J.D.R. Hawkins

Tag: Civil War

  • Amazon A+ Content

    We have been working diligently to get more visibility for my books on various platforms. One project we’ve been working on is creating A+ content for Amazon with the Renegade Series. Here is what we have so far. Please don’t hesitate to let me know what you think. Thanks so much!

    A+ CONTENT PREVIEW

    The Renegade Series

    J.D.R. Hawkins
    Civil War Historical Fiction

    “A story about a family, a war, and the unbearable cost of both.”

    Amazon Bestseller · USA Today Bestseller · WSJ Bestseller · B.R.A.G. Medallion

    The Renegade Series
    The war stories you’ve read told one side. This one tells the other.
    J.D.R. Hawkins is one of the very few female authors to write the Civil War from the Confederate front lines — bringing that world to life with unflinching honesty and extraordinary emotional depth.
    At the heart of the series is David Summers — eighteen years old, from a quiet farm in north Alabama. He owns no slaves. He has no political convictions. He only dreams of going out West. But when war reaches his family’s doorstep, he is forced to grow up in the most brutal way imaginable.


    ■ Amazon · USA Today · Wall Street Journal Bestseller
    ■ Multiple John Esten Cooke Fiction Award Winners
    ■ B.R.A.G. Medallion — All Four Books

    FOUR REASONS WHY READERS CHOOSE THIS SERIES

    A Rarely Told Perspective
    Most Civil War novels tell the Union story. J.D.R. Hawkins
    goes to the other side — not to glorify, but to humanise. David
    Summers is not a symbol. He is a boy. That distinction changes
    everything.

    A Family Saga at Its Core
    The Renegade Series is, above all, a story about what war does
    to a family. The waiting. The letters. The losses. The silences.
    Readers who love character-driven historical fiction will be
    completely absorbed.

    Award-Winning Historical Accuracy
    Multiple John Esten Cooke Fiction Award winners. B.R.A.G.
    Medallion across all four books. Amazon, USA Today, and
    Wall Street Journal bestseller. The accolades reflect what
    readers already know.

    Four Complete Novels
    From enlistment to Reconstruction — the full arc of the Civil
    War era across four richly layered novels. Start with Book 1
    and you will not stop. This is the series that gets under your
    skin.

    MEET THE HEART OF THE STORY
    David Summers & Jake Kimball
    North Alabama · April 1863 · Confederate Volunteers
    They didn’t want a war. They got one anyway.
    David Summers is tall with shoulder length brown hair. His best friend
    Jake Kimball stands beside him with collar length dark brown hair.
    Together they are just two Southern boys from Alabama with dreams
    bigger than their small town.
    They enlist together in April 1863. They march into a war that will demand everything — their innocence, their friendship, and the futures they had barely begun to imagine.
    Two boys. One war. A bond that nothing — not even history — could break.

    THE COMPLETE SERIES — READING ORDER

    1
    A Beautiful Glittering Lie
    A boy enlists. A family fractures. The war begins.
    ■ John Esten Cooke Award ■ B.R.A.G. Medallion

    2
    A Beckoning Hellfire
    His father dies at Fredericksburg. David marches — this time for revenge.
    ■ Amazon Bestseller ■ B.R.A.G. Medallion

    3
    A Rebel Among Us
    Survival demands impossible choices. No one walks away unchanged.
    ■ John Esten Cooke Award ■ B.R.A.G. Medallion

    4
    Double-Edged Sword
    The war ends. The wounds don’t. David comes home to a world he no longer recognizes.
    ■ John Esten Cooke Award ■ B.R.A.G. Medallion

    THE AUTHOR BEHIND THE SERIES

    About J.D.R. Hawkins
    J.D.R. Hawkins is one of a rare few female authors writing the American Civil War from the Confederate perspective — bringing the front lines to life with a depth of research, empathy, and storytelling craft that has earned her some of the genre’s highest honors.
    An Amazon, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, her
    Renegade Series has won multiple John Esten Cooke Fiction Award winners and B.R.A.G. Medallions across all four books.
    Her inspiration came from a visit to the Gettysburg battlefield — and a burning question: what would drive an ordinary young man, with no stake in politics, to pick up a rifle and march into one of history’s most devastating wars?
    ■ Amazon · USA Today · WSJ Bestseller
    ■ John Esten Cooke Fiction Award Winners × 3
    ■ B.R.A.G. Medallion × 4

  • A Beautiful Glittering Lie Featured

    My novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, is being featured this week on BookSignal Studio. This book is the first one in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of a family from north Alabama and how the Civil War impacts them. BookSignal Studio gives authors the opportunity to share their books with readers who might not otherwise see them.

    According to their website… “BookSignal Studio was built for one reason: to help good books get seen.

    “Too many strong books stay hidden, not because they lack quality, but because the right readers never come across them. In today’s market, visibility matters just as much as the writing itself.

    “That’s where we come in.

    “We work with independent authors to improve how their books are presented, positioned, and discovered. From better feature placement to stronger book visibility and reader reach, our focus is simple: helping your book get in front of the people most likely to read it.

    “We are not a publisher, and we do not take royalties or ownership of your work.

    “What we offer is direct book visibility support through strategic placements, stronger positioning, and promotion built around reader attention.

    “Since 2023, we’ve helped over 500 independent authors improve their book visibility, strengthen reader reach, and build better momentum around their books across multiple genres.


    “At BookSignal Studio, we believe a great book deserves more than being published. It deserves to be discovered.”

    Here is a link to the feature:

    BookSignal Studio — Get Your Book Noticed by Real Readers

    According to WORDSMITHS WRITERS…

    “We have chosen you as one of our best authors for 2025. This is based on the quality of your book collection. Out of thousands of writers on platforms, your work caught the attention of our editorial team.”

    Thank you so much for featuring my book on BookSignal Studio!

    Amazon.com: A Beautiful Glittering Lie: A Novel of the Civil War (The Renegade Series): 9781643619941: Hawkins, J.D.R.: Books

  • Official Book Trailer for A Beckoning Hellfire

    My novel, A Beckoning Hellfire, has a brand-new book trailer! This trailer represents the second book in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of several families during the Civil War and how their lives intertwine. Once again, here’s a special shout out to my super talented son, Jesse, for constructing this trailer! Please drop me a line and let me know what you think of it! Thanks again for your continued support!

    Official Book Trailer for A Beckoning Hellfire

    Amazon.com: A Beckoning Hellfire: A Novel of the Civil War (The Renegade Series): 9781648030772: Hawkins, J.D.R.: Books

  • New Book Teasers for Horses in Gray

    Over the weekend, I recruited my son to help me design some new book teasers for my nonfiction book, Horses in Gray. He is an amazing talent and has helped me create book teasers for nearly all of my books, as well as book trailers for Horses in Gray, A Becharmed Callie Christmas, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, and A Beckoning Hellfire (which I will share with you next week). Here are the teasers we came up with. Please let me know what you think! And don’t forget to share! (Thanks again, Jesse Hawkins!)

    Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses: Hawkins, J. D. R.: 9781455623273: Amazon.com: Books

  • 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

  • New Review for Horses in Gray

    I received a new editorial review for my nonfiction book, Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses. As the title gives away, the book is about famous horses that served for the Confederacy, including Traveller, Little Sorrel, King Philip, and more. This editorial is very flattering, and I appreciate it very much. Thank you, Elise Morgan, for your outstanding review!

    “A Cinematic and Heart-Wrenching Masterwork of Equine History.”

    In the vast sea of Civil War literature, rarely does a book emerge that fundamentally changes how we perceive the conflict’s most loyal participants. J.D.R. Hawkins, a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, has achieved exactly that with Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses. This isn’t just a history book; it is a vivid, breathtaking resurrection of the silent spirits that galloped through the smoke of the 1860s.

    Hawkins, uniquely positioned as one of the few female voices expertly navigating the Confederate perspective, brings her award-winning narrative flair to this definitive non-fiction study. She moves beyond the cold statistics of war to explore the “second self” of the soldier—the horse. This long-awaited volume offers a staggering level of detail that will captivate historians and animal lovers alike.

    Inside this comprehensive legacy, Hawkins unveils:

    • The Legendary Portraits: Deeply researched biographical sketches of immortalized mounts such as Lee’s Traveller, Jackson’s Little Sorrel, and the thirty horses of Nathan Bedford Forrest, bringing their individual personalities and courage to light.
    • The Science of the Cavalry: A fascinating deep dive into the 19th-century equine husbandry and the strategic logic behind choosing specific breeds, temperaments, and colors for the rigors of the front lines.
    • The Grit of the Campaign: A sobering and necessary look at the harrowing realities of wartime veterinary care, the logistics of forage, and the heartbreaking life expectancy of these noble creatures under fire.
    • A Cultural Immortalization: An exploration of how these horses were acquired, how they were named, and the ways in which they have been etched into the American sociopolitical landscape.

    Documented with impeccable academic rigor and written with the emotional depth of a world-class novelist, Horses in Gray is a triumph of historical preservation. Hawkins has crafted a mind-blowing, eye-catching tribute that ensures these brave animals are never forgotten. This is, without question, the gold standard for equine military history.

    – Review by Elisa Morgan

    Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses: Hawkins, J. D. R.: 9781455623273: Amazon.com: Books

  • Fool’s Gold Folly is Back!

    In February, I ran into a bit of trouble with my latest book, Fool’s Gold Folly. This novella is a side story to go with the Renegade Series, and centers around one of the minor characters in the series, Patrick Mulligan. Patrick is an Irish immigrant who travels from Pennsylvania to Colorado Territory after the Civil War ends. His search for gold winds up being more than what he bargained for when he meets an old miner in the town of Breckenridge. Silas Garvey has a dark secret and warns Patrick of the threat that lurks in the shadows.

    This book was removed from Amazon because it apparently went against their regulations. However, the issue has been resolved, and I’m happy to say that the book is available once again! Not only in paperback and eBook formats, but also as an audio book! Here is the official book trailer for Fool’s Gold Folly.

    The problem I have now is this: all of the previous reviews that were posted on Amazon have disappeared, so now I don’t have any reviews! Therefore, I am asking you for a favor. Could you please read the book and post a review? I would be eternally grateful! I will even send you a promo copy (eBook) if you so desire. Just shoot me your email address. The book is only six chapters long so it’s a quick read. Thank you so much in advance. I’m looking forward to hearing from you! And thanks again for your ongoing support.

    Fool’s Gold Folly: A Story of Irish Resilience (The Renegade Series): Hawkins, JDR: 9798249986124: Amazon.com: Books

  • Featured in MSN Magazine as One of Top Ten Trailblazing Entrepreneurs

    MSN Magazine just announced the top ten trailblazing entrepreneurs to follow in 2026, and I’m one of them! I can’t tell you how excited I am to be named as one of the top ten. This is an amazing honor, and I’m very humbled. Thank you so much, MSN Magazine, for including me in your top ten list!

    According to MSN Magazine, “J.D.R. Hawkins is an Amazon, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author known for her unique portrayal of the Civil War from a Confederate perspective. Her acclaimed Renegade Series includes four novels and companion stories, with multiple titles earning the John Esten Cooke Fiction Award and B.R.A.G. Medallion honors. The series follows a north Alabama family navigating the emotional toll of war. Hawkins has also authored the nonfiction work Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses, further showcasing her dedication to historical storytelling. A member of several literary organizations, including the Historical Novel Society and International Women’s Writing Guild, she brings depth and authenticity to her work. Beyond writing, she is also an accomplished artist and singer-songwriter, blending creativity across multiple disciplines.”

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/top-10-trailblazing-entrepreneurs-to-follow-in-2026/ar-AA21RCuj

    Please remember to like, follow, and share! (Links are on my website: https://jdrhawkins.com) Thank you so much for your ongoing support!

    (Photos courtesy of Pressiqa)

  • New Book Trailer for Horses in Gray

    I’m very excited to announce that my nonfiction book, Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses, now has its own book trailer! I am so fortunate to have such talented family members who are willing to help me with the design, editing, and promotion of my books! Here is another trailer that my son, Jesse, created for me. He also did the book trailers for A Beautiful Glittering Lie:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcwxEsXAWVY

    and A Becharmed Callie Christmas:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNBz9G0UJH0

    Please check it out and let me know what you think! Thanks again, Jess, for all your help!

    Horses in Gray tells the story of several famous as well as not so famous horses that served under the Confederacy during the Civil War. These include, Traveller, Little Sorrel, Black Bess, Virginia, and King Philip, to name a few. Never before has there been such a comprehensive look at Confederate military horses in the Civil War and their lives before, during, and after battle. 

    https://www.amazon.com/Horses-Gray-Famous-Confederate-Warhorses/dp/145562327X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=EJXMD6WRUQR0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MUH_FWfpzYODG451Ki1B8uannJgD-nSA2gd6YaF6S6Sxz1h9Q1ZVSVftFbQC3RXIExUKNmJHXFZVW9O3vz_Xmew0BDHIdROERzP_wZVwxOxZarLfXHU7qtcY8h_LGURzx_jlulQL6c0zqCvK83WZclRVdFLG2TMWXGwJq2tUPtkf3mmYx3JLmj5gYT2XSUT3NkNV85nNUvSaGk87jJZKFhhVZ60NQ9pQqMKfG-INBSE.dfXEaVj0ShI-aUyP2-mSXWetdcXvTMs2lb694WWAgi8&dib_tag=se&keywords=horses+in+gray&qid=1774482786&sprefix=horses+in+gray%2Caps%2C317&sr=8-2

  • 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