Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

A World Apart

by Camelia Miron Skiba (Goodreads Author)

4.41 of 5 stars 4.41 · rating details · 37 ratings · 21 reviews

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...more

Paperback

Published (first published December 18th 2011)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton

Lesser Known Authors

409th out of 2,306 books — 3,404 voters

Books You Wish More People Knew About - Part 2

69th out of 298 books — 209 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 530)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jan 02, 2013 Jessica's Book Review rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-star

Read more reviews on my blog | Like me on Facebook

I was beyond excited to read A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba after reading Hidden Heart, which was a brilliant story. A World Apart, just like Hidden Heart is a true definition of a novel and what a novel should be. It has loss, love, war, faraway places, and a deep storyline that not only is enjoyable but educational and intriguing.

In A World Apart, you meet Romanian Doctor Cassandra Toma. She is a doctor for the military in her country and...more Read more reviews on my blog | Like me on Facebook

I was beyond excited to read A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba after reading Hidden Heart, which was a brilliant story. A World Apart, just like Hidden Heart is a true definition of a novel and what a novel should be. It has loss, love, war, faraway places, and a deep storyline that not only is enjoyable but educational and intriguing.

In A World Apart, you meet Romanian Doctor Cassandra Toma. She is a doctor for the military in her country and is assigned to work with the American military on a base near the Middle East helping solders who have been hurt during the war in Iraq. While at her new assignment she meets American military doctor David Hunt. David asked to leave his home base in the States to move on with his life after a divorce. Cassandra and David meet on Valentine’s Day at a party on their new base and almost instantly fall in love, at least have a connection to one another.

The two become friends and end up working together in the hospital. David thinks Cassandra is married to another Romanian solder because the two are always together and have the same last name, turns out David is mistake because it is Robert, Cassandra’s brother. As their friendship grows so does their feelings, the two finally are together but David thinks he betrayed a fellow solder and slept with his wife. He pushes Cassandra away as she lets him in her life, something she has never done before with another person. Cassandra is hurt and confused by David’s actions after their night together. She has no idea why he would ignore her and not be together.

This goes on for a while. David request to be sent to Iraq before he finds out the truth about Cassandra and Robert but it is too late, David is to report to Iraq and Cassandra cannot forgive him for thinking so little of her and hurting her the way that he did. As the year goes on, Cassandra is now is in Iraq to save her brother. David and Cassandra once again try to solve their relationship but again misunderstandings and two characters that are very hard headed prevent them from working out.

As the story goes on, you read a lot about the war, you learn about the Romanian people and their customs, which I found very interesting. I loved that I learned something about another cultural while reading a romance novel all in one. Cassandra and David are almost like two lost souls. Both have a past they are trying to get away from and do not let people into their hearts or lives very often, if not at all. You can’t help but feel bad for these two and want them to have a happy ending. I wasn’t sure if their ending would work out the way I wanted it to. It seemed each time they were getting close they would push each other away.

You don’t often hear of romance novels starting in a war zone but somehow it works and not just two but four people fell in love with death and war all around them. The characters pulled at my heart throughout reading feeling very emotional to all of them.

I loved the ending very much, especially the epilogue. The book does have some slow parts; I found it really picked up around the 30% mark then would slow down and pick up again. A World Apart is not a sappy romance novel. It is a very intelligent read that is for adults who would like to read a mature read.

I give A World Apart 4 stars.

A copy of A World Apart was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 21, 2012 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle-read

Fantastic!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a love story where the couple doesn't just fall into each others arms to live happily ever after. This is Camelia's second book and she has done such a wonderful job with it that I am at a loss for all the positive words I could use to describe how good this story really is. To say the least, it is heartwarming and heartbreaking because it makes you feel like you are actually there with the characters experiencing everything that they...more Fantastic!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a love story where the couple doesn't just fall into each others arms to live happily ever after. This is Camelia's second book and she has done such a wonderful job with it that I am at a loss for all the positive words I could use to describe how good this story really is. To say the least, it is heartwarming and heartbreaking because it makes you feel like you are actually there with the characters experiencing everything that they are as you read.

This is set during the war in 2007. Most of it takes place in Romania & Iraq with some time also in the United States.

Major David Hunt lives in Arizona, he is a doctor who is getting deployed to Romania to take charge of their medical facility there. After arriving he is introduced to Romanian doctor, Lieutenant Cassandra Toma.

Cassandra doesn't let herself get close to a lot of people for fear of losing them, so she basically goes day-to-day with her life, but for David it is an immediate attraction for him, but after watching her he decides she's off-limits to him and tries to avoid her when possible. Finding he can't stand not seeing her he changes the schedule so they can work the same shift figuring he will be okay just to see her more.

As they become close, David starts feeling regret and is transferred to Iraq to assist at another hospital closer to the fighting leaving Cassandra with unanswered questions. After some time Cassandra has a family emergency that needs her to be in Iraq immediately by any means possible, not knowing she is heading straight to David. She is still hurt by the way their relationship ended in Romania and tries to avoid David as much as possible, it becomes very hard to do as days then weeks pass by. Does tragedy bring them together or push them farther apart? Can they connect being a world apart or will they always be separated by fears of the heart?

If you decide to pick this up to read, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! (less)

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 17, 2012 Deborah (LoveToReadRomance) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, reviewed

A World Apart is a story with lots of emotion; two people from opposite sides of the earth are thrown together and have to deal with their troublesome pasts and an unpredictable future. Ms. Skiba is a very talented writer with powers of description that are clear and strong. She portrays characters that are very real. Her knowledge of things military and medical gives this story a lot of realism.
I love a story with lots of plot twists and this one does not disappoint. Ms. Skiba does an excellen...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 30, 2012 TheSecretWriter rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was not too sure in relation to what I was about to discover when I started to read ‘A World Apart’ by Camelia Miron Skiba. As I gradually worked my way through this book, it quickly turned into a ‘page turner’ that was difficult to put down once started and it definitely did not disappoint.

This is Camelia’s second novel and is written in a style that displays very clearly, this author’s marvellous writing ability and who has the skills of a true story teller. The reader very quickly becomes e...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 06, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: indie-challenge-2012

Camelia Miron-Skiba hit a couple of heart strings with this book. It starts out with flipping between the past and present lives of Major David Hunt and Lieutenant Cassandra Toma.
War is a heavy theme and strong background to this book. Cassandra is no stranger to war and all it implies. She is a smart and strong military officer who is sassy, bold, and brass. She seems to come across as a person who loves deeply and would do anything for those people. One such person is her brother who has come...more Camelia Miron-Skiba hit a couple of heart strings with this book. It starts out with flipping between the past and present lives of Major David Hunt and Lieutenant Cassandra Toma.
War is a heavy theme and strong background to this book. Cassandra is no stranger to war and all it implies. She is a smart and strong military officer who is sassy, bold, and brass. She seems to come across as a person who loves deeply and would do anything for those people. One such person is her brother who has come home after a tour of duty.
David arrives to Romania on assignment and meets Cassandra and what he believes is her husband. Truth is, the love between siblings is just a major miscommunication.
These two didn't get along in the beginning and the only thing they really respected was each other as military doctors. Their worlds kind of collide when they are forced to work together which turns into a friendship with the hint of a real relationship, if only David didn't believe she was married and off limits. These two just can't seem to get on the same page.
After finding out the truth of Cassandra's marital status and feeling a bit overwhelmed, he joins the war in Iraq. Without giving too much away, this is where the story really takes a turn. Strong war time fear and tension hit everyone hard when the stakes are high and they have everything to lose.
I wouldn't even know where to place this book on a shelf. It's not overly romantic and it's also not jam packed action. I guess it would fall under drama. Lots and lots of drama.
Camelia Miron-Skiba has written this book from the heart and let people into a war filled world full of heroes, tragedy, love, and pride. It is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys military stories. The author is what I would call a "smart" writer. She tells a story that needs to be absorbed rather than just words that are read. A World Apart is exciting and passionate while also being raw and real.

This book was received free of charge for the purpose of a review.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 13, 2012 Cindy C Bennett rated it 5 of 5 stars

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...more 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.
(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 17, 2012 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Can two people who are from different parts of the world, and who have very different lifestyles find love in a war zone? Or will their differences and secrets from their pasts keep them A World Apart?

This is a story about two people from different parts of the world, and how they came together in 2007 during the Iraq war. Cassandra Toma is a trauma surgeon and Lieutenant in the Romanian National Army. David Hunt is a reconstructive surgeon and Major in the US Air Force. Cassandra and David are...more Can two people who are from different parts of the world, and who have very different lifestyles find love in a war zone? Or will their differences and secrets from their pasts keep them A World Apart?

This is a story about two people from different parts of the world, and how they came together in 2007 during the Iraq war. Cassandra Toma is a trauma surgeon and Lieutenant in the Romanian National Army. David Hunt is a reconstructive surgeon and Major in the US Air Force. Cassandra and David are both deployed to the American run Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Force Base in Constanta, Romania, near the Black Sea. Major Hunt is the director / commanding officer of the hospital and reconstruction center at the base, and Lieutenant Toma is one of the surgeons under his command. When Cassandra and David meet, both feel a mutual attraction for each other that grows as their days at the base go by, but there is one major problem .... David mistakenly thinks Cassandra is married to Major Robert Toma, who is her brother. David tries to avoid letting his attraction towards Cassandra get the better of him, and she can't understand why he doesn't pursue her. Each has a past with secrets and heartache that lead them down a path of misunderstandings and hurt feelings. David feels like he needs to get away from Cassandra and Romania, so he requests a transfer to Lancer Air Force base in Iraq. In the meantime, Cassandra's brother Robert has been deployed to Iraq for one final mission before he retires from the Romanian army. Robert and David meet up in Iraq and become good friends. They organize a run into a village to deliver Christmas gifts to the children, when returning to the base they are ambushed by Iraqi insurgents. David is injured and rescued by the American forces, while Robert and his Romanian troops are kidnapped by the insurgents. Upon hearing that her brother is kidnapped, Cassandra requests a transfer to Iraq to be near her brother and help in the search for him. What happens next is an emotional journey that Cassandra and David take that will ultimately decide whether they can build a future together or live A World Apart.

A World Apart is a captivating love story about two people from different worlds, who come together in a dangerous war zone, lose each other, and finally rediscover each other. This story is filled with so much emotion, passion, intrigue, drama and suspense, it will leave the reader spent after riding the emotional roller coaster of a ride that is Cassandra and David's journey. The storyline is well written and realistic, it's heartwarming and passionate love story mixed with the bravery, heartache and redemption from the military theme makes the story compelling and powerful. The complexity of the characters and their strong personalities are realistic, their interactions which each other are fascinating, you can't help but be intrigued by them. The description of Romania, Iraq, the military bases and the war zone activities is astounding, I could close my eyes and feel like I was transported there alongside Cassandra, David, Robert and the other characters in the story. When a story can transport you to another place and make you feel the full range of emotions, then you know that the story is one that you can't put down until the very end.

A World Apart is so much more than a romance novel, it has a mixture of intrigue, suspense, drama, and a dose of life's hard reality that will keep the reader sitting on the edge of their seat. I would recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read more than just a typical romance story, you won't be disappointed!

Disclaimer: At the request of the author, publicist, publisher and CBLS Promotions, a PDF edition of the book was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest review and participation in the virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Friday, February 17, 2012, in association with CBLS Promotions, Camelia Miron Skiba participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 29, 2011 Reading, Eating & Dreaming rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF

WOW! A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba is a MUST READ. It’s a powerful and emotional story by an extremely talented author. Camelia Miron Skiba AMAZES ME. Her stories are unique and spellbinding, cultural diversity can be found in both of her novels, her writing style is eloquent, and English is her THIRD LANGUAGE. WOW. I have read and adored both of Camelia Miron Skiba's novels: HiddenHeart (March 2011) and A...more CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF

WOW! A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba is a MUST READ. It’s a powerful and emotional story by an extremely talented author. Camelia Miron Skiba AMAZES ME. Her stories are unique and spellbinding, cultural diversity can be found in both of her novels, her writing style is eloquent, and English is her THIRD LANGUAGE. WOW. I have read and adored both of Camelia Miron Skiba's novels: HiddenHeart (March 2011) and A World Apart (December 2011), and I cannot wait to discover more from her in the future.

A World Apart is David and Cassandra’s romantic and emotional love story that takes place across the globe; it’s set in Romania, the Middle East, and the United States. David and Cassandra come from two completely different worlds, David’s American and Cassandra’s Romanian. They have their differences, but they share some common ground too. They are both doctors who fight to save lives and they are both in the military. A World Apart tells the story of what happens when David and Cassandra explore a professional relationship, a friendship, and the possibility of more. It also demonstrates how miscommunications, lack of communication, grief, guilt, and lies by omission can impact a relationship.

This was an extremely powerful story. I know that I am repeating myself, but I feel the need to reiterate- POWERFUL. The romance, the heartache, the conflict, and the action were all moving and incredibly well-written. The story and the characters captured my heart. This novel toyed with my emotions; it made me laugh, cry, smile, and scream. This novel had some intense emotional moments, but overall, I would not consider this to be a depressing story. However, I would not consider this to be a happy, happy feel good laugh out loud story either. It’s a gritty love story with a sweet romance and realistic struggles that will leave you with a smile. It’s about having hope, finding love, fighting for love, and forgiving the people you love.

I gave A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba 4 STARS. I am a huge fan of Ms. Skiba, and I cannot wait to read what she writes next! If you enjoyed her debut novel, Hidden Heart, then you must check out this novel because I have a feeling that you will love it too!

-XOXO

READING, EATING AND DREAMING (less)

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 *Babs* rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, drama, suspense, thrillers

Cassandra Toma is a trauma surgeon and Lieutenant in the Romanian National Army. David Hunt is a reconstructive surgeon and Major in the US Air Force. Cassandra and David are both deployed to the American run Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Force Base in Constanta, Romania, near the Black Sea. Cassandra works under David as he is the commander. They like each other and an attraction starts but David thinks Cassandra is married to a Major Robert Toma, which happens to be her brother. David does realize t...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 15, 2012 Ruth Hill rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-books, romance

I will be honest. I didn't want to give this a five-star rating. Not because it was not good--it was fantastic, and I will tell you more of my thoughts. But I felt like I had been giving out so many five stars lately to really good books. But let me tell you--this book earned its rating!

The characters in this book were absolutely fantastic. I love Cassandra and David. I would say David is one of the most likable romantic heroes I have read about in a long time. It was so hard to read about their...more I will be honest. I didn't want to give this a five-star rating. Not because it was not good--it was fantastic, and I will tell you more of my thoughts. But I felt like I had been giving out so many five stars lately to really good books. But let me tell you--this book earned its rating!

The characters in this book were absolutely fantastic. I love Cassandra and David. I would say David is one of the most likable romantic heroes I have read about in a long time. It was so hard to read about their struggles--especially in the beginning of the book--because I wanted to scream at them to communicate! Their suffering could have been ended in a moment. But I would say that the way the author chose to handle their relationship made the book more exhilarating.

I honestly did not know very much about the Iraqi war before I read this book. It was so hard to read about some of the things. And of course, the reader gets the inside look of the medical ward which can really turn one's stomach!

It is really neat to read a book that celebrates what the brave men and women who serve in the armed forces are doing to protect our country and the world from the evil of this world. Sometimes these people are not appreciated, and it was nice to read a book that gives them their due.

There were a couple things that I did not like about the book. The profanity in the book was sometimes quite offensive--in fact, that is one reason I did not want to rate the book as high as I did. However, I have read books with more language issues than that, and I decided that it truly did not ruin the book. I also didn't like the sex scene descriptions, but I decided that they were short and not as involved as some I have read. So I did not feel that they detracted from the story.

The best thing about the book for me was its realism. Although it had a nice ending and it ends as you hoped it would, I was glad that it was not full of hearts and flowers like some romances are. Everything was quite believable, and the ending was not always assured. (But I did figure out the plot twist early on!) I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a good romance or just a good book!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 29, 2012 Flame rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-challenge-books, contemporary-romance, in-between-great-and-perfect

This review is also posted on Always a Booklover.

A World Apart was something so unexpected; I can’t help but say I love it. When I first began the book, I found it rather slow and a little dry. But as the book carried on, I found how amazing it was. It may not always have been very interesting, but it was certainly very touching. When I first picked up the book, I wasn’t expecting what I read at all. The level of emotions depicted in the book is just so amazing and so so real.

The thing I really...more This review is also posted on Always a Booklover.

A World Apart was something so unexpected; I can’t help but say I love it. When I first began the book, I found it rather slow and a little dry. But as the book carried on, I found how amazing it was. It may not always have been very interesting, but it was certainly very touching. When I first picked up the book, I wasn’t expecting what I read at all. The level of emotions depicted in the book is just so amazing and so so real.

The thing I really liked about this book was that it truly showed the real horrors of wars and the sufferings that is faced by family and friends. It didn’t brush across all these emotions lightly, and that is something I really liked about it. I especially liked seeing how just one small baby could bring so much joy to them, could represent so much hope for them. The people in the book were really noble. Without regard for themselves, they would work hard to save others.

The main characters of this book is David and Cassandra. Both of them are doctors and super good ones at that. Right from the start, they have conflicts with each other and David makes a super wrong assumption about Cassandra that almost ruined their entire relationship. He thought she was married. It caused a lot of problems later on, trust me.

David is a very kind man. I like him a lot. It’s very obvious how much he loves her, I can see it in his every action. But as for Cass, I didn’t really feel it. She had an epiphany towards the end then I felt was a little weak, given that she just kept running away then blaming him for pushing her away. However, I really felt that David was a very realistic character. His actions were rather justified most of the time and I could empathize with him. I also liked his attitude towards treating others. And what he did for the woman he thought was wounded was truly noble. Perhaps not the best thing to do, but it was really really noble. Want to know what I’m talking about? Go read the book! It’s great, and I really recommend it!

Somehow though, as the story went on, I found myself not liking Cassandra. I think it’s because she only thinks for herself when it comes to feelings. Sure, I get that she’s protecting herself but a lot of the problems between them came about because she was hurt and refused to give him a chance. Then she blamed him when he left. Seriously? You didn’t want to talk to him, he thought he was in the wrong and thus decided to leave so that he wouldn’t cause any more harm and you blame him? But then again, she never actually put herself in other people’s shoes. Maybe its just me, but I found her to be quite self-centred and thus, I couldn’t like her. But I have to say though, the way she acted was very real, it wasn’t like some fairytale character who does everything right. I guess I just couldn’t connect with her. She’s nice to her patients and all, but when it comes to feelings, and grudges, I cannot stand her. But I really admired the love between her and her brother, Robert.

The plot was good. Though the characters didn’t really spend a lot of time together, when they were together, you could just sense that mutual attraction and David’s love for her. I liked the character development for David, not so much for Cass. I liked Cass in the beginning, I kinda hated her towards the end. Total opposite for David.

Anyway, the book was really touching. I vividly recall a certain scene where I was in tears. The pain felt by the characters were so real, I grieved alongside them. But at the same time, when the characters were feeling joy, I felt that urge to jump up and scream because everything was great! I was rather emotionally involved in the book. Most of the time, I did feel how the characters were feeling and I loved that about the book.

But I do have to say one thing though. The book was rather dry. Overall, the plot is good, but I found the dialogues and conversations to be rather flat. It wasn’t really witty or particularly memorable. The pace wasn’t to my liking too. Some parts were too dragged out and then all of a sudden a few weeks or months pass and I’m thrown for a loop. Descriptions were fine as a whole, I could kinda see it in my head.

All in all, I really feel that this book is something different. Perhaps not to everyone’s taste, it certainly isn’t a light read. But it is a good book to be sure, one that can leave you almost crying in sadness and suddenly crying out in disbelief. Because that’s what I did. A good book through and through. The emotions it brought me through was really something different and of course, as I’ve mentioned earlier, the best part is that the author didn’t try to cover up the pain, sadness, atrocities and ugliness of war. It was just laid out bare for us to see. It showed me how pointless war is, if I didn’t already know that. And yes, I can empathize more with the soldiers now and how every life saved means so much. 4.5 stars to be sure.
(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 11, 2012 Elise Marion rated it 3 of 5 stars

'A World Apart' is a story full of emotion and angst. Two people from opposite sides of the world are thrown together and forced to deal with both their pasts and their futures. The ending is satisfying, despite a few frustrating potholes along the road of David and Cassandra's journey.

I'll start by saying that Ms. Skiba is a very talented writer. Her powers of description are strong and clear. She paints characters that are real, they're the kind of people we all know. Her knowledge of things...more 'A World Apart' is a story full of emotion and angst. Two people from opposite sides of the world are thrown together and forced to deal with both their pasts and their futures. The ending is satisfying, despite a few frustrating potholes along the road of David and Cassandra's journey.

I'll start by saying that Ms. Skiba is a very talented writer. Her powers of description are strong and clear. She paints characters that are real, they're the kind of people we all know. Her knowledge of things medical and military give this book a heavy dose of realism.

On the romance side, I often found myself wondering why David was so crazy about Cassandra. While I found him to be likeable, Cassandra was a different story. I found her behavior at times to be childish. The author describes her as strong, confident, and stubborn but she really came across as petty, childish and annoying. She flew off the handle about every little thing and nothing David did was ever good enough for her. The dramatics got pretty old to me. I got tired of reading 'I don't want to hear his name', 'he hurt me', blah blah blah. The misunderstanding between them was nothing big, and even after his explanations and apologies, she continued to treat him like crap. By the end, I really just wanted David to tell Cassandra off.

I think I would have been okay with Cassandra's behavior, if, at the end she made proper atonement for the way she treated David. But to me, there is no sincere apology or atonement and in the end the fact that these two end up together just didn't feel right to me.

Overall, it's a solid read, one that plays with your emotions right up until the end. Ms Skiba dedicates this book to the fighting men and women overseas, which hits especially close to home for me, as the wife of a soldier. These elements of the book, including the medical and military settings, were more enjoyable to me than the romance, which left me wanting. Based on the writer's style I think I would enjoy more of her work, but this particular story may not have been for me. Review soon to come. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Feb 19, 2012 Carly Fall rated it 3 of 5 stars

I don’t know the author personally, but after reading her biography, she sounds like a fascinating person. When I learned that English is her third language, I was very surprised as this is a well-written book.

I liked learning about Romanian customs and traditions, and I liked how she interwove American sayings and how confusing they can be to others. I loved her description of the military bases, and the pictures she painted of the landscape in both Romania and Iraq. I loved the references to L...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 29, 2011 Jeffery Moore rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love a story with many different angles and this one does not disappoint. Camelia does an excellent job at showing us a love story with rich settings. David and Cass are a great example of how opposites attract and the more polar the opposite the greater the attraction. I’m a sucker for a strong setting outside of the mundane so prevalent in today’s romance genre (many romance stories only giving the setting a cursory look). Initially set on the Black Sea and then to war torn Iraq, Camelia bri...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 26, 2011 Sherry Gammon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: evermore

In a war that's ripping apart the world, it's also bringing together to lost, lonely hearts. David and Cassandra's love story will have you laughing, crying and hanging on the edge of your seat. Ms. Skiba has a knack for tearing at your heart with her breathtaking stories, and this one is no exception. Her writing is enveloping, and her story is a heart-breaker. Her realistic war scenes are laid out artistically before you and her love scenes are memorable. You pray for Cass and David, despite t...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 05, 2012 Christy rated it 4 of 5 stars

A World Apart is a compelling story that takes the reader into the struggles of two people trying to make life work during the hardships of war and the hard reality that life isn’t always easy or clear-cut.

Lieutenant Cassandra Toma is a complicated, strong-minded doctor who has had a very tough life. Having grown up under the Communists regime in Romania she has seen her countries people suffer and struggle to break free from tyranny. Her father fled the country when she has very young after be...more A World Apart is a compelling story that takes the reader into the struggles of two people trying to make life work during the hardships of war and the hard reality that life isn’t always easy or clear-cut.

Lieutenant Cassandra Toma is a complicated, strong-minded doctor who has had a very tough life. Having grown up under the Communists regime in Romania she has seen her countries people suffer and struggle to break free from tyranny. Her father fled the country when she has very young after being accused of treason. The government came after her mother trying to force information out of her and eventually violently took her away leaving Cassandra to be forced into an orphanage. Her sole remaining family was her older brother, by 15 years, Robert. Robert is her world and her hero. The story begins when she is older and is ordered by the military to be deployed to the Black Sea to serve with the American’s at a hospital there that is a support hospital to the war going on in Iraq. At first she is very reluctant about this deployment until she learns that her brother has also been deployed to same location. Overjoyed that he will be close by she chooses to overlook her feelings that American’s are arrogant people trespassing in her country and instead embraces the assignment, focusing on the fact that she doesn’t have much longer to serve her military duty.

Major David Hunt is a very proud and strong American doctor who lives life by a strict code of honor. He is recently divorced to his commanding officer’s daughter and is a recovering alcoholic. He agrees to take one last tour of duty as a favor to his former father-in-law before retiring from the military. The Black Sea base is a strategic hospital for critical patients that are too seriously injured to make it to hospitals further away. Upon arriving in Romania, David realizes that he has truly arrived in another world. The culture and its people are “World’s Apart” from America. He meets Cassandra on Valentines Day and mistakes her brother for her husband, due to them sharing the same last name and their tremendous affection for each other. This begins the struggles between them. Professionally their world is a constant struggle to find common ground and a glimmer of happiness to hold on to with the ugliness of war all around them. Cassandra's rebellious nature and sassiness rival her excellent performance in the operating room while her charm and dimples leave David wanting more. Emotionally their connection keeps growing despite David’s best efforts to keep his distance, thinking she is married. This seemingly forbidden bound between them grows but perceptions about each other keep them apart until they reach a breaking point. Unfortunately the truth that Cassandra is not married is a long time in coming and when it does come out the shock of the news isn’t welcomed by either one of them. David flees to Iraq but destiny takes a hand and brings them back together with a common goal - to find Cassandra's kidnapped brother. The story really ramps up into full wartime reality. David’s pride and shame over previous events along with the fear of Cassandra being in the middle of wartime Iraq provides further tension between them making for greater misconceptions in their relationship. They are both very strong stubborn characters making for a complicated road for them to navigate to find their way.

Although this book does have a happily ever after it seems to fall more into the urban fantasy style of writing. The romance between them is a fundamental undercurrent of the entire story but they really aren’t a couple until the last chapter. This story is more about the journey and what life is like for two strong military doctors in a wartime environment. It takes a while to get into the story and Ms. Skiba’s style of writing. However, once you do it is hard to put the book down. Their struggles truly become heart wrenching and it is hard to not want to keep reading to see if it will all work out for them and the characters around them in the end. This book paints a poignant picture of what life is like in both Iraq and in the neighboring countries. If you enjoy military pieces then this book will not disappoint. It is a touching tale of what our military sacrifices each day and that even in wartime love can overcome any obstacle even the stubborn honor of a stubborn couple. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Jun 14, 2012 Caro rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: indie, romance, one-shot-read, read-2012

A World Apart handles a subject that I wouldn't usually choose to read, since my interest in the military is very close to zero.
Since I really liked Ms Skiba's other book, Hidden Heart, I was still looking forward to reading this.
I figured that even if the military base parts bored the hell out of me the book could still be so awesome on the romantic parts.
Turns out the military aspect of the book wasn't a problem at all.

The book is about a young doctor, Cassandra, who works as a military doctor...more

1 like · like · see review

Mar 19, 2012 Lindsey rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Mar 26, 2012 Emily Miller rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another great book from Camelia Miron Skiba! Please keep writing!!!

1 like · like · see review

Mar 17, 2012 Tracib rated it 4 of 5 stars

I won this book on a giveaway and I'm so happy that I did! Great read!

1 like · like · see review

Dec 12, 2012 Javiera rated it 5 of 5 stars

The best novel that I've read in a long time.
Cami it's really an amazing writer!

1 like · like · see review

May 30, 2013 Cindy Smith marked it as to-read

May 30, 2013 Nicholas marked it as to-read

May 30, 2013 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson marked it as to-read

May 29, 2013 Michele marked it as to-read

May 01, 2013 *Walk Two Miles Down* marked it as to-read

Apr 21, 2013 Beverly marked it as to-read

Apr 21, 2013 Capri marked it as to-read

Apr 19, 2013 H.D. marked it as to-read

Apr 16, 2013 Emma marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 17 18 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Romance Lovers fo...: International Giveaway of A World Apart	2	6	Feb 07, 2012 01:50pm
Advanced Review R...: International Giveaway of A World Apart	1	11	Feb 07, 2012 07:58am
Book Blog Networking: International Giveaway of A World Apart	1	2	Feb 07, 2012 07:58am
Fans of McNaught: International Giveaway of A World Apart	1	22	Feb 07, 2012 07:58am
Share your Blogs!: International Giveaway of A World Apart	1	3	Feb 07, 2012 07:58am
The Challenge Fac...: International Giveaway of A World Apart	1	19	Feb 07, 2012 07:58am
Goodreads Authors...: International Giveaway of A World Apart	1	3	Feb 07, 2012 07:57am

combine
Other Editions (1)

Genres

Romance

3 users

See top shelves...

About Camelia Miron Skiba

I write. I live. I love. I dream. I write.

I’m a dreamer
I’m a sinner
I love my books
I conjure hooks
And heroes with good looks

Romance is my guilty pleasure
Taking me to places with new decor
Come join me if you dare
I promise not to bore

If you like to read my stories
Pray my husband continues snorin’
For he’s the one who keeps me up at night
When I give my heroes wings and flight.

Please visit my web page a...more

More about Camelia Miron Skiba...

Books by Camelia Miron Skiba

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About A World Apart

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: A World Apart
avg rating	preview: A World Apart Goodreads rating: 4.41 (37 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13268861-a-world-apart?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327799719l/13268861.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13268861-a-world-apart?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]A World Apart by Camelia Miron Skiba[/url]

A World Apart

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (1)

Genres

About Camelia Miron Skiba

Books by Camelia Miron Skiba

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About A World Apart

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (1)