THANK YOU For Making MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS A SUCCESS

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Thank you all for the tremendous success of the début of this book. There were two bookfront-cover signings, one at Barnes and Noble Bookstores at the Shoppe at Blackstone Valley in Millbury, MA, where 20 copies of Mystery of the Sturbridge Keys sold out; and The Bird Store And More, which was another success in the month of December 2016. Online sales continue for both eBook and in soft cover.

Anyone who wants to know the real origin of Christmas will find this to be a must-read book. The subtitle of this book is, “Christmas Unlocked.” The accurate ancient history of Christmas and holiday traditions will be very enlightening for all who have an interest in this particular holiday, and wish to know how the holiday’s customs and popular traditions really got its start.

back-cover-copyPoignant to today’s critical times of a resurgence of retro-racism, one of the themes of Mystery of the Sturbridge Keys is, There is only one race, the human race.

Brie is the female protagonist of the book, in a world where the role of women in today’s society is challenged all over the world.

The quote by Plutarch is applicable to this book:

“To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood all our days.”

Mendon, Rev. Adin Ballot and Morgan Horses In This Book

Highlights from MYSTERY OF THE STURBRIDGE KEYS to be watching out for include local landmarks, including Lake Nipmuc, Route 16 and Taft Avenue in Mendon, Massachusetts;  the Nipmuc Native American Nation. Morgan horses, the Rev. Adin Ballot, how the Quakers have been promoting women’s rights in the 1600s, and how immigration took place in the 1800s when our forefathers arrive to the United States.

The Nipmuc Native American Nation was called Nipnet. It extended south to Rhode Island, home to the Narragansett Native American Nation; north to New Hampshire and Vermont, home to the Pennacook and Wawinak Native American Nations; west to the Pocomtuc and Mohican Native American Nation; and east to the Massachusett, Wampanoag and  Nauset Native American Nations.

The greater Mendon area has numerous historical footprints of the Nipmuc Native American Nation, such as the gleaming shores of Lake Nipmuc. It was a pleasure to grow up in this area. Old Sturbridge Village is the setting of this fiction work of art. From here half of the family members in this book time travel back into history, ancient history and pre-history. They are very surprised to learn what they learn.

Horse lovers will appreciate knowing that the two fictional Morgan horses in this fiction novel, are from Figure, the real horse owned by Justin Morgan. He was a teacher, composer and horseman who lived in Springfield, Massachusetts. It was the practice in 1830 to call the horse by the owners name. Figure’s colt became the founding sire of the Morgan breed. These horses are known for their charisma and companionableness.

The Morgan horses in this story are named Gitche and Manitou. Gitche Manitou is the Native American name for Great Spirit, God. Morgan horses are also able to out walk, out run and out pull any other breed of horse, making them a perfect fit for the Old Sturbridge Village setting.

The Rev. Adin Ballot was a real person who influenced Mendon through the Mendon Unitarian Church, a sister church to Hopedale. Much of his humanitarian and religious philosophy has trickled down to this day.

The Quakers were one of the first group to promote women and women’s rights. They even allowed women to speak and teach at the Religious Society of Friends Meetinghouse. Additionally they also promoted women authors.

When it comes to immigration, this book takes a look at what the people of 1830 had to do to come to this beautiful United States of America. It is good to remember.