of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

I Hate Devotionals...But I Wrote One Anyway

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 27, 2022
5 min

I Hate Devotionals...But I Wrote One Anyway

Hate is a very strong word, I know. I’d have much rather used a different term, but “I Do Not Necessarily Enjoy Reading Devotionals...But I Wrote One Anyway” is a bit too long and clunky in my opinion. Not quite as clickbait-y either, eh? The truth is, though, that I don’t necessarily enjoy reading devotionals or Christian self-help books. I spent a great deal of my childhood reading daily devos, jotting my thoughts down in Bible study guides, and struggling to glean somethin

120 views26 comments

Review: The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 27, 2022
7 min

Review: The Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella

*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: 4 Synopsis: Alice Liddell has been intrigued by the “evil” Wonders and their mysterious Wonderland all her life...but when she receives an invitation to the infamous Wonderland Trials, she realizes there’s more to her fascination

73 views17 comments

Featured Story: The Time Thief by Abigail Ellison

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 26, 2022
19 min

Featured Story: The Time Thief by Abigail Ellison

Y'all. This story...it broke me. It is so tender and sweet and beautiful...and that ending. *sobs* It's just perfect. I love the concept. The characters. The themes. The love. I think y'all will love it too! Thank you so much, Abigail, for writing and submitting this gorgeous story! *heart swells* What did rain feel like? Curled up in a round window frame, I stared outside. Rain fell in sheets, thick and blocking out the view of anything else. Reaching for the window, I imagi

241 views45 comments

Review: The Bounty Hunter's Bride by Janis Jakes

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 25, 2022
6 min

Review: The Bounty Hunter's Bride by Janis Jakes

Stars: 4 Synopsis: Luke Lancaster has been a successful bounty hunter across the state of Texas...until he encounters his next bounty, a young man charged with murder, and realizes there’s much more to Billie Batson than meets the eye. For starters, Billie is a she, and she may not be as guilty as she seems… Luke and Billie, two unlikely allies, have to prove her innocence and bring justice to the actual criminals before it’s too late. I’ll be honest here. I signed up to read

64 views11 comments

Review: Refuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 22, 2022
3 min

Review: Refuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall

Stars: 3.5 Synopsis: Even though Tony Dorence has returned home from prison, alive only by the grace of God, he, his sister, and his friends are plagued by many more trials that threaten their lives and their faith. Will they stand strong in the face of doubt and persecution? Ooh, boy. This...this long-awaited (I waited a day...still too long) sequel to Fled for Refuge (one word: cliffhanger) was both everything I wanted and nothing like I’d hoped. If that’s confusing, don’t

46 views8 comments

Featured Story: Miss Verona by Linyang Zhang

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 21, 2022
19 min

Featured Story: Miss Verona by Linyang Zhang

You know how life is. You can't get everything you want...just like you can't pick every story to go in your Christian romance anthology (definitely a situation we can all relate to, am I right?). So when push came to shove and I had to pick only a few stories (twelve being the exact number), I reserved a few to publish here on my blog! Give you a little taste of what you might find in the anthology, eh? Our first featured story is by my dearest friend Linyang Zhang...y'all,

170 views22 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 18, 2022
4 min

Guess What! I'm on Instagram!

First things first, I hope y'all all had a TREMENDOUSLY blessed Easter and Holy Week! We spent the weekend at my nana's house (she lives right next door, so we didn't stay with her the entire weekend *winks*), where I HID eggs for the FIRST time! (Yes, I hunted for sixteen years. I'm a kid at heart; gimme a break.) What about y'all? What are your Easter traditions? How did y'all spend Holy Week? Better question: when did you stop hunting Easter eggs? Let me know in the commen

92 views10 comments

New Release: Refuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 18, 2022
2 min

New Release: Refuge from the Storm by Kristina Hall

Y'all...the sequel to Fled for Refuge by Kristina Hall is HERE!!! I just finished reading this intense Christian dystopian novel, and I can't wait to share my review...but FIRST, allow me to introduce y'all to Refuge from the Storm! (Pst...read through this post for more posts AND an epic sale on the first book!) about the book Doubt. Persecution. Forgiveness. Tony Dorence should be dead. But after months in prison, he’s home. Yet even at home, he’s not safe from trials that

36 views6 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 16, 2022
1 min

Man of Sorrows

Man of sorrows Smitten by God Pierced Crushed He who bore our iniquities He who carried our grief He who lifted The burden of shame The yoke of guilt And placed it upon His shoulders Man of sorrows Without honor Lost Alone He who had no home He who had no bed He who had no place To lay His sweet head But upon hay And upon stone Man of sorrows Grown of dry ground Despised Rejected He who was unlovely He who was undesired He who was hidden From the eyes of those Who passed Him

67 views18 comments

Review: The Element of Love by Mary Connealy

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 12, 2022
9 min

Review: The Element of Love by Mary Connealy

*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: 2 Synopsis: When their vile stepfather’s intentions to marry them off to the highest bidder forces the Stiles sisters to run for their lives, the youngest of the three heiresses, Laura, finds Parson Caleb Tillman’s mission group

69 views25 comments

Review: Fled for Refuge by Kristina Hall

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 8, 2022
4 min

Review: Fled for Refuge by Kristina Hall

Stars: 4 Synopsis: In a world that hates Christianity and everything it stands for, the lives of Tony Dorence and his sister Merri begin to crumple amid the persecution of the government and the betrayal of those they know and love. When everyone else lets them down, will they too succumb to the pressure of the world or will they choose to stand and fight for what they believe in? Kristina Hall has done it again, folks! She’s jumped into a new genre, new world, and new cast o

50 views8 comments

Tell Me You Love Me Anthology Winners Announced!

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 7, 2022
3 min

Tell Me You Love Me Anthology Winners Announced!

I have just been through the most torturous experience of my life. I've just read 20+ AH-MAY-ZING stories that were so unique, so heartfelt, so beautiful...and I've had to only pick a few. Naturally, I couldn't pick only six out of twenty-two...I've selected twelve for the anthology and four to post on my blog (with the authors' permission, of course). After I announce the lucky winners here, I'll proceed to email the authors and begin editing their stories (for which I will

347 views74 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 6, 2022
4 min

The Bookworm's Tag #3

That's right, folks! Nearly back-to-back bookworm tags! This time, I've got the lovely Tasha Van Kesteren to thank for this tag and these fantastic questions! Y'all can check out her blog here! Now, without any ado... The Rules Thank and link to the blogger who nominated you. (Thank you so much, Tasha!) Include the tag graphic in your post Answer the ten questions the blogger asked Nominate between five and ten bloggers Ask your nominees ten book-related questions! Don’t feel

142 views38 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 4, 2022
3 min

Preorders, Patreon, and More!

Yaaaaaall, I have got a TON of AH-MAY-ZING stuff to share with y'all! I'm gonna forgo the boring ol' introduction anyway and just jump right in! Y'all might wanna buckle up! *winks* preorders are live Not for Bound and Determined (yet)...but for my devotional, With Fear and Trembling! I'm doing print preorders for the. first. time. EVER!!!! So, if that sounds like something you're interested in learning more about, just click the button below! You'll also find information abo

87 views8 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 2, 2022
5 min

Review: The Reflections by E.K. Seaver

Stars: 4 Synopsis: The day Em Gades received the summons letter that she, of all the nine thousand people left on earth, had been chosen to compete in The Reflections, she had no idea what she’d be up against. When she arrives a few days later, she’s met with a corrupt government, danger on all sides, willful murder, betrayal, and more questions than there are answers. Y’all, it seems like just yesterday that I was signed up to beta-read The Reflections, and yet it’s been a y

73 views8 comments

Welcome to April! (March Wrapup + April Goals)

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 2, 2022
3 min

Welcome to April! (March Wrapup + April Goals)

Y’all...it is April. Springtime is here. Pollen fills the air. Easter eggs have all been hid. The winter snow is through. But I still have one egg to hide! A special one for you! Springtime is joyful. There’s always something new. But every spring’s a happy spring, when I’m springing with you! Oh, the flowers in my field, I wish you could see! I wish it every day. The clear skies fill me with desire...to see you and to say...that I wish you a happy springtime. I wish you a ha

106 views32 comments

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