Grace A. Johnson's Blog: Of Blades & Thorns, page 17
July 2, 2022
Welcome to July!

For once, I am actually glad another month has passed! June is, naturally, my new least favorite month of the year…not that I’m very fond of any of the summer months. Believe it or not, I am NOT a summer girl. *shudders*
But enough about that! I hope y’all have been enjoying the deathly heat—maybe y’all had sense enough to vacation in the Alps or something. *winks* Speaking of vacation, that is the excuse I’m giving for not having completed everything on my to-do list this month. And the same excuse for spending wayyyy too much money.
*coughs* Moving on...
what i did last monthI (fortunately) went easy on myself at the beginning of June and just committed to Bound and Determined and Tell Me You Love Me. Now, I haven’t made much progress on the first, but TMYLM is now in the hands of betas! *cheers*
I did, however, post pretty consistently on Instagram, beta read several chapters of the lovely Issabelle Perry’s latest project, and get started on a new editing project with S&J Editors! Oh, and I wrote something special I’ll talk about in just a minute!
this month’s goalsAgain, BAD. (No surprise there.) I also have that beta reading and editing to finish up…a few posts to share and reviews to write…and a COVER REVEAL!!!!!! Y’all can sign up HERE!!
monthly progressI actually wrote 4k in June! *mind blows* I literally crammed to write and submit a short story for Sisters Three’s anthology! Granted, it probably won’t be included (I fudged the rules with a dual POV historical romance), but it was SO fun to write! I also had enough time to put together a Pinterest board for it…if y’all wanna get an idea of The Girl in the Pages and what it’s about, just scroll through my 109 pins here!
reading highlightsReading in June certainly had its ups and downs (more downs than ups, really, and that’s out of the mere five books I read).
The best books I read boils down to Much Ado About Persuasion by Barbara Cornthwaite (review here) and Once I Knew by Victoria Lynn (review coming on July 22nd)! These two captivated me fully, and their many good qualities far outweighed the few things I could nitpick about!
top blog posts The Bookworm’s Tag 4 Review: Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller The Get to Know Me Tagguest appearancesYep, it’s back, baby! I had several posts go live on two different blogs last month…two of mine on Kingdom Pen were reshares of old posts (3 Lessons I Learned as a Young Writer and How to Pants—Successfully Write a Novel Without an Outline) and one was brand-spankin’-new (Free Ways to Edit and Proofread Your Novel Manuscript). And I won Joelle Stone’s short story contest, so my untitled story was posted on her blog, Sword of the Penmaiden, and she shared another guest post of mine full of writing prompts!
Now, before I go, DON’T FORGET to sign up for the Bound and Determined cover reveal! If you have a blog, newsletter, or any kind of social media, then you can share the cover when I finally reveal it to the world on July 10th!
Welp, I’m off to edit until my eyeballs fall out of my head! Y’all have an epic July and a blessed Independence Day!
yours in spirit and script, Grace#monthlyupdates #monthlyprogress #wrapup #progressreport #readinghighlights #guestposts #shortstory #coverreveal #boundanddetermined #signup
June 30, 2022
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 war. On one side stands established religion and the power of the Crown. On the other side stands a dangerous freedom of conscience.
Robert Boothe has spent the last four years leading the tyrant-hating Regulators against North Carolina’s corrupt British government. All he wants is a safe place for his little Baptist church to live and worship God.
But choosing sides has made Robert a target. The Church of England wants him to shut up. The governor wants him dead.
the giveaway
Like I said, epic. And you, my lovelies, can have the chance to win your very own SIGNED copy of this intense story and a bag of American Patriot coffee!

The giveaway begins 12am EST on June 27th and ends at 12am EST on July 4th! (The winner will be announced after the giveaway closes.) One winner will receive a signed copy of Preacher on the Run and one 12-ounce bag of American Patriot Coffee Co. Independence Medium Roast. AND all entrants will receive a promo code for use on www.booksbyjayna.com. Open to US residents 18 and up or with parental consent. No purchase necessary.
about the author
Jayna Baas, pronounced as in “baa, baa, black sheep,” is the author of Preacher on the Run and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. She lives in northern Michigan with a great family of real people and the family of pretend people who live in her head. (Yes, she does know her characters are not real. No, she does not want you to tell them she said so.) Although she enjoys multiple genres, her favorite story is this: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Learn more and sign up for an exclusive short story at www.booksbyjayna.com.
Wanna learn more about Preacher on the Run and Jayna Baas? You can check the book out on Jayna's website, store, Amazon, Goodreads, or BookBub! And you can follow Jayna on her website, Goodreads, BookBub, Amazon, or subscribe to her newsletter!
Best of luck with the giveaway, y'all! Have a Happy Fourth of July!
yours in spirit and script, Grace#giveaway #historicalfiction #revolutionarywar #americanrevolution #christianfiction #entertowin
Bound and Determined Cover Reveal Signups

Y'all. After almost three years of working on this novel, I have finally, finally finished writing and actually gotten. the. cover. Like. BAD has a cover now. After teasing y'all about it I don't know how many times, I can finally say...the cover is here.
BUT! I can't share it with y'all now, because for the very first time ever, I'm gonna do an OFFICIAL cover reveal! For all of y'all who are interested in sharing the cover of Bound and Determined, please refer to the signup form below! *winks*

The official date is July 10th, so I'll send out all the information a few days beforehand (not the day before, trust me)! All that's required is that you post on one platform of your choice on July 10th or a few days after! (And, of course, link back to me or tag me in your post so I can see it!)
All you have to do for now is sign up! If, however, you are not interested, feel free to share this post (or any of my other posts about the signups) with someone who might be! The more the merrier, eh?
And seriously. Just look at that. I know it's just a sneak peek, but doesn't it get you so excited??? *squeals*
What do y'all think it'll look like? Let me know in the comments below!
I don't know about you, but I can't wait! I just hope the cover lives up to everyone's expectations! *winks*
Oh, and for those of y'all (like moi) who like to know who the designer is...it's none other than Roseanna M. White! *jumps up and down* You can check out her design site here! Her work is so lovely! (And the fact that I get to share a designer with authors like Lauraine Snelling, Melody Carlson, Pepper Basham, and more is pretty darn awesome!)
Anyway, I'll leave y'all to fill out that monstrous form up there (if you think that's bad, y'all should've seen the feedback form for my beta readers)! I love y'all dearly and I am so thankful for all your support and help!!!
yours in spirit and script, Grace#boundanddetermined #cover #coverreveal #coverevealsignups #signups #signupnow #updates #sneakpeek
June 24, 2022
Cover Reveals: Iron and Roses, Thorns, & Curses

I've got something for y'all I like to call a double whammy. That's right. Not just one cover reveal...TWO! No, neither of them are of Bound and Determined (yet!), but they are for two fantastical fairytale retellings releasing this year!
I'm a part of the Feathers and Roses: All Things Fairy Tale Dual Cover Reveal, hosted by Jen’s Author Assistance, which means I get to share about Jenavieve's own debut novel, Roses, Thorns, and Curses, AND Iron by Madisyn Carlin (which are both releasing this September)!
iron by madisyn carlin
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 efforts are thwarted at every turn. With each discovery the danger grows, putting Red and the lives of those she cares about at risk. Can she reveal the mastermind’s identity before she herself becomes a target?
meet madisyn
Madisyn Carlin is a Christian, homeschool graduate, blogger, voracious bookdragon, and author. When not spending time with her family or trekking through the mountains, she weaves tales of redemption, faith, and action.
You can find her on social media and her website HERE!
roses, thorns, and curses by jenavieve rose
A Fae bides her time, waiting to unleash her wrath on those who betrayed her. A prince seeks the answer to the dream that has plagued him for months. A princess who has lain in slumber awakens to find her world not quite right.
When Sorren finds the answer and awakens the princess, he also finds himself involved with a curse. Before Maelle can exact her revenge she is enslaved by Sorren's brother, a beast of a man who pits Fae against Fae in his uncle’s arena. Aurana must navigate memory loss and her newfound Dreamwalking abilities that send her between her world and the realm of the Fae. After Sorren and Aurana work with an old friend of Maelle’s to rescue her from the arena, they must seek help from someone who betrayed Maelle if Aurana wishes to control her Dreamwalking before she descends into madness.
When an ancient evil from the Fae realm threatens them all, they must set aside their own agendas to stop the looming darkness and learn that righteous vengeance shall overcome what revenge has left broken asunder.
meet jenavieve
Jenavieve Rose has had a love for stories and a highly-active imagination her whole life. Creating her own stories and worlds through Fantasy, or any other branch of Spec-Fic, makes her feel closest to her Creator. In doing so she mimics The One Who created all things. She’s inspired by a myriad of different books, movies, and even video games, but especially by fairy tales. She writes stories where good overcomes evil and hope shines all the brighter through the darkness, for those are the stories that mean something, the ones that really matter.
Music also inspires her and her writing, sparking a story idea or fueling her passion on a topic she wants to share. It’s rare to see her without her headphones on and either worship music or movie soundtracks flitting between her ears.
In all she does she strives to do the will of her Father and spread His hope.
You can connect with Jenavieve through her newsletter and website!
I dunno about y'all, but I'm pretty excited for these Christian fairytale retellings - and not just because the covers are gorgeous (although, believe me, that does play a part)! Y'all let me know in the comments which of these (if not both) you look forward to reading and which cover is your favorite! And, let's face it, we're talking about fairytales here, so I must know...which is your absolute favorite fairytale ever? (And can you guess which one is my fave? *winks*)
yours in spirit and script, Grace#coverreveal #bookcovers #comingsoon #indie #fantasy #fairytales #retellings #christianfiction #preordernow #debutnovel
June 22, 2022
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/watched Much Ado About Nothing, so the entire plot of this novel was a mysterious adventure for me—and I quite enjoyed that. I was reunited with the characters of Persuasion (the first Austen novel I ever read, which I for the life of me cannot quite remember as well as I wish I could…), but their story was so much more different! In a good way, of course. I believe Austen and Shakespeare both would be pleased with how well Cornthwaite handled the elements of their stories!
On that note, Cornthwaite did make Austen’s characters a little more vivid and black-and-white (which sounds like an oxymoron, but I simply mean that everyone’s motives and personalities were clearer than in Persuasion). I appreciated it, but naturally it meant that Austen’s intentions and themes were gone from the story. (So was Wentworth’s letter at the end...which was a HUGE heartbreak.)
I absolutely loved seeing more of characters like Elizabeth, Mrs. Clay, Admiral Baldwin, etc.! Elizabeth and Baldwin quickly became my favorites, and their love story was so fun and sweet! (A little unrealistic and morally grey, but precious all the same.) Cornthwaite wrote their arcs perfectly and combined them with Much Ado’s plotline seamlessly! Not to mention the addition of the redemption themes, which was my favorite part.
And the ending? Even without the letter, it was still fabulous—happy endings galore, y’all! And that last line? OMGOSH I SQUEALED YOU GUYS. Seriously. Cornthwaite needs to write a sequel, because she left this open for the PERFECT Austen mashup. I can’t even, you guys.
Finally, we come to the writing. I was absolutely astounded by how Austen-esque the writing was in the first few chapters. Granted, it read more like Pride and Prejudice than it did Persuasion (Austen’s prose was significantly changed between the two), but I know Austen would’ve been proud. That said, it did start to take on a voice of its own as the story went on and it lost that Austen edge...but I still loved the writing and thought it fit the era perfectly! Since the story is written from the omniscient point-of-view, there was a lot of head-hopping—but it was written as it should be and was completely smooth; both immersive and narrative at the same time without being jarring!
What I Didn’t Love: I really only have one qualm: the pacing. I felt like, in some ways, the story moved too fast and characters such as Anne were passed over. Now, it didn’t stick out until the ending—which was certainly rushed—and I didn’t mind getting deep into the characters of Elizabeth, Baldwin, Borlock, and Penelope, but after finishing the story, it was noticeable that the ending was rather abrupt (I needed an epilogue) and a few things were rushed up.
Apart from that, I would’ve liked clearer faith content, but I do appreciate how the Christian elements in the story were authentic, subtle, and consistent to the original stories, in that neither Shakespeare’s nor Austen’s works were explicitly Christian.
Long Story Short: This Shakespearean twist on a beloved Austen classic will leave readers hungry for more! Cornthwaite admirably meshed Persuasion’s characters with Much Ado About Nothing’s plot and crafted a well-written, well-developed, engaging story that did its inspirations justice! I would certainly recommend to lovers of Shakespeare and Austen alike, romance connoisseurs, Regency buffs, and his-fic fans; and I would love to read more in the future!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy from the author through Celebrate Lit Publicity. All opinions expressed are my own.
snag your copy about the author
Barbara Cornthwaite lives in the middle of Ireland with her husband and children. She taught college English before “retiring” to do something she loves far more; her days are now filled with homeschooling, trying to keep the house tidy (a losing battle), and trying to stay warm in the damp Irish climate (also a losing battle). She is surrounded by medieval castles, picturesque flocks of sheep, and ancient stone monuments. These things are unappreciated by her six children, who are more impressed by traffic jams, skyscrapers, and hot weather.
a word from the authorI discovered Jane Austen in college when I was required to read Pride and Prejudice. This was in the dark ages before the famous adaptations, and I knew nothing about the storyline. In fact, I expected it to be depressing, probably because the title sounded similar to War and Peace. It was a delightful surprise to be charmed by the novel, and I went on to read all Austen’s other books on my own. Each of them have a special place in my heart. I love Emma so much that I wrote a two-book parallel novel for it (the George Knightley, Esquire series). I also have novellas based on Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma in the A Very Austen anthologies. This book, however, is the first thing I’ve written based on Persuasion.
Shakespeare I met in high school, and furthered my acquaintance with him in college. Much Ado About Nothing is, I think, my favorite of his plays (although there are several close contenders for the top spot). His grasp of character is unmatched, and his language, even after five hundred years, is striking.
Mixing the stories of these two authors has been great fun, and redeeming a couple of characters who didn’t learn anything from their mistakes in the original stories gives my version a spiritual twist. I hope you enjoy it!

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 17
Texas Book-aholic, June 18
Miriam Jacob, June 18
A Reader’s Brain, June 19
Britt Reads Fiction, June 20
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 20
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 21
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 22
For Him and My Family, June 22
Inklings and notions, June 23
deb’s Book Review, June 24
Of Blades and Thorns, June 24
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 25
Connie’s History Classroom, June 26
Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen, June 26
She Lives To Read, June 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28
Sylvan Musings, June 28
Labor Not in Vain, June 29
Back Porch Reads, June 30
Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 30

And, of course, one mustn't forget that with every Celebrate Lit tour comes...you guessed it! A giveaway! Enter at the link below for your chance to win the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Much Ado About Persuasion!
What do you think of a Shakespeare + Austen mashup? Have you read anything by either of these classic authors? Does Much Ado About Persuasion sound right up your alley? Let me know in the comments below! (I love saying that. *winks*)
yours in spirit and script, Grace#bookreview #review #blogtour #regency #romance #janeausten #historicalfiction #classic #retelling #giveaway #historicalromance
June 20, 2022
Blogging for Authors: How to Find Motivation and Inspiration

Hoo boy! I know it’s been a hot minute since my last two posts on blogging for authors, but I just wanted to pop in and share my thoughts on the third most common question about blogging...how do I find motivation and inspiration?
Specifically, I’ll be sharing a huge collection of ideas that you are more than welcome to steal (post idea piracy is encouraged ‘round here, y’know *winks*) and ways to come up with new ideas and inspiration!
Before we dive in, it’s time for a recap! *in a deep, television announcer voice* Previously on Blogging for Authors…
There are so many benefits to having and maintaining an author blog, and even if you only reap one or two of those benefits, you’re still utilizing an amazing marketing strategy and you are building a platform that will last for years to come!
If you’re looking to enhance your author career or establish your very first platform as a beginning writer, a website with a blog is the best place to begin! Even if you start out with one long post a month or a 200-word post a week (the latter is actually the most beneficial), just having and maintaining that platform is one of the best decisions you’ll make as a writer!
Not sure how to make the most of your time? Just remember to stay consistent and that consistency isn’t a post every Tuesday...it can be four posts a month, whatever works for you; be aware of your current lifestyle and don’t push yourself beyond what you know you can manage; understand your audience and your type of blog; write inspired or schedule ahead; and cross-post content or have a guest poster on to limit how much time you spend writing!
You can read the rest of the previous two posts HERE and HERE!
Now, you may have built up your blog over the last year and set aside a whole week just for writing blog content, but in the end, what matters is most is that when you sit down to write...you do.
My unofficial motto is Write Inspired, and so my first piece of advice is, well, to write inspired. If the lines for a beautiful poem fill your mind instead of your article on time management, then write the poem and share it instead! If you’re not motivated to blog, take a break (whether for five minutes or five days), then come back refreshed.
Unfortunately, not all of us can afford to take time off or walk away, and not everyone is brimming with inspiration.
Sometimes you gotta look for it.
So how (or, rather, where) do you find inspiration and motivation to blog?
I’m glad you asked!
other blogsSeriously. Put aside thoughts of comparison or pressure, and just enjoy reading other people’s blogs! You may notice that your favorite authors share book recommendations or WIP snippets, or that you love a certain element they include in their posts...instead of feeling overwhelmed, channel that into inspiration for new post ideas and motivation to devote extra time to your blog!
Take note of what other bloggers do, what’s most popular, how they engage with their audience, what your favorite post of theirs is, and more! You can even join linkups, borrow tags, do blogger interviews, trade guest posts, etc. Becoming a part of the blogging community can open up so many doors—not just of opportunities, but of ideas!
social mediaI know, I know. Social media is typically where you go to procrastinate blogging...but it’s also a great place to find inspiration! Pinterest especially is full of great tips, tricks, and prompts for new posts, and keeping up-to-date on what’s popular through Instagram and Facebook can motivate you to share your thoughts!
poll your followersYou don’t blog for yourself, believe it or not. (If you do, that’s called a diary...and that certainly doesn’t need to be thrown up on the internet.) You blog for your followers. So who better to ask for ideas, suggestions, and inspiration? You can field for suggestions in the comments or set up a feedback form or poll widget to prompt your readers to share their thoughts—and who knows? They might have the perfect idea to kickstart a new blog series or motivate you to write that post that’s been on your heart!
And just keep an eye on what they say in the comments and what posts they like the best! You may find they want more of your unpopular bookish opinions or more poetry snippets, and that can give you plenty of motivation and inspiration for new posts!
listen to your heartSpeaking of your heart…“listen to your heart” is a piece of advice I would never give to someone in a serious context. After all, the Bible says that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9).
But if God has laid something on your heart, or you’re passionate about something, or you just wanna share something specific...do it! Be open to all ideas and inspiration that comes your way, especially when it’s something meaningful and close to you. When it comes to creative decisions, do listen to what your heart is telling you, becomes from it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23)!
try something newOut of ideas? Pull one out of a hat! (Both literally and figuratively, of course.) Try something new or out of the box—like a movie review, contest, giveaway, photo/art dump, or really anything you rarely do on your blog! It just might catch on and be the next big thing on your blog!
get involvedNot only will the blogging community provide you with amazing friends, blog tags, motivation, and collaboration potential, you can also join blog tours, launch/street teams, and linkups. Trust me, I have never hurt for a blog post, since I’m part of at least one blog tour a month, and that can entail a book review or a cover reveal, book spotlight, character interview, author interview, AND review! Tour and launch/street team opportunities are a great way for writers and book bloggers to grow their following, increase blog traffic and engagement, and support their favorite books/authors!
Y'all check out Celebrate Lit Publicity and JustRead Tours for some great blog tour opportunities, and keep an eye out on your favorite authors' social media for when they open signups for launch/street teams!
space things outInstead of posting three times a week (or every day or what have you), post once a week (or at least less than you usually do) and schedule out any leftover posts for the upcoming weeks or months. This time, you’ll have more time to rest, find inspiration, and stay motivated to keep writing!
Gracie's extensive list of blog post ideas for authorsNow, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for...my extremely long list of authorly/writerly/bookishly post ideas! These are perfect for authors, writers, book bloggers, etc., and can be stolen as is or can be borrowed and given a face-lift—it’s up to you! And if none of these are something you’re interested in, then mull over them a minute and see if they inspire some different ideas!
Author spotlights/interviews Blogger spotlights/interviews WIP snippets Q&As Character spotlights/interviews Book spotlights/reviews Reading recaps Behind-the-scenes of your writing process Photo dumps (especially of books) Life updates (from vacation to finals week) Rants on politics, culture, faith (especially as pertaining to literature) Your thoughts on popular books, tropes, character archetypes, etc. How-tos for fellow writers Your writing journey Invent a blog tag Put together a linkup Writing contest Writing prompts The story behind the story (namely, your story) Blog serial Poetry snippets Devotions/Scripture Favorite quotes about Art dumps (especially character art) Movie/TV series spotlights/reviews Lessons you learned Fun facts from research (like the history of weather prediction...which isn’t all that fun) Your favorite books ever Books that changed your life Collaborate with another blogger/author Tour of the setting (real or fictional) Writing updates/progress reports Giveaways/sales What can teach you about writing (for example, I wrote an article about Spiderman and I’m currently working on one about Hallmark) Commentary/reactions to your old/current writing Guest post from a character Character evaluation (specifically a popular one) Your top writing advice Encouragement for your readers/fellow writers Share reviews of your own book Your publishing journey Repost your guest posts/interviews from other sites (as long as you have permission)Welp, there that is! These are literally just the first ideas that I could think of, so I hope you find something interesting to share—or at least something that inspires you!
If you want to learn more about blogging, I HIGHLY recommend checking out my fiend Allyson’s blog series on, well, blogging! You can read her first two posts HERE and HERE—and, believe me, they are spectacular and flesh out what I’ve been saying about blogging!
If you have any specific questions, suggestions, struggles, ideas, etc., that you’d like to share or want me to post about in the future (specifically as pertains to blogging, but other ideas are always welcome, of course!), just drop them in the comments!
Which of these post ideas stood out to you? What’s your favorite kind of post—to read and/or write? Who are some of your favorite bloggers? How to you find inspiration and motivation? What’s your favorite kind of motivational chocolate??? Let me know down below! *winks*
yours in spirit and script, Grace#blog #blogging #motivation #inspiration #bloggingforauthors #authorblogs #blogger #ideas #blogposts
June 16, 2022
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 guardian dragons, who have discovered that one of the guilders has abused the power of dragon ink and rewritten time. They have only a week to find out who the traitor before the entire guild is destroyed...but distrust, betrayal, and dishonest abound. How will they discover the time-changer in time?
Quotes: “But I hope. I hope that this will pass. I hope that both of us are afraid for nothing. And I will love you whether hope of fear wins out.”
“I believe that Aomlan has my best interest at heart, and I’ve seen evidence throughout history that his people are defended and strengthened even through the trials they face. I trust his direction.”
What I Loved: The concept was so different and intriguing (I just loved the vibes, you guys), and the vivid world-building complemented that perfectly, as did the characters. All of the main POV characters were vibrant and unique, with their own struggles and mini-arcs that played out in the story. When I first read this as a beta, I honestly couldn’t keep track *coughs*, but the second go-round was much better! I could see how each POV character stood out and was an integral part of the story. (And, let’s face it, the pronunciation guide/glossary was a life-saver!)
Speaking of characters, all the different relationships were so well-done! It was great to see healthy relationships and female characters that are strong but not feminist, obnoxious, or rude. (Which I know was Archer’s intention, to weave these elements in, and she executed that perfectly!)
Even though there wasn’t a definite message, there were some absolutely lovely themes: loyalty, forgiveness, compassion, family, true love and caring, trust, and more! Not to mention the slight allegory with Aomlan, Sairsha’s god who greatly resembles Jehovah!
What I Didn’t Love: As detailed as the world-building was, there were so many things that were left unexplained and a lot of backstory left out—from the power of the dragon ink to the dragons themselves to Duyên’s ability to hear them to the gods. I honestly wouldn’t have minded an info dump or prequel or something to give me some background on everything and how it operated.
It’s definitely a slow-paced book, which isn’t inherently a good or bad thing, but I felt some scenes were too lengthy and unnecessary and could’ve been shortened, omitted, or replaced. But I guess that’s a stylistic, creative choice!
And although I could tell the main characters apart, most of the minor characters bled together. I usually don’t struggle with large casts (I’m infamous for my own large casts), but I had a hard time keeping track of which character was which, Chaska and Mika especially.
There were some great descriptions in Calligraphy Guild, but I was missing something in the writing. Maybe it’s because I’ve read R.M. Archer’s The Mirror-Hunter Chronicles, which has the best wit, whimsy, and sarcasm, that I was expecting more personality in the writing. Either way, I would’ve liked to see the characters’ voices come to life in the prose!
Long Story Short: Calligraphy Guild is a vibrant and beautiful piece of Asian-inspired fantasy! R.M. Archer crafts a world that pulls you in, characters you can admire, and relationships you relate to.
I’d definitely recommend it to all readers of fantasy and YA fiction and even readers of Asian fiction, whether historical or contemporary! (I also recommend watching The Last Samurai...or really anything set in Asia *winks*...before/during reading this. Trust me, this novel will come to life as you read!) And I will certainly be reading more by R.M. Archer! (Like a SEQUEL!)
Disclaimer: I received an advanced review copy from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
snag your copy about the book
Dragon ink gives calligraphers the power to set history in stone—or to change it.
Lai Duyên’s dreams are realized when she’s admitted into the ranks of the calligraphers—authors considered trustworthy enough to defend time from those who would change it. She’s thrilled at the opportunity to record her country’s history, and to work with the other calligraphers in her village.
But when Duyên’s guild is set upon by ancient dragons demanding a time-changer be destroyed, her world is flipped upside down. Her guildmates turn on each other, suspicion coloring their every move. To make matters worse, she’s begun hearing the dragons in her head and finds them impossible to block out: a condition that rendered her grandmother insane.
With the calligraphy guild in turmoil and Duyên’s ever-present fear of madness clouding her vision, will the group be able to discover which of their guildmates has altered time before the dragons pass judgment on them all?
about the author
R.M. Archer has been an avid reader since the time she could first make out words, and has always been a lover of story. That interest developed into a love of writing when she was seven (though those first attempts have long-since been incinerated), and she's been pursuing a career as an author ever since. Archer believes that art can change the culture and aims to write YA speculative fiction that thoughtfully explores a variety of worldviews through the lens of her own Christian perspective.
In addition to writing fiction, Archer keeps up a non-fiction blog of writing tips and book reviews, and worldbuilding is her favorite topic to blog about.
You can connect with her on her website, rmarcher.com!
the tourJune 1st: Lavender Bleu - Author interview; Tasha Van Kesteren - Lai Duyên character interview; Kristina Hall - Book review
June 2nd: Laura Morgan - Book review
June 3rd: Issabelle Perry - Tanh Ryuu character interview
June 4th: Kayla Green - Book review
June 5th: Dawn Dagger - Book review
June 6th: Erin Phillips - Author interview
June 7th: R.M. Archer - Relationships I’d love to see more in fiction
June 8th: Kristianne Hassman - Sairsha Kincaid character interview
June 9th: Naomi Sowell - Book review
June 10th: RaeMarie - Book review
June 11th: Eden - Book spotlight
June 12th: Miranda - Lôi Tora character interview
June 13th: Libby Powell - Author interview
June 14th: R.M. Archer - Calligraphy Guild shout-outs
June 15th: Bethani Theresa - Book review
June 16th: Grace A. Johnson - Book review
June 17th: Edna Pellen - Author interview

Interested in a chance to read the first chapter on Calligraphy Guild for FREE??? (I know you are.)
Then just head over to R.M. Archer's newsletter and hit the subscribe button (dude, I sound like a YouTuber) and prepare for your sneak preview to drop in your inbox!
If you'd like to connect with Ms. Archer on other platforms, you can find her on Facebook and Instagram, @rysaarcher! And if you're a fellow author, stick around her website to read her amazing, intuitive blog posts, join her author pen pal exchange, and check out her worldbuilding toolbox! Don't forget to take a peek at her other stories too! Oh, and this page with tons of fun facts all about Calligraphy Guild!
And...y'all may be interested in one of my first-ever author interviews, which was actually with none other than R.M. Archer!!! Y'all can read our Q&A HERE!
Now, I'll leave y'all to follow the rest of the tour! Have fun and stay cool! (Seriously. It's about to hit 104 degrees Fahrenheit where I live. Thunderstorms, hail, and sunburn are expected but certainly not anticipated...)
yours in spirit and script, Grace#review #bookreview #blogtour #sneakpeek #newsletter #subscribe #fantasy #newrelease #preordernow #indie #newbook
June 13, 2022
The Get to Know Me Tag

I already love this tag. It is so fun and unique, and the questions are all fantastic! You get a little bit of everything - from personal tidbits to some of my favorites to writing/publishing questions - and I'm so excited to share that I'm just gonna cut this intro short and segue right into the theme song!
Tall guy, beard, twins, purple hoser! Dude Perfect's in Overtime. Tall guy -
*record screeches*
Wait. That's, um...wrong theme song, folks. Let's, uh... *shuffles around* Let's try this...
Broccoli! Celery! Gotta be...Veggietales!
*music stops*
Nope. Not that one either...
Send me love everyday, and send me on my way. Deliver me, just deliver me...
*jerks film*
We're, uh, experiencing some technical difficulties. We'll be right back after a message from our sponsors...
*commercial jingle plays*
Next up on Veggie shopping network: pants.
Welcome viewers, what comes next? A pair of pants with stripes or checks? Dig in your wallet, dump out your purse. Who'll be the one to buy the first?
*record smashes* *film rips* *music crescendos*
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE, BUT YOU'RE ALL FIRED!
*coughs*
Just start the show.
the rules
(And don't steal other people's theme songs...*levels a glare at her studio assistant*)
the questionsVital Stats and Appearance(pen)Name: Grace A. Johnson (Real name, baby! And y’all are more than welcome to guess what the A stands for in the comments!)
Nicknames: Gracie, Graciegirl, Granny Fanny Farkles (don’t ask)
Birthday: August 9th
Hair color and length: It’s, for the most part, a generic caramel brown, but when the sun hits it just right, glimmers of sienna, vermilion, and vanilla appear. And it actually goes past my waistline to my hips!
Eye color: Brown. No glimmers or anything. Just hazelnut brown.
Braces/piercings/tattoos: Never had braces. No piercing. No tattoos ever. I do, however, wear glasses and have since I was nine years old. I’m severely nearsighted, so I have to wear my glasses to drive, and my vision is about 20/45, I think. I tried wearing contacts once, but it was just too much hassle.
Righty or lefty: Righty. End of story. *winks*
Ethnicity: Basically Caucasian, but that’s boring, so let’s dig deep, shall we? I’m predominantly Scottish on all sides of my family, with a generous dose of Irish and other Northern European in there. But, I also have some Spanish, Egyptian, and Portuguese/Sephardi Jewish in there too! My fourth-great-grandmother was a direct descendant of Dr. Samuel Nunez, one of the most prominent Jewish immigrants in America during the 17th-18th centuries! He was friends with John Wesley, and he helped establish the colony of Georgia alongside James Oglethorpe! (Pst! He even has a Wikipedia page here!)
Firsts:First novel written: Um. I guess the first would be Secret Agents Girls...but I only got two chapters into that. So the first novel I really felt like I committed to would be Finding Love on Horseback, a western romance, which I wrote about seven chapters of!
First novel completed: Beyond the Inner Storm. A Christian historical romance set in 1850s Michigan, approximately 45k words long. I even got thiiis close to finishing the sequel!
Award for writing: None. I’ve won some essay contests and short stories contests here and there, but no awards...YET!
First publication: Held Captive! Which y’all can learn more about here, of course! Or read about as you continue to follow the words in this sentence… HC was published in March of 2019, approximately 75k words, when I was thirteen years old! It took me about six months to write, and the next three months were spent editing and...well, querying! (Which I’ll talk more about in a moment!) It’s the first novel in the Daughters of the Seven Seas series, and even though I plan on rewriting it at some point in the not-so-distant future, it’s my book baby and I love it.
Conference: None. But I do hope to attend the ACFW conference soon! (Maybe next year...Lord—and my parents—willing!)
Query/Pitch: Held Captive to Whitefire Publishing! The query went over well—in fact, Mrs. White asked for my proposal...but that, my dears, was the deal-breaker. I had put together THE WORST proposal in HISTORY. I am ashamed of myself. Suffice to say, I never heard back. Never queried again (not out of hurt or fear of rejection, though), and I ended up self-publishing! All thanks be to God for directing my path!
Favorites:Novel (that you wrote): I’ve only written four full-length novels, and my favorite would definitely be Bound and Determined! It’s a very intense and edgy book, but it needed to be written, and I believe it needs to be read! God has just blessed me and this story so much through the writing process, and I hope it’ll be a blessing to others!
Genre: ANYTHING romance. As long as it’s Christian, of course! Especially historical and fantasy! Although I love a well-done contemporary or mystery...those are just harder to come by, in my opinion!
Author: I can’t. I’m done with this question.
Writing Music: Honestly...pretty much anything. That I enjoy, that is. From 80s pop to 40s swing to 2000s rock, if I like the sound and the story in the lyrics (and the lyrics are clean and preferably Christian, of course), then I’ll listen to it as I write! I’m not really an instrumental girl, and I’m more of a vague mood listener, so I can’t really pick anything specific.
Time To Write: Night. I would love to write during the day (especially the morning), but I am (1) busy, (2) not a morning person at all, and (3) so easily distracted. Night just works best—even if I get no sleep!
Writing Snack/Drink: Tea. Chilled, iced, hot, creamy—doesn’t matter to me unless it has sugar in it! I’m also a huge eggnog fan...and orange juice lover...and cream-and-sugar-with-a-splash-of-coffee kinda person...so really anything I can sip on, I will drink. But I typically end up with a glass of old-fashioned Southern sweet tea!
As for snacks...I don’t like to eat anything messy...but I also love food. So I will legit it anything you put in front of my face, even while writing. (Except mac and cheese.)
Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean; Rocky; Signed, Sealed, Delivered; Iron Man; Indiana Jones; Pride and Prejudice (2005); Gone with the Wind; Casablanca; The Last Samurai; The Patriot...honestly, anything historical, romantic, suspenseful, action-packed, and full of great dialogue and character dynamics and VIBES. Preferably all in one movie.
Writing Memory: Um. Yeesh. I’ve been writing for about seven years (give or take), so…that’s a lot of memories to go through. Uh…well, I guess this is more of a feeling rather than a vivid memory, but my favorite feeling/memory/moment in writing is when the Holy Spirit takes over for me, and I literally have no idea what I’m writing—He just does it for me, and the words flow, and I read back over them, and my heart is full, and I’m just like wow.
That’s my favorite.
Childhood Book: Book? As in singular? As in only one? Well, there’s Tell Me The Christmas Story, which was the first book I ever learned to read. Sign of the Beaver, which was the first book I reread (of many, many books). The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson, which inspired me to write. And the Left Behind kids series. And Nancy Drew. And Junie B. Jones. There are…just…so…many…
Currently:Reading: Calligraphy Guild by R.M. Archer! (Make that cramming…my review is due in just a few days! Yikes!)
Writing: The Girl in the Pages—a Regency romance short story for Sisters Three’s Heard in Silence anthology!
Listening to: Rain. Literally. *coughs* Music-wise, I’ve been listening to a lot of Owl City, SafetySuit, and NEEDTOBREATHE lately! (All their old stuff, of course!)
Watching: The Amazing Spider-Man 1 & 2! We just finished watching all of the Signed, Sealed, Delivered movies/episodes, so we spent the weekend finally watching TASM! We’d heard some negative things about Andrew Garfield’s Spidey movies (and we’re huge Tobey Maguire fans over here), so we’d never bothered to watch them…but we needed a movie Friday night and TASM 1 was on Netflix, so we gave it a shot. AND IT WAS ACTUALLY GOOD. I mean, not Maguire good (better in some ways, worse in others), but still much better than we’d expected! So, of course, we rented TASM 2 Saturday night—and it wasn’t as good as the first one, and Harry/Norman/the fact that they didn’t make a third one were all disappointing, but it was enjoyable!
Learning: How not to write book reviews. Apparently you’re not supposed to rant…or express negative opinions…or write them at midnight. *groans*
Future:Want To Be Published: DONE! And done, and done, and done! *winks*
Indie or Traditional: Right now (and for the foreseeable future), it’s self-publishing! I hope to start working with some small indie presses soon, and then, Lord willing, move on to traditional publishing for a few select projects…but I will probably always be self-publishing something!
Wildest Goal: Be published by Enclave, Revell, and Bethany House. That about sums it up, but there are a ton of other smaller (but still huge) goals entwined with these! And, of course, I would LOVE to have a book/series turned into a movie/film series/TV series! Which begs the question…who would I cast as my characters???
tags Kristina Hall Vanessa Hall Issabelle Perry Kristianne Hassman Emily Charlotte Ryan Elizabeth Jenna Terese Joy Caroline Allyson Jamison Joelle Stone Saraina WhitneyAnd for those of y’all in the comments…what are you currently reading? What are your favorite movies? What’s your wildest writing goal? Who would you cast as Rina, Xavier, Elliot, Keaton, etc.? (I already have Eleanor Tomlinson for Crimson, by the way!) Let me know down below!
yours in spirit and script, Grace#gettoknowme #aboutme #abouttheblogger #abouttheauthor #reading #writing #blogtag #funfacts
June 11, 2022
Review: Love in Disguise by Penny Zeller

Stars: 3
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 identities might not be all they’d hoped for.
When I realized what this novel was about, I knew it was going to be a rough ride. After all, the lying-about-one’s-true-identity trope is not only overdone, but so stressful. The deception, the excuses, the half-truths, the hiding, the avoiding...the discovery, the rage, the spite, the depression...the taking fifty-five years to forgive the person and admit ya love ‘em.
*coughs* Yeah, y’all can tell I don’t like this trope.
Which made enjoying Love in Disguise pretty hard. It followed the stereotypical structure above, not necessarily altering anything or adding any unique twists. The story even pulled out a few more stops toward the end—like the ex-fiancee showing up in hopes of rekindling a romance; the unwanted suitor appearing to make a mess of things; the we-reconciled-because-I-thought-they-were-gonna-die-from-the-flu trope—which not only made the story even more cliché...it rushed up the ending considerably.
Maybe, had we not thrown all that into the last five chapters, the story would’ve flowed smoother and been a wee bit more enjoyable—I’m not sure. Either way, the plot itself just drove me slap crazy.
Especially the whole I’m-not-gonna-forgive-you-for-committing-the-same-sin-I-did, how-dare-you-lie-to-me part. Is it just me...or is that kind of unrealistic? To love someone until you discover they lied (which was pretty obvious) to you exactly how you did to them...to completely forget those feelings and give over to a month’s worth of blind rage...then to suddenly remember oh, I liked them a lot and want to reconcile? Something’s unbalanced here—and I’m not dissing the author, just the way this trope has been handled in general and how authors have been taught to write it. (Trust me, I would’ve done the same thing myself a few years ago.)
So, when you take away the plot and focus on the characters…
Y’all know it’s a given that I didn’t like Emilie. I, uh, greatly dislike suffragist/feminist characters—not necessarily because I’m chauvinist (which I am), but because of how those characters are written and how all males are portrayed when women’s rights/suffrage are in play. So that was a strike against her, as well as her lack of personality. And how quick and inauthentic her conversion was—I felt like something was sorely missing there.
That said, she could’ve been worse.
As for Thad...augh. He too needed some help in the personality and uniqueness department...but he wasn’t bad. Not memorable, but not bad either.
Let’s face it. The best characters were the secondary characters. Vera and Morris were adorable (unrealistic, but adorable). Emilie’s parents? GOLD. I laughed so hard. They were hilarious, and I loved how we got to watch them grow over the course of the last part of the story! And I already love Aunt Jane. She’s fabulous.
That said, Donald W. Smith III and Catherine were so poorly developed and written. They were like cardboard cutouts with labels on them that said Shallow Ex-Fiancee and Annoying Unwanted Suitor. They could have really excelled and added something to the story, but I felt like they were simply thrown for the heck of it.
I love the themes of truth and honesty—which is the only reason I stick around for these types of stories—but I feel like they could’ve been handled a little better. Of course, it’s obvious to the reader that lying is wrong, deception has consequences, honesty is the best policy, and the truth shall set you free, and several characters (Pete and Vera) emphasis this...but no one else does. Thad just keeps on sinning and pushing back his conviction, which is not Christlike behavior, nor is it admirable, nor is it something he sought forgiveness from the Lord for.
And Emilie? After she got saved, her faith arc just fizzled out. I would’ve loved to see her get to the nitty-gritty about honesty and forgiveness and kindness and love...and there was so much potential for a beautiful faith arc, but alas. She just kinda went with the flow too.
As for the writing...some moments, the prose was fine, but others, it was telling and stilted. What bugged me the most, though, was how the dialogue sounded so weird at times. Almost as if Zeller were trying to imitate Austen, but a hundred years later in rural Montana. It could have worked, but only had it been handled very carefully. Dialogue is radioactive, people.
And, naturally, I have a host of other pet peeves—but I’d better can it before I end up ranting all night. (If you drop the word “rant” in the comments, I will most definitely divulge those pet peeves for you. *winks*)
In the end, was Love in Disguise a good book? Yes and no. It did have its redeeming qualities (like hilarious parents, a happy-ever-after epilogue, and present faith content), but it also fell flat in a lot of areas that mean a lot to me. Had we just tweaked the plot a wee bit and defined the characters some more, it would’ve been lovely! (Editor brain wants to write out in-depth analyses now...help.)
That said, if you’re looking for a quick read that’ll make you laugh out loud and leave you with a happy ending...then you’ll probably love Love in Disguise! I may just give Penny Zeller’s work another try—this time with a story I know I’ll enjoy more!
Disclaimer: A complimentary copy of this book was provided bythe publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley and CelebrateLit Publicity. All opinions expressed are my own.
about the bookWho knew concealing one’s true identity could be so disastrous?
Who knew asserting one’s independence would cause such embarrassment? If only Almira “Emilie” Crawford Wheeler hadn’t insisted upon carrying her own stack of parcels, she wouldn’t have landed in an unladylike heap on the boardwalk. And what about the half-truth she told the handsome stranger who came to her aid? The stranger she never expected to see again?
Thad Alexander Evanson should have been paying closer attention to the boardwalk, rather than the newfangled automobile motoring down the street. Had he been more astute, a collision with the beautiful parcel-laden stranger might never have happened. And if it never had happened, he wouldn’t have told a partial-truth he figured wouldn’t matter.
Before long, Emilie and Thad are arranging to meet for a noonday meal each weekend in Missoula under the guise of different names. But what happens when their true identities are revealed? When half-truths are exposed? Could God have a plan even in the midst of a tangled web of lies?
snag your copy about the author
Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics.
Today Penny is a multi-published author of several inspirational books. She is also a homeschool mom and a fitness instructor.
When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, cycling, gardening, and playing volleyball.
She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website www.pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.
a word from the authorIn Love in Disguise, the two main characters, Emilie and Thad, are both fond of pie a la mode. It plays a prominent part in the book, especially during Emilie and Thad’s courtship. My inspiration behind the dessert? My aunt’s famous, old-fashioned pie a la mode recipe, which is a family favorite.


lakesidelivingsite, June 8
Labor Not in Vain, June 8
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 9
Texas Book-aholic, June 10
Inklings and notions, June 11
Of Blades and Thorns, June 11
For Him and My Family, June 12
deb’s Book Review, June 13
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 14
Mary Hake, June 14
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 15
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 16
Connie’s History Classroom, June 17
Pause for Tales, June 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 18
Bizwings Blog, June 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 20
Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 20
Splashes of Joy, June 21

I don't know about y'all, but I'm hungry for apple pie and ice cream now! Unfortunately, I'm fresh out...but I've got the next best thing: an epic giveaway, where you can enter for the chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card AND a signed copy of Love in Disguise!
That's almost as good as dessert, huh?
Y'all just click the button below to enter, and don't forget to comment on all the blog stops for extra entries!
Now, I'm off to see what's in the kitchen! Y'all have fun following the tour!
yours in spirit and script, Grace#review #bookreview #blogtour #giveaway #historicalfiction #historicalromance #romance #christianfiction
June 8, 2022
The Bookworm's Tag #4

Man, I cannot believe I have done four of these tags! WOW! Thanks to Lillian Keith for tagging me for this one! Her questions are so fun, and I can't wait to dive into them!
the rules
What’s one book that you wished you would’ve written instead? (i.e The False Prince, Chronicles of Narnia, Hunger Games, Charlotte’s Web, etc.)
Well, this could go two ways. (1) I want to write it myself because it was so good and successful...or (2) because it was so poorly done and I feel I could do better. Why don’t I just do both?
I would love to have written any of Julie Lessman’s books because they are so. good. I’m still holding out hope that I’ll get to at least collab with her on a project one day—that would be a dream come true!
And for the second point, I honestly wouldn’t mind having written Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love...because it has redeeming qualities, but I think the execution was lacking in some ways. I’d like to take the feedback, criticism, and insight readers and reviewers have provided for it over the last few decades and create a story that’s stronger and more universal!
What type of book character would you be? (i.e best friend, comedic side character, wise mentor, etc.)
The mama. And not just any mama. I mean the old-fashioned Southern mama who gives advice from the Good Book and fries chicken.
Either that, or the beautiful and virtuous but stubborn and strong-willed heroine who falls for the dashing but sometimes grumpy hero. *sighs* A girl can dream, can’t she?
Do you prefer humorous stories, more serious stories, or both?
Definitely both! I love stories with serious themes but lighthearted moments to add some life and joy to it! (I’m honestly thinking of The Last Samurai right now. It was a very serious and gory war movie, but it had its moments of beauty, tenderness, and humor, giving it a balanced and well-rounded quality!)
(And there was your movie review of the day! The Last Samurai is actually one of my new favorites!)
What’s one book that you’d like to change the ending to?
Um. Shoot. That’s tough. I typically gravitate toward happy endings, so I can’t think of many bittersweet ones...but maybe Unbreakable by Sara Ella? I just really needed an epilogue with Ky and Em married and ruling together.
Which author is your favorite and why? (Ooo, see what I did there?)
AUGH. WHY SUCH A HARD QUESTION?!
I have many different favorites, for many different reasons...but if I had to pick just one, y’all know it’d be Julie Lessman! I can’t gush about this woman enough! She is so on fire for God, such a blessing to me and to the literary community, and her books are just AH-MAY-ZING!
And then there’s Kellyn Roth, Hannah Linder, Victoria Lynn, Roseanna M. White, Karen Witemeyer, Sara Ella, and so. many. more!
Where is your favorite place to read a book?
I haven’t found one yet, to be honest. I usually read on my bed before I go to sleep because it’s quieter and more comfortable, but I feel like there’s a better place out there somewhere...with a window bench seat...and bookshelves everywhere...and cool breezes...and perfect natural light...and steaming tea...
What genre of book would best describe your personality? (i.e drama, comedy, adventure, etc.)
Definitely drama. Drama and romance. The romance would be the feminine, vintage, daydreamer side...and the drama would be the loud, annoying, anxious side. *winks*
What’s your favorite book cover?
Dude. No. I can’t do that. I just...there are so many, for gosh’s sakes!
Although I am quite partial to the cover of Prisoner at Heart by this one girl named Grace A. Johnson...
Have you ever been carsick while reading a book during a drive?
Pft, no. I don’t get carsick, and I’ve been reading in cars all the time for years.
What’s one fiction book that’d you’d give to a friend with no hesitation?
Um. None of them. Like, I read very niche books (some of which are slightly edgy), so I couldn’t just hand any of them to a random friend without knowing what their preferences are and whatnot. Psh, I wouldn’t even hand my own books to most of my friends, so. *shrugs * I definitely think everyone should read something by Julie Lessman—either A Passion Most Pure or Unfailing Love! Yes, her stuff is edgy and “preachy” and whatnot...but SO POWERFUL. If you can focus on the message and the authenticity and the beauty and the relevance of her work instead of getting your panties in a wad because one character talked about God for a whole paragraph or the love interests kissed, then your life will be changed for the better, trust me.
On the nonfiction side of things, apart from the Bible, I would DEFINITELY hand The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer to ANYONE. Y’all. That book is just...so good. I can’t even think of an adjective to describe it, but every Christian needs to read it. Like, immediately.
tags + questionsI’m only gonna tag the first five people that pop into my head, so if you wanna do this but I didn’t tag you, ye know what to do, me hearty. Ye steal it.
Saraina Whitney Allyson Jamison Kristianne Hassman E. G. Bella Sisters ThreeAnd because I am (1) tired and (2) out of creativity, I’m just gonna give y’all a clean copy of Lillian’s questions. Hers were much better than whatever I could conjure up, trust me.
What’s one book that you wished you would’ve written instead? (i.e The False Prince, Chronicles of Narnia, Hunger Games, Charlotte’s Web, etc.) What type of book character would you be? (i.e best friend, comedic side character, wise mentor, etc.) Do you prefer humorous stories, more serious stories, or both? What’s one book that you’d like to change the ending to? Which author is your favorite and why? (Ooo, see what I did there?) Where is your favorite place to read a book? What genre of book would best describe your personality? (i.e drama, comedy, adventure, etc.) What’s your favorite book cover? Have you ever been carsick while reading a book during a drive? What’s one fiction book that’d you’d give to a friend with no hesitation?What about you? What kind of book character would you be? What genre describes your personality? Let me know in the comments below!
yours in spirit and script,
Grace
#blogtag #bookworm #reader #books #reading #bookwormstag #tag #tagged #tagyoureit #bookishness