I have received several emails in regard to my latest book, Fool’s Gold Folly, and would like to share some of them with you. This book ties in with the Renegade Series, and tells the story of one of the minor characters, Patrick Mulligan. Patrick’s desire to strike it rich in Colorado after the Civil War turns into something much more than gold lust. Here is what fans have to say:
(From Camille Rhodes Brown)
I came across Fool’s Gold Folly, and from the first lines of your description, I felt its pulse the lure of possibility, the grit of survival, and the fragile line between hope and danger. Patrick Mulligan’s journey isn’t just about gold; it’s about the deep human hunger for a better life and the resilience it takes to chase it.
You’ve given readers more than a historical adventure — you’ve given them a window into the Irish immigrant experience during one of the most volatile times in American history. The wilderness of Colorado Territory, the raw hunger for fortune, and the bonds of friendship forged in hardship all feel alive in your telling. Silas Garvey’s presence, with his dark secret and failing health, adds a poignancy that makes this story not just gripping but deeply human.
(From Grace Champ)
I just finished reading Fool’s Gold Folly, and I was deeply moved by Patrick Mulligan’s journey not just westward, but inward, as he confronts the promises and perils of a country still healing from war. His resilience, ambition, and the fragile friendships he forms in Breckenridge capture something truly special: the heart of the immigrant dream set against the raw edge of frontier life.
You’ve brought to life a piece of history that still feels incredibly relevant: the push for new beginnings, the weight of personal loss, and the quiet strength of Irish communities carving out space in post-Civil War America.
Thank you so much, Grace and Camille, for your kind words!
I am always looking for positive reviews, so please post your reviews to Amazon and/or Goodreads. And don’t forget, this novel is available as an audio book too!
My latest book, Fool’s Gold Folly, has made it into round three of the best cover of the month. The contest is held by AllAuthor. It is really exciting to have my book make it this far! If you haven’t yet voted for the cover, please do! If you already voted, please vote again! Thank you so much! Here is the voting link: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/19730/
I wanted to share a few more reviews of the book with you. These are all five-star reviews posted on Goodreads. Thank you, Logan Shaw, Jackie, Clifford Day, Julius J., and Daniel Rumley for your amazing reviews!
This book reminded me how deeply immigrants have shaped the American story. The Mulligans are a lovable family, and their journey—from discrimination in Denver to chasing gold in the mountains—is both emotional and inspiring. I couldn’t put it down!
A beautiful tale of grit, love, and hope. I was instantly swept into Patrick and Briana’s world and found myself rooting for them through every hardship. The historical setting felt authentic, and the family’s resilience brought tears to my eyes. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with soul.
Clifford Day –
I was so enthusiastic for this book and, of course, I didn’t have a chance to get on. All-in-all I really enjoyed the book. I’ll definitely be reading more by this author.
Julius J. –
The story was remarkable, kept me absorbed all throughout.
Daniel Rumley –
LOVE it! The author has such a dazzling way of keeping you engrossed with words.
I’ve been informed that new my book, Fool’s Gold Folly, has made it to round two in the voting process for best book cover of the month by AllAuthor. Thank you so much for voting! If you did vote, please vote again! If not, please vote! Here is the link: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/19730/
Also, I was featured in a write up by USA Wire. I have a few more of these which I will be sharing from time to time.
The best historical fiction skillfully blends fact and fiction, taking readers to different time periods while giving them a new perspective on what happened in the past. In order to create stories that feel genuine, authors in this genre thoroughly investigate historical locations, people, and civilizations. Among the greats of historical fiction, J.D.R. Hawkins stands head and shoulders above the crowd for the way she has conveyed the American Civil War through her writing.
Finding the right mix of reality and imagination is essential for historical fiction. While being historically accurate, authors must conjure up evocative scenes that transport readers to bygone eras. The genre’s strong protagonists and antagonists bring the past to life, letting readers feel connected to the stories they read. A great work of historical fiction does more than just describe events; it makes history interesting, relatable, and captivating on an emotional level.
Using her skill, J.D.R. Hawkins portrays the hardships and victories of individuals at a turbulent time in American history. Her character-driven storytelling and commitment to historical authenticity have garnered her immense praise, solidifying her position as one of the most esteemed authors in the genre.
J.D.R. Hawkins, whose birth name is Julia Dawn Ryan Hawkins and who was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on June 9, 1959, had a strong desire to write from an early age. She owes her careful research and storytelling style to her journalism degree from Iowa State University, which she pursued under her parents’ encouragement. She worked tirelessly to perfect her craft and is now a well-known historical fiction novelist, best known for the critically acclaimed Renegade Series.
Hawkins provides a complex and empathetic view of the Civil War as one of the rare female writers who wrote from a Confederate viewpoint. Instead of glorifying war, her works examine the mental and emotional toll it takes on troops and their families. The B.R.A.G. Medallion and the John Esten Cooke Fiction Award are only two of the many accolades she has received for her sensitive and accurate portrayal of this time period.
Hawkins is widely recognized as an exceptional storyteller due to her talent for combining historical details with captivating anecdotes. With vivid descriptions and emotionally gripping plots, her novels put readers in the shoes of her Civil War-era protagonists.
Beyond fiction, Hawkins has made significant literary contributions. Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses is her nonfiction book about the Civil War that delves into the significance of horses and their participation in warfare. Her short novella A Becharmed Callie Christmas also gives readers a touching look into the lives of the characters from the Renegade Series.
Her involvement in groups like Pikes Peak Writers, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and The International Women’s Writing Guild demonstrates her dedication to historical writing. Her ongoing contributions to the literary and historical communities through these associations guarantee that history will always be an interesting and approachable subject for readers of all ages.
Not only is J.D.R. Hawkins a prolific historical fiction writer, but she has also contributed significantly to literature by highlighting underrepresented viewpoints. The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon have all listed her books as bestsellers, adding to her already substantial literary prominence.
Hawkins has revolutionized historical fiction with her painstaking research, captivating storytelling, and commitment to historical accuracy. She has shown that the past is more than just a string of events; it is a fabric of human experiences that have a lasting impact on our present. A genuine light in historical fiction, her work is a tribute to the power of narrative in preserving history.
Historical fiction writers like J.D.R. Hawkins are uncommon breeds; they possess an unusual trifecta of research prowess, creative flair, and empathy. Her captivating storytelling, impeccable character development, and talent for immersing readers in the Civil War era distinguish her as a prominent personality in the genre. If you’re looking for a gripping historical fiction that will educate as well as entertain, go no further than Hawkins’s writings. They take readers on a memorable voyage through time.
Enter for your chance to win a free copy of my new book, Fool’s Gold Folly! I will be holding this contest for a week. All you have to do is shoot me an email with the word “contest” in the subject line. My email address is jdrhawkins@gmail.com. The winner will be announced next week. Good luck!
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.
I have been receiving more amazing reviews for my new book, Fool’s Gold Folly: A Story of Irish Resilience. This book tells the story of an Irish immigrant, Patrick Mulligan, and what he goes through when he decides to travel to Colorado Territory in 1869 to search for gold. I also wanted to let you know that the book is being featured on Book Luver’s newsletter this weekend,
Thank you so much, Ashlyn and L DeRollo, for your flattering reviews. And thank you for supporting me in my writing endeavors. I couldn’t do it without you!
“Fool’s Gold Folly” by J.D.R. Hawkins is a touching historical tale that highlights the hardships faced by Irish immigrants during the gold rush era. Blending heartfelt storytelling with rich cultural detail, the novel captures the endurance and hope of people chasing better lives.
The setting feels authentic and the characters bring warmth and depth to the journey. With a touch of mystery and emotional insight, the story delivers a rewarding read. It beautifully balances historical facts with personal stories with a meaningful glimpse into the human spirit.
A very exciting, heartfelt, and suspenseful tale! I really like the underlying message about the importance of love and family, which is at the heart of the story. This is what drives main character Patrick Mulligan to persevere when in the midst of danger while searching the goldmines in Colorado to try to make it rich. Is the price of gold worth the danger involved? Can he keep his family safe? The characters in this story are very well-developed, relatable, and expressive. I can picture them perfectly in real life! The rural historical setting is perfect for this story and reflects both the need for survival, the “fool’s gold” mindset, simplicity, and a strong sense of community. Recommended.
My new novella, Fool’s Gold Folly: A Story of Irish Resilience, is being featured now on BookGoodies. The book tells the story of one of the minor characters in the Renegade Series, Patrick Mulligan, and how he and his family travel west to Colorado Territory in search of gold. Here is the link and a portion of the post so you can check out the page:
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:
“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.
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.
J.D.R. Hawkins 