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.
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Promised Land is a book about coming home. Of becoming settled in your spirit and your relationships. With layers of intensity, thanks to international intrigue, moments of legal wrangling, and pages of sweet relationships, this book is rich and complex. A wonderful read.
This was my first book by Robert Whitlow and is definitely won’t be my last. I think that this book could have been much better for me if I’d read the first book in the series Chosen People. I was confused by several things that would have probably made more sense if I’d read the books in order. I plan to read Chosen People and then re-read Promised Land. After that I will amend my review if needed.
Hana and Doud are a newly married couple who live in Atlanta. They are both originally from Israel. She is a lawyer who does international law and he works for the CIA and Mossad. As the novel begins, Daud is trying to get a scientist out of the middle east and turn him over to the CIA. His mission and all that he encounters will have the reader on the edge of their seats in fear for him. His wife worries about him but she is a very strong Christian and leaves her worries with God, knowing that he will protect her husband. Hana and Doud are apart so much that they have to work to create a good marriage – they both have to learn to compromise to keep their partner happy and to remain happy themselves. One of their big issues is that Hana wants to remain in Atlanta where she feels safer and Daud wants to move to Jerusalem where he feels more at home. The title refers to the issue of whether Atlanta or Jerusalem is the promised land for Hana and Daud.
The characters are well written – I especially liked Hana who was a strong woman who kept her faith as her number one priority. The story is well written with just enough suspense to keep it moving. I’d like to learn more about these two characters so I plan to read Chosen People and then hope for a third book to the series.
This is the first novel I have read by Robert Whitlow, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Promised Land is the second book in the “Chosen People” series. I read it without reading the first book and had no problems following the characters and storyline. Daud and Hana’s story takes the reader from Atlanta, Georgia to Israel while weaving a gripping tale of intrigue and suspense. I was impressed by the author’s attention to detail and character development. The storyline had so many twists and turns that I didn’t want to put it down! I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received an ARC of this book but no review was required and these thoughts are my own.
Loved this book characters.
Good rap up to series.
Interesting take on Arabs in Israel
This was a thriller and love story where Christ was shining through the two main characters. I would give this one 8 stars if I could.
Plot is less than action packed but still good.
3.5 stars
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure.”
Hana Abboud Hasan and her new husband Daud love Jerusalem with all their heart, but for their own safety, their roots are deepening in the United States, where Hana can continue practicing law in Atlanta, Georgia and Daud can build his international consulting business. Daud’s past involvement in the upper echelon of Israeli intelligence has put a price on his head and when a covert operation compromises his identity, the bounty rises yet again. How can he manage to keep his lovely wife and unborn child safe, without compromising their mutual dream of returning to the promised land?
Simply put, I love these characters. Perhaps I love the characters more than the story, for there were places in this book when the scenes paled in comparison to the players on the stage. Hana and Daud are extraordinary; their walk with the Spirit is powerful and the freedom they find in the future is everlasting.
“Never will I leave you nor forsake you; the Lord your God is your strength and shield; the name of the Lord is a strong tower; no weapon formed against you shall prosper . . . “
This was another outstanding read. I read Chosen People last year sometime, and was struck by the setting—very, very rarely have I ever read a book set in Israel and hardly ever (never?) a contemporary fiction at that. Whitlow changed that for me, though, in both of these books—he brought that place, its people, customs, and some ways of thought—to life in a way that felt very realistic without having a touch of info-dumping or information not relevant to the story.
One thing I especially enjoyed in Promised Land was the faith element. I remember noticing it in the previous book as well, but watching Hana go about her daily life, intentionally taking time to serve the Lord, was inspiring to me. I long for a deeper, closer relationship with Him, and though she is a fictitious character, I think all of us can learn from her example. She isn’t so much a vocal person about her faith, but her devotional life is rich—and I so enjoyed watching that element in here. It’s a part I don’t see very often in other Christian fiction.
Besides the faith and setting sides, I loved the mysteries here. I also loved that though you are told what the bad guys are planning to do, you are still totally invested in the story because you want to see just how their plans work out. That’s good storytelling!
I’m not sure there was anything about Promised Land that I didn’t enjoy. I don’t think it was quite as gripping as the previous one in the series, but I was fine with that—not every book must be a thriller. Some people might not find this sequel quite as good as the previous book, but to me, it was perfect—just different. If you enjoyed meeting Hana and her family in the last story, I’d recommend this one. It’s a great read.
I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.
There was a little more action in this book than some of Whitlow’s other books, but it featured a lawyer wife and an Israeli operative. I didn’t realize that it was a Book 2, following Chosen People, which I had read, but it was awhile ago. Took me a few pages to reconnect with the characters. Better to read them close together. I appreciated the way he portrayed this newlywed couple making decisions together. If there is a book 3, I will be eager to read it, but this one did not leave the reader hanging.
My Thoughts on Promised Land:
I did not read the first book in this series, Chosen People, first. I wish I had. I will be reading it even though they’re out of order because I want to know the rest of the story.
The history that is in this novel is so fun. Finding missing artifacts from WWII is something right up my alley. I love learning the history of that time period and that’s the perfect time to have Jews working with others.
Daud and Hana aren’t returning to Israel because of the danger from enemies that Daud has made. Okay, this is where I really wished I’d read the first book first. Because then I could find out why he made these enemies, who they are, and what is going on!
Can Daud resist the call to go back to Jerusalem? Will they remain safe? Can the mysteries be unravelled?
Great read and I highly recommend it. But please do yourself a favor and read the first one first. You won’t regret it.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Promised Land is the second book in the legal thriller series, Chosen People, by Robert Whitlow. Having enjoyed reading this best-selling author’s work for many years, I was looking forward to reading this newest release and was not disappointed. Even though Promised Land is second in a series, there is enough background given throughout the book that it can easily be read as a stand-alone story. Readers find Daud and Hana, Israeli Arabs, are now living in the United States and are working through their life as newlyweds. This multifaceted story is well written as Whitlow is an expert in writing legal fiction with action, intrigue, and twists to the plot that increase the suspense and keep a reader’s interest high. With descriptive prose regarding Middle Eastern culture, customs, and cuisine, the reader is easily transported into the scenes of the book. I enjoyed how Hana’s faith in God is portrayed as a very personal and transformative belief in a God who cares about and guides His children. As she and Daud think about the future and where their ‘promised land’ might be, will she recognize that sometimes that promised land of peace is a place within and not one of geography? I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the characters in the book–friends, family, colleagues, and even Leon, the dog. I am hoping there is more to come in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and the opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.
This is a good thriller. There were some twists and turns and I enjoyed the wonderful characters. It would be fun to read more with these main characters. This had a few different stories with ancient artifacts and with terrorists. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Robert Whitlow’s second installment from his Chosen People series, Promised Land was a great read. I enjoy reading this author’s work and I was not disappointed with this one. Since this is part of a series, I believe it would be best to read the first book, also, titled Chosen People, before beginning this one. I thought the book was far from predictable. While reading this, I never knew where the story was going to go until the next page. I felt like I was taking a thrilling ride around the world. The book was full of action and adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat. I would not expect any less from Mr Whitlock. He really knows how to keep his readers engaged.
Promised Land gets a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I hope there will be more in the Chosen People series. I highly recommend this one.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Promised Land by Robert Whitlow is the second book in his Chosen People series. This is the continuing story of Hana and Daud. They now live in the United States because a terrorist group has their sites on Daud if he returns to Israel. Hana is helping her boss plan a conference on the Middle East. Daud is again enlisted to help the CIA extract a doctor from Egypt all kinds of things explode. Putting thousands of peoples lives at risk, including Hana’s and their unborn child. This story started out a little slow for me. And with the way things have always been between Israel and her neighbors you kind of had an idea what was going to happen. That being said, I think Whitlow did a great job with the story. The interaction was believable, the characters weren’t superheroes and the historical information wasn’t overwhelming. I really enjoyed it. If there is to be another book in the series I would definitely read it.
I received this book Celebrate-Lit for my honest review.
Over a decade ago, I read Robert Whitlow’s “Jimmy”, and while I don’t remember many details, I do know that I was captivated with the eponymous boy’s tragic story. I had vague intentions of reading more of this author’s books in the future, but I never ended up doing so until now. Despite not having much interest in legal fiction or politics, I decided that it was time to finally crack open another Whitlow novel. Granted, I realized after I began reading that this was the sequel to “Chosen People”, but for the most part I did not have much difficulty figuring things out along the way. I would recommend starting with book one, however, because it does set up the backstory and tension of this sequel.
“Promised Land” showcases the complex storyline that Whitlow has made his own. History, religion, and politics converge in this action-packed, educational follow-up. This story is lengthy, yet because of the pace it reads quickly. The outsiders-looking-in characters who populate this novel add another dimension, as do the languages spoken (not written). As someone with little to no knowledge of politics, I didn’t know whether I would actually enjoy this novel or not, but happily I did. There were sections that confused me, including the very beginning, simply because I am unfamiliar with Middle Eastern terms and customs. The number of characters is somewhat daunting, and I wish that their sections could have been more clearly divided, perhaps by putting their name at the beginning of the segment, as I found it difficult to keep them distinct in my mind. Whitlow’s foreshadowing, however, is very well done. There were many times throughout the narrative that my senses picked up on a character or behavior that later turned out to be significant. My favorite part of the book, however, is the faith element. Hana in particular remains firm and steadfast in the midst of upheaval and finding her life once again turned upside down. Uncle Anwar tells her, “Some promises come only through pain and sacrifice. And so it will be for you. There is a promised land without and a land of promises within. Both realms are yours to possess if you pass the tests.”
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Although Promised Land follows Chosen People, the first book in Whitlow’s Chosen People series that I somehow missed, I had absolutely no problem following the story line. This book can easily stand on its own but after reading it I am already thinking about how I can fit it into my reading schedule.
With its vivid settings in both Atlanta and Israel, wonderfully complex characters, and a plot filled with international intrigue and Whitlow’s trademark legal scenes, this book held me captive for several hours. There was enough danger and suspense to make me hold my breath a few times but it was relieved by touches of humor and love along the way. I was captivated by Hana’s songs in the night as she poured out her love for the Lord and interceded for her husband and others she loved in an amazing way.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and loved its message of hope in the midst of dangerous times.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
A thriller set both in America and the Middle East, this is a sequel to Chosen People but stands alone as an exciting read. as if torn from the daily news. Hana, of Jewish background, and Daud, an Arab Israeli, navigate their new marriage and their demanding work—hers as a lawyer and his as a sort of private investigator with danger on his heels. This novel includes complications from events from the characters’ past and current threats, ancient treasures, international negotiations, and so much more. The adrenaline keeps ramping up. Not only does the compelling tale grip the reader, but you learn about various nationalities and ethnicities and their interaction, especially concerning the Middle East. The novel oozes with intrigue and captivating characters—a long list that sometimes may be hard to track. I like the insights into the main characters’ spiritual lives (they are Christians) and Hana’s middle-of-the-night communion with the Lord as well as the great examples of handling personal relationships. You can see God at work in the story. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.
Promised Land by best selling author Robert Whitlow is a Christian legal suspense fiction that is the second book in his Chosen People Series. I have not read book one (yet!) and had no trouble following this riveting novel. It is breathtaking!
Set in both the Middle East and the United States, the author has penned a well researched, organized, and extremely well written story. It is inspirational, faith filled, and full of timely life lessons.
The characters are realistic and engaging. I was immediately invested in their stories. Newlyweds Hana and Daub are a lovely couple. The supporting characters are wonderfully believable, also. Dialog flows easily and sounds realistic.
This book is a page turning delight. There is mystery, adventure, intrigue, and stolen artifacts. It had my interest piqued and I thought about this realistic book long after I finished it. One of the things I loved was not having to search for God in the story. He was up front!
I highly recommend it. Plan on spending a lot of time with this book because because it is hard to put down. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my own, honest words.