History Comes Alive in Medieval Fantasy Middle Grade Book

PIKEVILLE, N.C. - May 15, 2018 - PRLog -- Some Very Messy Medieval Magic by C. Lee McKenzie casts a spell on readers as young wizard Pete sets off on a dangerous adventure. But this isn't your garden variety fantasy story. Set in England during the 1100s, the story includes Richard the Lionhearted, Druids, and the duties of a medieval page. History books can be a tad dull, especially for children. To bring her story to life and give young readers aspects of medieval times, Ms. McKenzie researched some interesting facts about the 1100s:

·     *  Richard was a hunter, a singer, and a charismatic young man with a treacherous political streak. The author chose to highlight his journey to conspire with his brothers against their father the king.

·   * A knight's armor was expensive and given to rust in the drizzly climate of England, so there was a lot of maintenance. The use of salt to scrub away the rust was mentioned in several sources the author researched, along with using rendered fat to inhibit rust development.

·    * Druids were the keepers of knowledge, not the evil practitioners of dark magic. Samhain (known to us as Halloween) was terrifying for those who believed the dead walked among them on that night.

These touches add depth and realism to the story. Readers are treated to the customs of the time, learning about history while they eagerly turn pages to find out what trouble Pete gets into next.

"A gripping adventure back in time, with action around every corner." - Stephanie Robinson, author of The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow

"A great addition to middle school classrooms and libraries, as well as your own private library." - Beverly Stowe McClure, award-winning author of stories for children and teens.

"This third book in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel series was as much fun as the first." - Kai Strand, author

"A rich cast of characters who bring the story to life – both in modern and historical times. I highly recommend librarians and teachers get this series on their shelves." - Hall Ways Reviews

Pete's stuck in medieval England!

Pete and his friend Weasel thought they'd closed the Time Lock. But a young page from medieval times, Peter of Bramwell, goes missing. His absence during a critical moment will forever alter history unless he's found.

There's only one solution - fledgling wizard Pete must take the page's place. Accompanied by Weasel and Fanon, Pete's alligator familiar, they travel to 1173 England.

But what if the page remains lost - will Pete know what to do when the critical moment arrives? Toss in a grumpy Fanon, the duke's curious niece, a talking horse, and the Circle of Stones and Pete realizes he's in over his young wizard head yet again...

C. Lee McKenzie has a background in Linguistics and Inter-Cultural Communication, but these days her greatest passion is writing for young readers. When she's not writing she's hiking or traveling or practicing yoga or asking a lot questions about things she still doesn't understand.

SOME VERY MESSY MEDIEVAL MAGIC is available May 15, 2018 online, retail, and in all eBook formats. Published by Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C. Juvenile Fiction - Fantasy & Magic / Boys & Men. Trade paperback $13.95 ISBN 9781939844460, eBook $3.99 ISBN 9781939844477 http://www.dancinglemurpressllc.com/