For Immediate Release

Laurel Johnson: ‘The right publisher for each book appears at the proper time’

            TEMPE, AZ, July 28, 2005, Dandelion Books [www.dandelionbooks.net] . . .

            Book reviewer, published author and poet Laurel Johnson went to Dandelion Books for publishing her fiction work, The Alley of Wishes—“my first and truest labor of love in every way,” states Johnson.
            The Alley of Wishes [ISBN 1-893302-46-6] is available through Dandelion Books, Amazon.com, and bookstores world-wide.
           “Shortly after finishing The Alley of Wishes, I had an opportunity to interview Carol Adler, Dandelion’s president. I’d already reviewed several Dandelion titles for Midwest Book Review and I liked their boutique concept of book publishing.
            "Unlike many large corporate-owned publishers,” says Johnson, “Carol was easily accessible and also enthusiastic about looking at works by previously unpublished or self-published authors.”
           “Laurel Johnson’s work is much more than Les Miserables,” writes book reviewer and literary agent, Jeanette Lundgren. “If you believe in the ultimate triumph of love, faith and friendship, The Alley of Wishes is a book you should both read and cherish.”
Despite the ravages of WWI on Paris and on the young American farm boy, Beck Sanow, and despite the abusive relationship that the chanteuse Cerise once endured, the two share a bond that is unbreakable by time, war, loss of memory, illness, and loss of youth.
          “With The Alley of Wishes, I recognized a winner,” states Adler. “It is a skillfully written work that also has great film potential.”
           One of Laurel’s colleagues, Shirley Johnson, of Midwest Book Review, wrote: “I have read and reviewed many a novel, but never have the characters stayed within my heart as Cerise and Beck have. A love affair that will draw you into its very essence awaits you in this outstanding read. War, lust, murder, love, hate and forgiveness all play a part in The Alley of Wishes. This is a story you will not soon forget."
            In addition to reviewing for Midwest Book Review, Johnson currently writes for New Works Review; Quill Quarterly Poetry Review; The Wandering Hermit Review; Small Press Review; and Irish American News and Entertainment.
           Johnson has also written several poetry and short story collections. Color of Laughter, Color of Tears, a poetry book co-authored with Texas cop Stephen Sulik, was released by Winterwolf Publishing in December 2004. One of her short stories, "Zeb and Ruby", has been accepted by Adams Media for a Cup of Comfort for Nurses anthology.
            Short fiction stories have been featured in the online literary e-zine New Works Review and examples of her poetry can be found online at Klyd Watkins' The Time Garden.

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