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 Whiitlow is a terrific writer, and this book didn't let me down. I have a love for the people of Israel ,so this story captured me right away. I enjoyed how it went back and forth between countries. I loved the characters and how their convictions guided them. I highly recommend this book.

Robert Whitlow has written a two book series that adds a little light on the struggle in the middle east. That sometimes what you think is right is not. Clock and dagger story that was just a pleasure to read.

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.

This book was a different style than I’m used to. I was offered an early ebook copy from The First Editions book club.

I also want to mention that this book is not the first in its series. So, as a result of that, I was a bit confused with references to the characters’ back stories.

This this book, Hana and her husband Daud are trying to find “the promised land” both in the real world and in their hearts.

They are both from Jerusalem and live in the US. They moved to the US together when they worried their lives were in danger in Jerusalem. This was difficult for both of them because their families still live there.

Hana is a lawyer and translator, she is also a deeply religious Christian.
She is hired to help a client locate a mysterious artifact.

Daub works, on the surface at least, as someone attempting to bridge ties between companies in the US and Israel. But he is also working for the CIA.

When Hana and Daub realize their family is about to expand, they have to decide where to buy a home. They spend a lot of time praying together to make the choice God wants for them.

The last portion of the book picked up on an excitement level when Daub had to jump into protector mode.

This book was different than something I’d have picked myself but it was well written and had likable characters. Hana was an especially likable character.

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.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I have some mixed feelings about this book. I read the first book in the series and really enjoyed it. But for me, at times, this book felt disjointed. So many different parts.
There were times I was completely caught up in the book and drawn into the story and characters and other times I wondered why this was part of the story.
A few things bothered me that seemed too far out of reach for me to believe, like a married woman having dinner with an unmarried man and his child who adores her. This would not be a safe thing for a woman to do or healthy for the child. However, Hana did come see this had become an issue for the child, so I was glad for that.
Also, as a teacher, I had to chuckled out loud when Ben said if his daughter didn’t get her homework done he would write her a letter to excuse her. No teacher would ever accept that as okay, however, many parents might try to do this.
Like I said, there were very interesting parts to this book but it wasn’t something I loved because there was so much going on that didn’t seem connected. Eventually I did make connections but it took a really long time for me.

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions 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.

‘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.

I had read the first book The Chosen People and looked forward to reading the sequel. Book, one had readers get to know the main characters before their paths crossed, it took readers through Israel, went into the drama Hana and Daud went through when they first met and started working together. The story was fast paced and suspenseful.as their travels took them back and forth from the Promised Land and the US.

This story picks up with Hana Abbound Hasan who is a strong, smart, vulnerable and caring woman of faith. She seeks God’s guidance through prayer in a natural way. Her husband Daud Hasan, is a hard-working detective, who seeks a relationship with God in his own way. The couple are Israeli citizens living in the USA, where Hana works for a law firm in Atlanta. They both feel the need to settle down with a baby on the way, it’s not easy for them to find a place they can call home. There are so many forces against them.

This novel has a little bit less suspense and drama but it’s rich in history of Israel, having readers take in the sites, customs and food. It’s a satisfying conclusion to the first novel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Another terrific story with one of my favorite characters ever written!

A lot has changed since Hana and Daud were married. They feel that they can no longer stay in their homeland of Israel because of enemies Daud made while working with the Mossad. They believe it is best to return to America and live in Atlanta, which is where Hana’s law office. Hana continues with her work and Daud sets himself up a company to assist corporations looking to open an office in the middle east as his primary employment, but the CIA likes to use him as a contractor. While on a covert mission to extract a Ukrainian scientist, events don’t go as planned and Daud becomes the suspect of interest in a disturbance, branding him as a fugitive in Egypt.

When Jakob Brodsky calls Hana about another client, she knows it will never be a dull moment. Jakob has a new case involving some artifacts that were stolen by the Russian government during World War II. His client is hoping to locate and recover them if possible. Hana agrees to help in a limited capacity as her firm only wants her time spent on billable clients. Her boss, Leon Lowenstein, has also asked Hana to participate in a Jewish information forum to share her story. Daud agrees to oversee security for the event to not only keep Hana safe, but also show people in the United States what attending an event is like in the middle east.

Hana likes the safety of living in Atlanta, but Daud feels the call of Jerusalem. While overseas for work, he stops over in Jerusalem to talk to someone about Jakob Brodsky’s case. He never knew the events set off by this trip would eventually put everything he loves in jeopardy.

I’d like to start off by letting people know that this is the sequel to Chosen People and while it can be read as a standalone, to get the full effect of the book and characters, I highly recommended reading the first book. Promised Land is the continuation of Hana and Daud’s journey together after they were joined in the first book. This story really focuses on struggles of a newlywed couple and their adjustment to a new life. Through it all, readers get to see the selflessness of both Daud and Hana and how they are willing to give up on their own dream to see their partner’s dream come true. Sure, there are times that each character struggles with the actions of the other, but Whitlow shows how important constant communication is in a marriage.
Hana is one of my favorite characters that has ever been put into print. Her actions and demeanor speak to my soul when I read about her. I loved how her habit of waking up during the night and praying carried over from the first book. She speaks life to me and I feel like I know her. That is an extremely powerful attribute to any book. I hope she does the same to other readers.

The only issue I have with the whole book was the lack of Emily’s presence. She was a consistent supporting character for Jakob in the first book and now she is reference by name only. Here is to hoping that there is a third book that will reprise her role.

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

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 a lot I could say here about this book but I think this author says it best so I will share her quote here......


“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.” —Cara Putman, author of Flight Risk”

I received an advanced copy from
The publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

Promised Land, the second book in the Chosen People series, continues the story of Arab Christians, Hana Aboud and Doud Hasan who now live in Atlanata, Georgia. Hana is a lawyer and works with American companies setting up business in the middle east as she speaks 4 languages. Doud is an ex-Mossad agent, but now has his own private investigative and consulting agency. Caught up in a terrorist attack in Jerusalem, Doud is still being pursued by one of the terrorists' brother. This story takes the reader globe hopping from start to finish.

Whitlows' action packed story is filled with the dissension between cultures and religions that is seen in our world today. His research was evident throughout as the explanations of the various Middle Eastern cultures and religions clearly showed the differences between them. The relationship between Hana and Doud was so strongly God-centered, and I loved how they turned to God for guidance in their decision making.

I recommend this series and hope that Whitlow will add one more book to this series about Hana and Doud's new life in Jerusalem.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

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.

Promised Land builds upon the delightful tale that began with Chosen People. The bond between young Sadie and Hana is rightfully different now with the passage of time, but it's still an important relationship for both of them. The action was a little lighter than the first in the series. What was stronger was the message of marriage as a partnership and turning to God for guidance. Daud and Hana faced more than one trial within the pages and I loved seeing how they so realistically worked through them. And the meaning of the title has to do with which country will be the promised land for Daud and Hana.

Leon, a dog named for Hana's boss, was a fabulous part of this tale.

Engaging story that sheds light on tensions between Arabs and Jews.

Robert Whitlow's books always make you think. This book was a little bit deeper/heavier to me than some of his other books. Maybe because of the Middle Eastern side to it, I don't know. It took longer to read because I felt like I needed breaks to digest it and think over what I had read. But It was a very good book as always. His law expertise and how he weaves that together with the story he is telling to make it actually interesting, well, more than interesting, riveting is a more appropriate word. I don't know many authors who can make law and information about it as fascinating as Mr. Whitlow. All while weaving in deep spiritual truths and the characters walk with God.

This is my first Whitlow story and as it's the second in the series I hadn't read the first one. However, I don't think I missed anything by not having done so.

This is a challenging one for me to review. There's much to like about the story and other aspects to it I found a little lacking. Let's start with the positive. Hana Abboud Hasan is an excellent character, she is strong and vulnerable, smart and tremendously caring for everyone who comes into her orbit. I particularly appreciated how Whitlow demonstrated Hana's faith. This can be challenging for authors but here we see evidence of a woman who loves God, seeks continual connection with Him (including getting up in the middle of each night to come into His presence) and allows the Lord to guide her in all decisions. Hana has a strong spiritual heart and Whitlow does a good job describing certain spiritual experiences she has with Daud Hasan, her husband, and her uncle, Anwar, as well as her sensory perceptions when in particular locations like her homeland, Jerusalem.

I loved learning more about Israel, some of its customs and food delicacies. The enmity Israel experiences with other Middle Eastern nations was also well described. I also thought the notion of the promised land being in the hearts of believers was important to share as well as the emphasis on Israel. Hana and Daud's marriage was also well portrayed, one with its challenges due partly to their upbringing but also due to the infancy of their relationship. The growth they experienced during the story was beautifully presented.

What I grappled with during the story was the lack of real suspense. Whitlow typically writes legal thriller's as I understand and this is tagged as such, however, I didn't find much of the 'legal' being thrilling. Hana is a lawyer who works in an Atlanta law firm utilising her multilingual skills to service clients with Middle Eastern connections. But none of this really had much bearing on the story. After Daud's initial assignment (he was employed by the CIA to locate a key asset) I found the conflict in the main story to be too understated where I was ever concerned for Daud or Hana's safety. There were a number of different activities one or both of them were involved in: a rare antiquity case to be solved, a conference to speak at (Hana) and provide security services (Daud), house purchase opportunities in both Atlanta and Jerusalem, all of which in my mind lessened the capacity for real suspense. And for most of the story, the bad guys based in Qatar, rarely make an appearance.

In saying all that I'm thoroughly pleased to have read the novel because of the relational, familial and spiritual aspects I mentioned at the beginning.

I received a early release ebook version of the novel from the publisher via NetGalley, however, this has had no bearing on my review.