JANUARY 2025

Hello, 2025…

Well, well, well. Here we are again.

A new year, a blank page.

If you’re anything like me (with a relentless Type-A brain and an irrepressible love of making lists), you’re absolutely in your element right now.

Brimming with good intention, I bought a beautiful daily planner for 2025. I predict I will use it regularly for approximately four and a half weeks, then promptly forget about it and revert to my old ways — i.e., plugging everything into the electronic calendar equipped by my laptop. But for this brief moment, when the year is fresh and hopes are high, I’m finding joy in the analog chronicling of appointments and obligations with real, actual ink on real, actual paper.

It’s only the second week of January but, already, so many slots are filling up on said calendar. I confess, it’s a little overwhelming to look at the full year ahead. I have a lot of commitments coming my way over the next 12 months, for both writing and travel.

A book to finish drafting.

A book to finalize editing.

A book to (at long, long last) release into the world.

As I type this newsletter, it’s a bone-chilling and blustery evening here in New England — the kind that makes you feel like a character in an Agatha Christie novel. I’m sitting under my warmest throw blanket, drinking a big mug of coffee (which I may or may not have spiked with a dash of Irish cream).

Pour yourself a cup and cuddle up beside me, will you? It’s time for a chat…

The last time we spoke was waaaaaay back in October. (I know, I know, I’ve neglected you terribly. Forgive me?) I’d just begun working on book three in my fantasy trilogy. In a plot twist surprising to no one, three months later, I am still working on book three in my fantasy trilogy — albeit, slightly farther along in the process.

What can I say? The holidays derailed my momentum, as they predictably do. Between family visits and end-of-year commitments, there were presents to purchase and turkeys to roast and, generally speaking, much merriment to be had. It’s always a busy time of year, but doubly so when you’re trying to get a book written over the course of it.

The book in question is long, too. The third in the trilogy, with a complex plot, a metric ton of characters, and huge expectations of overall epicness. So, I’m giving myself some grace. I’m not beating myself up too much for not finishing it by the time the clocks struck midnight on New Year’s Eve.

And, technically, as the manuscript is not due to be turned in to my publishers until April, I have time to savor every sentence.

I admit, it’s strange to be ahead of schedule for once in my life. I spent most of my early publishing years flying by the seat of my pants, barely making deadlines. (And, okay, occasionally hearing them whoosh by as I missed them completely.)

This whole “months of cushion time” thing is a big change… but a much needed one. My skin has never looked clearer, my blood pressure is perfect, and even my insomnia has eased. Turns out, structure is great for my Type A brain. (Who would’ve ever guessed?!)

Anyway, you’d better believe I’m taking the next few months as an opportunity to make this manuscript the most un-put-downable version I possibly can before it leaves my hands.

And once I’m done…

Hard as it is to believe, it will be time to start writing something new. My brain is already percolating with ideas for my next project. Sad as I’ll be to say goodbye to this series, I know by the time spring begins to thaw the winter ice, I’ll be diving headfirst into a new world with new characters…

Meanwhile, you’ll finally be meeting these ones! ↓↓

This week marks 3 MONTHS until THE WIND WEAVER hits shelves. The countdown is officially on!

It’s been so exciting to see this book tagged in your “2025 TBR” lists on Instagram and TikTok. I must give a huge shout out to everyone who already added it to their Goodreads shelf! Thanks to you, it was ranked as one of the Most Anticipated 2025 Romantasy books by Goodreads.

You can check out the full list here.

And here it is again, listed in some very good company over on Screen Rant as one of 15 upcoming Romantasy books!

Here’s what they had to say…

The Wind Weaver offers readers a magical adventure, as it follows Rhya, a halfling—and one of four magical remnants—who is saved from execution by the mysterious and mercenary Commander Scythe. Now in enemy hands, Rhya will need to discover how to master her power in order to restore the balance of maegic and save the realm. Johnson's latest novel, The Wind Weaver, will likely become one of the best romantic fantasy novels to release in 2025.

You can read the full article here.

How cool is that?!

If you haven’t already pre-ordered your hardcover copy, I’d love your support. It’s available at all the major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, and (I hope) some of your favorite indie bookstores, too.

You can also request an advanced review copy on NetGalley (now for both USA and UK readers) or Edelweiss if you are a blogger/librarian/bookseller/reviewer!

NOTE: if you were denied on NetGalley, fear not! About a month before publication, I’ll be giving away a limited number of signed hardcovers (along with some bonus goodies!) to bookish influencers and bloggers. Keep an eye on my socials and my upcoming newsletters for the sign-up form.

In some final bookish news, my spicy, spooky rom-com BAD LUCK CHARM was selected by Amazon as a Kindle Monthly Deal. What does that mean?

(Don’t worry, I’m about to tell you.)

For the entire month of January, you can pick up a copy of BAD LUCK CHARM for just $2.99 instead of the regular $6.99!

Promo valid in USA/CAN stores only.

We have a lot to catch up on, in this section. My fault, since I skipped sending my November/December newsletters and, thus, have left you woefully uninformed about my life.

(Unless you follow me on Instagram, in which case you already know what I’ve been up to lately.)

Back in October, I told you all that I was itching for a new adventure after spending so much time at the keyboard. My travel-loving heart craved some fresh inspiration, and my overworked body demanded a rest from nonstop typing.

I needed a break.

And I took one!

Almost as soon as I signed off my last email, in fact, I pulled up a tab and booked a flight to a place I’d never been before: Sedona, Arizona.

Happy to report, I spent a week hiking the red rock formations, soaking in the healing vibes at the infamous spiritual vortexes, and sitting in a hot tub until my stress melted away. It was a rejuvenating experience in every way.

Not only did I leave feeling like a better version of myself, these rocky red landscapes were a great muse for the geographical formations of my fantasy world — you’ll see when you read the later books in the trilogy!

Before flying home to Boston, I made a four hour detour north to visit the Grand Canyon, which has always been on my bucket list. There, I rode an adorable mule named Sharee around the South Rim. It was the perfect way to see the expansive views, and an experience I’ll never forget.

Here I am in my cowgirl era…

I returned to Boston in early November brimming with fresh writing mojo, ready to tackle my manuscript full-throttle. I genuinely believed I was done with suitcases and travel-sized toiletries for the year. I thought that was going to be my final adventure for 2024.

Alas…

Life threw me an unexpected curveball just before Thanksgiving when I got a text from an old college friend. Turns out, she’d scored last-minute tickets to see Taylor Swift up in Toronto. Did I possibly want to go with her?

YOU BET I DID!

Before I knew it, I was on an uncomfortably small propeller plane headed north from Boston to Canada for one of the final Eras Tour concerts. I’d seen the show before, more than a year ago, and it was so amazing to see it one last time. Definitely a highlight of my year, and a great (unplanned) final trip for 2024!

Then, in a blink, it was Thanksgiving.

I blinked again, and it was Christmas.

Blink, blink, blink. The holidays passed by in a rush of family, friends, and food. I brined and cooked a 22-lb turkey. I drank spiked egg-nog. I sang off-key to Bing Crosby. I decorated a massive tree with way too many ornaments.

I didn’t touch my computer. I stopped looking at the clock altogether. Like everyone else, I lost track of time, of the passing days, of what damn planet I was on, trapped in that weird liminal space between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Is it me, or did the holidays feel extra long this year?

Let’s just say, by the time they ended, I was very ready to get back to a normal routine. Back to writing, back to my regularly scheduled life. Back to healthy meals, exercise, and most important of all: writing my book without any freaking interruptions!

I hope you all had a lovely holiday season, wherever you are and whatever you celebrate.

Before I bid you adieu in what has become an excessively long newsletter, I’ll share what I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to lately.

For TV this month, I’ve been captivated by True Detective: Night Country, starring Jodie Foster as the titular detective. (She actually won a Golden Globe for her performance this past weekend.) It’s a twisty, turny mystery set during the endless night in small-town Alaska.

After I watched that season, I went back and rewatched the other three available seasons of True Detective. (Each season is a different story with different characters.) I’m about a decade late, but WOW. It is such compulsively binge-watchable television, with compelling characters and great writing. If you haven’t watched it yet, I recommend it.

I haven’t been listening to much music lately, because I find it too distracting while I’m writing. I need total silence. (Or a loop of “brown noise” with my noise-cancelling headphones, haha.) But in next month’s newsletter, I’ll be sharing the official playlist for THE WIND WEAVER, which is heavy on the dark, epic fantasy vibes. I’m deeply obsessed with it.

For books, I’ve recently picked up copies of Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. I was also lucky enough to receive some ARCs of upcoming romantasies from my US publisher, including Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle and Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews. These are highly anticipated 2025 releases, and I can’t wait to read them when I have some free time.

Phew.

That was a lot.

I promise not to wait so long or write so much, next time around. Seeing as my February newsletter will be out in just a few short weeks, I should proooobably start writing it now in order to get it out on time.

(I won’t, but I know I should.)

Happy, happy, happy new year to all of you. I hope 2025 is full of good health, happiness, laughter, adventure, and all the joy life has to offer.

Until next month…