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Smiling Blind: A Marriage of Lies and Illusion
Anyone who grew up reading fairy tales and watching Disney films knows the handsome prince always sweeps in and saves the damsel in distress. Dennis F. Hightower created his own version of those tales, starring himself as the prince. But he forgot one thing — the prince is supposed to follow through with a happily-ever-after. He’s not supposed to decide one day to walk away, leaving the devastation of broken promises and lies behind.
Divorce attorney Dori Bye was definitely not looking to be swept off her feet, but that’s exactly what happened when she met Dennis F. Hightower. He appeared to be charming, gentlemanly, powerful and extremely generous. Their courtship included lavish gifts, travel to Europe and the promise of a lifetime of respect, happiness and true love. The romance was like a fairy tale, and the sky seemed to be the limit for the perfect power couple.
During the four-month relationship prior to marriage, Dennis became the Deputy Secretary of Commerce in the Obama Administration. The couple purchased a dream mansion in Connecticut. Then everything began to fall apart. Smiling blindly, Dori realized she was being groomed to be nothing more than a “Washington wife,” continuously pushed into the background as Dennis used his Black Elite status to gain yet more power.
Then, almost as quickly as the power couple became entwined in their relationship, it started to unravel. Dennis resigned his position to return to private industry and board positions, or so Dori thought. Suddenly the big money started disappearing, or appeared never to have been there in the first place. Their dream home was lost to foreclosure. Exposed with the layers of lies, Dennis lost his charm and charisma, along with his power.
This is a true story of romance, white-collar crime and a short-lived marriage, followed by a pattern of deception culminating in lawsuit upon lawsuit, including bankruptcy, foreclosure and currently one of the longest divorces on record in Connecticut.
Divorce attorney Dori Bye was definitely not looking to be swept off her feet, but that’s exactly what happened when she met Dennis F. Hightower. He appeared to be charming, gentlemanly, powerful and extremely generous. Their courtship included lavish gifts, travel to Europe and the promise of a lifetime of respect, happiness and true love. The romance was like a fairy tale, and the sky seemed to be the limit for the perfect power couple.
During the four-month relationship prior to marriage, Dennis became the Deputy Secretary of Commerce in the Obama Administration. The couple purchased a dream mansion in Connecticut. Then everything began to fall apart. Smiling blindly, Dori realized she was being groomed to be nothing more than a “Washington wife,” continuously pushed into the background as Dennis used his Black Elite status to gain yet more power.
Then, almost as quickly as the power couple became entwined in their relationship, it started to unravel. Dennis resigned his position to return to private industry and board positions, or so Dori thought. Suddenly the big money started disappearing, or appeared never to have been there in the first place. Their dream home was lost to foreclosure. Exposed with the layers of lies, Dennis lost his charm and charisma, along with his power.
This is a true story of romance, white-collar crime and a short-lived marriage, followed by a pattern of deception culminating in lawsuit upon lawsuit, including bankruptcy, foreclosure and currently one of the longest divorces on record in Connecticut.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2017
11 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 6, 2018
Fractured fairy tale of a marriage imploding. Dory Bey, an LA single mom, meets suave businessman, Dennis Hightower on a setup date. She's everything he could wish for, successful attorney, bright, and beautiful. The perfect trophy wife. He's Prince Charming in the flesh, articulate, connected to the right circles, rich, and ready to spoil her. It's a match made in heaven, or is it?
Dory's life unravels as skeletons come out of Dennis's closets and his carefully created illusions of success dissolve revealing a much darker picture. Webs of lies and treachery change the landscape of Dory's world leaving her isolated in her Connecticut mansion. Soon, her fairy tale turns into a nightmare.
Well-written accounting of a life spinning off-track, and trust and love replaced by fear and hatred.
Dory's life unravels as skeletons come out of Dennis's closets and his carefully created illusions of success dissolve revealing a much darker picture. Webs of lies and treachery change the landscape of Dory's world leaving her isolated in her Connecticut mansion. Soon, her fairy tale turns into a nightmare.
Well-written accounting of a life spinning off-track, and trust and love replaced by fear and hatred.
January 6, 2018
In a tantalizing true story, which almost be titled “Smiling Blind: My Marriage to the Black Gatsby”, Dori B. Hightower takes the reader galloping through her marriage to the “ideal man.”
Dori was a single mother, raising a beautiful daughter while keeping a tight focus on her career as a divorce attorney. As with most moms, her “daughter came first [and her] legal practice came second.”
Spanning 2009 to 2017, Doris shares her first encounters the infamous Dennis F. Hightower. Quietly trusting her beloved friend, Doris embarked on an emotional adventure she would not soon forget.
What started out as a fairy tale with the glitter prestige, ivy-league education, and money the Black elite can bring, slowly transformed into a sheer nightmare.
The rainy night that served as the backdrop of their first meeting, almost like the set of a movie, was the beginning of a torrential downpour of pain, lies, and betrayal.
I marvel at the author’s frankness and willingness to share her story. While she admits it was not easy “to sort out fact from fiction during some of the years depicted” in this book, she has a marvelous ability to sensationalize her account. She paints vivid pictures of her feelings, as well as the various surroundings she speaks of.
I was not fond of the fairytale chapter headings. For me, it lessened the "trueness" of the story and added a fictional component.
I think the ideal reader is a professional black woman who is currently traipsing through the dating jungle and needs a reality check - everything is never what it seems.
Dori was a single mother, raising a beautiful daughter while keeping a tight focus on her career as a divorce attorney. As with most moms, her “daughter came first [and her] legal practice came second.”
Spanning 2009 to 2017, Doris shares her first encounters the infamous Dennis F. Hightower. Quietly trusting her beloved friend, Doris embarked on an emotional adventure she would not soon forget.
What started out as a fairy tale with the glitter prestige, ivy-league education, and money the Black elite can bring, slowly transformed into a sheer nightmare.
The rainy night that served as the backdrop of their first meeting, almost like the set of a movie, was the beginning of a torrential downpour of pain, lies, and betrayal.
I marvel at the author’s frankness and willingness to share her story. While she admits it was not easy “to sort out fact from fiction during some of the years depicted” in this book, she has a marvelous ability to sensationalize her account. She paints vivid pictures of her feelings, as well as the various surroundings she speaks of.
I was not fond of the fairytale chapter headings. For me, it lessened the "trueness" of the story and added a fictional component.
I think the ideal reader is a professional black woman who is currently traipsing through the dating jungle and needs a reality check - everything is never what it seems.
February 13, 2018
Smiling Blind by Dori Hightower
This book very sadly put a dent in my ability to keep believing in fairytales no matter what. For that reason I'm sorry I read it. I will have to see if I can put that to one side for myself. But more sorry was I for the writer of this well written book who also believed the fairytale, even though she was a successful divorce lawyer who had been cheated on and lied to in a marriage once before. If she could be so fooled what hope does an ordinary girl have? But then she had more knowledge, tools, family and friends to pick herself up and fight this unscrupulous man she had once so loved. That is the point. The world is not full of devious, unscrupulous hurtful men. I have wonderful examples around me, myself having been married to a caring, kind, giving and selfless man for twenty seven years. My father was another, brothers in law, friends husbands and partners all wonderful examples of kind decent caring people. I truly feel awful that Dori got a bad one. But this story is an interesting warning of what can go so wrong. It is a good read and you will appreciate what you have at home!
I received a free copy of this book but the review is entirely my own.
This book very sadly put a dent in my ability to keep believing in fairytales no matter what. For that reason I'm sorry I read it. I will have to see if I can put that to one side for myself. But more sorry was I for the writer of this well written book who also believed the fairytale, even though she was a successful divorce lawyer who had been cheated on and lied to in a marriage once before. If she could be so fooled what hope does an ordinary girl have? But then she had more knowledge, tools, family and friends to pick herself up and fight this unscrupulous man she had once so loved. That is the point. The world is not full of devious, unscrupulous hurtful men. I have wonderful examples around me, myself having been married to a caring, kind, giving and selfless man for twenty seven years. My father was another, brothers in law, friends husbands and partners all wonderful examples of kind decent caring people. I truly feel awful that Dori got a bad one. But this story is an interesting warning of what can go so wrong. It is a good read and you will appreciate what you have at home!
I received a free copy of this book but the review is entirely my own.
January 13, 2018
Page turner!!!
When I purchased this book I had no idea it was based on a true story. I could not stop reading and wish every woman who is intrigued by money, fame and fortune should read this books. I see the President in office 2017 exhibits so many of these qualities. It also shows how material things and a grand lifestyle is not always as it appears. I found it interesting when googling Mr. Hightower, I didn’t see anything about his kids or previous wife. Did he control the bad press concerning him to protect his image. I gave 5 stars because of the author’s transparency and details.
When I purchased this book I had no idea it was based on a true story. I could not stop reading and wish every woman who is intrigued by money, fame and fortune should read this books. I see the President in office 2017 exhibits so many of these qualities. It also shows how material things and a grand lifestyle is not always as it appears. I found it interesting when googling Mr. Hightower, I didn’t see anything about his kids or previous wife. Did he control the bad press concerning him to protect his image. I gave 5 stars because of the author’s transparency and details.
February 8, 2018
This is a very captivating story. Even more interesting because it is true. I really enjoyed reading it. I received this book as a gift and voluntarily give this review.
February 25, 2018
This was a very good book however I do wish the author had done more to make it more interesting. I look forward to reading more of this author's work.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews