A native of New York, Zahava Englard lived in Teaneck, NJ, before moving with her family to Israel in 2006. An outspoken activist in the United States on behalf of Israel, she served as trustee on the executive board of One Israel Fund and as its executive director. Presently Zahava lives in Efrat, Gush Etzion. Her writing includes Settling for More: From Jersey to Judea, and she lectures in the United States and Israel about her books, Jewish activism, and her passion for Israel s well-being. This is her first novel.

"Author and activist Englard s debut novel (after the nonfiction Settling for More: From Jersey to Judea) is a heart-wrenching and suspenseful tale of love set against the backdrop of an Israel embroiled in conflict. Dara Harow grew up in the U.S., but her grandfather s stories of his time in Israel impel her to visit. In the summer of 1983, Dara travels to volunteer on a kibbutz at the base of the Gilboa Mountains, though her parents insist she return home in time for her freshman year at Columbia University. In addition, her father is a rocket physicist with the U.S. Department of Defense, and is concerned about what message his daughter s time in Israel will send to the U.S. government. While on the kibbutz, Dara falls in love with Roni, a young Israeli officer in an elite counter-terrorism unit, and they soon make plans to marry against her parents wishes. Dara s life, however, is hurled into turmoil when a terror cell targets her father in an attempt to procure information regarding the U.S. s advanced rocket technology. Set within one of the world s most contentious regions, Englard crafts a fast-paced, spine-tingling story of danger, suspense, and of course love. (April)" -- Publishers Weekly

"Riveting breathless action a rousing story of romance!... The Gilboa Iris weaves together the timeless love story of Dara and Roni, a feisty American student and a brilliant Israeli commando, against the backdrop of global terror involving the infiltration of the US s defense stratum and a double homicide on American soil. Zahava D. Englard merges wit, history, adventure and the triumph of the human spirit into a sensational read!" -- Grace Bennett-Inside Chappaqua Magazine

"It was tough to tear my eyes away from The Gilboa Iris. While the main character is not family(!) I did relate to her story and its incorporation of the very real tensions, terrorism fears and other issues that so many of us in the Western world must deal with today. A fast-paced, exciting read that has you praying for a happy ending." -- Eve Harow, Israel National Radio Show host

"Hard to believe The Gilboa Iris is Zahava Englard s first novel it sizzles, oozing passion of all kinds. Great plot, fascinating characters and, best of all, it s brimming with local lore. Don't miss this one!" -- Yocheved Miriam Russo Freelance journalist, Israel

"This moving story of love, death, rebirth and survival is a great read." -- Ruthie Blum, American-Israeli author and social critic