have you considered ever writing a novella from different character’s perspective to accompany the series?

I’ve thought many times about writing from Alexis’s perspective. I like getting into the villain’s head and seeing what drives them to do the things they do. I like villains that are complex and unpredictable.

 I love Ossai and Sirenity. How did you develop those worlds? Did somewhere you visit inspire those worlds?

Thank you so much. Yes, my traveling adventures have definitely inspired the settings for my books. England and Italy helped to shape Ossai, and Sirenity was largely influenced by The Caribbean and The Mexican Rivera.

Did Julia or her comrades ever take you down a different road then you had planned while writing?

Definitely. So many characters have changed, and one character in particular was going to betray Julia, however I stopped him. Sometimes you have to go with your gut, and your outline goes to the trash. It takes more time, but you have to write the story until you feel good about each scene and each character.

Happy Reading! 

Interview and Giveaway

My Blog Tour starts today, and to kick it off I am a Reader, Not a Writer has posted an interview and giveaway! Click the link at the bottom of this post to enter the giveaway and see the rest of the interview. Here are a few of my favorite questions.

Describe your book in 5 words:

Sirens, werecats, magic, curses, and love.

What is your favorite scene in the book?
I love when Caleb finally tells Julia the life changing secret he’s been holding in for months.

What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you’d be embarrassed to admit?
Pretty Little Liars. The books and the show.

I also talked about my most embarrassing moment, but I'll let you read about that on her blog, hehehe. 

http://www.iamareader.com/2013/05/the-sirens-secret-by-heather-ostler-blog-tour-interview-giveaway.html

Happy Reading! 

Everyone is a reader

Fabulous Blog Ribbon

 

I have been given the Fabulous Blog Ribbon award thanks to Lauren at http://lauren-ritz.blogspot.com. Thank you Lauren!

Rules for this award:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Name five of your most fabulous moments, either in real life or in the blogosphere.
3. Name five things you love.
4. Name five things you hate.
5. Pass the ribbon on to five other bloggers. (Leave them a comment to notify them of their win.)

Five fabulous moments in my life:
1. When I married Kellen.
2. When I found out The Shapeshifter's Secret was getting published.
3. Traveling to England and seeing the castle where Harry Potter was filmed.
4. When I got 100 blog followers.
5. My book's launch party at The King's English.

Five things I love:
1. My family.
2. My church.
3. Writing.
4. Animals.
5. Books, books, books, books, books...

Five things I hate:
1. Negative people.
2. Girls who tear down other girls. 
3. Being interrupted.
4. When I'm not taken seriously.
5. Stress.

Five Bloggers I know that are absolutely Fabulous:
1. Alice at Alicelbeesley.blogspot.com
2. Sana at artsymusingsofabibliophile.blogspot.com
3. Kay Curtiss at ldsretailers.blogspot.com
4. Kathyrn at cleanadultfiction.blogspot.com
5. Jennifer www.jenkjovus.com

The Shapeshifter's Secret Blog Tour day 15

 

May 15th Blog Tour Stops

Guest Post about why I started writing at The kids are grown, now what?

and 

A really great review at So Simply Sara

Thanks!

Some of the best (and most strange) things that I love about books

Reading and being around books is such a positive experience for me. I'm the kind of person who kept my English college text books instead of selling them back at the end of the semester like most students. I just couldn't give them up--I had to start collecting for my future library.

I remember going to bookstores with my mom when I was younger, and spending hours finding and reading new novels. It was so amusing to sort through books, discover new authors, and continually build my passion for reading. I still feel that way. So I thought I would share some of the things that I love about books (physical books only. As in tangible, hold-in-your-hand, really there. Sorry e-books).

I love the sight of books piled high on shelves. Remember that castle library from Beauty and the Beast? It was a massive ballroom with shelves that went on for several levels, graced by thousands of books. (Sigh, I would LOVE to have that in my home). But seriously, the image of so much knowledge, power, and beauty piled upon shelves just fills me with enthusiasm.


Finishing a novel is also one of the best feelings to me. I love closing the cover, taking a deep breath, and realizing that I’ve accomplished something. I’ve discovered a new story, explored new places, and I know that I’ve grown and learned more with every passing paragraph. It’s a small achievement, but I’m moving forward. Then, when I’m done, I’m hungry for more adventures, more worlds, more plots.


I love smelling book pages--I know it’s weird, and probably not something to share publicly. But I love the scent of fresh parchment! I’m sure it triggers something in my mind, probably memories of reading Harry Potter for hours on end. And I’ll be honest, if you hand me a new novel--I’m going to open it up in the middle, stop whatever I’m doing, and smell the pages. And then you’ll probably laugh.


What are some of your experiences with novels, books, or bookstores? Do you have any interesting rituals with buying or reading novels?


On a Random Note: Yes, it's true. Apparently they make a book smell spray for that reader who can't enjoy reading their e-book without the real smell.