MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS THEMES

MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS has two majorOne Destiny themes running throughout this dramatic, time travel book of human possibilities:

  1.   There is one race, the human race.
  2.   “To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.” Plutarch

 

front-coverThe arrival of this unique historical fiction novel re-opens history which in some cases has remained locked. It addresses the real history of Christmas and where the origins of the Santa Claus myths;  and fresh insights to the Babylonian, Mede-Persian, Greek and Roman Empires, with connections to Noah and his sons, as they spread throughout the world. While this is a fiction/fantasy novel, the history, ancient and pre-history is accurate and plausible.

Brie is the thirteen year-old protagonist, who along with her cousin and best friend, eleven year-old Abby, their Grammy Rose and Aunt Cher (Abby’s mother), goes back in real history to live out and learn important historical events, via a set of antique keys found in a huddle library in Old Sturbridge Village.

Meanwhile Brie’s brother Greg, their mother, Sarah, and Abby’s twin brother, Abe, remain in real-time, sharing adventures on a horse-drawn sleigh and Stage Coach carriage, observing animals from Southwick’s Zoo in the live manger scene complete with a Bactrian camel, and taking them to numerous historical presentations throughout Old Sturbridge Village, and an encounter with a dangerous wild wolf. Throughout the annual Christmas by Candlelight celebration, they learn about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, the Panic of 1837, Adin Ballot, Hopedale, Hopedale commune, the Babylonians, Medea, Persians, Greeks and Romans, and how ancient history shaped the people of 1830, which filters down to our present day Christmas customs and traditions.

While MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS is suggested for people of all ages, it is particularly targeted to young adult audiences, from pre-teen to those in their 20s and 30s, because it provides room for differences of opinion in all matters, soul searching and character building, all while building upon accurate history, ancient and plausible pre-history. This allows individuals the breath of thought, to be able to consider for themselves things that they may never have pondered before, or might possibly reconsider in a new light.

“This poignant book weaves an interesting tale of possibility, shedding new light on old subjects.” John T. Hourihan, Jr., author of Play Fair And Win and Beyond The Fence Converging Memoirs, co-authored with Amanda Eppley. This quote graces from front cover of MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS.

MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS is the title of the novel. CHRISTMAS UNLOCKED is the subtitle. This is the first of a series springing from Old Sturbridge Village, which depicts the history of 1830 in the living museum in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. If you have never been, it is certainly worth your time investigating this popular destination point.

Click here to order: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-001108065/Mystery-of-the-Sturbridge-Keys.aspx

The First Olympics

The first Olympics took place in the year 776 BCE, with Alexander I, the Image result for picture of first olympicspredecessor of Alexander the Great participating. Alexander I could only participate after he proved his Greek heritage. These great sporting contests took place in the Greek city of Olympia, named after Queen Olympia, wife of King Phillip II. This information comes to light in the newly released historical fiction/fantasy book, MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS.

Abe, Greg and Greg’s mother, Sarah, are attending one of the special workshops on the Greek Empire and its effects on Old Sturbridge Village in the 1830s. The evening kicks off with the Christmas by Candlelight celebration, which is celebrating its 70th Anniversary this year. Many workshops take place in the Village buildings.

This trio attends many of the fictions workshops taking place during this special night, by horse-drawn sleigh rides over snow-packed, dirt roads. The Greek Empire explaining how Aristotle is the tutor of Alexander the Great, and Plutarch affect history during this time.

Gracing the beginning pages of the book is a quote from Plutarch: “To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.”

This is true.