w. f. redmond

Rating: 5.0 stars

Reviewed by Alice D. for Readers Favorite

African-American Duane Freeman has served a seven year prison term for assault and now works as a janitor for Sunnycrest Mental Hospital in Dinuba, California. He worked in the mental health buildings both at New Folsom prison and at Mule Creek State Prison. Competent at bio-hazard work and highly intelligent, Duane is hired right out of prison by Sunnycrest supervisor Rosalinda Burgueno who becomes his mentor. Living with his love, Graciela, and her three young children, David, Ramon, and Margarita, who just adore him, Duane is proud of his inner strength that allowed him to survive California gang wars and the prison itself. Working his shift at Sunnycrest, Duane sees one of the prison psychiatrists forcing himself upon a naked female inmate. What is going on at Sunnycrest Mental Hospital?

"Slapped by Injustice: Point Blank" is a highly readable and very well-written story of Duane Freeman and the life that he is handed. Duane is an incredible and very likeable main character who does fall to his knees but always manages to climb back to his feet. The many other characters in "Slapped by Injustice," such as Graciela, Dr. Schietzel and Princess Washburn, are well-created and totally believable and play well against Duane, making this story a first-rate read. The plot proceeds with the necessary stops and makes it a good drama. The dialogue is first-rate and adds to the story. Duane's success in living his life fully after seven years in prison will inspire many. Readers should put "Slapped by Injustice" at the top of their lists of books that are must-reads.

Rating: 5.0 stars

Reviewed by Robin Clark for Readers Favorite

Duane Freeman has finally become a "free man" after seven years in prison and two years on parole. He is a rare exception for an ex-con, one who made the decision upon leaving the jail cell that he would never return. He was lucky not only to find someone who would give him a chance, but to find several people that he could call friends. He was hired on as a custodian at Sunnycrest in Los Angeles, a high-end, up-scale mental hospital, filled with the rich and the famous, including Princess Washburn, Hollywood’s leading lady. After two years of working there, Duane feels as if Sunnycrest is his home, and most of the employees, family. While working one night, Duane finds that one of the physicians is sexually abusing Princess, by telling her that he will make sure she is discharged early in exchange for sex. Duane confides in one of the head nurses and they, along with a few others, decide that something must be done to stop this terrible injustice. Will Duane and his partners be able to put a top to this and be heroes or will it all backfire and end his new “wonderful” life?

"Slapped by Injustice" gives you a look at an ex-con’s life through his eyes. You can feel his struggles, his disappointments, his losses and his wins. It really communicates the realities that newly released prisoners face, as well as the prejudices. The story is very smooth and has strong impact on readers. Kudos to author W.F. Redmond for his accomplishment in putting the regular Joe into the mind of an ex-con. Look forward to reading more of his work.