Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord.  It’s the last day of winter and our son Justin is well.  What more can one ask for after a long, hard winter.  Justin was diagnosed with panic disorder and agoraphobia last fall.  Wow.  That’s all?!  Not an easy thing to deal with but we have watched as our son faced this affliction head on.  Justin’s worst fear was to join a group of peers who suffer from anxiety.  Although he really didn’t want to, he forced himself to join one at the encouragement of his therapist and of course his parents.

Let me back it up!  Lucky for us he decided not to return to school in January, like most other university students do.  He looked at his dad and I and said, “Nope. I cannot go back!”  Magical words were never spoken such as these.  We both knew Justin was shy growing up but he managed to join in with the other kids and play after much coaxing.  There were a few moments when we wondered if he was ‘okay’ but after he lived in France for three and a half months on an exchange in grade ten, and then lived in Deep River for the science academy one summer, we thought it was over.  The anxiety was beaten.

Little did we know as we toiled away at work building our clinic, Justin was suffering worse than ever!  Justin called home regularly but he was adamant ‘everything is fine’.  Over the Christmas holidays, Justin appeared relaxed  but then one night I asked him if he was sure he could return to school.  Hmmm…. That night didn’t end well and we’ll leave it at that.

From the holidays until today, Justin has struggled to overcome his anxiety and we are happy to say ‘HE DID IT!’  He is returning to McGill for the summer term (received his acceptance today – a formality they said) and for the Fall/Winter terms.  Our son Justin has taught us so much more about himself and about us too.  I think we all suffer from anxiety to a certain degree. Some more than others.  However, let me just say that the past three months have been the best months for growth for all of us.  Happy to be reunited again and supporting each other.  Family life is great and we are so very proud of Justin for  drawing a line in the sand to stand up for himself and go against what societal expectations are so he could do what’s best for HIM.  Proud of you Justin.  We can all learn a lesson from your experience.  You are our HERO!  Congratulations.

If you haven’t checked out Justin’s blog, please do so.  He hears from many professionals, adults, who have admitted they too have anxiety and suffer from panic attacks.  It’s a secret many carry around and it is a burden to them, especially if no one is helping to support them.  Most people do not want to admit it and I’m sure they have their reasons.  It takes a hero like Justin to bring it to the surface.  Justin has a genius IQ and gets straight A’s but there is no substitute for talking about and dealing with panic disorder, letting others know what he needs to cope, and interact with other like minded individuals.  Make an effort to find others suffering from anxiety if you are suffering in silence.  Justin’s sure glad he did and so are we.

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This is a pet peeve of mine!  Okay, I said it.  For those of us who have a Toshiba laptop and it decides to switch between french and english keys (providing the language has already been set through the control panel) this is what to do:  Press the Shift key, then the Control Key and hold for a second, and then do it again!  Yes, TWICE.  It will shift between english and french, I assure you.  Hoping this helps save a step, or many, for those of you working hard on your Toshiba laptops. 🙂  Have a great day!

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I am pleased to announce that I have been invited to perform a live bookstore reading on C.K. Webb’s blogtalkradio show next Friday, March 22nd at 11:00 am EST.  What makes it so interesting for me as an author, is the fact C.K. is an author too!  And so is her mom.  This is a mother/daughter team who help people like them gain visibility in the plethora of books on the market.  I want to acknowledge how grateful I am for this opportunity and looking forward to it.  Thank you, C.K.  Here is C.K. Webb’s description from goodreads:
CK Webb is the co-author of Cruelty To Innocents: The 9-1-1 Abductions & Collecting Innocents. She is one half of the duo who run the award winning WebbWeaver blog http://bit.ly/HWQKW CK is a contributor for Suspense Magazine and writes a monthly column for them. You can find her many days, promoting other authors on Facebook, Twitter or on her personal blog at www.twistedwebb.blogspot.com CK is the host of the Blogtalk Radio show, WEBBWEAVER BOOKS, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/webbweav… which features an author’s reading room where writers get to read to the audience from their work. CK is also an avid college football fan and secretly longs to coach The Alabama Crimson Tide. Since she can’t (not yet anyway), in her spare time she writes for The NCAA Iron Blog http://thencaaironblog.blogspot.com

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Time is running out to read the first book in the Paige Maddison series called Wake Me Up Inside.  If you are a fan of ghost stories and the battle of good over evil, enter now for a chance to win an ebook of Wake Me Up Inside.  Please leave your name and email address in the comment area.  This contest will run until April 14th.  You do not want to miss this one!  The

Lee is working hard on book two in the Paige Maddison series.

winner automatically wins book two in the Paige Maddison series due to be released in the Fall/Winter.

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We have two winners on  Laurie’s paranormal blog. Congratulations Amber Hall and Tia Dalley!  I hope you enjoy Paige Maddison’s journey.  Thanks to Laurie Davis for running the contest and thank you to all of the readers who entered.

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For me, as a genre author, to be included on Open Book: Ontario  which has the latest news and events concerning literary authors is AMAZING.  Did I say AMAZING?  It’s over the moon for me!  Never did I think my novella entitled Wake Me Up Inside would go so far.  But it’s from the help of the people who I have networked with.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge my mentor.  The famous Mr John Robert Colombo, Canada’s Mr Mystery, or the Master Gatherer, who has published over 130 non-fiction, serious books covering Canada’s culture, history and geography.  He also writes poetry and has compiled anthologies on Canada’s ‘ghostly‘ history, compiled famous books of quotations, and the list goes on and on.  Very impressive, I might add!

One of my first stories was a tale of my father, after he died.  I had an experience, as they say.  Lucky for me, Mr Colombo was looking for stories like mine.  If I may relay how we met:  I contacted John Robert Colombo by email asking if he was collecting ghost stories.  A most courteous response was received and ‘Indeed’ .  I emailed the first story named Paranormal Dad and the return email was again outstanding!  Not only was Mr Colombo going to publish my story, but he asked, “Do you have some more?”  Well, after jumping up and down for about an hour, I quickly responded, “I sure do.”  Running up to my computer, heart beating a mile a minute, I pounded out a similar experience from when my mom died – lucky for me I kept notes on it – named A Spiritual Bond.  I sent the second story back and JRC announced “I’ve stopped the presses as they say, (literally) and your stories named Two Experiences are the ending of my anthology The Big Book of Canadian Hauntings.”  Well, I don’t think I remember a conversation said to me until he again announced, ‘A copy is in the mail’.

Thank you so much, John Robert Colombo for your generosity, kindness, and welcome to the world of publishing.  Once my stories were in print I thought ‘Wow, this is great’.  And from there I proceeded to write my novella.  The details of this process are found on Open Book: Ontario and through-out this website.  I cannot thank John Robert Colombo enough as my life has changed since the publication of Two Experiences and the day Wake Me Up Inside was self-published in print (July 2012).  An author always has mentors, fellow authors, colleagues and publishing contacts to thank but I’d like to highlight John Robert Colombo for his zest for life and helping others.  JRC reviewed my book, too!  And I would like to say how grateful I am for meeting John Robert Colombo’s lovely wife, Ruth, an awesomely talented poet – I thank you for your kindness and friendship.  Also, for the poem dedicated to my husband, Kevin, the chiropractor, named The Spine.  Without your support, my first reading at the Orillia Public Library (thank you librarian Melissa for hosting me!)  would have been a flop.

Here is the link to my latest author post: Open Book: Ontario.  Also, special thanks to Clelia for accepting my story (and Megan for uploading it) and responding to my request on linkedin ‘Help a first time novelist’.  To have my story and book included in the literary scene of Ontario is amazing.  Though I am a self-published genre writer, it is wonderful that you have opened up your hearts to this ‘ghost story’ author along with award winning literary novelists.  Thank you so much.  What’s next?  Stay tuned…. there is more coming.

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Before I post my latest link, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the past few months.  It began with an email, a little cry for help to any and all my linkedin contacts, entitled:  ‘Help a first time novelist’.  Shirley Roe from Allbooks Reviews  responded and said they could review Wake Me Up Inside and not only post it on their site, but it is sold there as well.  Shirley also posted the review on American Chronicle   Boyu Huang, the reviewer, gave 4 stars and a glowing review of Paige Maddison and her journey.  But not only that, she posted it on  Word Alert  and on Goodreads

Next, Fran Lewis of Just Reviews wrote a heart-felt review of WMUI and gave it 5 stars.  In fact, she had 18 books to read but insisted on reviewing mine upon receiving it.  Fran has posted the review on 8 plus sites that she belongs to and l am grateful for that! Fran went the extra mile for a first time novelist!

One of my first author interviews was on the Book Club site which I will always be grateful for.   Then there’s Lillian Brummet who answered the call I had sent out ‘help a first time novelist’.  She kindly emailed and said we would enjoy having you on our blog.  Thank you Lillian for your generosity and I highly encourage readers to peruse her website hoping to make the world a better place to live.

In the meantime, I held a contest on my facebook page and a young girl from the Philippines won WMUI!  Her review was very touching to this author – as they say ‘out of the mouths of babes’ comes the truth.  In fact, Therese Ann Montelbon requested when will book two be published and how would I get a copy?

I have been delighted to receive 4 and 5 stars from readers on goodreads.com, each one asking when is the next book coming out?  And I cannot forget the response from Laurie Davis   She so very kindly asked me to be a part of her interviews for paranormal authors.  Not only that, she is holding a contest wherein readers can win either a paperback or ebook of WMUI.  It ends February 28th.  Check it out on the link provided.

And soon I will be on WebbWeaver Books:  a mother and daughter team devoted to authors and readers  hosted by CK Webb as I perform a live ‘bookstore’ reading from WMUI, on March 22nd, 11:00 am EST.  I am really looking forward to this show and am following CK’s programs.   See how it happens for a new author?  Step by step.

Wake Me Up Inside is sold at The Book Keeper, Sarnia; The Oxford Book Shop, London; Summerhill Market, Rosedale (Toronto); and Manticore Books, Orillia.  I’ve sold more paperbacks than ebooks or hardcovers.  Thank you so much to the bookstore owners for allowing shelf space for Wake Me Up Inside.  I truly appreciate it!  It was definitely worth my time and effort on this priceless endeavour.  Thankfully, Friesenpress who I self-published with keeps track of any and all formats of the book sold.

I have formed many positive relationships since the publication of  WMUI with my book promotion specialists, other authors, mentors, social media specialists, book reviewers, librarians and bloggers.  What made this journey extra special for me?  The readers, of course.  I have received so many great emails from people around the world talking about Paige Maddison and her adventures.  Let’s keep it going, everyone!  Book Two is near completion and it will exceed your expectations, no doubt.  Thank you to all who have helped me, Paige Maddison, and other debut authors make their way in the book selling world.  Not an easy task, for sure, but well worth it for the feedback.  Ever humbly so, Lee.

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Thank you so much, Laurie!  This author is impressed with your blog 🙂 and happy to be the feature paranormal author spotlight.  I am grateful indeed.   Check it out on http://lauriethoughts-reviews.blogspot.ca/2013/02/wake-me-up-inside-by-lee-bice-matheson.html#more  and enter for a chance to win a paperback or eBook of Wake Me Up Inside.  Very special, indeed.

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Congratulations on this fascinating read on life from an elderly woman’s perspective and a friendly visit from her nephew’s friend.  I’m telling you for those of us who make excuses in their lives not to join or do things, this is a must read article.  5 Stars from this author. http://www.copyblogger.com/time-to-step-up/

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Here is Fran Lewis‘s review of Wake Me Up Inside. I am so thrilled. Thank you Fran for your honest, written from your heart review. 5 stars!

Nightmares can often trigger memories that many would prefer to remain dormant. Others can ignite or fuel an event that might change the course of the way we think or our lives in the future. As Paige Maddison descends into a world that seems foreign to her, filled with forest trees and scratches caused by errant branches, she focuses on her appearance, what she is wearing and the warmth and comfort of where she really is turns to fear and desperation as she clings to the hope of surviving. Heart racing, time slowing down, this young girl found herself staring at the face of a boy who appeared to be lying in a coffin. So graphically described and vividly depicted the reader becomes totally enveloped in the nightmare along with Maddison experiencing the same things, seeing the same horrors and viewing this young man appearing in his final repose. But, just when she thought the dream might end something happens that would haunt her not only now but in the future as well. A young girl appears out of nowhere, stopped and stares at her and then her real world begins to come into focus. Hands cold and clammy she tries to regain her composure and falls back into an unsettling sleep. Wake Me Up Inside is a story that focuses on Paige Maddison whose nightmares will haunt her and whose visions of this young girl will in her dreams.

As the daylight comes upon her she hears her mother’s voice reminding her to get up for school. But, the day has yet to begin and her dream becomes more of a reality as she discusses her father’s upcoming speech to her class, the move to an estate called O’Brien Manor to take care of her grandfather who is ill and the vision of this young girl who appears within the halls of her school. But, not only does the Principal of her school notice something off about her but so does her father notice how pale and drawn she appears as she once again shares her next dream, this time wearing her fancy dress but the setting is the same forest and the dogs or hounds are following her as she once again tries to escape. But, something happens this time that alerts her parents that there might be something wrong with Paige as her mother awakens her for school and she appears more than just troubled. Added in they now bring to light their move, how she feels and why an emotional scene that brings this family even closer. But, whether they realize it or not Paige is having problems and as she alone relates to the reader, “Dreams seemed to rule my life, lately,” she states but what will moving bring and will things change? As they leave for her grandparent’s home not only does her mother have feelings of trepidations but so does Paige. Arriving would only highlight things even further as her first impression is quite remarkable and the Manor quite both impressive and creating an eerie feeling within her and her mother. Having been estranged from her parents for many years this was Lori’s (Paige’s mother) first visit back to her home and finding herself there was quite unsettlingly. Added in as Paige begins to explore this Manor House something happens that creates a chill within her body and causes her family to become alarmed. But, what happens next when she leaves the Manor and meets a young man named Brad will definitely alert the reader to the knowledge that not everything is what it appears to be and that more unusual or paranormal happens still await our main character.

Bradley Adam Parkman seems to have the scoop on what is happening in this estate and their strange but fast friendship will take them within this huge manor, exploring the estate and the experiences that they encounter will rock their inner most core and not be revealed to anyone.

As we get to know the family a little better our narrator Paige with the help of her new friend enlightens the reader in many ways. The house has some secrets hidden within its walls, her grandparents are not revealing everything and the truth behind their estrangement comes out. But, why does Paige seem uneasy every time she tries to fall asleep? What about the ceiling and the light feeling that there are angels watching over everyone? What is the spirit that seems to live in this house? Is this manor cursed or is there an evil being that is lurking around and haunting it?

Author Lee Bice-Matheson introduces two teens that every parent would be proud of yet are still typical teens. Paige is bright, respectful yet speaks her mind when necessary and Bradley is kind, supportive and quite the match for her. The author uses Paige’s dreams and innermost thoughts to describe the events and the surroundings. Some are told in the first person whereas others in the third person narrative keeping the reader transfixed, focused and wondering what else is going to happen; the mystery and suspense is palpable throughout the novel as Paige hopes to learn the truth and solve the mystery before it’s too late.

Then the author enlightens us as to the identity of the young girl that Paige sees on the staircase as well as another spirit that wants to remain unseen. While these two spirits decide on their next venture Paige and her mother explore the manor and the amazing porcelain dolls that Paige sees and more then something happens that causes Paige to realize that just maybe everything is not what it really seems.

The author allows Paige to explore the grounds and vividly describes her surrounds that if you close your eyes you can create your own mental picture and join Paige as she explores all of the area surrounding the estate. But, there is so much more to this story as one family that has been divided for so long just might find their way back together again. One young teen discovers many truths about her grandparents and her mother that will either force them farther apart or bond them even more. As Paige and her mother explore the room filled with dolls, she then finds her way to a cottage where she comes face to face with the image she has been seeing in her dreams.

As Paige requests space to take photos and perfect her craft as a photographer once again she finds herself wandering the grounds, looking at every flower and bird but then she sees an angel with wings and what happens next you just won’t believe. As you look at the artistically crafted cover of the book you see the angel resting and wonder just whom that might be and whether she is connected to Paige in some way. Where does Brad come into play and what exactly does he know that has not been revealed to Paige?

As the gap between generations might be narrowed the one young man seems angered by the joy that Paige exhibits when she sees her new studio. What is the problem that this spirit has and why are they living in the Manor? As another truth is revealed we learn more about the Manor House its connection to another family and the path that one spirit intends to take but why still has not been revealed.

When Paige finds herself within the confines of this long lost cemetery again she comes upon a stone tablet, which sets her mind in motion. As she and Bradley explore some more, find an inscription on the stone and then suddenly Paige senses something is wrong with her grandfather but does not know why? Will she be able to find the answers to this mystery that has been hidden for years? What is the family secret that no one has revealed and will this spirit that wants to play games with those living here win or will Paige stop it cold?

On page 74 the author brilliantly includes the poem: Alone by Edgar Allan Poe to add more to the mystery behind why the evil spirit is trying to destroy and hurt Paige’s family and who the primary target is. The spirit also explains the past, why he is angry and as the poem if you take it apart talks about death, an evil spirit and is carved on the stone tablet that Paige found in the cemetery. One spirit is happy to live freely in the manor while the other seems to feel alone within him or inside. As one spirit understands her fate the other appears to not be able to reconcile how he cannot do things as he did before and feels isolated and Alone. Experiencing life as before is no longer an option and creates a sadness within the reader and more within each of the characters as Paige, Bradley and even the spirits have to learn how to deal with loneliness, sadness, isolation and love. The magnificent descriptions of the mountains, the sun, the sky evoke emotions that can relate to joy, anger or even sorrow. Poe was different and he did not feel that he belonged at times. As we come to the emotional ending and the surprises plus revelations it holds we often reflect that Poe might have used the word “mystery,” to define the unknown or in this poem the dark cloud or threat cast over the family by this spirit who felt isolated an alone.

Just what caused her grandfather’s illness you will learn for yourself when you read the ending and find out just who spirit was awaken from inside and what the fate of this family will be. This is the first in the Paige Maddison series and when you read the final sentences you will know: Snap: Click: Check out the final photo for yourself and feel the chill. This is one book that all YA’s, teens and middle school children will enjoy reading as Paige and Bradley fight and race to save the fate of someone she loves as one young girl and many adults learn the true meaning of love, family, loyalty and friendship. 5 stars

Fran Lewis: reviewer

http://tillie49.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/wake-me-up-inside-my-review/

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