Home By Another Way
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Pub Date 28 Jun 2026 | Archive Date 25 Aug 2026
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Description
Set against the perilous surveying of the transcontinental railroad through the Rocky Mountains, Home By Another Way blends adventure, romance, tragedy and hope, and provides a fresh, faith-infused perspective on the American West.
There are places where Heaven touches Earth, where love and sorrow mingle, and restoration and redemption spring forth from the most unexpected sources...
Eli Valentine is the obedient son of a conservative clergyman and a strong-willed mother. Born and raised in the border state of Virginia, Eli finds his family on both sides of the conflict when the Civil War breaks out. When the war ends, it’s clear to Eli that returning to his life before the war will not give him peace, nor will it fill the silence left by a seemingly absent God.
An army friend’s introduction leads Eli to join a Union Pacific survey crew assigned the task of finding the transcontinental railroad’s route through the Rocky Mountains. And so begins his journey of restoration and redemption.
The landscape, the encounters with Indigenous peoples, the bizarre weather conditions and the hazardous work present huge challenges, sometimes with tragic outcomes.
Friendships forged with a talented Pawnee Scout, a grizzled NCO from New York and a larger-than-life army colonel, will enable Eli to see the world through a different lens. And when the mysterious Grace Lewis enters his life, can she offer Eli the redemption he needs to find his way home?
A Note From the Publisher
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781806346721 |
| PRICE | £4.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 352 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 2 members
Featured Reviews
Librarian 659548
Thank you NetGalley and Troubador for this eCopy to review.
James Gerry delivers an evocative, faith‑infused Western set against the perilous surveying of the transcontinental railroad. Home By Another Way blends adventure, tragedy, romance and spiritual searching
🌄🚂 Plot Summary
The novel follows Eli Valentine, the dutiful son of a conservative clergyman and a strong‑willed mother. Growing up in Virginia, Eli’s family is torn apart when the Civil War breaks out, leaving him emotionally stranded between both sides of the conflict.
Eli — The Soldier Seeking Peace
When the war ends, Eli realises he cannot return to his old life. Haunted by loss and wrestling with a sense of God’s absence, he searches for purpose. An army friend introduces him to a Union Pacific survey crew, tasked with finding a railroad route through the Rocky Mountains, a journey that becomes Eli’s path toward restoration.
The Survey Crew — Hardship, Friendship, and Danger
The work is brutal and unpredictable. Eli faces:
treacherous mountain terrain
encounters with Indigenous peoples
violent storms and extreme weather
accidents and tragedies that test every man’s resolve
Along the way, Eli forms deep bonds with:
A Pawnee Scout, whose skill and insight reshape Eli’s understanding of the land
A grizzled NCO from New York, offering humour and hard‑won wisdom
A larger‑than‑life army colonel, whose leadership pushes Eli to grow
These friendships broaden Eli’s worldview and challenge the beliefs he carried from home.
Grace Lewis — A Chance at Redemption
When Eli meets Grace Lewis, her quiet strength and mystery offer him something he thought he’d lost: hope. Their connection becomes central to Eli’s journey, raising the question of whether love and faith can guide him home by another way.
💛 What I Loved Most
Eli is a thoughtful, conflicted protagonist with a strong emotional arc.
The railroad surveying setting is vivid, dangerous, and richly detailed.
Gerry balances adventure with spiritual reflection beautifully.
The supporting cast adds depth, warmth, and tension.
The blend of history, faith, and frontier hardship feels fresh and engaging.
✨ Final Thoughts
Home By Another Way is a heartfelt, adventurous Western about grief, redemption, and the long road toward inner peace. James Gerry writes with clarity and compassion, offering a story that is both rugged and deeply human.