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

“Let’s stay professional, stay calm no matter what.” Head nods all around. “Don’t forget that this animal is partly tame, he may not be afraid of you. Be careful and safe. Now, let’s go get that tiger!”


Jared zipped around the corner of the paint aisle and stood absolutely still, mouth open, heart skittering.


Paint spattered through the air, thick and raspberry red. It splashed Sultan’s face and chest. The tiger snarled and bent low.


A blond teenager with a sparse mustache stood, back pressed against the counter, a paint can dangling in one hand. His name tag cheerily proclaimed “My name is Terry! How can I help you?” But Terry didn’t appear to be in any shape to help anyone right now. His face was gray and his shirt was wet from what smelled like coffee.


Another gallon container of paint on the counter lay on its side and it glugged bright raspberry paint over Jerry’s legs and feet. Jared heard it hit the concrete floor in a thick splatter.


Chapter 93