THE GUARDIAN by Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks' new novel THE GUARDIAN is the least identifiable Nicholas Sparks book yet. In the past all of his stories have had a similar theme or style, but this one breaks the mold. It is still basically a love story but it is also a thriller, and that is what makes it distinctive and different.
The story focuses on a young woman named Julie. She is very young and already a widow. Her husband Jim died of a malignant brain tumor and she has been left alone, childless and on her own. Shortly after he died, however, she did receive a gift from him. He had ordered a puppy to keep her company in case he did not survive his illness. The puppy is a Great Dane and grows up to be a magnificent dog she calls Singer.
Singer and Julie continue to live in Swansboro, North Carolina and eventually Julie decides it is time to get on with her life. She is an attractive woman and has her fair share of opportunities to date. But it finally comes down to her making a choice between two men. One of them is Mike, a man who was one of Jim's closest friends. He is faithful, loyal and her best friend - much like Singer is.
The other man in her life is named Richard. He is more cosmopolitan than Mike and offers Julie a look at the world beyond Swansboro. He is instantly attracted to Julie and puts on a full court press in romancing her. Julie is literally swept off her feet. Still she does sense that Mike offers something solid if she will only give him a chance.
Eventually Julie makes her choice and tries to get on with her life. There are people though who don't want her to do that. She attracts a stalker and soon her ordinary days are having extraordinary occurrences. Even in calm little Swansboro, the forces of evil do reside. Julie gets caught up in an insane obsession situation and has to run for her life.
Sparks handles the romance and thrills with equal ease. He is totally in control of this story and gives it every twist and turn possible to bring maximum enjoyment and pleasure.
Sparks has had one best seller after another in the past, but with THE GUARDIAN he dares try something new. Because of his talent as a master storyteller, it is just as enjoyable and successful as everything that preceded it.
THE GUARDIAN is published by Warner Books. It contains 382 pages and sells for $24.95.