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The Swan House #3
The Promised Land
With her oldest son taking a gap year in Europe, her aging father losing his sight and his memory, and her husband of twenty years announcing that he's leaving her, Abbie Bartholomew Jowett is surrounded by overwhelming loss.
Desperate to mend her marriage and herself, she 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.
Each individual has their own reasons 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.
Desperate to mend her marriage and herself, she 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.
Each individual has their own reasons 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.
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2020
34 people are currently reading
2047 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Musser
42 books703 followersELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year, one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years and was awarded the Gold Illumination Book Award 2021 for Enduring Light Fiction. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Two Destinies, the final novel in The Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award. The Long Highway Home was a finalist for the 2018 Carol Award. The Promised Land won second place in Literary Fiction at the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Awards and won the 2021 Carol Award for Contemporary Fiction. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, is a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and Parable and ECPA bestseller and was a finalist for the 2023 Christy Award.
For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.
Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....
For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.
Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
September 18, 2020
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.
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.
October 17, 2020
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.
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.
November 3, 2020
“It’s about the journey, not the destination.”
Come experience the Camino, the pilgrim trail, through the eyes of three souls seeking resolution. Abbie, Bobby and Caroline, three unique voices, three different stories, three separate journeys, converge on one pilgrimage on the Camino in France. They need to decide if they are searching for their Promised Land or God’s.
“God’s truth hurts. It pierces.”
There is profound, Godly wisdom to be found when all is stripped away and you are forced to look at yourself through God’s eyes. This comes from old and young characters alike.
This is a beautifully written story that has diverse elements to it. A mystery, a love story, heartaches, joy, fascinating details, and wondrous scenery that speaks of the creation of God. “It is like God’s nature everywhere tells us He is big and wonderful and worthy for us to give Him praise.”
I urge you to take this journey in this mesmerizing book. It makes me want to read the companion books in this series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Come experience the Camino, the pilgrim trail, through the eyes of three souls seeking resolution. Abbie, Bobby and Caroline, three unique voices, three different stories, three separate journeys, converge on one pilgrimage on the Camino in France. They need to decide if they are searching for their Promised Land or God’s.
“God’s truth hurts. It pierces.”
There is profound, Godly wisdom to be found when all is stripped away and you are forced to look at yourself through God’s eyes. This comes from old and young characters alike.
This is a beautifully written story that has diverse elements to it. A mystery, a love story, heartaches, joy, fascinating details, and wondrous scenery that speaks of the creation of God. “It is like God’s nature everywhere tells us He is big and wonderful and worthy for us to give Him praise.”
I urge you to take this journey in this mesmerizing book. It makes me want to read the companion books in this series.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
December 15, 2020
An excellent Musser book that didn't disappoint.
I've followed this author for a long time and I was pleased to see this new book by her.
Her subjects are always interesting and this was no different. I learned a lot through this story. One that will stick with me for a long time.
I read how each character discovers the truth through Jesus and through their journey.
Yes, the Truth will set you free but so will forgiveness.
Her characters well they're awesome! I loved meeting Rasa, Bobby and Abbie.
I enjoyed this journey to the fullest and I stayed with the it until the book was finished.
5 stars for this ride of a lifetime.
I didn't want to say goodbye.
I shall look forward to her next book. She's awesome!
Henceforth why she's one of my favorite authors. I appreciate that she doesn't beat around the bush on the tough subjects that were in this book.
I highly recommend. You'll not be disappointed.
My thanks for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own
I've followed this author for a long time and I was pleased to see this new book by her.
Her subjects are always interesting and this was no different. I learned a lot through this story. One that will stick with me for a long time.
I read how each character discovers the truth through Jesus and through their journey.
Yes, the Truth will set you free but so will forgiveness.
Her characters well they're awesome! I loved meeting Rasa, Bobby and Abbie.
I enjoyed this journey to the fullest and I stayed with the it until the book was finished.
5 stars for this ride of a lifetime.
I didn't want to say goodbye.
I shall look forward to her next book. She's awesome!
Henceforth why she's one of my favorite authors. I appreciate that she doesn't beat around the bush on the tough subjects that were in this book.
I highly recommend. You'll not be disappointed.
My thanks for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own
November 4, 2020
I was drawn in from Word One! Anyone who has ever WALKED through a crisis knows the power behind it. How healing it can be. I could identify with the main character even though her circumstances were not my own. Elizabeth Musser has a winner on her hands with The Promised Land.
July 3, 2023
I don't have much to say about this book, unfortunately. It follows one of Mary Swan's (the protagonist from The Swan House) daughters, Abbie, as well as Abbie's son Bobby.
Abbie is a control freak who has scared away everyone in her life because of her tendency to micromanage, in the name of security. She must learn to let go of everything and live life again.
Seems like a good, relatable storyline, right? It would be, except for the fact that the solution to all Abbie's problems is Catholic "counseling," just "letting go of everything," walking the Camino, and a bunch of other psychological/catholic solutions. It felt like the author tried to be more inclusive in this book and make it a spiritual book rather than a relational one as the others have been.
Caroline's story was a bit more realistic and relatable. But, her story was so disappointing in the end (in my opinion).
Content:
Sex: A major plot in the story hinges on a one week affair. There's no details past the girl inviting him into her house.
Violence: Another plot hinges on a girl with an abusive father who ends up dying.
Abbie is a control freak who has scared away everyone in her life because of her tendency to micromanage, in the name of security. She must learn to let go of everything and live life again.
Seems like a good, relatable storyline, right? It would be, except for the fact that the solution to all Abbie's problems is Catholic "counseling," just "letting go of everything," walking the Camino, and a bunch of other psychological/catholic solutions. It felt like the author tried to be more inclusive in this book and make it a spiritual book rather than a relational one as the others have been.
Caroline's story was a bit more realistic and relatable. But, her story was so disappointing in the end (in my opinion).
Content:
Sex: A major plot in the story hinges on a one week affair. There's no details past the girl inviting him into her house.
Violence: Another plot hinges on a girl with an abusive father who ends up dying.
January 7, 2021
At first, I didn't like the disjointedness of this novel, but as I continued to read things started to gel for me. The Promised Land is told from three viewpoints: Abbie Jowett, her son Bobby and Caroline (Caro) Lefort. What starts off as a gap year for Bobby, turns into Abbie joining her son on the Camino to act as a chaperone so that Bobby can bring Rasa, the young woman he has met and wants to get to know a lot better. His employer asks if his sister Caroline can join him on the pilgrimage, to take pictures for the article he has commissioned Bobby to write.
Since this seems to be more of Abbie's story, I felt there was more of an arc to her story, and I was satisfied with her ending. I was actually kind of annoyed with Caro's story and how she kept on with this guy who obviously didn't feel the same way about her as she did him. But at the same time, it was a good portrayal of how we don't let go of what we should, of what God would like and it was realistic in my opinion.
All in all, I really liked The Promised Land, the characters, and how they had all grown in some way, and things though not perfect there was a lot more cohesion and hope.
Since this seems to be more of Abbie's story, I felt there was more of an arc to her story, and I was satisfied with her ending. I was actually kind of annoyed with Caro's story and how she kept on with this guy who obviously didn't feel the same way about her as she did him. But at the same time, it was a good portrayal of how we don't let go of what we should, of what God would like and it was realistic in my opinion.
All in all, I really liked The Promised Land, the characters, and how they had all grown in some way, and things though not perfect there was a lot more cohesion and hope.
April 18, 2021
The Promised Land was a story of journeys to letting go, healing, and coming to a place of dependence on God. There was so much good and profound stuff in this book! It was slower-paced but in this way the author was able to show us the transformation in the characters’ lives. It was also interesting to learn about the Camino, a pilgrimage of which I’d never heard of before!
February 21, 2021
The promised land was an easy and spiritual read. It talks alot about religion and faith but behind it, it has a real uplifting story of troubled individuals seeking answers.
It is well written and enjoyable.
It is well written and enjoyable.
September 18, 2022
For me, the best part of this book was reading about the Camino pilgrimage. Coming from an American evangelical perspective, pilgrimages are not a common aspect of our faith traditions. The variety of people who walk the Camino along with the villages and places they stopped along the way made me long to walk the ancient road.
I struggled to finish this book. The intertwining story lines weren't strong enough to hold my interest. I felt there was too little action and too much narration of each individual's thoughts. This book was a gift and I believe it is #3 in a series. Perhaps if I had read the first two, I may have felt more invested in the characters.
I struggled to finish this book. The intertwining story lines weren't strong enough to hold my interest. I felt there was too little action and too much narration of each individual's thoughts. This book was a gift and I believe it is #3 in a series. Perhaps if I had read the first two, I may have felt more invested in the characters.
May 31, 2020
What an intriguing journey Elizabeth Musser has taken us on in The Promised Land! She painted, with words, such evocative images, tastes, smells, and sounds that I felt as if I’d walked my own Camino pilgrimage along with Abbie, Bobby, and Caro. This engrossing, beautiful story kept me guessing through smiles and tears and did not disappoint in the end.
November 4, 2020
"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.
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.
February 21, 2021
I have written the start of this review 4 times now and my words don’t do the book justice.
This is a story of closure and self discovery. Each character has some trauma in their past and are all struggling with ‘life’. Can a walk along the French Camino bring them some peace?
I related to Abbie so much, she felt like how I am going to be in 20 years time. She is a perfectionist, she wants to protect, plan, organise her families lives she ends up pushing them away. A spur of the moment decision to join her son Bobby on the Camino was originally all about ‘protecting’ her son but it became her salvation.
I am not religious, I haven’t even been christened, so this book took a bit of getting used to. Rather than getting uninterested in the book I felt it actually brought the book depth. You got to fully understand the characters perspectives through their journey, both physical and with their spirituality.
Thank you Bethany House for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is a story of closure and self discovery. Each character has some trauma in their past and are all struggling with ‘life’. Can a walk along the French Camino bring them some peace?
I related to Abbie so much, she felt like how I am going to be in 20 years time. She is a perfectionist, she wants to protect, plan, organise her families lives she ends up pushing them away. A spur of the moment decision to join her son Bobby on the Camino was originally all about ‘protecting’ her son but it became her salvation.
I am not religious, I haven’t even been christened, so this book took a bit of getting used to. Rather than getting uninterested in the book I felt it actually brought the book depth. You got to fully understand the characters perspectives through their journey, both physical and with their spirituality.
Thank you Bethany House for my copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 20, 2020
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.
November 6, 2020
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.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
November 4, 2020
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 totally 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.
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 totally 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.
November 26, 2020
I like to read a book like this with Google open to show me the sights. It made me want to take that same walk, albeit without the drama.
Musser does a fine job of showing the dangers and joys of coming to faith, along with a fair amount of consternation. The lesson/theme that we need to release those we love into God's hands, is a good one and important in this day and age.
Musser does a fine job of showing the dangers and joys of coming to faith, along with a fair amount of consternation. The lesson/theme that we need to release those we love into God's hands, is a good one and important in this day and age.
July 6, 2024
This is a lighter entertaining book with deep topics of control, refugees, the Camino and processing life’s challenges. It was inspiring in some parts and led to a deeper desire to walk the Camino!
I like the style for a quick read and enjoy the use of real places and situations.
I like the style for a quick read and enjoy the use of real places and situations.
July 17, 2022
Loved it. ❤️.
November 23, 2020
Elizabeth Musser has done it again! A deeply captivating narrative that immediately drew me into the lives of the characters, all with connections to other beloved characters from The Swan House, The Dwelling Place and The Long Highway Home. This book can stand alone, but it felt so heartwarming to be drawn further into the lives & family of Mary Swan, Stephen, Tracie & Rasa. I loved traveling the Camino in France with Abbie, Bobby, Caro & Rasa, picturing the beauty of the physical environment, the journey and identifying with their spiritual struggles. This novel is unique in that way, presenting spiritual challenges not only to the characters but also to us the readers. This just may be Elizabeth’s best novel yet!
November 27, 2020
Fascinating story that weaved two of Musser’s books together. The Swan House and The Long Highway Home are lead-ins for this book.
Perhaps because I had read both of those books, I thought it started slowly. Once the characters got moving toward the Camino, the book and story picked up and moved along at a great pace.
Musser interweaves these two stories and adds a bit of a mystery.
Musser elevates Christian fiction to new levels and brings to the foreground refugee problems with care and tenderness all while giving you a great story!
Perhaps because I had read both of those books, I thought it started slowly. Once the characters got moving toward the Camino, the book and story picked up and moved along at a great pace.
Musser interweaves these two stories and adds a bit of a mystery.
Musser elevates Christian fiction to new levels and brings to the foreground refugee problems with care and tenderness all while giving you a great story!
November 18, 2020
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 his 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 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 his 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!
January 8, 2021
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.
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.
October 24, 2020
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
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
September 22, 2020
"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 received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
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 received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 23, 2020
Review Title: A Long Walk To Find Oneself (Review of The Promised Land by Elizabeth Musser)
Reviewer: Janice S. Garey
***** 5 Stars
Amazing! Simply amazing. Musser has taken several characters and told a story from each of their first person points of view. The synergy emerges as the stories are woven together as in one spectacular tapestry. Love holds it all together although the reader never knows how the love stories will resolve until near the end of the book. Will true love mean letting the beloved go free from the relationship?
I preordered this book because of having previously read a book by this author. I knew I could count on another good story, and my expectations were met and surpassed.
Everything about this book deserves the 5 star rating. The character development, the lovely setting which serves well for a travelogue, the unsolved mystery, the romance stories from three perspectives (young love, middle age love, and mixed up love), faith encounters, and self discovery. This is a complex story that never gets confusing because Musser has great skill in weaving all the bits and pieces together to a believable denouement that readers will delight in long after the final page is read.
One particular subject well covered in the book is an interesting comparison of differences and similarities between Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. The time spent on the Camino missions trail naturally gives an opening for thoughtful observation on this topic. This is just one example of a sideline item of interest woven in that sets this storytelling on a higher level than similar books.
All the characters change over the time spent on the Camino. Their long walk is a pilgrimage of a lifetime. Their lives are slowed down by the walking pace so they can better take stock of where they have been and where they are going in life. Some characters find a connection with God along the way, too.
I highly recommend this book for YA and older readers.
Reviewer: Janice S. Garey
***** 5 Stars
Amazing! Simply amazing. Musser has taken several characters and told a story from each of their first person points of view. The synergy emerges as the stories are woven together as in one spectacular tapestry. Love holds it all together although the reader never knows how the love stories will resolve until near the end of the book. Will true love mean letting the beloved go free from the relationship?
I preordered this book because of having previously read a book by this author. I knew I could count on another good story, and my expectations were met and surpassed.
Everything about this book deserves the 5 star rating. The character development, the lovely setting which serves well for a travelogue, the unsolved mystery, the romance stories from three perspectives (young love, middle age love, and mixed up love), faith encounters, and self discovery. This is a complex story that never gets confusing because Musser has great skill in weaving all the bits and pieces together to a believable denouement that readers will delight in long after the final page is read.
One particular subject well covered in the book is an interesting comparison of differences and similarities between Catholicism and Evangelical Christianity. The time spent on the Camino missions trail naturally gives an opening for thoughtful observation on this topic. This is just one example of a sideline item of interest woven in that sets this storytelling on a higher level than similar books.
All the characters change over the time spent on the Camino. Their long walk is a pilgrimage of a lifetime. Their lives are slowed down by the walking pace so they can better take stock of where they have been and where they are going in life. Some characters find a connection with God along the way, too.
I highly recommend this book for YA and older readers.
February 28, 2021
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 on the tour with @lovebookstours
⭐⭐⭐
This was such a pleasant and thoughtful read, a flowing story of religion, dedication and love. A story that cover many difficult topics of mental health & trauma, relationships & coercive behaviour, romance and grief, murder and religion. And despite all of those hard hitting topics, it was such a lovely book to read. In particular the pilgrimage that took place around the many storylines was a meaningful touch, i'm not overly religious but a pilgrimage is something that always interests me. It's done from the deepest part of your heart.
I have to admit it took me a long time to get through. I didn't find the story engaging and it wasn't a book I was desperate to get to at the end of the day. I almost think there were too many subjects, meaning my heart didn't know which way to pull. That doesn't make it a bad read, infact a very good book for the slower reader. 𝘐𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
"With loss of life, relationship and control, Abbie doesn't know where to turn. Desperate to mend her marriage and keep hold of her sons, she joins her youngest on a pilgrimage, where she is not the only one searching for answers in her broken past. Sometimes life doesn't want to be planned, sometimes the deepest soul searching is done with the least amount of control, and the most amount of trust put into God"
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #photosofbooks #bookworm #bookaddict #ilovereading #ilovebooks #igreaders #mumswhoread #readingmum #alwaysreading #neverwithoutabook #booknerd #author #reader #thepromisedland #lovebookstours #religiousfiction #tbr #bookreview #bookreviewersofinstagram #homelibrary #bibliophile #booksbooksbooks #review
⭐⭐⭐
This was such a pleasant and thoughtful read, a flowing story of religion, dedication and love. A story that cover many difficult topics of mental health & trauma, relationships & coercive behaviour, romance and grief, murder and religion. And despite all of those hard hitting topics, it was such a lovely book to read. In particular the pilgrimage that took place around the many storylines was a meaningful touch, i'm not overly religious but a pilgrimage is something that always interests me. It's done from the deepest part of your heart.
I have to admit it took me a long time to get through. I didn't find the story engaging and it wasn't a book I was desperate to get to at the end of the day. I almost think there were too many subjects, meaning my heart didn't know which way to pull. That doesn't make it a bad read, infact a very good book for the slower reader. 𝘐𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.
"With loss of life, relationship and control, Abbie doesn't know where to turn. Desperate to mend her marriage and keep hold of her sons, she joins her youngest on a pilgrimage, where she is not the only one searching for answers in her broken past. Sometimes life doesn't want to be planned, sometimes the deepest soul searching is done with the least amount of control, and the most amount of trust put into God"
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #photosofbooks #bookworm #bookaddict #ilovereading #ilovebooks #igreaders #mumswhoread #readingmum #alwaysreading #neverwithoutabook #booknerd #author #reader #thepromisedland #lovebookstours #religiousfiction #tbr #bookreview #bookreviewersofinstagram #homelibrary #bibliophile #booksbooksbooks #review
February 23, 2021
This was a great story of self discovery, earth shattering loss and how a spontaneous decision can change the course of our lives. I loved the characters in the book, my favourite was undoubtedly Abbie as I found her so relatable and a bit like me in some ways with her desire and need to protect her family and her anxieties over the things she cannot control. 🙈 I loved the way the book encompassed the stories of three different people, doing the same journey, for three very different reasons and how the story was told in their voices. It was a story that I was desperate to get to the end of to find out what would happen and see the journeys of the characters through to the end!
I didn’t realise before I read the story that it was part of a series and whilst the story stands up on it’s own, I think it would have been useful to read the other books in the series first to introduce me to the main characters and the storyline a bit more. Whilst I loved the background of the story, it was very biblical and religious and I’ve not read a story like that before so it did take some getting used to! However, I think Elizabeth Musser has done a fabulous job at breathing life into her words and really making you think about the different faiths we have as a community and you can see this is something that is close to her heart.
Overall, I loved the general storyline and the soul searching that sometimes we all need to do a little bit of to help us find our way 😊 I would definitely be up for reading more of elizabeth musser's books in the future.
I didn’t realise before I read the story that it was part of a series and whilst the story stands up on it’s own, I think it would have been useful to read the other books in the series first to introduce me to the main characters and the storyline a bit more. Whilst I loved the background of the story, it was very biblical and religious and I’ve not read a story like that before so it did take some getting used to! However, I think Elizabeth Musser has done a fabulous job at breathing life into her words and really making you think about the different faiths we have as a community and you can see this is something that is close to her heart.
Overall, I loved the general storyline and the soul searching that sometimes we all need to do a little bit of to help us find our way 😊 I would definitely be up for reading more of elizabeth musser's books in the future.
November 20, 2020
THE PROMISED LAND by Elizabeth Musser 5 stars
The premise of this book sounds good. I have no idea about the author’s other books but this one is really good. Apparently, this is already the third book of the Swan House series. It’s not the most perfect book nor the most perfect characters but it’s realistic of the world we are in today. It makes me think of what's important in life. Is it worth the sacrifice?
I was hooked with Abbie’s life and I was interested to read on how her character will develop. She is a perfectionist and very controlling with those she loves. All this talk about taking a gap year, taking a break and then going to pilgrimage in the Camino route are all intriguing to me. I had to look up the Camino pilgrimage on the internet. I looked at some pictures too that made me visualize more on their journey.
I like that there are only three POVs. It’s not too confusing and it makes reading easier. I learned more of the main characters' personal feelings and insights. The pilgrimage was hard physically and emotionally. They learned some hard truths and discovered more about themselves but they also gained some good friends. I also enjoyed the closeness of Abbie’s family even if they were going through some hard times. Abbie had to learn to let go and let God. Some parts of the book are hard and emotional to read but it was worth it.
Thank you Bethany House for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
The premise of this book sounds good. I have no idea about the author’s other books but this one is really good. Apparently, this is already the third book of the Swan House series. It’s not the most perfect book nor the most perfect characters but it’s realistic of the world we are in today. It makes me think of what's important in life. Is it worth the sacrifice?
I was hooked with Abbie’s life and I was interested to read on how her character will develop. She is a perfectionist and very controlling with those she loves. All this talk about taking a gap year, taking a break and then going to pilgrimage in the Camino route are all intriguing to me. I had to look up the Camino pilgrimage on the internet. I looked at some pictures too that made me visualize more on their journey.
I like that there are only three POVs. It’s not too confusing and it makes reading easier. I learned more of the main characters' personal feelings and insights. The pilgrimage was hard physically and emotionally. They learned some hard truths and discovered more about themselves but they also gained some good friends. I also enjoyed the closeness of Abbie’s family even if they were going through some hard times. Abbie had to learn to let go and let God. Some parts of the book are hard and emotional to read but it was worth it.
Thank you Bethany House for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
October 27, 2020
I have just finished reading ‘The Promised Land’ for the second time in the same week ... yes, it’s that good! As Abbie is nearing the end of her walk on the famed ‘Camino de Santiago’ she says, “An unexpected gift. That has been the Camino. So many unexpected gifts.” I would say the same of this story of the intricate entwining of the many vastly different lives sharing a ‘pilgrim journey’ in Europe as well as their life journeys – so many unexpected gifts! One of the first gifts that readers of Musser’s previous works will enjoy is the return of so many characters from those novels. Her style of letting each one share his or her story in the 1st person endears you to each one, and the interplay of ‘growth’ and ‘sameness’ in their lives is a comforting thing, as we all wrestle with those same dynamics in our own life’s journey. Encouragement, laughter that’s better than medicine, instruction, resolve, healing ... the characters find these things in abundance, as does the reader. If you haven’t read the author’s previous works, your curiosity will lead you to do so after reading “The Promised Land”, but previous reads not necessary to fully engage and enjoy this one, which I highly encourage you to do.
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