★★ Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher | A Grand Teton National Park Novel
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
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About This Book:
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.
MY REVIEW: ★★ 2/5
My first read by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I was initially drawn to the captivating cover and breathtaking setting, as well as the photography angle (retired professional photographer here) of this novel. I enjoyed how Fisher’s descriptions of the landscape, wildlife, and the rhythms of life inside Grand Teton National Park truly brought the stunning location to life with expert detail.
This story features multiple 3rd person POVs, from a wide range of characters including a naive but ambitious photographer, a grumpy ranger (whom I enjoyed), a senior ranger, and a few younger characters., including a boy-crazy pre-teen. The shifting perspectives kept the pace quick, though at times I found myself wanting to skip ahead since the narrative was repetitive at times. While there was a lot going on, there was a light romantic thread and touches of humor, however the suspense felt forced to me and was mild, compared to what I'm used to reading.
While I appreciated the educational angle woven into the story, especially the focus on wildlife protection and the behind-the-scenes reality of working as a park ranger, the story leaned heavily into technical details, pulling me out of the narrative. There were also a handful of outdated phrases and words that didn't tie well with the age and generation of the main characters.
Overall, I believe fans of national parks, wildlife preservation, and ranger life may find a lot to enjoy in this story. While I didn’t connect with the main characters, I can see how readers who enjoy immersive nature settings and character-driven stories with a gentle suspense element might appreciate this one—especially those who favor a classic storytelling style. Give this one a try for yourself and see what you think, then let me know!
About the Author:
Image courtesy of Baker Publishing Group
Suzanne Woods Fisher is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than forty books, including A Healing Touch, Capture the Moment, and many other beloved contemporary romance and Amish romance series. She is also the author of several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and Amish Proverbs. She lives in California. Learn more at SuzanneWoodsFisher.com and follow Suzanne on Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor and X @SuzanneWFisher.
