Arrested by Wes Denham

Arrested: What to Do When Your Loved One's in Jail, Wes Denham. Chicago: Chicago Press Review, 2010. e-book, 266 pps.

Arrested is an ideal book for the family members of someone who is going through legal difficulties. Wes Denham is a business writer who has an excellent grasp on the law; http://folioweekly.com/Hot-Bullets-Cold-Truth,5556 for an example of an article that he wrote. He addresses concerns of those left behind to hold up the fort until the convict becomes an ex-convict.

When a loved one is arrested, there are several pitfalls to watch out for that Denham addresses. One of them is the high cost of phone calls from jail and what that can do to the family's budget. Another is making sure that your own living quarters and car are "clean" should law enforcement want to toss the place because your family member lives with you. And then there are the attorneys.

Denham discusses life as a prisoner and how that can effect the family who is outside the bars. He talks about commissaries, getting religion (while incarcerated), sex, and how to tell if your convict really wants to change. He discusses what to do if you are threatened (flee; and report the threat to the cops) and provides several handy checklists. The appendixes include helpful forms and letters and the most thorough vocabulary list of prison slang that I have ever seen in a book.

sapphoq reviews says: Wes Denham has written a pretty good book to guild families of people who are getting tangled up in the justice system. Arrested leaves nothing out. A valuable aid to thinking clearly in a situation where family members can often go to pieces. There is straight talk about financial concerns, avoiding prison rackets from the outside (don't send money to people when asked to, especially to other prisoners), and having a life. Highly recommended.

Solomon's Oak by Jo-Ann Mapson

Solomon's Oak, Jo-Ann Mapson.  New York:  Bloomsbury USA,  2010.
     Solomon's Oak is an outstanding novel.  From the first pages, I was transported into the life of Glory Solomon, a widow still grieving for her husband.  She has money problems and hits on an ingenious way to address the bills coming in.  She hosts a wedding in the chapel which her late husband built.  In the midst of the festivities, a social worker drops off Juniper, a teen with a bit of an attitude and nowhere else to go.  Glory's camera quits and a guy named Joseph with a camera happens to wander through, saving the day.  What happens afterwards is a delight.
 
     sapphoq reviews says:  I found much about this book to love.  The lyrical language and vivid descriptions in Solomon's Oak transported me almost immediately into the world of the small Californian farming community.    The characters were well-drawn and likeable.  Each character had a history and a family history attached.  There was a flavor of Mexico throughout the book and I found that to be appealing.  Even the farm animals were imbued with personalities and their own quirks.  Every detail built up to the crescendo and then led me to a satisfying ending.   
     If you are seeking a fast-action book, look elsewhere.  If you want a book that is far more than chick lit that is to be slowly read and savored, this is the book for you.  Highly recommended.