Kim Baccellia's Blog, page 15

Sunni with his new toy

Thanks, Georgia McBride! She was so sweet and sent Sunni this toy which he's loving!

Sunni's camera shy and hates his picture taken. This is a hilarious photo. It's as if he's saying, "Hey, bug off!"

Friday Five

1. This week's been crazy with boy's cub scout camp which this year is being held at SeaBase in Newport Beach. I decided to be part of the carpool thing as I didn't want to drive back and forth everyday as they don't let parents hang out around the boys. I didn't get lost on the way down! Yay! I was freaking out as this is the same place where SCBWI hold it's Agent Day events and the last time I went I got flippin' lost! But the boys were great helping on the way down there.



2. And of course mother in law 'decided' to fly out here today. This morning yet. I told her we had boy's camp but she said this time is better for her. She wanted to come last Sunday but I put my foot down and said no. I did get some writing in during the time son was at camp. I was excited for this week as I knew I could get some writing done. Then mother in law 'decided' she's moving back to California.

So guess what I'll be doing next week?

Ok, yoga breath here. Positive thoughts.

3. NO GODDESSES ALLOWED




Was able to tackle some edits on my upcoming book with Liz, my editor. We've been using Google documents which is a new experience for me. She's right there, going over each sentence and giving feedback, suggestions along the way. **Photo is from a sketch YA author Jackie Dolamore made for me of my character Jordan.

4. LUMINOUS




This book was a recommended read from the leader at #YALITCHAT. I finished reading it and really enjoyed the surreal feel to it. Plus, Consuela is a Latina who has a positive feeling about herself even when she ends up literally taking off her skin. I loved the references to Mexican culture especially El Dia de los Muertos-Day of the Day-and this one dance of skeletons.

Review coming soon!

5. OVERBITE




This is my guilty pleasure read. I really love Meg Cabot and this book doesn't disappoint. It's the sequel to INSATIABLE and yes, there's vampires in it but it has the whole Meg Cabot voice going for it. A fun, beach read.

**Guilty pleasure:

Uh, I'm thinking I'm going to be needing some serious chocolate this coming week. Mother in Law wants us to help her find a place to live in by August. Yep, you heard me right. Think I will be in my writing loft a lot with my iPod on.

Friday Four

**Well, this has been one stressful week. First, mother-in-law called informing us that she was moving down and wanted an apartment that was close to us. Then found a couple winged bugs that ended up being drywall termites. Then my sister is having more issues with her divorce in which her soon to be ex is 'sueing' her for $1300 a month spousal support.

This has been enough to drive this chica loca.

Good news: the termites were inside one of our couches we bought from a Sears outlet store and no where else. Whew. We had an inspection and will do a preventive care program as neighbors are having termite issues. So it could have been worse. Got rid of couch the same day. Mother-in-law issue I won't stress over. Out of my control and isn't my problem. And my sister? Praying everything goes well and this divorce will become final...soon.

Now to my reads for this week:

1. CRUSADE


I really enjoy Nancy Holder's writing and this story was no exception. I loved this tale where vampires, the curse ones, have humans in the future live in fear. Jenn is one of those who fights against them.

2. LUMINOUS



Each chapter in this paranormal has a paragraph from Octavio Paz. How can I not love this story? Plus the heroine is Latina. This story has a surreal feel to it like some other Latino books I love like LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE. Here Consuelo literally takes off her skin and has a purpose of helping others.

3. ORIGINAL SIN



This sequel to PERSONAL DEMON is coming out next week! I loved PERSONAL DEMONS and can't wait to read the next book! Here's the trailer:



4. MONTE CARLO

**Yes, another movie that features Paris, France!

I think Selena Gomez is adorable and can't wait to see this fun film:



**Guilty pleasure:

I made an appointment to have an hour facial. My treat to myself!

Christmas in July

I am participating in Christmas in July at PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER - http://susannedrazic.blogspot.com. Come and join the fun. There will be daily posts, daily prizes, and lots more.

Friday Five

1. BETWEEN


I really loved this paranormal tale that is also a mystery.

My YA Books Central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/cfusion/index.cfm?fuseAction=books.review&review_id=23097

2. TOMORROW GIRLS




I really liked this MG dystopia and can't wait to read book two. Review coming soon!

3. PEARL




I love Jo Knowles writing and am excited to be part of a blogger tour. Once again Knowles doesn't disappoint. The way she weaves in backstory is amazing. I'm already loving the character Pearl and can't wait to read more.

4. CROSSED OUT


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Ok, got to share this! My book is being featured and is now $2.99 on Kindle!

CROSSED OUT Kim Baccellia (@ixtumea) featured title @BookDaily http://t.co/K6nXC62 Pick up copy $2.99 http://t.co/ILeYfVw

5. Just watched MIDNIGHT IN PARIS and totally loved it. My character Jordan loves Paris, so I had to watch this movie. I was so happy to see it finally came to my local Regal theater. It's about a wannabe novelist who comes to Paris with his fiance. He thinks that the perfect time to live had to be 1920 in Paris when all the literary giants lived. Well, one night at midnight, during a stroll through the streets of Paris, a car comes and takes him back in time. He meets Hemingway who gives him this advice on reading his novel, "Writers shouldn't give advice on other writer's stories. The book might be bad and I'll hate it or it'll be a genius and I'll hate it even more." Paris is also a main character. Loved this movie!



**Guilty pleasure:

Starbucks Passion ice tea with 4 shots of raspberry syrup. Nom.




Or Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Tropical Fruit ice tea. Either are great.

kbaccellia @ 2011-06-20T07:56:00

I totally loved this book:

SOLSTICE by P.J. Hoover



Check out her SOLSTICE tour going on!



Her website: http://www.pjhoover.com
The SOLSTICE book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkWezTGdTkg&feature=player_embedded
The SOLSTICE page: http://www.pjhoover.com/books_teens.php
The SOLSTICE facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Solstice-by-P-J-Hoover/157463554314172
The SOLSTICE goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11298100-solstice
Blog Post with tour details: http://pjhoover.blogspot.com/2011/06/solstice-goes-on-tour.html
Free sample: http://sony-ebook-downloads.com/sample/57682/solstice

Hashtag: #SOLSTICE
Her Twitter ID: pj_hoover

Book description:
Where Mythology and Dystopia meet...

Piper's world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.

But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she's drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she's ever known.


SOLSTICE is available as a $2.99 ebook (paperbacks should be available in the next week or two) from:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Solstice-ebook/dp/B004ZF804E/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304621416&sr=1-5&tag=wwwpjhooverco-20
Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Solstice/PJ-Hoover/e/2940012467874
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/57682

Friday Five

**It's raining books!

The fab Mandy at YA Books Central just sent me a box of amazing YA books she got from BEA and some publishers. I'm very happy!

1. THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER


I've heard some amazing things about this book. Can't wait to read it!

2.DISTANT WAVES



Ooh, add some psychic sisters and the Titanic and you got me hooked!

3. ASHES, ASHES




Really enjoying this dystopia of a world where a virus has killed off almost all the middle aged folks(yeah, I'd be dead in this world!) Add one sixteen-year-old who's trying to just survive and just finds out the Sweepers(people who come and search for survivors) is looking for her.

4. SISTERHOOD EVERLASTING



Get a tissue box because you're going to need it. I really loved this last book in the SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS series. It's ten years later and Tibby sends the other Septembers plane tickets to meet back in Greece. Little do they know what will await them. You ever heard the advice, throw the worse you can at your characters? Well, Branshares does just that. I was shocked, then kind of angry, then totally understanding where a huge revelation plays in this story. A must read!

5. LUMINOUS



Been hearing good things about this book too! It comes out June 30th and I preordered it. What's not to love? It has a Latina protagonist and it's a paranormal. Can't wait to read it on my Nook.

**Today will be at an outpatient office as husband has to get a procedure. It's like he told me, "I officially feel middle-aged now."

Love this book!

Everyone by now knows my son has ADHD and also deals with auditory sensory impairment issues. I had to pull him out of his former school(a so-called 'distinguished' school) as they refused to work with him and me. "He's too bright" "Why does he have an IEP?" "He shouldn't have an IEP." (Yes, his one teacher told me this.)

So it's been frustrating and hard.

This last week's been especially challenging as he seems to have outbursts and is very intense.

Well, there's this one book by fellow YA author Christine Forseca called EMOTIONAL INTENSITY that has been wonderful. I know my son is very bright(when they tested him his scores were very high. Almost Gate level. It's the ADHD that pulls it down to above average). I read Christine's book and kept saying, "Yes, that's my son."

One thing it suggests is to have a word to use--kind of like a key word--that lets you know he's feeling overwhelmed. Then there are techniques to use to help with these emotional outbursts.

One huge thing that I love about this book is it shows that these children are bright and 'think outside the box'. The worksheets and examples are easy to read and follow.

I really love this book.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8431060-emotional-intensity-in-gifted-students

Friday Five

1. I'M NOT HER


This is one amazing read. I didn't get the galley and I couldn't wait so I ordered a copy for my Nook. So glad I did. Love this story of two sisters who are exact opposites and the challenge/struggles that happen when the 'perfect' one, Kristina ends up with bone cancer. I can't say enough great things about this book. Just read it!

YA Books Central review coming soon!

2. BOUND ON EARTH


A friend recommended this book about a LDS woman struggling with her bipolar husband.

My thoughts? I loved the passages that dealt with just this. They were very real. I know as I grew up in a household with a bipolar father who refused to take meds. It was hell and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I did like how the author was able to show how this illness affected not only her but her extended family.

What didn't work is how the author goes back and forth with other POVs in the family. Seriously, I didn't care. This book felt like a collection of short stories thrown together to make a novel. Now if it just stayed with the bipolar issues I think it would have been a great novel especially since I've found hardly any books that show Mormons dealing with hard issues in a realistic way. I can say this as I'm LDS too.

3. POSSESSIONS




One great thing about having a fab publisher like Zumaya is that my publisher Liz does little things for me like send me this book that she got at a Con.

I found my friend YA author Marlene Perez has a book blurb in it. Can't wait to start reading this!

4. PEARL




If you've never read any of Jo Knowles books, then do. Her writing is powerful and she tackles sensitive subjects in such a great way. I just got an email that I'm next on the blogger list to review her new book. I'm very excited!

5. The whole #YAsaves thing has been on my mind since last week. Yesterday Gurdon, the journalist who wrote that WSJ article, was on a radio interview. I listened and grew more and more angry. Why? Here's the link:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/06/09/midmorning3/

First off, you all know my feelings on dark YAs. If someone doesn't like these books, then don't read them. Also it's the parent's responsiblity to know what's out there. And there's tons of lighter, fun YAs out there for their teens to read. I know. I give suggestions to teens in our homeschool group all the time.

But don't, don't, tell us that books that deal with sensitive subjects shouldn't be available to teens. And I'm sorry, reading about abuse, cutting, rape, and other intense subjects is not ADVOCATING doing it.

**Can you see how passionate I feel about this?

Then there's this one mother caller who went on about her 10 year old reading BREAKING DAWN. I'm like, wth is your 10 year old reading that? She didn't even get the scene right when she described it and said it was TWILIGHT. Not. She went on to say the publishing world is trying to force their books on teens.

So much wrong with this interview. I was so angry. The fab Cheryl Rainfield of the amazing book SCARS also weighed in on the interview. And my all time favorite author and hero Ellen Hopkins said she asked if she can be interviewed. You all know how much Ellen's book BURN meant to me.


Ok, now to my guilty pleasure!

If you ever get a chance and you enjoy ice herbal tea, check out Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf store. My favorite tea is Swedish Berries. It doesn't have caffeine and is very nommy. I have them add Splenda to it.

Ooh, Buffy and Angel

Just found this on Twitter. Thanks, kazmahoney for sharing!