The Alley of Wishes

Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
Review: THE ALLEY OF WISHES is one of the finest pieces of literature I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. The creativity of the author's beautiful words captured my attention from the first page. The characters are well defined and endearing.

This is a heartwarming tale of Beck; a disillusioned, broken man. Three years of fighting on the front lines during WWI have left this American with little hope. Cerise is a victim of abuse, which has left her spirits wounded. They find each other in war torn Paris. Can their love heal old scars? Will the adversity that has plagued each of them make them stronger?

The writing style of Ms Johnson made this story both believable and touching. The reader is transported to another era with ease. I felt the deep emotions of the characters. The angst and triumphs were written with an almost poetic beauty. The bombs exploding in Paris were real and frightening. This is a must read for people that want a glimpse into the horrors of war while experiencing the wonder and power of love.

This is an outstanding book and I give it my highest recommendation. I am sure that I will read this one again. It has all of the qualities of a classic novel that should be handed down from generation to generation and read over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Splendid!
Review: The Alley of Wishes, a splendid novel set in war-torn Paris of 1918 is a must read for anyone who can appreciate the intricacies of a relationship between a man and a woman and the devotion of a total stranger toward the man whose life he saved.

Beck Sanow, an American fighting in a foreign war, and Cerise L'Oiseau an abused and downtrodden singer in a Paris bistro come together in a heartwarming relationship complicated by the nightmares of each of their pasts. Beck's mind has been devastated by the haunting nightmares of what he experienced in the trenches at The Front and Cerise is equally haunted by the physical and psychological abuse she has been subjected to by her `fiancé', Paul, a brutal and sadistic cad.

But despite their individual problems stemming from their recent past lives they come together as a loving couple...until the shelling of Paris begins. Beck and Cerise are caught in the open streets of the city as the shelling begins and but for the selfless courage of Rance Keller, a passing physician on the way to his hospital, Cerise would never have survived and likely not Beck as well.

From this tragic experience springs a devout relationship between Rance and Beck, a life-changing relationship. Rance, through selfless attendance, repeatedly saves Beck's life as he struggles against a rheumatic fever weakened heart brought on by his three years in the trenches. The close relationship with Beck and Cerise lets Rance see clearly a better way of life than the one he had been living, that of consorting with street girls and barflies. Lives are changed for the better behind the red door of the little house on The Alley of Wishes.

Laurel Johnson has recreated 1918 Paris during the German bombardment and brings to life the fear, terror, and danger of living in Paris during the First World War. But more than that she has taken four lost and aimless lives and created two beautiful pairings and a four-way friendship that will endure all hardships and overcome all obstacles that may arise in their futures.

I highly recommend this book for all adult readers who thrive on raw emotion and for those who thrive on gut-wrenching fear for the safety of characters they grow to love in the pages of a book. You will undoubtedly fall in love with the eternal foursome of Beck, Cerise, Rance, and Colette as Laurel Johnson pens them into you life.

Rating:
Summary: This romance novel was...
Review: This romance novel was right up my ALLEY! (Get it?) "Alley of Wishes," by Laurel Johnson...

I love this new writer and her love affair from days gone by! Ms. Johnson is such a talent! Her words read more like poetry than a novel. Beautiful, Simply Beautiful!

If you enjoy this genre then this is the book for you and in my opinion, worth every dime I paid for it! It isn't often the reader gets to be a part of such a lovely story. Buy the book and you'll see what I mean!