This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In Close Your Eyes and They're Gone by Karen Black, the story follows Rose Baker, a nurse’s aide and devoted mother to a curious four-year-old daughter, Lily. Rose is doing her best to balance work, parenting, and the loneliness of having her husband stationed overseas. At their small West Virginia home, life revolves around Lily’s curious adventures and Rose’s quiet determination to keep things steady and full of love. One day, Rose lies down and accidentally falls asleep. When she wakes, she discovers Lily is gone. Then the narrative shifts perspectives from Lily and her kidnappers to those searching for her, including a determined police detective and caring neighbors. Will Lily ever see her mom again? This story highlights the vulnerability and resilience of children, as well as the relentless spirit of those who love them.
Close Your Eyes and They're Gone definitely pulls you in from the start. As I was reading, I felt like I was watching a “Lost Loves” segment on Unsolved Mysteries, which has always been one of my favorite shows. This story moves at a fast pace and has realistic dialogue, especially Lily’s voice, like when she’s being cautious about getting into a stranger’s car. The writing gets right to the point, while still hitting all the emotional moments throughout, whether in a scene about their home life at the beginning or a more suspenseful one during the abduction. Even with the tough subject matter, Karen Black keeps the language clear and lets the characters’ fears and hopes shine through. It’s a tense, heartfelt read that manages to show compassion even as it describes the darkest moments.
