of blades and thorns

the official blog of author grace a. johnson

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

42 views8 comments

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

56 views14 comments

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

63 views10 comments

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

51 views5 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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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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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

39 views6 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

Review: When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Grace A. Johnson

Jul 6, 2022
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

88 views10 comments

Review: Much Ado About Persuasion by Barbara Cornthwaite

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 22, 2022
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

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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

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Review: Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller

Grace A. Johnson

Jun 11, 2022
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

184 views26 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: 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

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

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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

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

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