of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 29, 2021
13 min

Interview with Rina (Part One)

FINALLY! My interview (or, well, the first half of it) with the irritating - er, lovely Captain Rina Bennet is LIVE! Much thanks to Sophia, who supplied all the questions in today's interview, and to Abby, Issabelle, and Katherine, whose questions will be featured in another interview next month! Rina and I, well, we're not as compatible as one would expect. So this interview ended up being a lot longer and more strenuous for me than I'd anticipated. Rina is, uh, not very coo

48 views9 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 28, 2021
3 min

Coming Soon: Daylight by Yours Truly

It is with great pleasure that I finally announce to you (like I've been promising to do for nearly three months now) the upcoming release of Daylight. I had plans to finish it up and send it on its way to the hands of readers everywhere (okay, just across America, Canada, England, Australia, Malaysia, Germany, and France - where most of my readers reside), but between being a really slow writer with horrible time management skills and deciding on a very significant release d

78 views14 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 26, 2021
4 min

Twenty Years Older: A Letter Tag

Well, y'all, I have been legitimately tagged! (This makes the second time, I think.) Super huge thank you to Victoria over at Soli Deo Gloria for tagging me! You can read her awesome post here! This letter tag was so fun (and I stayed up way too late writing to myself)! I may have taken a few liberties with how my life and the world will be twenty years from now, but isn't that what makes this so exciting? So, without further ado, let's dive in! The Rules Appreciate the blogg

87 views13 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 23, 2021
1 min

Proofreads Available!

Well, would you look at that. Someone is starting a proofreading business. All right, I wouldn't call it a "business" just yet...just a side hustle. Anyway, point is that I am doing proofreads to make a little extra dough. If you've just finished up a project and you're interested in having your article, short story, or novella proofread, then just read over these guidelines here (they're actually my terms and conditions for my reviewing service, but the same conditions apply

33 views6 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 22, 2021
1 min

Blog Posts to Inspire and Equip You

These are some amazing posts and articles by my fellow writers and bloggers that have been a great inspiration to me! I hope y'all enjoy reading them as much as I did! (Click the graphic to read the post!)

50 views6 comments

Review: The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 21, 2021
6 min

Review: The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer

*Warnings* #1 This is a long review, 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 may mean some spoilers, so watch out. Stars: 5 Synopsis: Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks, one half of the infamous Hanger’s Horsemen, have found themselves in Llano County...delivering a stranger’s baby. Through an unlikely incident, war-hardened Mark and Jonah find themselve

40 views4 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 20, 2021
11 min

And The Winner Is...

Sonder by Cathy Rose This story instantly amazed me! I loved the way Cathy wove the Scripture from Isaiah into the story! Her writing is beautiful and poetic, and she intrigued me from the first sentence! Marvelous job, Cathy Rose! I hope y'all enjoy reading her story, Sonder. Thus says the Lord who created you, who supplants He who formed you, who wrestled with God Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you walk through fire you will

102 views17 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 19, 2021
2 min

Launch Team Signups are Live!

But not for one of my books. Not yet, anyway. Instead, I am SUPER happy to announce that my AMAZING author friend E. K. Seaver is publishing her first ever book. (Which, take it from me, is absolutely fabulous!) Like, there is nothing more amazing. (Except for getting saved and getting married and having kids and going to Heaven and, yeah, huge stuff like that. Moving on...) Anyway, if you'd like to get to know the lovely Miss Seaver better, you can read a post I did several

33 views2 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 18, 2021
2 min

Coming Soon: Ignite by Jenna Terese

*squeals with excitement* GUYS! TODAY MARKS TWO WEEKS UNTIL IGNITE RELEASES! THAT MEANS THIS ENTIRE POST IT GOING TO BE IN ALL-CAPS! Not really, but there will be a looooot of fangirling and squealing and confetti-throwing. Why? Because this is by far the BEST superhero book I've ever read. (Technically, it's the only one, but the point remains.) So, yeah, maybe Jenna is one of my good friends...but that doesn't mean she isn't also a FANTABULOUS author!!!! Y'all do remember t

34 views3 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 16, 2021
2 min

The Contest Has Ended!

The contest has ended, dear writers and readers. And, y'all, I am so full of gratitude right now that I could just cri, as my friend says. I received a total of ten entries. That means ten fantastic writers took time out of their month, their week, their day, the time they should be sleeping...to write a short story for little more than some recognition in my eensy weensy community here. That means ten amazing stories have been written... And I can only share one. Seriously,

86 views11 comments

Coming Soon: At Her Fingertips by Kellyn Roth

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 14, 2021
3 min

Coming Soon: At Her Fingertips by Kellyn Roth

*cues incessant squealing* Check. out. this. beauty. If you've been following me for long, then you know how much I've enjoyed Kellyn Roth's books. If, however, you haven't been following me for long, then I suggestion you read the following posts: Becoming Miss Knight Releases Today! Author Interview: Kellyn Roth Review: The Dressmaker's Secret by Kellyn Roth Review: Ivy Introspective by Kellyn Roth Review: Becoming Miss Knight by Kellyn Roth All right, now that we've got th

45 views6 comments

Review: A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 14, 2021
5 min

Review: A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham

*Warnings* #1 This is a long review, 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 may mean some spoilers, so watch out. Stars: 3.5 Synopsis: Wrongful charges have put Hazel in a precarious position—ostracized from her family, disowned from polite society, and unable to live the life she was raised for. So, armed with a false name and no small amount of b

29 views0 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 11, 2021
7 min

Author Interview: Daisy Torres

Y'all remember my second mini reviews post? In it, I reviewed this lovely debut novel by a friend of mine - Daisy Torres. Well, several months later, and I finally have this amazingly talented writer on for an interview!!! (I know, I know. It's about time!) Anyway, she had some awesome answers to my questions, and it was so fun to learn more about her! I hope y'all enjoyed our interview and take the time to check out her debut novel, Era of Shadows! (Click on the cover below

59 views3 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 9, 2021
3 min

June Updates

Normally, my updates post is out by the first day of the month or at least the first Monday. Well...believe it or not, I totally forgot about this post until, like June 2nd, and life got in the way of me having this up by Monday… So here we are. Wednesday, June 9th. The month is practically over already—at least, my mom seems to think so. She keeps speeding up to Father’s Day. Speaking of which, any suggestions on what to get my dad??? My horrible gift-giving habits aside, I

68 views15 comments

Review: Strangers and Pilgrims by Kristina Hall

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 9, 2021
4 min

Review: Strangers and Pilgrims by Kristina Hall

At first glance, Strangers and Pilgrims is a pretty simple, straightforward story. Well-paced plot that held its own over the course of the book. Three-dimensional characters that were portrayed realistically. Obvious theme that has an impact. A classic western setting. Lots of dropped gs. But once you start reading, woo-wee! You’re in for a wild ride! To be honest, I kind of expected SAP to drag. I mean, there’s really only one plot point—avoiding and/or getting rid of that

30 views6 comments

Cover Reveal: In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 8, 2021
2 min

Cover Reveal: In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

Well, hello there. I assume you're here for a cover reveal. You are? Goody, because I want to introduce you to the absolutely gorgeous cover of Toni Shiloh's upcoming release, In Search of a Prince. This girl right here is looking forward to finally reading a Shiloh novel, because I have heard so many good things about her books! So hopefully we can read her newest one together! Anyway, to go with that beautiful cover right there - you have been checking it out this whole tim

47 views4 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 4, 2021
3 min

Introducing Imagine...

Y'all, oh y'all, oh y'all. (That is not an exclamation, but I'm certainly gonna turn it into one.) Something absolutely amazing is happening!!!! Now, a lot of y'all probably already know about this (since TWN and I share a lot of the same followers, which is super cool), but for those who don't, please stick around, because I have some FABULOUS news for you guys! But before I get into it, I just want to say (1) thank you to Izzy for letting me share about this here and (2) wh

83 views6 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 3, 2021
3 min

What If...Love is More Than Acceptance?

Lately, Christians have been told they need to love more. Love harder. Love better. We’re told this by media, politics, certain communities, Taylor Swift, and in some cases, even our own friends, families, and churches. Now, I won’t deny that there’s some truth to this. A lot of people—most everyone, really—struggle with selflessly loving others. That’s just one of the perks of being human. We’re imperfect, fallible, frail. Incapable of being enough for another person, being

86 views15 comments

Trust the Planner (A Graduation Message)

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 2, 2021
3 min

Trust the Planner (A Graduation Message)

I don’t know about you, but I like plans. Routine. Lists. There’s something comforting in knowing what you’re doing before you do it, having control over the way your day or career or life is going. And what really burns my britches is when things don’t go as planned. The wise King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16, verse 9, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” It’s a fairly simple concept. He’s saying that no matter what we determine in our hearts t

76 views18 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 1, 2021
1 min

Don't Forget to Submit!

GUYS! Today marks t-minus TWO WEEKS until my short story writing prompt contest ends! Consider this a friendly reminder to prepare your short story and submit it HERE before the deadline of June 15th! Don't remember the rules? Here's my original post! Forgot the prompts? I've included them below! Aren't the least bit interested? Share about the contest on your blog, social media, and with your friends!!! The Prompts Writing prompt #1: Castle ruins were not an ideal place to e

35 views7 comments

Want to get notified every time I post? Enter your email below!

grace a. johnson

of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

Want to get notified every time I post? Enter your email below!

follow my blog

let's connect

join the list