LOGAN — One of Utah’s more beloved authors will be in Logan for a rare book signing Tuesday, Dec. 3. Richard Paul Evans will be at The Book Table, 29 S. Main Street, beginning at 6 p.m.
Evans will be promoting his two newest books, Christmas in Bethel and Michael Vey 10: The Colony. He said Cache Valley has been a part of his life ever since his first book, The Christmas Box, was released more than three decades ago.
“I remember my first book signing at The Book Table,” explained Evans. “That was way back when The Christmas Box had just become a best seller. I just remember how much fun we had. It is one of those sweet memories of my past.”
The new book, Christmas in Bethel tells the story of a woman named Leigh, who after growing up in an unstable home, escaping an abusive marriage, and witnessing daily tragedies as an EMT, decides she can’t go on, until she comes across a book called Bethel. Feeling like the author is speaking directly to her, she meets him in a twist of fate and the two click.
Evans, who has now written 46 New York Times bestsellers, said the story behind the story of his newest novel is just as important. He believes most people have found a book that speaks to them and changes their lives.
“I have had more than a hundred people tell me that my books have stopped them from committing suicide,” expressed Evans. “This is actually based somewhat off of a true story. A reader of mine was planning on taking her life and then came across one of my books.”
Christmas in Bethel is also somewhat of a miracle for Evans. He wrote it this year, at a time when he was very sick and almost died from a blood clot.
The other book Evans finished this year is Michael Vey 10: The Colony, the final installment of the award-winning young adult series. He explained how this book was also written while he was regaining his health, and was a dark and scary time for him.
“Michael and the Electric Clan are older,” said Evans. “They are tired of living their lives by a thread and now they are facing the biggest and scariest enemy they have ever faced.”
Although many have questioned why Evans would end the Michael Vey series, he said that at his age and after his recent health scare, he felt this was time to scale back and spend some time with his wife. However, he still plans to continue releasing a Christmas story each year around the holidays.