Thank you Canada!

Tags

#TELLAMERICAITSGREAT, Canada

It’s not exactly a secret that 2016 has been a particularly ugly one for Americans because of an election that has left many of us stunned, embarrassed, scared, stressed, depressed and ashamed. I’ve wondered so many times in the past few months about how the rest of the world must be viewing us. And then last week, Canada, our wonderful neighbors to the north made an incredible video and took to Twitter to remind us what’s still great about our country. Dreamed up by Garden North America, a Toronto based creative agency, the campaign is called “Let’s Tell America It’s Great.” In the incredibly upbeat and optimistic video, Canadians praise everything, from our music, and food, to our diversity and even our national parks. This in turn has sparked a frenzy on Twitter with throngs of people from around the world who have added their own voices in #TELLAMERICAITSGREAT.

So, as one American who is still hopeful for the future of our country, I want to just say thank you to everyone who’s participated in this. Particularly Canada, who we are so lucky to have as a neighbor, because no matter what happens we know they’ll never give up on us.

The Remedy ~ By Asher Ellis – 2.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Canada, Cannibalism, College Students, Hillbillies, Horror, Road Trips, Vermont

 I received this ebook from NetGalley and Full Fathom Five in exchange for an honest review.

Against her better judgement, college senior Leigh Swanson goes on a road trip to Montreal with some friends, which turns into the expected partying with booze and pot. On the way back, they become lost, and run into Sam Tucker, who is willing to give them directions in exchange for a ride. Unfortunately those directions lead them into a deadly trip through a Vermont forest, where it’s anyone’s guess as to who will make it out alive!

If you took the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, added the Ruins, and a heavy dose of Deliverance, plus just about every teen slasher flick you could think of, well, you’d wind up with The Remedy. After reading this I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not. Don’t get me wrong. I love slasher flicks/books, the gorier the better. (Don’t judge me!) I’m just not sure this added anything new to the genre. It had all the tried and true:

· Brainy, yet good-looking chick

· Sex-obsessed couples

· Murderous hillbillies

· Cannibalism

· Good-looking but mysterious stranger

· Disgusting body-invading fungus

· Dudley Do-Right Forest Rangers

· The villain who turned out to be the least one you’d expect.

In addition, they make all the usual really bad decisions. There were times I wanted to scream, “Have you people never watched a horror movie? What is the matter with you?” I think the author was trying to be clever in a wink, wink, nudge, nudge sort of way, but for me, it just didn’t work. All I could think of was how it lacked the originality of Scream. You’ve probably noticed that I keep likening this to a movie, but that’s how it played out in my mind. It reminded me of every cheesy ‘B’ movie that I’ve watched on the Syfy Channel. I’m giving it 2 stars only because it was fast paced. I really didn’t like any of the characters. Even Leigh got on my nerves. I mean honestly! Why would you go on a long road trip to Canada with friends who are all hooked up leaving you to be the proverbial third (or in this case, 5th) wheel? It just didn’t make sense and for me it kept going downhill from there. The book is getting mainly 3 and 4 star reviews on Goodreads, etc. so maybe I’m missing something. Or, perhaps I was in a cranky mood when I read it. Or it could be my blood sugar was too low. Either way, I’m glad I didn’t pay for it.

Perdita ~ by Hilary Scharper – 4.0 Stars

Tags

Canada, Greek Mythology, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance

  Publishing date January 20, 2015. This review is for an ebook provided to me by NetGalley and Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

Perdita follows the investigation by professor Garth Keller of an elderly woman’s claim that she is one hundred and thirty-four years old. Using Marged’s diaries, the story alternates between the 1800s and the present day. The reader is drawn into Marged’s life and it soon becomes clear that both the past and present are connected by a mysterious figure known only as Perdita. This is the same figure Marged claims prevents her from dying. With compelling characters, and a fascinating blend of Canadian nautical history, romance, and even Greek Mythology, Perdita is sure to appeal to a wide audience. There were a few loose ends which left me a bit frustrated so hopefully there is a sequel in the works.