Giveaway and Interview with Author Camelia Miron Skiba and her book A World Apart

Good morning my little Naughties!!  Today on CEWTNK just for your exclusive enjoyment :), I was able to interview Camelia, and learn a little bit about her writing process.  We are also going to take a look at her book, A World Apart, and let you in on how to win a very own copy of your own!! But first, lets get to know Camelia a little bit better:

How old were you when you first realized you wanted to write?
High school. My older sister Lumi had her own room where she'd spend time with her girlfriends while I had to share a room with my younger sister, Monica. Lumi's room was like a treasure box, with giggles, secrets and adventures. Needless to say, I wasn't allowed in her room when she was at home.
But when she wasn't, I would be a bad girl and sneak in and rummage through her clothes, her books, her drawers. It was during one of those incursions when I came upon a beautifully written notebook, a love story.
 I got sucked in from the first page and fell in love with the heroes, Raluca and Alexandru. I laughed with them, cried with them, felt my heart melt at the sight of them, lived life through their eyes. I was addicted to their story and Lumi's room manifested itself into more of a forbidden fruit.
Unfortunately their love story never lived to see the printing light and I often wonder if they had the happily-ever-after ending. You see, one day Lumi came home earlier and found me devouring her notebook. I was mortified I was caught red handed and she was furious about my trespassing.  She yanked the notebook from my hands and yelled at me to get out of her room.I never sneaked back into her room. We never talked about it, but ever since then all I've done was to wish I'd meet my writing muse and take a chance at writing.
Well, fast-forward 20+ years later, I opened a blank word document and began writing. And never stopped.

Most authors have an unusual story or way that they come up with their ideas for books…Do you have one?
With the risk of people thinking I'm crazy, I get my ideas from... voices in my head. They turn into heroes, telling me their stories. Sometimes things as simple as gestures or facial expressions set in full swing a brand new scene. Headlines, photos, you name it, my inspiration comes from everywhere.

What was your biggest influence that steered you towards writing?
It only took me 20+ years to actually sit down and start writing. I doubted myself one too many times, until one day, while sharing with my son memories of childhood dreams he encouraged me to write. For some reason, his words touched a very soft spot in my heart, plus I could disappoint anyone except him. Now he is my biggest supporter!

I have to ask, what are the hardest scenes for you to write?
Sex scenes.

Are sex scenes difficult for you to word?
Let’s get things straight. I’m a shy person. Talking about bedroom stuff is a BIG no-no for me. Not because I don’t like (what happens there) but it’s mine, way too private, way too sensitive to put it out there for the public eye.
While publishing was a dream, writing sex scene was something so far out of my mind, the next galaxy was still closer than that. And yet, my imaginary friends aka my heroes, have different outlook on this matter. Not only do they want to talk about it, they want it on the paper.
I finally got over my shyness after a talk with my… father in law. Yes, you read correctly—my father in law. At a family reunion he asked how my writing was going. I told him about my problem and he invited me for a walk. Holding my arm he said, “Honey, sex is hot. Without it humanity wouldn’t exist today. Sex sells. You want to sell books? Then get busy.” Now, mind you my father in law is 83 and one of my biggest supporters. He reads simultaneously 4-5 books daily. He’s a living, breathing, walking library with a wicked grin and a sprint in his pace that puts even the fastest runner to shame. And yes, he knows books.
Leaving the reunion I went home, my father in law’s words still playing in my ears. I locked myself in my office and made peace with my heroes and myself. The result? Two books published, going on third (and yes, there are sex scenes in all of them; not explicit, but they are).

Do you see yourself writing in another genre?
I’ve learned to never say never, but honest the only other genre I’m interested it’s young adult.

Has your family been supportive?
I didn’t mention anything up until my husband asked me point blank if I was having an affair. I didn't tell him what I was doing for so long on the computer. LOL. I was so scared he'd laugh at me, I just didn’t find the courage to tell him. I couldn't do it without my family's support. It happens many times the laundry is not done or there is no food in the fridge, but not once have they complained. And my friends are always rooting for me, so I consider myself blessed.

Are any of your characters reflective of you?
I try not to identify myself with my characters. I guess as authors some of our qualities (or flaws) come out stronger than others. But if I have to choose, I’m more like Tessa, the heroine in 'Hidden Heart'. I feel closer to Tessa, because of her past and mine. In many ways—the heartache, the betrayal, the journey to find herself—gave me the closure I needed from my own past.
 
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Reading. If a book pulls me in I stay up all night and finish it. I also love comedies and historical dramas. I recently discovered a few on NetFlix and I stayed up all night to watch them. Pat Tilman’s Run is the annual sporting event I train for. I also love to travel.

Who is your favorite book heroine?
Scarlett O'Hara.

Do you have any unusual habits that revolve around writing?
No, I do not.

What is you favorite mystical creature?
Since I'm born in the Land of Dracula it has to be vampire.
What were some of your biggest challenges at the beginning of your career?
Writing in ... English. Since this is not my maternal language, I had to rely a lot on the dictionary and my critique partners verifying my grammar.

How do you feel about reader comments?
I appreciate all of them, and take everything with a grain of salt. I remind myself that not everyone will like my work and everybody is entitled to their opinion.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do NOT ever, ever, ever publish without editing your work gazillion times. Nothing will turn a reader off more than an unedited novel. Find the right group of critique partners (try until you mesh nicely with them) and don't hold back. Ask questions, and do a lot of research.

Where are your books available?
Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, iTunes, Goodreads, Smashwords, pretty much all online retailers.
What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m working now on a novel I plan to release in December. It’s Chiara’s story, Tessa’s sister from my debut novel Hidden Heart. She's actually dark and distrustful, unlike any other characters I’ve dealt before with. She’s quiet, sitting in an obscure corner, knees pulled to her chest and NOT saying a damn word. Not going anywhere, not letting anyone coming closer. Such a troubled heroine scares me since I thought I could handle whoever comes into my head (unless they are zombies, then I’d be screwed). Can't lure her with cookies or ice cream, can't make her talk, but she claims full residency in my brain.

Where can we reach you and become informed of updates?
By email at cami.skiba@gmail.com
Blog   http://cameliamironskiba.wordpress.com/
Facebook     http://www.facebook.com/Camelia.M.Skiba
GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4864495.Camelia_Miron_Skiba

A Big Thank You to Camelia for the amazing interview!!  It really was fun and interesting!!  Now let's take a look at the book details:

    BLURB:

In a war that’s not hers, she loses everything.

Everything she loses is because of him.

Forgiveness is not an option.

Or maybe...

Lieutenant Cassandra Toma, trauma surgeon in the Romanian National Army starts her deployment at a joint-unit air base on a wrong foot, clashing on her first day with her new commander, Major David Hunt. Her rebellious nature and sassiness rival her excellent performance in the operating room—the only reason why she's not reprimanded, or maybe not the only reason.

They meet. They clash. A forbidden passion consumes them with the intensity of an erupting volcano, leaving her heartbroken and him with tarnished honor and pride as an officer. The only way out for David is disappearing into the dangerous warzone in Iraq. Their flame was supposed to be over when destiny brings them back under the same roof, this time with a common goal—to find Cassandra's brother, Maj. Robert Toma, kidnapped by insurgents while on patrol.

To rescue Robert, Cassandra and David put aside their resentments, uniting forces against a common enemy. Trying to forget the painful past, Cassandra opens up to give David—and their love—another chance. What she doesn’t realize is that her anguish is the result of David’s impetuous action—one reckless choice he made for which she may never forgive him.

His mistake, his secret, could cost them both the love they've finally found.

EXCERPT :

“You need to calm down,” David inched closer to Cassandra, fixing her with such intensity her face caught fire.

“Calm down? You want me to calm down?” she snorted, jutting her chin up, hands on her hips.

“Yes. You need to calm down. What was that all about? Why are you so furious?”

 “You want to know why I am so furious?” Cassandra grounded her feet apart and pushed her chin forward.  “You really want to know? I’ll tell you why. I’m so sick of your bigheaded attitude, of your ‘I’m an American—I do whatever I want’ arrogance!” She shoved a finger at David’s chest, poking it and leaning forward. Her gaze locked on his, their faces close. “You act like some god on our grounds, like you’re doing us a big favor, honoring us with your royal presence as if we are a bunch of idiots you cannot stand. Anything that comes your way that is Romanian, you dismiss with such vehemence one might think it’s poisonous. Nothing we do or have is good enough for your nose.

“But let me tell you something, my friend. My people might not have everything so technical and so advanced, but they are good and hard-working people. They have good hearts and above all, they have dignity. When you live for generations under communism and are treated the way we were, maybe only then you can understand what it means to be so ‘primitive’. To be given nothing and be expected to work wonders. Your standards and ours obviously don’t match, but who are you to judge us? What do you know about us that gives you the right to treat us this way? Huh?

“And for your information, in case nobody had the courage to tell you, this is not our war.” She made a large circle with her arms. “We haven’t asked for it and we are doing you a favor allowing all of you to be on our soil. And not vice versa.” Cassandra straightened her back, pushed away a curl that fell on her face and held her arms up. “Here you have it, I said it.”

She walked around David, opened the door and before leaving, said without looking back, “And don’t forget to write me up.”

BUY LINKS:

Amazon (Kindle Edition):  http://www.amazon.com/A-WORLD-APART-ebook/dp/B006NZWHF2

Amazon (Paperback):  http://www.amazon.com/World-Apart-Camelia-Miron-Skiba/dp/1466226676

Barnes & Noble (Nook Book):  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-world-apart-camelia-miron-skiba/1108016741

Smashwords (All Formats):  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115952

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I WRITE. I LOVE. I DREAM. I WRITE.

I’m Chris’ wife, Patrick’s mom and Bella’s owner. During the day, I’m the assistant to the Director at SESE at Arizona State University, and romance’s slave at night.

I moved to the U.S eight years ago, following my heart and the man who stole it. I love comedies, historical dramas and happily-ever-after stories. English is not my native, not my second, but my third language.

Some fun facts about me:

Each year I participate in one big event that requires me to physically train. My biggest sportive accomplishment was the 3-day 60-mile Susan G. Komen Walk.

Annually I pick a color I decree my favorite (this year it’s salmon).

I refused to text until 2010, always preferring to hear voices rather than sending emotionless messages. Politic bores me to death and I have no tolerance for arrogance.

“A World Apart” is my second book. My debut novel “Hidden Heart” came out March 2011.

Email:  cami.skiba@gmail.com

Blog:   http://cameliamironskiba.wordpress.com

The book sounds amazing!!  To take a look at Camelia's tour, just click here:http://cblspromotions.blogspot.com/2012/01/vbt-world-apart-by-camelia-miron-skiba.html!  To enter to win a copy of the book, just fill out the rafflecopter!  Good Luck!!!

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