Rating: 
Summary: My kinda book!
Review: A big, sweeping saga covering 37 years in the lives of a group of students at Howard University. This novel's strong point is the expert plotting. Everything came together beautifully (making the title even more significant), and in spite of the large number of major characters it is written in a fashion where the reader won't get confused. It's been years since I read something so well put together, and I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good story.Also a factor in this story's success is the research. I had the feeling of actually being there. I could actually see the beauty of the the island in South Carolina. I could almost smell the ocean. The numerous historical tie-ins accented the timeline nicely (but I had some difficulty accepting that the wife of an attorney would work as a flight attendant, not a particularly high-paying position and one that requires a lot of time away from home.) As a reader I was really drawn into this book. The characters seemed so real. I truly cared about these people, and I feared for the safety of the three young men, one who became a Black Panther and two who went to Vietnam. I soon realized that one of them virtually had to be eliminated for plot purposes, but nevertheless I was holding my breath! There were plenty of wonderful touches. Grandma Mattie's special gift, for instance. The abundance of do-right African-American men, especially Harry, a minor character who is to be commended for putting up with Angela and standing by her when she needed him. The family bible that was over 100 years old. So why four stars and not five? For starters, a couple of things struck me as odd. I was amazed when the story progressed to 2002 and three of Randolph's four grandparents were still alive (They'd all been elderly when first introduced in 1965.) Randolph himself was nearly 60 in 2002. His grandparents would likely about 100. The bible notation said Miss Mattie married her husband in 1922, 80 years before, and presuming her daughter was the same age or even a little older than the Fullers' son, then Julia and Robert Fuller would have been married at least 80 years and would be 100 or close to it at the least. Yet neither Julia nor Robert were painted as being slow-moving and feeble, in spite of a stroke Julia suffered in 1970, 32 years before. She and her husband walked to the study along with everyone else -- no mention of wheelchairs or canes, not even leaning on anyone for support. The very fact that they were still alive at their age, much less walking under their own power, and married for more than three-quarters of a century are all achievements that deserved to be acknowledged. I also felt the matter of a formal adoption of Haywood should have been addressed, at least Jenna and Randolph's reasons for not doing so, especially with him being an attorney. Haywood asked Randolph if he would be her daddy when she was a small child and grew up calling him "Dad." She was described as having been close to her natural father, but she was only about 5 when he died and later alluded that he had been sick prior to his death, so how close could they have been? Granted, an adoption making her a Fuller would have cast a somewhat distasteful pallor over the subsequent events that occurred when Haywood grew up, but I would have liked to seen an actual reason why she wasn't adopted other than it would have interfered with the plot. Any project this ambitious needs meticulous editing, and I was jolted out of the story by some mistakes that should have been corrected. The use of the present-day term "African-American" used in 1965. (Afro-American, yes. African-American, no.) A great-grandchild referred to as a grandchild in a will. A character concluding an emotional scene with "Now got [sic] out." The improbable term, "she said silently" not only jolted me out of the story, but practically out of the house. I had to stop reading until the next day until I could get back into the story. All of these and more should have been caught before publication. I'd also like to see Ms. Jackson display a little more imagination in her writing to go along with her fabulous storytelling ability. The use of the clichéd term "prim and proper" was used to utter excess in conjunction with Angela, and to a lesser extent with Julia. I also got tired of the tendency to tell rather than show. Ms. Jackson demonstrated a fondness for terms like "It was evident," "Evidently," "It was apparent," "Clearly," "It was indicated," etc. This grated on my nerves and in many cases represented unnecessary explanation, for the emotions or mood had been conveyed by the way the person spoke. Finally, the author too often relied on these terms to show facial expressions, with statements like "It was evident that he (how he felt), and it was also evident that she (how she felt) as well," or "shock was evident on her face." But those points aside, this was a very, very good book. Read it. It'll give you a warm, tingly feeling when you're done.
Rating: 
Summary: Great!!!!!!
Review: A strong and gripping novel that proves true love can stand a test of time and nothing can sever the ties that bind.
Rating:
Summary: Ultimate Love Story
Review: Although this is a work of fiction, the story of Jenna Haywood and Randolph Fuller is evidence that "soul mates" do exist. This love affair began when Randolph and Jenna were in college and never faltered. Tragedy sent them their separate ways, living separate lives.
Later, when Jenna calls on Randolph for a favor (to represent an old college friend on trial for murder) they realize that they are still very much in love with each other even after 12 years of separation. Randolph and Jenna's lives together and apart are infused with lies, deceit and tragedy but their love is the tie that binds. Brenda Jackson's writing is simply amazing. Reviewed by Ronna Walls
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: How can I start. This story takes place during the civil rights movement when America was just starting to realize what it was up against. Jeena and Randolph go thru so much to have love, that it made me cry for them. Yes, they have the tie that binds. Brenda Jackson writes in a way that makes you feel for each event and character in the story. Of course I hated Valerie. Ross deserved better. Some parts of this story is so close to my life that I could not stop reading. I hope they make this a movie. Blair Underwood would be good as Randoplh and Seenta Lathan (Love and Basketball) Jeena. The evil grandmother really is typical of a over protective grandparent. But the story goes to show that you really never know what life holds.
Rating:
Summary: Different and Well Appreciated
Review: I am a member of the FM Band Book club and I totally enjoyed Ties that Bond. The history lessons were totally enjoyable. I also always apprciate a happy ending. This was very much a page turner, our book club members enjoyed the authors style so much we selected another Brenda Jackson book for our next months book. We selected "Savvy Sistahs", have not started it yet but I am looking forward to it.
Rating:
Summary: Different and Well Appreciated
Review: I am a member of the FM Band Book club and I totally enjoyed Ties that Bond. The history lessons were totally enjoyable. I also always apprciate a happy ending. This was very much a page turner, our book club members enjoyed the authors style so much we selected another Brenda Jackson book for our next months book. We selected "Savvy Sistahs", have not started it yet but I am looking forward to it.
Rating:
Summary: Ties That Bind
Review: I have read all but one of Brenda Jackson's books and this one is definitely one of the best. She really has a handle on this love thing. It's a MUST READ!
Rating:
Summary: Just superb
Review: I read this book in one day ignoring my husband and 4 month old baby in the process. I felt guilty afterwards and spent the next 2 days being overly attentive. But, I just could not put this book down. The story line is great with enough drama, twists and of course the sensuous romance that Ms. Jackson is known for. The book spans over 30 years and is divided into 3 parts. I fell in love with Jenna and Randolph as well as Leigh and Noah; and loved to hate Angela. Ms. Jackson you have outdone yourself and I can't wait to read more of your mainstream novels. Keep up the good work
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I had it for a couple of months before actually getting down to read it. I am glad that I took time to open it because I couldn't put it down once I started getting into it. I made time in between school work for this one! This story made me cry and feel extreme emotions for the characters. I am recommending this book to all of my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Finally showing black men in a positive light
Review: It was quite refreshing to read a book in which the author characterized black men as committed to a love relationship. This book should be read especially by young black males so that they can see that they do not need every woman they meet. I was particularily impressed how the author used as a backdrop the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. She so eloquently told how these events affected the lives of black people too. I personally see this novel as a major film with major actors! It has all the makings of an endeared film to last for decades. Hollywood take the chance; you want be disappointed! A must read! I have told all my friends about it. I look for more from this author.
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