Nicholas Sparks separates from wife Cathy Sparks

NEW BERN, N.C., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Nicholas Sparks has separated from wife Cathy Sparks.

The 49-year-old author announced the news in a statement Tuesday. Sparks and his wife married in July 1989, and have five children together: sons Miles, Ryan and Landon, and twin daughters Lexie and Savannah.

"Cathy and I have separated," he revealed. "This is, of course, not a decision we've made lightly. We remain close friends with deep respect for each other and love for our children. For our children's sake, we regard this as a private matter."

Sparks is known for romance novels such as A Walk to Remember (2002) and The Notebook (2004). Several of his books have been adapted for film, including the aforementioned works, Dear John and Safe Haven.

Sparks will produce adaptations of The Longest Ride and The Choice for Fox 2000 Pictures and Lionsgate, respectively. The former will star Britt Robertson and Scott Eastwood, while the latter will feature Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer.