Home Another Way

After her mother's death and her father's abandonnment, tiny infant Sarah Graham was left to be raised by her emotionally distant grandmother. As a child she turned to music for solace and even gained entrance to Julliard. But her potentially brilliant music career ended with an unplanned pregnancy and the stillborn birth of her child.
In an attempt to escape the past, Sarah, now twenty-seven, is living life hard and fast--and she is flat broke. When her estranged father dies, she travels to the tiny mountain hamlet of Jonah, New York to claim her inheritance. Once there, she learns her father's will stipulates a six-month stay before she can recieve the money. Fueled by hate and desperation, Sarah settles in for the bitter mountain winter, and as the weeks pass, she finds her life intertwining with the lives of the simple, gracious townsfolk. Can these strangers teach Sarah how to forgive and find peace.
A story of grace, of God's never-ceasing love and the sometimes flawed, faithful people He uses to bring His purpose to pass.

In her first novel, Home Another Way, Christa Parrish understands that there is much more to events in life than what seems to be playing out on the surface. Her main character, Sarah Graham, finds herself in Jonah, New York, ready to hear the reading of her estranged father’s will. When she finds out she must live in her father’s house in Jonah for at least six months in order to receive her inheritance, her hatred and anger for her father explode. Nevertheless, she agrees. During her time in Jonah, though, she happens upon several secrets and, in time, their truths are revealed to her, including one that will leave her with several new questions about her background and her father.

The book’s plot is well structured, with circumstances and events that could very well happen in a town of Jonah’s size. The characters have very good relationships, and even the more hostile relationships are realistic and believable, even if a bit uncomfortable at times. The most intense and unforgettable experience comes toward the end of the book, when Sarah finds out the truth about her father and about her mother’s murder. The author did such an amazing job at relaying the character’s emotions that I could completely relate to Sarah in this moment of truth.

Besides the fact that Sarah has to live in Jonah for six months before she can get her father’s money, there are many secrets to be revealed, and almost each character has one. One dilemma that develops unexpectedly for Sarah is a developing love for Jack Watson, the town’s pastor. Each of their pasts includes an ex-lover, which neither knows about, but which hinders the development of their current relationship. Sarah knows that her feelings toward Jack will weigh heavily on her choice to stay or leave Jonah after her six months.

Because of Sarah’s fierce independence, she often drives people away from her, even though she is screaming on the inside for them to make her their friend. Sarah even pushes God away. One passage of scripture that was focused on in the book was the love lesson found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is the one thing that Sarah Graham needs to work on before she can ever have a relationship with Jack Watson or any new friends.

There is a lot of symbolism in the story. For example, the name of the town symbolized Sarah and how she ended up “in the belly of the whale” because she was running away from life. Other names and objects also serve as symbols for the underlying message of the story.

I truly enjoyed this book! I could immediately relate to the main character, especially in her emotions for her father. It did, however, leave me wanting more at the end. I thought, There has to be a sequel! This is because the book’s ending offers some logical but unexpected big surprises. Some key contemporary issues, ranging from pre-marital sex to family disintegration, are faced in a biblical way in this book. I would definitely recommend this book to any church library and to anyone who may be struggling with unforgiveness, love, or escaping one’s past. -- Mindy T. Kreilein, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com

Parrish's debut novel begins with the mother of all Christian fiction clichés: a young urban sophisticate is forced, much to her chagrin, to move from the city to the country. Despite this scenario playing out largely according to the formula (stock rural characters teach said sophisticate important life lessons), the story feels fresh. Parrish's protagonist, Sarah Graham, is unabashedly self-centered, unfriendly, promiscuous and lazy—and amazingly enough, she holds on to these characteristics throughout most of the novel. The conversion she experiences in the brutally poor mountain hamlet of Jonah is full of hiccups and reversals. Just when it seems that Sarah has been rehabilitated, she tosses off yet another casually diabolical thought or action with absolutely no remorse. The people of Jonah are flawed and complicated, too, and Parrish allows readers to savor every moment of genuine, hard-earned human connection. With its vast array of richly imagined characters, its humor and its substance, this debut is sure to resonate with a wide and appreciative audience. (Oct.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

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Reviewed by Deborah (Reston, VA), August 07, 2009

This book isn't your typical Christian fiction book. The town of Jonah, New York has been a safe haven for Sarah Graham's father and now after his death, it has become hers. I enjoyed reading about her becoming acquainted with the small town and its cast of characters. Also the discovery about the truth of the situation involving her parents is painful yet life changing for her. The chemistry between Sarah and Jack is really excellent, and I really liked his character. Sarah is an extremely prickly character. Throughout almost the entire book, she is nothing but mean, snippy, rude and always trying to get a rise out of a person just for the fun of it. I understand where her hostility comes from. If I had to live the life she went through, with a mother killed by your father who then abandons you with a grandmother who tells you everyday you are worthless, I'd be angry and sullen too. However her attitude continues throughout the entire book and her continual rebuffs at those who try to help her make it very difficult to actually like her as a character. I found myself several times in the book wanting to yell at her to just listen to what the other person had to say before making snap judgments about them. I did feel that the ending was rather abrupt and leaves the reader with a sense of incompleteness. I honestly felt that there could have been more, not necessarily a neat and tidy ending, but at least a little bit more closure than what we were given. It made me almost feel as if the time I invested in the book seem to have vanished almost immediately. I really liked the entire Watson family and would have liked more closure with them as well. That being said though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is not preachy at all and the storyline sucks you and keeps you wanting to read more. This is an absolutely wonderful debut novel and I am looking forward to reading future works from Christa Parrish. HIGHLY recommended.

Reviewed by Athene Chadwick (Woodsville, NH), May 29, 2009

Great book by a new author! I am always wary when trying new people, but I was very pleasantly suprised. The story was compelling and grabbed my attention and kept it through the whole book. I look forward to more books by this author.

Reviewed by elizabeth (anna, texas), May 15, 2009

This is a very well written book, with loveable and memorable characters. I am not a fan of "perfect endings" because life simply isn't always perfect. This book doesn't end the way I wished it would, but it did end as it needed to end. I also (like others) hope there is a sequel.

Reviewed by Nancy A Pottle (West Gardiner, ME), March 24, 2009

I loved this book. I don't usually buy new authors but I read a review on a blog that I read daily so decided to take the risk. I am so glad I did. This book kept you guessing all the way thru it and I am now waiting for her next one to come into print!(I'm hoping their will be another)If you like reading this type of book then I highly reccommend you purchase this.

Reviewed by patti lacy (Normal, Illinois), March 13, 2009

Book Review, Home Another Way Christa Parrish I love discoveries! On a recent trip to my Barnes & Noble, Home Another Way called to me from the Christian fiction section. Oh, you’ll love the intriguing cover of a mysterious red-haired woman, and the title, which implies a quirky character. But it was a read of the first chapter that hooked me into the in-your-face voice of debut novelist, Christa Parrish. In Home Another Way, Sarah Graham has a dysfunctional past and wants everyone to suffer for it. She irritates long-time friends, mere acquaintances—everyone she comes into contact with! It takes the love of a disfigured young woman, a soft-hearted preacher, and a menagerie of mountain folk who the local doctor insists Sarah help to break down the brittle shell around her heart. You will learn to love Sarah—and this exciting new Christian writer. Don’t wait another minute to get ahold of Home Another Way and adopt Christa Parrish yourself.

Reviewed by Meredith (Atlanta, GA), February 17, 2009

What a wonderful book... entertaining with endearing, believable characters and powerful plot. Read it in one day!! I've been looking for something similar in the Christian fiction section, nothing else delivers like this book. Looking forward to Christa's next work.

Reviewed by Jan Hansen (Hartford, MI), February 03, 2009

I read this book in two days. The writing was amazing and I came away with many life lessons. Christa, Praise God for the gift he has given you.

Reviewed by Erin (Dallax, TX), January 23, 2009

Seriously, Christa, if you're reading this, I need to stop what you're doing and write me a sequel. I'll just echo some of what's already been said. Excellent, excellent, characters. Great message. Beautiful style. The story sucks you right in and doesn't let you go. This author has nailed it.

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Author: Christa Parrish
Located in: Upstate, NY
Submitted: May 31, 2008

    What was your motivation behind this project?  I have a passion for the church being The Church - a motley bunch of flawed folks who most importantly love the Lord, who come with their own gifts and talents and personalities, and who truly seek to be salt and light. In my writing, I strive to show people who, while struggling with their own problems, still do what they can to serve Jesus.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  I hope this novel will move readers to be more sensitive towards those around them, both in understanding that circumstances, such as poverty and illness, do not define an individual's faith and commitment to Christ, and that those who have been wounded need believers to meet them where they are with patience and grace.

    How were you personally impacted by working on this project?  I think I've certainly become more aware of those around me, those who are carrying around life's hurts and may act in destructive ways because of it. And I work not to judge, but to correct in love: And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you(H) be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."

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