of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

Guest Post: The Papyrus of Ancient Russia by Abigail Metzger

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 31, 2021
4 min

Guest Post: The Papyrus of Ancient Russia by Abigail Metzger

Y'all, I am so excited to have my friend Abigail back with us for another fantastic guest post! If you haven't read her first, you can do so here! Abigail is an awesome writer, and her current WIP is set in a fantasy world similar to Ancient Russia--so she's done a TON of interesting research, and she's here to share some of that with us today! Let us know what you think in the comments! So, without further ado, here's her post! To begin, I would like to thank the amazing aut

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A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Five: MORE Memes!)

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 30, 2021
1 min

A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Five: MORE Memes!)

I've got a little bit of everything today, guys. Lord of the Rings, Marvel, Pirates of the Caribbean. Geico. I hope y'all enjoy! (Please note: I do not own the rights to any of these images. I sourced them all from Pinterest. If you own the rights and would like them removed or would like to be credited, please contact me through the homepage. Thank you!)

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Coming Soon: The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 25, 2021
2 min

Coming Soon: The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White

Do y'all remember that one post from months ago, in which we all gushed over one of the most beautiful covers in history? You don't? Oh, well, that's a shame. However, you can read that post here and reacquaint yourself with the wonderful novel you can start reading on April 1st! You heard me right. You have the chance to sign up for a daily sneak peek of The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna M. White in your inbox, starting April 1st!!!! Can you feel the excitement in the air? Al

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Review: Becoming Miss Knight by Kellyn Roth

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 24, 2021
3 min

Review: Becoming Miss Knight by Kellyn Roth

Here it is! Y'all will remember Becoming Miss Knight from a post earlier in January, when this awesome novella released! I've finally finished reading the first two books in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy--The Dressmaker's Secret and Ivy Introspective--and now it's time to review Book 2.5! Before we begin, if you'd like to snag your copy of Becoming Miss Knight, you can do so here! BECOMING MISS KNIGHT IS NO EASY TASK, BUT SURRENDER IS NOT AN OPTION. Alice Knight’s debut is

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Grace A. Johnson

Mar 23, 2021
4 min

Let Freedom Ring!

Y'all, March 23rd (also known as today) marks TWO YEARS since I first published Held Captive. You heard that right--two whole years! In honor of HC's bookiversary, I have a lot of things I want to share! But, before we get started, I just want to put the list of HC posts out there, so that y'all can learn more about my debut novel, its journey, and how dear it is to me! The Journey of Held Captive--Part 1. This post was written back when my blog was solely on Goodreads, somet

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A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Four: LOL Excerpts)

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 23, 2021
5 min

A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Four: LOL Excerpts)

The funniest things I ever wrote. Starting now. #1: A very recent scene from Bound and Determined, in Rina's POV. “Captain!” If someone called for me one more time whilst I was in the middle of something important, so help me… I pivoted to face the source of my interruption, certain ‘twas the glower I wore that caused the young man to throw up his hands and back away a couple paces. “Aye, sir? What can I help you with?” Perspiration dotted the boy’s brow, appearing not from t

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Grace A. Johnson

Mar 22, 2021
1 min

It's Time to Announce the Winners!

Y'all, I have been so ecstatic this weekend! On Thursday, I had the honor to share with you guys my interview with award-winning author Julie Lessman AND to have her give away an e-copy of the winner's choice of any of her indie novels to THREE winners! Well, the time is up. The giveaway is over. And you know what that means! It's time to announce the winners!!! First off, I want to thank you guys SO much for commenting and entering into Julie's giveaway! Even if you didn't w

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Guest Post: How to Defeat Writer's Block by Kayleigh Idea

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 22, 2021
4 min

Guest Post: How to Defeat Writer's Block by Kayleigh Idea

The dreaded writer’s block. If you’re a writer, you probably know what I’m talking about. There are a few different kinds of writer’s block. There’s the writer’s block where you don’t know what to write next, and the writer’s block where you’re feeling uninspired to name a few. But how is one to defeat writer’s block? Today I’ll be sharing five strategies that have helped me deal with writer’s block, and I hope some of them will be able to help you too. #1: Remember why you l

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Grace A. Johnson

Mar 18, 2021
12 min

Author Interview: Julie Lessman (Plus a Giveaway!)

Y'ALL. St. Patrick's Day may be over, but the Irish fun certainly isn't! If y'all have hung around my blog long enough (or have stuck around my blabbering mouth in person), then I'm sure you know that one of my all-time favorite authors ever is Julie Lessman. (I highly suggest you check out this post to find out why.) This woman...she can write, let me tell you! She's also become one of my best friends, and it is both my utmost honor and deepest pleasure to finally introduce

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Guest Post: Three Ways to Improve Your Fantasy Writing Instantly by Grace King-Matchett

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 17, 2021
10 min

Guest Post: Three Ways to Improve Your Fantasy Writing Instantly by Grace King-Matchett

Guys, I am SUPER excited to have Grace King-Matchett on my blog! You may remember her as the amazing artist who drew Rina and Crimson for me last month. As it turns out, she is also a FANTASTIC writer! She's got the coolest post for us today, all about fantasy writing! I know I'll definitely be taking these tips to heart! Also, if y'all enjoyed this post and can't wait to work harder on your worldbuilding, then I hope you'll join me next month for another fantasy linkup! Y'al

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A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Three: Dieter's Psalm)

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 16, 2021
1 min

A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Three: Dieter's Psalm)

Dieters' Psalm Martha Miller Strict is my diet. I must not want. It maketh me to lie down at night hungry. It leadeth me past the refrigerator. It trieth my will power. It leadeth me in paths of starvation for my figure's sake. Yea, though I walk through the aisle of pastries, I will but no sweet rolls for they are fattening. The cakes and pies, they tempt me. Before me is a table set with green beans and lettuce. I filleth my stomach with liquids. My day's quota runneth over

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Guest Post: Music for Writing by Linyang Zhang

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 15, 2021
3 min

Guest Post: Music for Writing by Linyang Zhang

Well, y'all, here we are, back with another guest post! Y'all may remember Linyang from our interview back in December! She is an awesome writer and a fantastic friend--and she's also very musically inclined! You should so check out her YouTube channel full of amazing piano covers once you're finished reading her post all about music to listen to while writing! #musicalinspirations What kind of music do you listen to while writing--if any? If you're not a writer, what are som

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Grace A. Johnson

Mar 14, 2021
12 min

February Mini Reviews

*Warnings* #1 These are long reviews, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You'll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which will mean some spoilers, so watch out. Welp, like usual, I done a verra bad thing, me luvs. I done three verra bad things, actually. The first I done was I bought meself a brand-spankin-new Kindle. A Generation 10, granted; not a Paperwhite. Most certainly not a Paperwhite

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Grace A. Johnson

Mar 13, 2021
5 min

Author Interview: Hannah Linder

Wahoo! I am so super duper excited to have Hannah Linder joining us for a very special interview today! You may remember this amazing historical author from my review post last month, and if you do, then you know I absolutely adore her writing and cannot wait to read more and more of her novels! So, without further ado, let's jump in! Hannah Linder is a twenty-two-year-old, Regency-era author residing in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. At the tender age of t

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Grace A. Johnson

Mar 12, 2021
2 min

I've Got News for You!

So, yeah, two posts in one day...and I'm supposed to be on vacation. Shoot me now! No, don't really--please. I beg of you *clears throat* Thank you. Anyway...I have SO MUCH FUN STUFF that I just have to share, like, immediately! So, y'all remember that guest post by my twin sister--er, friend Issabelle Perry that came out this morning? I mean, it's been forever ago, but maybe you remember. Whether you do or not, I totally suggest you read it, then I HIGHLY recommend you click

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Guest Post: Creating Your Story Hook with Three Tips by Issabelle Perry

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 12, 2021
3 min

Guest Post: Creating Your Story Hook with Three Tips by Issabelle Perry

Well, hello, y'all! It's both my duty and my pleasure to introduce this fantabulous guest post by my twin sister super good friend Issabelle Perry! She has some great tips all about writing a perfect story hook! Lord knows I ought to take her advice! I hope you guys enjoy! Feel free to chat about your thoughts on this post in the comments! What story had a hook that, well, hooked you? Hey, y’all!!!!! Okay, I know by that “y’all” you guys are all thinking this is probably Grac

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Guest Post: 3 Compelling Reasons to Rewrite Your Favorite Bible Story by Joy Caroline

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 10, 2021
10 min

Guest Post: 3 Compelling Reasons to Rewrite Your Favorite Bible Story by Joy Caroline

Y'all, before we jump in, I just want to say that you're about to hear from one of the most fantastic people on the face of the earth. Joy Caroline is so sweet and full of the Holy Spirit! She is wise beyond her years and is going to impart some of that wisdom to you! I am so honored to have her on my blog, giving you three reasons to rewrite your favorite Bible story! I have a bit of a history with biblical fiction, but (as you can probably tell, since you haven't heard a pe

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A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Two: Author Humor)

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 9, 2021
1 min

A Week's Worth of Laughter (Week Two: Author Humor)

(Please note: I do not own the rights to any of the images below. If you do and would like the image removed or to be credited, please contact me through the homepage and let me know! Thanks!) Authors be like:

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Review: Ivy Introspective by Kellyn Roth

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 8, 2021
4 min

Review: Ivy Introspective by Kellyn Roth

As soon as I finished reading The Dressmaker's Secret last month, I DOVE into Ivy Introspective--and, boy, was it quite the adventure! Check out my review below to read my thoughts about this historical novel! In a world that doesn’t understand her, how can she grow? Ivy Knight lives her life in a blur of confusion as the world passes her by in a tumultuous melody. She isn’t the perfect daughter or student, but as long as she can be with her family, she doesn’t mind watching

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Grace A. Johnson

Mar 4, 2021
2 min

New Release: Six O'clock: A Short Story

Guess what! The day is here! My latest short story, which I shared about in a previous post, is now available for preorder on Amazon!!! Six O'clock is about 3k, 14 pages long, and was a contest entry. I loved the story so much that I decided to share it with y'all! You can preorder it here, or you can download the PDF copy for FREE from now until March 20th, the release date! Also, I just want to say THANK YOU to all of y'all who voted on a cover! #1 has been chosen, and I do

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