Showing posts with label Ilsa J. Bick. Show all posts

March 18, 2014

Tucson Festival of Books 2014

So this past weekend was the 2014 Tucson Festival of Books! I went and had an absolutely blast! I got to meet some really amazing authors and hear some really awesome panels!

The Authors I Met!
Page Morgan (author of The Beautiful and The Cursed) and me! 
She was so nice and so excited to take pictures with people! It was awesome! :)

Ilsa J. Bick (author of Ashes) and me!
She is awesome! She was so enthusiastic about taking pictures with her fans! I also got to hear her talk in a panel on horror in children and teen books! Fantastic panel! 

Me and Aprilynne Pike (author of the Wings series)
She is so nice! I very much enjoyed hearing her talk about books and writing! I was very excited when I found out she was going to TFOB!

Suzanne Young (author of The Program) and me!
I was very excited to find out she was going to be at TFOB as well! She signs all the time at a book store in Phoenix but with college I don't have the time to take the 2 hour drive up there during the week. So I was very excited to finally get to meet her and get a book signed by her!!!!! :D She is so nice!

Panels!
Aprilynne Pike & Page Morgan
Page read a little bit out of The Beautiful and The Cursed and Aprilynne read a bit from her upcoming novel Sleep No More! They both then answered questions ranging from why they choose to write about what they write about, getting an agent, getting published, editing etc. It was really informative!

From left to right: Moderator, Ilsa J. Bick, R.L. Stine, Rich Wallace & Xavier Garza
The panel entitled Thrills and Chills: Spine-Tingling Tales talked about horror and scary type stories in children and teen books. Despite the fact that the panel was about scary and horror stories, it was actually really upbeat and the author got many laughs out of the audience with their stories!

Books!
My signed copy of A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young!

My signed copy of Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick!

Me!
Last but not least I have to thank my absolutely amazing boyfriend James for coming with me to the festival! He sat through all the panels with me and even enjoyed listening to them. He also took almost all the pics of me with authors! :)

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October 26, 2013

Stacking The Shelves [#63]

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!

Won:
Bought:
Bought for Kindle:
  • The First Star To Fall (For Darkness Shows The Stars #1.5) by Diana Peterfreund (Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble)
NetGalley:
Thank you Harlequin & Egmont USA!!!

Library:
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June 11, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday [#91]

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

Monsters (Ashes Trilogy #3) 
Author: Ilsa J. Bick
Expected Publication: September 10, 2013

The Changed are on the move. The Spared are out of time. The End...is now.

When her parents died, Alex thought things couldn't get much worse-until the doctors found the monster in her head.

She headed into the wilderness as a good-bye, to leave everything behind. But then the end of the world happened, and Alex took the first step down a treacherous road of betrayal and terror and death.

Now, with no hope of rescue-on the brink of starvation in a winter that just won't quit-she discovers a new and horrifying truth.

The Change isn't over.
The Changed are still evolving.
And...they've had help.

With this final volume of The Ashes Trilogy, Ilsa J. Bick delivers a riveting, blockbuster finish, returning readers to a brutal, post-apocalyptic world where no one is safe and hope is in short supply.

A world where, from these ashes, the monsters may rise.


I absolutely loved Ashes and Shadows! Despite the somewhat gory scenes I could never put either of them down for second! I am really excited to find out what happens in this final book!!! I've been dying to get my hands on it since I finished Shadows last year!

What are you waiting on this week?
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October 05, 2012

Blog Tour: Ten Things You Didn't Know About Ilsa J. Bick

Today I am extremely excited to welcome Ilsa J. Bick to Hope, Faith & Books as part of her blog tour! Now as everyone should be aware of by now, I absolutely loved her books Ashes and its sequel Shadows! So I am so happy to have her on the blog today!

So without further ado, let welcome Ilsa and the fantastic Top Ten List she prepared for today!

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Me:

1.      I am, actually, excruciatingly shy and a bit of a homebody, although I adore the outdoors and will happily hike all day, so long as I don’t see another soul.  That wallflower?  C’est moi.  The only reason people think I’m outgoing is because I’ve practiced, for years.  Part of that’s being a shrink; you learn how to be with other people, ask questions, keep folks talking so you don’t have to J.  But getting me to go to a party . . . I’ll take the bamboo under the nails instead.  Giving a party is different; you control the flow, although I’m almost always in the kitchen, “preparing,” but we all know that’s simply a synonym for “hiding.”

2.      In contrast to other authors who say they write about what scares them, very little truly frightens me.  Yes, I really don’t want to be held up at gunpoint and I could do without a zombie attack, but I’m just not all that frightened of stuff because, well, you know . . . if you spend your time being scared, it’s like that your time will also be quite short.  Now, I have some obsessions in terms of how I really wouldn’t want to make an exit—drowning’s right up there—and I tend to put my poor characters in those life and death situations, but I like to think that I’m trying to work through things.  I guess there comes a point where, sure, you can be scared, but if you don’t do something, you’re dead.

3.      In line with that, I don’t really enjoy horror movies.  I won’t go out of my way to see them because I think that too many people equate a ton of gore with what’s scary.  What’s MUCH more intriguing/frightening/scarilicious are the things you only imagine and don’t see.  The first BLAIR WITCH was super because it exploited the unseen.  ALIEN, for example, is another superb example: it’s a haunted house-HALLOWEEN film set on a ship in outer space.  Most of these slasher guts, chop people up stuff?  Meh.  Yeah, it’s horrific, but, for me, they’re neither entertaining nor anything I’d pay good money for.

4.      I used to study and write about film.  Betcha you haven’t guessed.  That’s because I am easily bored and really interested in a lot of things; there’s a ton to cram in before you exit this life.  So while I was a shrink resident, I went to school at night and got a degree in film and lit.  Then I could watch great movies and try to figure out why I felt about them the way I did.  How did they work, what made me cry, all that. (So, yeah, I was studying narrative structure.)  I think that all goes back to—

5.      I was in love with Captain Kirk.  Honestly and truly.  Before he became Jabba the Hut, Kirk was one great piece of beefcake.  Yes, we’re talking MANY years ago, and there wasn’t all that much to choose from and, no, Spock never floated my boat and, yes, I was by and large, faithful unless you count that dalliance with Scotty and the little fling with McCoy.  But Kirk was the first real, testosterone-laden guy-guy, in a setting that really appealed to my wacky, inner geek, who lost his shirt more times than I can count in that first season.  There is, in fact, a website devoted to screen shots of Kirk without his shirt: www.kirksnakedchest.tumblr.com  No, those aren’t my smudge marks on the screen.  Yes, if I’d been born fifteen years later, we’d be talking about Taylor Lautner and, no, I will not tell you the name of the actor who can eat crackers in my bed any day.  (The fact that he wouldn’t be caught dead looking at me . . . we’ll just glide over that.)  IMHO, there is NOTHING sexier than a guy with a fabulous chest.

6.      When I’m not writing, I feel terrible.  Sure, yeah, I can still go out to dinner or hike or whatever . . . but there’s this empty quality I hate.  Fill me up with a great story, let me go somewhere else in my head and stay there, fretting over these people, and I’m a happy woman.  So I rarely take off a ton of time between books.  Just too uncomfortable.

7.      Despite my infatuation with Kirk, I don’t watch much television.  No time.  There are a couple shows I like, but even they take a backseat to the work.  

8.      I don’t listen to music when I work.  I don’t have a playlist that I use for inspiration.  In fact, I don’t listen to music anymore at all.  I used to, and I still sing in a symphony chorus.  [Soprano: oh, wait, was that supposed to be #9?]  But I find music to be very distracting.  To listen well and really understand what the composer’s doing takes a ton of concentration.  Despite what you think or want to believe, no, you are not truly multi-tasking.  Any number of studies will tell you: all you’re doing are many things, not very well.

9.      I would like to trade up for Stephen King’s problems.  I’m sorry; let me rephrase: I would like to be Stephen King.  Of course, this might make for some interesting times with Captain Kirk, but it’s a large and tolerant universe.

10.  And, on a very serious note: I used to be in the Air Force, although most anyone who’s read my stuff knows that I was in the military.  There are many days when I wish I still served.  I couldn’t continue, for a whole host of reasons, and most have my children’s faces.  But I often wish I could do something—anything—to help a soldier who’s doing a job that keeps me and mine safe.

About Ilsa J. Bick (taken from Goodreads):
 Among other things, I was an English major in college and so I know that I'm supposed to write things like, "Ilsa J. Bick is ." Except I hate writing about myself in the third person like I'm not in the room. Helloooo, I'm right here . . . So let's just say that I'm a child psychiatrist (yeah, you read that right)as well as a film scholar, surgeon wannabe (meaning I did an internship in surgery and LOVED it and maybe shoulda stuck), former Air Force major—and an award-winning, best-selling author of short stories, e-books, and novels. Believe me, no one is more shocked about this than I . . . unless you talk to my mother.

Website/Goodreads/Twitter 



If you need a refresher of Ashes before you read Shadows go check out Ilsa's recap on her site!

Also, if you'd like to read my reviews of Ashes & Shadows too see how much I enjoyed them then just click on the title of each book and it'll take you to my review! :)

 Thank you so much Ilsa for taking the time to do this top ten with me! I had a blast! And you are such a talented writer! 
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September 14, 2012

Review: Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick

Shadows (Ashes Trilogy #2)
Author: Ilsa J. Bick
Publisher: Egmont USA
Publication Date: September 25, 2012
Pages: 528
Source: Galley/NetGalley

The Apocalypse does not end. The Changed will grow in numbers. The Spared may not survive.

Even before the EMPs brought down the world, Alex was on the run from the demons of her past and the monster living in her head. After the world was gone, she believed Rule could be a sanctuary for her and those she’d come to love.
But she was wrong.

Now Alex is in the fight of her life against the adults, who would use her, the survivors, who don’t trust her, and the Changed, who would eat her alive.

Welcome to Shadows, the second book in the haunting apocalyptic Ashes Trilogy: where no one is safe and humans may be the worst of the monsters.


Review: This book had my heart racing the entire time! It started right where Ashes left off, and lead right into some action! Gosh, so much action in this book! Ok, I thought Ashes was pretty gory and difficult to read at points but this one made Ashes look normal. But yet again I couldn't put the book down! You know how there like those movies that scare you so much or are so gross to watch but yet you cant look away from the TV screen? Yeah, it was like that except book edition. It was so gory but yet I couldn't put it down! Just like Ashes you have to seriously prepare yourself for this book. Don't read it at night!!!! I did and I was paranoid the changed were gonna get me. Lol. 

 Alex. Man, if I was her I would be scared out of my mind. Especially after figuring out what Rule was doing and how it related to the Changed. Even scarier though was that she was taken hostage by the Changed. These Changed around Rule were seriously smart. They also started hanging around in bigger packs, and they evolved more with getting weapons (and knowing how to use them) and being decently clothed. I was also shocked but not surprised about what we found out about the Changed and how they were so closely related to Rule. It definitely explained a lot! I questioned why the Changed kept Alex alive though. Even Alex question why they all kept her alive. It was so odd. Alex was amazing though, she did whatever she had to to keep herself alive even though the changed made it clear they wanted her alive anyways. That girl was just amazing. But the end... WHAT HAPPENED TO ALEX IN THE END!?!?!?!

 Tom! OMG! I'm so glad he's alive! He is definitely a fighter just like Alex! I felt bad that he yet again had to go on the run all of a sudden again instead of being able to plan how he was gonna try to find Alex but hey. We all know in this books setting that isn't gonna happen. I was really happy when he ran into Mellie and her group, especially since they had this plan for the Changed (also referred to as Chuckies)! I also loved how they were gonna try and wage war against Rule which I was definitely all for. Though I was definitely all about seeing them succeed in blowing up the mine near Rule where the Chuckies all seemed to hang out. It was a genius idea even if some spared ended up as collateral damage. (On a serious note though, the Chuckies seriously creep me out. With all that they did in this book I was having trouble falling asleep cuz I couldn't stop picturing them.)

 Chris and Lena. Man. First they're saved from the torture house in Rule, but then they're forced out into the open and all on their own to try and find some guy they don't even know is still alive. I really felt for Chris cuz he felt like so much of what had happened so recently was his fault. And then on top of that he had to take care of Lena cuz she was sick most of the time. And he didn't even figure out why until almost the end of the book. I must say I do feel bad about what happened to him at the end of the book. I definitely don't think he deserved for that to happen to him... Lena. I don't have much to say about her except WHAT!?!?! I can't believe the reason about why shes always feeling sick. (Think about it). I did not see that coming! I really hope Lena ends up being ok in the next book just due to that one thing alone. I need Lena to survive the next book!!!! I seriously can't wait for the next book!!  
5 Stars!
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September 06, 2012

Review: Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Ashes (Ashes Trilogy #1)
Author: Ilsa J. Bick
Publisher: Egmont USA
Publication Date: September 6, 2011
Pages: 480
Source: E-Book/Library

It could happen tomorrow . . .

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.

Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out
what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation.

Review: OMG! My heart was pounding throughout the entire book! This book was soooooo good! This book had some really gritty scenes that were a little hard to read (so it's not for the faint of heart), but having to read through those scenes were so worth how good the book was! Just make sure you prepare yourself ahead of time going into this book for those scenes. I don't know why I took so long to read this book! This is one of the best detailed and intriguing books I've read in a while. This book pulled you in to the point where you didn't wanna stop reading it! Like no joke, I have the review copy of Shadows (the second book) on my Kindle and I was really tempted to just skip writing my review to continue with the story (but I want everyone else to know how good this book is so I didn't put off the review :)). This whole story of the EMP taking out everything. It gave me so many questions. Like, how did this EMP attack happen in the first place? Who did it? Then there were the questions revolving around the people. Why did certain people of certain ages turn or die? What was so special about the Spared that they didn't turn? That gets addressed in the book with some realistic theories, but we don't know 100% for sure if the theory is right but after learning more about the Spared it does make sense (so unless we find out something different, I'm sticking with that idea). But more importantly, what caused those countless others Alex's age to Change? And is the change permanent or only temporary? And the even bigger question, we know the younger kids didn't change, but will they as they age? Normally I'd get annoyed to death by all these questions but with this book I'm not, it just makes me want to read the second book that much more, its made me even more excited for the second book than I already was. 

 Rule. I had mixed feelings about this place. At first I thought it was a safe haven for those trying to save themselves from living in the wild always watching their back from the Changed. But then, the longer Alex was there I definitely got the feeling there was something sinister going on. At first I only thought it was the fact that they tried to pretty much keep everyone locked in but after the ending, I found out, it was something much much bigger than that. I'm not gonna spoil it for those who haven't read this book yet but you probably won't see it coming! I sure didn't. And after you read that ending it's gonna leave you nuts wanting to read Shadows (I'm seriously not joking, it's taking all my strength not to pick it up right now). 

 Ellie, Tom, Chris, Jess... I really liked Ellie and Tom. I loved the three of them! They made a really good team. Even though Ellie could be a brat (hey, she was 8 years old) I still loved her. She had to deal with a lot for being so young so I understood why she rebeled a lot. Thats not normal stuff for an 8 year old to have to go through. I also liked Tom because he really tried his hardest to care for Alex and Ellie when they were all each other had. They became like a family and it was so heartbreaking to see Ellie taken away from them, and then Tom just disappear when Alex tried to get help for him. I so desperately want to know what happened to he both of them! I really hope we find out what happened to them in Shadows. Chris. I kinda liked him, but he seemed like a follower. Just doing what he was told. I have hope that he'll break out of it and go after Alex but I guess we'll have to see if that happens. Jess. I don't even know what to think of this woman. First she's all "you must follow the rules," then she's all like "sometimes you have to break the rules" and helping Alex try and get out. 
5 Stars!
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May 12, 2012

Stacking The Shelves [#2]

Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews as a way to share all the books we got during the week!

Bought:

Library:
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