Llama Llama: Gram and Grandpa.

 

 

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It’s an exciting day for Llama Llama; he’s going to visit Gram and Grandpa Llama and spend the night! His first night away from home….and from Mama. But he makes sure to pack everything he needs. And there are so many fun things to do with Gram and Grandpa. It’s not until he gets ready for bed that he realizes that he’s forgotten something important. Fuzzy Llama! Fortunately, Grandpa Llama has a wonderful solution and soon Llama Llama is having sweet dreams.

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  I didn't know about the Llama Llama series until I started working as a teaching assistant in 2012. I adore this series! I believe this is a series that teaches children a wide range of skills. I am a substitute teacher at a private school, and I read Llama Llama gram and grandpa during circle time in PreK last week. This is one of my favorites in the series because it teaches children about so many different topics. Not only does it teach the children, but I believe it also has one of the best illustrations; it is simple for children to follow along with the story, especially if they cannot yet read. These books seem to speak directly to children; whenever I read them, they become excited.

The Shift.

 

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In a book as eye-opening as it is riveting, practicing nurse and New York Times columnist Theresa Brown invites us to experience not just a day in the life of a nurse but all the life that happens in just one day on a hospital’s cancer ward. In the span of twelve hours, lives can be lost, life-altering medical treatment decisions made, and dreams fulfilled or irrevocably stolen. In Brown’s skilled hands--as both a dedicated nurse and an insightful chronicler of events--we are given an unprecedented view into the individual struggles as well as the larger truths about medicine in this country, and by shift’s end, we have witnessed something profound about hope and healing and humanity.  

Every day, Theresa Brown holds patients' lives in her hands. On this day there are four. There is Mr. Hampton, a patient with lymphoma to whom Brown is charged with administering a powerful drug that could cure him--or kill him; Sheila, who may have been dangerously misdiagnosed; Candace, a returning patient who arrives (perhaps advisedly) with her own disinfectant wipes, cleansing rituals, and demands; and Dorothy, who after six weeks in the hospital may finally go home. Prioritizing and ministering to their needs takes the kind of skill, sensitivity, and, yes, humor that enable a nurse to be a patient’s most ardent advocate in a medical system marked by heartbreaking dysfunction as well as miraculous success. 

 

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I've always been a massive fan of medical books. I enjoy anything medical, and I have seen many medical TV shows. Perhaps was because I was considering becoming a nurse that drew me to this book. The Shift was unlike the memoirs that I usually read. This book drew me in from the beginning, and once I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was curious what would happen during Theresa's next shift. I couldn't imagine what it must be like to work as an RN in a cancer unit. I believe it would be the one place I couldn't handle. I enjoyed reading about how an RN shift at the hospital goes, and I found myself identifying with Theresa, her patients, and all the emotions. 

I felt so many emotions while reading. There were parts that were difficult to read, but I couldn't put the book down. I'm not a nurse, but when I was in PTA school, I learned about some of the diseases/disorders, which made it easier for me to follow along with Theresa as she described a disease. I can't imagine dealing with three patients at once, which is why I've always thought of nurses as heroes. I loved how no matter how the patients behaved or treated her; she was always present and made them feel as at ease as possible. I know if it were me, I would never be able to get the patients off my mind. 

The Shift is not a book you'll easily forget. I simply couldn't. Now I'm curious about her other books. I would strongly recommend this to any medical fanatics out there.

The Quarry Girls.

 

 

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 CONTAINS SPOILERS

 

Minnesota, 1977. For the teens of one close-knit community, summer means late-night swimming parties at the quarry, the county fair, and venturing into the tunnels beneath the city. But for two best friends, it’s not all fun and games. 

Heather and Brenda have a secret. Something they saw in the dark. Something they can’t forget. They’ve decided to never tell a soul. But their vow is tested when their friend disappears—the second girl to vanish in a week. And yet the authorities are reluctant to investigate. 

Heather is terrified that the missing girls are connected to what she and Brenda stumbled upon that night. Desperately searching for answers on her own, she learns that no one in her community is who they seem to be. Not the police, not the boys she met at the quarry, not even her parents. But she can’t stop digging because she knows those girls are in danger.
She also knows she’s next. 

 

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Haunting. I find thrillers based on true crime fascinating. I anticipated that The Quarry Girls would be an intense story to read, but I didn't realize how much. Some parts became difficult for me to read. I ‘ve read a few thrillers through the years, but none of them as intense as this one. I had a bad feeling since Beth went missing, and after a few chapters, I began to wonder if they'd find her before it was too late. I had the impression that the police were unconcerned about her situation. It wasn't until the others went missing that they began to suspect that there was someone out there stalking the girls. However, I had the impression that they were not taking it seriously enough, and that there was something they were hiding. 

The Quarry Girls is not a light read. I felt every single description and emotion that Heather and Beth were thinking about. I thought it was unique that they included Heather and Beth's points of view in the story. Beth's point of view was the most difficult to read; at times, I felt as if I had transformed into the story, experiencing all her fear. I was beginning to wonder if she'd make it out alive. I was intrigued to see how Heather and her friends might find Beth and rescue her, and I couldn't help but wonder how their stories might intersect. 

That ending. I can't begin to express how I felt about it. The Quarry Girls was one of those books that just when you think you've figured it out, another twist makes you reconsider everything. This is the book that I wish I had read sooner than I did. I found it interesting that the author mentioned and discussed actual serial killers from that time period, making the story more realistic. I would strongly recommend this book to any thriller fan.

The Princess Of Las Vegas.

 

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 Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an  ARC in exchange for an honest  review

 

 

RELEASE DATE: 03/26/2024.

 

 

THE PRINCESS IS FAKE. THE MURDERS ARE REAL • From the New York Times bestselling author of The Flight Attendant and The Lioness, a Princess Diana impersonator and her estranged sister find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of money and murder in this twisting tale of organized crime, cryptocurrency, and family secrets on the Las Vegas strip. 

 

Crissy Dowling has created a world that suits her perfectly. She passes her days by the pool in a private cabana, she splurges on ice cream but never gains an ounce, and each evening, she transforms into a Princess, performing her musical cabaret inspired by the life of the late Diana Spencer. Some might find her strange or even delusional, an American speaking with a British accent, hair feathered into a style thirty years old, living and working in a casino that has become a dated trash heap. On top of that, Crissy’s daily diet of Adderall and Valium leaves her more than a little tipsy, her Senator boyfriend has gone back to his wife, and her entire career rests on resembling a dead woman. And yet, fans see her for the gifted chameleon she is, showering her with gifts, letters, and standing ovations night after night. 

 

But when Crissy’s sister, Betsy, arrives in town with a new boyfriend and a teenage daughter, and when Richie Morley, the owner of the Buckingham Palace Casino, is savagely murdered, Crissy’s carefully constructed kingdom comes crashing down all around her. A riveting tale of identity, obsession, fintech, and high-tech mobsters, The Princess of Las Vegas is an addictive, wildly original thriller from one of our most extraordinary storytellers. 

 

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 I always find historical fiction with a mystery twist fascinating, so when I came across The Princess of Las Vegas on NetGalley, I couldn't resist checking it out. What made it even more appealing was that the author is someone whose work I admire; I had previously read and loved The Flight Attendant I should have known that I would fall in love with this story. I enjoyed reading the story from both sisters' points of view, which allowed me to understand each character better. I particularly enjoyed reading about Crissy and Betsy's stories, and how they came together once, Betsy came to live in Las Vegas. Crissy's storyline grabbed my attention more than Betsy's, although Betsy's story improved once she moved to Las Vegas. I was completely engrossed in the book and couldn't put it down because I needed to know what would happen next. 

I loved reading the story that was set in Las Vegas. Since I have previously lived in Kingman, Arizona and visited Vegas a few times, I was able to easily visualize everything in my mind. The complicated history between the two sisters, Crissy, and Betsy, made me curious about Crissy's reaction to Betsy's decision to move to Las Vegas. I was also intrigued to know if the sisters could bury the hatchet and reconcile their differences. However, I couldn't help but wonder what had happened with their mother that caused Crissy to hold a grudge against her sister. I wondered if there was more to the story that had led to the conflict between the two sisters. As soon as the mysterious deaths began to occur, I became engrossed in the story and had to force myself to put the book down. 

I enjoyed reading about Betsy's 13-year-old adopted daughter, Marissa, in the book. The background information that was revealed about her between the chapters was very interesting. I also wondered if Marissa would realize what was happening before anyone else did. Though there is much more that I could say about this book, I don't want to reveal too much before it's released. I would highly recommend this book, especially to fans of historical fiction and suspense.

Majesty (American Royals, #2)

 

 

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CONTAINS SPOILERS

Is America ready for its first queen? 

 
Power is intoxicating. Like first love, it can leave you breathless. Princess Beatrice was born with it. Princess Samantha was born with less. Some, like Nina Gonzalez, are pulled into it. And a few will claw their way in. Ahem, we're looking at you Daphne Deighton. 

As America adjusts to the idea of a queen on the throne, Beatrice grapples with everything she lost when she gained the ultimate crown. Samantha is busy living up to her "party princess" persona...and maybe adding a party prince by her side. Nina is trying to avoid the palace--and Prince Jefferson--at all costs. And a dangerous secret threatens to undo all of Daphne's carefully laid "marry Prince Jefferson" plans.

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 I should have known that I would fall in love again. This is the author I will return to. Katharine McGee's American Royals is not the first series I have read and enjoyed. If I didn't fall in love with the story after reading American Royals , I will be after reading Majesty . I expected twists in the second book, but the ones that appeared were the most unexpected. I thought about the twist at the end of the book the most. It made me wish the next book in the series had no wait list at my local library. I loved the first book, but I loved Majesty as much as the first one, but I did feel that there was more happening in the second book than in than the first one. This is the series that will leave you wanting the next book. It's been a few days since I finished it, but I'm still curious about what comes next. 

Teddy was enjoyable in the first book but was not my favorite character. I completely misjudged the character; he surprised me in so many ways in the second book. I did not doubt that he loved Samantha and would eventually end up with her. I expected Teddy and Beatrice to be friends, but what happened between them was unexpected. Maybe fate brought the two of them together for a reason. I loved how he was always there for Beatrice, no matter what was going on; he was exactly what she needed, especially after her father died. I can't imagine how quickly stepping into the Queen role is so easy. I despised how some people treated her simply because she was a woman, assuming that she needed to be taught how to rule. 

Samantha and Lord Marshall Davis were my other favorite couple. I always thought Samantha and Teddy became too attached, possibly because they couldn't be together. Lord Marshall Davis and Samantha connected early in their 'fake' relationship. I wondered how long it would take them to realize their feelings for each other. I was rooting for them throughout the book; how could I not? I'm curious what happens to them in the next book. I've only read the first two books in the series, but it has already become one of my favorites. I'm excited to see what happens to all the characters in the next book.