J.D.R. Hawkins

Tag: history

  • 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-AA1ZLB4C

    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

  • Featured in The Relatable Voice Magazine

    This month, I am one of the featured authors in The Relatable Voice Magazine. My story is a unique one, and I hope you will get a chance to read the article and tell me what you think! My story is on pages 22 and 23. Here is the link:

    https://www.relatable-media.com/

    I was also featured on their podcast! You can listen to the interview here:

    I had a lot of fun in the interview! It was a wonderful opportunity for me to discuss my books, as well as my writing process. Thank you again, Lucia and Relatable Voice, for featuring me this month!

    Home

  • New Five-Star Reviews for Horses in Gray

    I don’t write about my nonfiction book as much as I should, so you probably don’t know too much about it. Several years ago, I was inspired to write about the horses that were involved in the War Between the States, and chose to specifically discuss those that served for the Confederacy. The book has been published by Arcadia Publishing (Pelican) and is available in several Civil War battlefield giftshops, including Gettysburg.

    Last week, I discovered that the book received two five-star reviews, so I thought I would share them with you. Thank you so much, Emily Anne and Antoine M., for your awesome reviews!

    Emily Anne

    March 2, 2026

    This book offers an impressive and thorough exploration of Confederate military horses during the Civil War. Robert E. Lee’s Traveller, Stonewall Jackson’s Little Sorrel, and many others are profiled in detail, giving readers insight not only into their roles in battle but also into their lives, care, and lineages.

    The author does an excellent job explaining why certain breeds and colors were preferred for specific tasks, how horses were acquired, and the factors contributing to their survival or death in wartime conditions. The inclusion of personal stories behind the horses’ names and their lasting legacy adds depth and humanity to the narrative.

    What sets this work apart is its combination of meticulous research and engaging storytelling. It provides both historical context and vivid detail, making the horses’ experiences tangible and memorable. This is a must-read for Civil War enthusiasts, military historians, and anyone interested in the often-overlooked role of animals in history.

    Antoine M.

    February 28, 2026

    This book truly changed the way I view the Civil War. I had never considered the immense suffering endured by military horses. The sections explaining why certain breeds were chosen and why so many horses died from disease, exhaustion, or injury were heartbreaking but important. The story of Thomas J. and Little Sorrel stayed with me long after I finished reading. Hawkins does an excellent job honoring these animals while grounding the narrative in solid historical research.

    https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32018633-horses-in-gray?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=MLHsdKHH2p&rank=1

    https://www.amazon.com/Horses-Gray-Famous-Confederate-Warhorses/dp/145562327X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F2YN9K20L641&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MUH_FWfpzYODG451Ki1B8uannJgD-nSA2gd6YaF6S6Sxz1h9Q1ZVSVftFbQC3RXIExUKNmJHXFZVW9O3vz_XmeC1p1UYj1T5COXKeXWiJRr6UXh_VGUDgvc74qjJM0LCO9jjd66GEtscbUOY_fg7qlrBiSoucPBl5Gc4fU1lzROtfizl_rTGi-mmb34bz6ceZn6uxbtK0ooWigW3hQNmPq6LVdm5cVzfJWa2bbPGezU.wjSoQr5spsR2PLgQE75miD1ny08EUZoTSoM2nP_Kx9w&dib_tag=se&keywords=horses+in+gray&qid=1772756279&sprefix=horses+in+gray%2Caps%2C339&sr=8-1

  • Two Books Featured

    Last week, I was notified that my novel, Double-Edged Sword, is being featured on Online Ebook Fair. This book is the fourth one in the Renegade Series, describing the lives of several families and how they intertwine during and after the Civil War. Here is the link:

    J. D. R. Hawkins

    A Beautiful Glittering Lie, the first book in the series, was featured at Book & Brunch. They even sent me a video of the event. Check it out!

    https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2u0026amp;ik=dcfad889c4u0026amp;attid=0.1u0026amp;permmsgid=msg-f:1857735330871275389u0026amp;th=19c80070d3466f7du0026amp;view=attu0026amp;disp=safeu0026amp;realattid=f_mlw97s130u0026amp;zw

    Thanks to everyone who featured my books! As always, thank you for your ongoing support. I couldn’t make this journey without you! Don’t forget to like and share my links!

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

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

    https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Glittering-Lie-Novel-Civil/dp/1643619942/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tGwUw2yDKRWBI9I1MrvNpA.HB0nM_uQQpoQSbgjJwE1w8T1g7g86nvJ24DkHJgUyGQ&qid=1772147075&sr=1-1

  • What They’re Saying About A Beautiful Glittering Lie

    I received a couple of emails recently in regard to my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, that I would like to share with you. This is the first book in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of a family from north Alabama and how their lives are drastically changed by the Civil War. Here is the first email I received from Demi Brown:

    Dear J.D.R.,

    I’m reaching out because A Beautiful Glittering Lie is a powerful and thoughtfully rendered Civil War novel – one that captures not only the sweep of history, but the intimate human cost of a nation tearing itself apart.

    What stands out most is the novel’s deeply personal focus. By anchoring the story in the Summers family, the war is never abstract or distant. Hiram’s decision to enlist, David’s yearning for adventure, and Caroline’s quiet endurance at home collectively portray how war fractures families long before it claims lives. The emotional weight of separation, uncertainty, and irreversible choice is felt on every page.

    Your portrayal of naïveté – both personal and national – is especially compelling. The early ideals of honor and duty gradually give way to the brutal realities of combat, loss, and moral reckoning. Rather than romanticizing war, A Beautiful Glittering Lie examines how easily conviction can turn into devastation, and how the cost of belief is often paid by those left behind.

    As the first book in The Renegade Series, the novel is well positioned for continued discovery. Its strong 4.5-star reception reflects how effectively it resonates with readers who value historically grounded fiction, layered characters, and narratives that explore the emotional consequences of war alongside its events.

    Here is another email I recently received from Nathan Lewis:

    Dear J.D.R. Hawkins,

    Reading A Beautiful Glittering Lie felt like stepping into a meticulously painted panorama of the Civil War, where the Summers family serves as both lens and mirror for the nation’s turmoil. I was immediately drawn into the vivid world you crafted, where every emotion—fear, hope, grief, and courage—resonates with authenticity.

    Hiram’s transformation from a peaceful farmer into a soldier entrenched in the brutal reality of war is both heart-wrenching and compelling. His internal struggles, mirrored by David’s youthful longing for adventure, embody the personal costs of a nation divided. The dual perspectives—those who march to battle and those who remain at home—give the story remarkable depth, particularly as seen through Caroline’s quiet endurance and emotional trials.

    The realism in your depiction of battlefields, farm life, and the war’s lasting scars on families is striking. I was especially moved by the letters between Hiram and Caroline; they add a profoundly personal layer that underscores the intimate human experiences behind the historical events.

    Overall, A Beautiful Glittering Lie masterfully blends historical accuracy with emotional storytelling. It stands as a powerful tribute to the sacrifices of everyday families during the Civil War, and I am eager to continue the Renegade Series to follow the journeys of these unforgettable characters.

    Please feel free to contact me if you would like a PDF copy of this book to review. Thanks again for your ongoing support!

    https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Glittering-Lie-Novel-Civil/dp/1643619942/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KJW3RJB272RW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bw-GZ-m-0rMwpyOH1t0TPEDVnfaStYR4embjXTIEp7dz5lo_UMlK2XR33AXH1k7K-7SkU1_jiB6OgHJJj4UGzg.vnVaybPFN2pzr_fTKNZM_FKAPf3kI47BTBPsVB_XmAk&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+beautiful+glittering+Lie&qid=1771459577&sprefix=a+b%2Caps%2C3943&sr=8-1

  • New Book Trailer for A Beautiful Glittering Lie

    My novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, has a brand new book trailer! This features the first book in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of a family from north Alabama and how the Civil War impacts them. Let me know what you think! And please like my page on YouTube! Thank you so much!

    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-0rMwpyOH1t0TPNWlkbPrm0SDYpMKVz7JnjY.YjgYmQ92-3ac5lsg084M9YTvR86JUcW7MIqJEcjoQdI&qid=1770850922&sr=8-1