Tag: Irish immigrant

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

    I remembered to check Goodreads today and saw that my latest book, Fool’s Gold Folly, has received some new five-star reviews! This novella compliments the Renegade Series and takes up where book four in the series, Double-Edged Sword, left off. It tells the story of Patrick Mulligan, a minor character in the series, who decides to take his family out west to Colorado in search of gold after the Civil War ends. What he discovers there is far more valuable than gold. Thank you so much Cole, Divine, Philip, Joel, Joshua, Matthew, Moses, and Gracey, for your five-star reviews!

    Cole

    Honestly loved this! I flew through it in one sitting. Patrick and Briana are such a sweet couple, and you just want everything to work out for them after everything they go through. Really great depiction of post-Civil War West. If you want a quick historical read that actually has a lot of heart, grab this one!

    Divine

    J.D.R. Hawkins always nails the historical backdrop, and this was no exception. Setting it in 1869 Colorado during the gold rush made for a great backdrop, but what stood out to me was how realistic the prejudice against Irish immigrants felt. Silas was easily my favorite character. Really solid companion story!

    Philip

    Wow, what a story. I’m always sucker for family stories where people rebuild their lives against all odds, and Patrick’s resilience made me so emotional. The ending felt so earned and satisfying. Really happy I picked this up.

    Joel

    It’s the characters that make this novella work so well. Briana’s quiet strength and Patrick’s pure determination to protect his family had me hooked from chapter one. Hawkins has a real gift for making you care about her characters fast.

    Joshua

    5 stars!! Fool’s Gold Folly is full of heart, struggle, and real hope. Loved seeing the history woven in so seamlessly. Silas and Patrick’s friendship was definitely the highlight for me. Don’t sleep on this one!

    Matthew

    Short, sweet, and gritty in all the right ways. You really get a sense of how hard life was in Breckenridge back then. Great pacing, strong characters, and a very uplifting takeaway.

    Moses

    I wasn’t sure what to expect going in since it’s a shorter novella, but it packs so much story into its pages! No fluff, just good, honest storytelling. The Mulligan family won me over right away.

    Gracey

    Another hit from J.D.R. Hawkins! She has such a great way of bringing the West to life without making it feel dry or overly textbook. Warm, gritty, and super memorable.

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

  • Fool’s Gold Folly Honored

    My most recent novella, Fool’s Gold Folly, has received the Award of Excellence by Spring Arbor University. The novella tells the story of a minor character in the Renegade Series, Patrick Mulligan, and what happens to him and his family once he decides to uproot them and take them out west to Colorado Territory in search of gold. The award is a very special honor, and I am so proud to share it with you! Thank you again for all of your ongoing support!

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

  • Fans Rave About Fool’s Gold Folly

    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!

    https://www.amazon.com/Fools-Gold-Folly-Resilience-Renegade/dp/B0DZP24XXM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3C2LE8KYRELF4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.m1E2lQgHJOkXYl9c3PiDhCVmWhh7bWVefHes23bYCjtm-BOiB2Llbfypkne1YgoZ.o5hyFZyy84WgBwK0ZnyqDlN2mQvhXXCv65sPZoG07LI&dib_tag=se&keywords=fool%27s+gold+folly&qid=1754522027&sprefix=fool%27s+gold+folly%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1