Ties That Bind: A Novel [Paperback]

Brenda Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2002

It all started in college, in the turbulent sixties, when Randolph and Jenna became lovers. Randolph knew the moment he saw Jenna Haywood that he had to make her his. But the path to love is not an easy one. His wealthy Grandmother Julia disapproves of the match and unbeknowst to him, his brother's seemingly docile fiancee has a few plans of her own that she would like to set in motion. Betrayal and devastation lurks in unexpected places and tests the bond they believed was unbreakable. As they struggle with love and passion, secrets and lies the question is: Is love enough to help them see each other through the storms that await them ahead?

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Jackson (A Family Reunion) sets her new work on a 1960s college campus, where there's plenty of talk about the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Still, personal problems loom largest, as four friends form a tight bond to help one another get through final exams, love affairs, and broken hearts.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

During the 1960s, a group of Howard University students establish ties that bind them forever. Jeanna Haywood, a southern belle from Knoxville, Tennessee, and an aspiring architect, is a roommate of Ellie Stanhope and Leigh Murdoch. In an off-campus residence, Noah Wainwright and Ross Fuller are also Howard students working toward their law degrees. Noah and Leigh are both from Miami and became acquainted through Leigh's older brother, Zachary. Randolph Fuller, Ross's younger brother, has had his desires set on Jeanna from the first sight. These characters support each other through romance, college exams, the Vietnam War, the Black Panther movement, and the freedom rides in the South. As they mature from college students to professionals to parents, they remain close and an integral part of each other's lives. Some 30 years later, when their children begin to date, fall in love, and marry, these characters and families become even more entangled. This novel is a wonderful, wholesome story about love, life, friendship, and family. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312306113
• ISBN-13: 978-0312306113
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #540,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bound Together By Love, December 26, 2002

By 

J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ties That Bind: A Novel (Paperback)

The Vietnam War, the Black Panther movement and the marches for Civil Rights were causes for turbulent times in the 1960's. These events provide the setting for the novel Ties That Bind by Brenda Jackson. The story begins on the campus of Howard University in the mid-1960`s. Two young people meet and fall deeply in love. Randolph Fuller came from a family of prominent lawyers on the paternal side and from the Gullah people on the maternal side. Jenna Haywood is too dark and did not have any prestige behind her name. These differences between the two did not matter , although to Julia Fuller, Randolph's grandmother, it was a disgrace. Jenna and Randolph were in love and planned to be together for the rest of their lives. However, an obsessed Angela, who was actually the grandmother's handpicked bride for Randolph.s brother, had other plans, which included making Randolph her man. In a mixture of lies and deceit, she got her man, but paid a heavy price.

Fast forward twelve years, Angela still is obsessively in love with Randolph, but their ten year marriage has ended. Randolph found out that Jenna, whom he never stopped loving was also free. When Jenna seeks Randolph's assistance to help free an imprisoned friend, it gives them the opportunity to rekindle their romance. However, Angela will not easily give up her role as Randolph's wife. In her vengeful state, she uses Randolph's son, Trey, as a pawn and with more lies and deceit, she turns him against his father.

Advance twenty years later, all the carefully constructed lies and deception start to crumble. Every deceptive thing Angela has done comes to light. Randolph and Jenna are still married, and the estranged relationship they had with Trey is getting better. A new generation of Fullers and their friends are now finding true love like their parents.

Ms Jackson again has given her readers a passionate and romantic novel filled with sensuous lovemaking and family love that transcends beyond the main couple, and reaches into the families and friends. The legacy of the Fuller family will bring readers joy for many more anticipated sequels.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forever Yours, February 19, 2003

By 

Dawn R Reeves "tamardi" (Harrisburg, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ties That Bind: A Novel (Paperback)

Spanning thirty-seven years, Brenda Jackson's Ties That Bind introduces us to the rich and prominent Fuller family from Richmond, Virginia; the Denison family from picturesque Hilton Head Island and Glendale Shores, South Carolina; the Wainwright and Murdoch families of Miami, Florida and the Haywood family from Knoxville, Tennessee. Children from each of these families attend Howard University during the 1960s, establishing life-long friendships and intimate relationships.

Randolph Fuller falls in love with Jenna Haywood despite the misgivings and interference of his wealthy paternal grandmother who has paired Randolph with another woman of her choosing. Randolph's maternal grandmother however, accepts the union and spins her mystical power upon the couple using the island of Glendale Shores as her trump card. Grandmother Fuller has also paired Ross, Randolph's brother, with a woman of her choosing but it is Randolph who fights her every step of the way, while Ross accepts his fate to be in loveless relationship with conniving Angela Douglass. Grandmother Fuller and Angela resort to despicable plots to keep Randolph and Jenna apart.

Much of Jackson's story is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and Civil Rights movement adding realistic imagery as we watch the friends and families deal with the tumultuous and riotous times of the 1960s. Jackson has also added numerous characters in the form of friends, Leigh Murdoch, Noah Wainwright, Ellie Stanhope and Johnny Lane that make this family saga complete as we get a major glimpse into their lives. While there are numerous characters and storylines, not once is the focus lost; Randolph and Jenna remain the focal point. The story goes one step further as children are born from these unions and their stories are showcased.

Ties That Bind touches the soul, giving the reader a story that showcases quality friendships, loving families, positive African-American men and intricate and sensual lovemaking scenes. This is classic Brenda Jackson and one of her best to date!

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves, APOOO BookClub

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally showing black men in a positive light, December 7, 2002

By 

Reader in Northern VA "RB" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ties That Bind: A Novel (Paperback)

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.