Monday, July 18, 2011

Close Your Eyes - Amanda Eyre Ward - Review AND Giveaway

Amanda Eyre Ward is a new to me author, but Close Your Eyes is her fifth novel. The book opens in 1986. A brother and sister have their idyllic childhood shattered when their mother is murdered....and their father is accused and subsequently convicted of the crime.

It is twenty four years later. The siblings have 'coped' with their loss in different ways. Alex is on his way to Iraq with Doctors Without Borders. Lauren sells real estate and refuses to marry her live in boyfriend - she can't commit to marriage. She is distraught when Alex announces his trip. He is her lifeline and has  always looked after her - she can't lose the only family she has left. But leave he does.

The second part of the book introduces us to Sylvia whose life has been unalterably changed by the events in her life. A life seemingly quite different from Lauren's, but both women have carried the burden of loss the entire lives. Loss on many different levels.

And this is where Ward shines. Her exploration of the themes of love, loss, family, self and redemption are examined through the eyes of the two main protagonists. While both have closed their eyes to what has happened in their lives, their interaction allows each other to slowly reclaim their own lives, open their eyes and go forward.

Murder is the minor player but the major catalyst in this novel. the characters and their lives are the driving force behind this story. Although I had an inkling where things might go, Ward surprised me many times. Lauren and Sylvia are well drawn characters, but so is the secondary cast. Gerry, Lauren's boyfriend stood out for me.
 
This was a different read for me, but one I quite enjoyed. It was a thought provoking exploration of how a random, unplanned act can affect so much and so many.

Read an excerpt of Close Your Eyes.

You can find Amanda Eyre Ward on Facebook  and on Twitter.

Thanks to the generous folks at Random House, I have a copy of Close Your Eyes to giveaway to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment to be entered. Open to US and Canada. Ends Sat. Aug 13/11.

Check out what other bloggers on the TLC tour thought of Close Your Eyes.

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43 comments:

  1. LindaJuly 18, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    This sounds great, although totally unlike what I normally read. Thanks for the giveaway.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. holdenjJuly 18, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    It sounds like an interesting and thought provoking book! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. TamyeJuly 18, 2011 at 8:20 AM

    Sounds like a good read Luanne. Please enter me into the giveaway. Thanks.

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  4. TamyeJuly 18, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Here's my e-mail for the earlier comment: tamyemachina@primus.ca

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  5. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    This is a local author for me and I'm looking forward to reading her new book. No need to enter me in the drawing.

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  6. debbieJuly 18, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    This sounds really good, I would love to read it.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  7. travelerJuly 18, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Intriguing book. Many thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. petiteJuly 18, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Fascinating book which would be enjoyable. Thanks for this giveaway. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  9. Pam (@iwriteinbooks)July 18, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    This sounds really interesting. It sounds a lot like things I've read recently in terms of adult exploration of emotions.

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  10. PoCoKatJuly 18, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Sounds like a really interesting book.

    littleone AT shaw DOt ca

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  11. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    I love her books.
    gardnerad@juno.com

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  12. Literary ChanteuseJuly 18, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I am interested in the giveaway! Sounds too good to pass up! Thanks!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tiffany DrewJuly 18, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    I have read and enjoyed one of her other books and have been looking forward to getting my hands on the rest, so I would love to give this a read :) Thank you!

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  14. bermudaonionJuly 18, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    This sounds rather sad, but good. It's amazing how much loss can affect you, especially when you're young. Please enter me. kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

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  15. Carol N WongJuly 18, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    After that experience it is easy to understand why the main character didn't want to commit to marriage.

    Please enter me in this giveaway.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  16. Martha LawsonJuly 18, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Sounds really good! Enter me please.

    follow on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  17. UnknownJuly 18, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    I love her other books, hope this one is as good!

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  18. The Dowell FamilyJuly 18, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    Would love to read this book!
    Megandowell3@yahoo.com

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  19. MaureenJuly 19, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    It looks like a unique story.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

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  20. DarleneJuly 19, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Please enter me in the draw!

    I'm subscribed by email, and my email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  21. ChristyJanJuly 19, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    This does sound like a thought provoking read. Please enter me

    hawkes(at)citlink.net

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  22. MonaJuly 19, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Thanks for the giveaway :)
    Sometimes I'm in the mood for a serious thought-provoking read.

    monagargATyahooDOTcom

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  23. nfmgirlJuly 19, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    This sounds great! Please count me in. Thank you!

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

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  24. In Julie's OpinionJuly 19, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    I liked your review, and I definitely now want to read this book! Thanks so much for the great review and the awesome giveaway:)

    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  25. NancyJuly 19, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    Sounds like an interesting read! I love to discover "new to me" authors!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  26. Pat L.July 19, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Sounds good - patoct at yahoo dot com.

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  27. Judy HJuly 21, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    Ohh, I would love to read this.

    headlessfowl at gmail dot com

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  28. AnonymousJuly 21, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for being on the tour! I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.

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  29. Laura KayJuly 21, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    I'd love to read this!!!

    Laura Kay
    anovelreview(at)yahoo(dot)com
    www.anovelreview.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. UnknownJuly 21, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    This book sounds fascinating and I thinkWard's approach is unique and creative!

    Thank you for another great giveaway!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    I love mystery and suspense books. Would love to win a copy.

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  32. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    didnt realize I needed my email.
    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

    Would love to win this book.

    Thanks.
    Karen T.

    ReplyDelete
  33. L. Eleana JohnsonJuly 24, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Hi, please enter me for this giveaway. Another great read for the summer will be awesome!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Carol W.July 26, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    You've piques my interest. Thanks for the chance to win this book.

    chipotlecraving(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. Cackleberry HomesteadAugust 1, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    I'm intrigued by this book and would love to win it. Thanks!

    crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. MollyAugust 2, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Kimmy RAugust 2, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    I can't wait to read this book! Saw it in People magazine today!

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  38. Theresa N.August 3, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    I'd like to read this book.
    Theressa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. UnderCoverMuslimahAugust 4, 2011 at 1:06 AM

    Id love to have a copy of this book! Please :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Helen L.August 4, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Another great giveaway. thank you.

    gmapeony at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  41. ShermanAugust 4, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    I enjoyed "Sleep Toward Heaven" the best of all her books and betting this one will be just as good.

    bricksiam@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. lag123August 12, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    This one is on my wish list!

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Faith Hope and CherryteaAugust 12, 2011 at 1:12 PM

    i love good characterization !
    thanks for including this giveaway-
    blstef1 at mts dot net

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by - your comments are much appreciated!