"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.

THE PROMISED LAND by ELIZABETH MUSSER tells the story of four people with varying problems who do the Camino pilgrimage together. It is a really inspirational book which brings to mind the words of Jesus in John chapter eight: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.", in that they are set free on two levels - coming to know the truth about themselves as well as the truth that the Lord is always with them.
It is a sensitively written book, and as we go on the journey with Abbie, Bobby, Rasa and Caro, there are things we not only learn about each of them, but also things that could be applicable in our own lives.
Abbie, the control freak who has literally driven her husband away and cannot seem to help interfering in her sons' lives, Bobby, who is too ready to carry everyone's burdens and is getting over a terrible tragedy, Rasa, the refugee who has panic attacks and tends to take on too much as well, and Caro with her self destructive and tragic past, are an unlikely group of people, and it is interesting to see how the Lord uses them in each others' lives.
It is a really lovely book and one I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. the opinions in this review are completely my own.

When I saw this book in the list of possible books to read for review, I chose it simply because of the Camino involvement in the plot. My husband was supposed to hike the Caminio de Santiago this year, because of COVID, Spain closed its borders to tourists.

Abbie is a woman who has to be in control of all aspects of her life, her sons' lives, and her husband's life. When her older son decides to go to Europe for a "gap year" between high school and college, and her husband goes to Chicago for three months, and her younger son goes off to boarding school; Abbie sees her well-ordered life spiral out of control.

At the suggestion of her mother, Abbie begins seeing a woman who is not a therapist, but considers herself a spiritual guide. Abbie's son, Bobby, mentions that he's planning a trek on the Camino in France, and Abbie decides to go along--which defeats Bobby's purpose in taking the trip. However, it does work in his favor in the end.

Abbie has to face some not very nice truths about herself and in the end return to who she really is.

I've read several Elizabeth Musser books and I find her work to be compelling and intriguing, just as I found this one. The one criticism I have is that the people populating the book are extreme in their characterizations. While it is more rewarding to read books about flawed people (as we all are), it was not as satisfying to read a book about characters I wouldn't like in real life. Still, the narrative moves at a good pace, and the settings are amazing. I will still give this book four stars.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed are totally my own.