Reviews for Tying the Knot

The average rating for Tying the Knot based on 2 reviews is 2.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-01-27 00:00:00 Javier Franco My second visit to Deep Haven was a thrilling experience. I thought it was nice to read about people going to The Footstep of Heaven Bookstore to get tea and coffee. Mona and Joe weren't the main characters; however, when they were mentioned along with their well-established bookstore, I knew for sure that I was in Deep Haven again. Also, Mona and Joe were now married. Things obviously progressed, so I was eager to see what would unfold next in this comfortable town. This visit was not an easy, breezy walk in the park. The emergency alert rang out in the prologue. I thought...wow! I didn't even get to chapter one yet. I immediately began to wonder what was in store. It all began when Anne, an EMT, walked into a Minneapolis home and dove into action. Noah, a man she didn't know, tackled a teenage boy armed with a gun. Unfortunately, the boy still managed to pull the trigger and shot Anne in the abdomen. Heroic Noah continued to hold her hand, and sang her a hymn, while she was carried away for medical treatment. Noah left a strong and precious impression with Anne. His image and voice remained with her for a year. Anne fled from Minneapolis leaving her home, job and hoped to leave behind the horrifying memories that held her captive. She traveled to Deep Haven, with her plan to settle into the town she knew would provide her with the peace and safety she so desperately needed. Anne's vehicle broke down as soon as she arrived in Deep Haven. The man who assisted her was no other than Noah. They didn't recognize each other; however, Anne experienced some eerie moments while looking at him. She drove away quickly, as soon as he fixed her vehicle. Anne began working as an EMT in Deep Haven. Eventually she was assigned to work with Noah as the EMT for his summer camp, Wilderness Challenge. This camp was Noah's dream to bring in kids who were in bondage by gangs, and lead them to find freedom in accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. During this time, Anne still didn't recognize Noah, but she continued to have flashbacks whenever she was around him. Anne and Noah both had painful pasts. Anne's pain stemmed from having to leave a safe region as a child, due to her father's ministry as a pastor. Her father moved the family to Minneapolis, in order to reach out to the youth, and bring them to Jesus. Anne never understood why God allowed the family move to happen, because they weren't safe. Many years after her father's accidental death, she was still angry with God for being an unloving God. Anne was angry with her mother for continuing her father's ministry. She also had bitterness in her heart and remained crippled by fear. Noah was weighed down by his past as a gang member. Even though he accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, and became a pastor who helped troubled youth involved in gangs, he was still held captive by guilt and shame. He held himself accountable because he helped a teenager surrender his life to God, and that same teenager went back to drugs and shot Anne. He also endured painful memories of five years spent in jail, due to gang violence. God saved him from the life he was living, and helped him start a new life. He did his best to progress, but he was constantly in a mind battle. Just like Anne, his mind was in bondage and he struggled to break free. Anne and Noah lived different lives, had different wounds, and were not on the same relationship level with God, so there was some friction in their relationship. When Anne found out that the camp kids were from Minneapolis, she was furious and wanted to leave. She ran away from Minneapolis, but she still had to face her fears. Anne, Noah and the staff members went on adventures with the kids. Some of them were fun, and some were near death experiences. I really like how a few Christian hymns were included. Also, I came across many scripture verses, which were very encouraging! Each verse that Susan Warren included, fit perfectly with each moment. The scripture verses intensified the moments by giving the characters strength, hope, courage, peace, boldness, freedom, clarity of mind, new perspectives and so much more. Anne and Noah had a major push-pull relationship throughout the entire book. I understood the conflict, but I thought there was too much going back and forth. They were in love one moment, and then they would push each other away in the next moment. I thought it was understandable that their relationship had complication due to their circumstances; however, I would have enjoyed the book more if their relationship had a little more consistency. There were moments when I felt like they could have kept moving forward. Anne and Noah found out about each other's pasts, and they realized how they were connected. The camp had its ups and downs, but it was a success because it brought everyone closer to God. The time spent at the camp also brought Anne and Noah closer together. There was a medical mystery that involved missing prescription, that was being sold. I wondered who was stealing the medicine. The suspense was nice. As I got closer to who the culprit was, it wasn't a shock due to an odd interaction that happened, right before another emergency occurred. I thought it was neat how the story came around full circle. Noah, being Anne's hero for a second time, swapped places with her at the end. He got shot, and she stood by his side singing to him, just like he did for her. At the end, they had a thorough understanding of who they were as individuals, and who they were together as they professed their love to each other. They also understood how they'd be strong together in the future, with God on their side, as they worked for His glory. My soul rang out a hallelujah at the end, because I loved how the story pointed to Jesus, and I loved that I was able to finish the story without Anne and Noah pushing each other away again. They finally surrendered to God and to each other. I admire Noah for asking Anne, "What do you think about...Anne Standing Bear?" That was a sweet way to bring them together, knowing that they would be moving forward....no turning back! The note from Susan Warren was very touching. She gained inspiration to write "Tying the Knot" from a tragic experience she endured with her children. She mentioned that the experience left them with spiritual and emotional wounds. Her personal testimony of how God can meet us in our darkest hours, and shine the light of His omnipresence, spoke volumes. This Christian Fiction novel stemmed from an experience that was real. Susan stated, "I wrote Anne and Noah's story while struggling through the dark night of the soul. Amazingly, many times I felt as though the words that appeared on the page were more for me than Anne. I journeyed with Anne until I, too, could see God embracing me in the darkest hour. Her victory is mine." Susan's testimony gave so much meaning and depth to the novel I read. The characters are fictional, but the battles in our lives are real. The only way to survive, is to conquer our battles with the power we receive from God. Philippians 4:13 We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Would I recommend this book? Absolutely, and I look forward to reading more of Susan's books!

Review # 2 was written on 2012-07-20 00:00:00 Kate Wolfe I actually can't get through this book. I loathe the main character. I realize that at some point she will have a turning point, but I can't keep reading until I get to that. I really liked the first Deep Haven book and I am so disappointed that I can't stand this one. Where to begin...Anne is blaming her behavior on the shooting, but she wasn't a very nice person before that. She was full of prejudice and disgust for the people of inner city Minneapolis. I was put off by her attitude then. After she is shot, she is full on hateful to Noah simply because he is Native American. This makes no sense when she knows her "savior" from the shooting was Native American and that Noah has his same eyes. Her whole condescending attitude can't be chalked up to just fear or PTSD. I was absolutely in shock when she hauled off and slapped Noah after all he did was fix her car and offer her a ride home. The most unbelievable part is that he seems to like her and even says he doesn't blame her for her actions. What?!? I read the author's note that she suffered a traumatic attack in Russia, but this character goes beyond that to just plain rude and hateful. I am sorry that I know she will end up with Noah because I don't think she deserves him.