Dad of Divas' Reviews: Book review: Priceless Inspirations

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Book review: Priceless Inspirations

About the Book
She’s found enviable fame and fortune, so Toya’s new memoir surprises readers with its unexpected message to young girls: Don’t do it my way.

Antonia Johnson Carter – best known by the mononym Toya and star of the hit TV reality series “Tiny and Toya” – has written a life story that honestly faces the tears, fears and insecurities that rode shotgun on her drive to stardom.

Priceless Inspirations” (Farrah Gray Publishing) offers Toya’s own life choices as a backdrop for advice to young girls on sex, relationships, motherhood and growing up. Getting pregnant at 14 gave Toya valuable perspective on the perils of growing up too fast.

Rap music star Lil Wayne fathered Toya’s daughter, Reginae, and wed Toya seven years later, but the marriage lasted only two years. Another lesson learned.

“That relationship has brought me a lot of love and a lot of pain.” Toya said. “Right now, my main focus is family.”

The protective cocoon of family is something Toya spent most of her life without. Abandoned by her parents as a child, she was passed from family member to family member as her mother sank deeper into drug addiction. Feeling unloved and unwelcome, Toya fell into the arms of a 15-year-old rising musical star – Dwayne Michael Carter, now known as Lil Wayne – and soon was pregnant.

In “Priceless Inspirations,” Toya takes the reader through the pain of struggling to raise a child while still a child herself, without the benefit of guidance from her own mother. Using words she recorded in journals as a teen – and the wisdom she has gained in the years since – Toya bares her own soul for the benefit of today’s young girls.

Toya’s roller coaster saga continues: While her mom is now a recovering addict, ex-husband Lil Wayne is serving a one-year prison sentence at Riker’s Island for gun possession charges.

When not writing or performing in her TV series, Toya volunteers to help at-risk teens and teen mothers. She is also developing a children’s clothing line inspired by her daughter Reginae. The clothing line will feature fashion-forward, affordable loungewear and accessories for teens.

My Take on the Book
Priceless Inspirations is a book full of (as the title indicates) inspiration! As a father of daughters, what I liked was the fact that I could definitely see my girls taking inspiration from this book and this role model.

I foudn the book to be an easy read and each chapter provided additional motivation for the reader. I liked how the book provided the reader with great insight into the authors' life, while at the same time providing resources, quotes and axoms to live by as one gets older.

I plan to share this book with my own daughters as they get a bit older and I hope that they will gain strength from the authors' journey!
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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