MEET THE AUTHOR
Mary Ellen Johnson
Mary Ellen Johnson writes sweeping historical fiction where love collides with power, loyalty, and revolution. Her six-book KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND series brings the turbulent fourteenth century to life—from the reign of Edward II to the Battle of Shrewsbury—blending real history with unforgettable fictional lives.
She is also the author of the time-travel romances BEFORE I WAKE and ETERNAL BELOVED, where past and present intertwine in stories of destiny and devotion.
What People Say
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Good Reads/ December 8, 2025
The Golden Promise of Cripple Creek is one of those stories that pulls you in quietly at first, and then—somewhere between the saloons, the strike lines, and the unexpected sweetness of its central romance—you realize you’re completely invested.
What impressed me most is how richly Mary Ellen Johnson brings the 1903–1904 Cripple Creek era to life. The labor wars during this time are turbulent, complicated, and honestly not talked about enough, yet the author weaves them into the story with a level of detail that feels both vivid and deeply human. It’s a powerful reminder that while history may not repeat itself, it certainly knows how to rhyme.
Maeve Mooney is such a fun “fish-out-of-water” heroine. Watching a modern influencer with very modern priorities drop straight into a world with entirely different expectations especially for women creates so many fascinating and often funny moments. Her personality clashes with the era in the best way, and her growth feels natural and earned.
And then there’s the love story. The chemistry between Maeve and Ronan is warm, grounded, and rooted in shared values rather than clichés. Their relationship becomes a lens for exploring resilience, sacrifice, and what it means to stand up for a cause bigger than yourself. I loved that the romance didn’t overshadow the historical stakes—it amplified them.
This book strikes a lovely balance between romance, history, and time-travel adventure. It’s perfect for Colorado readers, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys stories that mix grit with tenderness. A memorable, heartfelt read that lingers long after the last page.
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What a great read!
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2023 Format: Kindle Verified Purchase
I so much enjoyed reading this series. It has everything an historic novel should, action, adventure, romance and most of all, I love the spirituality it shows in these characters and to their stories.
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Within A Forest Dark/ Knights of England, Book Three "Steeped in history, Within a Forest Dark speaks of a brutal time in fourteenth century England and France. Ms Johnson's obvious knowledge and research of that era is astounding and she therefore has the ability to bring it alive for the reader."~Margaret Watkins, eBook Discovery