Recently, I was featured in an article published by The Inscriber Magazine, which I would like to share with you. This is a very special honor and I am humbled to be featured. Thank you so much, INSC, for featuring me in your publication!
In the rich tapestry of American historical fiction, few authors have carved out a niche as uniquely impactful and meticulously researched as J.D.R. Hawkins. Renowned for her award-winning Renegade Series and other Civil War-era stories, Hawkins masterfully intertwines the rigor of historical accuracy with the immersive power of creative storytelling. Each of her works stands as a testament to her unmatched ability to bring history to life—not through textbook retellings but through deeply human narratives that beat with emotion, resilience, and complexity.
A USA Today, Amazon, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Hawkins has not only amassed literary accolades but has done so in a domain that few women venture into: the Civil War from the Confederate perspective. This bold narrative choice reflects not only her analytical courage but her commitment to offering a multifaceted view of American history, delving into the psyche of those who lived, fought, and suffered through one of the nation’s most devastating periods.
At the core of her achievements lies the Renegade Series, an epic that begins with “A Beautiful Glittering Lie”—a poignant portrayal of a northern Alabama family torn apart by war. The novel’s strength lies in its emotional depth and historical authenticity, blending real-life military movements and politics with intimate moments of personal sacrifice. Hawkins’ creative mind ensures that the story never feels like a dry recounting of facts; instead, it flows like a living, breathing memory. The novel earned both the 2013 John Esten Cooke Fiction Award and the 2012 B.R.A.G. Medallion, cementing her status as a master of her craft.
The sequel, “A Beckoning Hellfire,” is equally haunting. Hawkins tells the gripping story of young David Summers, who, fueled by grief and a desire for vengeance after his father’s death, joins the Confederate cavalry. What begins as a quest for glory soon dissolves into the brutal truth of war, challenging every ideal David holds. Through battle scenes that feel both vivid and raw, Hawkins showcases her precise historical research, combined with a deeply analytical look at war’s psychological toll. The novel became an Amazon bestseller and was honored with the 2022 B.R.A.G. Medallion.
In “A Rebel Among Us,” Hawkins continues to explore themes of loyalty, morality, and forbidden love. David, wounded and stranded in Pennsylvania, is taken in by a family of women who oppose everything he fought for. The conflict that ensues—between duty and desire, ideology and identity—is handled with an elegant balance of historical nuance and narrative tension. The book garnered the 2017 John Esten Cooke Fiction Award and another B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2022.
The latest in the series, “Double-Edged Sword,” picks up in the aftermath of the war. Hawkins shifts focus to the often-overlooked Reconstruction period, painting a portrait of a man and a nation trying to rebuild from ruin. Through courtroom drama and the personal struggles of reintegration, Hawkins examines themes of justice, redemption, and reconciliation. Like its predecessors, the novel was recognized with a B.R.A.G. Medallion and the 2023 John Esten Cooke Fiction Award—testimony to the precision and impact of her historical storytelling.
But Hawkins doesn’t stop there. Her non-fiction work, “Horses in Gray: Famous Confederate Warhorses,” offers a compelling look at the equine companions of Confederate leaders, showing her ability to transition from fiction to scholarly exploration without sacrificing engagement. Short stories like “A Becharmed Callie Christmas” and “Fool’s Gold Folly” further enrich her historical universe, offering side narratives filled with the same passion and care.
A member of numerous historical and literary organizations, including the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Historical Novel Society, Hawkins brings scholarly integrity and creative brilliance to every project. Her works don’t just tell stories; they bridge the gap between past and present, inviting readers into the intimate lives of the figures whose history has often been reduced to statistics and headlines.
In every novel, short story, and historical account, J.D.R. Hawkins exhibits a masterclass in storytelling—where fact and fiction are harmoniously fused and where every character, battle, and heartbreak is rendered with both analytical clarity and artistic depth.