Nicholas Sparks' The Lucky One Movie Trailer

Thanks to The Book Vixen who posted the following trailer for the soon to be released The Lucky One.  I just had to share it here as well since I reviewed Nicholas Sparks' The Lucky One back in January.

An excerpt from my review:

"Nicholas Sparks weaves a story of love, of mystery, of intrigue and suspense in this novel. ..... " 


"The Lucky One is the story of a young marine who, after returning from war, pursues his destiny, whatever that may mean.  His friend Victor, a strong believer in such things, is persuaded that the photo Logan found has preserved his life in-so-much that Victor deemed it possible to remain alive during the war by being in close proximity to Logan.  Logan is not convinced. However, he and Victor come home from war while many of their brigade aren't so lucky.  Still in possession of the photo of a young woman, Logan decides to follow Victor's advice when he tells him he must repay the debt.  He must find the woman in the photo."


"Sparks introduces us and seduces us so we are right there with the characters cheering them on, chastising at times, and eager to see justice.  The sudden plot turn near the end leaves the readers hanging until the epilogue.  A remarkable tool the author has developed to keep you guessing, until the last moment, if all will end happily ever after." (copyright My Bookshelf)





Now that you have seen the trailer, will you read the book?

Book Review: Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks

Message in a Bottle
Author:  Nicholas Sparks
Copyright:  1998
Publisher: Warner Books
Pages:  336
Edition:  Print Paperback
ISBN 0-446-52356-9
Source:  I was given this book by a friend.

Synopsis:  Divorced and disillusioned about relationships, Theresa Osborne is jogging when she finds a bottle on the beach. Inside is a letter of love and longing to "Catherine," signed simply "Garrett." Challenged by the mystery and pulled by emotions she doesn't fully understand, Theresa begins a search for this man that will change her life. What happens to her is unexpected, perhaps miraculous-an encounter that embraces all our hopes for finding someone special, for having a love that is timeless and everlasting.

Review:  This is the second romance novel written by author Nicholas Sparks, Notebook being his first in 2006.  Message in a Bottle was subsequently converted to film starring Kevin Costner (Garrett Blake) and Robyn Wright Penn (Theresa Osborne).

On vacation, after sending her 11 year old son, Kevin, off to vacation with his father, divorcee Theresa Osborne jogged the beach of Cape Cod, enjoying the quiet solitude of the early morning in the dawn of the New England sun.  It was here she found the thing that would change the direction of her life, forever.  Here she found the message in the bottle.

Unable to deal with his grief and the feeling of loss after the death of his wife, Catherine, Garrett Blake decided to put it on paper.  A message......a heartfelt tribute of love and devotion to his deceased wife, he wrapped the note in string and enclosed it in a bottle, sealed with a cork and his love.  Tossed to the ocean, he somehow knew the message would be received.  He felt better for doing it.  In the three years since her death, he wrote two more messages to Catherine, letters that showed his undying love and devotion, his grief and his longing... feelings of being alone and lost.

Touched by the letter she found in the bottle, Theresa shared it with her boss and dear friend Deanna, who decided it had to be shared.  And shared it was, in the newspaper which Theresa wrote a parenting column for. (Here the novel and movie differ.  Supporting cast play different roles, but the feel of the story remains the same.  It is the same touching message of undying love, trials, and emptiness and new love.)

Theresa wanted to meet this man who evoked such emotion in her and hundreds of readers as they read the letter in her column.  Deciding to use some of her vacation time, she flew to North Carolina to meet the writer of the incredible letters.  She flew to meet Garrett......she found so much more.

Nicholas Sparks excels in this genre of romance fiction.  He tells a fluid tale, strong in character development, with complicated story lines in which the protagonist(s) must overcome affliction or tribulation.  His novels are easy to relate to as he uses themes to which the reader can identify.  As in Notebook, the story of husband and wife, their love and the trials of Alzheimer's; Nicholas Sparks presents Message in a Bottle with a story line including love lost and the  yearning of the heart to be loved again.  He captures it well and the reader becomes so involved, tears flowing freely, as we engage in this recital of their lives, enraptured in the tale of love.

I love both the movie and the book.  The movie does the book justice; though it alters the story somewhat in the details, it is still true to the "feel" of Nicholas Sparks' work.  If you love the book, the movie is a must see and vice versa.

Highly recommended.

Rated 4.5/5





This is my third book in the Nicholas Sparks Reading Challenge.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks - Book Review

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

Copyright 2008

Vision, Hatchette Book Group

384 pages including acknowledgments and epilogue

Edition:  paperback mass market

Author website:  http://www.nicholassparks.com/
Recommended for a mature audience:  war, death, references to sex

(from the back cover) After U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman buried int he dirt during his tour of duty in Iraq, he experiences a sudden streak of luck, winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat.  Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune:  the photograph--his lucky charm.

Back home in Colorado, Thibault can't seem to get the woman in the photograph out of his mind and he sets out on a journey across the country to find her.  But Thibault can't seem to get the woman in the photograph out of his mind and he sets out on a journey across the country to find her.  But Thibault is caught off guard by the strong attraction he feels when his search leads him to Elizabeth, a divorced mother in North Carolina with a young son--and he keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret.  As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate love affair, Thibault's secret will soon threaten to tear them apart, destroying not only their love, but also their lives.

Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, The Lucky One is an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love.

The Lucky One is the story of a young marine who, after returning from war, pursues his destiny, whatever that may mean.  His friend Victor, a strong believer in such things, is persuaded that the photo Logan found has preserved his life in-so-much that Victor deemed it possible to remain alive during the war by being in close proximity to Logan.  Logan is not convinced. However, he and Victor come home from war while many of their brigade aren't so lucky.  Still in possession of the photo of a young woman, Logan decides to follow Victor's advice when he tells him he must repay the debt.  He must find the woman in the photo.

     "It's a sign," he said.  "She's your good-luck charm....

     "She was tonight."

     "Not just tonight.  You found that picture for a reason.  No one claimed it for a reason.  You took it today for a reason.  Only you were meant to have it."....

     "But you can't ever lose the picture."

     "No?"

     "If you do, then the charm works in reverse."

     "Which means what?"

     "It means you'll be unlucky.  And in war, unlucky is the last thing you want to be." (The Lucky One p. 27-28)

Nicholas Sparks weaves a story of love, of mystery, of intrigue and suspense in this novel.  This was my second time reading it and I enjoyed it immensely, despite knowing how the story twists and the plot thickens.  He develops each character so the reader feels they know the individual.  From the quirky, intelligent and loveable Nana; . 

     Beth motioned to the set. "How're the Braves doing?"

     "Like a bunch of carrots."

     "Is that good or bad?"

     "Can carrots play baseball?"

     "I guess not."

     "Then you have your answer." (The Lucky One p. 84. Conversation between Beth and her grandmother) 

to Deputy Keith Clayton, Beth's possessive, power hungry and odd ex-husband;...

     "He was obsessed with you even though you'd never met, like someone who gets obsessed with movie stars.  And what did he do?  He hunted you down, but seeing you from afar-or simply meeting you-wasn't enough.  Instead, he had to become part of your life.  That's what dangerous stalkers do, Beth." (The Lucky One. p. 327)

to (Elizabeth) Beth the school teacher, divorcee and mother, who feels inordinantly unlucky in love;

     "She found it hard to breathe.....

     On the drive home, her mind flashed from one image to the next, a kaleidoscope of sight and sound and smell.  She tried to convince herself that Keith was lying, grasping for a way to rationalize his news.  It was possible, considering the way he'd lied in the past, and yet...." (The Lucky One. pp 329-330) 

 to Logan the drifter, ex-marine, mysterious and brooding.  In the midst of it all is young Ben - a boy at odds with his father, adored by his mother and grandmother - who finds in Logan a kinship and in Zeus, Logan's german shepherd, a doting companion.  Sparks introduces us and seduces us so we are right there with the characters cheering them on, chastising at times, and eager to see justice.  The sudden plot turn near the end leaves the readers hanging until the epilogue.  A remarkable tool the author has developed to keep you guessing, until the last moment, if all will end happily ever after.

Rated 4.5/5 

Linking up with The Book Vixen for the Nicholas Sparks reading challenge http://www.thebookvixen.com/2010/11/2011-reading-challenge-sign-up-nicholas.html

2011 Reading Challenge - Nicholas Sparks

I am joining The Book Vixen for my first ever reading challenge, the 2011 Reading Challenge:  Nicholas Sparks.  Read as many Nicholas Sparks novels as you can in 2011, blogging about them on your book blog or keeping track on GoodReads or LibraryThing.  Link up with The Book Vixen to join this challenge.  There are four levels, you can begin at any level and graduate to the next, which is what I will do.  Starting at the first level, "First Date" - read 1-4 Nicholas Sparks novels, I shall begin with Nights in Rodanthe.  Join me here periodically for updates on this challenge and reviews of Nicholas Sparks novels.

Nicholas Sparks is one of my favourite authors so this shall be a fun challenge!!

The Lucky One

Written by Nicholas Sparks, author of bestsellers including Nights in Rodanthe, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, Dear John and The Notebook.  Another great novel by Nicholas Sparks.  

When a US Marine, Logan Thibault, finds a photograph of a beautiful young woman he pegs it on the bulletin board for the owner to claim but no one does.  Putting it in his pocket, he fights in Iraq with his platoon.  Many die around him but he survives.  His friend Victor tells him the photo is a charm.  As long as he has the charm he will be protected.

There's a catch here.  When they return from duty, Victor tells him he has to return the favour to the woman.  He must find her.  Taking only his dog, Zeus, and a backpack, Logan treks across the country from Colorado to North Carolina in search of the  mystery woman.

It is a story of the paths our lives take, destiny, and true love with suspense thrown in. A new twist from what I have read of Sparks.  A drama that will capture you from the start.

I recommend this book as a 5/5!  Take this one with you on holiday for some great summer reading!

Welcome Visitors!

Good day and welcome!  Thank you for visiting this blog.  Join me here often, put your feet up, and read reviews of some of my favorites.  Looking for something to read this summer?  I recently bought Nicholas Sparks' new novel "The Lucky One"   So check back here soon to get the inside voice.  In the meantime, what are you reading?