My novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, received this five-star review recently. The book is the first one 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, Michele Klawitter, for your wonderful review!
This book is a historical fiction centered around the Civil War. Not for the weak hearted. The POV in this is from the south so keep that in mind. Not for everyone but a good read. Great job to the author.
I just received this amazing review for my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie. This book is the first one 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, Seth Fishman, for your very in-depth review!
“Upon coming across your book, I was immediately drawn in, and I believe that its message has been effectively communicated to me. Please allow me to discuss the strengths of the book as I share my assessment of it.
Book Review: “A Beautiful Glittering Lie: A Novel of the Civil War” (The Renegade Series Book 1)
“A Beautiful Glittering Lie” offers a compelling and immersive journey back to the tumultuous period of the American Civil War. The novel paints a vivid picture of the country’s division, with its rich historical backdrop and a poignant exploration of the toll the war takes on a family and their community. Through well-drawn characters and detailed storytelling, the book presents an emotionally charged and historically accurate portrayal of a nation torn apart.
Key Points:
Civil War Setting: The book expertly captures the atmosphere and tensions of the American Civil War, transporting readers to the spring of 1861 when the nation is on the brink of a devastating conflict. It provides historical context, illustrating the fracture between the Confederacy and the Union.
Character-Centered Narrative: The novel revolves around the Summers family, with a particular focus on Hiram Summers, a father who makes the difficult decision to enlist in the Confederate Army. The characters are multi-dimensional and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with their experiences and emotions.
The Impact on Families: The story delves into the personal and emotional toll the Civil War exacts on families and communities. It underscores the sacrifices and hardships endured by those left behind as well as those who go to war. The anguish of separation and the longing for news from loved ones are central themes.
Adventures and Sacrifices: The narrative offers a dual perspective by following Hiram’s journey to the frontlines and his son David’s quest for adventure at home. These parallel storylines allow for a broader exploration of the war’s impact, revealing how both father and son face challenges, make sacrifices, and experience personal growth.
Exploration of Naïveté: The book highlights the innocence and naïveté of a young nation, showing how the outbreak of war forces individuals and communities to confront the harsh realities of conflict. It explores how preconceived notions of war and its glory are shattered by the grim truth.
Historical Authenticity: The novel is well-researched and offers a historically accurate portrayal of the Civil War, from battles and strategies to the social and emotional aspects of the time. This authenticity adds depth and credibility to the storytelling.
“A Beautiful Glittering Lie” is a historical novel that successfully blends an engaging narrative with a poignant exploration of the American Civil War’s impact on a family and a nation. It provides a window into the sacrifices and challenges faced by individuals during this tumultuous period in American history. This book will resonate with readers who appreciate historical fiction that brings the past to life and offers a personal perspective on a defining moment in the nation’s history.
My novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, has received another five-star review on Goodreads. This book is the first one in the Renegade Series. Thank you so much, Rachel, for your awesome review!
This book is a very well written novel set during the Civil War, apparently the first of a series. Hawkins does a wonderful job telling the story from the Confederate side, and creating characters that the reader will care about. There is so much Civil War history included that anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction would benefit from picking up this story. I was impressed with the southern drawl that most of the characters had and how it was consistent throughout the entire book.
I recently received another five-star review for my novel, Double-Edged Sword. This book is the fourth one in the Renegade Series. Thank you so much, Joshua Grant, for your review!
JDR Hawkins brings us a really interesting and human look at the Reconstruction era with Double-Edged Sword! With the end of the Civil War, ex Confederate David Summers returns to a war torn home and begins to attempt to pick up the pieces. But when a confrontation erupts with an old enemy, David is forced to stand trial. Hawkins always brings the past to life so vividly and seamlessly, and seeing Reconstruction through David and his family’s eyes was very deep and intriguing! I especially found the court case and the arguments around fairness in a postwar Union to be particularly fascinating, and I honestly had to keep flipping forward to figure out what would become of David! If you love historic fiction, the Civil War era, or even court dramas, definitely dive back into the deep South with Double-Edged Sword!
I recently received another flattering review from a person going by the name Cat Power on Goodreads. This review is in reference to my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, which is the first book in the Renegade Series. Thank you, Cat Power, for your review!
Whilst this isn’t one of my usual genres I received a complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers. I’d never thought about the people caught up in the American Civil war as people much like us simply trying to carry on with their lives. They’re usually portrayed as staunch slavers. This book gives a clearer insight and shows ordinary people caught in a fight that’s really not their own. I enjoyed getting to know the boys and seeing them grow up a little. Is an excellent read.
I recently received this five-star review from another super fan! This one is for my novel, Double-Edged Sword, which is the fourth book in the Renegade Series. Thank you so much, Greg Seeley, for your awesome review!
In Double-Edged Sword, J.D.R. Hawkins continues the love story of David Summers and his bride Anna (A Rebel Among Us) as the Civil War ends and the awkward period of Reconstruction begins. The story takes the couple back to David’s home state of Alabama where the harsh terms of Reconstruction come to odds with the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, catching between them the youthful couple and David’s family who wish nothing more than to simply go on with their lives. The conditions depicted in Double-Edged Sword are not pretty but are vividly brought to life in this well-researched, well-written novel. Every page leaves the reader wanting more and the following pages certainly deliver. When the couple leave the world of scalawags and carpetbaggers and travel north to Anna’s home state of Pennsylvania, they encounter a whole new set of problems that threaten to throw an already shaky marriage onto the rocks. The bitterness of war continues as Northerners obsess over the near-breakup of the Republic and those whom they hold responsible. For any true fan of historical fiction and, particularly this divisive period in American history, Double -Edged Sword is not to be missed. Read it now. You’ll be glad you did and it will leave you clamoring for David and Anna’s next adventure. I give a solid five stars.
It seems I have a superfan in another author named Grady. He has taken the time to review several of my books and has given them all five-star reviews. Here is a review he wrote recently for my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, which is the first book in the Renegade Series. Thank you so much, Grady, for flattering me with all your five-star reviews! Grady
Author 52 books1,872 followers
Superb Historical Fiction
Author/singer/songwriter JDR Hawkins writes novels and articles for newspapers, magazines, e-zines and blogs about the Civil War from the Confederate perspective. Her RENEGADE Series is rapidly winning multiple awards; the initial volume is this exceptional book – A BEAUTIFUL GLITTERING LIE. This series, now four books in number, relate the story of a family from northern Alabama who experience immeasurable pain when their lives are dramatically changed by the war. At this particular time in our history, when questions are being raised about the validity of statues and memorabilia of the Civil War, creating heated discussions and confrontations, this book offers a fresh view of the Civil War from the Southern, and Confederate, stance. For a more complete picture of that historical event, Hawkins has created a fictional revisit to that mid 1800s time and her writing is inviting, from the first lines: “Oh, look! Here ne comes!” Jenny exclaimed. The crowd exploded with cheers. David looked over to where she was pointing, his hazel eyes squinting in the bright sunshine. An elegant black lacquered carriage drawn by six white horses pulled up to the steps of the regal Greek revival-style state building. Eight musicians burst into “Dixie’s Land.” A slender, steely middle-aged gentleman stepped out of the carriage and was escorted by military personnel to a waiting platform, where he took his seat. “He looks sickly to me,” remarked David’s father, Hiram…’ Approaching her novel from the family standpoint allows everyone entry to better understand the Confederate vantage.
With that sense of presence, the plot progresses as follows: ‘In the spring of 1861, a country once united is fractured by war. Half of America fights for the Confederate cause; the other, for unification. Rebel forces have already seized Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines, a new Confederate president has been elected, and the Constitution has been revised. In north Alabama, a farmer and father of three decides to enlist. For Hiram Summers, it is the end of everything he has ever known. After Hiram travels to Virginia with the Fourth Alabama Infantry Regiment, he is quickly thrust into combat. His son, David, who must stay behind, searches for adventure at home by traipsing to Huntsville with his best friend, Jake Kimball, to scrutinize invading Yankees. Meanwhile, Caroline – Hiram’s wife and David’s mother – struggles to keep up with the farm as her world revolves around the letters she receives from her husband, whom she misses dearly. As Hiram and his son discover the true meaning of war, they soon realize that their choices have torn their family apart. The naïveté of a young country is tested, a father sacrifices everything to defend his home, and a young man longs for adventure – regardless of the perilous cost.’
This is a timely novel that will hopefully add new dimensions of thinking about the Civil War and its persistent scars.
My novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, has received another review on Goodreads. This book is the first one in the Renegade Series, which tells the story of a family from north Alabama, and how the Civil War impacts their lives. Thank you so much, Sophie Narey, for your flattering review!
This is not the usual type of book that I read but the blurb was the thing that completely drew me into it. This is the first book in the series, set in the Civil War, we follow Hiram Summers as he is thrown into the combat, his family who have to stay behind struggle without him there but know he had to enlist and fight for the cause. Hiram and his son uncover the meaning of the war and soon realize that the choices they have made have torn the family they love apart.
It is brilliantly written, it has lots of action, secrets and drama to keep hold of your attention and keep you reading on. The book is only 199 pages which for me is the perfect length of book in this genre, it is quick to read for the fact it flows so well throughout the book. It definitely makes me want to read on the rest of the series.
I just received a new review for my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, which is the first book in the Renegade Series. Thank you so much, Rachel, for your five-star review on Goodreads!
This book is a very well written novel set during the Civil War, apparently the first of a series. Hawkins does a wonderful job telling the story from the Confederate side, and creating characters that the reader will care about. There is so much Civil War history included that anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction would benefit from picking up this story. I was impressed with the southern drawl that most of the characters had and how it was consistent throughout the entire book.
My latest novel, Double-Edged Sword, just received a review from Kirkus Reviews. Thank you for the amazing review!
In the wake of the Civil War, a former Confederate soldier encounters problems with the law in Hawkins’ historical-fiction series installment.
In this fourth volume in the Renegade series, the author centers on her main character, ex-Confederate cavalryman David Summers, and his Pennsylvania-born wife Anna, who, after surviving the recently ended war, are making their way in Richmond, Virginia. There, they see the devastation all around them: “The Stars and Stripes waved atop flagpoles, only four months ago replacing the grand Blood-Stained Banner, a flagrant reminder of the recent victory won.” They’re hoping to make a better life for themselves in David’s hometown in Morgan County, Alabama. Little do they know that they will soon cross paths again with Stephen Montgomery, a nefarious, charismatic sergeant-major from earlier series entries—a schemer who had designs not only on Anna but on her family’s property. After he re-enters the couple’s lives, a violent confrontation leads to David being put on trial before a judge and jury who are far from sympathetic to the former Confederate soldier. Even though David swore an oath of allegiance to the United States of America, it’s not just the prosecuting attorney who suspects him of “still fighting the war.” As in the previous books in this series, Hawkins manages to craft a simple story that has plenty of energy and heart; it effectively features tested romance, rivalry, and courtroom drama. Its consistent readability goes a long way to compensate for the fact that David often comes off as belligerent and unpleasant. The … novel’s evocation to the postwar South (“Lonesome chimneys jutted from the landscape; ravaged reminders of the horrors his people had seen”) are uniformly well done. An atmospheric and often engaging drama of the Reconstruction-era South.
