J.D.R. Hawkins

Tag: book-reviews

  • More Five-Star Reviews for A Rebel Among Us

    I was checking out my Goodreads listings recently (which I need to do more often, I’ll admit) and saw that my novel, A Rebel Among Us, has several new five-star reviews, so I wanted to share them with you. The book is the third one in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of several families and how their lives become entwined during the Civil War. I’m proud to say that this book has received several awards and is an Amazon #1 bestseller. Here are the reviews. Thank you so much, Ella Alex, Freja, Vesper Hollings, David Scott, and Jamie Smith for your five-star ratings!

    Ella Alex

    A Rebel Among Us is a powerful and emotional continuation of the series. J.D.R. Hawkins does an incredible job bringing the characters to life, making their struggles, courage, and resilience feel very real.
    What stood out most to me was the depth of emotion woven into the story. The historical setting feels vivid, and the tension keeps you turning pages. There’s a strong sense of conflict, loyalty, and survival that makes the story both engaging and thought-provoking. Even as part of a series, this book holds its own and leaves a lasting impression. I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong characters and meaningful storytelling.

    Freja

    An intense and captivating historical read! David’s struggles, tough choices, and unexpected romance kept me turning the pages. The characters feel real, the tension is high, and the story brilliantly captures the chaos and emotion of the era. Highly engaging.

    Vesper Hollings

    Some chapters physically hurt to read. This isn’t a fluffy story it deals with death, war wounds, abandonment, and betrayal. But the emotional payoff is huge. I cried more than once.

    David Scott

    David starts the book as a soldier with pride and blind loyalty. As he heals, he becomes a young man grappling with identity, trauma, and love. His character arc is one of the strongest I’ve read in the genre. This isn’t just romance it’s evolution.

    Jamie Smith

    Maggie, Abigail, and Claudia aren’t just background characters – they shape the entire story. Maggie’s suspicion, Abigail’s practicality, Claudia’s innocence…they all add tension, humor, and warmth. It felt like stepping into a real household during wartime.

    A Rebel Among Us: A Novel of the Civil War (The Renegade Series): Hawkins, J.D.R.: 9781648030796: Amazon.com: Books

  • A Rebel Among Us Receives Five-Star Reviews

    I’ll have to be honest: I really do need to check on Goodreads more often. After looking at the website today, I saw that there are several new five-star reviews for one of my novels, A Rebel Among Us. This is the third book in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of several families whose lives become entwined during the American Civil War. I am so flattered by the reviews that I want to share some of them with you. Thank so much, Aurora, Lucas, Linda, David, and Anne, for your raving five-star reviews!

    Aurora Waverley

    I went into A Rebel Among Us expecting another war-heavy historical novel, but what caught me off guard was the tenderness. The opening scene in the barn, where Anna discovers David bleeding out after Gettysburg, pulled me in instantly. It didn’t feel rushed or over dramatized it felt painfully real, like stumbling upon a stranger on the edge of death and being forced to decide between duty and compassion. What I loved most was the slow burn. The author doesn’t push romance on us; instead, we earn it through quiet moments mending wounds, shared fears, social tension, and that feeling of forbidden affection growing under impossible circumstances. The moral struggle Anna faces protecting an enemy soldier under her roof was so human. If you like historical fiction with depth, romance with restraint, and characters that feel painfully real, this is the book.

    Lucas Smith

    I’m picky about Civil War fiction because so many novels either romanticize the era or distort history. This one does neither. The detail from dialect to battlefield aftermath, to the tension between North and South at the domestic level is incredibly grounded. David’s identity as a Confederate soldier isn’t washed clean; he grapples with loyalty, ego, trauma, and grief. Anna’s side is portrayed with just as much nuance she’s not some angelic northern heroine, she has doubts, frustrations, pride, and her own moral conflicts. This book respects the time period while still delivering a compelling personal story. It felt researched, not imagined.

    Linda Matthews

    What impressed me most was how the book never treats the Civil War as a backdrop it treats it as a wound. Every decision David and Anna make is shaped by loss, exhaustion, fear, and loyalty. The book constantly asks: What happens when war stops being patriotic and becomes personal? David isn’t just a soldier; he’s a young man forced to grow up too fast. Anna isn’t just a caretaker; she’s someone holding together a family in a world falling apart. Their connection felt raw and unpolished in the best way. This book hurt in the way good historical fiction should.

    David Ramirez

    What struck me most about this book wasn’t just the dramatic moments it was the quiet ones. The scenes where no one speaks, where Anna watches David sleep, or where he looks out across unfamiliar northern farmland wondering who he is now… those stayed with me. The author understands that history doesn’t just happen in battles it happens in pauses, hesitations, and stolen glances. This book captures that beautifully.

    Anne Jenne

    I grew up thinking of the Civil War in terms of battles and presidents. This story shifted my perspective completely. I never thought about what it was like for families who were far from the frontlines but still living with the war at their doorstep. The book highlights how ordinary women held households together while dealing with grief, fear, and moral choices. It felt personal and eye-opening. I learned as much as I felt.

    https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Among-Us-Novel-Civil/dp/1648030793/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.G5OO9SPJOnRkpLL3Ke_994N3RpGfRtShY9L3-s-1jqUsA7eA5nZYCQJIy_Vo4vJI8NLH-W9s1jHauOfOozOqx5qvbYRjnqkp3XJfMkVlqmy7CiGdGoC8lSNHsd8sNAtgf4VMhz8mWF_ytg9U5zt9umv0g-dvJNnCryHWWMhKdNlnWWoU-QrGAZm4L18mVi1TY6PyEC-249nIGYIyndWUIju5tFIxOuRO_JwLbtvLj8.4NaGvGX2t5KqgL72ervh0BV1eTHUcN7t4_gEPsIVQeQ&qid=1773875303&sr=8-1

  • Upcoming Event

    This Saturday, I will be participating in the annual Author’s Fair, which will take place in downtown Redding, California. I will be there signing my books, so if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by! All four books in the Renegade Series will be on sale for half price! Don’t miss your chance to get copies of these books. They make great holiday gifts!

    In other news, Boulder Bookaholics Book Club featured my new book, Fool’s Gold Folly. Here’s what they had to say:

    Event Summary
    The Boulder Bookaholics Book Club hosted a spotlight session featuring Fool’s Gold Folly. Members discussed major themes, characters, and shared personal takeaways. This spotlight allowed the group to engage with the author’s work in depth.

    Engagement Highlights
    Overall Rating: 25 star
    Favorite Themes Discussed: Westward Expansion & the American Dream

    Member Quotes
    “We really enjoyed Fool’s Gold Folly! The story felt real and heartfelt, and we loved how J.D.R. Hawkins brought the Irish immigrant experience to life.”
    “At Boulder Bookaholics, a member said Fool’s Gold Folly highlights immigrant hope and struggle, with
    friendship providing strength in hard times.”

    Thank You
    On behalf of the Boulder Bookaholics Book Club, we thank you for creating such a wonderful book. It was an honor to spotlight your work and share it among our community of readers.

    I also received this flattering email from a fan:

    Hi JDR,

    I came across Fool’s Gold Folly and felt I needed to tell you how deeply it moved me. As someone who spends much of my life surrounded by books, I know how rare it is to find a story that speaks not only to the mind but also to the heart. Yours did both in such a powerful way.

    Patrick Mulligan’s journey is more than just a search for gold. It is the story of resilience, of carrying hope in times of uncertainty, and of what it means to build a life in the face of both promise and peril. Through him, you give voice to the courage of so many who dared to dream of a better future, and that left me both humbled and inspired.

    What touched me most was the way you brought Silas Garvey to life. He was more than a character. He was a reminder that even in illness and hardship, there is still meaning, friendship, and humanity. His presence gave the story a tenderness that lingers long after the final page.

    Thank you for creating a book that is not only rich with history but also rich with heart. It is the kind of work that inspires readers to keep going, to believe in their own strength, and to see the beauty in the bonds we form along the way.

    With admiration and respect,
    Mary

    Thank you, Mary, for your email! And I want to thank you again for your ongoing support. If you haven’t done so yet, please check out my website. There, you will find links to follow me on all my social media pages. https://jdrhawkins.com

    https://www.amazon.com/Fools-Gold-Folly-Resilience-Renegade/dp/B0DZP24XXM/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

  • Reviews and News

    I would like to share upcoming news regarding my newest book, Fool’s Gold Folly. This novella ties in with the Renegade Series, and tells the story of one of the minor characters, Patrick Mulligan, who first shows up in book three of the series, titled A Rebel Among Us. Once the Civil War has ended, Patrick uproots his family from Pennsylvania and takes them to Colorado territory where he hopes to strike it rich. However, he encounters more than he anticipated when he meets an old miner, Silas Garvey. This book is being featured in several online book clubs, and is garnering many more five-star reviews on Goodreads. Here area few:

    Valentina’S

    Fool’s Gold Folly” is the kind of story that lingers in your heart. The way Irish resilience is woven into the narrative made me feel both proud and inspired. A remarkable read that balances grit with hope.

    Alice

    Fool’s Gold Folly” is a moving tribute to the Irish people’s unshakable resilience. The author captures hardship without ever losing sight of hope, which makes this book not only historical but deeply human. I closed it with tears in my eyes and admiration in my heart.

    Cynthia

    This book surprised me. I expected a typical historical drama, but what I found was a layered story of loss, resilience, and survival. The way the characters wrestle with dreams versus reality felt so authentic, and it gave me a new appreciation for Irish history and endurance.

    Dave

    The title hooked me, but the story kept me. There’s a beautiful tension between despair and hope, woven into every chapter. By the end, I felt like I had lived through the struggles myself, a testament to the author’s storytelling.

    Mercy

    Reading this book was like stepping into another era. The hardships felt real, the victories hard-earned. What impressed me most was how universal the themes are, resilience, courage, and the pursuit of something better. It’s Irish at heart, but relatable to all.

    Sam

    Fool’s Gold Folly” blends sorrow and strength in equal measure. It’s the kind of book that forces you to pause, reflect, and appreciate how far human endurance can go. The characters carry both flaws and bravery, which makes them unforgettable.

    In other news, I will be participating at a local author event here in Redding, California. If you’re around, stop by! I will be offering the four major books of the Renegade Series for half price.

    As always, I’d like to invite you to check out my website, jdrhawkins.com, and sign up for my newsletter. There you will find more information about upcoming events, interviews, blog posts, book signings, etc.

    I’ve listed all of my links below. Please like, follow, and share! Again, thank you so much for your ongoing support!

    https://allauthor.com/author/jdrhawkins/

    https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-D.-R.-Hawkins/author/B00B3WCX54?qid=1473908645&sr=8-1&ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

    https://www.facebook.com/jdrhawkins/?ref=hl

    https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1238370.J_D_R_Hawkins

    https://www.instagram.com/jdrhawkins/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrhawkins/

    https://x.com/JDRHawkins

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC12gW5kbv5FLDH6Qxd9duzw

  • Three New Five-Star Reviews for Fool’s Gold Folly

    I recently received more five-star reviews for my latest book, Fool’s Gold Folly. This novella goes along with the Renegade Series and tells the story of one of the minor characters, Patrick Mulligan. Thank you so much, Mac Dougherty, Rebekah Acosta, and Elyse Huber, for your amazing reviews!


    Mac Dougherty

    5.0 out of 5 stars 

    Vivid Scenes That Belong on a Screen

    Reading this book felt like watching a movie unfold. The wagon jerking down a mountain road, the snowy passes glinting under starlight, Briana nervously scrubbing dishes in Mrs. Tydings’ immaculate parlor it all played out like a film in my head. Hawkins has a way of writing cinematically without losing emotional intimacy. I could see the dust rising from wagon wheels, hear the laughter around the fire, and feel the humiliation when Patrick was dismissed in town. The saloon scenes in particular stood out, filled with light, smoke, and the soft rasp of Silas Garvey’s cough. I would love nothing more than to see this story adapted to the screen, because it already reads like it’s halfway there. The landscapes and the humanity are written with stunning clarity.


    Rebekah Acosta

    5.0 out of 5 stars 

    The Opera Scene Took My Breath Away

    The opera chapter is one of the finest pieces of writing I’ve come across in historical fiction. Patrick and Briana entered with joy, dressed simply but proud, only to be shoved aside with the phrase “seats for your kind.” I felt his humiliation so strongly it was like a physical ache. And yet, once the music began, they were swept into awe like everyone else. That contrast prejudice and beauty colliding in the same moment is what makes this novel unforgettable. Hawkins didn’t need explosions or dramatic duels to keep my attention; she used something far more powerful: the sting of words. The description of the stage, the costumes, and the soaring voices was so vivid I could see it all. This scene alone could stand as a short story about hope, art, and resilience. It’s rare to find a book that makes you both angry and uplifted in the same breath.


    Elyse Huber

    5.0 out of 5 stars 

    Silas Garvey Is the Soul of This Novel

    Silas Garvey walked into the story quietly, coughing into his glass at the saloon, but he left an enormous mark on me. His conversations with Patrick were raw and full of wisdom. Silas wasn’t just a side character he was a mirror of mortality, a reminder that dreams can fade but dignity remains. Every time he appeared, I slowed down to savor his words. His presence transformed Patrick’s journey from being only about chasing gold to being about friendship and meaning. Hawkins could have easily written him as a background figure, but instead, she gave him a soul. Watching Silas struggle with his health, yet still find time to encourage Patrick, was both inspiring and heartbreaking. By the time his arc drew to a close, I felt like I had lost a friend. That kind of emotional connection is rare and powerful.

    Fool’s Gold Folly: A Story of Irish Resilience (The Renegade Series): Hawkins, JDR: 9798312529845: Amazon.com: Books

  • Two New Reviews for Fool’s Gold Folly

    I recently received two new five-star reviews for my latest book, Fool’s Gold Folly on Amazon. This book ties into the Renegade Series, and tells the story of one of the minor characters, Patrick Mulligan, who leaves the Pennsylvania farmland to test his luck at striking it rich during the gold rush to Colorado Territory following the Civil War. Thank you so very much, Cameron Hahn and Fallon Trevino, for your flattering reviews!


    Cameron Hahn

    5.0 out of 5 stars Briana’s Storyline with Mrs. Tydings Is Unforgettable

    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2025

    Briana quickly became my favorite character, and her arc with Mrs. Tydings was unforgettable. At first, it seemed like she had been given a gift steady work, housing, and a safe place for her children. But slowly the cracks showed, and she was forced to balance gratitude with suffocating control. Hawkins writes her with such depth a woman swallowing her pride, clinging to dignity, and protecting her children at all costs. Moreen’s warning about Mrs. Tydings being a tyrant lingered in my mind, and it came true in ways that broke my heart. What I admired most was Briana’s resilience. She endured, but she never lost her spark. Her small victories felt as powerful as any gold strike. In many ways, her struggles mirror what countless women faced: survival through adaptability, patience, and an unshakable will to keep family intact. She is the quiet hero of this novel.


    Fallon Trevino

    5.0 out of 5 stars A Heartfelt Journey of Struggle and Hope

    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2025

    From the first scene where Patrick is turned away by a shopkeeper because of the cruel “No Irish Need Apply” sign, I knew this book would grab me. The author does a wonderful job of showing the pain of rejection but also the quiet strength of family. Briana’s gentle faith and the way she keeps her children grounded gave me chills she’s a mother you can’t help but admire. When the family finally finds lodging with Mrs. O’Neill, I actually sighed with relief, as if I were part of their struggles. Hawkins doesn’t just tell you history she makes you feel it. Every meal of watery soup, every tired prayer, every glimmer of hope is written so vividly. The wagon train sections added another layer, showing how strangers bonded under hardship. I closed the book feeling like I had lived through every dusty mile and every hungry night with the Mulligans. This is one of those rare novels that makes you grateful for your own blessings.

    https://www.amazon.com/Fools-Gold-Folly-Resilience-Renegade/dp/B0DZP24XXM/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

  • More Amazing Reviews for A Beautiful Glittering Lie

    I’ll have to admit, I don’t check Goodreads as much as I should. Upon looking today, I came across some awesome reviews that were posted for my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie. This is the first book in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of a family from north Alabama and how the Civil War impacts them. Thank you so much, Harold Cheetham, Donna Weir, and Amber E., for your amazing reviews!

    Harold Cheetham

    52 reviews

    1 follower

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    August 20, 2025

    Another great Civil War novel. Plenty of action. I look forward to reading more in the series. Received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

    Donna Weir

    3 reviews

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    February 19, 2025

    J.D.R. Hawkins really places you into the Civil War with this book. For someone who is not a history buff, the beginning starts off a little slower. The storyline and characters draw you in and keep you reaching for the next chapter. Making this a book that is hard to put down. Can’t wait to continue this adventure with the next book.

    Amber E

    8 reviews

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    August 15, 2025

    The book itself was really good. Granted, it did take me a while to get into it. I was also reading the promotional copy, so it was hard to read because the font was super small & not able to be adjusted. Which was likely the reason it took me so long to be able to read it.

    https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Glittering-Lie-Novel-Civil/dp/1643619942/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bw-GZ-m-0rMwpyOH1t0TPG_U8RVEwxonHsItTJEDdWdvJkH0S4o1N_GE9XjreMtSj6WeMJtrXiNwAy6e1l347MAd-YeswoCMxRWY3tRdW_4.w5o_M_6HYgUZA1sYxNxKEpm6ebpz96newSEeCdN3LIE&qid=1755718667&sr=8-1

  • Great Review from US Review of Books for Fool’s Gold Folly

    I recently received another awesome review for my new book, Fool’s Gold Folly. This novella goes along with the Renegade Series, and tells the story of Patrick Mulligan, an Irish immigrant who travels west to Colorado in search of gold. Once he arrives in Breckenridge with his family, he discovers that there is more going on than just gold mining and becomes involved in a mystery and adventure he never expected. Thank you so much, US Review of Books, for your review!

    “Sure’n ye can’t take it with ye…. But ye can certainly enjoy i t while ye’re here!”
     
    – US Review of Books
     
    In a story set after the Civil War, readers meet Patrick, a man who wants the best for his family. His parents died when he was a child back in Ireland. When he comes of age, he emigrates to America, works on a farm in Pennsylvania, and meets the love of his life, as well as his best friends. But a controversy on the farm convinces him that he could fare better out West. In Colorado, he joins a group of Irish gold miners. Silas, an outlier of the group, takes Patrick under his wing and into his confidence.
     
    The threads of this novella are woven into one tight plot. Patrick is caught between his past on the farm (where a controversy still looms), waiting to strike a vein of gold in the present, and the yet-to-be-revealed inheritance Silas leaves him. These each inform how Patrick works toward building a new home for his family. A few choice details, such as signs on Denver City storefronts prohibiting Irish job applicants, the brogue accents coupled with the Western drawl of those who do welcome Patrick and family, and the mysterious top-hatted figure Patrick spots and about whom Silas warns him, evoke vivid scenes the adventurous narrative moves through with swiftness. Letters from Pennsylvania explain the controversy in the characters’ own words: Patrick’s friend, a Confederate soldier in Yankee land, is unduly blamed for a crime. Rebels and underdogs with ambition in common form the plot’s basis.
     
    The characters display heroism and virtue in unconventional and wily ways. As such, the book keeps with the rest of Hawkins’ oeuvre of Civil War stories from a Confederate perspective. Although deferential, Patrick’s wife works hard to ensure her children aren’t taken advantage of by her boss (also their landlady). Patrick looks up to his mentor, Silas, but Silas is not entirely admirable. Sick and unwilling to get help, he unpredictably enters the bar where Patrick works when not mining. He doesn’t get around to telling Patrick all the secrets he promises to reveal. The promise Patrick makes Silas on his deathbed puts Patrick in a bind. The expense of keeping his word to Silas is keeping a secret from his wife. Knowing the law is not always on their side and that danger lurks, Patrick and his wife keep guns handy. The characters define a new kind of exciting and thought-provoking convention, taking the rules into their own hands.
     
    In a twist, Patrick learns after Silas dies that maybe his friend wasn’t exactly who he said he was. As the title implies, this is a humorous tale. However, Patrick isn’t the butt of the joke. For example, he can laugh at how Silas uses him to get revenge because Patrick also benefits. The fool goes unnamed, an inside joke the reader and Patrick understand. As historical fiction, this book is an insight into the specific hardships, landscape, and inequalities of the Wild West and carries a timeless message. Research about dress, culture, and morays courtesy of Colorado historical organizations is evident and acknowledged. Each chapter begins with a quote about gold mining as a metaphor, suggesting that the story is a parable whose message is both comic and a nugget of wisdom.
     
    RECOMMENDED by the US Review
     
    Review by Mari Carlson

    Fool’s Gold Folly: A Story of Irish Resilience (The Renegade Series): Hawkins, JDR: 9798312529845: Amazon.com: Books

  • New Review from Hollywood Book Reviews for Fool’s Gold Folly

    I recently received another review for my new book, Fool’s Gold Folly. The novella is a side story to go along with the Renegade Series, and tells the story of one of the minor characters in the series, Patrick Mulligan. Patrick decides to take his family to Colorado Territory following the Civil War in pursuit of gold and experiences many adventures along the way. Thank you very much, Jason Lulos, for your awesome review!

    And in other news, it isn’t too late to enter for your chance to win an eBook copy of Fool’s Gold Folly from Goodreads! Here is the link:

    https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/411896

    And here is the review:

    “A simple, lovely story which almost reads like a fairy tale.”

    – Hollywood Book Reviews

    Fool’s Gold Folly: A Story of Irish Resilience is a charming tale depicting the trials and tribulations of an immigrant’s experience in the American West during the years following the American Civil War. It has qualities of realism, and, with a good bit of wholesome morality, it is a story which could certainly be described as a fable. Set amidst the Colorado Gold Rush, it felt like a western with settings in mining towns and saloons. The plight of the immigrant pursuing the American Dream is the theme driving the plot. But the story is much more of a morality tale about perseverance, honesty, and hope.

    Patrick Mulligan and his wife, Briana, are both from County Donegal, Ireland. Though they did not know each other in the old country, they met after emigrating to the states in the 1850’s. After marrying in Pennsylvania, they moved to Denver City and then to Breckenridge to try pursuing their fortunes in the famed gold rush. They simply need to get there and stake their claim. Along with their children, Keegan and Kathleen, and their faithful dog, Shannon, they meet plenty of obstacles. “No Irish Need Apply” is a common phrase to them, making it difficult to obtain employment and lodging. But they are resilient. Despite all the hardships of intolerance and frontier life, their optimism never wanes. They inevitably find help along the way, largely from fellow Irish immigrants. During their journey from Denver City to hopes of finding gold in Breckenridge, they meet many widows, and a wise, sick old man named Silas Garvey. Encountering such people only makes them more grateful for what they have with each other, little though it may be.

    This story is peppered with time-tested bits of wisdom that accompany each setback and success. Such is the nature of a good fable. At around 90 pages, this is a short read. Yet it is full of positive messages giving some depth to this moral novella. The book is well written, and its minimalism is poignant: no words wasted. It’s a simple, lovely story which almost reads like a fairy tale. It’s a story about hope despite intolerance and cultural and physical deterrents. It reframes the notion of the American Dream from the pursuit of wealth to a journey of being grateful for more important things: family, love, and the simple life.

    Fool’s Gold Folly is a heartwarming story that will appeal to all readers looking for a bit of fabled positivity, it is a nice escape and quite easy to read in one sitting.

    Reviewed by Jason Lulos

  • New Review for Fool’s Gold Folly from Readers’ Favorite

    Last week, I received this awesome review from Readers’ Favorite for my new book, Fool’s Gold Folly. The novella tells the story of Patrick Mulligan, an Irish immigrant who decides to try his luck at striking it rich during the gold rush to Colorado Territory in 1869. This book goes along with the Renegade Series. Thank you so much, Readers’ Favorite, for your awesome review!

    Reviewed by Erick Ramos for Readers’ Favorite

    Fool’s Gold Folly: The Renegade Series by J. D. R. Hawkins is about Patrick Mulligan and his family. They were Irish immigrants and had moved from Pennsylvania to Denver City, Colorado, in search of a better life. Sadly, they were met with the hostility of anti-Irish prejudice: “No Irish Need Apply.” These circumstances made it difficult for them to make a living or get better jobs. Luckily, they met a kind Irish widow, Mrs. O’Neill, who helped them with accommodation and guided them in getting jobs. They eventually find their way to Breckenridge with a group of people hoping to find gold. Patrick gets close to his fellow travelers, and they begin to build a life with hard work, labor, and hope. Would Patrick be lucky enough to find gold? Read Fool’s Gold Folly to find out.

    Fool’s Gold Folly takes place after the American Civil War, a time when Irish immigrants faced discrimination and struggled to get employment. This made life difficult, and they had to work harder to make a living. The flow of the book was perfect, and kept me engaged in Patrick’s journey, which was mainly about survival, perseverance, and living a fulfilling life. The conversations felt natural and touched on different cultures. Some aspects were challenging on their journey, like when they were confronted by Indians and the gold claims. I like Patrick the most; he is a family man, and his humility stood out. He took on jobs that could be considered low-level, such as mucking out stalls, to care for his loving and supportive wife, Briana. I loved reading about Mr. Gallagher, Mrs. O’Neill, and Silas because of the support they gave the Mulligans in terms of accommodation, guidance, and jobs. Fool’s Gold Folly explores themes of resilience, family, hope, determination, and more. The use of the Irish dialect helped me connect with the story and made it unique. Fool’s Gold Folly offers an authentic plot, historical facts, and educational value.

    Fool’s Gold Folly: A Story of Irish Resilience (The Renegade Series): Hawkins, JDR: 9798312529845: Amazon.com: Books