With historical mysteries, religious intrigue, and political danger, Promised Land asks one momentous question: what if your calling puts you–and your family–in the crosshairs?Despite their Israeli citizenship, Hana and Daud cannot safely return to their homeland because a dangerous terrorist ring is threatening Daud. Hana is perfectly fine remaining in the United States, working for a law firm … United States, working for a law firm in Atlanta, especially when she learns she’s pregnant. But Daud can’t shake the draw to return home to Israel, even if it makes him a walking target.
Hana is helping her boss plan a huge Middle East summit in Atlanta when Jakob Brodsky, her old friend and former co-litigator, asks for her help with a current case. His client is attempting to recover ancient artifacts stolen from his Jewish great-grandfather by a Soviet colonel at the end of World War II. Because the case crosses several national borders, he knows he needs Hana’s knowledge and skill to get to the bottom of what happened to these precious artifacts.
Meanwhile, Daud is called in to help a US intelligence agency extract a Ukrainian doctor from a dangerous situation in Egypt. While overseas, he can’t resist the call of Jerusalem and thus sets off a series of events that puts thousands of people in danger, including his wife and unborn child.
Bestselling author Robert Whitlow explores the meaning of family and home–and how faith forms the identity of both–in this breathtaking follow-up to Chosen People.
more
Although this is the second book in The Chosen People Novels I was able to read it as a stand-alone and follow what had happened to Hana and Daud in the previous installment. I found it fascinating to read about a different culture adapting to life in the United States including foods they eat. I loved the concept of the story and the dangerous situations they became involved in. You will travel from Georgia to the Middle East and experience the landscape, housing, cuisine, friendships, and family, as well as the evilness of jihad. My only problem with this book is I personally felt disconnected from the characters….like I was on the outside looking in instead of being drawn into their lives. I loved that Hana spent time in the middle of the night reading scriptures and praying and felt we should all be as devoted as she was. I enjoyed the addition of Leon, the dog, and the child, Sadie. Their interactions with Hana made her more real. I enjoyed the book and the pacing of it.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Promised Land by Robert Whitlow is a marvellous contemporary Christian suspense that will totally consume the reader. It is the second book in the Chosen People series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The action is fast paced and thrilling. It concerns the CIA, Mossad and the sensitive relations between the Arabs and the Israelis. The situation in the Middle East is volatile as questions of trust arise. Due to the comprehensive descriptions the reader can almost ‘feel’ the hot, sandy atmosphere tinged with suspicion. The location comes to life.
In contrast there is a slightly calmer atmosphere in America but there is still the question of homeland security.
Family is important. New lives springing up as well as families expanding with new relations. Children, their well-being and happiness are at the heart as past traumas begin to heal.
The reader sees marriage as God intended with Jesus at the centre. When we include Him in our lives, we can receive a peace in spite of our circumstances.
We were made to worship. “The words she sang swirled upward as intercession to God.” God delights in our prayers and praise. When He invites us to ‘come’, there will always be something important to hear. “Her time with the Lord in the night was an invitation, not a command.” God issues invitations because He desires a relationship with each and every one of us.
Promised Land was a complex, thrilling read. I think it would make a marvellous Netflix series. I am looking forward to more by Robert Whitlow.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
There is so much I want to say about this book but I have to leave some details out. If you are like me, you don’t like to have someone spoil a book for you. The book is written so well with expert details of Israel and other foreign lands. I loved hearing about the language, cuisine and customs described in the book. I felt as if I had traveled with Hana and Duad to their homeland. As I’m reading the book I had flashes of news reports where bombs had gone off in a foreign country much like the danger Duad finds himself in.
The book contains several plots that really kept the energy going throughout the book. One relationship I found interesting was with Hana and a young girl named Sadie. It seems that the young girl wants Hana to be her new mother. Will Hana be able to explain to the girl that it will not be possible without hurting her?
Hana is well versed in several languages which helps her at her job. I loved reading about the treasures and the history behind it. It worried me a little that Hana may not be able to close the deal she has worked so hard on. I can’t forget to mention Leon, Hana’s dog. There is something quite funny about his name that you will discover as you read the story. It makes for a lighthearted moment in a very tense story. I loved how the author includes faith throughout the story and I learned more about other religions.
Duad is a dashing man who is intelligent and in very much demand for secret missions. He will find himself in a battle for his life as someone is after him. The author does show us how insensitive people are when a racist mark is made about Duad. Oh how I wish someday we could get away from seeing people differently and just see them the way Jesus does.
The ending is nothing short of an adrenaline rush that had me on the edge of my seat. I love how the book has intense drama, faith, a bit of humor wonderful characters and the importance of family. This is one book that goes directly to my best books for 2020.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This is a big change from Robert Whitlow’s typical legal thrillers. To be honest, I found this book very difficult to get into and I did not find it appealing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the characters but it wasn’t a page-turner for me. I did enjoy reading about other cultures.
‘There is a promised land without and a land of promises within. Both realms are yours to possess if you pass the tests.’ – a blessing from Great-uncle Anwar
Having throughly enjoyed Chosen People, I was looking forward to getting to know Hana and Daud a little better. This book certainly did not disappoint! As Christian Arabs they are in a unique position to influence many, especially since they are both fluent in several languages. Since Israel is no longer a safe place for them, they live and work out of Atlanta, GA. – she as a lawyer and he in intelligence and security. Leon, the dog, is just precious and brings a great deal of love and joy into the home.
This incredible story of mystery, intrigue and suspense was action packed and had me holding my breath at times. I loved to see how Hana and Daud learned to work together in their marriage. Their continued seeking of God’s will led them through both danger and blessing. A lesson we could all learn, I’m sure. Young Sadie has become a force to be reckoned with and I enjoyed watching the relationship between Hana and her grow. I must admit I hope there is a third book coming!
This ARC was received through Thomas Nelson, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.
Wow! Also love Whitlow but this sequel to Choden One is fabulous! I lost most of a night’s sleep because I couldn’t stop reading til I finished. So enlightening to get into the lives of Arab Christians of which I know none. Now rereading Chosen One to refresh myself on the back-stories.
This book should be made into a movie. Action packed, suspense filled and engaging.
I liked the couple Daud and Hana. Their relationship was unique due to a lot of hurdles they crossed to be together. Daud was a security personnel who works intelligence and that took him a lot to the Mideast where his heart was and where he hoped to make a life. Hana a lawyer who works with a law firm where she does legal work and helps translate Hebrew to English and vice versa. Their mideastern heritage opens them to a whole world described in this book.
The story of this book will open your eyes to life in the middle east for the Jews and Arabs and the conflicts they go through.
I particularly liked the faith content of this book, that’s actually what made me pick it to read. I loved reading about Hana’s relationship and fellowship with God. It was so refreshing.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
Captivating read full of mystery and intrigue:
This book seamlessly combined politics, intrigue and religion. It was fast paced and action filled yet still with a human interest side that made it spellbinding. I thought the authour gave an accurate portrayal of the situation in the Middle East and it provided insight into both sides of the equation. The book was informative yet the plot wasn’t bogged down by all of the facts.
I also found Hanna’s faith and quiet times with God inspiring and moving. This was book two of the series and I would recommend reading them in order so as to get a complete picture of this young families journey.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Incredible! I would give Promised Land 10 stars if I could. Robert Whitlow did an excellent job creating his characters, Hana and Daud and creating the storyline. He must have done tremendous research and it shows. This is a very action-packed, fast-paced novel. The intrigue and mystery are so intense it is palpable. Promised Land was one of those books where you know something bad is going to happen and you don’t want to finish it. Hana and Daud are both Christian Israelis living in Atlanta. Hana is an attorney and her husband Daud is a private investigator and an independent contractor. When Daud’s business starts threatening with his private life they must decide the best course of action to alleviate the threat. High praise for Promised Land. I would strongly recommend.