The Drink With Kate Snow: Nicholas Sparks

Counting Miracles follows the lives of Tanner Hughes, a former Army Ranger searching for information about his father after his grandmother's passing; Kaitlyn Cooper, a single mom and doctor; and Jasper, an elderly man living alone in a cabin near a national forest, haunted by a tragic accident from his past. As their fates converge, they are drawn into a story of hope, faith, and love, with each character facing their own journey of healing and discovery. The novel is characterized by Sparks's trademark elements of strong romantic elements, a North Carolina setting, and a surprise, bittersweet ending.

The novel follows Theresa Osborne, a divorced Boston newspaper columnist, who finds a letter in a bottle addressed to 'Catherine' from a man named Garrett. Intrigued, Theresa sets out to find Garrett, leading her to a coastal town in North Carolina. As they meet and begin a relationship, they must navigate the complexities of Garrett's grief over his late wife, Catherine, and the misunderstandings that arise. The story delves into the emotional depth of love, loss, and the choices that define their lives. Ultimately, it is a tale of love's enduring power and the heartbreak that often accompanies it.

The Clan of the Cave Bear, set 18,000 years BCE during the last ice age, tells the story of Ayla, a five-year-old Cro-Magnon girl who loses her family in an earthquake and is found by Iza, the medicine woman of a Neanderthal clan. Despite being from a different species, Ayla is adopted by the clan, led by Brun, and cared for by Iza and her brother Creb, the clan's shaman. The novel explores Ayla's integration into the clan, her unique abilities, and the cultural and societal differences between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons. It also delves into themes of acceptance, loyalty, and the struggles Ayla faces, particularly from Broud, the son of the clan leader, who harbors deep resentment towards her.