Tying the Knot

I thought at first I wouldn't like this book as it was a little too heavy on the romance side, but it smoothed out and there were wonderful Christian values and challenges displayed. Loved how the characters worked through the tough times.

Anne is a former EMT who's now a candidate to be a nurse. She's relocated to Deep Haven, MN to escape the gang violence she experienced first hand in Minneapolis. Anne is hoping to settle down and start a new quiet life in the town. However she keeps running into Noah Standing Bear, who is trying to start up a summer camp for troubled teens from the city. The two have many disputes and arguments as they both try to struggle with their former lives from the past. Also someone is stealing drugs from the hospital and attacking nurses. Fear from those who can help enters the little town. I enjoyed returning to Deep Haven again. I wish I could visit this quiet town to go away to relax. I definitely make a stop at the bookstore for a read and cup of coffee. The characters in the town are all friendly and for the most part everyone gets along. However, at first Anne's treatment of Noah gets really annoying. She blames him for everything wrong that happens to her and there's a lot of prejudice in her accusations. I understand that because of her attack she's very wary of people and not able to trust easily. However you feel for Noah that he can't do anything right in Anne's eyes. He doesn't even have to be near her and she gets into a rage about him. She's prejudiced towards him because of what her attacker had done to her. I did like the story overall. Gang violence is a topic that is a big issue in major cities. It's sad that many teens and even children are affected by gangs. Many families are torn apart because of killings and it's almost normal to hear that a friend has been shot or hurt by a gang member. It's a good eye opener that we should help people in those situations instead of ignoring them. I also liked the use of a minority character, sadly it's still rare in Christian fiction to find a main character that is not Caucasian. This book was an interesting look into what happens when you have to fully trust God even when you're scared to.

This book was harder for me to get into. The horror of being attacked and trying to rebuild...faith in God, faith in Humanity, faith in yourself. It's a tough subject to tackle and while we watched the heroine heal it also helped me to heal. Having lived in gang territory in Minneapolis for 10 years, I appreciated the research put into this book. Having lived through a brutal attack, I appreciated the insight, the love, the healing brought to my soul and my mind just from reading this book. Kudos for tackling a darker subject and making it shine. To some, books are just words, for others they become a LIFEline. Thank you.

As this entire series did, "Tying the Knot" propelled me through at break neck speed. Great spiritual insight interwoven with great story.

This book was truly a delight to read! In addition to being enjoyable and entertaining, the story line was believable, and the characters' reactions to each other (although exasperating when you have the benefit of knowing the mind of both people), were so realistic and typical of people falling in love! And the main male character, Noah, was so funny that I found myself laughing out loud repeatedly! Then at other times I was moved to tears or on the edge of my seat, which, to me, is a sign of a good book! And (as it should be with Christian fiction), the story line is as much about the characters discovering and working through areas in their lives where they have misconceptions of God and need healing than it is about the romance that develops between them. As with all of Warren's other works that I have read, this story ministered to me and helped me grow in my understanding of who God is, and it helped me to be able to relate to others who may be struggling with issues that are different than my own. This book is a great read from both an entertainment and a faith perspective and I highly recommend it.

WOW!!! I loved Susan May Warren's first DEEP HAVEN,1 HAPPILY EVER AFTER but now? the second of the series DEEP HAVEN,2? TYING THE KNOT? These characters are just as sweet and intriguing. I can't wait for DEEP HAVEN,3 to come out! How do you do it, Ms. Warren? Noah Standing Bear and Anne Lundstrom don't seem to have a prayer of making it over so many obstacles in their way but can they do it? I was almost sure not so! But? Maybe my Faith is not big enough.... Can theirs be? As well as the influence God plays in this romantic novel? Read it so you will find the joy and happiness Ms. Warren brings into our hearts and makes them sing. Thank you Ms. Warren for writing once again a page turner for us! Loved it!