Reading of the Declaration of Independence

 

Yesterday, on July 8, at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Americans across the globe joined together for a simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence. 

The event was planned to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration on July 8, 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. 

When I was researching the summer of 1776 in Philadelphia for my book For Liberty and Love, I unearthed an old history book from 1887.

According to the account in the book:

"The first public celebration of the event (signing of the Declaration) was in Philadelphia on the 8th of July. It did not take place earlier because printed copies were not ready sooner. At noon on the day named, the committee of safety and of inspection, the officers of the city government and the members of congress marched in procession from the hall to the yard, where an immense multitude had gathered. John Nixon, a member of the committee of safety, then read from the balcony in a loud and clear voice, the immortal Declaration of Independence, which was received with cheers and uproarious enthusiasm. The day was given to jollification, and the old Liberty Bell pealed out its joyous notes of the town and along the Delaware. " 

From The Youths' History of the United States by Edward S. Ellis

Bells began ringing before noon to summon the citizens of Philadelphia to the State House Yard.  The weather was unbearably hot. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have so many bodies crowded into that space, eager to hear what was about to be read. 

The bells stopped, and at noon, Colonel John Nixon read the Declaration of Independence. Some accounts say he stood on the balcony, others say he stood in the steps. Regardless of where he stood, he read in a loud, clear voice that carried the words of liberty (and at that time considered treason) over the crowd. 

Colonel Nixon was the son of a prominent Philadelphia shipping merchant and owner of a wharf on the Delaware River. He was educated in business instead of formal schooling, and inherited his father's enterprises in 1749. He because a warden of the port in 1766, a signer of paper money issued by Pennsylvania in 1767, and a manager of Pennsylvania Hospital from 1768-1772. In 1765 he married Elizabeth Davis and they had five children. He because an early and ardent proponent of the colonies, actively opposed to the Stamp Act. When the Revolutionary War began, he joined the Committee of Safety. He was a lieutenant-colonel in the Third Battalion of Associators (a unit of wealthy individuals), but he participated in the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, and was chosen partially for his military service with George Washington to read the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 1776. Nixon went on to become one of the organizers and a director of the Bank of Pennsylvania, and in 1784 because the director of the Bank of North America, the first national bank. 

After Colonel Nixon read the Declaration, the bells again began to peal and rang throughout the day. Reports state people celebrated the rest of the day, eager for liberty. 

Despite the heat and the crowds, I wish I could have been there that day to hear the words read aloud for the first time. 

Since I couldn't be there, I did the next best thing, and wrote about in from the perspective of my heroine, Lucy, in For Liberty and Love. 

I also wrote about the moment from the perspective of Lucy's little brother, Theo, in a rhyming read-aloud children's picture book.

Theo and the Day the Bells Rang follows Theo through the day on July 8, 1776, as he experiences a momentous event that changed our nation.

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

When this award-winning author isn’t writing or testing out new recipes (she loves to bake!), Shanna hangs out at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, better known as Captain Cavedweller.

Connect with her at her website: ShannaHatfield.com

The Role of a Ranch in a Story by Marisa Masterson

 

Writing The Lawyer on the Texas Ranch began with a single image: a woman determined not to repeat the mistakes of her past, standing in a sunlit barn and deciding whether to stay or go. That image led to questions about what it takes to rebuild a life after marriage has become a prison of its own making — and how an unexpected journey can change a person’s priorities.

Research played a surprisingly practical role. To portray ranch life credibly, attention to daily routines was essential: feeding schedules, horse care, the physical layout of stables, and the rhythm of chores. These details make the world tangible and give emotional scenes a grounded sense of realism. 

Another important layer was the theme of freedom. The central line, "I will not trade my freedom for a loveless life," echoed in early drafts and became a guiding principle for Sybil. That sentiment shaped scenes, from quiet confrontations to moments of tenderness, forcing the narrative to ask what each character is willing to surrender and what they refuse to lose.

Balancing mystery with romance was a structural choice. I wanted the search for Stubby and the missing horses to create external tension that mirrored internal conflict. A slow-burn romantic arc allowed trust to grow organically, while the mystery provided plot momentum and occasional danger. Merging these elements required careful pacing so that neither the romance nor the investigation overshadowed the other.

Finally, the setting — Texas ranchland — was chosen for its emotional resonance. Wide-open landscapes create opportunities for introspection and isolation, while small-town networks remind characters that choices ripple across relationships. Writing those contrasts helped shape the novel’s atmosphere: quiet, practical, and full of possibilities.

In the end, The Lawyer on the Texas Ranch grew from a desire to tell a story about second chances that feels earned. It’s a book about learning to trust after betrayal, finding love without losing yourself, and discovering that sometimes the bravest thing is to open your hand and take a risk.

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Petticoats, Patriots, and Quiet Courage

 

One of the things I love most about writing sweet historical romance is discovering the quieter corners of history. Not every act of courage happened on a battlefield. Sometimes courage looked like a woman hanging laundry on a line. Sometimes it looked like listening carefully while pretending not to listen at all. Sometimes it looked like doing the ordinary, everyday work expected of women while secretly helping a much larger cause.

That is part of what drew me to Her Heart’s Allegiance, my book in the Petticoats & Patriots series.

The series celebrates sweet, wholesome Revolutionary War romances inspired by women whose courage, faith, and determination helped shape the fight for independence. These heroines may not always carry muskets or march with armies, but they are brave all the same. They use what they have, where they are, to serve the Patriot cause.

My heroine, Anna Turner, was inspired in part by Anna Smith Strong of Setauket, Long Island, who is traditionally connected with the Culper Spy Ring. According to legend, Anna Strong used laundry on her clothesline as a signal system. A black petticoat could indicate that a message was ready, while handkerchiefs helped identify a location. Whether every detail of the story can be proven or not, I have always loved what it represents: a woman using something as simple and domestic as laundry to take part in something dangerous and important.

That idea became the heart of Anna Turner’s story.

In Her Heart’s Allegiance, Anna lives in occupied Setauket, Long Island, in 1778. British officers are

far too near, the Patriot cause is dangerous to serve, and trust is not easily given. Anna’s work as a seamstress and household servant gives her access to rooms, conversations, and secrets she was never meant to hear. Her courage is quiet, but it's not small.

Then there is Nathaniel Reed.

Nate is a courier, a man with secrets of his own, and from the moment Anna meets him, she can't be entirely sure where his loyalties lie. In a war where appearances can deceive and one wrong word can cost a life, Anna must decide whether Nathaniel is a danger to the cause, or the one man she may be able to trust with her heart.

That is one of my favorite parts of Revolutionary War romance: the tension between allegiance and appearance. People had to make impossible choices. Families were divided. Neighbors watched neighbors. A person could be brave and still afraid, loyal and still misunderstood, honorable and still forced to keep secrets.

And of course, since this is a romance, there is also the wonderful trouble of falling in love at the worst possible time.

The Petticoats & Patriots series has given me a chance to explore women’s contributions to the American Revolution in a way that feels personal and heartfelt. These stories remind us that history was not only made by generals and statesmen. It was also shaped by wives, daughters, widows, servants, seamstresses, mothers, and sweethearts who chose courage when courage was costly.

I hope readers enjoy Anna and Nathaniel’s story, along with the whole Petticoats & Patriots series. If you love sweet historical romance, secret messages, hidden loyalties, brave heroines, honorable heroes, and love stories wrapped in American history, this series may be just your cup of tea.

Her Heart’s Allegiance is a sweet Revolutionary War romance about trust, sacrifice, and the kind of courage that can hang quietly on a clothesline and still change everything. I hope you'll check out all the books in the Petticoats & Patriot's Series, and enjoy a Happy Fourth of July!

Until Next Time, 

Kit

Look what our authors published in June!

Our authors have been busy writing your next favorite story.

Look what we published in June!

For Liberty and Love: Petticoats & Patriots Book 1: A Sweet Patriotic Romance Series Across American History By Shanna Hatfield She never intended to become a spy … or fall for one.           Philadelphia, 1776 As whispers of revolution turn swell into a roar for freedom, Lucy Carlson is no longer content to simply watch from behind the counter of her father’s jewelry shop. When a mysterious woman—none other than Martha Washington—leaves behind a locket, Lucy discovers the piece is more than a pretty keepsake. The necklace is a secret vessel for the revolution that carries the promise of love. Drawn into a dangerous spy ring, Lucy begins crafting coded messages concealed within the locket’s clever design, living a secret double life and risking everything she holds dear in a time of sacrifice and war.       Continental soldier Branch Barton is a man defined by duty. Tasked with rooting out traitors, he moves through the shadowed world of deception and divided loyalties. He’s trained to trust no one, yet he finds himself drawn into a slow-burning connection with the jeweler’s spirited daughter.       But when Lucy begins to suspect Branch may be a Redcoat in disguise, their fragile bond is tested by mistaken identity, growing mistrust, and the threat of betrayal.       In a war where even allies can become enemies, Lucy and Branch must navigate a world of hidden truths and guarded hearts. With the fate of the colonies—and their hearts—hanging in the balance as Lucy delivers a message in enemy territory, will they find the courage to trust each other and choose love? Release date: June 16, 2026 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1JQG598   The Lawyer on the Texas Ranch (The Postons Book 3) By Marisa Masterson The Postons' story continues.       Jack and Phillip Poston, the reunited brothers, head to Texas, along with Sybil Kiesler. She will be their trail cook as they drive a herd of horses north. When Jack is called home to be at Caroline's bedside, the other two agree to continue on. With the help of the foreman in Texas, they are sure they can see his prized horses safely to Pennsylvania.       Except the situation confuses Sybil. The animals will travel by train and not on the trail. Why is she along on this trip with her two nursing babies? Worse, why are there no horses at the ranch when she and Phillip arrive? Release date: June  20, 2026 https://www.amazon.com/Lawyer-Texas-Ranch-Postons-Book-ebook/dp/B0GGZHSVLY Theo and the Day the Bells Rang: The Boy Who Heard Liberty Ring By Shanna Hatfield Celebrate 250 Years of America with a Young Patriot’s 1776 Adventure       Eight-year-old Theo Carlson thinks it is just another summer day in Philadelphia. He wakes with a stretch and a yawn, pulls on his stockings, buckles his shoes, and hurries off to finish his chores. There are vegetables to water, eggs to gather, and plenty of little wonders waiting to catch his attention along the way.       But before long, Theo realizes this is no ordinary day. Crowds begin gathering near the Pennsylvania State House. Bells ring through the city, excitement fills the cobblestone streets, and everyone seems to be waiting for something important to happen. Walking with his mother and his older sister, Lucy, Theo follows the sound of the bells and the joyful stir of the crowd. With a wooden bandalore toy in his pocket, a lost puppy in his arms, and a heart full of questions, Theo finds himself standing in the middle of a moment that will change America forever.       On July 8, 1776, Colonel John Nixon steps before the people of Philadelphia and reads the Declaration of Independence aloud for all to hear. As Theo listens, he begins to understand the courage of the Patriots, the hope of a new nation, and the precious meaning of freedom. Theo and the Day the Bells Rang is a heartwarming patriotic picture book that introduces young children to an important moment in American history through the joyful eyes of a child. With gentle storytelling, charming historical details, and a spirit of freedom, this story brings early America to life for little listeners and early readers alike.       Perfect for families, classrooms, homeschool studies, patriotic holidays, America’s 250th birthday celebrations, and children who love history, adventure, and stories filled with heart. Help the young readers in your life celebrate 250 years of liberty and learning with this engaging journey back to the day the bells rang in Philadelphia and freedom began to shine. Release date: June 23, 2026’ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6GYQY3R   A Patriot's Promise: Four Full-Length Sweet and Wholesome Patriotic Romances By Shanna Hatfield Courage wears many uniforms. Love is the promise that brings them home.      From the battlefields of World War I France to the uncertainty of a top-secret World War II mission, from a cowboy veteran returning to the ranch he loves to a former Tomb Guard searching for peace in a mountain town, A Patriot’s Promise gathers four full-length wholesome romances filled with faith in the future, tenderness, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love. ★ In Sadie, a gifted doctor finally sets out on the grand adventure she has always dreamed of when America enters the Great War. But as the wounded arrive in endless numbers, Sadie Thorsen faces the greatest test of her heart when the man she has loved for years is reported missing in action. Across war-torn France, Harley John Hobbs clings to one hope — seeing Sadie again. ★ In Home of Her Heart, Sergeant Klayne Campbell volunteers for a dangerous World War II mission knowing he may never return. With no family to remember him, he offers spirited Delaney Danvers a marriage of convenience, hoping to leave behind someone who will know he mattered. But one night as her husband gives Klayne something far more powerful than a name on a beneficiary form — a reason to fight his way home. ★ In The Cowboy’s Summer Love, Travis Thompson returns from military service to the Triple T Ranch, restless, wild-hearted, and determined to outrun the memories that followed him home. Tess Morgan has loved him for years, but convincing Travis she is more than his best friend’s sister may be her biggest challenge yet. As summer works its magic, two hearts may finally discover they belong together. ★ In Lake Bride, Bridger Holt’s life has been shaped by duty, discipline, and the twenty-one steps he walked as a sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Unsure what comes next, he retreats to a mountain cabin in Holiday, Oregon, where a sunshine-hearted nurse, a cast of quirky townsfolk, and a few persistent animals might help him find hope, healing, and a future worth embracing. Heartwarming, hopeful, and rich with the love of country, family, and home, A Patriot’s Promise is a moving collection of four sweet romances celebrating brave hearts, second chances, and the kind of love that stands strong through every season. Release date: June 28, 2026 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H6W9G77J Her Heart's Allegiance: Petticoats & Patriots Book 3: A Sweet Patriotic Romance Series Across American History By Kit Morgan      In a house filled with British officers, colonial spies, and dangerous secrets, falling in love may be the most reckless act of all.      Anna Turner serves quietly at Pembrooke House, hiding her patriot loyalties beneath the careful routine of a household maid. But when cheerful messenger Nathaniel Reed begins delivering private correspondence to the British captain residing there, Anna becomes convinced he’s the enemy. Nate, however, is hiding secrets of his own. As two rival spy rings unknowingly move information through the same household, suspicion turns to uneasy partnership—and then something far more dangerous. Because in a city where spies are hanged in the streets, one wrong move could condemn them both. And surrendering her heart to Nate Reed may prove deadlier than war itself.      Throughout 250 years of American history, a well-loved locket finds its way into the hands of eight spirited heroines—each standing at the crossroads of love and destiny, and each inspired by a true patriot. As it journeys from one heart to the next, these stories unfold with sweet romance, unwavering hope, and a deep love of country, proving that even in uncertain times, love is always worth the risk. Start reading the Petticoats & Patriots series today! Release date: June 30, 2026 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H24GGJZZ

     Not all of our authors make their books available on pre-order. For those who do, those advance sales go a long way to help their book ratings.

Below are some future books.

July Releases: 

 

Her Rebel Heart: Petticoats & Patriots Book 5: A Sweet Patriotic Romance Series Across American History

by Jo-Ann Roberts

North and South. Yankee and Rebel. Union and Confederate.
In the midst of the Civil War, can two hearts come together?     

      When the tide of war sweeps south and the Union Army invades and destroys the Georgia cotton mill where Kate Brodie is a nurse, not only is her livelihood destroyed but she’s branded a traitor and shipped northward with the other workers. Only the unlikely attention of a Yankee major makes the trip tolerable.
      Union major, Griffin Fletcher loathes the part of his job that requires him to destroy homes, towns, and livelihoods of innocent civilians. But he’s sworn to uphold the Union at all costs. Yet, he vows to protect these women he’s been ordered to transport to Marietta. Especially the one whose fiery determination, proud stance, and soft heart draws him closer.
      Determined to remain in the South, Kate makes a daring leap of faith to nurse wounded Yankee soldiers, never expecting Major Fletcher to be one of her patients. Along with his healing, they each faced the fears and prejudices that had brought them together.
With survival so tenuous, can faith help them find love in the midst of so much tragedy?
      Throughout 250 years of American history, a well-loved locket finds its way into the hands of eight spirited heroines—each standing at the crossroads of love and destiny, and each inspired by a true patriot. As it journeys from one heart to the next, these stories unfold with sweet romance, unwavering hope, and a deep love of country, proving that even in uncertain times, love is always worth the risk. Start reading the Petticoats & Patriots series today!

Release date: July 14, 2026

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GY1QHWFQ

 

Sophia's Dance Surprise (Rejected Mail-Order Match Book 9)

By Zina Abbott

     While a young teenager, Sophia Schmidt, along with her mother, were forced out of the only home Sophia had ever known. After staying for a short time with her Onkel Peter Fischer—her mother’s younger brother, she, her mother, and a new stepfather arrive at their new home in Helena, Montana Territory, where they join the Schmidts’ cousin and his wife. Years later, Peter and his family decide to leave their Pennsylvania home to set up a new butcher shop in the German community of Helena. He also brings his apprentice. Sophia decides Max is handsome enough. Too bad he is so stand-offish.
     As much as Max Berger enjoys his tight-knit German community, he is drawn by the potential and challenges of building a future in the West. When the master butcher to whom he is apprenticed decides to move to Montana Territory, Max begs to go with him. Once there, he is drawn to Peter’s niece, who treats him like he does not even exist. Unfortunately, while he is still an apprentice, becoming romantically involved with any women is off-limits. How can he capture not only Sophia’s attention and interest—but also her heart—to persuade her to wait until he is free to court? During a celebration in the German community, he hopes asking her to dance will change everything.

Release date: July 30, 2026

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4FGKSL5

September Releases: 

Isleen, Sequoia Bride: National Park Brides Book 27

By Linda Carroll-Bradd

     Dreamer Isleen Quigley dreads the upcoming trial of her four brothers for illegal logging in a national park. Her aunt frets about the notoriety affecting Isleen’s marriage chances and the family business. A request from cousin Floree to spend the summer in Sequoia Park, where her husband has the park manager job, to help tend her six-month-old twins is most welcome.
      Engineer Hayes Freeland volunteers his skills at roadway design to the closest national park to complete his master’s degree. On the trip to the park, he’s intrigued by a woman always reading poetry. Drawn together by this common interest, they are surprised when their destination is the national park.
      Time spent together in the mountain forest brings the pair closer until she discovers the truth about Hayes’ family and the threat Hayes’ brother poses. How can Isleen choose between family loyalty and new love?

Release date: September 4, 2026

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKQV1MCP

Marriage and Mayhem: Mail-Order Brides Undercover

By Marisa Masterson

Who’s who? What difference will it make in the end to this mail-order mess?
      Clementine Bradley knows her stuff. Too bad men were so intimidated by that. She has little choice on her latest assignment but to pretend she is helpless—defenseless, even—when she arrives in Dodge City, Kansas. If she allows her confident and, yes, aggressive personality to shine, her target most likely will take one look at her and run for the mountains. And, if she cannot string along the would-be husband, he will never lead her to the truth.
      Trouble! The smell of it wafts from her as surely as the enticing aroma of lemon soap. Somehow, Pinkerton Milo Edgars will need to put off marriage with the mail-order bride. But how to do that and not give away his real identity?
      A series of tangled ropes, stampeded cattle, and enmeshed hearts follow. When the twists and turns finally straighten, will this couple each accept the person hidden behind a mask? Can they even make love work, considering their personal ambitions?

       Mayhem has never felt so good. Don’t miss out on this clean Western historical romance. Grab a copy today!

Release date: September 8, 2026

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9B16F2X