Capture the Moment + Giveaway

She’s ready for adventure–isn’t she?

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she’s spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It’s the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she’s eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn’t as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain–and the bears–better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s easy on the eyes. But they’re not the only ones with an interest in the park’s most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.

My Review:

This is Classic Suzanne Woods Fisher and I love it sooooo much! The way she pulls a story together is absolute bibliophile magic! ‘Capture the Moment’ put me in mind of her Stoney Ridge series…only not Amish. The likeness is in the multiple points of view and the complex backstories that bring characters together in amazing ways.

And what an eclectic group of characters! While this is ultimately Kate and Coop’s love story, I fear thirteen-year-old Maisie might have stolen my heart. High energy, awkwardly endearing, exasperatingly infuriating and full of naive exuberance! I laughed. I cringed. I laughed some more!

The Grand Teton National Park makes for a remarkable and sadly, poignant setting. I’m sure the author had no idea when she was writing this story that the National Parks would become victims of damaging federal cuts resulting in colossal job losses. Since the part-time seasonal positions have been hit particularly hard, I couldn’t help but think that Coop would actually be out of a job this summer and that would mean he’d never meet Kate and that would mean….well, this story would be completely different. So glad all is well in the fictional National Parks world!

So, Coop is kinda grumpy and terse. Very passionate about his job as a seasonal park ranger (a nice break from his stint has a high school teacher the rest of the year.) He’d rather spend the summer communing with bears then humans but the powers that be think he needs to brush up on his peopling skills which results in all sorts of funny and awkward situations. Including more than one run-in with Kate. She’s a little bit sunshine and a whole lot feisty, determined to capture a career defining wildlife photograph and no one is going to get in her way, especially not a pesky park ranger!

Their slow-burn romance is shadowed by an unexpected park mystery that had me on the edge of my seat – especially since Fisher provides us with some unsettling villain POVs that upped the intrigue. She also throws in some surprising curveballs that had me gasping out loud! Phew! I did not see that coming. Or that. Or…

A stirring tribute to National Parks through the eyes of characters who appreciate the wonder of God’s creation. Emotionally engaging and thought provoking. A winning combination that has me excited to see which park will be featured in the next ‘National Parks Summers’ series and that release can’t come soon enough!

42 thoughts on “Capture the Moment + Giveaway”

  1. Great review, Kav! Since I live only about 3 1/2 hours away from Grand Teton National Park, I’ve been there many times. It’s one of my heart places! It’s beautiful and majestic! I really need to read this book and see what Suzanne has written about the Park.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. I’ve gotten a glimpse of it’s majestic beauty through Suzanne Woods Fisher’s descriptions. I’d love to see it in person though. Love that Grand Teton National Park is one of your heart places! Good luck, Winnie!

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  2. I love the genre flexibility of this author. I prefer her non-Amish stories like this one.

    thanks for your review And the opportunity Bessings

    nora finding hope yahoo

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  3. Great review, I already had this book on my tbr list but you’ve upped my interest. If I had to guess I’d say “Capture the Moment” probably has more than one meaning. I love reading about our national parks, and you can’t go wrong adding mystery and romance. I’m always up for cute kid inclusions too. Checks everything on my appeal list so count me in.

    Thanks Kav 🙂 tracey14567 atgmail dotcom

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    1. You’ve got that right! Such a clever title with so many story interpretations! Maisie is so much fun on paper but she’s get on my last nerve in real life after about a minute. Bwahahaha! Good luck, Tracey!

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  4. Eek! As a photographer myself, this is something I’d definitely love to read!! And I’m only a state away from the Grand Tetons myself!!

    Thnx Kav! sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  5. This one is also on my list! Was just looking at it on Amazon last week when they had Kindle double rewards points day. Love books about wild animals (probably bc I was raised up with 3 rascally red-headed brothers — LOL!) Wonderful review btw! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity, Kav.

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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    1. Bwahahaha! Rascally red-headed brothers = wild animals. Can totally see that. And there’s actually a famous Grand Teton bear who often gave birth to triplets. Jus a fun fact from fiction. 🙂 Good luck, Diane!

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      1. Oh no! History repeating itself! (gasp!) That poor Mama bear. Wonder if they’re red-reads. hahaha Fun piece of trivia! 😄

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      2. LOL! I knew it. That poor Mama bear needs much prayer! 😉 My brothers about drove my mom nuts w/ their antics & fighting & I learned how to punch. 👊 Hard. 😁

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  6. As a photographer, I’m immediately drawn to the cover. Seeing who the author is makes it a book listed on my TBR list. Love that it’s set in the Tetons and the national park. In all our travels to national parks, and there have been lots, the Grand Tetons has been our absolutely favorite one. It combines landscapes with critters making it a photographers delight. Reading your review just umps up my desire to read CAPTURE THE MOMENT.

    Thank you for the awesome chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  7. Kav, I’ve had my eye on this one because I love both national parks and taking photos 🙂 So glad to hear you loved it. Count me in, please! 🙂

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  8. I’d love to visit the Grand Tetons!  We just got back from Arches & Canyonlands National Parks near Moab, Utah.  Gorgeous!!!!  My bear sightings were in the Smokey Mountain National Park two years ago.  I loved your review!  I’m not an Amish reader, but I’ve really enjoyed her contemporary novels, my favorite is the Cape Cod Creamery series.

    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com 

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    1. Awesome that you’ve been able to visit so many National Parks. I think I’ve read all but one of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Amish books and read her first contemporary series — the one on the island. — but somehow completely missed the Cape Cod Creamery series and my library carries the book. Sigh….more books to add to my TBR! Good luck, Perrianne!

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  9. Didn’t know she had written a book set in the national parks, which I love. Life and economic considerations happen. Many of us have been through downsizing via corporate or private employers.

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  10. This story line intrigues me and the National Park setting is great! I’ve only been to one National Park for far. Suzanne always does a great job of developing her characters.

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  11. ooooh! This sounds so good! She is a new to me author, so this would be the perfect opportunity to meet one of my reading goals!

    ladepooh at hotmail dot com

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