Kim Baccellia's Blog, page 6

New Book Trailer!

Today I'm at Marva Dasef's blog and my new book trailer is now live:

http://mgddasef.blogspot.com/2012/05/kim-baccellias-great-new-trailer.html

I'm giving away a swag basket which will include all kinds of goodies.

KIM'S GOODIES:
Kim is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card AND an awesome Swag Bag!!! Swag bag includes a free ebook of your choice, bookmarks, tattoos, a $15 iTunes gift card and a signed copy of one of her books!!! A comment on her blog = 1 entry and a retweet on Twitter or post on Facebook = 2 entries!!! Winners to be selected on June 1 by random drawing.

Here's my trailer:

Summer Teen Reading Party On

In celebration of this month's virtual summer teen reading party my publisher is offering the Kindle ebook of CROSSED OUT for .99 cents!

http://www.amazon.com/Crossed-Out-ebook/dp/B00418450I/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1335804431&sr=1-2

Also I will be revealing the new book trailer to EARRINGS on Friday!

Stay tuned!

kbaccellia @ 2012-04-19T10:02:00

1. Just finished reading CAT GIRL'S DAY OFF by Kimberly Pauley





This is one hilarious romp through the world of Nat, who just happens to have the ability to understand cats. Loved this story!

YA Books Central review coming soon!

2. Been crazy, busy scoring for a National scoring company. Doing this to earn money for my writing projects. Still deciding whether or not to join RWA. My YA fantasy NO GODDESSES ALLOWED just pushed forward and now won't come out till Fall or Christmas. That was one big reason I wanted to join. Another is that Nationals will be here in Anaheim. But it's very $$$. It cost $185 to just join RWA plus the conference is another $500! Oh, and I heard there is a YA chapter that is another $55.

Sigh. I might just renew membership to SCBWI and get my pages ready in time for Editor's Day in October. Or apply for a grant from #YALITCHAT.

Decisions, decisions.

3. Reading WANTED by Heidi Ayarbe.





I love Heidi's edgier stories. One of my favorites had to be last year's COMPULSION about a football player with OCD. This one has a half Mexican American girl who just happens to be a bookie in Nevada. Let's just say Heidi's writing isn't disappointing. Raw, gripping and very intense.

4. Plus teen that did my CROSSED OUT trailer is going to do one for EARRINGS! Yay! I'm trying to make the wording punchier and shorter.

My Lupe:





Teancum:





5. Meeting by phone next Monday to go over plotting on my sekrit project with the fab Joyce Sweeney! Yay!

**And ohmigosh, that kiss! Finally:





Seriously, when Elena ran into Damon's arms and kissed, I yelled out, "Finally!" Then of course her brother Jeremy had to interrupt. But still, thank you Vampire Diaries for showing what is in the books and what fans want to see. Not another Bella moment but rather these two coming together!

**Guilty pleasure:

Today we're going to Disneyland. We decided to do the 'big' vacation every other year. This year we broke down and purchased season passes.

Friday Five

1. Well, this week is Spring Break and we've been kind of keeping it mellow. Husband 'decided' to work from home which makes it almost impossible to get any work done as he's wandering in the room where I write every hour on the hour. Sigh. I'm thinking next week, on the days he works from home, after homeschooling(yeah, that makes it really hard to teach son too) I'm going to the library for a few hours just to write. Otherwise nada will be done.

2. Started reading a couple books but sigh lost interest as they either told too much or didn't live up to my expectations. In the past, I'd just struggle through a long beginning but not now as I have so many books to read/review plus I have deadlines of my own.

3. One book that is living up to the hype is THE BOOK OF BLOOD AND SHADOW:





Think REVOLUTION meets Da Vinci code. So far really loving this book and the writing is a step above some of current reads out there.

YA Books Central review coming soon.

4. Read the galley of the upcoming Alyson Noel book, FATED:



I really loved the premise of this story of a sixteen-year-old girl who finds out the visions she has of ravens doesn't mean she's going insane but rather a part of her destiny. She ends up going to New Mexico to be guided in her journey by her abuela(yes, you know I love this!).

I liked this story but have to admit I wasn't in love with it as I'd hoped. There's some great writing and Alyson is a great storyteller but there seemed to be too much backstory and telling at the beginning which slowed the story down. Still I'd suggest to stick it out as the story really starts moving right after she's in New Mexico and meets Dace, a hot guy, who just happens to be in her dreams too.

YA Books Central review coming in May around her release date!

5. And of course I had to satisfy my Buffy fix. Picked up the latest Buffy comic book:





If anything, the covers are well worth the $3 price.

**Guilty pleasure:

I'm going to a French bakery and picking up some pastries!





Plus, my copy of Kimberly Pauley's book CAT GIRL'S DAY OFF:





What's sad is my local Barnes & Noble aren't carrying books like Kimberly or even the recent paperback of A.S. King's book. They have tons and tons of HUNGER GAMES books and ones similar to that premise or the celeb books. I wish we had an Indie store close by. Sigh.

Uh, yeah, I preordered her!

http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/04/09/hunger-games-katniss-everdeen-barbie/





You can preorder her on the Barbie Collector's website.

Friday Five

1. Well, results of thyroid are in: Blood work is perfect! Yay! And my nodules didn't grow. Double yay! What wasn't too good was my blood pressure. It's be up since, yeah, since MIL's been here.

2. Son's charter school had this week off for Spring break but the local school district has next week off. So I ended up having him go to school two days this week and next week he'll take those days off. So crazy. Still it looks like his cub scout troop is having a pack meeting next Wednesday. Oh, well, it seems like there's always something going on.

3. Been trying to work on one revision chapter a day. It's been really hard. I even emailed my fairy plotting goddess, Joyce Sweeney, for help. Yes, this revision is turning out into more of a major rewrite. But after all the recent stuff I've been through with a couple publishers, I've decided I'm going to do the best I can and still go after that elusive agent.

4. Also been reading this book:





I can't even tell you all how much I love this book. It's 1488 and there's this group of assassin nuns who make what Nikita does look like child's play. Ooh, there's also court intrigue, one handsome bastard duke, and tons of yummy imaginery and writing. A total must read for fans of YA historicals/paranormals.

YA Books Central review coming soon!

5. Also found this book in my YABC package from the fab Mandy:





It looks like this is the year for Time Traveling YAs. I'm intrigued with the premise that says it's like The Time Traveling Wife meets Before I Fall. Can't wait to read more!

**Guilty pleasure:

I'm getting a pedicure! Thinking more springy colors.

Also we're not having company for Easter dinner. Yay. It'll be nice to just have it by ourselves. **Yes, MIL has been proving even more difficult and I just don't need to be around it during a holiday. And also seriously thinking of going up North to visit Mom and stepfather for a few days just to get away.

My Take on the movie HUNGER GAMES

We finally went and saw THE HUNGER GAMES. I've been reading out loud a chapter of the novel to my 10 year old so we could discuss any issues that might be too much for him. Let's face it, the premise of teens killing teens is very disturbing. But if you have tweens, you've probably also know how much the media has hyped this movie up. I mean, it's everywhere. Just yesterday the group of homeschooling kids we associate with were playing Duck, Duck, Goose but said Katniss instead. **I thought this was interesting as most of those parents have been very vocal on how their kids WERE NOT seeing or reading the book. It just goes to show that no matter how sheltered you think your kids are? They still will hear about things.

Anyway, the movie.

What worked:





First off I didn't see this as being a story with the usual YA love triangle. No rather it's about the love a girl--Katniss--has for her family and how she'll do anything to save her little sister. That, to me, is very refreshing and totally worked. The opening shows this love between the sisters right before the reaping.

I know some are saying that the actor who played Peeta was wrong for the part. I disagree. I thought he was perfect in his interaction with Katniss and his emotions.

Rue:





Let's just say I love this character and it really frosts my cupcakes when I heard that some were 'upset' when they found out the actress was black. I'm like, hello. Read the book.

The one scene with Katniss is so touching, that I got teary eyed. When I first read the book I sobbed. It was that powerful.


And finally, Katniss. Yes, I love this character too. She's a strong protagonist that isn't at all like Bella but rather uses her strength to survive.

What didn't work:

Seriously, during the movie when Katniss is with Peeta toward the end? Well, there were these women sitting in front of us that laughed when the camera zoomed in on Gale and then Katniss and Peeta. I'm like, that's not funny. Husband turned to me and said, "They just aren't as invested in the story as you are." Apparently not.

Also I wanted some more of Gale. I didn't think there was enough to show how close Katniss and Gale were.

There's also added scenes and a lot that isn't in the movie. For example, husband asked me what was so important about the mockingjay pin. They didn't really go over that.

In conclusion, I do think this movie is okay for 10-11 year olds to see but I highly recommend either they read the book first or read it together so you can discuss any parts that might be too intense. I did think the book was more graphic then the movie. But that's just me. In all it was well worth the price of the ticket. Can't wait to see the second movie in the series.

Friday Five

So went and got my sonogram yesterday. It's now every 4 months that they have to check the nodules on the remaining part of my thyroid to see if they've grown too much or not. Crossing fingers it's okay. If not, then another biopsy and then more surgery. Not fun.

1. Been reading tons. What else is new, right?

Finished reading GODDESS INTERRUPTED by Aimee Carter:





YA Books Central review:
http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/11815-goddess-interrupted-goddess-test-2

2. BABY'S IN BLACK:



This graphic novel is the love story of the lost Beatle. I loved the look and feel of this novel which totally feels like it's from the 60s.

3. Yes, another ANGEL AND FAITH comic book:





Dying to see how much Drusilla will mess with Angel in this spinoff comic book from Whedon. A total must read!

4. Heard on Twitter via Cindy Pon that this book was already out:





So called my local Barnes and Noble and asked if this was true and yes, it is! So I'll be running to the Irvine Spectrum this Saturday and grabbing a copy!

5. Right now reading FORGIVEN:





This is the third book in the DEMON TRAPPER'S DAUGHTER series. I love this series. I remember Jana back in 2006 as her first series was being released from my then publisher Virtual Tales as an e-serial. Loved it. Jana was able to break out and get a traditional publisher. She gives me hope that I can do the same thing!

**Guilty pleasure:

Son's going to a homeschooling Easter party. This should be lots of fun.

Tomorrow we plan to finally see HUNGER GAMES. I'm on chapter 18 of the book and it's generated tons of discussions. If you have a child under 12 who wants to see the movie? I highly recommend read the book first. If not separately then together and then discuss.

Also really want to see this documentary but it's rated R. Thinking I will see first then see if it's ok for son:

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/bully/

True story: When I was in the eighth grade, I seriously thought I wouldn't make it. Not only was I being abused by my father and no-one listened or helped, but I was being bullied at school. I still remember walking into the gym and these girls telling me, "You think your so that, don't you?" What happened next was being hit, shoved into my locker, spit out, and being told that I was nothing. Once, during square dancing, some girls ganged up on me and started hitting me right in front of the gym teacher who only turned away. I remember being so afraid of going to school, I'd get sick. Honestly, I didn't know what was wrong--no one listening to me or feeling all alone.

I didn't really have any friends as the one I did have? I made the mistake of telling her what my father did and she told her father, who just happened to be on our church's bishopic. He told her I was 'bad' as no one said such things about their fathers.

So yes it was really bad. A number of times I did try to kill myself too. Once my sister stopped me. I kept telling myself "If I can survive this? I can survive anything." But not all kids can do that. So yes, I'll see this movie. I do feel that speaking out will help. I just wish someone had done that for me.

EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA now a Kindle ebook

Yay, EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA is now available on Kindle:

http://www.amazon.com/Earrings-of-Ixtumea-ebook/dp/B007OUHYH6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1332901609&sr=8-2

So yeah, this is totally me