While he doesn’t receive any movie or book royalties, Vance says “Dear John” has had a positive effect on his life, especially when it comes to dating. “It’s a great icebreaker,” he says.

Nicholas Sparks has had a number of his books made into movies. His emotional love stories told in books, including "Dear John" and "A Walk to Remember," have been translated to the big screen.

This question of a soldier choosing between his country and his woman is at the heart of "Dear John." Based on the 2006 book of the same name by best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, "Dear John" is the ...