This year, it will feature internationally renowned suspense author Mary Higgins Clark. Born and raised during the Depression in the Bronx, New York, she sold her first short story in 1956 for $100. She became a bestseller, with her novel “Where Are the Children?” Since then, she has written more than 27 bestsellers and earned the title “Queen of Suspense”.
Widowed in 1964, she remarried in 1996. The mother of five and grandmother of six is a devout Catholic, who credits her faith with seeing her through the most difficult times.
Best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks began writing while recovering from an injury. In 1994, he wrote his first published novel, “The Notebook”, which was on the bestseller list for almost two years. Warner Books bought the rights for $1 million and adapted it to a movie. He followed up with eight more domestic and international bestsellers, three of which have been adapted into major motion pictures.
Sparks lives with his wife and five children in North Carolina. He credits his faith with keeping him grounded and helping him through life’s challenges.
Jack McKeon has had a successful managing career with several big teams in the Major Baseball League, and earned National League Manager of the Year honors in 1999. After being out of the game for two years, he was asked to manage the struggling Florida Marlins two months into the 2003 season. He led that team to an upset World Series title, defeating the New York Yankees in six games.
Born and raised a Catholic, McKeon attends mass every morning before heading to the ballpark and credits the intercession of St. Therese of Lisieux with helping him land the job with the Marlins.
