I’ve not physically been to Grand Teton National Park but this book was written in such a way that I felt like I was actually there. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters including #399. My favorite was thirteen year old Maisie who would “talk the ears off of a billy goat!” She added fun to a sometimes hard situation. I felt a little sorry for Kate, a zoo photographer, who was at the park to try and photograph #399. The other professional photographers made fun of her and called her “Zoo Girl”. All the ribbing did little to boost her failing self confidence. Add in some park rangers, a troubled teen named Frankie, rumors of an illegal hunter and a surprise ending and this makes for a four star rating.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

Amazing! The book was a wonderful read but the suprise was the best!!!! I haven’t been this excited since those last four words in the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

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.

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 really a fun novel. The characters are well developed and there is good growth and transformation with them. Lives are changed in this novel. My favorite character is young Maisie. Fisher did an excellent job in capturing the exuberance of the girl who is convinced she is NOT a child.

Fisher is a master of plot construction. She had me fooled until the twist I did not see coming at all. I like how relationships are handled. There is potential romance that had me rooting for the two involved. There is deception that is revealed in a surprise twist. There was some disappointment that every relationship did not end in a happy ever after scene but that is reality.

An interesting aspect of the novel is the part the national park played. It played a vital role in the growth of several characters. Fisher provided lots of information about bears too. This is the first of a new series from Fisher exploring national parks. I will definitely be looking for the next one.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher did not disappoint!
A wonderful and well-crafted story.
This was a very good written romance story.
I absolutely loved these characters and really enjoyed getting to know them.
A sweet and heartwarming read!

Kate is visiting and searching in the Grand Teton Mountains for that once in a lifetime opportunity to shoot the perfect picture of a famous female grizzly. If she can get it she has a chance of National Geographic using it in their magazine. Kate has a lot to learn when it comes to nature photography, and finds herself in humorous and sometimes dangerous situations when she has some mishaps. I was proud of her when she decides to use her mistakes to improve her photography and ignore the taunting of competitive, back-biting fellow photographers.

Coop has a no nonsense attitude when it comes to people. I think he prefers animals instead and does everything he can to keep the bears (and people) safe at the park. I love that he is able to bring out the passion Frankie has for nature and to see beyond his surly attitude to the potential he has within himself.

Maisie and Frankie are an unlikely pair of teenagers to become involved in Kate and Coop’s lives. But, circumstances being what they are, they become sidekicks in helping to track the elusive bear. They are a great side to seeing things from a different perspective, and I am glad they were part of the story.

Things to Enjoy:
biology teacher
mystery
scenery
romance
danger
reconciliation

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. All opinions are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the first novel in the National Parks Summers series. The author transports readers the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions which allowed me to envision the vistas. I can tell that the author did her research for this story. I enjoyed the facts sprinkled throughout the story about the national park. I liked the main characters, Kate Cunningham and Grant “Coop” Cooper. Maisie, Coop’s granddaughter, was a delight. Her joy was infectious, and she added humor to the story. Frankie, a teenage intern for the summer, was an interesting character as well. The mystery added another layer to the story. I wish identifying the guilty party had been more of a challenge. Romance was in the air at Grand Teton. Sparks fly between the main characters, but the road to happiness is a bumpy one. I liked that there was a romance between an older couple as well as a youthful crush. I did not find it difficult to follow the various storylines. It did take me a little bit of time to get involved in the book, but, once I did, I could not wait to see how everything turned out. The book has a satisfying ending. In Capture the Moment, the author blended mystery, romance, nature, and faith into one picturesque story.

Grand Teton National Park is one of my absolute favorites! Its majestic beauty is brilliantly illustrated in Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Part mystery, sweet romance, & wildlife adventure, this book kept me quickly turning the pages.

Kate Cunningham gained some notoriety as a zoo photographer, capturing amazing moments in a carefully controlled setting. But, if she wants to be a National Geographic wildlife photographer, she needs to get a once in a lifetime shot. She sets her heart on photographing bear 399, a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park. It also doesn’t hurt that this adventure will take her far away from her controlling boyfriend & immerse her in an awe inspiring setting.

Grant “Coop” Cooper’s a high school biology teacher & seasonal ranger. His expertise in the back country & knowledge of bears makes him invaluable to Kate. Kate invokes a sense of protectiveness in him as well as a growing attraction. Her naïveté of the wilderness tends to get her in trouble & he’s determined to keep her safe. With rumors of a dangerous poacher & hungry bears waking from hibernation, the danger is real as Kate tries to capture a prize photograph. As she gets closer to finding bear 399, so does a corrupt ranger & poacher bent on bagging the bear as a trophy.

I loved the unique stories woven throughout. Along with Coop & Kate, there’re two teenagers each with their own issues, an older ranger with a second chance romance going wrong, & a determined poacher. Told from several points of view, the story kept me completely engaged & I was on pins & needles wondering who would find the bear first. The teenagers felt real & authentic. Frankie’s a young man dealing with the loss of his mother. Maise’s an endearing 13-year-old girl who wants to be grown up & loves to talk & be in on everything.

Loved the romance between Kate & Coop! It’s a slow burn friends to more romance taking place in such a memorable, beautiful setting. The landscape, animals, & park are expertly described & I could easily picture String Lake & other favorite spots. It’ll definitely make you want to visit the park. There’s also a lovely faith narrative woven throughout. The ending had several twists that kept me quickly flipping the pages. The villain’s perspective was chilling & I was surprised by the revelations at the end.

Highly recommend! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I received an advanced copy from the publisher with no expectation of a review. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.

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 a complimentary copy of this book, and this review reflects my honest opinion.

This book is written in 3rd person, and follows Kate Cunningham, a zoo photographer set out to capture a never before seen photo of Grizzly 399 in Grand Teton National Park, to potentially get a job with Nat Geo. There she meets Grant Cooper, who is a seasonal park ranger whom she forms a bond with, and many other characters. ⁣
⁣
This was my first book by Suzanne and I really enjoyed it! It was a nice palate cleanser, and a cute story, and really the perfect summertime, feel good read, and I really enjoyed Kate, Cooper Maisey, and some of the other characters along with the suspense and mystery! I've never been to Grand Tetons National Park, but I pictured its beauty in my mind from its description! ⁣
⁣
Thank you Netgalley & publisher for the ARC!

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)

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.

I love the flora of nature, but fauna, well lots of times I don't want to be up close or even in the same zip code. This book, the first in Suzanne Woods Fisher's National Park Summers series, has characters whose bravery amazes me. I do appreciate both the rangers who educate the public and protect the flora and fauna of our national parks and Fisher's representation of these brave men and women. Unfortunately, sometimes, as depicted in Capture the Moment, the most dangerous creature in the parks walks on two feet. The title of this book comes from the female protagonist, a photographer who wants to move from photographing animals in the zoo to those in the wild. The change in settings poses more dangers and difficulties that she ever anticipated, but the experience grows her bravery, self-confidence, and faith.

This book is well-written, and the settings are beautifully painted with words that evoke awe of the beauty and shivers from snowy mountain trails and icy streams. The suspense element is a bit transparent, but enjoyable. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Capture the Moment from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I have to say this book was not what I expected. It was even better than I expected. You are immediately bombarded with a boatload of characters. At first it was a little confusing for me, but it was most assuredly necessary. The author provides a glossary at the beginning which gives a short sentence or two about the main characters. Don't skip this page because it will help.

Each character was an important chess piece, and each played a vital part in the story. As the story deepened, and the characters started being more fully fleshed out, each one and their part made complete sense.

This was a fantastic story based in a place that glorifies and showcases God's creation as it was set in Grand Tetons National Park. Grizzly bears were the stars of the show, and one was the most important star. Grizzly bear #399 is apparently a real grizzly bear who is nicknamed the Queen of the Tetons. It was interesting to learn more about them as the story progressed.

This was a story showing the flaws of humans, but that we all hold value regardless of our flaws. It was also about finding your voice. Amongst all of this beauty, there is a twisty little mystery which provided an extra shot of pizzazz to this story which was already magnificent in every way.

Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a lovely beginning to a new series set in National Parks, starting with Grand Teton. Kate is following a dream of being a wildlife photographer but has only worked in a zoo until now. Coop is a high school teacher who works as a seasonal park ranger.

This is a book about seeing things differently, being authentic, actively listening, and recognizing God’s hand in creation. The characters are flawed but relatable, and the setting is fantastic - basically a character on its own.

This is Christian fiction so expect prayer and discussions about God.

I enjoyed it and would recommend it to lovers of nature and clean romance.

Family friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and Revell. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Enjoyed the setting of this book. Have never been to the Grand Tetons and it makes me want to go.
The relationship between the characters was believable. The non-stop chattering of Maisie was funny.
Looking forward to the next book by Ms Fisher.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance ARC of this book.

Suzanne Woods Fisher launched her next series, National Parks Summers with the exciting romance and suspense, CAPTURE THE MOMENT. Fisher knows how to build community with characters we’d loved to meet for coffee and scones—or in this case, trail bars and backpacks. Adding mystery and suspense made this book a page-turner!

THE STORY: 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.

I have happily lived vicariously through Suzanne’s books for a long time. This new series is especially meaningful because when hubby and I were younger we visited the Grand Canyon, the Redwoods, Yosemite, Mount Rainier, the Cascades, many of the parks in Missouri, but now that we’re in our 70s I’m looking forward to enjoying more of these parks and new parks through the pages of her books. As wonderful as it is to learn more about our beautiful country, I love Suzanne’s characters’ journeys. With humor and heartbreaking realism, she gives us dimensional people we care about. Surprise twists and turns and endings. Looking forward to the upcoming books.

Highly recommended for Suzanne Woods Fisher fans, lovers of the outdoors, photography, and wildlife. Interest in learning about our beautiful country and wildlife photography. Stories with mystery, suspense, romance, faith, and family dynamics. Recommended for readers ages 14 and above—there are great teenaged characters YA readers might identify with.
I received an ARC through #netgalley and Revell for my honest review.

I'm too distracted by the unrealistic photography setting to continue this. Wildlife photography (any photography) is so highly competitive and hi-tech that the thought of some random person with a camera thinking she could just jump in is ridiculous. DNF at about 20%.

Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for an e-arc to read and review honestly.

Capture the Moment certainly captured my heart! This book is filled with romance, adventure, and mystery plus it's set in beautiful Grand Teton National Park.

This book will make you want to visit Grand Teton National Park. Fisher's descriptions sound beautiful and seem to capture the breathtaking sight that is the national park. I felt like I could close my eyes and imagine myself there. I liked the descriptions of wildlife too. The writing is very immersive.

The plot was interesting and will pull at readers' heart strings because it deals with poaching. I will admit I do not know a lot about this subject but my heart bled for the park ranger characters trying to solve the mystery of who the possible poacher was.

The characters were great. Thankfully there is a glossary of who's who at the beginning of the book though since a lot of characters are introduced in the beginning. It was nice to be able to go back and reference. Kate is a wonderful main character. I liked her determination and heart. Coop was a great hero too. He's kind and also has a big heart. I found their romance to be very sweet and adorable.

A great read! Can't wait to see if there are more in this series.