Monique Snyman's Blog, page 7

Fear the Deep with The Meg by Steve Alten

Sometimes, I’m just in the mood for sharks. Tiger sharks, bull sharks, great whites, you name it, just give me the om nom nom sharkie goodness and I’m all kinds of happiness. Now, usually when I get in this mood, I turn to movies or documentaries, but I’m pretty sure I’ve watched every shark B-movie and Shark Week documentary in existence. So, I turned to books this time and what an exhilarating ride it was! The Meg by Steve Alten (the first in a series revolving around the supposedly extinct apex predator���megalodon) may be an oldie, but boy was it a goodie!

The Meg by Steve Alten

We follow the story of Jonas Taylor, a dishonorably discharged Navy commander, who specialized in deep dives. During one of these dives, however, Jonas is sure he saw something that shouldn’t exist … something monstrous, which supposedly attacked them. As a result of him freaking out (because who wouldn’t?), others died on this dive. Fast forward a bit and Jonas is seen as a quack for believing in the existence of megalodon by the scientific community, his wife is cheating on him, and the Navy’s pretty much saying he’s lost his mind.

Then, Jonas is asked to help set up the world’s largest aquarium by an old acquaintance.

Well, things quickly go sideways for Jonas and anyone else involved in setting up this artificial lagoon, because lo and behold, they release a pregnant megalodon from where it’s been living deep in the Mariana Trench.

Techno-Thriller Goodness

This book was the equivalent of a popcorn movie. Is it the type of stuff that will win a Nobel Literature Prize? No. Will the book go down in history as one of the greatest novels ever written? Probably not. Is it freaking fun and will keep you entertained while you read it? Hell yeah! The mix of accurate scientific detail, believable conjecture and breathtaking action is going to keep you on the edge of your seat. What’s more, I kind of found Jonas endearing, even though I wanted to slap him against the head for making silly decisions. The parts I, obviously, loved the most was when our megalodon got all chompy-chompy and terrorized anyone who dared to enter the ocean.

Steve Alten also seemed to give this leftover relic from the prehistoric ages a bit of a personality, which actually made me feel for the poor creature. There she was all of a sudden in the big, bad world, pregnant and alone. All she wanted was some dinner. She was��only��following her instincts. Is it really her fault for any of the chaos that ensued?

Comparing the Film and Book

So, of course I’ve watched the movie starring action-star Jason Statham multiple times. And, the book version I have is the revamped, updated version (not the original 1997 release), which means it compares well. Sure, there are differences between the two, but I’m kind of leaning toward the book being better. Why? More shark, of course. Also, I want to say the book is a teensy bit more graphic than the movie, which is understandable, due to film ratings and such. I do prefer Jason Statham’s version of Jonas, though���less whiny, in my opinion.

Conclusion

I loved The Meg by Steven Alten, plain and simple. In fact, I loved it so much, I bought the rest of the series! This is the type of book you read just to escape from reality for a while. It’s fun, informative, and will make you wonder what is really lurking behind the surface of the ocean. A must-read for fans of Jurassic Park, Jaws, and anyone already missing Shark Week.

About Steve Alten

Steve Alten grew up in Philadelphia, earning his Bachelors degree in Physical Education at Penn State University, a Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Delaware, and a Doctorate of Education at Temple University. Struggling to support his family of five, he decided to pen a novel he had been thinking about for years. Working late nights and on weekends, he eventually finished MEG; A Novel of Deep Terror. Steve sold his car to pay for editing fees. On September (Friday) the 13th, 1996, Steve lost his general manager���s job at a wholesale meat plant. Four days later his agent had a two-book, seven figure deal with Bantam Doubleday.

MEG would go on to become the book of the 1996 Frankfurt book fair, where it eventually sold to more than a twenty countries. MEG hit every major best-seller list, including #19 on the New York Times list (#7 audio), and became a popular radio series in Japan.

Steve���s second release, THE TRENCH (Meg sequel) was published by Kensington/Pinnacle in 1999 where it also hit best-seller status. His next novel, DOMAIN and its sequel, RESURRECTION were published by St. Martin���s Press/Tor Books and were runaway best-sellers in Spain, Mexico, Germany, and Italy, with the rights selling to more than a dozen countries.

Cover Reveal: River of Wrath by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

It’s time for a cover reveal! I’m excited (and honored) to be able to reveal the cover art for Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor‘s next novel in the St. Benedict Series, a book series that I cannot recommend enough to those who like their psychological thrillers super dark. I mean, I liked it so much, I wrote a blurb��aaaaand��the blurb made it onto the cover! EEEEP!

River of Wrath is the sequel to the highly acclaimed River of Ashes, and the St. Benedict Series is published by Vesuvian Books.

The cover art of this lovely book is done by the talented Sam Shearon. And yes, these books will look��really��pretty on any bookshelf.

More secrets are about to be uncovered, beginning with the arrival of a handsome stranger, and the discovery of bones long buried beneath the river ���

Leslie Moore is struggling to get through her last semester at St. Benedict High. Even her relationship with her boyfriend Derek is falling apart. But after receding floodwaters from the Bogue Falaya River expose the bones of a woman, Leslie becomes obsessed with tracking down the killer.

Sightings of an apparition haunting The Abbey send Leslie and her friends back to the scene of the horrors from last Halloween, but no one is prepared for what they find.

After a stranger���the handsome Luke Cross���arrives in town, another girl goes missing, and the sheriff suspects the newcomer is hiding something. Leslie believes the Devereaux family is connected to everything going wrong in St. Benedict. And she means to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

Not all secrets can be kept silent. Some eventually find their way home.

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

River of Wrath is slated for a January 31, 2023 release.��

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy will Blow your Mind!

There’s nothing quite as juicy as getting an inside scoop on one of your favorite celebrities, and when it is paired with a sense of nostalgia, well … all the better. I’m Glad My Mom Died��by��Jennette McCurdy��is a firsthand telling from one of the biggest names of Nickelodeon during the mid-2000s to around 2013, and boy will this book blow your mind!

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Growing up, I was a fan of both iCarly and Sam & Cat, starring Jennette McCurdy. I loved Sam’s sarcasm, her stubbornness, her deadpan humor. So, it only made sense that I would want to read this memoir. And with a title like I’m Glad My Mom Died, how could I resist? Well, let me tell you, this is one of those books that makes TMZ’s juiciest exclusives look like a Sunday school lesson! Jennette McCurdy went all out in her memoir, left no stone unturned, and ultimately made me think about the 1976 TV mini-series, Sybil … I know others have drawn comparisons with Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s story, but my head just went back to Sybil’s mother, time and time again. We’re talking about the psychological abuse, spiritual abuse, even sexual abuse, all while maintaining it’s in Jennette’s best interest.

Spilling the Tea

The memoir starts off where McCurdy explains how she wanted to please her mother no matter what. At the age of six, she had already been manipulated to such an extent, that she would do anything to keep her mother alive (who had begun her battle again breast cancer by the time McCurdy was three years old), even going so far as to use her birthday wishes to keep her mom alive. So, McCurdy was convinced to go into acting, even though that was the last thing she ever wanted to do. Her mother proceeded to push her only daughter harder to get roles, to do everything in her ability to “see her succeed”, to bring in money … Then we get to how her mother taught her to count calories.

A downward spiral begins as McCurdy becomes very conscious about her food intake. It’s a heartbreaking, raw telling of how an indoctrinated young girl becomes anorexic, then bulimic, all to please her mother. A mother who sexually abused her own daughter by “checking for cancer”.

It’s almost every child star’s story, yet it’s very different.

Later on in the memoir, we see how Jennette became friends with iCarly co-star, Miranda Cosgrove, and the way she felt during her first on-screen kiss. Then, there’s some talking about “The Creator”, who continued to manipulate the young McCurdy and her co-stars into working harder by comparing the iCarly show with Victorious. Eventually, we get to the Sam & Cat show, which starred Ariana Grande. Now, I expected a bit more from the drama that developed there, but it was simply an honest retelling of how Jennette McCurdy felt toward her co-star and why they didn’t get along.

Leaves You With More Questions

In regards to “The Creator”, we are left with more questions than answers. Everyone who follows Nickelodeon and Disney news are aware of the allegations that are often made against those in power … in this case, everyone knows Dan Schneider was more than a bit iffy when it comes to the child stars. McCurdy says she was offered a hefty sum of hush money by Nickelodeon, which she turned down. I’m glad she did. However, did��more��happen than she revealed in this memoir? Other Nickelodeon stars have started talking, so we have to wait and see if another tell-all will come out.

In Conclusion

It’s always difficult reviewing a memoir, because essentially we’re only hearing one side of a story. In this case, the other major player cannot reply … Do I think everything in this book is real, though? In this case, yes. Jennette McCurdy sounds brutally honest in her account, and considering how other child stars have shared similar, albeit not identical tales, I believe her.

This is an emotional story, and readers should be aware that it’s not for the faint of heart. Things that are shared include: sexual abuse, psychological abuse, eating disorders, addiction, and more. That being said, there is a shining ray of hope at the end as Jennette McCurdy begins to heal after all the trauma she’s endured and one cannot help but hope she succeeds wherever her life’s path takes her next.

New “MISSING PAGES” Podcast Episode with Bethanne Patrick

If you’re anything like me, you may have an unhealthy obsession with following book industry drama. Anything from authors falling from grace to publishers getting greedy keeps me glued to social media. And if there’s a name-and-shame game involved … well, let’s just say, I pop some popcorn and get super comfy to watch the drama unfold.

Enter��Missing Pages��to satiate my desire to know all about plagiarism scandals, gatekeeping, and all the other nitty, gritty bits about the world of books.

Missing Pages is an all-new investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Across its eight-episode debut season, Missing Pages uncovers the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior within the secretive world of book publishing. Each episode brings in authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites to tell the real story; unfit for print.

 

 About Bethanne Patrick

Bethanne Patrick is a writer, author and journalist. Bethanne is the author of two books, An Uncommon History of Common Things (co-authored with John Thompson) and An Uncommon History of Common Courtesy, both from National Geographic Books. She writes a monthly column for Virginia Quarterly Review on feminism and culture. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, AARP The Magazine, the Daily Beast, TheAtlantic.com and O the Oprah Magazine.

���� New “MISSING PAGES” Podcast Episode with Bethanne Patrick

If you’re anything like me, you may have an unhealthy obsession with following book industry drama. Anything from authors falling from grace to publishers getting greedy keeps me glued to social media. And if there’s a name-and-shame game involved … well, let’s just say, I pop some popcorn and get super comfy to watch the drama unfold.

Enter��Missing Pages��to satiate my desire to know all about plagiarism scandals, gatekeeping, and all the other nitty, gritty bits about the world of books.

Missing Pages is an all-new investigative podcast hosted by world-renowned literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick. Across its eight-episode debut season, Missing Pages uncovers the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior within the secretive world of book publishing. Each episode brings in authors, experts, publishing insiders, and a circus of NYC media elites to tell the real story; unfit for print.

 

 About Bethanne Patrick

Bethanne Patrick is a writer, author and journalist. Bethanne is the author of two books, An Uncommon History of Common Things (co-authored with John Thompson) and An Uncommon History of Common Courtesy, both from National Geographic Books. She writes a monthly column for Virginia Quarterly Review on feminism and culture. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, AARP The Magazine, the Daily Beast, TheAtlantic.com and O the Oprah Magazine.

Dark Country Release

DARK COUNTRY

Too often people mistake monsters for gods.

When a ravaged corpse is discovered in Pretoria, South Africa, Esm�� Snyder���an occult-crime expert���is called in to investigate. But she doesn���t know the scope of what she���s up against. Esm�� is the target of a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who uses the paranormal to do his bidding, with the intent of becoming a god on Earth.

With assistance from her team���a brusque detective, eccentric millionaire, stoic priest, hawkeyed secretary, and handsome British forensic criminologist���Esm�� hopes to find the killer before he strikes again.

But the clock isn���t all that���s working against them. The media catches wind of the threat against the citizens of Pretoria, and their reported speculations promise a post-Apartheid Satanic Panic.

As the body count grows, Esm�� must figure out who is behind the heinous crimes before she ends up the final sacrifice.

RELEASING AUGUST 30, 2022

Into the Forest Release

INTO THE FOREST

A collection of new and exclusive short stories inspired by the Baba Yaga. Featuring Gwendolyn Kiste, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Mercedes M. Yardley, Monique Snyman, Donna Lynch, Lisa Quigley, and R. J. Joseph, with a foreword by Christina Henry.

Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds��� legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the baba yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the baba yaga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch���and these are her tales.

Edited by Lindy Ryan, this collection brings together some of today���s leading voices of women-in-horror as they pay tribute to the baba yaga, and go��Into the Forest.

RELEASING NOVEMBER 08, 2022

Monique Snyman���s Hall of Horror: Werewolves, Witches, and Mothman, Oh My!

I am proud to present a new segment on my website: Monique Snyman���s Hall of Horrors. ���� Now, I bet you���re already wondering what I���m going on about this time. Well, sit back and get comfortable, because from this month onward, I���ll be curating a list of either upcoming or recently released horror books that you absolutely, positively need to read. I���ll also be telling you why these books should be on your TBR (To-Be-Read) list.

Are the lights on? Do you have your favorite online bookstore���s page ready? In that case, let���s get that adrenaline rushing!

Monique Snyman’s Hall of Horror – June 2022

Throw me to the Wolves by Lindy Ryan and Christopher Brooks

Released May 24, 2022

If you���re looking for a paranormal novel that���s got a Southern twist, then look no further than Throw me to the Wolves by Lindy Ryan and Christopher Brooks. It���s twisty and juicy and features supernatural creatures like werewolves, ghosts, witches ��� heck, it���s got something for everyone. I truly enjoyed how engaging this book was and I can���t wait for the sequel. Throw me to the Wolves, in my opinion, is perfect for True Blood fans.

 

Hide by Kiersten White

Released May 24, 2022

When ���challenges��� get creepy and murder-y, I get all warm and fuzzy. And that���s exactly what happens in Hide, it seems. According to the synopsis: the challenge is to spend a week hiding in an abandoned amusement park (ooooh!) and not get caught (double ooooh!). Obviously, things are going to get out of hand, the synopsis says as much, but how far will critically acclaimed author, Kiersten White, push this novel? I���m itching to get this one read just to find out.

 

Aurora by David Koepp

Released June 07, 2022

Technically Aurora by David Koepp is being marketed as a thriller, but I���ll be honest ��� the synopsis screams disaster horror or dystopia. I mean, when a catastrophic global event transpires, it���s going to probably catch my attention. What���s more, Aurora is described as ���eerie��� and compared to Under the Dome and Project Hail Mary. Sign me up!

 

Little Bird by Tiffany Meuret

Released June 07, 2022

Gardeners beware, there���s something lurking out there. Tiffany Meuret has crafted a terrifying, albeit fun horror novel that will make you want to keep those weeds at bay. As the tale progresses, things quickly spiral out of control, and the tension keeps you turning the pages. Little Bird is, for the most part, a psychological horror that���ll make you question the protagonist���s sanity for quite a while.

 

Silk Hills by Ryan Ferrier and Brian Level

Released June 14, 2022

Silk Hills is a graphic novel that plays off in a small Appalachian town, somewhere where the Mothman legend is the only reason tourists come to visit. Of course, things aren���t completely what they seem, and let���s be honest, no horror afficionado wants anything to be ���normal���. We want the creepy stuff. Now, if you like folklore and mythology, I have a sneaky suspicion you may also be intrigued by anything Mothman-related, which means you���re likely going to want to get your hands on Silk Hills. I can���t wait for the release. Eeep!

 

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

Released June 21, 2022

There���s nothing quite like a good ol��� gothic horror retelling to get your blood pumping, and Ava Reid���s Juniper & Thorn���a retelling of The Juniper Tree���looks like it���ll hit all the right spots. While I haven���t had the privilege of reading this book yet, it is described as being set in another time and place within the world of The Wolf and the Woodsman, where a young witch seeks to discover her identity and escape the domination of her wizard father. Sounds fun!

 

Not Good for Maidens by Tori Bovalino

Released June 21, 2022

Described as Salem���s Lot meets The Darkest Part of the Forest, this horror-fantasy retelling of Christina Rossetti���s ���Goblin Market��� is one I can���t wait to get my hands on. Not Good for Maidens seems like a really exciting young-adult novel based on the synopsis. Filled with magic, twists and turns, and some haunting prose, I can���t wait to get my hands on this bad boy.

 

 

5 Perfectly Unique Gifts for Book Lovers

If you’re reading this post, chances are you’re looking for the perfect gift for the book lover in your life. There’s also a possibility that you’re looking for something unique, rather than the usual go-to gifts, too���notebooks, tote bags, gift cards, stationary, mugs. While book lovers love all those things, I have curated a list of gifts that will make them feel like the most special person in the world. ����

5 Perfectly Unique Gifts for Book LoversMiniature Bookshelves

You don’t always have to go big to win someone’s heart.

Miniature bookshelves may be small, but they are absolutely to die for, and I have to say my favorite is none other than those found by BooksByBritton! What’s more, depending on how much you have to spend, you can have those tiny shelves customized with the book lover in your life’s favorite books! The amount of detail that goes into creating each tiny bookshelf (even the “books in a jar”) is absolutely breathtaking.

If that’s not enough to convince you, the price of these lovely little gifts will definitely put a smile on your face. Affordable, pretty, special … Yup, definitely add this to your short list.

Visit BooksByBritton on Etsy

Bookshelf Inserts

Bookshelf inserts are all the rage on bookshelves now. They’re absolutely gorgeous little worlds to add in between your books, and range from everything between Harry Potter scenes to real life depictions of streets around the world. There are some fantastic genre-themed ones, as well (I, of course, gravitate towards the horror ones, which are terrific).

But if a gift that runs into the hundreds sounds just a bit too pricy, don’t sweat it. There are even kits for you to build yourself that are much more affordable and will be extra special to any book lover. ����

Book Bags

The tote may be a bit too clich�� for my liking as a gift, but I���like all book lovers���am always��looking for something to carry my books in. Behold! A book bag that looks like a book��and��holds all your books safe until you find a place where you can read in peace.

These lovely bags are made by and there are quite a few of them to choose from.

They may be a bit pricier than the regular old tote bag, but they’ll last for much longer.

 

TBR Jar

Book lovers almost always have more books than they could possibly read in one lifetime, but sometimes they still don’t know what they want to read … Thank goodness for the TBR jar (to-be-read jar), where fate decides for you. Now, you can probably make one yourself (book lovers have been making their own TBR jars for years), but this one by is so pretty with those lovely little 3D origami stars. *sigh* So, basically what you do is you send 100 titles and they are printed and folded into these origami stars. Voila! Gone are the days of struggling to decide what to read. ����

Check out the TBR Paper Stars Jar here.

Blind Date with a Book

It’s not exactly a new concept,��but��there’s something wonderful about receiving a surprise book from someone that’s just exciting. Unfortunately, we don’t always know what to get our book lovers to read … Well, keeps you from having to stress over this particular guessing game with their wrapped up, wax-sealed, and beautified gifts.

There are also themed versions if you shop around on their Etsy store, so if you’re looking for a Halloween or Christmas prezzy, look no further. ����

What’s more, this idea is affordable, pretty, fun, and slightly addictive.

Purchase your Blind Date with a Book here.

Reading Journal

I know what I said about notebooks,��but��a reading journal is an entirely different thing! Avid readers read so much and so often that there are times they may forget what they’ve read (or what they thought about a book). This is where the reading journal comes in handy. It’s like a journal … but for books. You can review what you’ve read, give star ratings, keep an eye on your reading logs, and even do monthly wrap-ups!

I, personally, like the Dark Academia Reading Journal from because it offers all the abovementioned things. However, if you’re working on a budget, there are digital versions available to print out and customize to your needs on Etsy.

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders could be a Game Changer …

It’s no secret���we live in a consumerism-driven society. We work, we buy, and eventually we die. Why? After reading��The Year of Less��by Cait Flanders, I realized what makes us so consumed with the idea of “wanting all the things” … What’s more, I honestly feel this indoctrination of mankind as we know it could very well be why we’re all so incredibly sad. It’s a cycle, one that is explained by Cait Flanders through self-observation and comparisons. Luckily, there are ways to break the cycle. ����

The full title of the book is The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store, which is pretty self-explanatory, and one of the reasons I picked up the book. Not only did it speak to my budget-wise side, but I’ve reached an age where I’m starting to look to the future. How will I survive when I reach my golden years? You know?

Not to mention, as we near tax season in South Africa, I’ve been looking into my finances and let’s just say there’s a lot��of spending happening for reasons I can’t truly explain … So, here’s my book review (and why you should buy it).

The Year of Less by Cait Flanders

When it comes to self-help books, I typically look the other way. I have my bad habits and vices like everyone else, yes, but they’re pretty mellow in comparison to most. No, I’m not judging anyone for their bad habits and vices. I just mean, it could have been worse (by modern society’s standards). But I do have them. I drink way��too much coffee, for example. I buy way��too many books. I like shoes. And maybe I spend a bit too much on takeout.

The thing is: Until I started looking at my finances, I didn’t realize how much I was spending on frivolity. I also didn’t realize how none of it was bringing me any joy until I read this book.

A Journey Into Addiction

Addiction is many things, but we tend to focus on the stereotypes���the shopaholic with high heels and bags of clothing, the drunkard in the back of the bar, the pill popping drug addict living on the wrong side of town.

What we don’t realize is these are��just��stereotypes. The soccer mom who looks like she’s got her shit together? She may be dulling her senses with some over-the-counter pain meds. The granny who usually gets so many deliveries? Late-night shopper, most probably. That straight-A student may be getting blackout drunk every weekend just to forget.

Cait Flanders uses her own experiences to exemplify how bad buying-behaviors could very well be an addiction. What’s more, she’s absolutely right! Do I not buy things to fill some kind of void, to feel happy (if only for a short while)? Speaking from personal experience, and after having a look at all my stuff, it’s clear as day that I need to Marie Kondo the hell out of my house.

Do I really, truly��need��all those evening dresses when I only go to the theater once a year?��Let’s not even get started with all of my books, which���I regret to say���is a situation that may have gotten out of hand.

Everything is Fixable and the Cycle can be Broken

What I actually liked about this book is the message: everything is fixable. Your finances can be saved if you’re determined enough. When you realize true happiness isn’t something you can buy, you can make the changes that are necessary to get yourself out of debt. Is it easy? No. Breaking habits aren’t easy. Can you do it? Well, it’ll take time, but eventually, yes.

While I don’t think I can make quite as many drastic changes as Cait Flanders did to save more, spend less, and be happier as a result, I do think there is much room for improvement in my own life. After all, I used to be a less-is-more kinda gal, anyway. So, for me, this won’t be too hard to implement (I think …��hope).

Those book buying binges, thanks to Bookstagram and Booktok? Yeah, they need to end. ���� My love of all things shiny gotta go, too. I mean, do I really need 30 pairs of shoes when I only like wearing 3 pairs? My Tupperware cupboard can do with a spring clean …

IN CONCLUSION

I don’t like preachy books, in general, so The Year of Less��was perfect for me to open my mind and come to terms with my own issues. It helped to give me ideas on how to fix my current situation, even if it’s not by any means a “situation”. All in all, this is an insightful read that will definitely inspire you to make positive changes. Whether implementing these changes will make me (or you) happier, though, is something only time will determine.

About Cait Flanders

Cait Flanders is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Year of Less. Described by Vogue as ���a fascinating look into a living experiment that we can all learn from,��� it has been translated into 8 languages, and went on to become one of the most sold nonfiction books on Amazon in July 2018, and one of Powell���s Staff Top Fives that same year. Her story has been shared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, Oprah.com, Forbes, and more. Cait always has an adventure in the calendar, and believes in leaving every place better than she found it. She is from Victoria, BC, Canada.