Tom gave up on love the day he buried his high school sweetheart and fiance - until he meets Alli, the defense attorney for the man who changed Tom's life
About the Author
Chelle Cordero, author of the novels, Bartlett's Rule (VHP April, 2008), Forgotten (VHP July, 2008), has been published by Gannett Newspapers, SPOTLIGHT Magazine, Hudson Valley Magazine, and other national magazines and regional publications. Ms. Cordero is also a partner in By-Lines, an editorial and photography company catering to the business community. She lives in the New York suburb of Stony Point with her lover and husband of thirty-two years, and her son; her daughter and son-in-law live nearby. In her spare time, and sometimes when she has none to spare, Chelle is an avid reader and fan of Danielle Steele, Faye Kellerman, Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell and other popular novels.
Professional Reviews
Rhonda J. Fortin, VHP Advance Reader
Great story of danger and trust and deceit. Thanks for another great book, Chelle. I am looking forward to getting my copy of Forgotten in the next few days and reading that, too. --Bethany Dillon
I loved Bartlett's Rule. I loved Forgotten. I knew I should expect another amazing story from Ms. Cordero, but I didn t expect such a beautifully poignant and yet, at the same time, such a realistic novel of love and danger, adventure and intrigue! Chelle Cordero has a gift! My husband enjoyed Within the Law, too, and he doesn't enjoy many of the books I choose, but told me this wasn't your typical mushy girl book and was easy for him to read. He passed it on to his brother even! --Nila DeLay
Really great storyline and a great read! Chelle's skills really shine in each of her novels, but I particularly enjoyed Within the Law for its descriptive scenes of places I have traveled. I recognized many of the locations. Another thing I appreciate is the true-to-life amnesia scenes, and as a nurse, rarely find such well written medical scenes in fiction, especially romance. She did it!
Eight years after the abduction and murder of his fiancé, Tom Hughes throws back his last drink pondering the next day’s hearing. Her killer had been found. Consumed with rage and wanting to confront the man who took his future away, Tom leaves the bar and stumbles upon an attractive well dressed woman named Alli whose badly bloodied her knee after twisting her ankle. Uncertain why such a woman would be found so late in a rather dangerous part of town, Tom comes to her aid. Though cautious of a complete stranger wanting to help her, Tom insists ensuring that Alli does not suffer the safe fate as his fiancé years before.
At the hearing, Tom begins to think perhaps his life can finally move on with the killer to be tried and a new woman in his life. His dreams quickly unravel when he learns that Alli is the killer’s attorney. Taunted by the man as they leave the courtroom, Tom beats him so badly the killer is hospitalized and later found murdered. With his life turned upside down, Tom is now accused of murder and Alli must prove his innocence.
Chelle Cordero begins Within The Law with a great setup of murder, betrayal, and plot twists that engage the reader immediately. As I read the opening chapters, I was reminded somewhat of Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent. Cordero then takes a turn I didn’t expect, and the opening story arc closes. In Ken Follet style, the novel subsequently explores the tragic sequence of events keeping Tom and Alli from being together. The novel is, therefore, less courtroom murder mystery and more star-crossed love story.
Cordero’s writing and plot is engaging and entertaining. One is drawn to Tom and Alli and their story just as they are drawn to one another. The dialogue is real and crisp and the novel moves quickly. Within the Law makes a great summer beach read.
A search for the ghost of a chorus girl chorine haunting a costume designer’s Manhattan apartment leads to an encounter with an eccentric, mischievous witch with the ability to send folks back through time…in this case, the 1919 Ziegfeld Follies.
