A WORLD APART {INTERVIEW}

Title: A World Apart

Author: Camelia Miron Skiba

Publisher: Create Space

Source: Author

Available: Now

Pages: 370

I have previously featured this book on my blog and was pleased to have Camelia come back and answer some questions about the book.  I hope you all learn a little more about the book and the author!  Click Good Family Reads to read my review and a snippet from the book!

1. Tell us something about A World Apart that didn't make the cut.

The first draft contained the beginning and the end, with nothing in between. Robert, a secondary character was set to die and he was okay with this at first. Then the fighting began. He just wanted to live, go figure. Leave alone the fact that I had to redo about ten chapters—he just didn’t care. To make things even worse, Cassandra and David teamed up with him and they went AWOL—until I changed my mind. For Pete’s sake, I rescued David from an ambush in Iraq, and that was the reward? Silence? I remember sweating bullets to continue the story. I tried to negotiate their return for about a month (ice cream, cookies, wine, you name it) but to no avail. In the end, I agreed to make the changes and magically they returned. I wrote 5 chapters in one week (and had probably a few hours of sleep, but so worth it).

I love hearing about the process so many writers go through to hear the characters!  I'm glad things worked out they way they did though!

2. Where do you usually do your writing:

Complete silence in the guest room: lavender and cream walls, desk set in a corner, a large Queen palm knocking on my window...

mmm...guest room?  I'm game!

3. Sweet or Salty snacks?

Fruits.

4. What is your favorite childhood books?

Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas. Winnetou and Old Shatterland by Karl May.

Never read Old Shatterland...maybe I should check it out!

5. What is the most surprising thing you found out during your writing/publishing journey?

That self-publishing is not as hard as some may think.

I think that seems to be the wave of now!!

6. Do you have anything in the works that you can share?

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 dang 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.

Ooh...well good luck...she sounds like she maybe trouble but totally worth it!

7. Anything about A World Apart you would like to share?

My son picked the name "Checkpoint" after I shared the story with him. I liked it and went with it until one night, returning from a Yanni concert and overdosed in all the good feelings and emotions his music awoke in me, the words hit me so hard, I gasped for air, screaming, "I found it! A World Apart. This is the title!" 

How cool!  I'm like that title too!

Thank you so much for visiting us today!  Good luck with this book and all that is yet to come!!

EMERALD CITY

Title: Emerald City

Author: Alicia K. Leppert

Publisher:  SweetWater Books

Available:n April 10, 2012

Source:  Cedar Fort

Pages: 320

About the Book:
Olivia Tate is a broken shell of a girl haunted by the tragic events that fill her past. She has closed herself off from the world, each day grasping at something—anything—to live for. Convinced there will never be a way out, she seeks solace in the depths of her medicine cabinet. When she wakes up days later in the hospital she is introduced to Jude, the quiet stranger responsible for saving her life. She never could have guessed then that her mysterious rescuer would end up saving her life a second time, while simultaneously turning her world upside down.


My Take:
Wow...another great debut novel.  It's a great love story that dives into some really deep subjects along the way.  While I can't tell you certain things about the book because I think you should really read this to get the full effect of the story...I will say that that this may be one of the best 2012 debuts I've read this year so far!  Written so the pages keep flying and you can't put it down.  Now...before you say...romance isn't for me...this is so much more than a romance...there is a little mystery...umm...sorry...can't say much more...  that most readers will find very intriguing!  I highly suggest you pick this up....  well...4/10/12!
But don't take my word for it...here's the link to other stops along the way!  Cedar Fort

About the Author:

A WOMAN'S POWER

Title:  A Woman's Power

Author:  Fay A. Klinger

Publisher:  Cedar Fort

Available:  now

Source:  Publisher

Pages:  144

Genre:  Non-fiction/:LDS/religion

About the Book:

For any woman who’s ever felt like she’s hanging on by a single thread, this inspiring book reveals the truth: you’re surrounded by threads of strength and power that can bring you safety, peace, and lasting happiness. All you have to do is grab hold of them. Uplifting and empowering, this book offers women everywhere a message of hope. 

My Take:

It's a well written book that takes us to the heart of the truth.  It has plenty of stories from the author and her family that will show you how to help yourself and others.  This book would be well suited to take slowly as a daily devotional.  Ms. Klinger is an LDS author, but woman of any faith will be sure to find something that will meet their needs in the pages of this book.  It will be a definite addition to my bookshelf, and if you are in the market for peace, you would be well advised to pick this up to add to your library as well!  

BONES (GODDESS FISH TOUR, GUEST POST, REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY)

Title:  Bones

Author:  K.J. Dahlen

Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press

Available:  now

Source:  Author via Goddess Fish Tours 

Pages:  181

Genre:  Mystery

THE GUEST POST

   A BIG THANK YOU TO K.J. FOR JOINING ME HERE TODAY TO TELL US HOW SHE GETS  HER INSPIRATION FOR HER BOOKS!   I HOPE THIS HELPS ALL THOSE AUTHORS WHO ARE BUSY WRITING THEIR DEBUT BOOKS NOW!

I love to take a thought or phrase and turn it into a book. One of my books, The Prophet, was written from a phrase, “Has he asked you to convert yet?”
I make up my characters from the people that I know. I take certain traits or looks and give them to the heroes and heroines in my books. I also try and put a little bit of myself in my books. We are all different for a reason and I like that.
Bones is a search in a small town for a serial killer. Someone had been murdering women yet no one has noticed him for years. Then two young boys stumble upon his dumping grounds and notify the police. Max Reardon has to find out who the women were and why they were killed.
I used a small town setting because I live in a small town and the hillside where the cave is found could be hidden on the bluffs where I live. Max is a man who has seen the best and the worst in people and he chooses to deal with the best, although now he has to deal with the worst.
I’ve used what I’ve read in books and seen on tv and just plain common sense to research this book and all my books. I like to watch people and what they talk about or react to tells me how they think and how they will act in certain situations. I use the bits and pieces I’ve collected in my books and add twists and turns to make the story more interesting. They call it fiction for a reason. Most of my books are pure imagination.
Sometimes I think I know where the story will go but just when I think that it takes off in a whole other direction.  I once saw an old man sitting alone in a bar sipping on a beer. He was the perfect looking bad guy I had ever seen. In my mind he became a serial killer for a book I built around his appearance. I know the guy was probably the most gentle man I could know but in my mind he was a killer in a book yet to be written. He became my River Man.
I’ve been asked many ,many times how I come up with a plot to yet another story but there is no one answer to that question.  It can be a phrase, or seeing someone I think would be a good character in a book,  or a dream I had. It can be just about anything  that pops into my head then suddenly a get an idea for a book.  When I get an idea I have to sit down and write out an outline. The outline is just an outline, sometimes I stay with it and sometimes I don’t. The book usually plays out in my head like a movie, but that is what  works for me.

About the Book:
When human bones are discovered in a cave just outside of town, it’s up to Sheriff Max Reardon to find out who the bones belonged to. But someone in town doesn’t want the bones identified and they go to great lengths to try and stop Max’s investigation.

They break into Max’s house and try and destroy the evidence and when that doesn’t work they frame Max for murder. Can Max clear his name and bring the murderer or murderers to justice?

My Take:
What a great quick read for mystery fans of all!  It's quick to take off and keeps the suspense going from there on.  It was simply written and while it didn't take a lot of thought to follow the story, the puzzle was fun to try and solve before the end!  Highly recommend and I'm off to read more from this author!  

About the Author:
Kim lives in a small town (population495) in Wisconsin. From her deck she can see the Mississippi River on one side and the bluffs, where eagles live and nest on the other side. She lives with her husband Dave and dog Sammy. Her two children are grown and two grandchildren and for that fact she feels blessed. She loves to watch people and that has helped her with her writing. She loves to create characters and put them in a troubling situation and just sit back and let them do all the work. They surprise even her at times. They take on a life of their own and the twists and turns become a story. She found she liked mystery/thrillers the best. She likes to keep her readers guessing until the very end of the book.


Email: kjdahlen1@yahoo.com
Web site: www.kjdahlen.com

The Giveaway

K.J. will be giving away a $10 Amazon gift certificate, plus the chance to help her with her new book--the winner will get to write a short blurb and K.J. will write the book based on it, so click the banner and follow the stops for your chance to win!  The more you comment the better your chance of winning!