of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 22
2 min

introducing...her heart's home

*rushes in, breathless* HULLO, ALL! Yes, I know, I disappeared for over two weeks, but I'M BACK! This month (like this whole year thus far) has been c r a z y. Editing, web design, life, VA work, church projects, writing, reading and reviewing - it's all taken first priority lately, folks. You know how it is. ANYWAY. I have a very special announcement for y'all. Your girl is being published in an anthology! 😊 And not just any anthology. I'm talking Springtime in Surrey, Wild

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review: the sound of light by sarah sundin

Grace A. Johnson

Feb 27
3 min

review: the sound of light by sarah sundin

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 Let’s face it, I’ve never read a Sarah Sundin novel I didn’t like—and I’m sure the same goes for most of y’all too! There’s something about how she weaves war and intrigue with romance and faith, with a dash of delicious mystery and suspense, that makes for an altogether amazing and adventure page-turner. The Sound of Light is no different! I loved how we got to see the war from Denmark’s perspective (something that’s becoming a wee bit more common after all these year

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review: all the lost places by amanda dykes

Grace A. Johnson

Feb 24
4 min

review: all the lost places by amanda dykes

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 I’ve been hearing absolutely amazing things about Amanda Dykes for years, but when I first read one of her novellas in The Kissing Tree collection, I wasn’t impressed. The “pizzazz” in her writing that everyone lauded never caught my eye. Then came December. I received an ARC of All the Lost Places in the mail, which I’d requested to read because I am a sucker for anything set in Italy and because I was determined to ferret out what made Dykes so beloved. (Before I got

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review: yesterday's tides by roseanna m. white

Grace A. Johnson

Feb 2
5 min

review: yesterday's tides by roseanna m. white

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Y’all, I have been waiting for this novel for years. When I first began reading Roseanna M. White’s books back in 2016-2017, I found her blog and scoured her archives, digging up details about old stories she’d been working on. One of those was Yesterday’s Tides, a contemporary about Remington and Louisa and an inn on an island. Suffice to say I immediately fell in love, but this story never came into fruition...until The Codebreakers series released, and one of the cry

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book review: the rose and the thistle by laura frantz

Grace A. Johnson

Jan 9
5 min

book review: the rose and the thistle by laura frantz

Where do I begin? How can I put into words the enchanting beauty of this novel, this lovely work of art? I’ve noticed many reviews for The Rose and the Thistle thus far coming from first-time Frantz readers—and I’m not surprised that they all say this book of hers won’t be their last. TRATT is exactly the exquisite wonder I have come to expect from Laura Frantz, and I know everyone—long-time fans and new readers—will be as captivated by this story of an English rose and a Sco

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cover reveal: where faith remains by joy c. woodbury

Grace A. Johnson

Dec 22, 2022
2 min

cover reveal: where faith remains by joy c. woodbury

I am so excited to introduce y'all to my good friend Joy C. Woodbury's upcoming debut novel, Where Faith Remains! And I'm even more excited to reveal this historical family drama's beautiful cover!!! I'mma be good to y'all and not make you scroll...just sit back, relax, and enjoy reading the blurb while taking in the cover! about the book & the cover 1968: Though severely depressed and haunted by the demons that attack him day and night, amputee Russell Campbell has the will

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coming soon: yesterday's tides by roseanna m. white

Grace A. Johnson

Dec 20, 2022
3 min

coming soon: yesterday's tides by roseanna m. white

Y'all, Roseanna M. White is writing a dual-time novel and I AM HERE FOR IT. Who cares that I hate dual-time/split-time novels 90% of the time. This a White novel we're talking about. Not only that, but Roseanna's upcoming release, Yesterday's Tides, includes a character from The Codebreakers series (Remington Culbreth, if you're curious, who I am already in love with) AND is split between two historical timelines - which is such a refresher from all the historical/contemporar

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featured story: ode to ellie by m.c. kennedy

Grace A. Johnson

Dec 15, 2022
9 min

featured story: ode to ellie by m.c. kennedy

Y'all, this story is too sad and yet sweet, too touching not to share! I hope y'all enjoy Ode to Ellie by M.C. Kennedy! Mrs. Henry’s finger was shaking up and down like a sideways metronome, her face red and her eyes sparking as she hissed, “You have sinned. Your daughter’s death would have been proof enough, but Ruthie’s deafness only confirms it. You ought to be falling on your knees in repentance, Matthew Keaton, begging for God’s mercy on your life. How long will you cont

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

Grace A. Johnson

Nov 28, 2022
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, 2022
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

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Grace A. Johnson

Nov 17, 2022
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

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Review: Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder

Grace A. Johnson

Nov 3, 2022
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, 2022
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, 2022
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

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Review: Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 20, 2022
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, 2022
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

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

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 5, 2022
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, 2022
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

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Coming Soon: Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White

Grace A. Johnson

Aug 19, 2022
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, 2022
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

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of blades and thorns

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