Nicholas Sparks fans are marking their book wish lists with a big red star to remind themselves that his latest book THE LUCKY ONE is now available.

As usual Sparks' book is set in North Carolina, but it's a story that has its beginning in war torn Iraq. Logan Thibault was serving his first tour of duty when he found a picture on the ground. He posted it on a bulletin board hoping that whoever the picture belonged to would claim it. When several days went by he decided the picture was going to be unclaimed, and for some reason stuck it in his pocket.

He kept that picture with him throughout three tours of duty, and even carried it while he attempted to resume his life in Colorado. He decided that it was destiny for him to meet the young woman in the picture, and set out to find her.

Logan's story is one of determination and perhaps truly destiny. How he finds the young woman in the story is as much a part of the story as what happens once Logan and Elizabeth, better known as Beth finally meet.

As I read THE LUCKY ONE I found myself hoping that not only did Logan find what he was looking for, but that Beth, her son Ben, and her Nana, who raised her when her parents were tragically would also find contentment.

Nicholas Sparks is known for putting a lot of emotion in his stories, and THE LUCKY ONE is no exception, and as the climax of the book begins readers are likely to find themselves on the edge of their seats, and surely unable to set the book aside. I have to admit to being somewhat able to predict the outcome of the book, but was a tad surprised when I wasn't quite right.

I believe that Nicholas Sparks fans will truly enjoy his latest effort, and that those who are new to his books and style will be the lucky ones.