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Oceanside: A Healing Place
Winner of the Oceanside Literary Festival fiction short story contest, Oceanside, A Healing Place is a composite of three survivors of human trafficking.
11 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 8, 2019
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Pat Spencer
9 books74 followersDr. Pat Spencer has a lifetime of experience publishing fiction and nonfiction. Her book credits include the literary and historical fiction trilogy of Sticks in a Bundle Trilogy — Sticks in a Bundle: The Early Years (Book I), Transitions (Book II), and The Decision (Book III) -; Golden Boxty in the Frypan, historical fiction; A Baker’s Dozen For Writers: 13 Tips for Great Storytelling; and Story of a Stolen Girl, an International thriller; and Sticks in a Bundle. Her textbook is published by Milady/Cengage Learning.
Pat’s short story, A Healing Place, won the 2019 Oceanside Literary Festival. Other short stories and articles are published in journals such as the Literary Yard, Scarlet Leaf Review, Potato Soup Journal, Almost an Author, Vine Leaves Press, and Academy of the Heart and Mind. Pat authored a column in the Press-Enterprise newspaper and served as a columnist and contributing editor to Inland Empire Magazine.
Pat lived in three countries and seven states. She loves to travel and spent time in Europe, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Greece, Mexico, the Galapagos, and the Bahamas, as well as Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands. She has road-tripped across the continental United States several times. Pat enjoys getting to know people and learning about their culture.
Dr. Spencer, a retired professor and community college president, lives in Southern California with her husband. She speaks to service and community organizations on human trafficking, writing processes, and her books. When not writing, Pat golfs, reads, walks the beach, hangs out with family and friends, or frequents book clubs and writing critique groups.
Pat’s short story, A Healing Place, won the 2019 Oceanside Literary Festival. Other short stories and articles are published in journals such as the Literary Yard, Scarlet Leaf Review, Potato Soup Journal, Almost an Author, Vine Leaves Press, and Academy of the Heart and Mind. Pat authored a column in the Press-Enterprise newspaper and served as a columnist and contributing editor to Inland Empire Magazine.
Pat lived in three countries and seven states. She loves to travel and spent time in Europe, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Greece, Mexico, the Galapagos, and the Bahamas, as well as Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands. She has road-tripped across the continental United States several times. Pat enjoys getting to know people and learning about their culture.
Dr. Spencer, a retired professor and community college president, lives in Southern California with her husband. She speaks to service and community organizations on human trafficking, writing processes, and her books. When not writing, Pat golfs, reads, walks the beach, hangs out with family and friends, or frequents book clubs and writing critique groups.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 23, 2019
Story of a sex abuse survivor. It’s so sad that innocent children should be so badly abused. Even worse, the perpetrators often remain unpunished. Congratulations, Pat, on bringing this to our attention and making us think about it.
January 19, 2025
Oceanside maybe a short story, but it is a compelling one and I can see why it has won prizes.
It tells the brutal story of a young girl who has been assaulted and abused in a downward spiral that takes her to the depths of despair and depravity. Oceanside is her escape and chance to reclaim her life and dignity.
The grooming and abuse aren’t pored over in gruesome detail, but they aren’t glossed over, either. Sometimes, I feel that when too much detail is given, it can have give a traumatic tale a salacious kick that is depressing and counterproductive. This book gets the balance right.
It is a very short book which means I didn’t fully get into the character before it ended. I understand that the author has written full-length novels and I will be seeking one of those out now.
It tells the brutal story of a young girl who has been assaulted and abused in a downward spiral that takes her to the depths of despair and depravity. Oceanside is her escape and chance to reclaim her life and dignity.
The grooming and abuse aren’t pored over in gruesome detail, but they aren’t glossed over, either. Sometimes, I feel that when too much detail is given, it can have give a traumatic tale a salacious kick that is depressing and counterproductive. This book gets the balance right.
It is a very short book which means I didn’t fully get into the character before it ended. I understand that the author has written full-length novels and I will be seeking one of those out now.
May 27, 2025
“Oceanside” is a short story that tackles a difficult subject, human trafficking. Although not too graphic it was brutally honest. A young girl meets an older man, and she keeps the relationship a secret from her family. He showers her with gifts until the worst thing that can happen does. This is something I think every parent should be talking about with their teens as these types of predators exist whether we want to think about it or not. It is a tough read, but it does offer kind people willing to help. I can easily recommend it.
February 19, 2022
This short story by Pat Spencer is as compelling as her book on the subject of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, Story of a Stolen Girl. It’s a grim revelation of how vulnerable young people all over the world are and have been for centuries to falling victims of these horrific organizations. Both are a must-read for everyone.
February 24, 2021
A well written short story that shines light on an important topic.
May 28, 2021
Not what I thought it was going to be and thank heavens it was brief. It was like, "WTF am I reading?" Just a no for me. The one star is for the cover. Glad this was free on kindle unlimited.
September 16, 2023
What a powerful short story of courage and resilience. It’s a must read.
July 25, 2019
Nice book
Very nice this is a fantastic book with lot of stuff to make everyone hapoy with tears and i love it
Very nice this is a fantastic book with lot of stuff to make everyone hapoy with tears and i love it
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews