Matter of Trust

Shadowcreek Chronicles #2

by T. Elizabeth Renich

The icy winter of 1862 finds General Robert E. Lee battling against the Army of the Potomac. Salina Hastings faces the consequences of keeping her word of honor to her father, her loved ones, and the struggling Confederacy's Western Campaign. With distinctive historical accuracy based on years of research both on and off site, skilled storyteller T. Elizabeth Renich brings to life the Civil War and a Confederate family's determined struggle for survival in the midst of this magnificent explosion of history. Set against crucial battles and raids and intriguing lesser- known aspects of the War between the States, the Shadowcreek Chronicles are relentless in their passion for history and story.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical Romance

335 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

T. Elizabeth Renich is the author of the Shadowcreek Chronicles, a series of four historical novels set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. Ms. Renich’s research repeatedly brought her to the East Coast while digging for accurate historical background information for her novels. These research trips indirectly led to her decision to move from her native California to Charlotte, North Carolina, following a five-season stint (1992-1997) as Secretary to the Head Coach of the San Diego Chargers.

In addition to her interest in the Civil War, her favorite pastimes include reading, writing, photography, football, and horseback riding, the last of which resulted from her studies of the Southern cavalry. While writing, Ms. Renich often listens to movie soundtracks such as Last of the Mohicans, Gettysburg, and Braveheart; and music from Civil War period or traditional Scottish tunes. Although she inherited her love of books and reading from her father, the greatest influence on her writing career came from her Senior Composition teacher in high school.

The Shadowcreek Chronicles (Word of Honor, Matter of Trust, Not Without Courage, and Strength and Glory) are Ms. Renich’s first published effort. Future projects may eventually lead her into non-fiction writing.

One of her long-range goals is to visit all fifty states prior to her fiftieth birthday. She has traveled to Alaska and only has Hawaii and twelve other states left to go. Ms. Renich first visited Winchester in the summer of 1998, and since became enamored of the Lower Shenandoah Valley. She hopes to realize her dream of residing there some day. In the meantime, she enjoys conducting research in the Winchester environs, whenever she gets the chance.

Reviews

[Trisha Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book two was not as interesting to me as book one, but by now I'm already attached to the Hastings family so it was still a book I couldn't put down. I suppose my personal issue with this volume was that it had a lot more drama and a lot less history. The drama was getting to be a little over the top for me, but hey... still a quick read, still loved the characters, (and PS I'm on book three and it had a lot more action and history to fill my needs... yep, Gettysburg!!)!

[Arnetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally love historical fiction and I love this book. I'm a Yankee - with a great grandfather who fought for the Confederacy. Trying to understand the Confederate side of the issue better (out of family loyalty) led me to this series. They have been enlightening, informative, and just plain ol' good reading. This is the 2nd book in the series and I have 2 ore I'm looking forward to reading.

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the Shadow Creek books, and this one is amazing! It is incredibly accurate, and very well written. I would recommend this book to all over 13, because it is hard to grasp for less mature people. On the whole, I LOVED IT!

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of the same. By the end of the series, I started to find Salina rather *too* flawless...

[Melissa Westhouse]

Book 2 was great however the rest of the series was better