Nicholas Sparks Chooses Oriental NC for the Setting of his Latest Book

The residents here in our charming fishing village were pleasantly surprised when they recently learned that Nicholas Sparks’ new best seller is set right here in Oriental, North Carolina.

The famed author of “Nights In Rodanthe,” from which the movie starring Richard Gere was sprung, was in nearby New Bern last week for a book signing. Lines snaked throughout the New Bern Mall as hundreds of fans showed up for a signed copy of Sparks’ latest success.

Oriental mayor, Bill Sage, is contacting Mr. Sparks’ agent in hopes that the author will agree to come to Oriental for either a book signing or other event. “We’re all looking forward to the publicity that his new book will focus on our village,” one resident reported.

And it’s true. Oriental is such a charming town that we’re sure visitors who have read the book will enjoy coming here and having coffee at The Bean and visiting other shops and restaurants where Sparks’ main characters can be found in the pages of his new best seller.

We invite you to our hotel here in Oriental, North Carolina for a taste of the tale that Sparks’ has spun in his new book, “The Best of Me.”