I am a true fan of Robert Whitlow”s. This book was a little different than the other books I have read of his. It’s very good and captivating. I usually read Mr Whitlow’s books slowly because I don’t want them to end and that’s what I did with this one but as I got closer to the ending I couldn’t put it down. Hana was the definite heroine of the story. She’s a new lawyer in a prestigious law firm. She is an Arab Israeli and a Christian. Hana is given the opportunity to work on an international case. This storyline is very interesting and realistic. Mr Whitlow has a good habit of having some interesting characters surrounding this hero’s in his book. You become involved in the lives of the people. You genuinely care about them. I’m sad that I’ve finished this book and will be on the lookout for his next one. I will definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great book to read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

This novel touched me deeply on many levels. As a Christian who has traveled to both Israel and Jordan, I was delighted to return as the story brought be back to the sights, spiritual peace I found while visiting thes countries. The tension of living life in a country where Arabs, Jews and Christian co existing is really nothing like living as a Christian in America. I left like i was on an wild adventure packed with drama, mystery, a little romance and deep faith. Hana, an Arab Christian born and raised in Israel was an unexpected lead character. An attorney handling legal concerns for a prestigious international law firm in Atlanta Ga. She sunddenly finds herself knee deep in a terrorist case when a Jewish American wife and mother is brutally murdered in an Jerusalem square on vacation. An Jewish Atlanta attorney needs help pursuing financial retribution which brings him to Hana’s law firm. From there the adventure beings at a breath taking pace. Taking on “jihad” is dangerous business. I was deeply touched by Hana’s deep faith in God and how it directed here steps. I learned much about the cultural mixi of various religious in this smal country and the tension that exists living life daily. This is the best Christian fiction I have read. I am deeply thankful to the publishers, Thomas.Nelson Publishing and Net Galley for choosing me to read an early Edition of this book. I highly recommend it!

I have enjoyed many of Mr. Whitlow’s books in the past, but this one did not hit the mark for me. Knowing that it was partially set in Israel I should have been expecting the foreign stuff. Even though the descriptions of the area were very detailed I still felt overwhelmed and lost in a foreign country.

The main characters pulled at my heart strings. It was easy to want justice for Ben and Sadie, who lost their wife/mother in the terrorist attack. Hana is the perfect person to be involved in this legal case with her background of being raised in the Middle East and her ability to speak multiple languages. Then there is Jakob, who is the private practice lawyer who Ben turns to for justice. Jakob is determined to get justice for his client and does not stop even after he gets hurts. Jakob was my favourite character and I looked forward to his scenes.

The legal pursuit to find the people responsible for the terrorist attack took many twists and seemed like there would be no justice found. There was a lot of tension interweaved, with quite a few people and various groups involved it was difficult to figure out who you could trust. While I enjoyed spending time with these characters the ending left me unsatisfied.

I love Robert Whitlow’s books and Chosen People was no exception. Well written with a great plot to keep the reader engaged with the action. I highly recommend this book.

This is the first novel I have read by Robert Whitlow, so I guess Chosen People has made me an instant fan. I enjoyed the fast-paced tension-filled drama, but fell in love with the characters. Hana Abboud’s journey to seek justice for a little girl created a touching story line. The setting of the story comes alive to the reader as Hana and Jakob Brodsky seek to find the truth about a terrorist incident in Israel. The novel’s plot deals with the realistic, gritty and horrifying world of terrorism, but shines a light on the importance of faith and hope. I’d recommend this book to suspense lovers (with a bit of romance too.)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Chosen People gives me another reason why I want to read every single book written by Robert Whitlow. He is among my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint. It is one of those books that a readers connects to the characters and gets so absorbed into the story that it is hard to put down. I had it read in one day.
Chosen People is getting a well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly highly recommend it. It is one of those books that should not be missed.

Terrific international legal thriller!

Hana Abboud has always known that she would leave a chosen life ever since her uncle blessed her when she was a little girl in Israel. Now an international trial lawyer in Atlanta, she is surprised when she is suddenly pulled into a briefing by one of the senior partner’s to consider a case. Their firm was contacted by another young lawyer named Jakob Brodsky, who has taken on a long shot case concerning a family that took a trip to Jerusalem where the wife of a young couple was killed in a terrorist attack, leaving behind her husband and daughter. The lawsuit would look for an entity that supported a terrorist to claim financial damages. Brodsky is someone who loves to help the underdog fight for justice, but his claim maybe impossible when his client says that his daughter has to be kept out of the lawsuit. Although Hanna doesn’t initially want to take on this case, she fells lead to help with it and becomes the primary counsel. She hires an investigator in Israel named Daud Hasan to help find out more about the terrorist that attacked their client. As the team digs into the investigation, things start to happen that appear to target Brodsky. Is someone trying to kill the lawsuit before it even gets started? Or is there more at stake than anybody realizes?

Whitlow continues to deliver legal thrillers that are must reads. I picked up a copy of this book for a flight and breezed through it with anticipation. I even finished it before my travel itinerary was complete. I loved the way that he compared Hana to the boy Samuel from the Bible and how she was open to hearing from God. The way she knew He was calling was when she woke up in the night and would meditate to hear His voice. The Christian faith played a huge role throughout this story and also affected Jakob in his lack of faith until he went to Jerusalem.

I felt an instant connection with both Hana and Sadie. I could picture them together in every scene with perfect clarity even though very little personal descriptions were provide. The tension throughout the book was evident between the link to the terrorist and the strange occurrences with Jakob. The romance played out great as well between the characters that it was intended. I’m not going to say more on that note because I don’t want to give anything away about some possible surprise romances. Also, if you loved the show NCIS with the character Ziva David, then you will thoroughly enjoy the resemblance that Hana shares to her with the trouble of understanding American idioms.

If you love legal thrillers that are clean and just great reads, grab a copy of this today! There are a few authors that I grab off the shelf without even reading the synopsis first and Whitlow is one of those.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Robert Whitlow's legal suspense stories never fail to intrigue. His knowledge of our country's legal system adds credibility to his novels. In Chosen People Whitlow demonstrates that his knowledge is not limited to our country's borders, as this book is set in both the U.S. and the Middle East. Whitlow confronts the need to hold those who fund terrorism accountable. He also gives his readers a glimpse into the complexity of being a Christian of Middle Eastern heritage.

Hana Abboud, a Christian Arab Israeli, practices law at a firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Because of her knowledge of the languages and cultures of the area, Hana is asked to represent the firm in a case involving the death of an American woman killed by terrorists in Jerusalem. Hana would be working with an attorney from a small firm, Jakob Brodsky, a secular Jew from a Russian background, who had approached a senior partner of the larger firm about being co-counsel in the case. Their first order of business would be to uncover connections between the terrorists and a funding entity who would then be sued. Little did Hana and Jakob know the impact this case would have on their own lives.

I would recommend Chosen People, and indeed any book by this author, to fans of mysteries and suspense. Whitlow's work appeals to both men and women. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A young mother killed and her four year old daughter injured in Jerusalem draws the attention of Jacok, a young lawyer when the father wants to sue the ones responsible. Hana, an Israeli Arab lawyer and devout Christian working in an firm specializing in international law will be asked to join Jacok to find answers. Together, Hana and Jacok work together to try to bring justice for the family. Add an Arab investigator working in Israel and things do get complicated. Things aren't always as they seem .This intriguing story will grab readers from the start. With terrorists in the news every day, this is a timely novel. Recommended!

Chosen People by Robert Whitlow is a contemporary Christian legal thriller that will have you glued and guessing from the start. Theories and counter theories will fly through your head as you try to join the dots.
The novel deals with both terrorism and homeland security. Terrorism in Israel threatens the American people. A legal team must travel to the Holy Land searching for answers.
Chosen People has a very cleverly constructed plotline that is complicated and intricate, having the reader turning this way and that for answers. There is the theme of trust. At times we trust the wrong people - or do we?
Life deals blows. It makes little sense with Jesus but no sense without Him. We are urged to "receive and believe." We will then know a peace in the midst of trials.
Names are important. Our birth names may signify our destiny. Who knows if we are here for such a time as this?
The reader is treated to a cosmopolitan cast of Americans, Arabs, Israelis and Russians. The situation as we 'travel' to the Middle East is volatile. Comprehensive descriptions enable us to 'see' the rich landscape.
Chosen People held my attention from the start. I think it would make a fabulous BBC film or series- any producers out there please take note.
A thrilling roller coaster ride that will test your emotions, nerves and powers of deduction.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Chosen People by Robert Whitlow – Intrigue, Suspense & Interesting Characters – A Story That Kept Me Guessing to the End

One of my favorite authors that I’ve discovered in recent years is Robert Whitlow. If he writes a new book, I want read. I’m so glad that I was able to read Robert’s newest release Chosen People.

This book is a little different than other novels I’ve read by Robert Whitlow. Like his other books, it involves attorneys and law, but Chosen People is set against the backdrop Islamic terrorism. It includes characters that are from the Middle East and shows the impact of terrorism at a personal level.

Hana Abboud, an attorney working at law firm in Atlanta, is from Israel and is of Arab descent and a Christian which adds some interesting dynamics and cultural views to the storyline. Jakob Brodsky, a secular Jewish attorney has agreed to help Ben Neumann and his daughter Sadie bring a lawsuit against any organization or company that funded the terrorists that left his wife Gloria dead and their daughter Sadie seriously injured.

With her background and experience in Israel, Hana is the right attorney to handle this case, if she’s willing. Jakob is going to batt for a family that may not have much of a case to stand on, much less the deep pockets necessary to handle the comprehensive research and to track down people who funded these morally reprehensible murderers.

Will there be any justice for the Neumann family? Will the big law firm be willing to take a risk on this case which may go no where or run into many costly obstacles along the way? Will Hana be willing to take on a case that will bring up ugly savage images that will never leave her memory? How will she be able to handle this case long distance from Atlanta? Who will she be able to trust to be her boots on the ground in Israel to investigate the terrorists who perpetrated this savage attack? Was Jakob’s attack related to the investigation, or was it just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Mixed into the storyline is faith, Christian, Jewish, Islamic and agnostic.

I enjoyed the likable characters, found the storyline intriguing and suspenseful as people put their lives on the line to investigate and bring terrorists and those that support them to justice.

I give Chosen People a big thumbs up and recommend it highly. Robert Whitlow knows how to write great fiction, from interesting characters to a storyline that weaves together intrigue, suspense and faith. This one kept me guessing to the end.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Robert Whitlow’s new book Chosen People in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

*Many thanks to Robert Whitlow, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Netgalley for providing me with ARC in exchange for my honest review.*
My first book by Robert Whitlow was an interesting read though not a revelation. It seems that there is everything that a good Grisham-like novel needs: a legal pursuit against whoever was behind the terrorist attack in Jerusalem in which an American tourist is killed and her daughter injured, intelligent lawyers, one or two twists and turns, some background of Arab Christians living in the Middle East .... and yet, I was not drawn to the story as much as I had wished. Some parts were longish and the romance motif rather naive. All in all, the novel is worth reading if there are no other books on your bedside table.

Islamic Terrorism is a very real and scary threat in the world today. Chosen People dives into a legal attempt at holding people in terrorism accountable for their actions. Through a complex hierarchical chain of lawyers and legal agencies, Ben Neumann is seeking restitution for the murder of his wife at the hands of two terrorists. 

Hana Abboud is an interesting character with a unique perspective that she is able to bring to the table. Raised in the Middle East but living and working in America for a law firm, she is deemed to be just the right person to help with the case. She is both multi-lingual and well aware of the cultural differences between the nations. She is a strong intelligent woman with a lot to bring to the table. I don't want to give anything away, but I won't lie I was hoping for a different outcome relationship-wise for her.  Having said that, I wouldn't consider this book a romance though either.

Although I wish some differences were explained a bit more, I thought it was interesting to see the characters travel to Israel and experience what it was like in Israel. I liked that the author added a bit of tourism as I resonated with Jakob over his interest in seeing the sites of Jesus. There is a lot of division discussed in Israel in regards to not only location but ethnicity of the people. I admit to being confused in a few places because I wasn't sure if events were handled the way they were truly due to cultural tension or some underlying deceit. It at least made for a more interesting story.

This is a book I would recommend to readers who are interested in legal fiction and  relations with the Middle East. I wouldn't consider the story very action-packed but would say it's more about the obstacles the legal system faces in identifying and prosecuting terrorists. It's an interesting read and will certainly leave you thinking.

*I received a copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit Tours and NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

Chosen People
By Robert Whitlow
This was a great book to read. I am typically a Christian historical and romance reader, however, I decided to switch things up a bit. This book definitely did that. I think that it was well developed and held elements of suspense and interest throughout the book. I don't know if the romance was on point since it seemed a bit intense of a situation to decide to fall in love but that is love I guess, it happens when least expected. Overall though it was a good read that I would recommend.

I have read Whitlow before and was not as impressed as others. He seemed like John Grisham lite. In Chosen People, the legal fiction writer has matured in his storytelling. His style may not be as easy as the king of legal fiction, but he has developed a skill all his own. There was a great deal of tension throughout the story, but the ending seemed a bit rushed. A pretty good read overall.

Robert Whitlow's Chosen People was different than his previous books that I have read. His previous books seemed folksy and slow paced, Chosen People was like a speeding bullet through the Middle East. The action was extremely fast-paced and the characters were very likable. A local Atlanta attorney, Jakob Brodsky has accepted a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act. A man's wife was killed and his daughter injured by terrorists in the Middle East. However, the local attorney needs the help of a large legal firm with deep pockets. Enter Hana Abboud a Christian Arab working temporarily in the USA. Hana's firm takes the case but her boss, one of the partners, has assigned her as the lead. The book is seen through the eyes of the Christian and Jewish Characters. Chosen People had all the makings of a Tom Clancy book. As a reader, you were not really sure which people were good and which were bad. Making it extremely hard to know who to trust. Excellent Book. Highly recommend.

I've read all of Robert Whitlow's books so I had great expectations for Chosen People and I was not disappointed. Once again Mr Whitlow has written a story that captured my attention right away. The characters are so well developed I could picture them in my mind's eye as they developed in the story. The plot is interesting and informative. The main character, Hana Abboud, has the unique viewpoint of being an Arab Israeli who is Christian and a lawyer. This is a great book from beginning to end.

Thank you #Thomas Nelson and #NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are completely my own.

CHOSEN PEOPLE by ROBERT WHITLOW is right "up there" as one of the best books I have ever read! I have enjoyed all this author's novels, but this is definitely my new favourite. What an inspirational read!
Hana Abboud is an Arab Israeli follower of Jesus Christ, who is asked by the American law firm where she works to help Jakob Brodsky, a secular Russian Jew, to obtain justice for a family who suffered terrible loss at the hands of terrorists in Jerusalem. Although Hana is proud of her family's heritage, she recognizes and follows the Jewish Messiah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Running through the story is an almost palpable love for the Jews as God's chosen people, for His holy city Jerusalem, and for His people, whether Jew or Gentile. We see His purposes unfold, the awareness of His Presence which is especially close in Israel, and the times of refreshing only He can bring.
It is legal suspense at its very best. It is a story of courage and conviction against a backdrop of subterfuge and hatred.
I feel that the main characters in the book are actually Israel, the land God gave to His chosen people, and the City of Jerusalem.
I was given a free copy of the book by Thomas Nelson from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

My favorite book of the year! The author has woven together several genres (law, terrorism, faith, romance, detectives) and a variety of characters, each of whom is well developed, into a an exceptional novel.. When lawyer Jacob brings a difficult case to one of Atlanta’s largest firms, associate Hana is the logical choice to assist. Fluent in several languages, raised in Israel as an Arab Christian, Hana can’t turn away from the little girl and her dad who are trying to be compensated for the loss her mother to terroriis. During the investigation, Hana falls in love with her investigator, finds her faith tested, witnesses to others, and finds her life threatened. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.