Toby’s story is truly inspirational about how she overcame and tried to change the system while she was in for what she did wrong. She knew her mistake and acknowledged it. She learned to stand up for herself. She tried to make a better world. I found this to be a well written book that I couldn’t put down. It’s a definite must read. I don’t want to give a lot away. Toby shares her vulnerability with the world and because of this, we get to read a 5 star memoir of this year. A truly fascinating book that shows there is hope and things can change one person at a time.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Shelly Kittellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngShelly Kittell2023-06-01 06:42:042023-06-05 12:57:47Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr – Review by Shelly Kittell
Underneath The Whiskey is a New Adult MM romance tale. This is the first time I have read Chelsea’s work and let me tell you it pulled on my heart and made it ache. The emotions are real people. There are many hard subjects dealt with in this story alcoholism, mental illness, sexual assault, violence and suicide. Chelsea has done a good job in writing these issues. Underneath The Whiskey is dark and complex story of a closeted gay man who is living a life of lies. The pain, the suffering, the longing, the wants, denial, the horrors of what our MC had to go through just about broke me. Conversion therapy oh h*ll no! no, no. Sexual violence no! just no. But this is what our characters had to deal with. I have too many family members and friends that have had to deal with these issues, so it hit an extra spot in me. The characters are complex, full of flaws and raw and not easy to like. There is a harshness to them that comes from trying to protect oneself. We see inner struggles and watch as they finally work through demons and on the way to self-acceptance. This book will not be for everyone, but I encourage you to give it a go.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2023-06-01 06:39:482023-06-05 13:00:46Underneath The Whiskey by Chelsea Lauren – Review by Jenni Bishop
4.5 stars Earl of Griffith is the sixth captivating book in this second chance historical romance series Once Upon a Widow by Audbrey Wynne. I really like Aubrey’s work and this series in particular. Each book gets better than the last. Aubrey’s storytelling keeps you engaged as she brings her stories to life with her rich and vivid imagination and poignant details. Her characters are really well crafted and fully realised and easy to like. I love stories written in multiple POV as it gives you an insight to their thoughts and feelings and you get a better understanding of who the characters really are. This delightful story will keep you entertained. This is a sweet, sweet short romance filled with love and laughter. Helen is ‘once bitten twice shy’ as the saying goes. Is it too late to find the love she always dreamed about? Conway has been consumed with duty his whole life. Now he has found something infinitely more precious something for him. But will they give him a chance? Well, I am not going to tell you, you will have to read it to find out. Happy reading! If you like historical romances, then this is a book for you.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2023-06-01 06:34:052023-06-05 13:00:34Earl of Griffith (Once Upon a Widow Book 6) by Aubrey Wynne – Review by Jenni Bishop
“Toby Dorr’s memoir is a remarkable true crime story of redemption that recounts her unexpected descent into aiding a convicted murderer’s escape from prison. Though she had no prior record, Dorr’s story is a testament to the power of transformation and personal growth.
Dorr’s memoir goes beyond the sensationalism of the headline-grabbing escape and offers a unique perspective on the criminal justice system. Her story delves deep into the psychological and emotional challenges of incarceration, as well as the healing and transformative power of resilience. Through her own experiences, Dorr discovered a sense of purpose and direction in her life, despite the hardships of her prison sentence.
The memoir is a gripping and powerful tale of heartbreak, courage, grace, and redemption. It is filled with drama, action, and adventure, but at its core, it is a story of personal growth and self-discovery. Dorr invites readers to join her on a journey that explores the human capacity for change and redemption, and how even in the darkest of moments, there is hope for a better future.
For true crime enthusiasts, Dorr’s memoir is a must-read. It offers a rare insight into the complexities and nuances of criminal behavior, and the impact it has on those who find themselves caught up in it. However, the memoir is not just a tale of crime and punishment. It is a story of resilience and transformation, and an inspiring reminder that redemption is always possible.”
“Toby Dorr dared the unthinkable. She liberated a handsome younger man, a convicted murderer, from Lansing Correctional Facility. Since completing her time in Federal Prison, Toby has achieved two Master’s degrees and rebuilt a broken life.
Through her memoir, Living With Conviction, you will feel all the heart-pounding, tear-jerking, heartbreaking, eye-opening experiences that touch the most primal human need, the need to be significant. A fascinating prison tale, through the lens of love, inspires change.
Continuing the movement, The Unleashed Series, implores women through twelve-week programs to escape what confines them.
Finally, a poetry volume, You Are Not Your Worst Mistake, features poems from Toby’s prison journals.
Featured in the Wall Street Journal, Anderson Cooper, Brooke Baldwin, Inside Edition, The Atlantic, and Dateline, Toby is a featured guest on podcasts, including the nationally-ranked Criminal podcast. A screenplay is in the works. A Lifetime movie, Jailbreak Lovers, was released in July of 2022.
Toby invites you to visit her website at TobyDorr.com
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/livingwithconviction.jpg1200800itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-06-01 00:03:592023-06-19 21:58:07Living with Conviction: A True Crime Memoir by Toby Dorr
Drowning his troubles in whiskey, torn between the ones he loves, Ben risks losing everything he’s worked desperately to protect.
Formerly “cured” in therapy, Benjamin Jacobson is unable to further explore or accept his sexuality. That is, until the charming Caden Bensen waltzes into his independent coffee shop.
As Ben plays the role of picture-perfect husband and father of two, he relishes in hidden moments of a secret relationship where he can finally embrace who he is.
As the increasing weight of a double life demands to be acknowledged, Ben must choose whether he is ready to live his truth or continue down the path of destruction.
Chelsea Lauren is a YA and NA contemporary fiction author. Chelsea has been writing ever since she had vivid dreams in middle school. The only cure was to write them down, and only then, did Chelsea realize she could become an author.
She’s an upstate NY native, establishing roots in her hometown with her partner and St. Berdoodles, Kaiya and Willow.
Chelsea is the founder of Represent Publishing, a self-publishing company dedicated to helping authors strengthen their writing, edit, and publish their novels. Her passion lies in helping others accomplish their dreams.
When Chelsea isn’t writing or working on her business, you can find her devouring books, snuggling with her pups, or having game nights with her friends.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Underneath-the-Whiskey-Cover.jpg1200750itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-06-01 00:02:462023-06-19 21:59:12Underneath The Whiskey by Chelsea Lauren
Lady Helen was a young, naïve girl when she gave up everything for a charismatic Irishman and eloped. Finding herself a widow after a few short years, she is disillusioned with love and raising a three-year-old daughter alone. Her homecoming will be bittersweet as she faces her family, asking forgiveness for the lies and the worry she has caused. But her first encounter in England isn’t a family member. Helen’s brother has sent a handsome Welshman to fetch her, and he soon charms both her and her daughter.
An unexpected ray of sunshine…
Conway, Earl of Griffith assumed his title and Welsh estate at birth. His world is gray, full of responsibility, and lonely. Griffith agrees to help a friend, escorting his sister from Bristol to London. At first sight, Lady Helen illuminates his dull world, and her daughter adds laughter to his life. But he senses the woman’s haunted eyes are not only from grief and wonders what secrets she holds close to her heart. As his affection turns to love, Griff must find a way to convince the beautiful widow that love is worth another chance.
USA Today Bestselling author Aubrey Wynne resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule, and barn cats. Obsessions include wine, history, travel, trail riding, and all things Christmas. Her Chicago Christmas and Regency series havereceived multiple awards and nominated numerous times as a Rone finalist by InD’tale Magazine.
Aubrey’s first love is medieval romance but after dipping her toe in the Regency period in 2018 with the Wicked Earls’ Club, she was smitten. This inspired her spin-off series Once Upon a Widow. In 2020, she launched the Scottish Regency series A MacNaughton Castle Romance with Dragonblade Novels. Her Regency detective series, Paddy’s Peelers, will launch early 2024.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Earl_of_Griffith_2_1600x2400.jpg1200800itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2023-06-01 00:01:042023-06-19 21:48:58Earl of Griffith (Once Upon a Widow Book 6) by Aubrey Wynne
This story is wonderfully written, the illustrations are fantastic and the plot will draw you in and have you following along all to learn about the People that live in the Town. The animals are the main characters in this story that has you learning about who “people” are and why they don’t live in the wild like the animals. Very clever and will have you following along as we learn all about people.
Wonderful read! I love reading books by this author, she offers many different stories from many different periods. Set in the 1920s, I know many have imagined living in this time with the flapper fashion, Al Capone, The Charleston and women learning to become empowered. Watching Bethany realize who she is, what she wants in life, what she likes and how she wants to live is so sweet. I could not imagine living day in and day out in a corset, and it was fun to see Bethany tasting that freedom. Her aunt and uncle are cruel and absolutely ridiculous. They seem shady with regards to her inheritance and treat her like dirt, so seeing how sweet she is, is a breath of fresh air. Bethany and Paul are lovely together and I couldn’t see her with anyone else. I wish I could see how the couple worked out in the end, but I’ll leave that to my own imagination.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carrie Reedhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarrie Reed2023-05-30 08:09:212023-05-30 08:09:21Trapping the Butterfly (Butterflies Fly Free Series Book 1) by Debra Parmley – Review by Carrie Reed
Starting off, I didn’t think I would get into the story as much as I did. This book really had me feeling many different emotions. I was angry at everyone for keeping things from Tally, sad that Jophiel seemed to be giving her the cold shoulder and heartbroken that she was hurting so much when she lost something so important. Miyu really got my blood boiling with the her sneaking around, and the way she treats Yoshi and Tally. In the end I understand she was honestly just lost. Lost in her family’s history. Reading of Miyu’s grandmother’s story at the beginning of each chapter was prefect. We get a glimpse of why things ended the way they did for Miyu and her grandmother. Learning of some Japanese traditions, and different cultural things was very interesting and really makes me want to visit Japan.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Carrie Reedhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngCarrie Reed2023-05-30 07:59:442023-05-30 07:59:44Tally and the Angel: Book Three, Japan by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Carrie Reed
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Living With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering Choices by Toby Dorr
