'The Notebook' author Nicholas Sparks, king of romantic fiction, comes to Santa Rosa

The king of romantic fiction, Nicholas Sparks, whose every book turns to best-selling gold - often followed up by a three-hankie movie - will appear in conversation with KSRO radio personality Steve Jaxon at the Luther Burbank Center on Thursday Oct. 6.

It is the only California stop for Sparks, who is on tour promoting his latest book, “Two by Two.”

The story of a 32-year-old man whose perfect world implodes, leaving him to raise a 6-year-old daughter, is the prolific author's 20th book and coincides with the 20th anniversary of the publication of his first best-seller, “The Notebook.”

Sparks, whose stories invariably deliver some combination of romance, loss, tragedy, reconciliation and kisses in the rain, is touring with singer and songwriting storyteller JD Eicher.

The pair collaborated on a four-song soundtrack for the book, including one original cut, “Two by Two,” inspired by the book.

While still writing the manuscript Sparks shared certain situations and scenes with Eicher, and even writes the song into a pivotal scene.

“For the 20th anniversary of ‘The Notebook,” Nick wanted to do something really nice for fans,” said Caitlin Mulrooney-Lyski, a spokeswoman for Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette, which published “Two By Two.”

The book is essentially a story of love between father and daughter. In a sweet turn true to a Sparks' novel, Eicher is expecting his first child, a daughter, in three weeks.

Fans can download the four-song soundtrack for free through Dec. 6 at Twobytwomusic.com.

Eicher is appearing with Sparks to perform “Two by Two” and other songs from the soundtrack, at only four stops on the tour, including Santa Rosa.

Sparks has a devoted fan following. One woman has written to Copperfield's Books, which is co-sponsoring the event, saying she's driving up from L.A. with her husband and 8-month-old daughter to see the author in person.

“She said he was on the top of her bucket list. And this is his only California appearance,” said Sara Peyton, a spokeswoman for the Sonoma County-based bookseller.

Tickets for the 7 p.m. appearance are $40, which includes a copy of the book, or $56 for two tickets and a book. A special student price of $16, with no purchases required, will be available on Thursday from noon until 7 p.m. at the Luther Burbank Center box office, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 546-3600 or lutherburbankcenter.org.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204.