Nicholas Sparks, author of “Message in a Bottle” and “A Walk to Remember,” charms his way into many readers’ hearts with his latest novel, “The Rescue.”

Sparks’ storytelling is the kind that will make you smile, make you cry and all the while make you yearn for the romance that he describes.

All of Sparks’ novels seem to include the same trademark elements: a love-challenged individual, a soul awakening, and an unexpected tragedy, all in the comforts of quiet South Carolina. Luckily, Sparks’ tragedies usuallyend in a way that will warm the heart.

In “The Rescue,” we find the story of a man and a woman struggling to make one of life’s biggest commitments: to love each other forever.

Taylor McAden is a volunteer fire-fighter in Edenton, N.C. He is a small town hero who has fearlessly saved many lives, including that of single-mother Denise Holton, after a near fatal car crash.

When Taylor unselfishly saves the lives of Denise and her disabled son, Kyle, he has no idea that his actions will lead to a special bond with the small family.

Romance immediately flourishes between Taylor and Denise, and for a while, they seem like they are a match made in heaven. Soon, their love becomes too deep and serious for Taylor, and our hero shies away from the relationship.

The reader learns that Taylor must rescue himself from a buried past before he can ever truly accept love for what it is.

Nicholas Sparks knows how to romance his readers without all the smut found in traditional romance novels. Instead, he tells his story by describing the characters’ feelings and emotions; rarely does his story give you anything to blush about.

Not only does Sparks have class when it comes to writing, but his novel is written so simply that only the story is told. He doesn’t try to confuse the reader with prestigious language; Sparks writes for a common audience interested in reading for pleasure.

Although Sparks seems to write primarily for a female audience, most men could find pleasure in his latest novel. There are enough fire-fighting and rescue segments throughout the novel to keep a desire for action andsuspense fulfilled.

“The Rescue” is a delightful read that will make a nice Valentine’s Daysurprise for most any book lover.