of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

Review: To Save a Life by R. M. Peterson

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 30, 2021
4 min

Review: To Save a Life by R. M. Peterson

Y’all, oh y’all, oh y’all. This was one of those. One of those books that is more than words. One of those books that weaves a story so real and bittersweet that suddenly typos don’t even catch your eye. One of those books that leaves you staring at the ceiling for the rest of the night. One of those books that simply rips your heart to shreds. Ryana warned me going into the book with an author’s note in the front...this is not a book for enjoyment or entertainment. This is a

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Review: The House That Didn't End by E. K. Seaver

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 28, 2021
4 min

Review: The House That Didn't End by E. K. Seaver

Y’all are probably tired of me talking about this novella, since we’ve been through an author interview, cover reveal, and probably three other posts about it...but out of all of the jabber going around about The House That Didn’t End, I have yet to review it. Until today! I actually had the pleasure of unofficially beta-reading it (back when it was a serial on E. K. Seaver’s website), and later edited it not long before it was published. I finally got around to reading the f

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Popular Romance Tropes and How to Pull Them Off!

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 27, 2021
15 min

Popular Romance Tropes and How to Pull Them Off!

You’ve used tropes in every story you’ve ever dreamed up. That may seem like an exaggeration, but it’s true. Tropes are the fuel behind every good story, the foundation for every book. They’re the prompt or concept that makes itself clear before we create characters or worlds. And they are probably one of the most valuable and fragile things in writing. Even though there are tropes in every genre, some of the most iconic are romance tropes. They’re not confined to just the ro

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Review: Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 25, 2021
4 min

Review: Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant

Stars: 3 Synopsis: In a modern retelling of You’ve Got Mail, Rory Perez and Jude Worthington butt heads over food trucks and cilantro, while ColorMeTurquoise and StrongerMan99 fall text-first in love. Their relationships are extremely messy and sparks are always flying, but you know what they say—all’s fair in love and food truck contests. I had high hopes for my first official foray into the world of romantic comedy...and, unfortunately, they weren’t quite met. Tacos for Two

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Grace A. Johnson

Oct 23, 2021
2 min

Giveaway!

I feel like that title needs more exclamation marks. Why? Because in TWO HOURS, my friends, my FIRST EVER PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY begins!!! Yes, indeedsy! That means I will be giving away not an ebook, not digital goodies, not anything in an email. Nerp! This time I will be MAILING a PHYSICAL copy of one of my books to ONE WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *squeals* I mean, yeah, shipping's gonna cost me something awful, BUT IT'S WORTH IT! Don't you just love it when

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Coming Soon: To Save a Life by R. M. Peterson (Write for Life Tour)

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 22, 2021
4 min

Coming Soon: To Save a Life by R. M. Peterson (Write for Life Tour)

Weeeell, this was a book birthday post for To Save a Life, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the release date has been pushed back to November 6th, so I'm changing it to a coming soon post!! To Save a Life is one of the most powerful, heart-wrenching, moving books I've ever read! I'll share more of my thoughts in my review on the 30th! I have no doubt that Natty's story will change a lot of hearts, y'all! If you haven't heard about To Save a Life yet, then now's the time f

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Grace A. Johnson

Oct 20, 2021
1 min

Last Chance to Join the Crew!

Yep. I'm closing up yet another form! This time, however, it's only temporary! Since I'm not really doing anything but school right now...I mean, since I'm not releasing any new books until Bound and Determined comes out next year, I am closing the sign-up form for my street team on Saturday! Well, I'll take the page down on Saturday and close the form on the 31st...which means you still have a chance to become a Buccaneer! What is a Buccaneer? you may ask. A Buccaneer is not

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Grace A. Johnson

Oct 18, 2021
12 min

Know the Novel Part 1: Introduction

Fun fact: I’ve been wanting to do Know the Novel for a year now. Another fun fact: I actually get to do it. Yet another fun fact: I’m doing it today and you, O lucky reader, get to join me! Yes, it’s true! I am OFFICIALLY joining Christine Smith’s Know the Novel linkup! *squeals* Technically, Know the Novel is for NaNoWriMo (which is some writing thingy in November). As you can tell, I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo (and I do apologizing to all the die-hard NaNoWriMo fans f

152 views22 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 13, 2021
1 min

Last Chance to Request a Review!

Weeeelp, this is it, guys. I am closing my review request form and removing the Reviewing Services page from my website. *sniffles* Honestly, it's not that big of a deal. I just have a TON of other ventures I want to pursue, waaaayyyyy too many books to review already, and not enough people requesting them any more. THAT SAID. If YOU or a friend are interested in requesting an honest, quality review by yours truly for your novel, there is still time to request a review before

61 views9 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 13, 2021
11 min

Author Interview: Vanessa Hall

Y'all, I have been meaning to interview this girl for what seems like FOREVER, and it's finally happening!!! Vanessa Hall is an amazing young Christian writer whose debut novel, Unknown, just released a couple months ago and, BOY HOWDY, was it fabulous! Anyway, I'll save the talk about her book for my review (which is coming...eventually...y'all will be the first to know when, I assure you) and move on to talking about the lovely author herself! Her answers to my questions ar

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Faith-Filled Romance: A Writer's Guide to Christian Romance

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 11, 2021
11 min

Faith-Filled Romance: A Writer's Guide to Christian Romance

Romance novels have an audience of a whopping 29 million readers, according to The Balance Careers, making it one of the most popular book genres in the world. That’s an overwhelming number, isn’t it? Even more daunting is the task of successfully writing a Christian romance novel. I’m going to assume that, since you’re here, you’ve already decided that one day you’ll write that mushy-gushy romance novel you’ve been toying with. Or you’re giving in and throwing a romantic sub

146 views12 comments

Coming Soon: Sustainer's Smile by Erika Mathews

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 9, 2021
5 min

Coming Soon: Sustainer's Smile by Erika Mathews

It's Day 9 of the #WriteforLife tour, and today I'm sharing more about the tour and what it entails AND all about Erika Mathews's upcoming release, Sustainer's Smile! Y'all know I ain't one to waste time (or at least I try not to be *wink*), so let's dive in! About the Book Suffering suffocates her soul. How can she ever smile again? A helpless newborn…that’s exactly how twenty-four-year-old Liliora Ellith feels in her efforts to speak up on behalf of the youngest members of

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Grace A. Johnson

Oct 4, 2021
3 min

Welcome to October!

HOW IS IT OCTOBER ALREADY? Like, I’m almost finished with my Term A classes (eight-week courses that are a half-semester-long), which is AMAZING, even if it seems too soon. (Seriously, my classes have been heck lately...well, not really my classes themselves...just my professor. But I ain’t gonna complain. Not today at least.) My point is that this year has gone by way too quickly, which means my main goal this month is to write at least 12k in Bound and Determined. More like

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Review: A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 3, 2021
5 min

Review: A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

*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. You know how there are some books that, when you turn the final page and walk away, you leave a piece of you behind? You know how there are some stories that become so vivid that you feel as though you yourself are entangled in the wor

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Thank You for Taking a Stand (Write for Life Blog Tour)

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 2, 2021
6 min

Thank You for Taking a Stand (Write for Life Blog Tour)

As part of the October Pro-Life tour headed by Erika Mathews and Ryana Lynn Peterson, many bloggers are getting together and sharing pro-life posts to state their personal beliefs and reasons why, remind their readers of the sanctity of life, and encourage others to join us in the fight for rights for the unborn. When I signed up for this a few months back, I began thinking of different things I could post. Honestly, without personal experience, there wasn’t much I could say.

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