A man. A tiger. A tornado. Jared Montaine owns a big cat rescue in Florida and faces financial pressures, getting over his ex-wife, and the challenge of suburbia creeping ever closer to his enclave for the animals. But when a tornado wrecks part of the refuge, Jared's worst fear comes to life: his Siberian tiger, Sultan, escapes. It's a big cat handler’s nightmare: a tiger on the loose, confused, lost -- and hungry. Jared races against the police, the media, and the hysterical public, all of whom are clamoring for the tiger's hide. He must re-capture Sultan before the cat is killed -- by traffic, by SWAT, or by a civilian who just wants to shoot a tiger. With fellow wildlife handlers at his side, Jared fights desperately to find and capture Sultan before the tiger injures or kills a human. Because that would lead to his worst nightmare -- having to kill the tiger he hand-raised from a cub. Jared’s commitment is tested -- to his animals, his refuge, and his belief that saving the life of even one tiger is worth losing everything.

The Tiger Whisperer

He moved closer to the lockout cage and saw Jared, his head pillowed on Sultan’s furry belly. Sultan had Jared’s left arm in his paws and he nuzzled it affectionately.


Just like Jared. Feels bad about Valerie and he goes to Sultan.


“Got a dose for him,” Peter called.


Jared sat up and toweled off his arms. The cat rose and stretched, his front paws as large around as soccer balls, his rear end in the air. He heeled at Jared’s side, waist-high, a friendly chuff with each step. Peter loved Sultan and knew the cat liked him, but if it came down to a choice between Jared and Peter, Sultan would always choose Jared, the man who had raised him from the age of four months. Their bonding was true and deep.


Chapter 16