Anita Ojeda I don’t know about you, but I learn from reading fiction how to deal with friction. We CAN learn from observing other people’s behavior, and in these turbulent times, we need all the help we can get. Escape and learn at the same time. Win-win.
I receive free electronic advanced reader copies of these books through an arrangement between the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion on NetGalley’s website. I only review books on my blog that I really love.
How do You Deal with Friction?
For a long time I chose to not deal with friction. But that unhealthy tactic didn’t serve me well. It made me resentful and angry and stressed. Who has time for that? I love Christian fiction because it often shows me how to deal with friction in healthy ways without preaching at me or making me feel less-than. Although these two new releases both deal with friction, one falls into the romantic comedy genre and the other does not.
The Promised Land
By Elizabeth Musser, Bethany House, November 2020, 384 pages.
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 letting 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.
The Cul-de-Sac War
By Melissa Ferguson, Thomas Nelson, November 2020, 336 pages.
Bree Leake might only play the part of a fairy in Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, but she gets to do it at The Barter—the nation’s oldest live theatre. In her 30-odd years Bree has job hopped and career crashed, and she’s never felt the need to tie herself down to anything specific.
A costume disaster leads her to a gallant Galahad (who’s actually taller than her). Rushing home after her performance, an obnoxious driver tailgates her—and ends up following her right into her cul-de-sac. When Galahad steps out of the truck, he turns into Darth Vader, determined to ruin her life, break her water pipes, and laugh at her misfortune.
This romantic comedy will make you laugh out loud and question the extremes people will go to when competing with each other. You’ll also question first impressions and how we let them rule our point of view without thinking them through.
What I Loved About the Book
The author keeps the plot moving right along with plenty of comic scenes. It took me a few pages to get into the story and understand what was happening, but once I entered into Bree and Chip’s worlds, I cheered them on with gusto as they tried to figure out what they really wanted out of life and how to get it without playing dirty.
Anita, both of these books sound like great reads. I read the real-life journey an author took on the Camino. It made me wish I could do it someday. I especially want to pick up The Promised Land to read more about that. 🙂
I want to walk it, too! But Pedro isn’t into hiking (he has nerve neuropathy in his foot from cancer). One of these days ;).