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Clay-Stained Memories
Eva Parsons, a thirty-year-old single mother, is overtaken by her past on a lonely night. Captivated by memories, she journeys through dark periods of abuse and addiction, and brighter ones touched by love and motherhood. Will the bad outweigh the good? Eva considers this question as she dives into the events that have made her the person she is today.
Told in an edgy voice, Clay-Stained Memories explores trauma and its life-long consequences. Difficult issues such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and addiction are discussed frankly and with realism, allowing readers to walk in a victim’s shoes.
Told in an edgy voice, Clay-Stained Memories explores trauma and its life-long consequences. Difficult issues such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and addiction are discussed frankly and with realism, allowing readers to walk in a victim’s shoes.
332 pages, Paperback
Published October 31, 2015
3 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Summer Theron
1 book16 followersWith her debut novel, Clay-Stained Memories, which released in November 2015, Summer hopes to embark on a writing career that is filled with unicorns and cotton candy and excellent live music...Wait! That's my birthday list.
I write because I love it. I write because it's a fun challenge. I write because I want to be like my favorite authors (Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, and Khaled Housseini, I'm looking at you!). I write because there is no other option.
The dream of teaching English to high schoolers is what motivated me in the early years. But then I realized that instructing college students was the way to go, so that is what I do. Criminology is my subject area, and aspects from my classroom and criminological theory often make their way into my writing.
I am also the proud mom of two intelligent, creative, energetic, and loving children. Lucky me!
Plans of writing more are on the horizon. I'm either going to venture into y.a. territory or run headfirst into horror. I'll figure it out as I go!
Thanks to all my awesome readers :)
I write because I love it. I write because it's a fun challenge. I write because I want to be like my favorite authors (Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, and Khaled Housseini, I'm looking at you!). I write because there is no other option.
The dream of teaching English to high schoolers is what motivated me in the early years. But then I realized that instructing college students was the way to go, so that is what I do. Criminology is my subject area, and aspects from my classroom and criminological theory often make their way into my writing.
I am also the proud mom of two intelligent, creative, energetic, and loving children. Lucky me!
Plans of writing more are on the horizon. I'm either going to venture into y.a. territory or run headfirst into horror. I'll figure it out as I go!
Thanks to all my awesome readers :)
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 27, 2016
Stainless Memoir!
Nicely written, very realistic, touching on deep psychological issues. This book reads as a memoir, but is filled with both good and bad recollections, urging the lady protagonist to live on, make the right choices, raise her kids wholeheartedly.
Overall, intelligent prose combined with overt emotions and inner thoughts.
Nicely written, very realistic, touching on deep psychological issues. This book reads as a memoir, but is filled with both good and bad recollections, urging the lady protagonist to live on, make the right choices, raise her kids wholeheartedly.
Overall, intelligent prose combined with overt emotions and inner thoughts.
May 2, 2023
While not a light read by any means, I really loved this story for its realistic nature and main character I could feel genuine empathy for given the events of her life. I enjoy slice-of-life works, and diving into bits of Eva's life piece-by-piece as she reflected on how she got to where she is was a great setup for my personal taste. The topics are extremely heavy - drug use, alcoholism, CSA, suicide, and more - but these are real things that happen to real people, and displaying them in such a raw, poignant manner was so effective. I will say (with no spoilers) that I was disappointed by the ending, however that just goes to show what a realistic character the author has written. If you like books with heavy subject matter, I definitely recommend it.
November 11, 2015
You will have to forgive me, I dont usually write reviews- I usually only rate books but I felt like this book deserved more attention then that
This book is a major departure from my usual reading (fantasy novels), but I absolutely loved the honesty of this book.
The main character Eva faces a lot of real life trials and situations that I think most readers can relate to. I know a lot of the book seems to run parallels to my own life it some way. And I appreciated that the author was honest with the character's reactions. She is one of the most real characters I have read in a long time and I really enjoyed the refreshing truthfulness of the book and its main character. I felt that I could really relate to this book, more then I thought I would. I was expecting a feel good type book and was pleasantly surprised with its real-life depictions. The character is very deep and the book allows you to take stock of the things that have happened to Eva.
I know that through reading this book, it allowed me to take ownership of some of my own demons and let me realize that I am not the only person who has had dark thoughts in the past.
I am very excited to see what Summer writes next.
This book is a major departure from my usual reading (fantasy novels), but I absolutely loved the honesty of this book.
The main character Eva faces a lot of real life trials and situations that I think most readers can relate to. I know a lot of the book seems to run parallels to my own life it some way. And I appreciated that the author was honest with the character's reactions. She is one of the most real characters I have read in a long time and I really enjoyed the refreshing truthfulness of the book and its main character. I felt that I could really relate to this book, more then I thought I would. I was expecting a feel good type book and was pleasantly surprised with its real-life depictions. The character is very deep and the book allows you to take stock of the things that have happened to Eva.
I know that through reading this book, it allowed me to take ownership of some of my own demons and let me realize that I am not the only person who has had dark thoughts in the past.
I am very excited to see what Summer writes next.
December 9, 2015
This story is one that will get into your heart, even if you don't mean for it too. It is unique and messy. I mean messy in the best sense of the word. Messy like life is messy. Pieces of this tale are unsatisfying, and sad, and make you cringe. But it's real. As real as maybe anything I've ever read.
You look at this girl, Eva, and you know from the offset she's had a rough time of it. But it doesn't prepare you for the softer side, a side that is smart and likes to read. It really makes you think. A lot of people that haven't had a drug and/or alcohol addiction tend to think of it as more of a choice, and the sufferers as losers. Maybe this won't make you change your mind, but it might open it a little to someone else's side. Eva undoubtedly makes mistakes, but behind some of her mistakes is real trauma, and more importantly, someone you can root for.
Eva's story is one that will keep coming back to you, especially the last 150 or so pages of the book. It's compelling and raw to the very last sentence.
You look at this girl, Eva, and you know from the offset she's had a rough time of it. But it doesn't prepare you for the softer side, a side that is smart and likes to read. It really makes you think. A lot of people that haven't had a drug and/or alcohol addiction tend to think of it as more of a choice, and the sufferers as losers. Maybe this won't make you change your mind, but it might open it a little to someone else's side. Eva undoubtedly makes mistakes, but behind some of her mistakes is real trauma, and more importantly, someone you can root for.
Eva's story is one that will keep coming back to you, especially the last 150 or so pages of the book. It's compelling and raw to the very last sentence.
January 27, 2018
This was a very difficult read that left me troubled.
Having said that, it was very well written, raw and honest. Eva, the main character, has suffered trauma and has descended into a life of addiction (coke addict and alcoholism). Given it is first person POV, the novel is very dark as we witness life through her eyes... the eyes of a very troubled individual. There are also lighter moments when Eva's compassion and humanity show through.
If anything, the book captures the journey of an addict... how an innocent child can become an addict over time following multiple traumas.
As a warning to those who may be triggered, the storyline includes: emotional/verbal/sexual/physical abuse, violence, suicide, addiction, depression and dysfunctional family units.
I won this book in a giveaway.
Having said that, it was very well written, raw and honest. Eva, the main character, has suffered trauma and has descended into a life of addiction (coke addict and alcoholism). Given it is first person POV, the novel is very dark as we witness life through her eyes... the eyes of a very troubled individual. There are also lighter moments when Eva's compassion and humanity show through.
If anything, the book captures the journey of an addict... how an innocent child can become an addict over time following multiple traumas.
As a warning to those who may be triggered, the storyline includes: emotional/verbal/sexual/physical abuse, violence, suicide, addiction, depression and dysfunctional family units.
I won this book in a giveaway.
January 30, 2016
Captivating!!
From the first sentence, I was concerned for our protagonist, Eva. She is a delicate soul who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I couldn't put this book down until I knew Eva was okay.
I can't wait to see what this author writes in the future.
From the first sentence, I was concerned for our protagonist, Eva. She is a delicate soul who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I couldn't put this book down until I knew Eva was okay.
I can't wait to see what this author writes in the future.
January 14, 2017
I read this book pdf fashion through my phone..grrr...but.....what a great page turner this is..it's not a genre I'd normally delve into...but...I was far from dissapointed..well written, and overall a very pleasant reading experience...hats off to the author ms theron ..
March 8, 2023
Abuse of any kind....destructive
Sad story of many different types of abuse. Signs as plain as your reflection in the mirror and no one responsible noticed or cared. Abuse trumps love and self respect. I never thought the ending would have turned to this point.
Sad story of many different types of abuse. Signs as plain as your reflection in the mirror and no one responsible noticed or cared. Abuse trumps love and self respect. I never thought the ending would have turned to this point.
February 7, 2017
Dark, Raw, but not hopeless
This book was definitely raw and filled with darkness. It was a real as it gets. The writing was tremendous and showed the emotions of the author. Eva is a strong character, but more than that, she's a person. Living with the darkness of a painful past. This books deals with violence, sexual assault, and addiction. It's not a book that everyone can read, especially those with similar experiences, but if you can open to the first page, you can finish it and you'll want to. Hell, you may want to read it again and again. I know I will. A very intense read.
This book was definitely raw and filled with darkness. It was a real as it gets. The writing was tremendous and showed the emotions of the author. Eva is a strong character, but more than that, she's a person. Living with the darkness of a painful past. This books deals with violence, sexual assault, and addiction. It's not a book that everyone can read, especially those with similar experiences, but if you can open to the first page, you can finish it and you'll want to. Hell, you may want to read it again and again. I know I will. A very intense read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews