Confront the Past, Embrace the Future

“Entrenched is an important addition to the literature of abuse and recovery. Brave and insightful, Blakemore documents the hard emotional journey survivors face as they confront – and overcome – obstacles to their healing. Among the many resources abuse victims can turn to, one of the most helpful is the personal narrative of someone who found the courage to face their demons – both external and internal – and the strength to change. Blakemore is that kind of writer: clear-eyed, perceptive, and willing to tell her truth no matter what. 

–Sue William Silverman, author, Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You

"The invisible climate of hidden fear, shame, and other emotions brought on by traumas forced onto our most vulnerable, often lead to a lifetime of silence for most. The enormous bravery shown by Linda Lee Blakemore exuded in Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go will empower others to understand and accept brokenness is not within them. Linda pours out her heart and soul in this revelation of life, igniting new charges of hope that a life filled with reciprocated authentic love for self, by others and for others is possible.”–Deborah Davis, Nurse Practitioner, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Clinical Sexologist

“The emotional experiences we encounter as children shape and influence the decisions we make as adults, for better or worse. Linda Blakemore has courageously shared her personal journey in dealing with the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse. This well-written memoir will touch the heart of anyone who has had a similar experience in childhood and will offer much food for thought for all women. I highly recommend it. “–Anita LaLumere, PhD, Clinical and School Psychologist.

“Riveting, brave and transparent are the feelings that washed over me as I began to read Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding on and Letting Go. The authors moments are my moments. They are the many moments belonging to survivors of sexual abuse. As a child I was the girl who didn’t fit in, who felt unliked and unworthy, different, because I was. I felt like I was viewing Linda’s life and my own at the same time. Her words permeated my being and I could not stop reading, watching as the road similar to my own unfolded. As a survivor of sexual abuse there are so many reasons you should read this; we are the same, the effects of the trauma rule our lives until we take a chance, take charge and work through it. Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go will give you the courage to do just that.” –Marnie Grundman (TedX Talk) Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Linda Blakemore's "Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding on and Letting Go crossed my desk when I was doing somewhat of a 'deep dive' into trauma informed care and education. It was like a familiar train wreck I couldn't look away from. Each chapter kept me wanting more and I was captivated by the main character. Blakemore mentions her hope to use her book to help women and young women, but I think this work will resonate with anyone." –Katlyn White, Foster Care Coordinator

“Entrenched echoes the message of resilience, determination, self-discovery, and hope. A must-read for survivors, advocates, and professionals.” –Cathy Brochu, A.A.S., B.A., CHT, ADT, Author, Speaker, Educator, and Consultant

“Linda writes unapologetically, giving readers an unedited front row view into the messiness of life, love, abuse, and survival. A masterful storyteller, Linda makes her personal roller coaster deeply relatable as she navigates the trenches of her own life with a raw and poetic honesty that few dare to go.”—Annie E. Clark,

Former Executive Director, End Rape On Campus

“Entrenched is a riveting memoir. With sometimes painful and always poignant honesty, Linda describes her attempts to be “enough,” her sometimes out-of-control behavior, and repeated relationship mistakes. Finally, when forced to face the emotional residue from childhood that ran her life, Linda talks about the freedom she has experienced after doing that hard work. I recommend this book to any woman with an abuse/abandonment history who strives desperately to be “enough” to deserve love. I also recommend this book to anyone who truly wants to understand the inner life of a woman with a similar history. Linda’s story is compelling.”–Sharon Eakes, MA, BCC, Coach, Author, Educator, Retired Therapist

“As a sexual assault, crime services advocate, Linda’s book, Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding on and Letting Go, can help victims understand that they are not alone with their feelings, assist them as they work to overcome unhealthy relationships and self-abuse that often follows child trauma/abuse, and help those affected find the courage to heal.” —Tina Morey, Sexual Assault Crime Victims Services Specialist

"Linda Lee Blakemore writes with raw authenticity to bare her past and pave the way for others to seek healing." –Tina Yeager, MLHC, award-winning author, speaker, podcast host, life coach, and founder of the Ten-Minute Turnaround Virtual Academy

The great Toni Morrison said, “The function of freedom is to free someone else.” In her vulnerable, honest, moving memoir, Entrenched, Linda Lee Blakemore dives deep into her own traumas of childhood sexual assault and abusive relationships to shine a light for others who may still be trapped. This courageous book offers a hand to anyone who’s struggling to heal. It does what the best books do – it makes the world less lonely and, especially for adult survivors of trauma, it offers a way out of silence and isolation and confusion. This is a profoundly generous book." –Lori Jakiela, author of Belief Is Its Own Kind of Truth, Maybe

"Entrenched kept me spellbound. Blakemore's sometimes out of control behavior demonstrates how our past can lure us toward unhealthy partners who, rather than help us work through unresolved psychological issues or fulfill what we did not receive as a child, use and discard us. Having myself lived with severe PTSD as a result of childhood incest, clergy sexual abuse & rape, like me, Linda has courageously confronted & overcome. She and I have chosen to ask not "what's wrong with you?" but "what happened to you?" This book is a must read for every domestic violence sexual assault survivor, therapist & all who've remained complacent or silenced into shame and blame." –Barbara Joy Hansen, International Award Winning Author of Listen to the Cry of the Child:The Deafening Silence of Sexual Abuse

“What differentiates Blakemore's story from others is her attention to underlying issues of her familiarity with and attraction to abuse and, even more importantly, the lasting impact of abandonment. Her story acknowledges and embraces a basic contradiction and psychological quandary...she came to see that "staying with a man who left would keep her forever entrenched in the very thing she needed to move beyond. Blakemore took the unusual approach of inviting her exes to read her drafts and provide their own stories of what had happened. Some declined. Others accepted, adding a focus on honesty and clarity that is evident through the trials and processes Blakemore endured to survive. Entrenched is more than a memoir about holding on and letting go. It's about considering the long- and short-term consequences of relationship choices. Women who live in, tolerate, or struggle with abusive situations will find Blakemore's descriptions thought-provoking, familiar, and revealing. Her story of life lessons holds hope for all who find themselves in her position—which is, sadly, likely to be an unexpectedly wide audience.” – D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding on and Letting go is raw, honest, and well written. I have dealt with many victims who were raped by a family memoir or close friend, some who were pimped out by mommy or daddy at a very young age. They grow up dealing with those memories every day and are some of the bravest people I know.  Abusers know who they are and why they do it, but are not held accountable. My hope is that this book will raise eyebrows and get people’s dander up. You can’t make this crap up—let your voice ring out all over the place – schools, physician’s offices, hospitals, foster homes, and podcasts.—Mary E Suchetka, MSN RN, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

“We are told that one in five little girls is sexually abused. Many of them bury these memories so deeply they never come to terms with why as adults they think and act in self-destructive ways. In this raw and often emotional memoir that reads like a good novel, Linda Lee Blakemore frankly shares her personal journey from confusion and despair through discovering and surmounting her childhood pain, and finally to deep understanding and healing. Especially for people who also are dealing with childhood traumas, this intimate story of survival and growth is a must-read.–Roberta Grimes, afterlife expert and author of The Fun of Dying, Liberating Jesus, and other books.

“Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go is well done! We are our history, but Blakemore’s journey clearly shows that hindsight can give us the clarity we need to move away from trauma. With caring and non-judgmental support, we can do the work necessary to have a sweet future. It’s hard work that takes time, but the value we gain from clarity can guide us in a positive direction!” –Jan Biresch, Domestic Violence Literacy: Education/Consulting/Advocacy

“Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding on and Letting Go gives evidence of healing not only of oneself but of others who develop insight through sharing stories. Relating to incidences, understanding mistakes, accepting ourselves and moving forward. We need to tell stories to understand our own struggle, and we need to share stories to end isolation. I recommend this book not only to survivors of partner's abuse, child sexual abuse, people who are struggling with emotional relationships, but also to therapists. It can help us understand  how deep trauma sometimes confuses the cognition of the survivors, and we need to be patient as each journey of healing has its own rhythm. I believe this book is for us all, lovers, partners, friends, colleagues, and family, as it is helpful and inspiring.” --Nahid, Fadul, Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist, William Frederick award in the field of child sexual abuse 2016

“The bravest women in the world are the ones who face their deepest fears, muster their courage, and write a memoir. Linda Lee Blakemore rips open her heart and exposes her pain to simply prove to other broken women that there is hope and a way out. Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding On and Letting Go is a beautifully written powerful story that will stay with me for a long time.” –Ann K, Howley, Author of Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad.

“In life, we all could go through many major traumas, such that we could bury ourselves under them and close ourselves up to many possibilities of life, but some, like Linda (Blakemore), will turn around and make a huge difference in other's lives through all the pain they've gone through and become committed to turning a liability into an asset in many other's lives. And I do appreciate that.” -- Siamak Afshar. MA. CADC11 Transforming Life Treatment center, Program Director.

“Blakemore’s writing style is easy to read and clearly written. She comes forward bravely and honestly to express the difficult challenges she faced, the mistakes she made, and how she eventually overcame. Written in a way others can relate to and learn from, Entrenched highlights the importance of facing the past and healing from trauma to live fully happy lives. Everyone will benefit from reading it.” –Kelly Mcinally, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator

Blakemore’s story, Entrenched: A Memoir of Holding on and Letting Go, depicts the challenges of unhealed trauma due to childhood sexual abuse. Her willingness to make herself vulnerable and share her story, creates a space where survivors of childhood abuse/abandonment may relate and find comfort in knowing they are not alone. For others, this book may enlighten the long-lasting impact of unhealed childhood trauma and emphasize the importance of supporting organizations that provide survivor services, crisis lines, and prevention programs. May these words resonate in every survivor's hears, "I hear you and I believe you!"
--Debra Morrow, Executive Director of Middle Way House and Survivor

“In life, we all could go through many major traumas, such that we could bury ourselves under them and close ourselves up to many possibilities of life, but some, like Linda (Blakemore), will turn around and make a huge difference in other's lives through all the pain they've gone through and become committed to turning a liability into an asset in many other's lives. And I do appreciate that.” -- Siamak Afshar. MA. CADC11 Transforming Life Treatment center, Program Director.