Tuesday, May 15, 2018

What You Might Not Know About the Author Behind Some Very Messy Medieval Magic


C. Lee McKenzie has a new release today.

But before we get to that, I asked her to share some things you might not know about her. This was she told me:

I wanted to be an archeologist and had that as my life plan until I hit college. Then I discovered how woefully ill-equipped I was. I’m not a patient person. I tend to rush to the end of things so I can move on to the next item. Using a delicate brush to very carefully reveal tiny shards from the long-lost past, just wouldn’t have worked. Besides, I turn into a crispy critter in the sun (there are a lot digs in the desserts of the world), I truly dislike being cold (I’m thinking Iceland and Vikings here) and closed spaces make me crazy (Siberian caves would send me off screaming).

This may or may not be a secret, but I’m a neat freak. My husband doesn’t dare set anything down where it doesn’t “belong,” or i put it away. My grandmother was like this and my mom, so it’s in my DNA. My husband often says he wishes he’d known this proclivity of mine sooner. He always says this just before he stomps out the door looking for that tool he set aside to do a repair job. “Sorry, dear.”

I love to cook, and I seldom repeat a menu because there are so many delicious things to try. My favorite foods are Indian (all kinds from north to south of that continent) and anything middle-eastern. It’s the cinnamon, turmeric, and garam marsala that appeal to my taste buds.

I prefer to grow my own veggies, and often graze in my garden while I weed or prune stuff. A lot of my produce never sees a kitchen. Tomatoes and carrots are often lunch.

SOME VERY MESSY MEDIEVAL MAGIC

By C. Lee McKenzie

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...

$13.95 Print ISBN 9781939844460
$3.99 EBook ISBN 9781939844477
Juvenile Fiction - Fantasy & Magic (JUV037000) / Boys & Men (JUV005000)

“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

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.
Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase/find Some Very Messy Medieval Magic at Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes / Amazon / Foyles / Goodreads

Plus check out the book trailer for the series:


Who’s ready to get messy with some medieval magic?

44 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Been loving learning more about Lee as a person on her blog tour. Congrats on her new release!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I turn into a crispy critter as well. Probably a good thing you're now inside writing instead. Big congrats, Lee!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Congrats, Lee

Juneta key said...

Great interview. The video link isn't working say unavailable. Congrats Lee!

Chrys Fey said...

It's always fun to find out more about authors/bloggers in our circle.

Congrats, Lee!

Nick Wilford said...

It's nice that although not an archaeologist, you're still getting to work with history in your books. Congrats!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane and Lee - just what one needs another crispy skin archaeologist that magical Pete might find as he journeys around the earth ... the book sounds fun - and we're glad you didn't become a crispy skin nerd ... we need writers around us!! Good luck and cheers Hilary

Pat Hatt said...

I'd get so bored going very slow unearthing some of those things. And yep, screw the cold and giant litterbox too. haha I put everything back in its spot too. Congrats on the release.

Liz A. said...

Stuff I did not know. Congrats on the book.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you everyone for stopping by.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Congrats Lee! I loved learning these tidbits! PS: I love graham marsala too!

Ella said...

Congrats, Lee! This post was magical~ I loved hearing about you and how you found another way~ Writing does that allows us to escape into other worlds!
I am craving spice now.

Hi Diane~

nashvillecats2 said...

Great post. Always good to read something one didn't know about the author.
Good luck to Lee with the book.

Yvonne.

J.H. Moncrieff said...

Congrats again on the new release, Lee!

I'm impressed that you rarely cook the same thing twice. Wow.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Archaeology is fascinating, but I agree that the level of patience is high, far too high for me too, Lee :-)

emaginette said...

Congrats, Lee. The story looks great. What fun ahead for your readers. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

DMS said...

Yeah for Lee! I love to garden too and getting fresh produce is one of my favorite things in life. So delicious. I repeat menus all the time- but love that Lee keeps trying new dishes. :) I learned a lot about her after being blogging buddies for all these year.

Wishing her all the best with her release!
~Jess

Loni Townsend said...

Loved learning more about Lee. Neat freak, huh? I think I'd drive you nuts. :) Grats on the release!

SpacerGuy said...

I saw a magician with a rubix cube and he lined the thing up perfectly so he picked a good looking gal from the audience gave it to her and wowsers... mixed the whole thing up and then she puts her arms behind her back. Hey presto, magic. The rubix cube is perfect. Thats magic right but theres different types... I'm reckon.

The Cynical Sailor said...

Fun learning more about Lee. I love Indian food too :-)

Sandra Cox said...

Nice to learn more about Lee. So the messy is an oxymoron for her huh? Heh.

Anonymous said...

Big congratulations to you, Lee! I'm a bit of a neat freak too. Although I have to admit I've lessened a bit over the last couple of years.

Thank you for hosting, Diane!

Elsie

Christine Rains said...

Congratulations! I wanted to be an archaeologist too, like Indiana Jones. I was disappointed to learn most archaeologists do not even leave a museum!

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Yay, Lee! Fun cover for what sounds like a fun-filled adventure. Congratulations!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you everyone for visiting and sharing in Lee's new release.

Fundy Blue said...

I enjoyed learning more about Lee, and I want to read her Pete/Weasel series. I've blown my book budget for the month though, for the year! (Currently enjoying "A Stitch in Time"). I haven't been on archeological digs, although I have been on paleontologic digs. It is painstaking and hot work. I volunteered in the DMNS fossil lab for thirteen years. It was one activity that relaxed hyper me, unless I did something like glue both hands to a dinosaur rib. I wish Lee the best with her latest book!

Sandra Cox said...

Great cover for a great read.

Di, Enjoy the weekend.

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

Loved this story. It's exciting and the boys are such great characters. Nice to learn more about Lee as well.

M Pax said...

Congrats to C. Lee. She deserves all success!

Sandra Cox said...

Hope the week is chock full of sales:)

Shannon Lawrence said...

If C. Lee ever comes out this way, I have the perfect restaurant! Egyptian, but currently owned by an Iranian woman, so she's tweaking some dishes. The spices are amazing.

Sherry Ellis said...

Yes, you'd need a lot of patience to be an archeologist! I've started reading Lee's new book. It's good!

Tyrean Martinson said...

It's great getting to know you more, C.Lee! I don't think I would have the patience for archaeological digs, either.

Tara Tyler said...

yay Lee!! we may be opposites on neatness and cooking, but we are on the same page as writers! (hahaha)

happy wednesday!
Tara Tyler Talks

Sandra Cox said...

Looks like Messy is getting some great reviews.

Jemi Fraser said...

I wanted to be a wildlife biologist for a time until I realized I'd need to pee in the bush on a regular basis while studying the animals in their natural habitat :P

Kelly Steel said...

Congratulations Lee!

Sandra Cox said...

Hope all is going well on the Messy trail.

kimlajevardi.com said...

Congratulations, Lee!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

It's wonderful learning more about you, Lee. Being a neat freak is normal, right??? Take care and best of success. Sorry I'm late, we're on the road crossing Canada. But still thinking of you.

Sandra Cox said...

Sending positive thoughts and hugs to Lee.
Hope your day is pleasant and productive, Di.

Michelle Wallace said...

Nice to learn more about Lee.
I've read the first two books in the Pete and Weasel trilogy, so I'm really looking forward to reading this final one!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Great post, and it really does sound like a terrific book. I hope Lee is doing okay. My heart breaks for her.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I'm not quite a neat-freak but I'm always putting things away too when everyone else seems content to have them out of place. Congrats to C. Lee on her newest book.