J.D.R. Hawkins

One bullet can make a man a hero… or a casualty.

Archive for the tag “book reviews”

10 May 2023

Even More Five-Star Reviews for A Rebel Among Us!

The favorable reviews just keep coming! Here are a few more five-star reviews for my novel, A Rebel Among Us, which is the third book in the Renegade Series. Thank you so much, everyone, for your awesome reviews!

Marcia

5.0 out of 5 stars Great set of characters

Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2023

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A Rebel Among Us is a terrific novel about the Civil War period. J. D. R. Hawkins is a fantastic author that brings the characters to life thanks to her vivid descriptions. The emotions really pop and are a great catalyst for all the action around it. I really enjoyed reading it.

quirru

VINE VOICE

5.0 out of 5 stars A novel with a well-developed setting

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2023

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A historical novel about the Civil War, book 3 of the series. It is a well-written fictionalized history tale about a man that has been wounded in action and is picked up by four sisters that helped him to become healthy again, one of them asked him for a favor and now he is living a big dilemma about helping the one that saved him or not because he will be seen as a traitor. Captivating story with a well-defined background and well-described characters. I think is better to read books 1 and 2 first, but this can be understood without them.

Jesse Presgraves

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book 3 in the series

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2023

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A Rebel Among Us by JDR Hawkins is book three in the Renegade series. You should absolutely pick up these books in order for the best experience. In this one, David Summers is being nursed back to health when he learns his Confederate brothers left him in Pennsylvania after Gettysburg. He has to decide if he’ll try to blend in to help a friend or if he’ll make his way back home. I have enjoyed this series and this book. If you are looking for a great historically set novel series with a wonderful plot, I can’t recommend this one enough.

Robin

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical and powerful novel

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2023

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A Rebel Among Us is a powerful and well-written novel written by J.D.R. Hawkins. Set during the Civil War era, a Confederate soldier by the name of David Summers was found injured and bleeding by a group of girls, who take him in and mend him back to health. A love story between David and one of the girls, Anna, develops, which comes with its own set of challenges. Hawkins did a fabulous job of making the characters relatable, as well as really making this historical timeframe detailed and realistic. Would highly recommend!

Denise

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved reading this bookReviewed in the United States on April 21, 2023

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I love the mixes that the author added throughout the story, I am a fan of all of the mixes. Very compelling and I enjoyed reading it.

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19 Jan 2023

New Reviews for Double-Edged Sword

I recently received several new reviews for my latest novel, Double-Edged Sword. This book is the fourth in the Renegade Series, and has already reached The #1 spot on Amazon. I’d like to share some of these reviews with you. Thanks so much for the awesome reviews, and for your continuing support!

I received this review from Leaders Press.

And here are a few more from readers.

Santiago Flores

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read

Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2022

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Double-Edged Sword: A Novel of Reconstruction Book Four of the Renegade Series by J.D.R. Hawkins is a story that shows how a man can be changed after war. The quality of the novel is undoubtedly great. I liked how characters were developed and how the main character’s change was shown. I also enjoyed the dialogues, which seem quite accurate with real life. I recommend reading it.

Robin

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and intense

Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022

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Double-edged sword by J.D.R. Hawkins is an astounding story filled with remarkable character experiences and intense adversities. The troubles and conflicts brought on by the result of combat run deep. Instability and turmoil are triggered though violent behavior and suffering. It was rather fascinating learning about the life of soldiers following war, and the author does a great job of capturing genuine emotion. This is a very thought-provoking book that I would highly recommend.

Adriana Capitani

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read

Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2022

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Double-Edged Sword: A Novel of Reconstruction Book Four of the Renegade Series by author J.D.R. Hawkins is an enjoyable read that can be a very good stand alone – so, if you haven’t read the previous ones, you would be able to understand this one.
The scenery, the description of characters and the dialogues are well created, making the reader immerse in the story easily. I would totally recommend reading it.

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27 Jan 2022

More Five-Star Reviews for A Beckoning Hellfire

Here are more five-star reviews I recently received for my novel, A Beckoning Hellfire, which has propelled into the Amazon bestseller list. The book is the second one in the Renegade Series.

AliReads

5.0 out of 5 stars 

A very balanced take on the civil war with a cool storyline

Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2021

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A Beckoning Hellfire, written by the talented J.D.R. Hawkins, transports us inside the heartland of the Great Civil Battle, revealing the brutal reality as a trooper. The story has an interesting starting point. On New Year’s Eve in 1862, David Summers, the protagonist, discovers that the Union Troops murdered his dad. In a moment of wrath and a desire for vengeance, David takes the heroic step and enters the Confederate Military, intending to get revenge. But, it is not as easy as it sounds. Hawkins kept the readers engaged till the end with her extraordinary skills. It is a must-read for everyone!

Nicki

5.0 out of 5 stars 

War Horrors

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2021

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Using the backdrop of the Civil War, the author gives a harsh picture of the war horrors. The book shows how men in the field turn completely barbaric, looting the dead, and striving hard to survive in the wilderness. The story is dark and sad and brings out the emotion of pity. It is well written and shows excellent research to create the feel of nineteenth-century America.

Ona

5.0 out of 5 stars 

A novel about the American Civil War

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2021

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A Beckoning Hellfire is book two in a trilogy that focuses on a family in Alabama during the American Civil War, sometimes known as the War Between the States. This is a behind the scenes look at the way the conflict affected southerners who were not big plantation holders or slave owners. There are some exceptionally realistic battlefield scenes, as well as examination of the field hospitals. Mass grave burials, as well as an examination of the toll that the conflict took on both man and horse. This war, which often divided families and called personal moral codes into question, was one of the first where photography was used to record the grim scenes on the battlefield, rather than an artists rendition. Echoes from this war and the circumstances surrounding it echo through U.S. politics and social attitudes today. This book is a reminder of the human lives that were deeply affected at the time.

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05 Jan 2022

More Reviews for A Beautiful Glittering Lie

The reviews keep coming! Here are a few more for my novel, A Beautiful Glittering Lie, which is the first book in the Renegade Series.

Jackie rated it really liked it  

The narration of this book is excellent. It is plain to see that the author has an intense fascination with the American Civil War. Her descriptions of people, animals and places make you feel as though you are there with them. As a non-American I found it a little difficult to keep up with where all the places are (my copy didn’t have a map in the cover, which would have been helpful!) and the names of all the generals were lost on me. I found it a little confusing with the many names of the different sides at first, having never studied American history. However, once I got going I found it easy enough to work out. The book shows the civil war through the eyes of an ordinary Southern family, which is an interesting perspective and does not glamourise the war at all. It is a working class family’s story, which makes it easy to relate to. Be prepared to read the rest of the series – the ending leaves you wanting more!

Samantha Wynd rated it it was amazing  

Although not the genre of book I would normally read I was given the opportunity to read and review this book by the author through Voracious Readers. Looking for something different I jumped at the chance and was glad I did. Hawkins writes in such a way that the reader feels they are part of the story. A novel written about America’s battle between the North and the South the closest I’d come to reading anything around this period was Gone With the Wind so it’s definitely not my normal style. However I saw every battle scene clearly felt every emotion and experience expressed by Bud, Hiram, David, Jake and their families, friends and comrades. I found myself praying for Bud and Hiram’s safe return, internally yelling warnings at the boys, and reaching for tissues when Sally was stolen and Hiram didn’t return as planned. A great book well written and one I’d highly recommend

A rated it really liked it 

The work follows how the lives of a family from a small town in Alabama are affected by the Civil War. I usually steer clear of historical fiction revolving around wars because they’re all battles or overly romanticized. The author of this work does an excellent job at finding a balance; this is one of the most realistic works of fiction I’ve read concerning the Civil War. The author did her research. The characters are also well-written and aren’t static, making the work engaging.
I received a complimentary copy of this work through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.

https://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Glittering-Lie-Novel-Civil/dp/1643619942/ref=sr_1_1?crid=113PP93DB6Q67&keywords=a+beautiful+glittering+lie&qid=1641421080&sprefix=%2Caps%2C608&sr=8-1

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