Customer Reviews

Like a Knife (Beeler Large Print Series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Two scarred, needy people unite in this book to save a child. Rachel Goodman lost her mother to violence and saw her father disappear into a Safer America program at a young age. This shaped her life, committing her to helping other children whose lives are touched by violence. Ironically, she is drawn to a man whose life was devoted to causing that violence for a time. Nick Raine was adopted by a crimelord and grew up in his service. Tragic events led him to leave that life, but now, because of Rachel, he is drawn back into it.

Nick's foster father, Rennie Spier, wants him to find the child his now deceased wife hid from him. When Nick refuses, Spier has Rachel beaten, and worse will happen if Nick does not cooperate. A nightmarish race to find the child and keep him safe from opposing forces brings Nick and Rachel closer together, but just as they find love, death may tear them apart.

***** This exciting novel heralds a promising debut. Characters you really care about and a touching romance hold your interest along with fast paced action and self sacrificing committments.

I normally do not write reviews, but this book is worth commenting on. AWESOME Romantic Suspense.
I really look forward to Ms. Solomon next book

When Rachel Goodman was a child, she watched someone murder her mother. Now grown, she uses her teaching degree and troubled past to help children who have been affected by violence. She also befriends the lonely school custodian, Nick.

Nick was adopted by a crime lord when he was abandoned on the streets at a young age. He naturally progressed into a life of crime emulating his "father" Rennie. A former gun runner, Nick has vowed never to return to the life but is drawn back in when his former lover turns up dead and Rennie asks Nick to find the son she kept hidden from him. He makes Nick an offer he can't refuse by involving Rachel.

Once Rennie locates Isaac, it is pretty obvious that Rennie is not the kid's father, and together, Nick and Rachel race the clock to try to get Isaac back from a madman - Nick fears that Isaac will be brought into the same violent world he found himself in. His growing love for Rachel gives him a new lease on life.

Filled with plenty of action, this quick paced thriller is sure to keep you glued until the last page.

This is the wonderfully written suspense story of Rachel Goodman, who as a yound child witnessed the murder of her mother. Growing up she wants to help others and takes a job running a preschool with children witnessing violent crimes committed against their parents. There she meets Nick Raines who has a past. Together, they race against time to save a missing boy.

Rachel falls for Nick but Nick does not want her to get involved because of his past.

If you are looking for a fast-pace gripping suspense book full of surprises that you would not want to put down, look no further! This is THE book to get!

Redemption proves possible in this debut novel by Annie Soloman. Rachel Goodman hires Nick Raine, a former gunrunner who is trying to escape his past, as a handy man in the church where she teaches needed children. Rachel, who knows violence first hand having witnessed her mothers knifing death and later has her fathers disappearance, brings in children from violent backgrounds to her school. When she finds out about Nicks past, and is in fact kidnapped and delivered on his doorstep in a carpet, still gives him a chance to show he is not the same person he used to be. Nick discovers a child is missing and his former boss Spire insists he finds him or Rachel will be harmed. He sets out to do just that with Rachel at his side. This story moves at a fast pace, though the characters themselves are not developed to their full potential. Still, this is an enjoy suspense with lots of grit, shootings, and action to keep the reader interested!

I read a lot of suspense and Like a Knife is among the best I've read. Annie Solomon has created in Nick and Rachel characters that are vivid and three-dimensional, and makes you feel the hurt they carry. This is a story about redemption and forgiveness and Annie doesn't miss.

I didn't want to put this book down. It's a fast-paced read and just when you think the plot can't twist again, it does. There's realism here, and hope as well.

I can't wait for Annie Solomon's next offering.

Memories of witnessing her mother's death have always remained at the edge of Rachel Goodman's consciousness. She devotes her life to helping children who have survived similar circumstances, running a school for children who have been victims of violence. With only six weeks left on the rental space for the school, Rachel desperately seeks new funding. She certainly needs to avoid adverse publicity, but it unfortunately finds her.

Nick Raine left designer suits behind six years ago, embracing an austere life that led to his maintenance work at the school. Then his old boss demands that Nick return to his former life and find a missing child. Suddenly Nick is thrust back into a nightmarish world where he discovers the missing child his own, and where men will do anything to maintain power and money, including destroying innocents like Rachel.

Author Annie Solomon pens a stunning debut with LIKE A KNIFE. Crisp prose, sharp characterizations and a fast-paced plotting provide a combination impossible to put down. Nick Raine proves to be an intriguing hero with a deadly, dark past that haunts his every step. Rachel's background is equally painful, but gives her character power as she resourcefully deals with virtually impossible circumstances. Solomon does not pull any punches, with harsh realities and cruelties, thereby lending the novel a hard, believable edge. Readers will eagerly await more from this promising author. LIKE A KNIFE comes highly recommended.

Like a Knife was just the kind of book I was looking for. It had just the right amount of suspense and romance. It was a page turner and I recommend anyone looking for a great read who is tired of the great american novel should sit down and read Like a Knife.

As a child Rachel Goodman lost both of her parents with the strokes of a knife. She watched the vicious murder of her mother and the "disappearance" of her father into his publicly acclaimed "Safer America" movement. As an adult, Rachel manages St. Anthony preschool for children whom witnessed violence in Astoria, Queens.

Six months ago, Rachel hires reticent handyman Nick Raine to make repairs at St. Anthony. Unbeknownst to Rachel is that Nick is a former gunrunner who quit the profession six years ago. Now Nick's former boss and mentor Spier demands he locate a six year old son he did not know he sired as his recently murdered wife hid him with her aunt from him. If Nick fails to do Spier's bidding or fails at his task, Rachel will suffer.

LIKE A KNIFE is an exciting romantic suspense that spotlights how love can provide the opportunity for redeeming for the darkest of souls. The story line is fast-paced though how Spier's wife could hide the child from him so easily and why Spier wanted the kid is never quite clear. Still the audience will relish the activities of the lead couple, Rachel with her almost obsessive need to help those youngsters following the ugly path of her youth and Nick needing a soul cleaning after years of selling weapons to murderers and terrorists.

Harriet Klausner

I was pleasanty surprised by this book...now I am hooked on Annie Solomon. I see that a lot of other reviewers discussed the plot so I will focus on the characters. It was really refreshing to have a tarnished, imperfect, leading man who is still appealing and captivating. Nick tries to forget his sins and hide, but ultimately he must face his past if he is to have any type of future...he become someone to root for. Rachel is damaged in other ways but spirited and formidable, giving her more depth than your average damsel in distress. Sometimes authors get caught up in how perfect their characters but not Annie Solomon. I loved that these people were not perfect in personality or in looks. She weaves a great story worthy of five stars for originally in both character development and plot. I will definitely read more of her work.