Reviews: As We Lay

As We Lay is receiving RAVE national reviews. Read what has been written so far about As We Lay

"A modern romance? full of great sex and plenty of conflict? Johnson's novel is an autumn beach book: enjoyable if not memorable." (Nov.) - Publishers Weekly

Indianapolis architect, Breck Lawson, steps out of her self-preservationist’ shoes to fall in love with a charismatic client, who catapults her career to designing fame. She leaves her hometown, her parents and her past bad relationships behind for Boston to be near her dashing sweetheart, the very handsome and very rich, Eric Warren of Warren & Peterson Property Management. But the great catch is no Prince Charming. He’s a devoted father and committed husband to a woman, who he has no intentions of divorcing, not even when Breck becomes pregnant with his son.

Will Breck listen to her family and friends and let Eric go? Will Eric have second thoughts and leave his wife? Will his wife find out and throw a wrench in their plans, or will the two boys become saving graces for both families?

I would love to tell you the ending, but this story is a whopping surprise to the very end, so I won’t spoil it for you.

When I saw the title to this novel, AS WE LAY, I immediately thought of Shirley Murdock’s classic hit song whose title has the same namesake. Both Breck and Eric live their lives with a let-the-chips-fall-where-they-may attitude. Although they both know what they are doing is wrong, they can’t tear themselves away from each other long enough to make an ethical decision.

Breck’s independence and drive has always kept her from surrendering herself to a committed relationship. At the beginning of the relationship, she is quite cavalier about Eric’s other life, because her business is booming and she is swamped with work. It isn’t a threat to her until she bares their son, Jordan.

Eric is the best version of Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde that I’ve seen since the Robert Luis Stevenson classic. I fell in love with his philanthropic heart and his love for his children, but in the same instance I hate his polygamist lifestyle and jealous rage. Both he and Breck epitomize the human condition, the ability to exist between heaven and hell.

Darlene Johnson is a master at presenting this love triangle in a way that keeps the reader questioning the validity of what happens to Breck and Eric, and the reality that it could happen to anyone of us.

I gave AS WE LAY a 4-star rating mainly because I did not entirely agree with its resolution and ending. Ms. Johnson is such a great plot twister. She has the writing capability to churn out a more controversial resolution, to haunt us at the end and leave us breathless. I wanted her to step out and floor me like she did in the first turning point and the climax. This ending cheapened all that she worked for in the beginning and the middle, which dropped the piece to something more average than exceptional.

AS WE LAY is provocative, sexy and a surprise. You will like it and talk about it for months to come. Great book for a reading club.

I must say that As We Lay was a very captivating book. It kept my interest the entire time from start to finish. It should definitely become a movie. - C. Canteen

My sister, my sister, I have just finished reading your book and to say the very least, I cried, (twice). You should really consider making this book into a movie. I've told every one I know, to go get this book. (I'm not sharing mine) Great Job. - G. BODY

I just finished reading As We Lay. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and believe it was very well written. I will purchase Dream in Color ASAP! Thanks for the experience and continued success!!!!!! - M. Steadman

Hello-just got finished reading your book and all i can say is my,my! That book was awesome!!!!!! Torn between two lovers.i hadn't finished reading this book when i went to the bookstore to get 'dream in color',cause i knew i would be finishing ' as we lay' in a day or so.talking about a love triange...-everything was so real.dynamic book! Look forward to reading dream color.tell me,are these the only two books you've written so far,and if yes,please tell me when your next book will be out?and if not,please tell me the others.this is a name that wil be around for years to come? Are you planning on coming to the dc area anytime soon? Again,thanks for an excellent book! God bless!- B. Acree

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