Review & Giveaway: Against My Will by Benjamin Berkley

Teddyrose@1

12 years ago

Publisher: Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc., September 1, 2012

Category: Fiction- Relationships, Abuse, Romance, Holocaust, Suspense
Tour Dates: February, 2013
Available in: Print and PDF, 247 pages

AGAINST MY WILL is the life changing novel about Danielle, a victim of marital abuse, who finds the strength to leave her husband and pursue a career in law.

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 what 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.

Danielle tries to talk to her father but he dismisses her marital problems. But she can confide in her Nana Rose, a Holocaust survivor who lost her entire family at the hands of the Nazis. Rose helped raise Danielle and her brother when their mother died when Danielle was only three. Having faced death, Rose is Danielle’s source of security. But while Danielle holds on to the fragile belief that her father’s prince charming will change, she is raped by her husband on the night of their one year wedding anniversary.

Now, Danielle has to escape. And 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 her Nana as a young girl held captive in a concentration camp. The entries begin with Rose waking up in a hospital after the liberation of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Graphically she recounts the train ride to the camp and the emotional separation of her from her family upon arrival. And the full weight of the family’s secrets becomes clear. This is a story of survival, self-discovery, justice, and ultimately, it’s about love.

My Thoughts:

Wow, this book kept me up. Now because it was well written with a strong character study and wonderful plot, although this book is all of the above. It kept me up all night because I could relate to is so much.

When I was in my early twenties I was married to an abusive guy who abused me in similar ways that Danielle was abused. Thanks to the loving support of my family, I got out pretty quick and turned my life around. However, this book made it all flood back to me.

You might wonder how a intelligent woman can get herself in such a predicament. I have asked myself that many times. For Danielle, she was pushed into it by her father who thought she was marring “a nice Jewish man.” She was already 29 and he wanted his daughter to marry and have children before she was too old.

It was Danielle’s grandmother, Rose (also my grandmother’s name), a Holocaust survior, who helped her get away. We learn of Rose’s story from the diary she kept after she was rescued from the concentration camp.

I loved this book! I only had one tiny issue with it, there were quite a few Yiddish word in it. Coming from a Jewish family, I know a few Yiddish words but I didn’t know all of the word in the book. I think it would have been helpful to include a page of English translations.

My favorite part of the story was of Rose’s diary entries of her experiences in the Holocaust. I also loved how richly textured the writing and characters. All of the main character were well defined and leapt off the page. The book was very hard to put down! I highly recommend it!

4.5/5

This book was sent to me for my honest review.

About Benjamin Berkley:

“Against My Will” is Benjamin Berkley’s fifth book and debut novel. He is also the author of four self-help books: “My Wishes, Your Plan for Organizing Your Family’s Needs” (Sourcebooks, June, 2006) “The Complete Executor’s Guide” (Sourcebooks, June 2007) “Winning Your Social Security Disability Case” (Sourcebooks, February, 2008) and “Before You Say I Do Again, A Buyer’s Beware Guide to Remarriage.” (Frederick Fell Publishers, September, 2009).

And though writing is his passion, for over 34 years he has conducted a busy law practice in which he has seen many interesting clients come through his door. One in particular, an older woman with white hair, the kindest smile, and an amazing story became the inspiration for one of his characters for “Against My Will.” Berkley lives in southern California with his wife Phyllis and their cat Riley. He has two grown children and is always bragging about his most beautiful grandson and granddaughter.

Benjamin Berkley’s Website
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BenjaminBerkley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benjamin-Berkley/365105946878419
Against My Will on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Against-My-Will/503310429702614

Buy Against My Will at:

Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble
Book Depository

Now for the giveaway! Thanks to Benjamin, I am giving away on copy of this book. If you live in the U.S. or Canada, you will receive a print copy. If you live internationally you will receive the PDF. This giveaway ends on March 1, 2013. Please Use Rafflecopter to enter.

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