Get ready for a read that will cut straight through you heart, challenge you, and bring you hope. Musser has a way with words, and while I hadn't read the first two books (which I need to rectify), I still thought the characters were developed and knew enough of the backstory that I was ok with it. This story is full of emotion. Get ready for the ride.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book as I am a mother and a walker also. This book continues the story that Elizabeth has begun in previous books and I enjoyed following up with the characters. I appreciated the growth in each of the characters and was emotionallly connected to them by the end of the story. The conclusion was satisfying also. I shared this recommendation with a reading buddy and she, too, especially enjoyed this story.

As a warning, this book does contain some real life topics like premarital sex and drinking but as usual, the author handles it with grace and the reader doesn't feel assaulted with it. This was a very enjoyable story.

Wow! Just wow!! This book was amazing.

The story followed the lives of four people walking the Camino pilgrimage for about 200 kilometers in France. The descriptions of the places they visited and the path they walked made me want to buy a ticket and fly to France to walk it as well. And then listening in as Rasa, Bobby, Caroline, and Abbie wrestled their demons and fought their battles through the journey made you root for each individual and want to see them win the fight.

Then I got front row seats to the victories as well which beautiful and even a bit unexpected at times. Underneath the basic story, the fragile threads of a mystery hovered just below the surface waiting for the right moment to reveal itself and come to a final conclusion, a conclusion that was a bit unexpected to me.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved that it is the third book in the Swan House series. While each book can be read on its own, it made me wish I had just recently read The Swan House and The Dwelling place to have a more recent memory of those stories. There is a fourth book coming at some point too, hopefully.

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have read a couple of books by this author before and enjoyed them, but this one just didn't hold my attention. I think it was a case of wrong book, wrong time.

The Promised Land is the story of three Americans who each decide – for reasons good and bad – to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago, from the village of Le Puy in southern France to the Spanish border (the full walk ends in Santiago, and covers a thousand kilometres or more, depending on where the pilgrim chooses to start: Rome, or somewhere a little closer).

I’ve been interested in the Camino since I saw the Martin Sheen movie, The Way. Based on the book description, I was expecting the characters to start their Camino pilgrimage at the beginning of The Promised Land, and for most of the story to be set on the Camino (as it was in the Way).

That was not the case. The first part of the story is spent introducing the main characters: Abbie, the housewife whose well-organised life is unravelling; Bobby, her oldest son, who wants to be an artist even though his mother wants him to go to college, and Caro, a sometime photographer for the online paper where Bobby interns in photography and graphic design.

Abby is a strange combination of annoying and endearing. She’s a complete control freak, something which has driven her husband and sons away. And she’s endearing in that it’s hard to feel any ill-will towards her, because she’s always acting out of love. She just doesn’t realise she’s been smothering her husband and children, and that’s effectively pushed them away.

Bobby is a typical teenage boy in many ways, but his heart is in the right place and he has good motives. He’s likeable and responsible, even when his mother is annoying him and everyone else.

Caro was probably the most complex character. The story flips between her present and her past, back to a time where she made a bad judgement call over a relationship that had far-reaching effects, effects she hasn’t been able to forgive herself for.

As with all Elizabeth Musser’s stories, there are deep spiritual truths hidden in the pages, particularly with Abby’s personal journey (or perhaps I thought that because she’s the character who best represents my stage in life). The challenge with deep spiritual truths is to show them in a way that feels consistent with the characters, as opposed to preaching to the reader. Musser achieves this with a seeming ease.

The Promised Land is a standalone story that includes characters from several of Elizabeth Musser’s earlier novels: The Swan House, The Dwelling Place, and The Long Highway Home. Recommended for those looking for Christian fiction that will both inspire and challenge their faith.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

The Promised Land is book 3 in the Swan House series, though Musser notes that each book can be read on its own and not in any order. I hear that the first books tell the back story of some of the characters. I haven’t read them yet and I was able to read this book and find out about the characters as it moves along.

Abbie, her son Bobby, Rasa, and Caroline walk the French Camino together. They all have events in their lives that have them grieving and search for truth. They have to learn one of my favorite quotes in the book “You can be lonely in a crowd of people. But solitude is different. It’s gathering up what the Spirit is saying, a chance to meditate on the beauty of what you’ve been given. Solitude is a gift.”

Reading The Promised Land was a journey for me. I thought about the Psalms of Assent that Abbie read. I was brought back to almost 16 years ago when I had my cardiac arrest. Thinking about my time of recovery I realize I was on my own journey of the Camino at the time. I had a time of solitude that brought me closer to Jesus.

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishing and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

It took me a while to get into the story, but I was cheering for Caro and Abbie to find their "lost selves" on the Camino journey. I realized further in that the first few chapters had to give the back story on the four travelers so that we could measure their progress on the trip.
At the end of the book, it asks with which character do you relate. I liked the question and could find myself with both Abbie and her son. The stories of Rasa and Caro were too unique (thankfully) for my own experience.

Thanks to Bethany House for the free book.
When I started this book, I didn’t realize it was part of a series, and it read wonderfully as a standalone. I loved this book. The characters take a pilgrimage, and it’s so different for each of them, yet I found myself able to relate to parts of each of their journeys. The author weaves God and his goodness in so well. There are so many great reminders about his character in this book. There was a lot going on here, but I didn’t feel overwhelmed. The story built slowly, and I appreciated this because I could see the gradual changes in the characters, which mimics real life.
i’d recommend this one to readers who need a reminder of God’s faithfulness and unwavering character.

Endearing! I loved the premise of going on a pilgrimage journey at the Camino. It has a gentle pace and I felt this matched this story of healing and letting go.

I have enjoyed Elizabeth Musser's The Swan House series and The Promised Land does not disappoint. It gets five stars from me.

In this book, Musser writes of several different relationships which need mending. A marriage relationship, a parent-child relationship, and especially a relationship with God. The primary protagonist is a person who is going through life thinking God needs her help, but as she walks the Camino, she comes to understand many things about herself and about God. A wonderful book which helps one become more introspective.

The Promised Land is the third book in Elizabeth Musser's The Swan House series. I must admit, I did not realize that this was part of a series until after I'd finished reading and sat down to write this review. It truly felt like a complete story as a standalone. I would still be curious to go back and see what I missed in previous books though!

In this book, we meet Abbie in the midst of some huge changes in her life. She has moved into a smaller home, her sons have left and in the midst of it all her husband has announced he wants a separation. When her oldest son Bobby informs her that he will be inviting Rasa- an Iranian refugee he has just met- along with him on the Camino Pilgrimage, she invites herself along as a chaperone of sorts. This story follows the journey of Abbie, Bobby, Rasa and Caroline- a journalist documenting the pilgrimage while on her own journey of discovery. While all have very different struggles and reasons for going on this journey, I enjoyed seeing how their stories and their lives were intertwined--- often in unexpected ways. It is a beautiful story of faith, healing and forgiveness that I personally enjoyed.

I read a lot of books. Seriously, a LOT. Pair that with a horrible short term memory and I must admit that I tend to forget quite a bit from the books I have read until then. Still, there are always a few books that really stick in my mind long after the final page. Among these books was another great read by Elizabeth Musser called When I Close My Eyes. I loved the beautiful way she discussed mental illness and Christianity within that story. As I finished The Promised Land, I couldn't help but think that this will be another one that stays with me for a very long time. She has such a beautiful way of creating characters and journeys that draw you in and tug at your heart. In this book, one particular moment really resonated with me--- a moment in which the pilgrims laid their stones at the foot of a cross. This reminded me so much of one of my own 'wow God' moments which involved laying stones at the cross and turning it all over to God. It was a really powerful moment in my own life, and as such brought a lot of power to this moment in the book.

Overall, this was an absolutely beautiful and inspiring read, and one that I would highly recommend.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

Literally finished this book at 11:55pm! What I didn't realize was, this is a series. lol The third book to be precise. Ooops

This was such an interesting book. I don't know when a setting has also seemed like a character in a story, not just a place. I don't know about your, but now I want to go walk the Camino. I think anyone who reads this story will feel the same way.

Oh, the characters in this story. Each one tugged on my heart in so many different ways.

First there's Abbie. Goodness I could relate to her in so many ways. She holds on to her husband and boys so tightly. While it suffocates them, it gives her false sense security. I can understand why they're all trying to get away from her. Unfortunately, her son, Bobby, can't get far enough away because she invites herself on HIS trip along the Camino. That poor kid. He's just trying to enjoy his gap year away from his controlling mom...

And then there's Caroline. Whew, talk about a hot mess, but once you learn her story you understand why she is the way she is. Your heart goes out to her, but cringes at the same time because of the choices she's making!

I love the Camino because it sounds SO inviting. The author makes it come alive for readers. The little villages they stay in, how welcoming people are, the community of pilgrims, etc. They give such a sense of unity of humanity through this story.

Also, I enjoyed how each of the characters grew in their insight of themselves as well as their faith, if they have one. Again, I see myself in Abbie who has let faith go to the wayside in the midst of keeping all of her ducks in a row. Caroline is angry and completely against anything that has to do with religion. Bobby is young and still growing in his faith as well as trying to solidify the direction of his life.

Now I'll have to go back and read the first two book so I understand how the characters made it to this point.

The Promised Land
by Elizabeth Musser
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 03 Nov 2020



I am reviewing a copy of The Promised Land through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:




Abbie Jowett finds herself surrounded by an overwhelming loss. Her aging Father is loosing his sight and memory, her oldest son is taking gap year in Europe, and now her husband of twenty years tells Abbie he is leaving her.





In a desperate attempt to mend her marriage and herself, Abbie follows her son, Bobby, to walk the famed Camino pilgrimage. During their journey they encounter Rasa, an Iranian woman working in secret helping other refugees, and Caroline, a journalist who is studying pilgrims on the Camino while searching for answers from her broken past.





Everyone on this pilgrimage has their own reason for for the pilgrimage, but together they learn that the Camino strips you bare and calls you into deep soul-searching that can threaten all your best laid plans.



If you are looking for a heartwarming, at times heartbreaking, powerful read.



I give The Promised Land five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Often I take a chance on a review book and request one that sounds interesting, but I have never heard of the author before. The Promised Land is one such book. I chose it because I have never seen a book set along the Camino, although I have heard of that pilgrimage. Also, I liked that the description sounded like this was not a romance story. It turns out that there is some romance in it, but I like that it is not the main focus.
Abbie has been married for 20 years. Her life is perfectly held together, and she is in control. Until one day, her oldest son, Bobby, announces that he's taking a gap year instead of going on to the school he (or was it she?) had chosen. And her husband informs her that he needs a break, and he's going to live in Chicago, on his own, for three months—or more. And, her father's health is failing. Suddenly, her perfect life has unraveled. What can she do about it? The spiritual director that she starts going to see tells her that the first step is to find Abbie again. What?! That's not the problem—the problem is that no one will do what Abbie wants them to!
Then, Bobby drops a bombshell. He is planning to walk the Camino, a pilgrimage through France and Spain, with an Iranian refugee woman, Rasa, he met in Vienna. Of course, that is a bad idea, so Abbie decides she is going along. Caroline joins them as well. Although Abbie, Bobby, and Rasa are Christians, Caroline is not, and she is still trying to unravel a mystery from some ten years earlier, and a relationship she is somewhat tangled up in. Can the four of them find any sort of healing and restoration on their pilgrimage? Will Abbie even survive the walk—or will her feet give out on her?
This book alternates viewpoints, with Abbie, Bobby, and Caro all narrating the story. It is told entirely in 1st person, present tense, no matter which character is speaking, but so well done that I thoroughly enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down. Each section has the name of the person at the beginning, so it is very easy to follow. Each of the people has different things they need to learn about themselves and their relationships with other people. I found this story fascinating and inspiring, as each person worked through his or her problems. I really enjoyed reading about the Camino, as well—it sounds like a fascinating pilgrimage!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

The Promised Land
Excellent story! A book that totally engaged me, and was hard to put down. Definitely one to be re-read.

There was a lot of depth to this book about needing to let go of control and guilt and the things we're holding onto too tightly that might not be what God wants for us. As Abbie tried to find the parts of herself that she'd let go of as she tried to control her family under the guise of keeping them safe and organized, she found that she really could listen to others and she was able to bring comfort to those who felt lost.

This book definitely felt like it would be a richer read if I had followed these characters' full stories through the author's previous books; while it read well as a stand alone, I wish I had known the full story to fully appreciate the growth and challenges each of the characters' faced.

I give this book 4 stars. It was well-written, and had I read the characters' full arcs, it could have easily been a 5-star read for me.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Although this is the first book by Elizabeth Musser that I read, it will not be the last. The Promised Land drew me in from page one and kept me up into the late hours reading.

What’s a woman to do when looking empty nest in the face, her son who is graduating high school decides to take a gap year in Europe before starting college, her younger son decides to go to boarding school and her husband taking a breather from her by going out of state for work. Abby loves to be in control and facing life changes is out of her control. A story of fellowship, pain and perseverance and a handful of miracles along the way. A story of loss, love, faith and how God works in each of our lives.

The Promised Land is a story of four pilgrims who walk the Camino de Santiago across Europe, a pilgrimage that has been walked for over 1000 years by hundreds of visitors each year. This was the second book that I have read about pilgrims walking across Europe, my bucket list is to walk the Camino one day

I hadn't realized this book's Christian bent when I requested it (my bad). That said, once I did realize it, I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm not Christian, but I'm an open, spiritual person. The book alternates between the voice of a mother and her son, and I didn't find the son's POV to be as believable as the mother's. The God references weren't deep and resonant--in other words, I wanted to understand why these people have the relationship with spirit that they do--but perhaps someone who is Christian and likes this genre might feel otherwise. It never grabbed me so I didn't finish it, so I'm hesitant to rate it, but NetGalley requires a star rating. I wish this writer the best; my guess is that those who are her audience may enjoy it.

My apologies for the lack of review! I have read and very much enjoyed a stand alone novel by Elizabeth Musser. However, I did not realize this was the 3rd in a series of books when I chose it to preview. As I started reading the book I realized that I really needed to go back and read the first two in order to get a good foundation on the characters portrayed in this novel. The premise (especially the Camino Walk!) very much interests me, and again I very much enjoy Ms Musser's writing. I hope to come back to the book once I have caught up with the characters!