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Moxy
Chicago, 2001. Seventeen-year-old Heather is pregnant, terrified, and utterly alone. In a desperate, secret decision, she gives her baby up for adoption—a choice that tears her apart and leaves her drowning in guilt and grief.
Determined to escape the pain, Heather plummets into a brutal world of addiction, exploitation, and violence. Her life unravels into a chaotic blur of raves, drug binges, smuggling runs, and a relentless cycle of self-destruction. As the darkness deepens, death becomes an all-too-familiar presence.
When her world collapses, Heather is faced with a stark choice: keep falling deeper into the shadows or fight for the impossible - to claw her way out and reclaim her body, her identity, and her power.
Perfect for readers of gritty women’s fiction, inspirational coming-of-age stories, and novels about addiction recovery, MOXY explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for self-worth in a contemporary fiction setting.
"MOXY is a blistering portrait of the art of resilience. You’ll feel it in your teeth.”
Determined to escape the pain, Heather plummets into a brutal world of addiction, exploitation, and violence. Her life unravels into a chaotic blur of raves, drug binges, smuggling runs, and a relentless cycle of self-destruction. As the darkness deepens, death becomes an all-too-familiar presence.
When her world collapses, Heather is faced with a stark choice: keep falling deeper into the shadows or fight for the impossible - to claw her way out and reclaim her body, her identity, and her power.
Perfect for readers of gritty women’s fiction, inspirational coming-of-age stories, and novels about addiction recovery, MOXY explores themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for self-worth in a contemporary fiction setting.
"MOXY is a blistering portrait of the art of resilience. You’ll feel it in your teeth.”
399 pages, Hardcover
First published January 19, 2025
12 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Heather James Pond
1 book16 followersHeather James Pond is a fine artist and author celebrated for her original paintings and the stories they tell, reaching audiences around the globe. Drawing inspiration from frequency, connection, yoga, storytelling, meditation, and healing, Heather’s work transcends traditional boundaries. By weaving storytelling into visual expression, she evokes emotional resonance in her art, inviting viewers to explore their own narratives.
With a distinctive combination of technique, channeling, and intuition, Heather’s art explores the profound connections between shadow and light, transformation and empowerment. Each piece invites the viewer to reflect on the human experience in its raw and powerful form.
Born in Chicago and now based in California, Heather is not only a fine artist but also a writer, birth mother, yoga teacher, and a voice of resilience.
Her work—both written in her debut novel MOXY, and visual—embraces the themes of survival, transformation, and personal growth. Writing with raw honesty, she shares stories of transmuting isolation into connection, pain into empathy, and shame into empowerment. Her debut novel, MOXY, is an incredible tale of resilience and transformation.
Heather’s art is displayed and collected worldwide, with those who seek meaning, healing, and inspiration.
Through her creative work, she invites us all to embrace the transformative power of art and storytelling—connecting deeply with ourselves and each other.
With a distinctive combination of technique, channeling, and intuition, Heather’s art explores the profound connections between shadow and light, transformation and empowerment. Each piece invites the viewer to reflect on the human experience in its raw and powerful form.
Born in Chicago and now based in California, Heather is not only a fine artist but also a writer, birth mother, yoga teacher, and a voice of resilience.
Her work—both written in her debut novel MOXY, and visual—embraces the themes of survival, transformation, and personal growth. Writing with raw honesty, she shares stories of transmuting isolation into connection, pain into empathy, and shame into empowerment. Her debut novel, MOXY, is an incredible tale of resilience and transformation.
Heather’s art is displayed and collected worldwide, with those who seek meaning, healing, and inspiration.
Through her creative work, she invites us all to embrace the transformative power of art and storytelling—connecting deeply with ourselves and each other.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 8, 2025
Full disclosure… my wife wrote this memoir. And then she read it to me.
Within the opening chapters you’ll understand why this was an extraordinarily brave thing for her to do. But also the very best way for me to understand what was in those pages while we held each other close and let the tears flow.
Heather experienced horrors that would crush most others, but came through it all with strength and grace to create a new life of beauty, peace and kindness.
As a writer myself I can attest to the pacing, eloquence and sensitivity that she brings to the narrative… but please be aware that this a very real and gritty account of a life that was on the brink of destruction, and the long and painful road back to the light.
WARNING: Please read this memoir with caution. And parents should read thoroughly first before introducing it to mature teenagers that are ready for this cautionary tale (which is also a story of great hope).
Buy it. Read it. Review it!
And let’s get this important book in front of those that need its power and strength.
Within the opening chapters you’ll understand why this was an extraordinarily brave thing for her to do. But also the very best way for me to understand what was in those pages while we held each other close and let the tears flow.
Heather experienced horrors that would crush most others, but came through it all with strength and grace to create a new life of beauty, peace and kindness.
As a writer myself I can attest to the pacing, eloquence and sensitivity that she brings to the narrative… but please be aware that this a very real and gritty account of a life that was on the brink of destruction, and the long and painful road back to the light.
WARNING: Please read this memoir with caution. And parents should read thoroughly first before introducing it to mature teenagers that are ready for this cautionary tale (which is also a story of great hope).
Buy it. Read it. Review it!
And let’s get this important book in front of those that need its power and strength.
January 21, 2025
This book was a page turner once I started I didn’t want to put it down!
Inspirational story of strength, courage and resilience! I was cheering for Heather every step of the way and feeling all the emotions she portrayed so beautifully along her journey!
Inspirational story of strength, courage and resilience! I was cheering for Heather every step of the way and feeling all the emotions she portrayed so beautifully along her journey!
February 1, 2025
Content warning: rape, drug use, prostitution, abuse
Believe the hype from the other reviews. It is extremely well-written, with a canny, instinctive sense of pacing and drama. It’s a life story, not fiction, with no plot as such, just a succession of people and events—and with that in mind it has no right to be as gripping as it is. But it doesn't let you go. One of the sentences actually caused me to flinch; I’m not sure a book has ever done that before.
People, places and situations are sketched with just the right amount of detail; Heather Pond doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of her experience, but she doesn’t wallow in the sordidness of it all, either. The kindness of people is laid out, as well as their cruelty and waywardness. It’s a book that looks at life whole, good and bad, filtered through the experience of one very tough, very tender woman. I was moved as often as I was shocked. The story of her relationship with her daughter is especially poignant.
It’s very well presented, with a striking and appropriate cover design, and the layout inside is clear and easy to read (not always true with self-published work).
So is it worth reading? Absolutely. You can go no further with this review and be happy you’ll be getting a gripping narrative with crisp, lucid writing—and a happy ending.
There are a few caveats: firstly, I should repeat the fact that this is not fiction, it’s a memoir, even if names have been changed and some details most likely imagined or extrapolated. It’s as readable as any fiction, but don’t go into it expecting a novel.
The layout and proofreading is of a very high standard, but the way the text is presented is slightly unusual; short paragraphs mostly in blocks (i.e. often no line breaks for different speakers, though this varies). This leads very occasionally to slight confusion (for this reader, anyway), but it does also seem to be partly responsible for the ease of reading I experienced. (Along with Heather’s gift for straightforward, punchy prose.) The paragraphs are rarely more than half a dozen lines, so the appearance of the text is very welcoming to the reader.
A couple of technical things.
There are lapses into present tense, particularly in the first half of the book, which often appear to be quite deliberate, to draw the reader into the moment, but sometimes do seem somewhat random. (Two sentences about the same subject, one in past, one in present, for example.)
Nearly all speech, even when there are speech tags, ends in a full stop, and capitalisation of the speaker’s pronoun. (e.g. “Squirrel, I have a present for you.” He said as he walked…) I personally found this bringing me up short every time. There are some instances of commas being used, which is the standard method, but not very many. I don’t know if this is simply a style I’m not used to, but it didn’t really work for me. There is also some inconsistency in the use of dashes—sometimes attached to words, sometimes hanging between them, and always short dashes, hyphens, really. This I also found a little disorienting.
But these are minor things, really, compared to the overall excellence of the storytelling and the determination to face the past squarely and own up. This is definitely a hard-won healing experience.
Believe the hype from the other reviews. It is extremely well-written, with a canny, instinctive sense of pacing and drama. It’s a life story, not fiction, with no plot as such, just a succession of people and events—and with that in mind it has no right to be as gripping as it is. But it doesn't let you go. One of the sentences actually caused me to flinch; I’m not sure a book has ever done that before.
People, places and situations are sketched with just the right amount of detail; Heather Pond doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of her experience, but she doesn’t wallow in the sordidness of it all, either. The kindness of people is laid out, as well as their cruelty and waywardness. It’s a book that looks at life whole, good and bad, filtered through the experience of one very tough, very tender woman. I was moved as often as I was shocked. The story of her relationship with her daughter is especially poignant.
It’s very well presented, with a striking and appropriate cover design, and the layout inside is clear and easy to read (not always true with self-published work).
So is it worth reading? Absolutely. You can go no further with this review and be happy you’ll be getting a gripping narrative with crisp, lucid writing—and a happy ending.
There are a few caveats: firstly, I should repeat the fact that this is not fiction, it’s a memoir, even if names have been changed and some details most likely imagined or extrapolated. It’s as readable as any fiction, but don’t go into it expecting a novel.
The layout and proofreading is of a very high standard, but the way the text is presented is slightly unusual; short paragraphs mostly in blocks (i.e. often no line breaks for different speakers, though this varies). This leads very occasionally to slight confusion (for this reader, anyway), but it does also seem to be partly responsible for the ease of reading I experienced. (Along with Heather’s gift for straightforward, punchy prose.) The paragraphs are rarely more than half a dozen lines, so the appearance of the text is very welcoming to the reader.
A couple of technical things.
There are lapses into present tense, particularly in the first half of the book, which often appear to be quite deliberate, to draw the reader into the moment, but sometimes do seem somewhat random. (Two sentences about the same subject, one in past, one in present, for example.)
Nearly all speech, even when there are speech tags, ends in a full stop, and capitalisation of the speaker’s pronoun. (e.g. “Squirrel, I have a present for you.” He said as he walked…) I personally found this bringing me up short every time. There are some instances of commas being used, which is the standard method, but not very many. I don’t know if this is simply a style I’m not used to, but it didn’t really work for me. There is also some inconsistency in the use of dashes—sometimes attached to words, sometimes hanging between them, and always short dashes, hyphens, really. This I also found a little disorienting.
But these are minor things, really, compared to the overall excellence of the storytelling and the determination to face the past squarely and own up. This is definitely a hard-won healing experience.
January 25, 2025
Heather’s unique literary voice and effortless style of storytelling captivate its reader from the very first page. Heather's gripping portrayal of the harsh realities of domestic abuse and conditioning, along with teen pregnancy, adoption, and grief, allows the reader an unapologetic glimpse inside the dark world of drugs, prostitution, and ultimately self-destruction in the name of escapism. A world where Heather has convinced herself that the only powerful thing she possesses is her body and the way that she will allow others to use it. As the destruction and desperation in Heather's life begin to accumulate at a rapid pace, Heather finds herself haphazardly in the office of Aubrey Mitchell, a substance abuse therapist, who asks her, "What role have drugs and alcohol played in what has made up your life experiences?" In a last-ditch effort to save herself from what feels like the inevitable devastation of her life and to hopefully one day reconnect with her daughter, Heather turns to art, yoga, recovery programs, and therapy, slowly rediscovering her sense of self-worth and uncovering her incredible talents and creativity.
Heather's distinctive style of writing blends together a masterful attention to detail and a magnetic interior monologue, creating vivid settings and dynamic characters. MOXY is an extremely powerful story of one woman’s struggles with abuse, loss, grief, addiction, resilience, recovery, creativity, and ultimately, the “moxy” it takes to change the trajectory of a life dependent on drugs, exploitation, and darkness and turn it into a life full of color, love, and light!
A MUST READ FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN:
-The harsh realities of the world of substance use.
-Coming of age stories.
-Dark humor and unflinching truths.
-Portrayals of teen-pregnancy, adoption and the guilt and shame that goes along with it.
-Inspiring stories of resilience and overcoming life obstacles.
-The underground world of sex-trafficking and prostitution.
-Artists and the world of art: Making art, selling art.
-The drug and rave scene of the early 2000s.
-Yoga and the world of yoga: Doing yoga, teaching yoga.
-Recovery programs and therapy.
Heather's distinctive style of writing blends together a masterful attention to detail and a magnetic interior monologue, creating vivid settings and dynamic characters. MOXY is an extremely powerful story of one woman’s struggles with abuse, loss, grief, addiction, resilience, recovery, creativity, and ultimately, the “moxy” it takes to change the trajectory of a life dependent on drugs, exploitation, and darkness and turn it into a life full of color, love, and light!
A MUST READ FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN:
-The harsh realities of the world of substance use.
-Coming of age stories.
-Dark humor and unflinching truths.
-Portrayals of teen-pregnancy, adoption and the guilt and shame that goes along with it.
-Inspiring stories of resilience and overcoming life obstacles.
-The underground world of sex-trafficking and prostitution.
-Artists and the world of art: Making art, selling art.
-The drug and rave scene of the early 2000s.
-Yoga and the world of yoga: Doing yoga, teaching yoga.
-Recovery programs and therapy.
February 2, 2025
Visceral.
From gut wrenching, bone chilling, and blood boiling, to heart warming, hope rising, and soul soaring - this book will take you on its journey. I certainly hadn't planned on staying up till 9:30 AM when I began it one night, but I could not put it down. It's a story that needed to be told, in a voice that deserves to be heard. And I have the utmost respect and admiration for the author having the courage and tenacity and yes, the moxy, to put it out there in the world.
The writing is straight forward and engrossing, but it is not an easy read content-wise. It's not supposed to be. But the difficulty of getting through the darkest, most painful parts to step into the light is the entire point. The book is a mirror in that way, and like life, it is absolutely worth it. Whether you relate to the story in specific or general ways, you will feel it. Shame and cycles of abuse thrive in the dark and bringing them into the light, as this author does on so many levels, is the single most powerful way to end them.
From gut wrenching, bone chilling, and blood boiling, to heart warming, hope rising, and soul soaring - this book will take you on its journey. I certainly hadn't planned on staying up till 9:30 AM when I began it one night, but I could not put it down. It's a story that needed to be told, in a voice that deserves to be heard. And I have the utmost respect and admiration for the author having the courage and tenacity and yes, the moxy, to put it out there in the world.
The writing is straight forward and engrossing, but it is not an easy read content-wise. It's not supposed to be. But the difficulty of getting through the darkest, most painful parts to step into the light is the entire point. The book is a mirror in that way, and like life, it is absolutely worth it. Whether you relate to the story in specific or general ways, you will feel it. Shame and cycles of abuse thrive in the dark and bringing them into the light, as this author does on so many levels, is the single most powerful way to end them.
February 2, 2025
So much packed into one narrative.
She writes:
"Finally, I was beginning to realize that my limitations have nothing to do with what I feel I am capable of, but instead what I have the courage to walk through despite those feelings"
There was no formula - only showing up every day and working as hard as I could with blind faith that eventually the painting and writing would come together. And they did! Like puzzle pieces, the stories of my art continued to fit perfectly into the paintings.
pg. 383, 384 Moxy by Heather James Pond
She writes:
"Finally, I was beginning to realize that my limitations have nothing to do with what I feel I am capable of, but instead what I have the courage to walk through despite those feelings"
There was no formula - only showing up every day and working as hard as I could with blind faith that eventually the painting and writing would come together. And they did! Like puzzle pieces, the stories of my art continued to fit perfectly into the paintings.
pg. 383, 384 Moxy by Heather James Pond
May 14, 2025
Absolute page turner from beginning to end!
June 3, 2025
Incredible story that's incredibly well written. I highly recommend this book! I couldn't put it down until I'd read the whole thing.
March 13, 2025
What a visceral ride this book was!! Each twist and dip is just as palpable as the last. I felt each and every transformation, all the way to the last page.
Read
August 25, 2025Beautiful, Gripping & Soul Stirring
I've been trying to write this review for days, struggling to attempt to transmute feelings into words that adequately express the impact Heather's story had on me. And every time they seem flat and lifeless next to the glittering masterpiece she drew forth from her soul and proffered between two humble pieces of paper.
I opened the the first page and sank into its depths to emerge at the end wrung out and weeping, yet filled with hope and inspiration.
This memoir is a beautiful invitation to remember your humanity and all that entails, to walk with humility, offer compassion and remember that we are all fractals of the divine.
Thank you Heather, for sharing your story, and reminding me of what Love looks like.
I've been trying to write this review for days, struggling to attempt to transmute feelings into words that adequately express the impact Heather's story had on me. And every time they seem flat and lifeless next to the glittering masterpiece she drew forth from her soul and proffered between two humble pieces of paper.
I opened the the first page and sank into its depths to emerge at the end wrung out and weeping, yet filled with hope and inspiration.
This memoir is a beautiful invitation to remember your humanity and all that entails, to walk with humility, offer compassion and remember that we are all fractals of the divine.
Thank you Heather, for sharing your story, and reminding me of what Love looks like.
January 24, 2025
Heather Pond is a gifted writer. I could visualize every aspect of the people and places she described in every chapter. Beautifully written, Inspirational story of triumph and Hope.
This is a book I could not put down!
This is a book I could not put down!
July 11, 2025
Moxy is the most powerful work of art I’ve ever read. From the moment I started, I knew this was a book I needed to sit with, feel, and fully absorb—much like savoring a favorite show in the ‘90s, letting each chapter sink in before moving to the next. The writing is so vivid, I could smell the lingering coffee and cigarettes at Denny’s, hear the clatter of dishes in steakhouses, and see the colors of the sunsets described. This book made me gasp, cry, and even giggle like a schoolgirl when the author first met her husband. But more than anything, Moxy is a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of chasing our dreams. It brings light to the shadows and reminds us that we can overcome anything. I am in awe of this story and incredibly grateful it exists in the world. Thank you, Heather. You’re amazing.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews