Lee Bice-Matheson's Blog, page 10

Five Star Review of Wake Me Up Inside

The New Year is here and what a way to start out 2014! Another 5 star review of Wake Me Up Inside on goodreads. I am honoured and thrilled when I see this. Writers log many, many, hours of hard work to produce a book. My first novella took 2 1/2 years of writing to its final version. Book two will be released this year and we are so excited about it. My co-author, J.R. Matheson, is doing the final revisions and then off to the publisher.  On another note, I received a big surprise for Christmas from my niece. She sponsored a grey wolf through the World Wildlife Fund (WWF.ca)  in my name. I was shocked as wolves are near and dear to my heart, and are a species at risk. Thank you so much, Katy! I am thrilled that you did this for me and most of all to help the wolves. I feel especially hopeful, positive and energized for 2014 and wish everyone happiness, great health and lots of love in your lives.

Christmas Present sponsoring the Grey Wolf species at risk.

Winner of a hardcover copy of Wake Me Up Inside

Congratulations to Aliaxey from Winnipeg Manitoba! You have won a signed copy of Wake Me Up Inside. It is the first book in the Paige Maddison Series. Thank you for entering and to all who entered.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
May all your dreams come true! Lee

CHRISTMAS TIME IS NEAR, GREAT TIME FOR A GHOST STORY

I am blessed this year as I’ve had many interested readers facebook, direct message me on twitter and email at info@leebicematheson.ca asking what my book is about. It is an important part of the Christmas season – buying loved ones something they’ll cherish. My memories of Christmas’ past, in particular, was watching the Charles Dicken’s novel turned into a television movie called A Christmas Carol. Others will know it as Scrooge. Ebenezer Scrooge was so hurt in his lifetime that his heart turned cold. It’s a great lesson for all of us to remain loving and adapt to changes in our lives, hopefully, without a lot of bitterness and resentment. Let’s face it, we all have struggles and challenges, don’t we? The differences between us is the fact that some choose to air their challenges while others suffer in silence. Studies show sharing our losses, struggles or challenges can help others in their own lives.  It opens up the lines of communication with family or friends. Wake Me Up Inside is a book about family relationships, ghosts, death, life, sadness, happiness and many other human emotions. The biggest compliment I’ve received from readers to date is: I loved your book! In fact, a friend of mine asked to borrow it and I told them, buy your own. It was a personal journey reading your book and one I cherish. This is not a marketing scheme, it is the truth. I am grateful readers have enjoyed the first book in the Paige Maddison series. It touches my heart. Thank you to all who have chosen to buy this book and share your thoughts with me. I am anticipating the release of book two in the series co-authored by J.R. Matheson, our son, and wonderfully talented writer. A beta reader described book two as: epic, moving, loved it, and experienced so many emotions. It is another page turner and roller coaster of a ride! Stay tuned…and happy shopping! Canadians can enter a chance to win a hardcover copy of Wake Me Up Inside on goodreads.com Good Luck!

Ghostly Gatherings was a success as each teen thanked us and said they enjoyed it through-out the night. Fantastic group of kids.

 

Bonne Fete, Bon Anniversaire, Buon Compleanno, Feliz Compleanos, Happy Birthday

I love November. It was my mother’s birthday month and mine! Mom’s was on the 19th and I was born the next day on the 20th. How great is that?! To be able to celebrate your birthday with your Mom each year was a blessing. I loved it! It made it more special because it wasn’t just about me. I loved helping her to celebrate her special day and mine. If you are celebrating a birthday this month, please do not let anyone make you feel like November’s a blah month. So far this November, we’ve had many sunny days and it’s been warmer than normal. I love it because it’s between two holidays – Thanksgiving (October in Canada) and Christmas. But don’t let us Scorpios fool you. For the younger ones in the crowd, we do not like Christmas gifts as birthday gifts. Remember it is a birthday, after all. I for one do not look for presents. This year my husband is whisking us away for two weeks in sunny Florida (very lucky am I) and I get to spend this birthday with my sister (who lives in our hometown of Sarnia). We will be in Florida at the same time. We will miss our sister who is unable to make it down from Toronto but know she will be with us in spirit. You will be missed! Our son Justin (co-author of book two in the Paige Maddison Series) is working very hard at university and you know we miss you! Time off for this hard-working writer, office manager, receptionist, maid, chief cook and bottle washer. Happy Birthday my fellow November babies. Enjoy your special day and do something you want to do with the people you love. The best part for me – our editor loves book two -it transitions well from book one – Wake Me Up Inside – and she said it’s epic! Nice note to go away on, don’t you agree?

Lee Bice-Matheson’s Interview by Dawn Husted on BookLOADS

I will be interviewed on Monday, November 11th, on Dawn Husted’s blog BookLOADS  Please look for the interview to see what’s new for this author. It was so much fun doing this interview. Thank you Dawn for having me on your blog.  It really is a treat for me. Just click on the links above to learn more about Dawn and her book released in August, 2013 entitled Safe. 

Haunted Halloween: Don’t read Wake Me Up Inside by Lee Bice-Matheson

Note to self: Do not read Wake Me Up Inside on Halloween. It will 100% guaranteed give you goosebumps and nightmares. I’m not kidding. Wait until November 2nd when the coast is all

Paige Maddison Series by Lee Bice-Matheson

clear. Enjoy your Halloween.

Happy Halloween to all of the Trick or Treaters

Don’t let the rain get you down! Enjoy your Halloween. Here are photos of my husband, Kevin and I on Halloween. Quote by Lee Bice-Matheson:

Performing Reading of Wake Me Up Inside at the Orillia Opera House

 

Pictured with author Lee Bice-Matheson and ghostly tour guide Terri Rossiter

 

Orillia Youth Centre pumpkin carvers with author Lee Bice-Matheson

On this day, if it were me, I’d don a mask for all to see.

Ghostly Gatherings at the Orillia Opera House

Ghostly Gatherings at the Orillia Opera House

Six Days to Haunted Halloween

Fun Filled Night with Orillia Youth Centre and local children

I love Halloween. Just ask our son and co-author of the Paige Maddison Series, J.R. Matheson. We annually bought one new decoration that began with friendly scarecrows that grew to five feet tall, a skeleton that we carefully positioned in the front yard and when it was destroyed by high winds, we took the remaining parts and buried them partially into the ground with a gravestone. Scary spiders hung in our front cedar trees caught in their cobwebs. Soon real spiders made it their home. From there, we moved inside collecting battery operated ghosts – one that moves up and down and has the most ghoulish laugh ever! Just ask our son’s friends. One in particular said our house was so scary she couldn’t stay long before they went out and trick or treated. That was the year that I thought okay, perhaps we have gone a bit overboard. Last year I was thrilled to host, with my husband Kevin, Ghostly Gatherings at the Orillia Opera House for the Orillia Youth Centre. We were lucky to have the students of Georgian College help to plan out the games and run them. The generosity of the owners of Brewery Bay will never be forgotten as they donated the most awesome food for everyone! Our tour guide of the event, Terri Rossiter did an excellent job of guiding the kids around the rumoured haunted house. Well done Terri! The Orillia Opera House has picked up the idea this year and are running a fun filled night for kids and their parents with stories being told. I wish them all the best. I hope Terri is the guide again this year. At Ghostly Gatherings, I read from my debut novel – Wake Me Up Inside – and the Kiwanis Club of Orillia generously donated a copy to each participant. This year, we are turning our attention to the young children in our neighbourhood who are just starting out in the Halloween adventure. We have toned down our decorations and they appear softer, not so scary. After all, it is about the new generation of children and it is their Halloween. It is a time for community and since so many people supported our son in his Halloween collection of candy, so will we in turn. I for one cannot wait to see the costumes and hear the laughter as children parade up and down the street for their chance at a little bit of independence and good old fashioned fun, as their parents trail happily behind. Happy Halloween to all. Thank you to all of the readers that support the Paige Maddison Series. Book Two in the Series will be out in 2014. Look for it!

Happy Thanksgiving Day Fellow Canadians from Lee Bice-Matheson

It is a well known fact in my family that my favourite weekend of the year is Thanksgiving. I love it because it’s not about gifts but spending time with family and friends, people that you love. Hiking, playing Scrabble, eating a fabulous turkey dinner are shared as we remember how lucky we are. I am grateful for my husband Kevin and our son Justin who I will be spending time with this weekend. Sadly, we will not be able to be with my two sisters and their families as we are spread out from Budapest to Calgary and Toronto to Sarnia, in between. To all of our family everywhere and friends Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s count our blessings. Montreal is a beautiful place to spend the holiday and we always hike Mount Royal. Justin says the foliage is the prettiest this year. Kevin and I are also grateful for those who come in for his care – you enrich our lives daily, our staff who are always supportive, and to all of the fans on Facebook and readers of Paige Maddison’s journey, I am grateful. Book Two is completed and off to the editors. Look for it in the Spring of 2014. I am also thankful for the community of friends on Twitter that #FF or #MM…each week and my LinkedIn supporters. Thank you for your support!

One of our favourite hiking trails in Orillia.

In the meantime, here is a book for those of you who would like to know more about the Canadian Thanksgiving called Thanksgiving Day in Canada, a children’s book, by Krys Val Lewicki.

 

Goodreads Contest ending September 30th to win a paperback copy of Wake Me Up Inside by author Lee Bice-Matheson

I am delighted to announce Megan of Oakville won a paperback copy of Wake Me Up Inside. Congratulations, Megan. I hope you enjoy the novella. I am currently completing the second book in the Paige Maddison Series with co-author JR Matheson. It was heart-warming to see how many entrants signed up for this. Thank you to all who entered.

First public reading of Wake Me Up Inside held in the teen section. I read for 35 minutes and no one left the room! Followed by many questions. It was this author’s dream come true Thank you to all who attended.