Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) has announced a partnership with Nicholas Sparks for his upcoming novel, The Longest Ride. Sparks is the author of 17 novels, including New York Times best-sellers Safe Haven, Dear John, and The Notebook, all of which have been released as feature films.
According to Yahoo! Finance, The Longest Ride will be published by Grand Central Publishing and centers on the story of 2 different couples. One includes the young bull rider, Luke Collins, who has embarked upon a journey to overcome a past bull riding injury. He chances upon Sophia Danko, a student at Wake Forest College, and they are drawn to one another despite vastly different backgrounds. Luke introduces Sophia to a world of high stakes, and she finds herself willing to revise her carefully mapped out future. Yet, a secret looming in Luke’s past could change that.
Nicholas Spark’s Official Website reveals that the second couple is one separated by “years and experience.” Ira Levinson is 91 years old when he crashes his car, and as he struggles to maintain consciousness, he sees his late wife in the seat beside him. She helps him to stay alert by recounting the memories of their wonderful years together. Somehow, the lives of these two couples will unite to create, without a doubt, another bestselling Nicholas Sparks novel.
Yahoo! Finance writes that PBR will be collaborating with Nicholas Sparks on several different marketing initiatives, including a PBR broadcast on CBS and campaigns worldwide. The incorporation found Sparks’ character, Luke, to be a profoundly insightful representation of true bull riders. PBR’s chief operating officer, Sean Gleason, said, “Sparks' unique brand of storytelling has captured the essence of the PBR like no other. The accuracy of the characters and detail in Luke's lifestyle relates to dozens of PBR bull riders from past and present generations. We are honored that Nicholas found inspiration in the PBR for 'The Longest Ride' and welcome this opportunity to introduce Luke and Sophia to our fans and the PBR to his.”
Sparks is thrilled about the partnership as well. He revealed, “I never dreamed that such a close and fruitful relationship would spring from the character I imagined Luke to be. I was just honored that the PBR felt that my portrayal of [him] was accurate and authentic, and I'm eager to introduce my readers to the viscerally exciting world in which their athletes compete.” The enthusiasm about the novel, as well as the partnership linking the sport and Sparks, can only grow as the release date approaches. It will be available on September 17, 2013, while the feature film, set to be released nationwide on February 13, 2015, is already in development at Fox 2000.
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