A Becharmed Callie Christmas has been featured a lot lately, and I just wanted to keep you up to speed with what’s been going on. This book is a side story to go along with the Renegade Series, and takes place between books one and two of the series. It tells the story of Callie Mae Copeland, a minor character who has just turned sixteen and is experiencing Christmas in a whole new light with the Civil War approaching it’s second year.
As I mentioned previously, A Becharmed Callie Christmas was featured on Books and Brunch last week. Now it has been nominated for the Authors Excellence Award in next month’s Literary Honors and Author Recognition event for consideration in their Historical and Holiday Fiction category.
The book also made it to number one on Goodreads Listopia. This exposure helps the book gain momentum as far as readership and visibility go.
A Becharmed Callie Christmas has also received several new five-star reviews. I’d like to share a few with you. Here is what readers are saying. Thank you so much, Paul, Betty, Becky, and Glory, for your stellar reviews!
A touching and evocative story set against the backdrop of the Civil War, A Becharmed Callie Christmas captures both the charm and uncertainty of a world on the brink of change. Through Callie Mae’s eyes, we see the innocence of youth collide with the harsh realities of war and loss.
J.D.R. Hawkins brings warmth and authenticity to her characters while weaving in the historical tension of the era. The festive tone of Christmas contrasts beautifully with the looming darkness of conflict, making this a poignant and memorable read for the season.
Our book club enjoyed how Hawkins balanced historical detail with emotional depth, a heartfelt reminder that even in uncertain times, hope and family endure.
This book was recently featured in our Books and Brunch club, and it turned out to be such a meaningful read. A Becharmed Callie Christmas starts off feeling light and festive, but it slowly unfolds into something much deeper as the reality of the Civil War sets in.
Our book club featured A Becharmed Callie Christmas, and I really enjoyed it. J.D.R. Hawkins did an amazing job bringing the Civil War era to life through Callie Mae’s story. Her excitement for Christmas, mixed with the sudden reality of war, made it both emotional and memorable.
We featured Becharmed Callie Christmas by J.D.R. Hawkins in our Hall of Fame event, and it truly touched my heart.
The story follows Callie Mae Copeland as she prepares for Christmas during the Civil War, a time when joy and uncertainty walk hand in hand. Hawkins beautifully captures that mix of innocence, family, and the bittersweet reality of change.
A short but powerful read that reminds us how love and hope can shine even in the darkest times. Highly recommended.
Over the past week, two of my books have been featured. First, Fool’s Gold Folly was featured on Eva Bielby’s website. The first chapter is posted, so check it out! This novella goes along with the Renegade Series, and tells the story of Patrick Mulligan, a minor character who takes his family to Colorado Territory in search of gold after the Civil War. Here is the link:
A Becharmed Callie Christmas is featured on Books and Brunch. This novella goes along with the Renegade Series as well, and tells the story of Callie Mae Copeland, a girl growing up in north Alabama during the Civil War. Here is the link to my author spotlight:
Last weekend, my husband and I returned to Colorado, where we had lived for nearly 25 years. We stayed in Denver, and I took the opportunity to investigate a museum that I had never visited before, the Colorado History Museum. I decided this would be a great place to start researching my next novel for the Renegade Series, book 5, which doesn’t have a title yet. We also had the opportunity to see the legendary Sir Paul McCartney, who performed Saturday night at Coors Field for 2 1/2 hours straight. What a phenomenal concert!
The Colorado History Museum is packed full of all kinds of information about the state, from the gold rush, which took place after the Civil War, to obtaining statehood, up through modern day. It was interesting to see things in the museum that we could relate to personally. My husband cried when he saw the display about the Columbine High School shooting. He was supposed to be there that day but his appointment got moved to the following day, so let’s just say he dodged a bullet on that one. They also had a lot of skiing history, a display on the 90’s, and Native American history specific to the area.
It was interesting to see the huge diorama they have of 1860’s Denver. When I wrote Fool’s Gold Folly, I could only imagine what the streets looked like back then. I’m glad to know that I got it right! You’ll be seeing more of Denver history when the fifth book of the Renegade Series comes out, probably sometime next year. Again, thank you so much for your patronage!
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
For this week only, Fool’s Gold Folly, in eBook format, is on sale through Amazon for only 99 cents! Now is you chance to pick up my new book for half price! And don’t forget, Fool’s Gold Folly is now also available on Audible!
Here are a few more flattering reviews for Fool’s Gold Folly that I recently received on Goodreads. Once again, thank you for your support, and thank you, Jackie, Brian Smith, and Logan Shaw, for the awesome five-star reviews!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
I would like to share with you one of my favorite scenes from my novel, A Beckoning Hellfire. This is the second book in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of several families and how their lives intertwine during the Civil War.
This excerpt takes place on June 4, 1863. A ball was held at Culpeper Court House, Virginia, days before the Battle of Brandy Station took place on June 9, 1863. (The court house is still there today.) The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle to ever take place on American soil. I hope you enjoy this trip back in time!
On the evening of June 4, Major Ivey Lewis ordered David to deliver a dispatch to General Stuart, which wasn’t unusual since he had been summoned as a courier several times during the past few weeks. Although he was physically tired and emotionally drained from a long week of drilling, he obediently stuck the sealed envelope in his pocket, saddled Renegade, and received directions to the Culpeper Court House.
Once he rode up, he was awestruck by the enchanting scene. Belles in beautiful ball gowns of every color stood out on the lawn with officers attired in dress uniforms. Lively music floated through the air. The song was “Cindy,” one of his favorites.
David couldn’t help but smile as he dismounted. “What’s all this?” he asked a servant, who took hold of Renegade’s reins.
“Massa Stuart’s havin’ a grand ball, suh,” the tall, bearded black man said. “He invited ladies from the whole vicinity. Most came by rail, all the way from Richmond.”
David raised his eyebrows and grinned at the slave. “Is that a fact?” he asked.
“Sho is.” The servant smiled with a nod before tying Renegade to a post.
With eager anticipation, David sauntered toward the courthouse entrance and absorbed the sumptuous sight. The grounds, illuminated with Chinese lanterns, invited him closer. Southern gentry milled around in the warm evening air, the hum of their genteel conversations filling his ears, along with the clink of goblets tapping together. The sky glittered with fireflies, and the lawn was swathed in candlelight. Another song commenced. David recognized that melody as well: “Cumberland Gap.”
He climbed the steps and entered the courthouse, immediately enthralled by what he saw. Couples in ballroom attire danced joyfully in the center of the room, swirling in time to the melody like wispy dandelion seeds floating in the breeze. Several musicians congregated together toward the back of the room, and they appeared to be enjoying themselves just as much. Chatter and laughter intermingled with their lively music. Chandeliers of flickering candles hung from the rafters, and the sweet scent of perfume drifted through the air.
David made his way through the crowd, suddenly mindful of how ordinary he looked. Bashfully, he smiled at the ladies, but they haughtily glanced over him before turning away toward their escorts. He noticed a table of wine, punch, and viands off to the side, which sparked his voracious appetite. The thought crossed his mind that perhaps he could sneak a few tidbits into his pockets on his way out. Spotting General Stuart, he made his way over to him.
“Sir,” he said with a salute.
The general turned from the belle he was conversing with, noticed David, and saluted back.
“I have orders to deliver this to you personally.” David handed him the envelope that had been sealed with wax.
“Very good, Private,” Stuart said.
The general didn’t seem to recognize him. Disappointed, David saluted again and awkwardly remained at General Stuart’s side, waiting for a response. Stuart turned away. Without knowing quite what to do next, David stood there for a few seconds before deciding he had been cold-shouldered, so he turned and made his way back toward the door.
He paused to watch the musicians, who were surrounded by admiring ladies. They stopped their performance momentarily, allowing for applause before proceeding to play “Ring, Ring the Banjo.” Two fiddlers enthusiastically sawed on their instruments. A dark-haired, mustachioed man plucked away on his banjo, and a mulatto servant smiled widely as he played the bones. David remembered what the other troopers had told him about General Stuart’s mulatto footman, Bob, and about the banjo player, Sam Sweeney, who was said to be the brother of the man who had invented the banjo. He also heard that General Stuart was a music lover who never missed an opportunity to be entertained by his musicians. If only they had a guitar, he might find the courage to go up there and sing alongside them, but his heart was too heavy for him to feel exuberant enough to sing. He wished Jake were there to see the grandiose scene. It was so dazzling that he felt like he was in a fairy tale.
He glanced around the room, reminded again of how out of place he was. The young ladies looked upon him with disdain, obviously repulsed by his shabby appearance. The musicians began to play “Cavalier’s Waltz,” prompting dancers to swirl around in synchronized whirlwinds. To his dismay, the food table was too far away for him to attempt thievery without being noticed, so he reluctantly turned and went outside. He met Colonel Von Borcke on the way out and discovered by standing next to him that the Prussian was enormous. The colonel recognized him immediately.
“I’m looking forward to racing your little horse!” he said, laughing as he walked into the courthouse.
David was left alone on the portico. Once again, he wished he could be a part of the celebration, but instead, he let out a sigh, climbed up on Renegade, and rode off into the darkness.
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!
Here is some information about the host, Peter Okonkwo, and the show.
About the Host Peter Okonkwo is a Nigerian writer, poet, fatalist, literary critic, chorister, spiritual philosopher, violinist, editor, publisher, songwriter, soon–to be–novelist of Etean’s Destiny, certified orator, and show presenter at PEL. He is the author of six poetry collections: Ecstasy of the Dead; Fate, In the Dungeon of Doom; Whose Fault, Kismet or Impediment? and Escape from the Unseen Dungeons book series. Peter is gifted with the aptitude to explore and demystify certain difficult life issues through his thought-provoking, raw–arresting transcendent poetry. His works have been reviewed to critical acclaim (locally and internationally) and featured in notable literary magazines, newspapers, and TV stations including the Australian Plumwood Mountain Journal, The Lagos Review, Writers Space Africa, Afreecan Reads, Sevhage, Ngiga Review, Con-Scio, The Nigeria Review, Daily Trust Newspaper, Journal of African Youth Literature among others. He was an exhibit author at Africa’s second-largest international book fair, NIBF, 2024 Edition. Peter was in November of 2024 endorsed by the Art Council of England as an “Exceptional Promise” in the field of literature. He is the founder of P. English Literature (PEL), a literary organization dedicated to the promotion of literature in all genres. Since its inception in 2020, PEL has featured over 700 authors in interviews, and over 1000 in total of literature works. It was recognized as the first-ever international BookTube show in Africa that features authors from around the world. Peter is also the community founder of the Akure Book Club, a fast-growing society of book enthusiasts to promote literature in the city of Akure, Nigeria, and internationally through diverse literary events.
About P English Literature (PEL)
Founded in 2020 (RC: 7923553) and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, P English Literature is a Literary and Art organization dedicated to the promotion of English Literature regardless of genre. Our publication of book reviews, author interviews, book festivals, opinion commentaries, literary criticism, writer’s conferences, book club meetings, open mics, and other literary activities are explicitly done to publicize and incite authors and writers of different backgrounds, heritages, and cultures. Originally focused on promoting self-published authors and their works, we have expanded to traditional books and authors as well. We are the first-ever international BookTube show in Africa that features authors from around the world.
Thank you so much, P English Literature, for having me on your show!
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.
J.D.R. Hawkins 