The Guardian was Nick's SEVENTH book.

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Number One New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks has written the most memorable love stories of our time. Now, in this new novel, he daringly explores a darker realm of the heart in an explosive and emotional tale of betrayal and obsession. . .

The Guardian

Julie Barenson’s young husband left her two unexpected gifts before he died – a puppy named Singer and the promise that he would always be watching over her. Now, four years later, twenty-nine year-old Julie is far too young to have given up on love. She may be ready to risk caring for someone again. But who?

Should it be Richard Franklin, the sophisticated, handsome engineer who treats her like a queen? Or Mike Harris, the down-to-earth nice guy who was her husband’s best friend? Choosing one of them should bring her more happiness than she’s had in years. Instead, Julie is soon fighting for her life in a nightmare spawned by a chilling deception and jealousy so poisonous that it has become a murderous desire. . .

THE GUARDIAN contains all the qualities readers expect from Nicholas Sparks. But here, he adds a new electrifying intensity – and page after page of riveting suspense.

General Information on The Guardian

WHO

The Guardian is the first of Nicholas's novels that were primarily derived from his imagination. No family members inspired the story.

The Guardian is the story of Julie Barenson, Mike Harris, and Richard Franklin, three people who's lives cross in a small southern town. Written in third-person, it is a story told from differing character's points of view.

WHAT

The Guardian is a love story set against the backdrop obsession and danger.

The Guardian, Nicholas’s seventh novel, is approximately 130,000 words, making it Nicholas’s longest novel to that point.

WHERE

The Guardian was primarily written in North Carolina, but was finished while on a book tour in Jackson, Mississippi.

The Guardian is set in Swansboro, North Carolina.

WHEN

The Guardian was begun in May, 2001 and the first draft was finished in October, 2001. The novel required extensive revisions and was set aside until June, 2002, while Nights in Rodanthe was written. Editing began June, 2002 and continued through October, 2002. The novel was published in April, 2003, where it spent five months on the best-seller list. The paperback version publication date was set for April, 2004.

The Guardian is a modern novel, set in 2002.

THEME

Love and danger

GENRE / SUB-GENRE

Dramatic fiction/Love story