This book is a complete masterpiece! So profound, truly relatable and realistic, with deep and compelling characters, and a beautiful message that shakes you to the core!
I have to say I haven’t read The Swan House or The Dwelling Place, and this book can be read perfectly as a standalone, but now I’m eager to go back in time and read how Swanee’s story started!
This is Abbie Bartholomew Jowett’s story (Swanee’s daughter, from book one), along with her son Bobby’s story and Caro’s, a young woman that connects to them through her brother Stephen. The novel is told by these three different points of view and that made the story all the more interesting, and the thing holding them together in this journey is the Camino pilgrimage in France.
Abbie, after 20 years of marriage, has reached a life shaking crisis. It seems the people she loves most, her family, are leaving her as an escape to her controlling ways. Her son Bobby leaves to Europe for a gap year, her son Jason is away at boarding school and playing for a football team, and her husband Bill has just announced he’s leaving because he needs a break from her manipulating ways. Abbie is in shock: always giving herself to keep her men safe and now she has lost them. Maybe she’s loosing herself too. But when Bobby tells her he’s going to make the Camino pilgrimage, to do an assignment for his boss at the newspaper where he works, joined by beautiful iranian refugee friend he has just met, she decides she will go along with them, to chaperone. But what she doesn’t know is that she’s about to start the journey that will change her life inside out.
Bobby is out of High School and want’s to be a painter, much against his mother’s wishes who wants him to go to college. So, motivated by his grandmother, he decides to go to Europe for a gap year to pursue his dreams and see if he truly has a vocation to be an artist. There he meets Rasa, a beautiful and compassionate iranian girl that catches his eye and heart. But Rasa is haunted by a tragic past of persecution and fear. And he’s haunted by a tragic event that happened to his friend Anna that he’s still grieving. Can they help each other heal their fears and scars?
Caroline Lefort is still grieving her lost best friend from almost a decade ago, and has been carrying a heavy guilt, since the day she was kidnapped, and her mother was brutally killed, and she wasn’t there to prevent it. She drowned her pain in alcohol and has been spiritually lost ever since. But now, it’s been awhile since she left rehab and has been sober, working as a photographer journalist and engaged to a nice man. But the ghosts of Lola’s disappearance still haunt her, as well as the man who still holds a grip to her heart, and was with her the day she disappeared. She won’t rest until she can find Lola or know what became of her. But then some unexpected and deceiving news arrive and she’s at loss again. Fortunately, her brother Stephen, who is Bobby’s boss, asks her to do the Camino pilgrimage as well and get pictures for an article about the famous and traditional journey. Little she knows, this adventure will also be a life changing journey to self discovery, along with Abbie, Bobby and Rasa, with whom she’ll bond a special friendship, all connected in an unforgettable journey that will make them question the purpose of their life, their relationship to God, and help them free of their fears and invisible chains that keep them from flying and being the best version of themselves that God wants them to be. And to learn to let go, to forgive and start anew…
This was a magnificent story that truly captivated me. I felt so related in different ways to the characters: Abby’s need of control, Bobby and Rasa carrying other’s burdens, Caro’s guilt and need of self forgiveness. And all of them needing to listen to God’s voice and Will. And the perfect place to reflect and find God and oneself is definitely the Camino pilgrimage. I haven’t done that pilgrimage, but I have friends who have done it and their stories have always been amazing. It’s true that you’re never alone in the Camino. There’s a common bond between the pilgrims, a spiritual fraternity if you could call it that. And I felt that I made the Camino experience through this book. It was so vividly described, and the characters struggles were so real and relatable, that I felt transported to that beautiful landscape that I hope I can one day see with my own eyes.
Abbie, Bobby, Rasa and Caro’s journey to self discovery and connecting with God was beautiful to behold. I vividly recommend this book to anyone. It will inspire in more ways than one. Through their journey you will discover many things that you may need to change or let go to. It’s freeing to let go: of control, of fears, of burdens that don’t belong to us to carry. And to let God help us carry our load! It’s very insightful and enlightening!
A great and compassionate adventure! Don’t miss this story! And I’m sure the previous will be as beautiful and touching as this one. I can’t wait to read them now!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

The Promised Land by Elizabeth Musser follows the faith journey of Abbie, Bobby, Caroline, and Rasa along the famed Camino pilgrimage route. The novel enfolds from the perspective of each pilgrim as each character reveals parts of their past and the burdens that each needs to release. The novel is a story of healing and moving forward, leaving the burdens of the past behind. I also found it helpful to follow the author’s video tour of the Camino on her Facebook page. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Abbie, at her very core, is a planner. A thinker-aheader. Over the years, she has taken the best qualities of this personality style too far - alienating her family, especially husband Bill. Their son Bobby decides to take a gap year before college to study art abroad and Bill takes a consulting contract in a different state. When he tells Abbie he also "needs a break," she is not only blindsided, she is gutted and can't wrap her head around how any of it will turn out in real life.

The author bounces back and forth between Abbie and Bobby's points of view, which provides crucial insight into the big picture. While in Europe, Bobby decides he wants to travel The Camino with his new friend Rasa, and Abbie decides to walk with them. They are joined by Caroline (an old family friend's sister), who is working out her own trauma on this pilgrimage (her point of view is added when she arrives on the scene).

This book is technically number three in a grouping (The Swan House novels); although I had read the first two, it's been a minute. I do think it would have enriched my experience further to have read them in order, and closer together.

This really was an excellent book, one I will be thinking and talking about for a long time. I am delighted to recommend it. It was a pleasure to read and I wholeheartedly want you to enjoy it, too.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

What a unique and interesting concept for a book! Through the Camino, a pilgrimage leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saints are buried, we take a journey of three people. Each one is carrying baggage, of sorts, that needs to be dealt with. Abbie's husband has taken a break from her at the same time as her two sons have also figured out ways to escape her controlling ways. Bobbie, Abbie's oldest son, has decided to take a gap year to travel Europe and walk the Camino, when he meets a young lady that transports him into his past. And Caro is a young lady who is carrying around guilt centered around the death of her best childhood friend. Each of these stories is told from their own perspective, but are all connected to the others. While reading this story, you may feel that you are right there with them, walking your own pilgrimage, while learning the backstories of what has led each of these new friends to this place and time. Along with reading the story, I found myself searching for images of the walk and you may find yourself wanting to walk your own version of the Camino in your own backyard! Definitely a worthy journey!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

What's a woman to do when her graduating senior son decides to take a gap year in Europe between high school and college, her younger son decides to go to boarding school and her husband takes a "breather" from her by working out of state! Abby likes to be in control of life and these changes are completely out of her control! I thought Bobby was a great young man especially when he volunteers at a refugee center in Austria and decides to hike the French Camino. Having his mother join him was not in his plans, but Bobby handles this with maturity. My heart went out to the girl Bobby is interested in--an Iranian refugee. The sister of Bobby's boss, Caroline, also joins the pilgrimage as a photojournalist. Caroline's life has been complicated! It was interesting to see how all of their lives intersect and how God works in all of their lives as they hike the Camino. I recommend The Promised Land by Elizabeth Musser to others. I received a complimentary copy of The Promised Land from the author and Bethany House Publishers.

This novel is emotionally charged and deeply captivating! I love Elizabeth Musser’s books because she does such a great job of capturing the essence of each of her characters and allowing the reader into their lives. It was easy to be drawn into the story from the first chapter as I grew to love the characters and was pulled into their emotions. The spiritual truths in the story are strong and relatable. I particularly loved the theme of putting everything in God’s hands and trusting Him to work out the details. This novel can easily be read as a stand alone, but it also interestingly ties in with two of Elizabeth Musser’s other works. This author proves time and time again with every story she writes why she is one of my favorite authors. This book is such a powerful novel full of depth, emotion, and truth! I highly recommend it!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The Promised Land by Elizabeth Musser is one of the best books I have read all year. The story is told in the alternating first person point of view of Addie, Bobby, and Caroline "Caro," who never expect that their journey on the Camino in France with not only be a physical journey but a soul-searching journey that will change their lives. I have loved Elizabeth Musser's writing since I first read The Swan House many years ago, and I was thrilled that she decided to write a third sequel, which can also be a stand alone book. Mrs. Musser has a way of drawing readers into the story with her rich imagery. She makes us care about the characters, and we find ourselves taking this journey on the Camino with them. The theme of letting go and truly putting everything in God's hands and trusting Him resonated me with me. I have a difficult time trying to not feel like I have to fix everything for everybody and just letting God take control. Abbie, Bobby, Caro, and Rasa (who was first a character from The Long Highway Home) all are dealing with this in some form or another. As I read The Promised Land, I found myself doing some soul searching as well. It is rare that a book affects me emotionally and spiritually the way this book did, and I hated for it to end. I will be thinking of the truths of this book and these characters for a long time. I highly recommend The Promised Land by Elizabeth Musser.

I’m glad that I did not miss this journey. As Musser’s characters end up walking alongside others on this pilgrimage path, the beauty of fellowship with God and others is discovered. These characters have normal messy lives but by sharing and laying down their burdens, changes begin to take place on the inside and the outside of their lives. I found this journey well written with a good balance between adventure, hardships, romance and a little mystery. I appreciated the spiritual aspects of the story and the struggles of faith displayed. Within these pages, there is encouragement to be found no matter where your own story of faith might be at this moment. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Very encouraging novel! It's all about the journey! Four pilgrims, each with their own problems set out to discover their own walk in life. I've never heard of the French Camino trail but can picture it well in my mind from the vivid descriptions. The author has an unique way of writing each character's thoughts in first person. The journeys of the four and the people they met along the trail made a powerful story. Highly recommended!

Abbie Jowett’s life feels like it’s falling apart. Her son Bobby wants to take a gap year and explore Europe instead of going to one of the colleges she’s helped him choose. Jason, her youngest son, wants to go away to a boarding school. Her father’s eyesight gets worse every day, and he seems to have problems with his memory. Worst of all, her husband of 20 years seems distant and aloof.

Caroline Lefort, a young multinational photographer has spent two years sober. When the mysterious Bastien invites her back to France with the promise of news about her missing friend Lola, Caroline struggles not to spiral out of control again.

Bobby Jowett wants to pursue art—a legacy from his beloved grandmother. But he hates to disappoint people. When his mother agrees to let him travel alone to Europe to study art and volunteer at a house of refugees, he breathes a sigh of relief. When he invites a beautiful young refugee to walk the Camino with him, his well-laid plans spin out of control. Before he knows it, his mom has joined their group, and Stephen, his boss, has urged him to take Caroline, his troubled younger sister along, too.

Will such an odd assortment of people discover what they’re looking for along the rugged Camino? And will their discoveries come too late?

Who Will Love This Book

If you’ve ever heard about the Camino—an ancient pilgrim trail from France to Spain, you’ll want to read this book. You don’t have to be Catholic—the Camino transcends religions and opens doors to self-discovery, community, and broadened horizons.

I picked up this book not knowing anything about the author or the series (this book is part of the Swan House Series). Although the start felt a little slow, the characters and their problems sucked me in. Although I may never get to walk the Camino, I can still learn its lessons and apply them to my everyday life.

Abbie Bartholomew is struggling with a premature empty nest—both her sons flew the coop early—and worse, her husband just announced he "needs a break." With nothing left to lose, she consults a spiritual guide then follows her eldest son, Bobby, to walk the famed Camino pilgrimage. They meet up with an Iranian refugee and a woman desperately trying to outrun her past. And somehow through the adventure, Abbie sees herself in a true light and not only does she not like what she sees, she sets herself on a path of real change. If you like Sharon Garlough Brown, you might like this book

"Life is beautiful, life is surprising, life hurts. And our job as artists, for as long as we're present in this life, is to use our gift to show the beauty and the surprises and the joy and the pain to others."

I am floored by this book. I have not read any of Elizabeth Musser's books before but she has now gained a faithful follower. This heart-wrenching tale brings back some beloved characters from the author's previous books The Swan House, The Dwelling Place, and The Long Highway Home but it can be read as a stand-alone without having read the others. I was thoroughly engrossed in Abbie, Bobby, and Caro's stories from the first chapter and didn't feel left out or confused because I didn't know them before starting out on this journey.

Told from first person present tense narrative, this book is indeed a compelling and captivating journey of "loss and love, faith and fellowship, pain and perseverance, and a handful of miracles along the way." Abbie, Bobby, and Caro are all deeply-layered and complex souls, each carting a truckload of perceived responsibilities, regrets, pain and all seeking peace. There is a bit of mystery involved in Caro's story as she attempts to reconcile her best friend's disappearance. There is such heartache and hope in the plight of the refugees seen through Bobby's eyes and magnificence of God's creation and God Himself seen through Abbie's heart. Abbie's walk, discovery, and realizations felt like my own; I haven't felt this connected to a fictional character in a very long time. You'll cry tears of heartbreak, frustration, anger, repentance, and acceptance as you travel the Camino with these three unique and unforgettable characters.

This book is a must-read if you enjoy well-written contemporary women's fiction that makes your heart and soul think. 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.

Early in the story I recognized some familiar characters from the authors’ other books. I stopped reading and skipped to author notes hoping she’d explain. Sure, enough she did explain. I loved that the authors listed the characters and the books they came from. It helped me sort things out in the three-story lines interwoven in this novel.

I was fascinated to learn about The Camino de Santiago spiritual journey. I read that it is a Catholic pilgrimage that was Medieval Europe’s answer to the Appalachian Trail. The pictures on the internet were beautiful and made the story even more real. The author talked about her own walk on the Camino a few years back. She says, “Many of the scenes recorded in this novel were inspired by my time on the Camino as well as stories I heard from other pilgrims.” She has a Pinterest board that shows the pictures from her trip.

I enjoyed Abbie’s journey as she discovered hard realities of her life that had her reeling for years, she was unintentionally choking the life out of those she loved. It was a hard reality to face and then even harder to let her family go into the arms of Jesus. He had her back and theirs. Caro and Bobby had their own lies they believed about God, themselves and others that they had to come to grips with too.

This is a thought-provoking read I enjoyed as Abbie, Caro, Bobby and Rasa walk the Camino. I loved the European setting, the escape and what they learned along the way. This would make a fun book club pick. The author includes sixteen questions to help create a lively discussion with your group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

What a beautiful story!!! I've had friends from church make this pilgrimage and it has always intrigued me. The Promised Land by author Elizabeth Musser is an incredible page-turning tale of four pilgrims who walk the Camino de Santiago across Europe. A beautiful and life-changing pilgrimage that has been walked for over 1000 years by hundreds of visitors each year. I loved this captivating story that takes Abbie, Bobby, Risa, and Caroline, on their own soul-searching journeys. I could not put this beautiful story down! Having multiple narrators was so interesting and kept me turning pages late into the night. I really did hate to see it end.

Some of my favorite quotes:
"I'm only halfway through the first day, and already the Camino has surprised and blessed me and filled me up with wonder and gratitude."
"Life is beautiful, life is surprising, life hurts. And our job as artists, for as long as we're present in this life, is to use our gift to show the beauty and the surprises and the joy and the pain to others."

The Promised Land can be read as a stand-alone book, but if you want a fuller experience, you may want to read The Swan House, The Dwelling Place, and The Long Highway Home first as they give a glimpse into the background of some of the characters found in The Promised Land. It's a perfect series to binge read!

Thank you to the author and publisher for letting me read an early copy of The Promised Land. I absolutely loved it, I highly recommend it, and all opinions are my own.

Another beautifully written book by Elizabeth Musser. She sure knows how to weave a story with beautiful words that bring out her love for our Lord. I loved these characters. Strong women who need to find themselves and answers while walking the Camino. I see a lot of myself in Abbie. Letting go and not being in In control is hard. I learned it the hard way. I loved how all the characters come together from all the previous books and look forward to more in the future, as Elizabeth’s books always leave me wanting more. I just love Bobby and think he has a bright future ahead. This book can be read as a stand alone, if you haven’t read the previous ones. I am so blessed to have been able to read an ARC.

If you have not already read The Swan House, The Dwelling Place, and The Long Highway Home, I highly recommend that you do so before starting this newest book by Elizabeth Musser. Those 3 books will introduce you to many of the main characters in The Promised Land and provide their back stories so that you will have a much deeper understanding of the new book.

The story drew me in right away, and it was hard to put down. Musser’s technique of multiple narrators, each giving his or her own perspective on events, is very effective. I came to quickly care about the characters and what happens to each of them. There are powerful insights into dealing with loss and vicarious pain or trauma, handling responsibility, control vs letting go, trust vs. fear. There are also some great plot twists, and a mystery woven in, the solution of which left me stunned.

I highly recommend that you come and join the journey to The Promised Land.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Well, Elizabeth Musser, you’ve done it again! This book was outstanding!!
Of course I’ve been a fan ever since reading The Swan House, and the fact that this book tracks with the family we first met in that book, increased my enjoyment all the more!
I was not familiar with Camiño de Santiago and the fact the it’s a place where people go for a spiritual pilgrimage. The characters in this book who traveled on the Camiño were each changed in their relationships with God and others. I was left wondering if there was a boot camp to get ready for this pilgrimage! (parts of the trail were grueling!)
The way God worked in each life was wonderful to read, especially in Abbie’s case. I think I identified most with her and her struggle and to let go of control in her life.
The conclusion was very satisfying. I look forward to the next book!!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

I've read some books by Musser in the past and enjoyed them. This wasn't my favorite, but it was an average read. I didn't care for or connect with some of the characters. The pace was active and keeps the reader moving along. Everything wasn't neatly tied up, and I was okay with that. The characters were believable.

"The Promised Land" is Christian general fiction. The story was told from several viewpoints, and we switched between these viewpoints. Each character was well-developed, complex, and came across as a real person struggling with real problems. They reacted very realistically to events, and I cared about what happened to them. Abbie was afraid of losing the people she loved to an accident or disease, and she expressed her fear by using her talent for organization to control every aspect of her family's lives. Suddenly, she had to deal with her son going on a pilgrimage in Europe, her husband saying that he needed some space from her for a few months, and worries about her father's health. She ended up inviting herself along on her son's pilgrimage to chaperone his sudden romance. The pilgrimage helped her work through why she was so controlling and to regain healthy relationships.

Bobby had a history of reaching out to hurting people, and he tragically lost a previous girlfriend. His family expressed concerned when he decided to date someone that he just met: an Iranian refugee with a tragic past of her own. He had to deal with this past loss while also helping his girlfriend deal with her past as they walked the pilgrimage road. Finally, Caroline blamed herself for what happened to a close friend, though there was nothing she could actually have done to save her friend. She's spent years trying to discover what happened to her missing friend, only to discover that a fellow pilgrim has the answers.

All of the main characters had to reach out to God to find healing as they could not change themselves or their circumstances on their own. There was no sex or bad language beyond several uses of the word cr*p. Overall, I'd highly recommend this touching, interesting story.

I might have literally jumped a little bit at the prospect of getting an eARC for Elizabeth Musser’s upcoming (11/3/20) release The Promised Land. Musser is one author I will happily read anything by! After reading the novel, I knew I had to see the real life Swan House, and my family and I visited several times over the years. It’s well worth a visit, by the way; I recommend enjoying a meal at the Carriage House while you’re there!

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’d agree with that; I definitely recognized some familiar names (thrilling, and #geek moment), but didn’t feel like I was “missing” anything by not having read the previous 2 books in some time (okay, years 😀 — ha!).

Musser has written a number of books not in the Swan House series in between each book. While I’ve enjoyed those immensely (and her Two Crosses series itself is fantastic), I was beyond excited to realize the Swan House connections in Promised Land, given my own experience with the house over the years. I truly felt like Musser was “back” with this novel; the characters and settings begun in The Swan House are where I feel she particularly thrives as an author (and I thrive as a reader). 😀

Having studied abroad myself in Spain, I related to Bobby’s story quite a bit. I would love to walk the Camino myself, although I’d probably channel Abbie and do the “ritzy” version! (Oh, who am I kidding … I crave my own space and a comfy en-suite hotel room. I camp at 4-star hotels!) Musser lives in France and works with a missions organization, which lends an added authenticity and depth to the European locations and the subject matter. (She grew up in Atlanta and spent a good deal of time at the original Swan House, too.) Her obvious skill in and passion for research shines here!

Musser kept me guessing with character reveals (who weren’t as expected, a very good thing) and plot points. Not everything was super tied up with a bow; I usually go for that in my reading material, but this is one where open-ended was much more fulfilling and true to life. An excellent book that makes me want to re-read The Swan House and The Dwelling Place.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.