For over a decade, #1 New York Times bestseller Nicholas Sparks has captivated readers with stories that explore the profound mysteries of the human heart, establishing him as one of our most cherished novelists.; now in his new book, he restores our belief in destiny, delivering a stunning tale about a man whose brushes with death lead him to the love of his life. Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, THE LUCKY ONE is Nicholas Sparks at his best an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love.

A bestselling novelist, Nicholas Sparks is known throughout the world, His novels usually hold touching storylines and sometimes, are inspired by his personal experiences.

He was born December 31, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Sparks graduated in 1984 as valedictorian at Bella Vista High School. He received a full scholarship for track to the University of Notre Dame. As a freshman in 1985, Sparks broke the record as part of a relay team and the record still stands today. Sparks majored in Business Finance and he graduated with high honors in 1988.

Nicholas Sparks was married in July of 1989 to his wife Catherine, who he had met a year earlier During this time he was living in Sacramento. He had written his second novel that same year and like his first novel it was not published.

Over the next three years, Sparks had worked numerous jobs such as; real estate appraisal, waiting tables, selling dental products by phone, and started his own manufacturing business. In 1992, he began selling pharmaceuticals and moved to North Carolina from Sacramento.

After trying a number of jobs and professions, Sparks wrote his debut novel The Notebook. Rights to the novel were sold to Warner Books in October of 1995 and in October of 1996, the novel was published.

After that success Nicholas Sparks wrote and published Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), Three Weeks with my Brother (2004), True Believer (2005), and At First Sight (2005).

All of his novels have been domestic and international best sellers. They have also been translated into more than 35 languages. Message in a Bottle was made into a movie in 1999, A Walk to Remember was made into a movie in 2002, and The Notebook was made into a movie in 2004.

"Romance is thinking about your significant other, when you are supposed to be thinking about something else." Nicholas Sparks