Salford based fiction writer and life coach Nadia Lipska, writing under the pseudonym Gem Everest, has transformed personal pain into a powerful message of healing through her debut novel, House of Abbaray.
More than simply a story, the book serves as an inspiring life coaching tool, encouraging readers to recognise the impact of trauma and understand that recovery is possible when people reach out for support. Compelling, emotional and inspiring, the novel aims to encourage readers to become the heroes of their own story.
At the heart of House of Abbaray is the story of Edwina, a woman determined to build a successful and meaningful life despite the emotional scars of childhood trauma. The novel explores fractured family relationships, sibling rivalries, betrayal and emotional isolation, while examining how unresolved pain can quietly shape every aspect of a person’s life.
Edwina believes determination, discipline and kindness are enough to overcome adversity. However, as her world begins to unravel, she discovers that survival alone is not the same as healing. In her desperate attempts to fix her family and control her future, she makes decisions that leave her more isolated than ever before. Only when she finally accepts support and confronts the trauma she has spent years ignoring does she begin to reclaim her life.
The emotional depth of the novel is closely connected to Gem Everest’s own experiences. She explains:
“I was born and raised in Latvia at a time when it was occupied by Russia and part of the former USSR, and endured a difficult childhood marked by bullying, financial hardship, and family struggles. While the instability surrounding the collapse of the Soviet Union left my accounting qualification worthless overnight, my father also lost his job, took to drinking, and was found dead under suspicious circumstances – presumed suicide.”
She continues:
“Like my fictional characters, I experienced the lasting effects of trauma, including emotional struggles and food addiction. Yet despite these hardships, I rebuilt my life after moving to the UK three decades ago, worked in debt management and bereavement, and I have since trained as a life coach. I use my experiences to help others facing emotional difficulties, and this debut novel serves as a self-help guide, showing others how seeking support can lead to new beginnings.”
Through House of Abbaray, Gem Everest aims to show readers that trauma does not have to define a person’s future. The novel highlights the importance of emotional support, self- awareness, and the courage to ask for help — a message that resonates strongly in a world where many people silently struggle with mental health challenges, abuse, or unresolved childhood experiences.
Gem summarises:
“Unlike traditional self-help books, House of Abbaray delivers its lessons through emotionally driven storytelling. Readers follow Edwina’s turbulent journey, allowing them to connect with the characters’ vulnerabilities and recognise similar struggles within themselves. In doing so, the novel becomes both an engaging piece of fiction and a compassionate guide to emotional healing.”
Gem’s life coaching services create a positive roadmap and vision for the future. Her 1-2-1 coaching sessions take people on a journey of self-discovery and help them create the life they want. The new novel can be read by her clients as part of their transformative journey or by anyone seeking inspiration, not necessarily for coaching.
Gem Everest’s message is ultimately one of hope: no matter how deep the wounds of the past may be, healing is possible. By seeking support, confronting trauma, and refusing to give up, people can indeed build better lives and become the heroes of their own stories.
