When John, a 7-year-old boy, comes upon a dreadful automobile accident involving a young girl, Deirdre, also 7 years old, little did he know that the course of both lives would be destined to intertwine, forever. Falling in love as teenagers, the foundation for their life-long relationship is built; but so too is the recurring pattern of separation only to meet again, briefly. Throughout their parallel journeys in the coming decades, they rekindle their love at profound stages of their lives, attempting to reconnect their devotion to one another. However, forces beyond their control, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities conspire to keep them apart. It is a story of two people who love each other, but remain in constant struggle to share a life together. At times, whether fighting against evil, fulfilling moral obligations, or involved in tragic events that strengthens their resolve, they hope to someday finally join as one, never to separate again. From their youthful innocence, into adulthood and beyond, it is a test of that devotion to determine if John and Deirdre ultimately succeed! The story begins in 1959 when John, only 7 years old, is out for a "Sunday drive" with his family when they come upon a tragic scene. A young girl, Deirdre, who is the same age as he, has been struck down by a truck, and lies dying in the arms of her mother. The young boy is tormented by what he witnesses and will have nightmares of the incident for years to come. Their paths will not cross for another six years. John and Deirdre meet once again in the summer of 1965, although both assume it is for the first time. As young teenagers, coming of age, they learn and discover all the emotions and heartache of love despite her strict mother's intent to keep them separated. During this time, Deirdre becomes aware of her growing supernatural "sixth sense" ability. From this point on, there is no turning back - each will carry their unwavering love for the other well into the future. Throughout the turbulent social upheaval and controversial influence of the 1970s "youth counter-culture", onward through the "conservative" 1980s and '90s, they will seek out the other, each time coming close to fulfilling their destiny; their parallel lives reconnect. But other powers, inconvenient twists of fate, wrong choices, lost communications, and the face of evil revealing its sinister nature are just some the obstacles they confront! Even as John sails the world, facing danger and death, and Deirdre's own "powers" expand, their commitment becomes more binding, strong. In later years, facing moral quandaries due to their respective family ties and issues of infidelity, they must accept certain life realities, waiting for their "right time." The tragic events occurring in the City of New York on September 11, 2001 will profoundly affect what lies ahead for John and Deidre and for the remainder of their lives. As "Pearl Harbor" defined an earlier generation, the events of "911" are a defining moment for another age and for the characters of my novel. A period in time still to come and a history not yet written in fact, completes the journey. NOTE TO THE READER: "PARALLELS" contains adult situations, violence including sexual assault and coarse language that some may find disturbing and/or offensive. Though not overly graphic in the author's opinion, these elements are relevant to the story line and the reader is hereby advised.
About the Author: In the summer of 2009, I had just read the book, The Three Gentlemen, by A.E.W. Mason. Published in 1932, it is the story of two lovers who meet over the course of three separate lifetimes, spanning hundreds of years. I thought to myself, what if there were a similar story with the idea of two lovers not meeting again through past lives, but rather in one entire lifetime, with cruel circumstances and twists of fate determined to keep them separated. How would fate and destiny steer their course through the maze of obstacles they encounter? Can real love ever win in the end, or at the very least even hope to succeed? Finally, how strong is the human will? It was on the beach at the New Jersey shore when the idea for "Parallels" literally hit me, hard. I happened to have a legal pad and started writing pages like a madman, ideas flooding faster than I could jot them down into some kind of an outline. Not sure where I was going with this, I was not aware that I ended up writing the second chapter first. The story wrote itself. I suspect most authors write not just from a vivid imagination, but sometimes from personal experience and emotional pain as well-I think I will leave it at that! Almost five years since its genesis, 10,000 cups of coffee, an equal number of rewrites, editing, and critiques I believe I have a finished story that needs to be told. Besides the obvious romance and other factors of "Parallels" I have already addressed, I include some other elements as well, hopefully with success: paranormal, family, death, sex, adventure, mobsters, infidelity, and good vs. evil. Although I believe it is a story with issues and a history that many of the "Baby Boom" generation can relate with, it is my sincere hope that all readers of any adult age will find something worthy here for them as well. Please, enjoy! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *