of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

book review: the secrets of emberwild by stephenia h. mcgee

Grace A. Johnson

3 days ago
6 min

book review: the secrets of emberwild by stephenia h. mcgee

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.#3 Just because I rate a book two stars doesn’t always mean it’s inherently bad. It doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it either. And it certainly doesn’t mean I have any issues with the author or with the book itself. My review is simply a ref

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book review: the lost melody by joanna davidson politano

Grace A. Johnson

Nov 21
7 min

book review: the lost melody 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. Someone please explain to me...HOW DOES THIS WOMAN DO IT? No matter the story, the characters, or my reservations, Politano has me savoring every word of every one of her books and suffering from severe book hangover when I’ve finished r

36 views5 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Nov 17
7 min

the day hath arrived

Bound and Determined… What if we added more? What if we totally ditched what I was going to do, and completely redid everything? I’m liking this idea. Say Xavier did indeed decide to captain another ship. Say Rina is tested to the max. Say we still don’t give up on Keaton. Say we slap in a couple of slave traders, slaves, pirates, naval officers, and temptations. What do you think? I’m liking this. Three years and six months ago, I opened up a document and started typing. I t

109 views36 comments

Review: Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder

Grace A. Johnson

Nov 3
6 min

Review: Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder

Before we begin, I must preface this review by saying that I knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, before I even thought to begin reading this book, that I was going to love it. I’ve loved everything Hannah has written up to this point (that I’ve read, at least), and I know her writing is positively exquisite. Sure, I’ve never read a full-blown novel by her...or a Regency one, for that matter...or a Gothic romance. BUT I had it already ingrained in my mind and heart that I woul

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New Release: After Our Castle by Kellyn Roth

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 20
3 min

New Release: After Our Castle by Kellyn Roth

Y'ALL. Ivy Knight McAllen's not-so-happily-ever-after is FINALLY HERE! Not that any of us were looking forward to Ivy going through more problems and sadness, but c'est la vie. I would say there are at least a few sweet, calm, fluffy moments in this book, but I had the honor of editing it, and GUYS. My heart did not make it through unscathed. Every chapter just rips it out more. So y'all read at your own risk. about the book And they lived … well, happily ever after. A year i

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New Release: A Hope and a Prayer by Julie Lessman

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 3
4 min

New Release: A Hope and a Prayer by Julie Lessman

HOLD. ON. TO. YOUR. HATS. Y'ALL. It's not often I issue a warning such as that, so y'all KNOW this is gonna be good, right? RIGHT. Because none other than JULIE LESSMAN (the QUEEN of romance and my literary godmother...yes, I have just officially christened you my literary godmother, Miss Julie) is releasing her next book in the Cousins O'Connor series (technically cousins and aunt, but we won't go there *winks*), A Hope and a Prayer!!!! *squeals incessantly* For those of y'a

124 views34 comments

Review: Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 20
4 min

Review: Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White

Stars: 5 Synopsis: There is still treasure to be found among the Isles of Scilly...and Lady Emily Scofield is determined to keep her cruel, greedy brother Nigel from finding it. Alongside the grumpy Lord Bram Sinclair, the compassionate Tremaynes, and the quirky Howes, Emily discovers a wealth of treasure greater than even the legends told—love, forgiveness, and redemption. What I Loved: What can I say? Every aspect of White’s novels is (almost) impeccable, and Worthy of Lege

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Bound and Determined Preorders are Live!

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 19
4 min

Bound and Determined Preorders are Live!

TODAY IS THE DAY, MY LOVELIES! Today is the day that Bound and Determined is OFFICIALLY available for preorder!!! Now, I know what you're thinking..."So what? I'm not interested in preordering anything." Well, about that...this ain't just any preorder, peeps. Not only can you receive a SPECIAL preorder price ($2.99 instead of $5.99, which is what the price will be when it releases), you can also receive an EPIC bundle of goodies!!! But first, allow me to introduce y'all to th

64 views12 comments

Review: The Sugar Baron's Governess by Elva Cobb Martin

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 5
6 min

Review: The Sugar Baron's Governess by Elva Cobb Martin

Stars: 3.5 Synopsis: Widow Abigail Welch has journeyed from Charleston, South Carolina to Jamaica for a fresh start as a governess for a sugar plantation owner, Mr. Joshua Beckett. But when her voyage is disrupted by pirates, and she’s “rescued” by a mysterious Captain Jay, Abigail discovers her new life may be fraught with more danger—and romance—than she realized. What I Loved: Naturally, I loved being transported back to Jamaica during era of revolutions, rebellions, and r

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First Place Winner: Baby Names by H.S. Kylian

Grace A. Johnson

Aug 24
10 min

First Place Winner: Baby Names by H.S. Kylian

Well, my short story picture prompt contest has come to a close, and believe me, y'all, it was SO. STINKIN'. HARD. to pick just THREE stories to share with y'all! Every single one was so good - unique, touching, heartfelt - so y'all may be seeing a few more than three stories coming your way in the coming weeks! *winks* But I had to pick a story to take the cake, now, didn't I? So I chose Baby Names by H.S. Kylian...a sweet and sorrowful historical story based on the prompt b

113 views9 comments

Coming Soon: Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White

Grace A. Johnson

Aug 19
2 min

Coming Soon: Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White

Guess what's coming soon to a bookstore near you! No, not Bound and Determined - at least, not yet. I'm talking about Roseanna M. White's upcoming release (which I can't wait to read and fall in love with), Worthy of Legend!!! I'll spare y'all the gushing, because boy! do I have a lot to share today! about the book The Secrets of the Isles, 3 1906 After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends are forced to hide the unprecedented dis

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Coming Soon: Dìlseachd – A Stolen Crown by Cheyenne van Langevelde

Grace A. Johnson

Jul 29
2 min

Coming Soon: Dìlseachd – A Stolen Crown by Cheyenne van Langevelde

Y'allllllll. This absolutely amazing author is quickly climbing to the top of my list...Cheyenne van Langevelde is writing the stories I've always wanted to read - exploring old worlds and ancient times in a new way - and I cannot wait to dive into her upcoming release, Dìlseachd – A Stolen Crown! Wondering why? Just keep on reading! I know that blurb will pull you right in, just like it did me! about the book A TIME OF DARKNESS Six years since the Danes invaded Scotland, sla

58 views8 comments

New Release: A Prayer Unanswered by Kellyn Roth

Grace A. Johnson

Jul 18
2 min

New Release: A Prayer Unanswered by Kellyn Roth

Guess what??? That's right! A Prayer Unanswered, the fifth novel in the Chronicles of Alice and Ivy series, is now out in the world! Y'all. This book. This one is painful. It's heavy. It's definitely the hardest of the series, and yet it's the most beautiful, I think. This is truly the moment we've all been waiting for when it comes to our not-so-beloved Alice, and trust me, it's even better (or perhaps worse) than you could ever imagine! about the book As Alice Strauss enter

56 views4 comments

Review: When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Grace A. Johnson

Jul 6
4 min

Review: When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

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. Synopsis: Libby is a rare woman, a time-crosser who lives two separate lives in two separate eras. When her life in 1914 takes a turn for the worst, Libby searches for a way to survive until she can forfeit that path for her life in 1774

79 views10 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 30
2 min

Giveaway of Preacher on the Run!

In honor of Independence Day, the lovely Jayna Baas (who I had the pleasure of interviewing here) is giving away a print copy of her debut novel, Preacher on the Run! If you're interested in learning more about this historical novel of epic proportions, I suggest hopping over to my review! Or you could just keep on reading! *winks* about the book STANDING FOR TRUTH COULD COST HIM HIS FREEDOM. FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM COULD COST HIM HIS LIFE. It’s 1771, and North Carolina is at wa

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Review: Much Ado About Persuasion by Barbara Cornthwaite

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 22
5 min

Review: Much Ado About Persuasion by Barbara Cornthwaite

Stars: 4.5 Synopsis: Shakespeare meets Austen when the Elliots of Kellynch are embroiled in a scheme of deception and revenge. The meek and gentle daughter Anne falls for the dashing Captain Wentworth, sharp-tongued Elizabeth clashes wits with Admiral Baldwin, and Mrs. Clay becomes a pawn in William Elliot’s dastardly plans when the beloved characters of Persuasion are matched with the intense plot of Much Ado About Nothing. What I Loved: I must confess, I’ve never read/watch

74 views14 comments

Review: Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 11
5 min

Review: Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller

Stars: 3.5 Synopsis: When Emilie Crawford Wheeler loses her brand-new hat thanks to a stranger bumping into her, her life takes an unexpected turn. That distracted stranger turns out to be a handsome young ranch hand who offers to buy her another hat and take her out for dinner...again, and again, and again...until Emilie has fallen in love with Thad Alexander. Sounds like happily ever after, right? But here’s the catch: both of them are lying to each other, and their true id

165 views26 comments

Grace A. Johnson

May 30
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

55 views18 comments

Review: Boulevard of Confusion by Sandra Merville Hart

Grace A. Johnson

May 23
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

Review: The Bounty Hunter's Bride by Janis Jakes

Grace A. Johnson

Apr 25
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

61 views11 comments

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of blades and thorns

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