of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

new release: identity by annabelle batie

Grace A. Johnson

Mar 8
2 min

new release: identity by annabelle batie

Y'all, it seems like just yesterday that I was fourteen years old, uploading my book to Amazon, hitting published... (For context, I was fourteen when I published Prisoner at Heart.) And now I get to support other young teens publishing their work! What a blessing! The young author in question is Annabelle Batie, who justed released her first book on March 1st! (Also, isn't it interesting that her series is called Daughters of the Sea and mine is Daughters of the Seven Seas?

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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

126 views36 comments

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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Release Day: The Glass Road by Alyssa Schwarz

Grace A. Johnson

Oct 11, 2022
2 min

Release Day: The Glass Road by Alyssa Schwarz

Happy, happy release day to The Glass Road, a contemporary Christian romance by Alyssa Schwarz! I've read some lovely reviews for her first book in the Prescott Family Romance, and I can't wait to give her series a try! about the book Austin Wright had bigger dreams than to inherit his grandfather’s old property, but with the help of his nephew and a few volunteers, he decides to reopen the idyllic summer camp of his youth. Following her accident at the first triathlon of the

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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

130 views34 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 30, 2022
2 min

New Release: Iron by Madisyn Carlin

Happy, happy release day to this intense and exciting Christian fantasy Cinderella-retelling...IRON by Madisyn Carlin! I'm so excited to share all about Madisyn's latest release + the epic giveaway going on! (*coughs* I totally double-booked again, y'all.) about the book Enforcing justice comes with a price. Detective Redwyn “Red” Deathan will stop at nothing to uncover those behind the ruthless kidnappings of multiple children. But things are not as they seem, and Red’s effo

52 views8 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 30, 2022
2 min

New Release & Giveaway: Judgement Call by E.B. Roshan

I'm pleased to share with y'all not only romantic dystopian suspense author E.B. Roshan's latest release in her Shards of Sevia series...but ALSO an epic EXCLUSIVE giveaway just for y'all! Let's not waste any time diving right in! about the book Kiva is handsome, generous, and very much in love with recently-widowed Preen Enda. But the thought of becoming his wife fills her with dread—especially when men from her past—men who know too much—begin appearing in her peaceful town

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Grace A. Johnson

Sep 26, 2022
3 min

Book Spotlight: Untold by Vanessa Hall

Y'all...Vanessa Hall's Grace Sufficient series is SO. GOOD. I mean, it's a romantic suspense series set in Russia...with ballerinas, armwrestling, and spies! It can't get any better, now can it? Y'all can check out my review of the first book, Unknown, here, and my review of the second (Unworthy) is coming soon! As for the third book, Untold, which released on July 30th...allow me to introduce y'all... about the book You can only run for so long … Two years hasn’t erased the

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Author Interview: Marisa, Jaiden, & Kaytlin Phillips

Grace A. Johnson

Sep 16, 2022
7 min

Author Interview: Marisa, Jaiden, & Kaytlin Phillips

These sisters three are three of the loveliest, most talented people you'll ever meet! Rissy, Jaidie, and Kayti Phillips have quickly become sweet friends and amazing authors, and I am SO excited to introduce y'all! Our interview (my first time interviewing a group, so I got to use y'all in every question...y'all know I enjoyed that *winks*) is not only interesting, it's also so uplifting! I know y'all will enjoy! And stick around to learn more about their new book, Unfortuna

91 views18 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Aug 17, 2022
8 min

Author Interview: Lillian Keith

(Dudes, I TOTALLY forgot my intro, so I apologize if y'all saw this as a blank space earlier!) (I was also out of town today, so I didn't realize I'd messed this up until I came home!) (So here I am...adding an intro...) ANYWAY. I am SUPER excited to share with y'all my interview with middle-grade author Lillian Keith! She is such a sweetheart and an amazing writer, and I know y'all are gonna love getting to know her and her work! What first inspired you to write? I don’t qui

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Spotlight & Guest Post: Should We Tell Her? by Lillian Keith

Grace A. Johnson

Aug 15, 2022
6 min

Spotlight & Guest Post: Should We Tell Her? by Lillian Keith

I have got one PACKED post for y'all today! Everything from a book spotlight to a guest post to a giveaway (*cheers ring out because we all love free stuff*) - we've got it all...and it's for none other than middle-grade author Lillian Keith's latest release, Should We Tell Her? I haven't read middle-grade in literal years (since I was about seven or eight), but I know this sweet story will be loved by readers of all ages, and y'all won't wanna miss your chance to learn more

91 views25 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jul 22, 2022
8 min

Review: Once I Knew by Victoria Lynn

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: Violet Frell’s life has finally found a routine—tend the fields, care for the house, and ensure her grandmother’s mental lapses didn’t worsen—when her world is disrupted by the injured and unconscious kingsman she find

59 views6 comments

New Release: A Prayer Unanswered by Kellyn Roth

Grace A. Johnson

Jul 18, 2022
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

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Review: Calligraphy Guild by R.M. Archer

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 16, 2022
5 min

Review: Calligraphy Guild by R.M. Archer

Warning: So, in light of the catastrophe that is my latest review, I have decided to restructure my reviews again to make my views clearer, rants calmer, and feedback more constructive. Please bear with me as I get all this sorted out—thank you! (Thanks to Kristianne Hassman for the idea!) Stars: 4 Synopsis: The best days of Lai Duyên’s life have just begun...or have they? Only days after becoming a member of her local calligraphy guild, Duyên’s guild is visited by the guardi

100 views11 comments

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 7, 2022
8 min

Author Interview: M.C. Kennedy

A Wolf's Rose, M.C. Kennedy's Christian YA fantasy novel, is officially out in the world! In honor of its release, I've joined M.C.'s blog tour (which I'll be sharing all about in just a moment)... In fact, I get to have her on for an exclusive (I love that word) author interview! Without further ado, please welcome the lovely Miss Kennedy! What first inspired you to write? I’m the second of four kids, and I always had to do what my older brother was doing. When we were in el

24 views6 comments

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

57 views18 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

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

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