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Behind Prison Bars: A Medical Thriller
Samantha Owens applied for the vacant position offered by the State of Texas prison officials for a Registered Nurse with obstetrical experience to work in their OB clinic. After her somewhat frightening orientation what she actually ended up working was the night shift position making her responsible for over 900 inmates in the women's correctional facility. Facing the challenges of triaging pregnant inmates and those with multiple medical issues was daunting and often dangerous during the minimally staffed night shift.For Amy Graham who was incarcerated for writing hot checks, the challenges ranged from simple embarrassment and loneliness to the horrors of being a relatively innocent victim of the dangerous women around her.Although this novel is a work of fiction and the characters' names have been changed to protect the author, Samantha Owens experiences are based on actual incidents that happened to the author when she worked as a nurse in a women's correctional facility.
- GenresThriller
298 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2013
28 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Olson
26 books29 followers I'm a retired Registered Nurse who loves to write. I have 16 published novels; 3 medical thrillers( Rebirth & Murder by Proxy, Behind Prison Bars) 2 romantic thrillers (The Turquoise Cross & Connections) and 11 James Ford detective mysteries (Toxic Blood, Finding the Lost Ones, Cold-blooded Revenge, Greed & Lies, His Haunted Past, Death of Dreams, Thieves, Hidden Mysteries, Hidden Treasures, Stranger Than Fiction, & The Fire). My books are available as hardback, soft cover and e-books through amazon.com. Some of them are audio books.
I write about my own experiences as a nurse blending actual fact with fiction to create page-turning stories. I have worked in hospitals in Obstetrics & NICU, at a women's prison, at a dialysis clinic and have taught at a nursing school.
My 2 nonfiction books include information about the the story of caring for my mother with dementia (Navigating the Fog of Dementia ) and a Family history genealogy.
My stories do not contain graphic sex as I want my granddaughters to be able to read my works, but some of them are PG-14. They contain mysteries, love stories, murders, mayhem and excitement.
I write about my own experiences as a nurse blending actual fact with fiction to create page-turning stories. I have worked in hospitals in Obstetrics & NICU, at a women's prison, at a dialysis clinic and have taught at a nursing school.
My 2 nonfiction books include information about the the story of caring for my mother with dementia (Navigating the Fog of Dementia ) and a Family history genealogy.
My stories do not contain graphic sex as I want my granddaughters to be able to read my works, but some of them are PG-14. They contain mysteries, love stories, murders, mayhem and excitement.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 19, 2015
Many of the incidents in this book happened to the author. The misguided and criminal doctors are all fiction. Hair-raising reading. Great story.
July 12, 2020
Audible Version:
I enjoyed the story very much. It introduces us to what is expected of staff & those incarcerated to a certain degree. With the author having worked as a RN in A prison in Texas, it gives a unique opportunity. I hope the prison system in TX is not what seemed rather laid back when it comes to the inmates.
The main story was intriguing & hair raising when knowing how such actions are very possible. It certainly kept you needing to know what is the outcome. The story lines about certain prisoners were as interesting.
The only Thing that bothered me was the narrator, doing the voice changes for each character especially the males, all still sounded female.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and will look into other works by this author.
I enjoyed the story very much. It introduces us to what is expected of staff & those incarcerated to a certain degree. With the author having worked as a RN in A prison in Texas, it gives a unique opportunity. I hope the prison system in TX is not what seemed rather laid back when it comes to the inmates.
The main story was intriguing & hair raising when knowing how such actions are very possible. It certainly kept you needing to know what is the outcome. The story lines about certain prisoners were as interesting.
The only Thing that bothered me was the narrator, doing the voice changes for each character especially the males, all still sounded female.
Overall I enjoyed the book, and will look into other works by this author.
November 2, 2021
This book really is trash. Why haven’t you fixed all the typos and other issues with the book? The love scene is really revolting. Nobody should have to read this. Your writing is very popular among extremist right wing groups, why is that? Is it because of the racist James ford novels or are you just a trumpster? Sandra Leigh Olson, together with William and friends she lives on Barker Rd Troy, Maine. 207 948 2401
December 8, 2019
Good read !!!
This was an exciting, interesting novel and very informative also about the intricacies of prison life. A very unusual read.
This was an exciting, interesting novel and very informative also about the intricacies of prison life. A very unusual read.
June 1, 2020
This book drove me crazy with all the typos and terrible sentence structure! Otherwise it was okay.
October 7, 2020
It was a thrilling look at the prison system through the eyes of the nurses. Enjoyed this book! My heart broke for some of the characters and their circumstances throughout the book.
March 6, 2015
Behind Prison Bars
This story starts out with a scared young woman in shackles on her way to prison. Amy's crime is writing bad checks. Her sentence is 2 years. She realizes how stupid she was to want expensive things she couldn't afford.
Samantha, also new to the prison, is one of the nurses doing new prisoner intake. She is an RN hired because of her experience in obstetrics. Sam never expected to wind up on graveyard shift responsible for the medical needs of 900 inmates because she was suppose to be assigned to obstetrics. The warden apologized for the assignment and assured her it would be temporary, just until a new nurse could be hired.
Sandra Olson writes with authority about what can happen in a women's prison because she was an RN in a women's correctional facility in Texas during the 1980's. I was quickly immersed in the story. One excellent recommendation for a novel is believability and this book has it. I felt compassion when unthinkable things happened to Amy who was just trying to quietly do her time and return home. I was outraged about some of the things the prison doctor did to his patients just because he could get away with it. I was mad at the bullies who took advantage of the weaker women. This is what happens for me when I read a good book.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story starts out with a scared young woman in shackles on her way to prison. Amy's crime is writing bad checks. Her sentence is 2 years. She realizes how stupid she was to want expensive things she couldn't afford.
Samantha, also new to the prison, is one of the nurses doing new prisoner intake. She is an RN hired because of her experience in obstetrics. Sam never expected to wind up on graveyard shift responsible for the medical needs of 900 inmates because she was suppose to be assigned to obstetrics. The warden apologized for the assignment and assured her it would be temporary, just until a new nurse could be hired.
Sandra Olson writes with authority about what can happen in a women's prison because she was an RN in a women's correctional facility in Texas during the 1980's. I was quickly immersed in the story. One excellent recommendation for a novel is believability and this book has it. I felt compassion when unthinkable things happened to Amy who was just trying to quietly do her time and return home. I was outraged about some of the things the prison doctor did to his patients just because he could get away with it. I was mad at the bullies who took advantage of the weaker women. This is what happens for me when I read a good book.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2014
Behind Prison Bars by Sandra Olson
Goodreads Author
Samantha Owens accepted a job with the State of Texas prison system. She was an obstetrical RN and was to work in the OB area. Due to shortage of staff, she worked nights. Working in the prison was dangerous, and the inmates had many medical issues. This was a book you could not put down. Amazing story that has you hooked to the end. This is a must read!
Goodreads Author
Samantha Owens accepted a job with the State of Texas prison system. She was an obstetrical RN and was to work in the OB area. Due to shortage of staff, she worked nights. Working in the prison was dangerous, and the inmates had many medical issues. This was a book you could not put down. Amazing story that has you hooked to the end. This is a must read!
December 30, 2016
I stuck through the slow start of this book because the realistic aspect of the story intrigued me.
I am so glad I kept with this. The story, with some instances being true added so much to the plot, giving the entire story a feeling of authenticity that makes the thriller part all that much thrilling. A good read.
I am so glad I kept with this. The story, with some instances being true added so much to the plot, giving the entire story a feeling of authenticity that makes the thriller part all that much thrilling. A good read.
April 25, 2015
Interesting story line, good pace
I enjoyed this read, the story line was good and it was told clearly without useless lamentations. I also liked the neat closures of the various plots...no hanging questions.
I enjoyed this read, the story line was good and it was told clearly without useless lamentations. I also liked the neat closures of the various plots...no hanging questions.
April 7, 2015
Very good mystery with a great ending.
The author has quite the imagination. This book is unique in that I've never read as similar story. Well written, but there are a few editorial errors that didn't affect my feelings for the book. Enjoyable.
The author has quite the imagination. This book is unique in that I've never read as similar story. Well written, but there are a few editorial errors that didn't affect my feelings for the book. Enjoyable.
April 8, 2015
Behind Prison Bars
This was an excellent read. I read it in two evenings and could not put it down. Could not figure out how it was all going to come full circle - definitely held my attention.
This was an excellent read. I read it in two evenings and could not put it down. Could not figure out how it was all going to come full circle - definitely held my attention.
March 7, 2015
A well written story
Believable characters and plot that did not have to rely on graphic sex or excessive foul language. Would recommend to persons who like medical thrillers.
Believable characters and plot that did not have to rely on graphic sex or excessive foul language. Would recommend to persons who like medical thrillers.
April 11, 2015
I liked the storyline in this book and could not stop reading it, but I did find all the errors distracting. I am glad I got to read it for free.
October 14, 2015
This was an excellent book. It kept my attention from start to finish. It is part medical thriller, part mystery and part love story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews