1776. The Declaration of Independence has been approved by Congress. The delegates have agreed to assemble on August second to sign a single copy that would show they stand unanimous in their desire to separate from British rule. But the struggle to bring all the congressmen to Philadelphia for the formal signing seems as insurmountable as the fight for independence against the world’s greatest army…
With cries of war spreading across the colonies and pressure mounting to join the Revolution, an intrepid young Post Rider, Nathaniel Marten, is reluctant to raise a rifle for the Cause. His heart is pulled by sympathy for his mother, English-born and loyal to her homeland; concern for his father, whose artisanal gun shop is being converted into an armory for the newly formed Continental army; and fear for the peaceful Shawnee tribe he has long considered his second family.
In a chance encounter with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, Nathaniel is asked to take on the role of a lifetime: secure the remaining signatures by carrying the sole copy of the Declaration to the congressmen unable to attend the formal signing. The risks? British generals and double-crossing spies are eager to capture both Nathaniel and the document so they can divide the thirteen colonies already weakened by war.
Through encounters with well-known original founding fathers and mothers, and by witnessing the effects of the Revolution on ordinary Americans, Nathaniel must learn that independence––for himself, for those he loves, and for the country––is not granted, it's chosen. By each and every one of us.
It is seldom we see women approaching fiction during a time period like the American Revolution, a time rife with bloody battles and political intrigue. Karen A. Chase has taken on the task with this first novel and handled it with the grace of an experienced storyteller and historian.
Incredibly well-researched historical details that deepen the narrative and the characters—historical and fictionalized—transporting the reader to walk with them. The author dismantles facts both well-known and rarely taught about the American Revolution, and breaks down the language of the Declaration into experiences, thereby making the time period truly accessible. The author allows us to temporarily live and breathe 1776 so deeply that we feel we have been the ones Carrying Independence for us all.
Sometimes you can learn more about a war from a good novel than you can from a history book. That’s what Karen A. Chase does… She vividly evokes what it was like to be in the trenches of the Revolutionary War in a way that few—if any—historians have done.
Historical fiction at its finest…It was so refreshing to read of the personal sacrifices and high principals that were behind this necessary American Revolution. In the end, the book is inspirational in terms of seeing the bigger picture of what American life can mean if the rights of all people are taken into consideration and proper compromises can be made. Ms. Chase’s book gets my highest possible recommendation.
An article published in an online magazine about my shift into writing about the Revolution, and my upcoming speaking engagements, that begins… "Former Roanoker Karen Chase tends to do things her way and her way tends to set standards. Consider her new book, the historical novel Carrying Independence."
Both Carrying Independence and Decoys by Karen A. Chase were semifinalists in the 2018 Screencraft Cinematic Book competition. A short story, Mary Angela's Kitchen, also by the author, was a semi-finalist in the 2018 Screencraft Cinematic Short Story Competion.
Carrying Independence by Karen A. Chase secured second place (runner-up) in the 2017 William Faulkner, William Wisdom Unpublished Novel Competition against 502 other entries.
Ahead of the June 2019 debut of her first historical novel, Carrying Independence, Karen A. Chase is securing presentations with libraries, bookstores, writing conferences, and especially with lineage-based historical groups like the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Having proven her own connection to a 1776 Patriot, one Jacob G. Klock of New York, Chase has been a DAR with the Commonwealth Chapter of Virginia since 2011. Her scheduledalks include a District-wide presentation to all nine DAR chapters in the Roanoke Valley area in April of 2020. Ohter upcoming talks include:
Sat., April 27. 2–3PM ~ Book People Bookstore, Richmond, VA. Presentation Topic: How to Build Engaging Author Brands. Solid planning advice from an author-branding professional. No registration required. BookPeopleRichmond.com
Sat., May 4. 11–2PM ~ Yorktown DAR Compte de Grasse Chapter, Annual 2019 Luncheon at Two Rivers Country Club. Open to members and their guests.
June 20–22 ~ Historical Novel Society North America Conference, National Harbor Maryland. Presentation Topics: Brand Yourself (Thurs,. 20th) and Beyond the Battlefield: Researching War Stories First-Hand (Fri., 21). Find registration and details here.
July 24, 6PM ~ Roanoke Summer Reading Program—Author Presentation. Roanoke area book launch and talk: “Chasing Histories for Carrying Independence.” Williamson Road Library, Roanoke, VA. Snacks and beverages provided. Open and free to all.
Karen A. Chase’s novel, Carrying Independence, focuses on the importance and value of signatures on our Declaration of Independence. Consequently, the author is issuing limited first-edition signed copies—just 76 total. And she’s giving Fountain Bookstore—a local independent booksleller—56 as part of a revolutionary pre-sale package!
—A signed and inscribed copy of Carrying Independence, numbered* and stamped with the author's official seal
—A pendant featuring artwork of the protagonist Nathaniel astride his horse Bayard
—A wax-sealed communiqué from the author
"After much thought, and in the spirit of the document, I am limiting the number of signed copies of my novel to just 76 (in honor of the year 1776, of course). I am reserving the first 20 copies for personal use and charitable endeavors, and 56 are being made available on a first-come-basis to the public during the pre-sale period," which began April 11th, Chase says. "Each of those 76 copies will have a full signature, each will be numbered, and each will carry my personal seal."
Visit: https://karenachase.com/2019/04/09/do-author-signatures-matter/ for a full examination of "Do Author Signatures Matter?"
