Meet T. Elizabeth Renich

Meet T. Elizabeth Renich

by | Aug 24, 2024 | Author Interviews

It has been a blessing to get to know T. Elizabeth Renich over the years, both as fellow historical authors and as avid readers. I’m even more excited that we both Kregel authors now. While her Kregel series won’t begin releasing until 2025, I can tell you that the series goes from after the French & Indian War (1763) through the American Revolution. So if you are a fan of Laura Frantz, you are not going to want to miss T. Elizabeth’s books. I HIGHLY recommend you sign up for her newsletter so you can stay in the know. She is releasing her Shadow Creek Chronicles series (Civil War) one book at a time, and so that is what we’re going to focus on today. Before we do that, let me officially introduce you!

T. Elizabeth Renich has written four Civil War novels, worked for two NFL teams, and visited all fifty United States of America. International travels has taken her to Germany, Japan, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, and England. She hunts historical markers and shares hope as an ovarian cancer survivor. Her love of photography is evident as she documents research trips and life, giving glory to God for the great things He has done.

You can connect with her through:  Website  |  Newsletter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram  

Now for the fun stuff! I have to admit I am partial to my Fast Five. 🙂 So settle in as I hit T. Elizabeth with rapid-fire.

 

CC: Pineapple pizza or candy corn?

TER: Pineapple pizza

CC: Test the waters or dive in the deep end?

TER: Test the waters

CC: Guacamole or salsa?

TER: Guacamole 

CC: Silly hats or silly socks?

TER: Silly socks

CC: Passwords or secret handshakes?

TER: passwords

I’m such a silly socks person too. In fact, many of our answers would match!

What fiction book has most impacted you?

TER: The one on my mind is my most recent read which was Jamie Ogle’s “Of Love and Treason.” Her story takes place in a time period I have not dabbled in. The way she illustrated the danger and trials of the Christians in Rome was moving. I’m not sure exactly how to describe it, but I felt different after reading it. The emotions caused deeper reflection on the power of God’s amazing love for us and how He is faithful when we cling to Him.

CC: Oh, that one is on my TBR pile. I just might have to move it up.

When did you first realize you want to be a writer?

TER: In twelfth grade, my Senior Composition teacher insisted that I should write stories, she believed in me long before I did. She attended my first book signing saying, “I told you so.”

CC: I love how the encouragement of a teacher can really change the course of someone’s life. 

What is your writing Kryptonite?

TER: I go down way too many rabbit holes while researching. When I have 20+ browser tabs open, I know I’m too far from where I started. Reel it back in, and write!

CC: Oh the research. It’s so fun to get lost in, and sometimes it’s a wonderful procrastination tool. LOL

How have you seen God work through your writing journey?

TER: Oh, yes! Without Him I would have no words or stories to share. I stand back and watch in awe to see Him open doors, lead me to contacts I didn’t know I needed, find research tidbits at just the moment they are needed, as if He’s giving me a clue that I’m on the right/write path. He is faithful. I thought I was done writing the Shadowcreek Chronicles. I was wrong, and He’s guiding me through a new plan I didn’t see coming. Stay tuned…

CC: Isn’t it amazing when He takes the plans we thought we knew and turns them on their heads? I definitely encourage my readers to join your newsletter and stay tuned for all the upcoming fun.

Before we dive into learning about book one of the Shadowcreek Chronicles, can you tell us a little bit about this series that you are rereleasing?

TER: This is the series blurb: With distinctive historical accuracy, skilled storyteller T. Elizabeth Renich brings the Civil War to life by blending documented facts and memorable characters in a moving account detailing a Confederate family and their determined struggle for survival amid crucial battles and daring cavalry raids…

CC: It’s not often you get a look at the Confederate side of things. I always like to tell people that war is complicated and it is so much more than the all-too-succinct explanations taught to us in history classes. Fiction is a great way to see the all-too-real side of the War and the cost both sides paid.

Now I’m excited to talk about Word of Honor.

In August 1862, shortly before the battle near Chantilly, Virginia, Captain Duncan Grant receives orders from the Union Secret Service to stop the flow of vital information to the South by any justifiable means. His cross-country search for the leader of a Rebel civilian spy ring has him chasing after the daughter of a former West Point classmate and friend. Duncan learns his lesson the hard way—he would not underestimate Salina Hastings again.
(Quick historical note from Crystal: This is NOT the Secret Service you are thinking of. If you were essentially a spy for the Union, you were said to be in the Secret Service.)

Purchase your copy at  Amazon  

CC: Where did you get the idea for the series?

TER: I found Civil War history in California, my native state, and wanted to share what I learned.
CC: Oh, now I’m interested to know how this connects to California history. I mean I know technically, California would probably have been part of the Civil War loosely, but I never thought about it actually having ties TO the War.
How is the Civil War connected to California?

TER: My characters are involved with a Western Campaign with plans for a Confederate takeover of California because the gold and silver financing the Union war effort was coming from Western territories. People were held at the fort on Alcatraz Island until after the war was over. 

CC: Wow. I had no idea. How cool is that? Now I want to go digging into that bit of previously-unknown-to-me history.
What was some of your favorite research while preparing for the Shadow Creek Chronicles?
TER: Going to the places where my stories are set helps me visualize better what I’m trying to write. Battlefields, historic sites, museums… and so many of the rangers and docents are great about sharing information and finding the little-known details.
CC: I love how their knowledge can really add to a series with their unique detailed knowledge.
What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

TER: History is not dull and boring. I find it amazing what those who came before us accomplished and endured. Progress brings change, but people’s attributes don’t differ much through the years.

CC: I agree. History is so much more than the sentences that are put in history books. There is so much depth and richness there, and sometimes the only way to really experience it is through a well-researched book. 

I always like to end with a fun question so . . . 

If you were a pirate, what would be your nickname? Why?
TER: Gunpowder Stubbs — because it was on one of those funny quizzes with the pertinent letters and months as the clues. It made me laugh — ha!
CC: That is fantastic and sooo much fun! 
Readers, I hope you’ll check out Word of Honor and then leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or BookBub. You wouldn’t believe how important that is to an author.  

Reader, what is your favorite historical period to read?

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