Cover Image: Where Tomorrow Leads

Where Tomorrow Leads

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Picking up a short time after the events of the previous book, Larson, Paul, and Ben's stories continues in this poignant story of faith, friendship and love in the heart of Sudan.

An action-packed, compelling sequel to Long Walk Home, which you will not want to miss either. This series is one of my very favorites by DiAnn Mills, as she vividly brings to life the conflict and heartbreak of a war torn country.

Paul is struggling under the responsibilities of his calling to preach the Gospel, risking his life, while also supporting and being there for his family. Larson, also is devoted as ever to her work with the Sudanese people, but slowly is seeing her calling change ever so slightly with an unexpected life changing event. Also I liked how in this book we see a softer side of Ben, as he faces his own mortality, making peace with the family he left behind.

A poignant tale, filled with questions of faith, emotional depth, as well as action and suspense. A fitting conclusion to this duology, flowing seamlessly from the first book into this one, and a masterpiece of fiction combining the best of all of the sub-genres that DiAnn Mills is a master of. I was so invested in the lives of Larson, Ben, and Paul, their friendship, love, and love for the people and country of Sudan, that I didn't want to put it down. A sequel that will not disappoint!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Where Tomorrow Leads by DiAnn Mills picks up where its prequel, Long Walk Home, ends. A couple years have passed, and the population of southern Sudan is hesitantly hopeful for peace. Authorities have negotiated a new peace treaty, and things seem to be better. Larson and Paul are still committed to serving the people, in whatever way fate requires of them. Paul risks his life on outlandish missions, and Larson fears one day, he won't make it home. His whole family wants to kill him for betraying their Muslim faith. Colonel Ben Alier is still fighting in the bush, although his constant fatigue and back pain are beginning to worry him...as well as the fact that his son doesn't know he's alive. He wants to change that.

I was so excited to read this book, as I loved the first one. DiAnn Mills still provided a very good story with Where Tomorrow Leads; however, I left it slightly...unfulfilled. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this one didn't do it for me. Mills developed a very clear plot; I almost wish I could take a class from her in storytelling. Each aspect of the novel was thought out and well presented. Gunfire blazed, and lives passed in violent skirmishes. Mills kept my attention the entire book, but something about this one felt...flat. Ben, Larson, and Paul all became better, more mature individuals by the novel's conclusion. How Mills presented everything, though, made me feel like I wasn't "in the trenches" with the characters. Instead, I soared above them all in Paul's plane.

I read words; I didn't experience them. Where Tomorrow Leads by DiAnn Mills also had some loose ends that were not addressed. Without spoiling major plot points, I can't really go into them. But I will say this: I like to understand motives behind actions. It bothers me when a character does something, and I don't understand why. Just telling me, "Their beliefs led them to do this," isn't a strong enough explanation for me. That's almost like a kid on the playground, telling me "Because I said so." I love books with excitement, with lives on the line. Where Tomorrow Leads definitely has that in abundance. But...the why! I crave it, and DiAnn Mills didn't satisfy my hunger enough with this novel.

Where Tomorrow Leads is still a very good book that speaks to second chances. It talks of how God never gives up on us, and it does a good job of portraying one of the hardest aspects of the Christian faith: trust. God doesn't always give a clear answer, and sometimes, we are required to step out in faith and believe God will eventually show the way. It addresses forgiveness; and instead of the prodigal son, it's the prodigal father, returning home. I liked reading the novel, and overall, DiAnn Mills didn't disappoint. For me, though, Where Tomorrow Leads just lacked some of the spark and warmth I've come to expect from Mills. If you read Long Walk Home, I highly recommend reading this one, too. Like a lot of movie sequels, though, this one just can't match up to the original.

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Hope in Sudan book 2 finds Paul and Larson Farid married. A peace treaty has been signed between the Northern and Southern parts of Sudan, and Ben Alier is unconvinced the treaty will have any effect. Larson finds herself pregnant, Paul's brother Nazim is reaching out saying he has questions about Christianity, and there appears to be a traitor in their midst.

Where Tomorrow Leads had me picking up the book every chance I could get! I didn't want to put it down as I continued with Paul, Larson, and Ben as they navigate a war-torn country that needs as much help as it could get. Mills writes suspense so well, and this book is no departure from that!
I occasionally found myself holding my breath as I turned the pages, wanting to know the outcome would be okay!

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Where Tomorrow Leads is a very well written suspense. Fast paced plot. I highly recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and this is my unbiased review.

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"Where Tomorrow Leads" is a Christian suspense novel set in 2005 in Sudan. This is the second book in a series. It can be read as a standalone (though you'll understand the characters better if you read the first one). The second book spoils most of the events in the first book, so I'd recommend reading them in order.

There were several viewpoint characters: Larson, an American doctor who has spent many years serving in southern Sudan; Ben, a colonel in the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army who is trying to protect his people; and Paul, an Arab Christian pilot for a relief organization who was once a Muslim from northern Sudan. This provided a number of viewpoints on the situation in Sudan in 2005. A peace treaty has been signed between northern and southern Sudan, but Paul's Muslim family still has a huge reward on his head for his daring to convert to Christianity. It isn't only Paul who's in danger, especially when Larson unexpectedly becomes pregnant.

The characters were interesting, engaging, and reacted to events in realistic ways. Details about the conflict in Sudan were woven into the story and drove the action. However, the book wasn't exactly a pleasant read due to the unrelenting danger and horrible living conditions for those in Sudan. The driving question of the story was decided by the end – should Paul and Larson continue to live and serve in Sudan despite the danger involved? The story ended rather abruptly, though, with certain questions never answered and the circumstances indicating even greater danger for the future. The Christian characters struggled to maintain their trust in God's protection and guidance in the face of the danger and destruction that surrounded them. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, suspenseful novel.

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Once a member of the royal family in Sudan, Paul Farid now carries a price on his head for becoming a Christian. Called to aid his persecuted countrymen, Paul risks his life nearly daily but worries that his sometimes-reckless actions may bring harm to his wife, Larson. This war-torn country is certainly no place to raise a family . . . but that’s little comfort when Larson realizes she’s pregnant.

After fighting more than two decades against the Sudanese government’s mandates, Colonel Ben Alier is wary of the fledgling peace treaty meant to unite the north and south again. Ben vows not to give up the fight, but a pressing health concern turns his thoughts toward securing his legacy and finally acknowledging his son.

The days ahead hold no promise of peace, so Paul, Larson, and Ben must learn to trust God in all things, no matter where tomorrow leads.

This is the second book in the series. I recommend reading the first one before you read this one. The characters will make more sense. Also, the situations they find themselves in. This book had some of the same issues for me as the first one did. Too much background and not enough action. The story is good but I found myself skimming ahead to get past parts of it. Larson has finally accepted God back into her life. That doesn't mean her life is any easier. She is still trying to run a medial compound in the middle of a jungle and a war. Paul has been contacted by his brother and is trying to decide to accept his offer to meet. Ben has accepted the fact that Paul and Larson are married and are happy. He has even begun to consider Paul a friend. The news Ben receives in the middle of the book shatters his stoic personality. This is a good book with a good story line if you don't mind skimming.


I received this book from Tyndale Publishing via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any.

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This novel kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s full of adventure and danger. I enjoyed how the author intermixed faith, religion and live into the character’s thoughts. She also wasn’t afraid to show the “ lack of faith” we all experience at times. If this story reflects the real conditions in Sudan, I am heartbroken for the people there. May God rebuild their culture with His peace and love for freedom.

This book was free in exchange for this review.

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I have found that I sadly do not enjoy DiAnn Mills recent writing style. I enjoyed several of her books a couple years ago but her books in the last year are not ones I enjoy.

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I just recently discovered Diane Mills. This is the second book of hers that I read. I really enjoy her writing style. It is fast-paced and easy to read. I highly recommend this book.

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WHERE TOMORROW LEADS is the second novel in the Hope of Sudan series by Diann Mills. Although it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the books in sequence.
The story starts in 2005 in South Sudan. Dr Larson Kerr, an American doctor, has married Paul Farid, a former member of the Sudanese royal family. His family has sworn to kill him and has put a huge bounty on his head since he converted to Christianity. Both Larson and Paul love the country and the Sudanese people and are fully committed to helping them both physically and spiritually.
When Larson finds herself pregnant and with a tiny orphan baby boy to look after, Paul has to decide on what to do in order to take care of his family. Should they leave Warkou and their work in South Sudan, or would that mean a lack of faith in the God they profess to trust? When Paul's brother, Nizam, contacts Paul saying he wants to hear more about Christianity, should he believe him or is it a trap? As Larson and Paul agonize over their future we see how committed they are to spreading the Gospel in this war torn country and to following God's will in their lives.
When their friend, Colonel Ben Alier of the SPLA, is attacked by an enemy he cannot beat, he also has decisions to make. Will this serve to soften the battle weary man and even cause him to turn back to the God he stopped believing in years before?
The book is action packed and full of suspense and I guarantee you will not be able to put it down! I highly recommend Where Tomorrow Leads as an exciting and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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