Bride on a Broom? It's Not What You're Thinking

A few weeks ago I reviewed my dear friend Camelia Miron Skiba's latest release A World Apart. I love this book, and I adore Cami. You can read my review here.

Today she's back for another visit on her blog tour to grace us with a guest post. This is just a small peek into her background, and the fun person she is. So, without further adieu, here's Cami!

Bride on a Broom by Camelia Miron Skiba

How many times have you heard of a bride on a broom? I know it sounds like a mistake, but I assure you it's not. Normally we associate broom with witches and kids stories, right? And yet... I was a bride on a broom. Not that I wanted a fairytale wedding, I mean I did but not with a certain magical theme and for sure not with witches. I didn't plan using a broom or any other cleaning tool on such a memorable day. I mean, come on, it was my wedding, not my cleaning day.

Although my wedding happened eight and a half years ago, to this day people still talk about the broom dance.

Let me explain. Several hours into the wedding, long after bites stolen between dances and drinks between entertaining our guests, the only thing I really wanted to do was to take off my shoes. Either my feet increased one size or my shiny crystal shoes shrunk and I couldn't throw them any further, any faster. Cristina, my godmother (which actually would be my witness after the American tradition) said, "Suck it up. It's your wedding night and you need to look pretty." Of course I didn't bring another pair of shoes, but barefoot never seemed more appealing.

I wished I could just sit and remove my shoes, hidden by the red and white silk tablecloth, but Cristina watched me like an eagle. A friend of mine came to invite me to dance. I didn't have the heart to refuse him and so I went on the dance floor with him. I don't remember what song played, but I do remember someone breaking a glass and so the restaurant crew brought in ... a broom and a dustpan.

As the dance finished and the crew cleaned the mess, the DJ played Queen's "I Want to Break Free." This was one of my favorite song of all times, reminding me of all the amazing friends and dreams we had as teenagers to break free from a country lost to communism, poisoned by corrupt politics and ultimately destroyed by them. The restaurant exploded with applause and people singing along. I looked around the room and saw all of those dear faces, reliving past dreams, mixed with something different - hope.

And for some reason I can't explain I felt empowered. I felt I could walk on top of the world. I not only wanted to break free, I was free. I took my shoes off, took the broom from the custodian and walked on the stage singing from the top of my lungs and dancing with the broom. From across the room Cristina shook a finger at me, but laughed and sang as well. Everyone in the restaurant stood, danced and sung along. A ripple of electricity went through me seeing all that joy. We all were free.ng was Joe Cocker's "You can leave your hat on." Chris, my husband told me later after the wedding, “I didn’t know I married my own Kim Basinger. Lucky me.” No need to explain what happened during that song, but I can only say I kept my red wedding dress on. Thirty minutes later I was stolen. Yes, you read correctly--stolen. It's a Romanian wedding tradition.

I suppose we can assume Cami was returned in one piece as she's here now to entertain us with her novels. If you want to know more about Cami, her books, or where to buy them, use the links below.

Kindle
Paperback
Nook
Smashwords
Cami's Blog
Email Cami

About Cami

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.

A World Apart

I'm honored to be part of the blog tour for my good friend and fellow author Camelia Miron Skiba and her newest release A World Apart.

I interviewed Cami in August. She has a fascinating background as an immigrant from Romania. You can read her interview here. Cami has also been kind enough to offer an ebook copy of A World Apart to one lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment below with your email address and you're in!

I was lucky enough to read A World Apart as Cami was writing it, as well as in its final form. I have to tell you I really love this book (read my review below).

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.

Review

Camelia Miron Skiba does it again! In her sophomore effort, Skiba shows that she knows how to write a compelling, fascinating, tug-at-your-heartstrings story. David and Cassandra grab you from the first page and refuse to let you go until you find out if they get their happily ever after. Written against the backdrop of the Iraqi war, their love story is riddled with the pain and terror of living in the middle of so much violence. Skiba balances the beauty of love with the horrors of war without compromising either.

In A World Apart, Cassandra Toma, a doctor serving in the Romanian military is deployed to the Black Sea. There she meets the handsome and sexy American doctor David Hunt. They are attracted to one another, though David is under the mistaken impression that Cassandra is married. After a night of passion, fueled by guilt, he volunteers for a tour in Iraq. There, he meets Robert, Cassandra's brother, and learns his mistake. During a routine visit to a field hospital, they are attacked and Robert is taken hostage. That brings Cassandra to Iraq, volunteering for her own tour in order to try to find information about her missing brother. She ends up at the same base as David. I don't want to give too much away, but just know that their being together on base makes for plenty of fireworks.

In her first outing, Skiba brought us the heartwrenching tale of Tessa, a Romanian caught up in the evil machinations of one man. In A World Apart, she gives us Cassandra, a much more confident heroine who, nonetheless, ends up with troubles of her own. Skiba does not, for one second, allow her heroine to escape reality. She puts her heroines - and readers - through the emotional wringer in order to show that life isn't always rainbows and lollipops and I, for one, am glad of it. A World Apart rings true, showing the ups and downs of being in love with someone who may or may not be the wrong person for you. Cassandra has risen above a past that would drive the strongest person to their knees, and has opened herself up to love, something she never imagined would be part of her life. She's strong, courageous, smart, and underneath all of that, insecure and lonely.

Skiba uses her own Romanian past to bring the people and places of her home country alive. She shows us what life is like for the Romanian's through the eyes of someone who has lived it. That alone would be enough to make me want to read her books, but then she adds a great love story, interesting and fully-fleshed out characters, a host of supporting players, and the intensity and drama that Skiba is a genius at giving us. A World Apart gets an A+ in my book.
Wanna get your own copy? Here are the 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

DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT BELOW TO WIN YOUR OWN ECOPY OF

A WORLD APART

An Interview with Author Camelia Miron Skiba

Tell us a little about yourself:

I’m Chris’ wife, Patrick’s mom and Bella’s owner. During the day, I’m the assistant to the Director in SESE at Arizona State University, and romance’s slave at night. I’m also Hidden Heart’s author, which is my debut novel.

I moved to the U.S almost 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 (Cindy once told me it sounds like I have a disease…). Each year I participate in one big event that requires me to train. My biggest sportive accomplishment was the 3-day 60 miles Susan Komen Walk. Annually I pick a color I decree my favorite (this year is 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.

At what point did you decide to become a writer? Was there someone or something that specifically inspired you?

Summer of 2009. I’ll never forget, driving down the road with Patrick, my son one day and talking about childhood dreams, the need to fulfill them, the need to dream more even as adults. He told me his, I told him mine. I told him one of my childhood dreams was to write novels. I also told him about all the heroes I had in my head, and their incredible stories. But I also told him I doubted myself. My heart drummed in my chest, fearing my own son will think I’m crazy. He listened and said, “I know you can do it, mom. Just sit at your desk, and write. Whatever comes to your mind, just put it on the paper.” And for some inexplicable reason, I did as he suggested. He trusted me I can do it. Probably I could disappoint someone else, but not my son. Fast forward to March 2011, I held in my hands my debut novel “Hidden Heart.”

Where are you when you are writing, and what implements/addictions do you have with you when you’re writing?

In a lavander guest room. I have a table set up by the window, with green palms waving their green leaves at me, several books (dictionaries, grammar, etc); a few trinkets (three bears, two elephant candle-holders and a rare round stone). I need complete silence when I write. I love my milk with coffee (yes, you read correct—it’s milk with coffee and not vice-versa. It takes a cup of coffee divided in 4, then add milk to the brim and drink one hot cup at the time, until about 2pm).

You were born in Romania, and now live in the US. Tell us about your journey from one country to another and all the places you’ve lived:

Before I moved to the U.S. in September of 2003, I lived in Austria, Germany and Hungary. Love took me to Austria, work to Germany and month-long vacations to Hungary. Then I returned to Romania for about five years, before love found me again. This time it brought me here to the States. In looking back, I realize that every single place I’ve been to, its people, its traditions, culture and language, every memory helped me create characters with different backgrounds and lifestyles, adding spices to the story. Aside from the romantic tone in my novels, my heroes are always coming from different countries. I use English as the books’ language not necessary because it’s my adoptive tongue, but because no matter where we travel in the world, English is the catalytic, love’s language as I like to call it.

Your book, Hidden Heart, is written in English, even though that isn’t your native language. How difficult was it to write an entire novel in English?

Oh, boy! Ask Cindy J! She probably scratched her head so many times trying to decipher what my sentences meant. I never looked at it as being difficult. English just comes to me so easily; I dream in English, I think in English. Can’t tell exactly when in happened (the transition from thinking in Romanian to English), but it’s so natural now (my mom asked me to write my books also in Romanian so she can read them. I told her maybe when I retire LOL). Humor aside, I try to expand my vocabulary on a daily basis. Not only expand it, but also find antonyms and synonyms for words. Verbs are my weakness.

Tell us about Hidden Heart. What is it about? Where did you get the idea for the novel?

Believe it or not, I cringe when people ask me this question. Because I know that I have about 30seconds to say something so interesting, that the person who asked is intrigued enough to try to find more, and eventually want to read the book. So, begin the countdown: 30- 29-28… Hidden Heart is a multicultural women fiction novel, with a strong romance influence. Did I put you to sleep? Just checking. If not, it’s a tale of love, betrayal and friendship. A woman's journey to forgiveness and redemption. A man's fight for a second chance. Dark secrets threatening to destroy everything and more. I’d say more, but the 30 seconds are up J

Hidden Heart deals with some heavy subjects, including living with the aftermath of violence. How difficult was it to write those scenes of violence? How did you decide the way your heroine was going to overcome her challenges?

This subject used to be a sore one for me. I grew up in a society where violence was and unfortunately still is considered a matter of fact—parents beat their children, teachers spank their students, husbands abuse their wives. I was no exception to the rule. I have memories of my father’s belt, my teacher’s ruler and my first husband’s fists. When someone grows up like this, there are only two ways to come out of it: either accept it and live a miserable life, or revolt against it and stop it. Tessa, my heroine represents my victory against violence. It’s my healing miracle. Regardless of how many other books I’ll write, Tessa will always have a special place in my heart, and if her story can touch at least one other woman, giving her hope through the healing process, then I did my job.

What is your next project?

My next project is called “A World Apart”, coming out (I hope) in December 2011. It’s a multicultural novel that, while set in the middle of the Iraqi war, is about the romance between two opposites. Maj. David Hunt is an American doctor in the US Air Force, and Lt. Cassandra Toma is a Romanian doctor in the Romanian Army. Fate has them both deployed to the M. Kogalniceanu (try to say this word, please) Joint Air Base shortly after Saddam Hussein’s execution.

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 Kirkuk, 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.

Why did you choose to self-publish over going with traditional publishing?

Simply put, I’m a control freak. I decide the format, the cover, the edits. Don’t get me wrong; I have a lot of admiration for a lot of agents. It must be as hard for them to sell a book, as it is for us, the writers, especially with the way the economy, in particular the book industry threads murky waters these days. I follow several of them on a daily basis. But my time is as precious as theirs and life is too short to sit around and wait a rejection letter when I can self-publish, hold my book in my hands and move onto the next one. I have way too many stories in my head, but not enough time to write them all, even less time to wait for THE CALL.

You’re marooned on an island. What three inanimate objects must you have with you for your survival and/or sanity?

Only a gallon of Haagen Dazs ice cream (vanilla with Swiss almonds). I won’t survive the first night since I’m scared of darkness. But I’ll die happy.

Thank you for inviting me, I really had fun sharing glimpses from Cami’s land with you. You can find more about me at www.CameliaMironSkiba.com

Want to learn more about Camelia's amazing life, and how she came to be the writer she is? Read this interview that she did.

Find Cameila on:

Purchase Cami's current novel Hidden Heart on:

Want Hidden Heart FREE? Sign up for Cami's GoodReads Giveaway here!