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National Parks Summers #1
Capture the Moment
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.
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.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2025
67 people are currently reading
6672 people want to read
About the author
Suzanne Woods Fisher
73 books3,966 followersSuzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.
Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.
Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.
Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
May 4, 2025
This is a stunning first installment of the National Parks Summers series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Set in majestic Grand Teton National Park, this book showcases the personal growth that stems from interactions with people and nature.
I enjoyed the focus on wildlife photography, holding onto one’s dream, the important work of park rangers, and the power of nature.
When Kate Cunningham’s dream drives her to tap into Ranger Grant Cooper’s skill set, she learns that sometimes we overlook important things (like cues) in our desperate race for the prize. I appreciated the lesson I learned from this, too. In our hunt for success, we can get caught up in tunnel vision.
I found myself down a rabbit hole Googling Grizzly 399 and then when my emotions got the best of me, I worked through them by cleaning my DSLR.
I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
I enjoyed the focus on wildlife photography, holding onto one’s dream, the important work of park rangers, and the power of nature.
When Kate Cunningham’s dream drives her to tap into Ranger Grant Cooper’s skill set, she learns that sometimes we overlook important things (like cues) in our desperate race for the prize. I appreciated the lesson I learned from this, too. In our hunt for success, we can get caught up in tunnel vision.
I found myself down a rabbit hole Googling Grizzly 399 and then when my emotions got the best of me, I worked through them by cleaning my DSLR.
I was gifted this copy by Revell and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
May 8, 2025
Before I say anything else about Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher, can we talk about that striking cover? It’s the first thing that drew me to this book, and every time I look closely at it, I see a new detail. My favorite part is what we can see reflected in the lens and the splash of color it gives us … plus Kate’s sweater looks so cozy! And then I found out that it was set at Grand Teton National Park – which is on my bucket list to live near – and I got even more excited about reading it! Add in the swoony park ranger we meet… I mean, the one KATE meets… and I’m sold. (Y’all, he is a teacher too!!!)
Zoo photographer Kate Cunningham had me solidly in her corner from the very beginning with her approachable personality, her creativity, and her dedication to her dream of getting a photo in National Geographic. To do that, she’s on a mission to capture a photograph that’s different from all the others taken of Grand Teton’s legendary queen-mama grizzly bear. My heart went out to Kate as she learns the hard way that wildlife photography ‘in the wild’ is more competitive than she was expecting, and bless her she’s a little clueless about the potential dangers around her. But that just means Ranger Grant Cooper (aka ‘Coop’) has more opportunity to step in and spend time with her, and I loved watching their friendship develop into a sweet romance over the course of the novel.
But that’s not the only plot that kept me invested in Capture the Moment, nor the only characters I loved meeting. Fisher also makes it easy to fall in love with two endearingly lovable but ‘patience-requiring’ teenagers: Frankie, a 16-year-old boy who is Coop’s intern and roommate for the summer (Frankie fluctuates between ‘borderline juvenile delinquent’ and ‘trail guide ready’ but he is always a bit of a hot mess); and Maisie, the 13-year-old granddaughter of Ranger Tim Rivers (Maisie is ADORABLE … but also never quits talking and always seems to be underfoot haha). Tim is a great character too, for that matter, and I’m curious if he’ll appear in any other books in this series. I also enjoyed the addition of a mystery/suspense subplot that heightened the wait for Grizzly 399 to emerge from hibernation with the introduction of a poacher who’s after her as a trophy. (And Fisher wrote the poacher’s perspective with the perfect amount of intrigue and villainy.)
Bottom Line: In Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I found it so poignant that each layered character we meet is hunting something: be it peace, purpose, answers, the next great photo, wisdom, love, belonging, God, or (for a host of reasons) Grizzly 399. The alternating perspectives – including the villain’s – helped me feel like I really knew the characters by the time it was over and I hated saying goodbye to them. But I sure enjoyed the story that unfolded between them all in the meantime – a multi-faceted plot that included romance, mystery, suspense, twists, danger, humor, and faith. It’s also a beautiful and timely love letter to the Grand Tetons (and park rangers) and its beloved queen grizzly who captured the heart of the world. I’m looking forward to whichever National Park that this series takes us to next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Zoo photographer Kate Cunningham had me solidly in her corner from the very beginning with her approachable personality, her creativity, and her dedication to her dream of getting a photo in National Geographic. To do that, she’s on a mission to capture a photograph that’s different from all the others taken of Grand Teton’s legendary queen-mama grizzly bear. My heart went out to Kate as she learns the hard way that wildlife photography ‘in the wild’ is more competitive than she was expecting, and bless her she’s a little clueless about the potential dangers around her. But that just means Ranger Grant Cooper (aka ‘Coop’) has more opportunity to step in and spend time with her, and I loved watching their friendship develop into a sweet romance over the course of the novel.
But that’s not the only plot that kept me invested in Capture the Moment, nor the only characters I loved meeting. Fisher also makes it easy to fall in love with two endearingly lovable but ‘patience-requiring’ teenagers: Frankie, a 16-year-old boy who is Coop’s intern and roommate for the summer (Frankie fluctuates between ‘borderline juvenile delinquent’ and ‘trail guide ready’ but he is always a bit of a hot mess); and Maisie, the 13-year-old granddaughter of Ranger Tim Rivers (Maisie is ADORABLE … but also never quits talking and always seems to be underfoot haha). Tim is a great character too, for that matter, and I’m curious if he’ll appear in any other books in this series. I also enjoyed the addition of a mystery/suspense subplot that heightened the wait for Grizzly 399 to emerge from hibernation with the introduction of a poacher who’s after her as a trophy. (And Fisher wrote the poacher’s perspective with the perfect amount of intrigue and villainy.)
Bottom Line: In Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I found it so poignant that each layered character we meet is hunting something: be it peace, purpose, answers, the next great photo, wisdom, love, belonging, God, or (for a host of reasons) Grizzly 399. The alternating perspectives – including the villain’s – helped me feel like I really knew the characters by the time it was over and I hated saying goodbye to them. But I sure enjoyed the story that unfolded between them all in the meantime – a multi-faceted plot that included romance, mystery, suspense, twists, danger, humor, and faith. It’s also a beautiful and timely love letter to the Grand Tetons (and park rangers) and its beloved queen grizzly who captured the heart of the world. I’m looking forward to whichever National Park that this series takes us to next!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 7, 2025
Suzanne Woods Fisher knows how to craft engaging characters. Kate Cunningham "Zoo Girl" is spending her vacation days at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. While she enjoys her role as a photographer at a zoo on the east coast, her heart's desire is to photograph animals in their natural habitat. Will she be the one to get the shot of the season of Bear 399?
Grant Cooper "Coop" has the best of two worlds. He enjoys teaching high school students nine months of the year and living somewhat off the grid as a seasonal park ranger in the summers. He's deflated to learn this summer he needs to stay in the more public parts of the park. And to add insult to injury he's assigned a teenage intern (Frankie) with more attitude than anything else.
13 year old Maisie adds a ton of spark and humor to the pages. It's an awkward age and she's trying to fit in.
Engaging novel with a bit of mystery. So glad this is a series and can't wait to visit Acadia.
My gratitude to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary e-copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Grant Cooper "Coop" has the best of two worlds. He enjoys teaching high school students nine months of the year and living somewhat off the grid as a seasonal park ranger in the summers. He's deflated to learn this summer he needs to stay in the more public parts of the park. And to add insult to injury he's assigned a teenage intern (Frankie) with more attitude than anything else.
13 year old Maisie adds a ton of spark and humor to the pages. It's an awkward age and she's trying to fit in.
Engaging novel with a bit of mystery. So glad this is a series and can't wait to visit Acadia.
My gratitude to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary e-copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
December 18, 2025
Kate Cunningham has one week to attract the attention of a National Geographic editor with the picture of a lifetime: Grizzly 399, the most photographed bear in the world. The beauty of the Grand Teton National Park and its wildlife overwhelms her. However, the learning curve of becoming a wildlife photographer, her dream, instead of a zoo photographer comes replete with mistakes, and Kate seems to make most of them. Being away from her controlling boyfriend Oliver gives her a chance to consider where this relationship should lead.
Seasonal park ranger Grant Cooper is less than thrilled to be pulled from the wilder parts of the park for the summer to herd tourists and solve bear jams. He's definitely not thrilled about rooming with a teenage slob, Frankie, who has a bad attitude. Meeting sweet, innocent Kate Cunningham, on the other hand, goes on the positive side of the ledger.
But rumors swirl that a notorious poacher may be scouting the park, and the head ranger is acting funny. Add Grant's superior, Tim and Tim's 13-year-old boy-crazy granddaughter Maisie, Wade Schmidt the poacher, and Oliver to get an upbeat, exciting story. Fisher captures the majesty of the wildlife.
Fisher's characterizations were delightful. Her twist at the end caught me off-guard. I ADORED Maisie who ADORES so much in her life, which is actually tragic. This was a fun, fast-paced story.
Seasonal park ranger Grant Cooper is less than thrilled to be pulled from the wilder parts of the park for the summer to herd tourists and solve bear jams. He's definitely not thrilled about rooming with a teenage slob, Frankie, who has a bad attitude. Meeting sweet, innocent Kate Cunningham, on the other hand, goes on the positive side of the ledger.
But rumors swirl that a notorious poacher may be scouting the park, and the head ranger is acting funny. Add Grant's superior, Tim and Tim's 13-year-old boy-crazy granddaughter Maisie, Wade Schmidt the poacher, and Oliver to get an upbeat, exciting story. Fisher captures the majesty of the wildlife.
Fisher's characterizations were delightful. Her twist at the end caught me off-guard. I ADORED Maisie who ADORES so much in her life, which is actually tragic. This was a fun, fast-paced story.
June 13, 2025
Being that I absolutely love photography and it is one of my hobbies this cover immediately captured me and so did the storyline! Suzanne Woods Fisher took me on a ride to the Grand Teton National park and I absolutely enjoyed the wonderful setting and feeling like I had traveled there.
The characters were so well done and they all had a journey to go through. Kate is a zoo photographer wanting to do more with her photography so she is set on getting one of her photos into National Geographic. Gosh your heart goes out to her as she has to learn the ropes of nature photography and contend with the people that have been doing it for years. You can't help to utter "Bless her heart" as you are reading about her. I immediately loved Ranger Coop he definitely had some heart healing to do and what better way than to deal with an almost delinquent teen Frankie and of course having close contact with Kate herself. There were some sweet moments between them. Tim Rivers and his gran-daughter Maisie are also essential characters in the story that we cannot forget and you will enjoy reading about. Oh and the villain was done to perfection!!
Overall this story has a bit of everything. There is definitely mystery, suspense and romance. I am excited to see where the series takes us and can't wait to explore another national park!
I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.
The characters were so well done and they all had a journey to go through. Kate is a zoo photographer wanting to do more with her photography so she is set on getting one of her photos into National Geographic. Gosh your heart goes out to her as she has to learn the ropes of nature photography and contend with the people that have been doing it for years. You can't help to utter "Bless her heart" as you are reading about her. I immediately loved Ranger Coop he definitely had some heart healing to do and what better way than to deal with an almost delinquent teen Frankie and of course having close contact with Kate herself. There were some sweet moments between them. Tim Rivers and his gran-daughter Maisie are also essential characters in the story that we cannot forget and you will enjoy reading about. Oh and the villain was done to perfection!!
Overall this story has a bit of everything. There is definitely mystery, suspense and romance. I am excited to see where the series takes us and can't wait to explore another national park!
I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.
May 10, 2025
Capture the Moment is a heartwarming romance set in the stunning Grand Teton National Park. Kate, a zoo photographer, lands a dream opportunity to capture a rare shot of the famous bear, 399, for Nat Geo. She teams up with Coop, teacher and park ranger, to track it down. As they work together, sparks fly ,but the timing isn't good... Coop is still healing from a breakup, and Kate is struggling with a disconnect with her boyfriend back home. On top of that .. . they realize they aren’t the only ones after 399...and some have less than innocent motives! Who will get to the bear first?! While Kate and Coop's friendship grows... this story also features two other touching romances: an older couple at a crossroads and a sweet teenage crush. While the multiple storylines can feel a bit hard to follow at times, the blend of nature, romance, and suspense kept things engaging for me.
It does take a little time to build, and I didn’t get hooked until the halfway point. But once it picks up, it’s hard to put down, and the satisfying ending makes it all worth it.
I received an ARC of this book, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
It does take a little time to build, and I didn’t get hooked until the halfway point. But once it picks up, it’s hard to put down, and the satisfying ending makes it all worth it.
I received an ARC of this book, and this review reflects my honest opinion.
May 29, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this national park novel. It has wild animals, beautiful scenery, quirky characters, suspense, and plenty of drama. The tale draws you in and captures you, to quote from the title. We witness growth in many characters, from a thirteen-year-old girl to a wildlife photographer trying to break in to the big time, to a troubled youth, and of course, the rangers we encounter. The story includes a major surprise I didn’t see coming, but adds depth to the tale. And we learn some fun facts along the way. Set in Grand Teton National Park, if you enjoy nature and/or photography, you won’t want to miss this book. The author did a great job weaving all the threads into a powerful account that doesn’t let you go until everything is settled at the end. It’s a wonderful summer read and would make a fine book club choice. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #CapturetheMoment #NetGalley
May 23, 2025
Kate Cunningham wants to leap from photographing animals at the zoo where to works to photographing them in the wild. When National Geographic says that they'll consider her if she can produce a unique and memorable photo of Grizzly 399, she jumps at the chance. Making her way to Grand Trenton National Park, she realizes she has a lot to learn about photographing in the wild. Seasonal park ranger, Grant Cooper (a.k.a. Coop), feels a special pull toward Kate and starts to take her under his wing despite his hard and fast rule that once he explains the dangers of wild animals, hikers and campers (and photographers!) are on their own. Eager to help Kate on her journey and keep on the lookout for potential poachers of the most famous grizzly in the nation, Coop learns a lot about himself along the way.
This is the first in a series from Woods, and it did not disappoint. Early on, I felt like I had a good idea of the poacher and his source, so I was feeling slightly disappointed in the book. I should have known better! There was a shocking plot twist that turned all my assumptions upside down. Hunting and, honestly, hiking and being out in nature are not my thing, but Woods was able to capture the beauty of the park and bring in facts about bears that captured my attention. I even found myself spouting some of those facts to my husband as I read. Kind of sounding like Maisie, the thirteen-year-old chatterbox in the story.
Tim, Coop's direct supervisor at the park, was an endearing and thoughtful character. I enjoyed hearing things from his point of view and hearing about his feelings for Sally, the acting chief ranger at the park. Sally herself was quite a surprise. Being characterized as a petite 55-year-old woman calling the shots and running the show for an entire park filled with wild animals. Being a petite 55-year-old woman myself, I want to congratulate her on her toughness. However, there were many things about her that I didn't care for, such as her need to call people 'hon'. Among other things.
Overall, this book was engaging. Engaging enough to stay up all night to finish reading. I've always enjoyed Wood's writing and am looking forward to continuing the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is the first in a series from Woods, and it did not disappoint. Early on, I felt like I had a good idea of the poacher and his source, so I was feeling slightly disappointed in the book. I should have known better! There was a shocking plot twist that turned all my assumptions upside down. Hunting and, honestly, hiking and being out in nature are not my thing, but Woods was able to capture the beauty of the park and bring in facts about bears that captured my attention. I even found myself spouting some of those facts to my husband as I read. Kind of sounding like Maisie, the thirteen-year-old chatterbox in the story.
Tim, Coop's direct supervisor at the park, was an endearing and thoughtful character. I enjoyed hearing things from his point of view and hearing about his feelings for Sally, the acting chief ranger at the park. Sally herself was quite a surprise. Being characterized as a petite 55-year-old woman calling the shots and running the show for an entire park filled with wild animals. Being a petite 55-year-old woman myself, I want to congratulate her on her toughness. However, there were many things about her that I didn't care for, such as her need to call people 'hon'. Among other things.
Overall, this book was engaging. Engaging enough to stay up all night to finish reading. I've always enjoyed Wood's writing and am looking forward to continuing the series.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
August 11, 2025
I had such a great time reading this story. I fell in love with the setting of the Grand Teton Park and the characters.
I fell in love with photography at a young age, and love nature photography especially. I felt a close bond the the main character and her love for wildlife.
The dangers of the wilderness mixed with the dangers of man made a great story. So far my favorite of the author's books that I have read.
*thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All thoughts are my own.
I fell in love with photography at a young age, and love nature photography especially. I felt a close bond the the main character and her love for wildlife.
The dangers of the wilderness mixed with the dangers of man made a great story. So far my favorite of the author's books that I have read.
*thank you to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All thoughts are my own.
May 24, 2025
How do you frame the wonder of creation … the echo of God’s voice in every mountain ridge, every bear’s careful pawstep? In Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I stepped into a celebration of God’s handiwork, woven into a story that made me smile, ponder, and hold my breath in the beauty of it all.
For me, the grandeur of the Grand Tetons and the quiet hush of the forest trails are constant reminders of God’s majesty and moments that naturally pull me into worshipping Him. I loved how this story honored that truth in every detail.
Kate’s journey… her yearning to capture something different, her wonder at the Creator’s canvas… felt like a mirror to the way I approach every sunrise, every quiet moment in the woods. When she said, “I can’t explain how I feel here. I am so overwhelmed with … well, with gratitude to God for creating such a place,” I could feel my own heartbeat echo those words.
It’s not about getting the perfect shot. It’s about noticing the fingerprints of God, about the humble pause to take in what He’s already done. That’s what I saw in this story, in these characters, in these pages—a gentle call to cherish, to notice, and to marvel.
And yes, there’s adventure and laughter and sweet glances across forest trails, Maisie’s spark, Coop’s quiet strength, the tension of a photographer’s dream—but it’s the quiet awe that I carried with me most (with Maisie’s precociousness a super close second!). Maisie made me laugh out loud, smile, and even tear up—she’s such a lovable spark of joy in the story!
In the end, this picture-perfect story deeply and beautifully reinforced what I know deep down: that every corner of creation is already singing of His glory, and it’s my joy to join in.
I received a digital ARC of this book from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group and a paperback from the publisher. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
For me, the grandeur of the Grand Tetons and the quiet hush of the forest trails are constant reminders of God’s majesty and moments that naturally pull me into worshipping Him. I loved how this story honored that truth in every detail.
Kate’s journey… her yearning to capture something different, her wonder at the Creator’s canvas… felt like a mirror to the way I approach every sunrise, every quiet moment in the woods. When she said, “I can’t explain how I feel here. I am so overwhelmed with … well, with gratitude to God for creating such a place,” I could feel my own heartbeat echo those words.
It’s not about getting the perfect shot. It’s about noticing the fingerprints of God, about the humble pause to take in what He’s already done. That’s what I saw in this story, in these characters, in these pages—a gentle call to cherish, to notice, and to marvel.
And yes, there’s adventure and laughter and sweet glances across forest trails, Maisie’s spark, Coop’s quiet strength, the tension of a photographer’s dream—but it’s the quiet awe that I carried with me most (with Maisie’s precociousness a super close second!). Maisie made me laugh out loud, smile, and even tear up—she’s such a lovable spark of joy in the story!
In the end, this picture-perfect story deeply and beautifully reinforced what I know deep down: that every corner of creation is already singing of His glory, and it’s my joy to join in.
I received a digital ARC of this book from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group and a paperback from the publisher. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.
June 12, 2025
This book felt like it was written for someone like me because I love mountains and Bear 399. I was excited to see my favorite bear play a big part in the story. When the book was written, 399 was still alive. Sadly, she was hit by a car last October and died. Just like the author loved her, I did too. Her loss brought tears to my eyes, and thousands of people around the world mourned her death. I see this book as a way to honor her memory.
I was thrilled to find a series about National Parks. Visiting these parks is a favorite activity of mine. Grand Teton National Park is one of my top picks. I’ve been there many times and could easily picture the scenes the author described. If you’ve never visited, the vivid language gives a beautiful introduction to the park.
Capture the Moment features a lively cast of characters from different ages, making the story engaging and full of life. You’ll meet rangers, photographers, visitors, a villain, and of course, bears. I appreciated how each main character faces difficulties and must find ways to overcome them. Some even turn to God and trust a higher power to help them through.
Kate Cunningham, a photographer, and Ranger Grant Cooper—nicknamed Coop—start their love story slowly. Their relationship begins with tension but grows into hope and love. The story’s mystery is intense, with an unknown poacher targeting Bear 399. Each chapter ends with a peek into the poacher’s thoughts, written in a different font. I always worried someone might illegally hunt her down; regardless, her death in an accident is all the more sad.
This series will be a big hit for anyone who loves national parks, animals, adventure, and stories about faith and hope. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a talented writer who creates engaging, suspenseful books. I look forward to reading the next book in the National Parks Summer series.
I was thrilled to find a series about National Parks. Visiting these parks is a favorite activity of mine. Grand Teton National Park is one of my top picks. I’ve been there many times and could easily picture the scenes the author described. If you’ve never visited, the vivid language gives a beautiful introduction to the park.
Capture the Moment features a lively cast of characters from different ages, making the story engaging and full of life. You’ll meet rangers, photographers, visitors, a villain, and of course, bears. I appreciated how each main character faces difficulties and must find ways to overcome them. Some even turn to God and trust a higher power to help them through.
Kate Cunningham, a photographer, and Ranger Grant Cooper—nicknamed Coop—start their love story slowly. Their relationship begins with tension but grows into hope and love. The story’s mystery is intense, with an unknown poacher targeting Bear 399. Each chapter ends with a peek into the poacher’s thoughts, written in a different font. I always worried someone might illegally hunt her down; regardless, her death in an accident is all the more sad.
This series will be a big hit for anyone who loves national parks, animals, adventure, and stories about faith and hope. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a talented writer who creates engaging, suspenseful books. I look forward to reading the next book in the National Parks Summer series.
June 21, 2025
It's absolutely perfect. I loved this book, the storyline, and all the characters. I can't wait until another book in this series comes out! 5/5 stars.
June 19, 2025
This story immediately drew me in, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved the setting in Grand Teton National Park, and the descriptions of the area and the wildlife. Having visited this park, I thought the author did a beautiful job of capturing the beauty and majesty of it.
The characters were well-developed and I enjoyed their growth, especially with Kate and Coop. Their romance was a lovely slow burn, and I was cheering for these two lovable characters to get together.
The intriguing and suspenseful storyline kept me turning pages, and there’s a plot twist that caught me totally by surprise. I loved it when that happens!
This is the first book in a new series with different national park settings, and I am really excited for the next book!
I received a complementary copy, but a positive review was not required.
The characters were well-developed and I enjoyed their growth, especially with Kate and Coop. Their romance was a lovely slow burn, and I was cheering for these two lovable characters to get together.
The intriguing and suspenseful storyline kept me turning pages, and there’s a plot twist that caught me totally by surprise. I loved it when that happens!
This is the first book in a new series with different national park settings, and I am really excited for the next book!
I received a complementary copy, but a positive review was not required.
June 18, 2025
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!
*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.
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!
*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.
July 18, 2025
A definite “feel good” story. I was drawn to this originally at the mention of Grand Teton and Grizzly 399! It was cool reading about an area I just traveled to. However, the story often times felt like a whole lot of nothing happening. I predicted everything very early on (that didn’t mean it’s a bad read by any means!). Just predictable. The multiple perspectives was a little much to me, since I felt like I was never able to truly connect it get to know any of the characters. I did like Kate! Sometimes I can find Christian fiction to be corny, and I found some of the mentions of God to be a bit inauthentic and forced.
March 9, 2025
I’ve already had an interest in visiting national parks and this series is solidifying that with its first book, Capture the Moment. Author Suzanne Woods Fisher takes readers to Grand Teton National Park where her descriptions make me feel like a tourist viewing the beautiful wildlife. Yet there is danger lurking in this story in the form of a suspected poacher and how park rangers and staff might be able to catch him. A lot of characters are introduced right away but the glossary at the front of the book is helpful for remembering who’s who. The storylines intertwine among the varied characters, creating an interesting tapestry for the main and sub plots, as well as the inherent danger to be dealt with. This book has romance, mystery, adventure and humor along with a few plot twists I didn’t see coming, making it a very enjoyable read. I loved learning about this particular park and a bit about what park rangers do and enjoyed the author’s background notes at the end of the story. Looking forward to reading more in this series!
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required and these are my own and honest opinions.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required and these are my own and honest opinions.
March 21, 2025
Join Kate as she travels to the Grand Teton National Park for a chance to break into the wildlife photography world--she's on a quest to capture a one-of-a-kind shot of #399--the biggest female grizzly in the world to get her big chance with National Geographic. She's also eager to get a break from her boyfriend Oliver who is a becoming a bit controlling.
Grant Cooper is a high school teacher who loves spending his summers working in the park. After some unsual decisions from the chief acting ranger he's finding himself on lowly bear jam control. But after meeting Kate, he decides that keeping the photographers out of the bears' way may mean more time with Kate.
The overall theme is protecting the park from what appears to be a serious threat of a poacher.
I love the characters of Maisie and Frank--Perfect side characters.
The plot was great and I loved the lines of faith woven throughout the story. The poacher's identity came out of nowhere and was a great extra element of intrigue!
This will be a fun new series to follow--I love the majesty of our national parks! I also had a bit of a connection with this one because I've backpacked into the Grand Tetons and it really is as spectacular as they described.
4 Stars
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.
Grant Cooper is a high school teacher who loves spending his summers working in the park. After some unsual decisions from the chief acting ranger he's finding himself on lowly bear jam control. But after meeting Kate, he decides that keeping the photographers out of the bears' way may mean more time with Kate.
The overall theme is protecting the park from what appears to be a serious threat of a poacher.
I love the characters of Maisie and Frank--Perfect side characters.
The plot was great and I loved the lines of faith woven throughout the story. The poacher's identity came out of nowhere and was a great extra element of intrigue!
This will be a fun new series to follow--I love the majesty of our national parks! I also had a bit of a connection with this one because I've backpacked into the Grand Tetons and it really is as spectacular as they described.
4 Stars
*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.
October 19, 2025
Wow what a book! I absolutely devoured this one.
Set in the Grand Teton National park, Kate Cunningham sets out to snap a unique photo of a famous grizzly bear. National Geographic has offered to publish one of her photos if she can snap a good one. Motivated to do just that, Kate meets several rangers, one of whom, Coop, has offered to help her if he can. While waiting for Bear 399 to come out of hibernation it becomes obvious that Kate and Coop aren’t the only ones interested in the famous bear - a poacher appears to be on the loose.
This book was honestly such an adventure. I loved the setting, the wildlife, the facts about the park and the animals, and of course the characters! Each chapter had a special page at the end telling you a bit about the poacher who is actively prepping to hunt bear 399. Glimpsing into his mind was somewhat creepy because he enjoyed it way too much, but honestly it made the whole thread of the poacher so interesting!
And the ending? Man I didn’t expect it to be quite like it was. In some ways I guessed right, but there was even more to the story and I loved that!
If you enjoy hiking, nature, national parks and wildlife I think you will love this one!
Content:
🔥kisses only
🤫no language
⚠️ nothing major
Set in the Grand Teton National park, Kate Cunningham sets out to snap a unique photo of a famous grizzly bear. National Geographic has offered to publish one of her photos if she can snap a good one. Motivated to do just that, Kate meets several rangers, one of whom, Coop, has offered to help her if he can. While waiting for Bear 399 to come out of hibernation it becomes obvious that Kate and Coop aren’t the only ones interested in the famous bear - a poacher appears to be on the loose.
This book was honestly such an adventure. I loved the setting, the wildlife, the facts about the park and the animals, and of course the characters! Each chapter had a special page at the end telling you a bit about the poacher who is actively prepping to hunt bear 399. Glimpsing into his mind was somewhat creepy because he enjoyed it way too much, but honestly it made the whole thread of the poacher so interesting!
And the ending? Man I didn’t expect it to be quite like it was. In some ways I guessed right, but there was even more to the story and I loved that!
If you enjoy hiking, nature, national parks and wildlife I think you will love this one!
Content:
🔥kisses only
🤫no language
⚠️ nothing major
July 15, 2025
Years ago, I read several of Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Amish novels and really enjoyed them so when I saw she had a new release set in a National Park, I was instantly intrigued. Capture the Moment is the first in her new National Parks Summer series, and I devoured it in under 24 hours!
Set in Grand Teton National Park, the story follows Kate, a nature photographer with a big project on her hands. I loved stepping into the world of wildlife photography and seeing the park through her lens, literally and emotionally. There’s also a quiet but steady presence of park ranger life, giving insight into the challenges and rewards of caring for our public lands. With all the issues facing the National Park Service today, this book gave me an even greater respect for the people who work behind the scenes to protect both land and life.
Kate’s personal story of rediscovery and reconnection felt meaningful, and the setting itself is a character, it made me want to book a trip out west immediately. I'm thrilled to have reconnected with an author I used to love and can’t wait to see where the rest of this series takes us.
Set in Grand Teton National Park, the story follows Kate, a nature photographer with a big project on her hands. I loved stepping into the world of wildlife photography and seeing the park through her lens, literally and emotionally. There’s also a quiet but steady presence of park ranger life, giving insight into the challenges and rewards of caring for our public lands. With all the issues facing the National Park Service today, this book gave me an even greater respect for the people who work behind the scenes to protect both land and life.
Kate’s personal story of rediscovery and reconnection felt meaningful, and the setting itself is a character, it made me want to book a trip out west immediately. I'm thrilled to have reconnected with an author I used to love and can’t wait to see where the rest of this series takes us.
June 14, 2025
I was drawn to this book because it takes place in Grand Teton National Park. There are a lot of different povs in this story. The two main characters are Kate and Coop. I really liked Kate and her perseverance to get the photo of the bear, even though others doubted her ability. I also liked Coop and his willingness to help her. There is a poacher in this story and he is the villain. I will say I did not see who it was coming so the author did a great job with that. I also enjoyed the secondary characters. There were a couple minor things I didn’t love but overall this was a great story and I recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
May 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this cover to cover! It reads like general Christian fiction with a dash of everything!
The reader gets the perfect amount of atmosphere of Grand Teton National Park. It really made me want to visit. Amidst a multi-gen cast and a few POVs there is a low-angst strangers to more romance at the center that I loved and of which I wanted more! There is definitely a found family vibe by the end as you get to know each characters. I found it heartwarming and could see where each of their stories went after the book ended. And lastly, there is also a dash of suspense! I though that was woven in so well. It had a subtlety to it which really set up those couple of plot twists! I did not see them coming. There were also a lot of relatable moments and I thought the ending was short and sweet in a great way!
I was gifted a physical copy to read and review but these are my thoughts. I am definitely interested in the next book!
In this book:
-low angst strangers to more romance
-multi-gen cast / multi-pov
-wildlife photography
-national park setting
-resilient heroine
-reluctant hero
-hint of suspense / plot twists
Content Guide:
clean for romance and language
non-descriptive / mostly off-page animal violence
medium amount of faith content
The reader gets the perfect amount of atmosphere of Grand Teton National Park. It really made me want to visit. Amidst a multi-gen cast and a few POVs there is a low-angst strangers to more romance at the center that I loved and of which I wanted more! There is definitely a found family vibe by the end as you get to know each characters. I found it heartwarming and could see where each of their stories went after the book ended. And lastly, there is also a dash of suspense! I though that was woven in so well. It had a subtlety to it which really set up those couple of plot twists! I did not see them coming. There were also a lot of relatable moments and I thought the ending was short and sweet in a great way!
I was gifted a physical copy to read and review but these are my thoughts. I am definitely interested in the next book!
In this book:
-low angst strangers to more romance
-multi-gen cast / multi-pov
-wildlife photography
-national park setting
-resilient heroine
-reluctant hero
-hint of suspense / plot twists
Content Guide:
clean for romance and language
non-descriptive / mostly off-page animal violence
medium amount of faith content
June 12, 2025
This was a great pallet cleanser audiobook between some heavier non-fiction books. It wraps up nicely so not sure where the series is going, but maybe just new characters in new settings/National parks? I have had Grand Teton National Park on my someday list but hopefully I can get there sooner and enjoy all the park has to offer after the vivid imagery described in this book.
November 16, 2025
I've visited the Grand Teton National Park many times and I've even looked for the star grizzly bear in the story, 399, and that made this book extra special. It's a nice story with likeable characters.
August 5, 2025
Loved it! Made me look into the Grand Tetons looks like a beautiful area. Great story can’t wait to read the next book.
August 9, 2025
I love the story and it did prompt me to go down rabbit trails…it did feel like there were some new age/spiritual undertones… I hope not this author writes good stories
August 27, 2025
2.5 stars
September 22, 2025
the cover of this book 😍😍😍 i enjoyed learning about the tetons and about bear 399. the characters were like able, there was a little mystery but mostly about character change and growth through circumstances. i look forward to more in the series.
October 12, 2025
Wow! Quite a story! Definitely makes me want to visit the great outdoors!!
November 23, 2025
I believe this was my first book by this author but I really enjoyed it and there will be more books in my future. I originally added it to my list because I loved the cover but when I finally got the book at the library, it had a different cover lol. Fortunately I still really liked the book. It almost makes me want to give up my life and go live in a National Park somewhere.I liked all of the characters, some more than others, and I liked the entire story line. At no point did I lost interest.
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