of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

Grace A. Johnson

May 30, 2022
6 min

Review: Shadowed Loyalty by Roseanna M. White

*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: When criminal charges are brought against her father, mob boss’s daughter Sabina Mancari sees the world of the Mafia for what it truly is: dark, deceptive, cruel, and self-serving. She also begins to see her fiancé—th

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Featured Story: Walk the Garden by Louise Taylor

Grace A. Johnson

May 25, 2022
19 min

Featured Story: Walk the Garden by Louise Taylor

This lovely story (the last of the Tell Me You Love Me runners-up that I'll be able to share) is such a beautiful mix between lighthearted banter and serious heart-to-hearts! I love the humor and the intensity and how Louise managed to develop two intriguing characters and their relationship through just a few lines of dialogue! I think y'all will enjoy this one just as much as I did! Without further ado...Walk the Garden by Louise Taylor! The room was clamorous, endless chat

73 views13 comments

Review: Boulevard of Confusion by Sandra Merville Hart

Grace A. Johnson

May 23, 2022
8 min

Review: Boulevard of Confusion by Sandra Merville Hart

Stars: 3 Synopsis: When Beatrice Swanson’s wealthy father tasks her with delivering a gift of gold to the Confederacy on her next trip to visit her aunt in Richmond, Bea finds herself in the midst of danger, confusion, and betrayal. And perhaps, when a certain Southern gentleman catches her eye, in the midst of a beautiful love story. As some of you may know, I am a Confederate (yes, I hear your gasp of shock), so reading Civil War era fiction is literally torture for me, as

94 views38 comments

Grace A. Johnson

May 20, 2022
2 min

GIVEAWAY!!!

Yep. You read that right! I've joined a group giveaway with eleven AH-MAY-ZING authors like Kristina Hall, Vanessa Hall, Judith McNees, Madisyn Carlin, Penny Zeller, and MORE to bring you the chance to win TWELVE fantastic Christian indie books! From epic fantasies, pirate romances, and touching contemporaries, we've got it all! First prize is all twelve books (author's choice of format) and second prize is your choice of three books (out of the twelve, that is)! The giveaway

66 views17 comments

Grace A. Johnson

May 16, 2022
12 min

What's Your WIP Tag

I absolutely LOVE this tag...even though I’m at the point where Bound and Determined is a wee bit beyond the work-in-progress stage and where I’m not actively working on anything else because I’m swamped with editing. So even though y’all may *think* you know everything there is to know about Bound and Determined and y’all may be tired of hearing about it by now, I’m just gonna give in and share more about it! Besides...there are some noobs around here that ain’t got a clue w

187 views47 comments

Grace A. Johnson

May 11, 2022
3 min

Giveaways, Polls, and More!

Have I got news for you! Let's see...there's a giveaway of over 40 books (Held Captive included, of course), a story idea poll (because why not?), and some EPIC updates for With Fear and Trembling! Let's not waste any time, shall we? garden of books giveaway I've joined with CelebrateLit Publicity and 40+ other authors to bring y'all an amazing giveaway! You have the chance to win either 42 books (from historical romance to cozy mysteries to contemporary romcoms to fantast ep

143 views20 comments

Coming Soon: A Wolf's Rose by M.C. Kennedy

Grace A. Johnson

May 9, 2022
2 min

Coming Soon: A Wolf's Rose by M.C. Kennedy

I am SUPER excited to share with y'all an upcoming release by M.C. Kennedy, a young, up-and-coming Christian fantasy author! Her novel, A Wolf's Rose, is the first in The Feyfolk Trilogy (which is part of the Chronicles of Rinnil), and is a clean YA fantasy that releases June 3rd, 2022! If you're looking for an entertaining, high-stakes read with just a hint of romance, then A Wolf's Rose is sure to please! (Let it be noted that there is some magic content, though. H.S.J. Wil

42 views3 comments

Review: To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad

Grace A. Johnson

May 8, 2022
8 min

Review: To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad

Stars: 4 Synopsis: Gannon Vaughn, the lead singer of rock band Awestruck who’s beloved the world over, was just rolled into town...the very same town where Adeline Green, his ex-bassist, old friend, and the girl who stole his heart, lives. When their paths collide for the first time in years, will sparks fly? Or will the ghosts of days gone by come back to haunt them? Here we go again, writing a review literally only five minutes after finishing the book. (Do I procrastinate.

65 views10 comments

Grace A. Johnson

May 6, 2022
5 min

Book Review: Deceived by Madisyn Carlin

Stars: 3.5 Synopsis: When Therese Westa is tasked with killing Holder Lygor, one of King Eligor’s bodyguards, she expects the job to be quick and easy. However, as her mission is drawn out into many complicated steps and she learns more about her target, she begins to see that she’s falling headfirst into a plot that reeks of betrayal, deceit, and treachery. Y’all. I quite honestly don’t know what to think about Deceived. I typically have a few days—or a week or two—to mull o

71 views10 comments

Welcome to May! (April Wrapup + May Goals)

Grace A. Johnson

May 5, 2022
3 min

Welcome to May! (April Wrapup + May Goals)

*emerges from her hovel of loose papers and red ink* Y’ALL. IT’S MAY. How are y’all handling this sudden passage of time? Y’all hanging in there? *glances outside to see birds gliding on the wind and flowers swaying in the breeze* I’m not. I’m suspended in utter disbelief over this wild turn of events that already—already—it is May. And y’all know what that means, right? It means the cover of Bound and Determined should be on its way by the end of the month (y’all. I cannot w

97 views32 comments

Grace A. Johnson

May 4, 2022
9 min

Author Interview: Madisyn Carlin

Madisyn Carlin is back, y'all, and this time she's joining us here on Of Blades and Thorns for an AH-MAY-ZING and so uplifting interview!! I hope y'all will enjoy getting to know her a bit better, reading about her writing journey, and being inspired by her faith! Without further ado... the interview Thank you for having me, Grace! My pleasure! :D So, what first inspired you to write? At the ripe old age of fifteen, after much prodding and encouragement from my mom, I decided

101 views33 comments

Review: All That It Takes by Nicole Deese

Grace A. Johnson

May 3, 2022
5 min

Review: All That It Takes by Nicole Deese

Stars: 4.5 Synopsis: Val Locklier has finally made the move...literally. From Alaska to Spokane, Washington along with her ten-year-old son Tucker to help her friend Molly start a new business. Uprooting herself and Tucker from their quiet lives was hard enough...until Molly’s brother Miles McKenzie returns home from his last outreach mission in Mexico to find Val and Tucker renting out the room above his house—without his knowledge. Sparks fly, but not all of them are of the

44 views6 comments

Grace A. Johnson

May 2, 2022
7 min

New Release: Deceived by Madisyn Carlin

I dunno about y'all, but I am STOKED for Madisyn Carlin's debut novel, Deceived, which is a new adult Christian allegorical fantasy! Before I share my review of this book, I'd like to introduce it to y'all AND direct y'all to the many opportunities to receive some epic bookish goodies! (Oh, and keep an eye out for my upcoming interview with the lovely author!) BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!! Madi is also here to share all about doubting your writing with us! Her thoughts are so inspiri

83 views12 comments

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