Against My Will

Danielle Landau knows she should feel lucky, but she can't feel anything but dread. Not only did she pass the New York Bar, but she married the man her father says is just right for her and lives in a fashionable new loft in Queens. But the man who seems like the perfect catch is a perfect nightmare at home. Jacob tries to control her career, her daily routine, and even when she eats. He ignores her desires and belittles her every chance he gets. Soon, Danielle doesn't recognize her husband or herself, and she struggles to find a way out. One night, Jacob pushes her too far, and now Danielle has to escape. With the help of her beloved Nana, Danielle moves across the country and starts to rebuild her life. But will she be able to escape her past? And when one of her clients finds herself in the same terrible situation, will Danielle have the strength to help her? As we follow Danielle on her journey of terror and recovery, we see her story intersect with the diary entries of a young girl from more than fifty years ago, and the full weight of the family's secrets becomes clear. This is a story of survival, self-discovery, justice, and ultimately about love.

Benjamin Berkley Benjamin Berkley, J.D., has practiced law for over 34 years with the courtroom often substituting as his second home. In addition to representing the famous and not so infamous, it was a soft spoken, older woman with white hair and her amazing story that become the inspiration for this debut novel. Berkley also writes a blog for the Huffington Post and lives in Southern California with his wife Phyllis and their cat Riley He has two grown children and is always bragging about both his grandson and granddaughter.