Interview: Heather Ostler (author of The Shapeshifter's Secret)

The Official Biography   

Heather Ostler grew up near the mountains with a rambunctiously entertaining family. She majored in English at Utah Valley University, and soon began composing stories about masquerades, water nymphs, and shapeshifters. She and her husband, Kellen, reside in Highland, Utah with two remarkably pleasant pugs.  

The Fun Biography  

I like fortune cookies, lucky pennies, shooting stars, and implausible coincidences. I’m always cold and have at least 5 different flavors of hot cocoa on hand at all times. I’m a sucker for happy endings and like to eat dessert first. I think Muppets Christmas Carol is one of the best movies ever, along with The Parent Trap. English accents, cloudy days, and family inside jokes make me smile. I am a writer, and I love finding inspiration in art, music, nature, seasons, and relationships.

Hello Heather, it's great to have you here at Bookcase to Heaven™ today! After reading your brilliantly-crafted world of "hidden royalty, shifting alliances, and dangerous vendettas", I think no reader can emerge out with no burning questions on their minds. So here are mine :)

When you first thought of the idea of Shapeshifters, did you immediately think of werecats? If not, why did you choose werecats instead of, let's say, werefoxes?

I chose werecats for a couple of different reasons, one of them being that I absolutely love big cats. They’re fierce, aggressive, and dangerous, yet they also have this beautiful, playful, and gentle side to them. I think they’re more versatile than werewolves (or werefoxes) in that sense. 

Well, there simply aren't enough books about werecats on the YA market, so hope you'll explore even more into that in the next few books. But, let's not forget about the romance. There seemed to be some sparks between Julia and Caleb in the beginning though she ended up with Terrence. Is it possible that there would be a love triangle in the next novel? (I'm sure many of us are praying there will be!)

*Grins* I’m really excited about the sequel. There will be a lot more interactions between Terrence, Caleb, and Julia, and we will see their emotions, relationships, and trust put to the test. Things will change dramatically as Julia learns more about each boy’s past.

I'm nodding with satisfaction here! I hope Caleb realizes what a jewel Julia is *fingers crossed* 

As I recall, Alexis was a mother who would willingly sacrifice Julia without even twitching an eyelid. Such cold-heartedness is chilling. As the author, do you believe that any mother could be as cruel as Alexis?

I think that when we are betrayed by those that we are closest to, it hurts us so much more deeply, and that was hard to portray. However, I had to think of Alexis as an unstable villain who would put her thirst for power above anything else.

Even though I hate to see a mother treat her daughter like that, I can't wait to see how the story unfolds with Alexis playing the antagonistic role. The next question is a must for any author who deals with romance in their novels. 

Do you believe in true love, soul mates and happily-ever-afters? 

Yes, and I’m definitely a romantic! My husband and I were high school sweethearts, and we are celebrating our three year anniversary this June. He has shown me that true love exists, and I do believe in happily-ever-afters. (And yes, sometimes I’m hopelessly cheesy).

So am I. You lucky sweetheart! Do write more stories with happily-ever-afters :D 

Now, do you prefer books that make you smile or books that make you cry?

Although books that make you cry are memorable, I prefer books that make me smile.

   

Agreed. That's why I would choose a happily-ever-after tale over a Shakespearean-like tragedy any day! The shapeshifter world is a wonderful concept for any age group, so why did you choose to become a novelist for the teenage/young adult audience?

I love reading young adult novels and it’s definitely the most fun for me to write. That’s probably because sometimes I think I’m still a teenager ;)

Well, I'm a teenager and I like your stories :) Before we end, do you have anything to reveal about the upcoming sequel to The Shapeshifter's Secret?

Readers will learn a lot more about the secret world of sirens, and Julia will finally learn what Caleb was so desperate to tell her.

That cliffhanger at the end was quite a killer, with Caleb abruptly stopping before he revealed what he had wanted to say. You have my curiosity piqued, I can't wait for the sequel!

Thank you, Heather, for taking time to answer my questions, even the random ones!

You can visit her at: 

http://www.heatherostler.com/  (Author Website)

http://heatherostler.blogspot.com/ (Author blog)

My review of The Shapeshifter's Secret will be up in a day or two :) Stay tuned!