Writer’s Desk with Suzanne Woods Fisher


Journey into the heart of America’s natural wonders with bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher‘s new National Park Summers series, starting with Capture the Moment. With over forty bestselling books to her name, Suzanne is celebrated for her immersive storytelling and fresh outsider’s perspective set within distinctive communities. In this new series, she brings her signature warmth and insight to the wild beauty of our national parks.
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More about Capture the MomentShe’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.
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Enter to win one of five copies of Capture the Moment*Due to shipping prices, giveaway open to US addresses only*Q&A with Suzanne Woods FisherARCF: Can you share about Capture the Moment and the inspiration behind it?
SWF: I started following the world’s most famous bear—Grizzly Bear #399—on Instagram (yes, she has an account—she says typing with claws is hard). An idea sparked. I traveled to Grand Teton National Park to research, hike, soak in the wild beauty, and watch grizzlies… from a safe distance.
And I could see it—the story.
Kate Cunningham, a zoo photographer, lands the opportunity of a lifetime: capturing a legendary bear like #399 in the wild. She believes she just needs to “capture the moment”—snap the perfect shot—but soon realizes that photographing wildlife is far more than good timing. It’s unpredictable, dangerous… and full of surprises. Including a seasoned ranger with a soft spot for Kate. And a poacher who’s trying to beat Kate’s camera for the best shot.
ARCF: Can you introduce us to Kate Cunningham and explain her motivations for pursuing the legendary Grizzly Bear?
SWF: I think readers will really connect with Kate. She was raised in a highly academic, traditional family, yet school was very difficult for her. She always felt like the odd one out—a square peg in a round hole. Photography is the one thing she feels she does well.
Making the leap from zoo photography to wildlife photography is more than just a career change for Kate; it’s her chance to break away from the familiar and embrace the unknown. So when a National Geographic editor dangles an offer to take a look at Kate’s work—assuming she can get a unique picture of an iconic bear in GTNP—she grabs it and goes.
ARCF: Grant Cooper seems to play a pivotal role in Kate’s journey. How does his expertise and background influence the narrative?
SWF: Grant Cooper is a high school biology teacher during the school year and a seasonal park ranger when summer rolls around—just the way he likes it. He’d take bears over people any day. But this summer, there’s one exception: a determined zoo photographer with a sharp eye and a knack for getting under his skin. When Coop offers to help Kate capture the perfect shot, his attraction to her deepens. But they’ve both left behind unresolved relationships—and some feelings are harder to shake than a bear not emerging from hibernation.

ARCF: The novel is set in Grand Teton National Park. What drew you to this location, and how does it enhance the story?
SWF: A few years ago, on a special anniversary, my husband and I took a trip to Grand Teton National Park…and I had a hope that I’d get to see #399 (from a distance). That trip led to the National Park Summers series, starting with GTNP. The landscape is unlike any other— majestic mountains, vast wildlands, and wildlife thriving in every corner. It left a lasting impression on me, and I wanted to capture that sense of awe and wonder in my story. The Tetons are a place that should be on everyone’s must-see list.
ARCF: The plot involves capturing images of Grizzly Bear amidst potential dangers. How did you develop this storyline, and what challenges does Kate face?
SWF: Grizzlies often get a bad rap for being ferocious, but the truth is, most bears try to stay away from people. They tend to live far from settlements and usually only attack in self-defense if they’re startled by a human.
That said…these bears are among the most dangerous animals on earth—800 pounds of muscle, standing over six feet tall, built for strength and survival. Every year in North America, 30 to 40 people are attacked after crossing paths with a grizzly, and tragically, two to three lose their lives.
Grizzlies are the ultimate predator. Especially very hungry bears that are just coming out of a long winter’s nap. One wrong move, and you’re dinner.
That’s the challenge Kate faces.
ARCF: The story hints at a rivalry with a poacher. How does this antagonist shape the plot and the protagonists’ actions?
SWF: Poaching is a serious problem. It’s not the same thing as hunting to feed your family. Poachers are all making money—selling body parts of an animal to the black market. And don’t even get me started on trophy hunters, like the one who wanted #399 for a living room rug. However, in Capture the Moment, I wanted to focus on the ongoing efforts to combat it. There are so many organizations and individuals working tirelessly to protect wildlife. Their passion and dedication are the heart of the story’s hopefulness.
ARCF: How does Kate’s background as a zoo photographer prepare or challenge her in the wild terrains of Grand Teton?
SWF: Kate’s leap from zoo photography to wildlife photography comes from her belief that everything she’s learned about animal behavior in a controlled environment can translate to the wild. After all, she’s spent years reading the subtle cues of animals and is confident those skills will help her capture their beauty in their natural habitats. Should be a piece of cake. Right?
ARCF: Are there any real-life inspirations behind the character of Grizzly Bear #399 and the events surrounding her?
SWF: There are so many real-life stories about #399—motherhood is what made her the most famous bear in the world. She’s an incredible mom, having given birth to 22 cubs over the years, including sets of twins, triplets, and even one set of quadruplets. Raising twins or triplets can be a huge challenge for a bear—it takes a lot of energy, which can actually reduce the cubs’ chances of survival. But #399? She handled it like a pro, even with triplets. In fact, she became the oldest known female bear to have reproduced in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Even with her amazing parenting skills, #399 has lost half of her cubs due to encounters with people or male bears. One of the most heartbreaking moments came in 2016, when #399’s cub, nicknamed “Snowy” for his light, whitish-blonde face, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Grand Teton National Park. It was reported that #399 moved Snowy’s body off the road and howled and moaned over him.
ARCF: What themes of adventure, conservation, and personal growth do you hope readers will take away from the novel?
SWF: National Parks have a way of reminding us what we share—our history, our land, and the wonder of it all. In a time when it’s easy to feel divided, these places quietly pull us back together. I hope the story sparks a sense of adventure, a deeper appreciation for conservation, and maybe even the urge to plan a park visit soon. Odds are, you won’t regret it.
ARCF: What role does faith play in the characters’ journeys, and how is it portrayed throughout the narrative?
SWF: In Capture the Moment, the characters show up with plenty of baggage—emotional, relational, and spiritual. As they settle into life at the park, something starts to shift. Nature plays a part, but it’s the quiet, unexpected ways they begin to sense God’s presence that really moves them. Faith isn’t front and center, but it’s there—steady and surprising—as they let go of what’s weighing them down and start to find their footing again.
ARCF: What do you hope readers will take away from Capture the Moment after turning the final page?
SWF: I hope readers will put Grand Teton National Park on their bucket list. Any of the sixty-three national parks! Make a plan and go. But do remember that, as exciting as it is to see wildlife up close, national parks aren’t petting zoos. Bears, bison, and elk are wild animals, and every year, people get too close. That’s why parks have strict rules about things like food storage, safe distances, and respecting wildlife. And drive slowly! Wildlife is unpredictable.
ARCF: And finally, can you share what you have coming up next?
SWF: Next up is Book 2 in the National Park Summers series, set in stunning Acadia National Park. This one’s got a bit of everything—shipwrecks, buried treasure, winding trails, and of course, a hint of romance. Can’t wait to share it with readers!
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