Meet author T. Elizabeth Renich
T. Elizabeth Renich is the author of six historical novels set against America’s Revolution and Civil War. She worked for two NFL teams and has visited all fifty United States of America. International travels have 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 in albums documenting research trips and life in general, illustrating how she gives glory to God for the great things He has done.
Tell us about your newest book.
A Declaration of Hope is the second of my Sovereign Liberty trilogy. A Worthy Risk was released last summer, and A Declaration of Hope will be released June 23, 2026 – while I’m in England for a research trip with author-friends Julie Klassen, Erica Vetsch, Audra Harders, and Laura Frantz.
Marcus St. James takes Serenity Ravensworth to wife, exonerated of a past he can’t remember. Relocation to British North America requires relinquishing his noble English title and estate. Strife in the Colonies escalates at each presumptuous Parliamentary Act, and when blood is spilled in Massachusetts and Virginia, Independence is weighed in the balance. Unavoidable revolution is coming—in truth, it has already arrived—and neither Marcus or Serenity can do anything to stop it. The Colonies will be free, but at what cost?
What inspired you to write your story?
After spending two and a half decades researching the Civil War, I accepted a challenge to try something else… so I began researching to build my knowledge base on the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War (from the American side and the British side) because I needed to be able to know what I was writing about. I discovered actual events that I wanted to write about and then wove my invented characters into fictional interactions with real historical figures.
What genre do you focus on.
I write historical fiction. There is so much more to our country’s history than what is taught in schools and I wanted to share the amazing things I learned with others. Our country is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it was founded by God-fearing men who sought His ways for an “experiment” of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We are those people, and it’s our responsibility to guard the stories of what makes our nation great. There isn’t another country in existence with the rich tradition the USA has to offer its citizens.
Why do you write?
Some days, I honestly don’t know why I write, and some days I feel like it’s just what I’m supposed to do. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing something. Little stories. Silly poems. I worked on both the newspaper and yearbook staffs in high school. I journaled. Now I write elaborate captions for photo books of my research trips. I write books because I have been encouraged to do so, and I continuously thank God for providing me with words and storylines.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
I didn’t go searching for a specific name for my main female character – Serenity was always her name since the time she made an appearance on page one of A Worthy Risk. Serenity’s hero, Marcus, bears his name as a tribute to three men in my life who shared their positive influence with me over the years. One is my cousin, one is man I worked with, and one is a former professional football player. They each had an impact – and I wanted Serenity to fall in love with a man who shares their complied characteristics.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I hold a “real job” 40 hours a week, Monday-Friday. Writing happens whenever I can get it in during the rest of my waking hours. If I’ve been on a research trip, I take notebook, phone/camera, and laptop with me so as I can get ideas recorded while they are fresh.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part is that it’s not just writing. In addition to researching, there’s marketing, signings, designing, collaborating, social media, sales, taxes, business… It’s a second job that never seems to have enough hours to get all I want to get accomplished done. I couldn’t do all the peripheral without an incredible support team, including my agent, spurring me on.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
When someone (in person or in a book review) says, “I loved your story and I learned so much that I never knew before!” I love getting the chance to pick the brains of learned historians and sharing with readers both historical details and those that are faith-based.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’m very particular about the details I include in my stories and historical accuracy is extremely important to me. I have to put away my soapbox when it occasionally sneaks out. I try not to drive more than 12 hours in a day to reach or return home from a research trip. (That’s more than one thing… too many words—ha!)
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
Technology-wise, from the time I initially wrote my Shadowcreek Chronicles (the first two were written in Microsoft Works and turned in on 3.5” floppy disks!) to the Track Changes feature we use now for the Sovereign Liberty Series, getting words out of my head and “onto paper” is a night and day difference. Personally, I came through chemo treatments for ovarian cancer and so since then, my brain processes things differently than it used to.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love creating photo books on Shutterfly when I’m not under deadline. I also love to read, watch football, and get in the Jeep and go drive to something historical (library, museum, battlefield…) or spend time with family and friends.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have six historical novels and one chapter in a non-fiction compilation.
What are you working on now?
I am writing the third installment of the Sovereign Liberty series. I’ve been asked by a few people if I know how the book will end, and I do… Spoiler alert: Cornwallis surrenders Crown forces and the Continental Army endures to see that America gets her freedom…
Website:
My website was recently updated with a lovely refresh… and if readers would like to keep in touch to learn about new releases, research, and appearances they are welcome to subscribe to my newsletter. https://telizabethrenich.com
Link to book(s) on Amazon.com:
A Worthy Risk – https://a.co/d/0ggZgJRP
A Declaration of Hope – https://a.co/d/08Du6YxY
Social media links:
Instagram: @telizabethrenich
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/telizabethshadowcreekbooks
- Elizabeth Renich is the author of six historical novels set against America’s Revolution and Civil War. She worked for two NFL teams and has visited all fifty United States of America. International travels have 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 in albums documenting research trips and life in general, illustrating how she gives glory to God for the great things He has done.
Tell us about your newest book.
A Declaration of Hope is the second of my Sovereign Liberty trilogy. A Worthy Risk was released last summer, and A Declaration of Hope will be released June 23, 2026 – while I’m in England for a research trip with author-friends Julie Klassen, Erica Vetsch, Audra Harders, and Laura Frantz.
Marcus St. James takes Serenity Ravensworth to wife, exonerated of a past he can’t remember. Relocation to British North America requires relinquishing his noble English title and estate. Strife in the Colonies escalates at each presumptuous Parliamentary Act, and when blood is spilled in Massachusetts and Virginia, Independence is weighed in the balance. Unavoidable revolution is coming—in truth, it has already arrived—and neither Marcus or Serenity can do anything to stop it. The Colonies will be free, but at what cost?
What inspired you to write your story?
After spending two and a half decades researching the Civil War, I accepted a challenge to try something else… so I began researching to build my knowledge base on the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War (from the American side and the British side) because I needed to be able to know what I was writing about. I discovered actual events that I wanted to write about and then wove my invented characters into fictional interactions with real historical figures.
What genre do you focus on.
I write historical fiction. There is so much more to our country’s history than what is taught in schools and I wanted to share the amazing things I learned with others. Our country is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it was founded by God-fearing men who sought His ways for an “experiment” of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We are those people, and it’s our responsibility to guard the stories of what makes our nation great. There isn’t another country in existence with the rich tradition the USA has to offer its citizens.
Why do you write?
Some days, I honestly don’t know why I write, and some days I feel like it’s just what I’m supposed to do. I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing something. Little stories. Silly poems. I worked on both the newspaper and yearbook staffs in high school. I journaled. Now I write elaborate captions for photo books of my research trips. I write books because I have been encouraged to do so, and I continuously thank God for providing me with words and storylines.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
I didn’t go searching for a specific name for my main female character – Serenity was always her name since the time she made an appearance on page one of A Worthy Risk. Serenity’s hero, Marcus, bears his name as a tribute to three men in my life who shared their positive influence with me over the years. One is my cousin, one is man I worked with, and one is a former professional football player. They each had an impact – and I wanted Serenity to fall in love with a man who shares their complied characteristics.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I hold a “real job” 40 hours a week, Monday-Friday. Writing happens whenever I can get it in during the rest of my waking hours. If I’ve been on a research trip, I take notebook, phone/camera, and laptop with me so as I can get ideas recorded while they are fresh.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part is that it’s not just writing. In addition to researching, there’s marketing, signings, designing, collaborating, social media, sales, taxes, business… It’s a second job that never seems to have enough hours to get all I want to get accomplished done. I couldn’t do all the peripheral without an incredible support team, including my agent, spurring me on.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
When someone (in person or in a book review) says, “I loved your story and I learned so much that I never knew before!” I love getting the chance to pick the brains of learned historians and sharing with readers both historical details and those that are faith-based.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’m very particular about the details I include in my stories and historical accuracy is extremely important to me. I have to put away my soapbox when it occasionally sneaks out. I try not to drive more than 12 hours in a day to reach or return home from a research trip. (That’s more than one thing… too many words—ha!)
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
Technology-wise, from the time I initially wrote my Shadowcreek Chronicles (the first two were written in Microsoft Works and turned in on 3.5” floppy disks!) to the Track Changes feature we use now for the Sovereign Liberty Series, getting words out of my head and “onto paper” is a night and day difference. Personally, I came through chemo treatments for ovarian cancer and so since then, my brain processes things differently than it used to.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love creating photo books on Shutterfly when I’m not under deadline. I also love to read, watch football, and get in the Jeep and go drive to something historical (library, museum, battlefield…) or spend time with family and friends.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have six historical novels and one chapter in a non-fiction compilation.
What are you working on now?
I am writing the third installment of the Sovereign Liberty series. I’ve been asked by a few people if I know how the book will end, and I do… Spoiler alert: Cornwallis surrenders Crown forces and the Continental Army endures to see that America gets her freedom…
Website:
My website was recently updated with a lovely refresh… and if readers would like to keep in touch to learn about new releases, research, and appearances they are welcome to subscribe to my newsletter. https://telizabethrenich.com
Link to book(s) on Amazon.com:
A Worthy Risk – https://a.co/d/0ggZgJRP
A Declaration of Hope – https://a.co/d/08Du6YxY
Social media links:
Instagram: @telizabethrenich
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/telizabethshadowcreekbooks
Follow me on social media!
