As I Close My Eyes by Sarah DiCello
Paperback, 278 pages
Published June 29th 2012 by Taylor Street Publishing, LLC
Summary:
When she looks into her own eyes, she sees a ghost.
And when she looks into his eyes, she knows she has seen them before ...
Danielle Grayson is a beautiful, intelligent young woman in present-day Georgia, but when she closes her eyes, she becomes someone else in a different time, one hundred years earlier in fact.
Danielle's other life is as entrancing and romantic as her current one, and the contrast between the lifestyles is intriguing and enlightening, but what starts out as being dreamlike soon becomes real and strangely familiar.
Worse, whatever happens to her as Danielle seems to change the past, if it is a true past.
And when she finds she is not alone in being able to flip between the two worlds, life, love and death become increasingly disturbing.
My Review:
I have to say, this book wasn't really as exciting as I thought it would be. It was okay.
I found it unrealistic. Even though it is a fantasy-ish historical book. But the unrealistic part to me was the romance between Danielle and Ben. I mean, they barely know each other and they're already in love. Also, she's 18 and he's 26 and both of their parents are okay with it. And they've done it. (It isn't really sexual, no descriptive words. Just said they did it without really saying it.) I mean, really. What parents would be okay with that huge 8 year gap. Yech. Not mines. Their 'love story' cannot even be possible. She was just like a stalker when she first met him.
But I thought the overall idea of the book was good and interesting. It gave us the idea of being able to have lived a different time and to be able to experience it.
I have to say though, I really liked Eric better than Ben. Ben is 8 years older than her! I mean, really. 8 years. 8. YEARS. 8 FREAKING YEARS. When we saw a bit of the more sophisticated Eric look during the end of the book, I found it attractive and apparently Danielle kind of did too.
I did not like Danielle's or Ben's character and mannerisms. They just weren't real enough for me.
Overall, if you're into the overly romantic type of books, steer for this! I'm just not really into that. Needless to say, I do not think I'll read the next book unless it has a more unique storyline. 3 Stars.
Buy links:
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/bJZMWnUgZug
About the Author:
Sarah DiCello is new to Taylor Street.
She writes fantasy / romance.
She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. She graduated from Shippensburg University with a degree in Communications/Journalism.
This is her first novel. Look for the sequel to "As I Close My Eyes" Christmas 2012.
Character Interview
As told from Danielle Grayson, the main character in As I Close My Eyes.
Where do you dream of traveling to and why?
Well this might sound a bit strange but I seem to be traveling every night. I’m dreaming about a little beach town in the Victorian Era. Even stranger is the fact that it really feels like I’m there. I can smell the ocean air and feel the sand beneath my feet as if I’m actually standing on the shoreline. It’s pretty incredible.
Tell us about your family.
My mama is the typical Southern hostess. Don’t get me wrong, she’s crazy, but in a good way. She’s fun and silly. Although she worries about me way too much. My stepfather, Bill, is great too. He’s quiet but I don’t mind that. I know he loves me. My daddy ran off and I haven’t seen him since my brother Justin died a few years ago. Bill’s taken over the role of my daddy nicely. I do miss my brother though and wish he was still here to put me in headlocks and chase me around the living room.
What was the scariest moment of your life?
That would have to be when I fell off the boat in Lake Lanier. Come to think of it that’s when the dreams started.
What is your favorite meal?
Anything my mama cooks.
What group did you hang out with in high school?
I still hang out with them. My best friend Eric has been by my side since elementary school. Then there’s Shannon. I don’t know what I do without her or her boyfriend, Brad.
What are you passionate about these days?
I’d have to say figuring out why I’m having these vivid dreams and what they mean. I saw a man in a restaurant in Tallulah Falls, Georgia the other day and he looked exactly like the man from my dreams. It’s very weird that I dreamt about him before actually seeing him in person while I’m awake. I don’t know what it all means but how could I have recognized someone from my dreams in a random restaurant in Tallulah Falls? It makes no sense.
Morning Person? Or Night Person? How do you know?
Before the dreams I’d say I was a morning person, but now that’s all changed because I can’t wait to close my eyes and go to sleep to see the people in my dreams come to life right in front of me.
Do you believe in fate?
I’m not sure. I think we all create our own destiny but these dreams I’m having are making me think otherwise. I feel a deep connection to the people in my dreams and some of them exhibit the same characteristics and looks of those while I’m awake. It’s like I’m glimpsing into my past or something. I feel as though I’m watching a movie and I’m playing the main character. I’ve never experienced anything like it.
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