Ronnie Pastecki

Author

Ronnie Pastecki

Whipponock Creek: The Life and Times of Will Traylor began when the author discovered documented evidence of her 4th Great-Grandfather's service as a scout at Valley Forge. This historical fiction was enhanced by her site visits, which followed her ancestor from Dinwiddie, VA, to the Battle of Brandywine and the encampments at Valley Forge and Morristown. This accessible and well-researched novel examines love, friendship, and patriotism....

Whipponock Creek

“The best of this novel, based on historical facts--the real-life Will Traylor is Pastecki’s fourth-great-grandfather--is the chronicle of the protagonist’s service as a scout under Washington during the war, a remarkable story.” -- Kirkus ReviewGrowing up in Dinwiddie, Virginia, on his father’s prosperous plantation, Will’s childhood upbringing...

Praise

"The best of this novel, based on historical facts---the real-life Will Traylor is Pastecki's fourth-great-grandfather--- is the chronicle of the protagonist's service as a scout under Washington during the war, a remarkable story."

– Kirkus Review

Whipponock Creek offers an insightful exploration of one man's personal journey during a tumultuous period in American history. Ronnie Pastecki's dedication to historical accuracy shines through, lending an air of authenticity to the narrative. I did not know when I picked the novel up that some of the pieces of this colorful life tapestry were crafted from one of the author's ancestors, and this fact somehow makes the whole book feel more personal. The standout aspect of the book is the depiction of Will's scouting work during the war. The scenes are meticulously crafted, capturing the intensity and danger of the battlefield, and this is one of the most interesting and historically accurate fictional accounts I have come across in some time. Recommended.

– Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

If you love history, this book is for you...This is one of those rare books that pulls you right into the moment. The detailed description of the living conditions, food, clothing, beating of slaves, and family values made me wonder, “How did she know?” Obviously, the author did extensive research to bring us into the 18th century this way. We tend to forget what the citizens of this country went through hundreds of years before we were born. Thank you, Ronnie Pastecki, for taking my breath away with this story. Anyone who enjoys historical references should put this book on their reading list.

– Diana D. DePalma

Latest Updates

February 25, 2026

Ask about my new book, The Writing Desk (tentative title)

When a local teacher (and reluctant archivist) finds an old writing desk in her mother’s closet, she must trace a vanished love and its wartime consequences before family...