Michael Parlee, an author from Bowden, has published his latest novel, The Sacred Gem Within.
“This book is dedicated to those who are suffering from the heavy hand life has dealt them,” said Parlee.
“There is much relief when we realize that God has given us great strength to help us deal with the disappointments that life has brought our way.
“In the depths of despair, there is hope. By reaching out to others for guidance, and with God's help, we can access that power. That power is the sacred gem within,” said Parlee.
The main character of the story, Rob, is in a dire situation in his life where he feels there is no point in living anymore, but when he tries to pull the trigger on his own life he can’t do it.
When creating the character of Rob, Parlee looked to his real-life relationships and drew inspiration from his own son.
“A lot of his characteristics are in our own son. He suffered from depression a lot in his life but he’s a very kind person,” Parlee explained.
Drawing from people he knows is a practice that Parlee has always followed when creating the characters for his novels.
“I use them as sort of a guide and I step out of the boundaries here and there. Using my writer’s licence, I can do that,” he said.
This is Parlee’s sixth book.
Parlee’s wife, Pauline, added that often the strong female characters in his stories draw from the characteristics of his mother Edith, a name also used for one of the prominent characters in the new novel.
The novel is largely set in southern Alberta around Medicine Hat, while occasionally going to other places like Ontario or northern Montana, from 1883 to 1912.
“I’ve lived that life,” Parlee said explaining why he chose that setting. “I’ve lived in that part of the country -- the Medicine Hat area -- so I’m familiar with it.”
When asked where the inspiration for the actual story came from, Parlee said, “If somebody asks me where that story came from, I say I don’t know.
“I wrote this with a feeling in my head that I would have to get this message across.
“But the details, no idea where they came from, none whatsoever. They just filtered into the old noggin and flowed.”
The Sacred Gem Within is available online at authorhouse.com with paperback and Kindle options.
