Permanent Marker: A Memoir

by Aimee Ross

“Aimee’s story reminds us that even when our truths don’t reveal themselves in the ways we wish they would, we can always choose how those truths shape, rather than define, our lives.” -Darin Strauss, author of Half a Life

“Aimee Ross possesses an indomitable spirit and fierce humor that breathe new life into every page.” -Jill Christman, author of Darkroom and Borrowed Apprenticing for Motherhood

Aimee Ross was living a perfectly normal life raising three kids, married to her high school sweetheart, and teaching at her high school alma mater. Life was perfect—right until it wasn’t.

Unhappy in her marriage, Aimee asked for a divorce. Three days later, she suffered a heart attack at age forty-one. Five months after that, she survived a near-fatal car crash caused by an intoxicated driver. Her physical recovery took months and left her body marked by scars. The emotional recovery, though, would take longer, as Aimee sought to forgive the man who almost killed her—and to forgive herself for tearing apart her family.

Aimee Ross writes with candor, wit, and humor as she finds the power in her story and chronicles her transformation into the woman she was always meant to be.

Permanent Marker takes readers on a journey of healing, proving that from darkness can come new light, new love, and a renewed purpose for life.

“A remarkable story of healing, courage, and finding the strength it takes to rewrite your life’s story.” -Tina Neidlein, humor writer and author of The Girl’s Guide and It’s a Mom Thing

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2018

About the author

Aimee Ross is a nationally award-winning educator who has been a high school English teacher for the past twenty-five years and an aspiring writer for as long as she can remember. She completed her MFA in Creative Non-Fiction Writing at Ashland University in 2014, but she also dabbles in fiction and poetry. Her writing has been published on www.lifein10minutes.com, www.SixHens.Com, and in Scars: An Anthology (Et Alia Press, 2015); Today I Made a Difference: A Collection of Inspirational Stories from America’s Top Educators (Adams Media, 2009); and Teaching Tolerance magazine.

Reviews

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this memoir by award-winning high school English teacher Aimee Ross to be very moving and I'm so glad she shared it with the rest of us. It comes across as a heartfelt, empowering and a cathartic read that sprinkles bits of her growth across its pages as she opened up about the horrible "Trifecta of Shit" as she refers to it that happened to her in a 6-month period of her life. At the age of forty-one and unhappy in her marriage, she asked her husband for a divorce.

Just three days later, she suffers a heart attack. Slowly recovering from that and starting over in her own place, five months later, she survives a near-fatal car crash caused by an intoxicated driver.

This book is about her recovery and in a way IS her recovery as she explores the connection between writing and healing...physically, emotionally..and learning to forgive. A very moving book that touches on many topics, some unexpected. Very honest and emotion filled.

I was provided with a free advance reader copy by Ki-Cam Projects and the author for my honest review. Publication date is March 13, 2018

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do and how would you react if your life changed completely in 6 months? 6 months in which award winning high school teacher Aimee Ross experienced more in her life than many people do in a lifetime. Her happiness is shattered by divorce. Then, shortly after, there's her heart attack. Then, the car crash caused by a drunk driver. Aimee Ross talks openly and honestly about all these events in this, her thoroughly engrossing and poingnant memoir.

I was captivated by the title, and the cover is perfect for this book. As a person who spent more than their fair share of life in hospitals undergoing invasive and life-saving surgery, I could really identify with Aimee's experience of hospitalisation as well as being left badly physically scarred for life and learning to live with a body that looked different to how it did before, and not through a choice of her own or purely aesthetic purposes

I identify with it all so much, trying to hide the scars and with the learning curve that is accepting the scars as part of one's own body and then accepting others' reactions to them. Aimee openly shares her story with us and it's beautifully written with a pace that had me hooked. I was gripped by her resilience through the good and bad monents and by her positive, strong attitude.
I for one have always believed that our scars show our story, and "Permanent Marker" is a perfect metaphor illustrating this. They are permanent, but they show our personal journeys.

Thanks to Aimee Ross and Kicam Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. It's a pleasure to be taking part in the blog tour for this title (post on March 12th)

[Mattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Permanent Marker, by Aimee Ross is a poignant page turner.
This memoir opens your eyes to a strong & motivated young English senior high educator from Ohio. She faced horrific life changes in which many would have given up on. Writing about her experiences was a cathartic form of healing and dealing with her daily struggles following a heart attack at the age of 41 and a MVA that broke 19 bones in her body.
Aimee details her experiences in which you will feel her pain. Her memoir allows you to see her personality and painful honesty through her words.
Permanent Marker is a fitting title. Your surgeon uses surgical markers to mark areas of surgical repair and will sometimes use it to map out the surgical journey. A teacher also uses them in their daily grading of papers, etc.
Her permanent markers are the scars that will always remind her of what happened and how it made her a stronger individual.
I was provided with an ARC by Ki-Cam Project in return for an honest review. I highly recommend this amazing memoir.

[Kristiane Spires-Timmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! I enjoyed the style of writing and the theme of self forgiveness throughout the book. I’m so glad Aimee shared her story.

[Robin Strongq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I have finally met it! The book I couldn't put down! Enthralling and captivating are only two words among so many to describe Amy's tribulations woven throughout her story. By the time I was finished reading it (I didn't want it to end!), I was covered in emotional paper cuts. This memoir was enticing, painfully honest, and insightful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is aching within. Robin Strong

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a really good, inspiring true story, and soul searching book that is a fairly quick read may I suggest Permanent Marker. Her story really touched me deeply. We all have different life challenges but reading her story makes you realize those challenges make us who we are today.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maybe I wasn’t really losing it. Maybe I just needed some help."

PERMANENT MARKER by Aimee Ross starts with a fantastic opening - one that reeled me in immediately and made me want to dive into this memoir. I'm certainly glad that I did!

RELEASE DATE: March 2018

PUBLISHER: Kicam Projects

DISCLAIMER: Novel sent in exchange for a honest review

SYNOPSIS: Aimee Ross was living a perfectly normal life raising three kids, married to her high school sweetheart, and teaching at her high school alma mater. Life was perfect--right until it wasn't. Unhappy in her marriage, Aimee asked for a divorce. Three days later, she suffered a heart attack at age forty-one. Five months after that, she survived a near-fatal car crash caused by an intoxicated driver. Her physical recovery took months and left her body marked by scars. The emotional recovery, though, would take longer, as Aimee sought to forgive the man who almost killed her--and to forgive herself for tearing apart her family.

REVIEW: The novel opens with one line.

"The Trifecta of Shit".

They always say that bad things come in threes. I can't be the only one in which this happens. In Ross' case, her trifecta of shit was really really bad. Within 6 months, Ross has ended her marriage, suffered a heart attack, and been in a catastrophic accident that leaves her on the precipice of death. Her 'trifecta of shit' is the real. deal.

Overall, this is a great memoir that truly brings to life the worst time of Ross' life. It would be hard for most people to even speak of the things that Ross went through, let alone write them for the world to read. This read it very real - it speaks to the mindset of someone who has gone through something cataclysmic and came out alive on the other end. Emotions of guilt, relief, pain, and eventually, happiness are peppered in throughout the story and give a great perspective of Ross' mindset during her long road to recovery.

The concept of scars runs through the entire memoir. Ross is left heavily scarred from her encounters - both physically and mentally. She pays equal attention to the fact that her body and her mindset are not the same after the accident. Healing - both of the physical and the mental - take centre stage here and Ross does a good job of letting the audience know that both forms of healing are not instantaneous.

One thing - I was hoping for a little more indepth as to why Ross' first marriage ended. While it does get touched upon slightly (hello, midlife crisis much?), I felt that there was additional reasoning at the core of this plot point. For something that is essentially the catalyst of this narrative, I was hoping more time would be spent on it.

Overall, an excellent memoir by a great voice.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Permanent Marker is a memoir by Aimee Ross. Aimee is a senior high English teacher in Ohio. She has a MFA in Creative Non-Fiction Writing from Ashland University. In February, 2010, a series of three events began which led Aimee on a journey no one should have to face. First, Aimee asked her husband of eighteen years for a divorce followed by having to give the news to her three children. Second, Aimee had a heart attack at forty-one. Nothing in her background served as a possible warning sign for this heart attack. Finally, a car accident in which her car was t-boned by a nineteen-year-old male resulted in her near death followed by a year or more for recovery. Nineteen bones in her body were broken.
Aimee chose to write about her experiences as a way of dealing with them. She writes in such a way that you seem to be right there along with her as she faces these problems. She uses her sense of humor and spares no details in delivering her story and her message. Even the title reflects her humor. Permanent markers are used a great deal by teachers, the surgeon who fixed her scars drew a map to follow on her body with permanent markers, and the three events all left permanent marks on her. Her integrity and honesty come through in her writing and she doesn’t make excuses for her choices which had a part in two of the events.
Aimee’s personality comes through in this memoir. She is a lovely, talented, and dedicated educator. She is devoted to her students and to those she teaches when she does Holocaust workshops. She brings passion to her work and her writing. She makes people she meets feel welcome and important to her.
Her book is easy to read and it written in a conversational manner. It sounds just like she was talking directly to you. Her book is definitely one which must be read and discussed. I highly recommend this book.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

(A Mom/Teacher/Writer finds healing and strength through her family and students; aiding her journey towards forgiveness and finding true happiness)

The candidly revealing memoir, Permanent Marker, is a heartfelt and honest expression of the author’s battle in overcoming painful circumstances and obstacles beyond her control. Within the same year, she survives three traumatic and life-shattering experiences, leaving her deeply scarred; inside and out, emotionally and physically. Deciding not to stumble through self-pity, instead, she chronicles, with humor and humility, her survivor’s tale, all the while remaining consistently hopeful and ever optimistic.

Written in a straightforward and jarring manner, each turning point in the novel is stripped down and told as a series of stark flashbacks that intertwine seamlessly, including a poignant letter to the person who, in a split second, irrevocably changed both their lives. The result is a narrative both affecting and uplifting, simply told by a novelist open to sharing the startling and remarkable account of her life.

A refreshingly honest, beautiful book.

[Brittany Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare yourself for a nice long sit that will take you on a journey worth the emotional roller coaster. (For once!) Ready or not, Aimee Ross is going to take you with her.

A single second, a decisive moment of clarity, an accident: are all it take to alter the course of our lives. Aimee had a year that broke her mind, body, & soul: the decision to end her marriage, a heart attack brought on by her own broken heart, & a car accident to finish the job of shattering her spirit. How does one not only survive this, but THRIVE? A national award winning teacher is here to help guide you with this lesson & to also share lessons her students & family have taught her. She will do so with humor, humility, & her own unique style of grace.

This is the first book I've ever read in a single day. You will root for the author so much that there will be no other choice than to discover the happy ending. It’s never quite as easy as “Bibbidy-Bobbidy-Boo” to put yourself back together again, but you can do it. Aimee did & this re-birthed Cinderella is ready for the ball! Who is Prince Charming? Well, it’s a toss-up between Ricky Martin & her loving husband, Jackson.

[Jessica Bronder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of Aimee Ross, the hell she went through. Amie has been married for years with teenage kids and finally has the courage to ask for a divorce from her husband. Of course things go south and a lot of things happen. Three days later she suffers from a heart-attack. If that was not enough, five months after that she is in a serious car accident that almost kills her. Essentially, Amiee goes through a “Trifecta of Shit” in a six month period.

This story is a touching recount of what Amiee goes through and how she heals from everything. It’s not an easy path, there are a lot of bumps along the way, but she even learns from them. I loved seeing how important writing becomes to her. She acquires many scars along the way but each one has their purpose as she learns to live with her new body.

This is a wonderful and inspirational story for anyone. You will find yourself sucked into the story and on the edge of your seat following Amiee’s struggles and successes. You can tell Amiee is a wonderful person and had become stronger going through her challenges.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

[Julie Seboe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This memoir by Aimee Ross kept me spellbound from the very beginning. It is a beautifully written story of a very difficult time in her life, and how she worked through it to become the person she is today. By flipping back and forth between time periods, Aimee draws you into her life. Her wonderfully written word pictures paint a story of love, brokenness, family, perseverance, and healing.

As a librarian, I am excited for my students to read this memoir. They will not only learn life lessons about struggles and hope, but they will also be reminded that it's okay to be imperfect. That we are all broken at times and put back together. That there is life after tragedy. Aimee is an amazing teacher in the classroom. Now her teaching will be expanded to everyone who reads her book. .

This is one you are going to want to read over and over again. Thank you, Aimee, for sharing your story with us.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

God had a plan for Aimee Ross, and that is made clear in her inspiring book Permanent Marker. I was so drawn into her story that I carried the book in my purse to get a few more pages in whenever I had some down time, even if that meant only 5 or 10 minutes. With honesty and clarity, Aimee writes about her divorce with her high school sweetheart of 17 years, a heart attack at the young age of 41, and a devastating near fatal car accident. Permanent Maker is beautifully written. I laughed and I cried, but most of all I stood in awe of this amazing woman, Aimee Ross.

[Emma Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimee's Ross's "Permanent Marker" has left its own permanent mark on me and everyone else who has read it. It is a very quick read that had me on the edge of my seat. Every moment of it was exciting, and I found myself gasping out loud quite often. The vivid descriptions of the horrific parts of Aimee's life gave me chills, and the story is incredibly inspiring. Aimee has inspired me to push through the hard times in life and find what truly makes me happy. Aimee has not only inspired me, but has given me a true page turner that is exciting, thrilling, and empowering.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, Aimee writes with an open and honest style that makes you want to read more. Permanent Marker will make you laugh, cry and appreciate your own struggles and the importance of the people in your life. This book is a super quick read, and it’s a good thing, because I didn’t want to put it down!

[Kirstie Swanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a remarkable account of what it is to be lost and found again, to be unsure as to what’s next but to tread on anyway. This book leaves you inspired and hopeful. I cried, laughed, and reminisced on my own life. Ready to read it again!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one that you will not be able to put down. From start to finish, you will be glued to the words on the page. The imagery used in this book is phenomenal. You can picture every thing that had happened in this real life story. I could relate so much to many parts of this life story. This is a great book and one I highly recommend reading!! (PS- I am not a reader and I had this one done in a day!!)

[Renee Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimee’s story is raw, honest, and just what our culture needs to hear to uplift from the trenches we’ve succumbed to. A must read.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about an amazing brave person who took tragedy by the horns and helped her heal to the life she deserved. Permanent Marker is a reminder to those who are having a difficult time that there is a light at the end of the tunnel

[Jennifer Ferenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not start reading this book at 9:00 at night:) I couldn't put it down. Very well written story that keeps you engrossed from page 1. Aimee Ross' memoir is the definition of strength, fortitude, and the power of the human spirit. We have all had life throw us those curves, but none quite like this. My heart bled for the trifecta of sh*t thrown at this author. To overcome all the obstacles thrown her way and stand back up again is a lesson we could all take with us. I'm hopeful for a continuation of her story. Although she is happy now, I sensed that she still has not found peace with her life and would love to see more closure for her. Read this book!!!!

[Mona Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, Aimee you knocked out of the park. They way you made me feel, right there with you, with your words. Amazing!! I had already moved away from our hometown, when all this occurred. Thank you for sharing your story. I will make sure anyone wanting a good beach read to read your book. And I understand the whole flipper thing!!

Your friend
Mona

[shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling book, emotional soul bearing book

There are smiles, tears, heart warming moments and heart wrenching reality through this journey. A need to know the outcome makes this a hard to put down book. Love pure and real gives us all hope for the same, Humor helps us inspect ourselves. Thank you for sharing your soul.

[Jen Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read! I loved that you could feel the author's voice through out the book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing that hit me as I read this book was how brave Aimee was to share her life like this. It's fast-paced, and I found myself absorbed in her story. One of my favorite scenes was when she was out walking and got caught in the rain; it felt like Nature's baptism. Beautiful imagery!

[Brooke Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimee's memoir is much like a fairy tail, a tragic and almost cursed beginning but a beautiful and happy ending. Her story seems almost like fiction, but unlike fictional characters Aimee's story does not end, nor start, with this book. I highly recommend this book for anyone whether they be a lover of fiction or non-fiction.

[McKenzie Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! It came in the mail when I got home in the evening, and I had it done by 8 while trying to tend to my family at the same time.I laughed. I cried. I celebrated. I ached. I reminisced.

Well done!

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this memoir was 75% details of the author’s hospital stay and recovery from a car accident. I’d thought it was more about interpersonal relationships and life and whatnot. It had some of that, but not as much as I’d hoped for. Her car accident was tragic and a big deal, but I’m not really into medical memoirs.

I could also tell that this was an MFA thesis. She spent a lot of the book explaining her point and the lessons she learned over and over. No subtlety anywhere. Lots of cliche metaphors. Tried hard to wrap it all up in a bow, which ... why?

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir had me hooked from the first chapter. Aimee Ross's style of writing is professional and smooth, playful and humorous, and, most importantly, totally authentic. I admire her ability to be honest, her strength to persevere, and her passion to continue inspiring. This was a great read from start to finish that had me crying from sadness AND from happiness.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimee Ross shouldn't be alive. She had a heart attack at 41. 5 months later, she was t-boned whilst driving home with 3 of her dance students. The driver of the other car was a 19 year old who didn't make it. Aimee had to be resuscitated at one point. It's a really easy read (I did it in one sitting, about 2.5 hours) and well worth it.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced memoir

This is a quick read that’s brutally honest about the tough times in life. There’s no sugar coating her “trifecta” of hardships.