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

“Don’t ‘yes but’ me. You said no, you don’t even have to say it. Put on your spurs, cowgirl, take that man for a long, hot trail ride.”


“Darlin’, thinkinghas nothing to do with it.”


“Why not? He’s cute, he’s obviously as wacky for cats as you are. Isn’t that enough?”


“Oh, puhleeezeeee. How professional do you have to be? The study is over. I want details! Big, juicy, salacious details, full of nitty-gritty ooginess, the kind of stuff men are terrified that we actually talk about.”


“Quit it,” but Valerie couldn’t keep the smile from her voice.


“I have to live vicariously through you. I’m an old married lady now; I need a thrill. Besides, it’s been almost a year since Bob. You need to move on.”


A tenth of a mile of silence between them. Rain spattered on Valerie’s windshield and the sky went from gray to night-dark.


Lily prodded, her voice gentle, no more teasing. “Come on, tell me.”


Chapter 18