My Favorite Review of ’25 to Love!’

/ Joye Johnson / Leave a comment

As of today, I have 12 reviews of 25 to Love!. My romantic comedy about a woman who goes on a dating show as the token person of color has gotten some varied feedback. The one below is my favorite, from a reviewer named T. Wheaton. I don’t know if T. is male or female, but he or she has mastered the art of the helpful review. *Salutes*
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Without further ado, T. Wheaton:

“I loved this. I’ve read other books that use reality shows as their settings. Of all the books I’ve read with this setting, this is probably the one that feels like it gets closest to the truth. Continue reading →

Removing Reviews Is So Not Cool

/ Joye Johnson / 4 Comments

Please hold my calls–I may have to engage in an epic battle. Like many self-published authors, I have had a review pulled for one of my books. I could sing the praises of Cress in Waterbee, ask my brother to sing the praises of Cress in Waterbee, or ask a next-door neighbor to post a review. Oh wait. I can’t do any of that, because the alleged algorithms of a certain website will strike them down.

It sounds noble at first. The guidelines state that Continue reading →

Cue Hero Music

/ Joye Johnson / 4 Comments

‘Scuse me while I nerd out, but Superman is my favorite hero. With it raining comic book movies, I find myself ruminating on why Superman has held my and the world’s attention.image
I feel privileged to remember Christopher Reeve’s take on the Uber Mensch. From George Reeves to Tom Welling, no one ever nailed Superman’s dual identity like Reeve. His Clark Kent was lovable and goofy; his Superman every bit the hero. Reeve succeeded in proving that behavior is the true disguise – act like a milquetoast and no one will notice that you’re 6’4”. Continue reading →

On Damsels and Distress

/ Joye Johnson / 4 Comments

Way back in our collective consciousness is the damsel in distress. The girl in peril at the hands of a villain. She is tied to the railroad tracks. As the piano thunders, a train barrels down on the helpless girl. But in the nick of time comes our hero! He pulls her to safety, they ride off into the sunset, and Bob’s your uncle.

So imagine how hard I belly-laughed when I discovered the play Under the Gaslight. Written in 1873, it featured the first known rescue of someone tied to railroad tracks. The play is Continue reading →

Victorian Medicine – Part 2

/ Joye Johnson / Leave a comment

Cool read. Shows we’ve come a long way, in a way

Airship Ambassador

Welcome back for the conclusion of Virginia Rady’s discussion of medicine and practices in the 1800s.

Part one can be read here

My name is Virginia Rady ( but everyone calls me Sissy) and I have been a nurse practitioner for a year and a half, working in an internal medicine practice. Before that I worked my way up through the ranks at a hospital going from patient care tech, to nurse intern, to nurse, and then charge nurse and preceptor. Healthcare has always been a passion of mine and I think that knowing the history of my profession gives perspective and helps guide future practices. I started being interested in steampunk several years ago, partially out of a love for the fashion and architecture of the Victorian era, but it was the people I met along the way that kept me loving it. This discussion was originally drafted for…

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Cress in Waterbee hit #1 on Amazon Kindle! In a very specific category!

/ Joye Johnson / 1 Comment

Oh my little pretty one, my pretty one – this classic-to-be has hit #1 on Amazon. In a category so narrow that I have to paste it verbatim:

#1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children’s eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Historical Fiction > United States > 1800s

There were three other titles vying for the coveted spot, but the people have spoken. Although there remain 4,025 books ahead of mine overall, it pays to see your niche, know your niche, and be your niche. If you wanna put that on a T-shirt, go ahead. Yes, planet Earth, I shall be insufferably smug tonight. 😌

Nice way to end a promo...

Nice way to end a promo…