Raising the Stakes. Karen Rock

      Liam’s leaf-green eyes shone in the lamplight when he smiled at Vivie.

      “Are you ready for the wildlife rehabilitator test?” he asked.

      She sank onto the couch. “I have to be, or you’ll shoot Button.”

      He regarded her gravely. “Wish you wouldn’t call her that.”

      She hugged a pillow. “Why?”

      “Because it makes her sound like a pet.” Liam leaned forward and the outdoorsy, masculine smell of him filled her senses. Normally being alone with a man this late at night would terrify her. Instead, she felt alive and jittery, her stomach fluttering.

      “If you pass tomorrow—”

      “When I pass tomorrow,” she interrupted, lifting her chin despite her nerves.

      He studied her, his strong face handsome. “When you pass tomorrow, you need to start thinking like a rehabilitator. If you treat the bear like a house pet, I’ll have to remove her.”

      The thought of it knocked the breath out of her. “Button is going to make it here.” There was no way she’d let him take her bear...

      Dear Reader,

      When I was in fifth grade, my dad accepted a promotion to move to Upstate New York. I was as shocked as my classmates when my teacher traced her pointer from our location, Long Island, to the very top of the map: The Adirondacks. It looked like the end of the world and everyone, including me, gasped in horror.

      Little did I know how profoundly this move would change me. I lost my city ways and became an avid nature and animal lover. I live my life outdoors as much as indoors. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, riding on a Ski-Doo, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, hiking, camping and, best of all, mountain climbing.

      Standing on a summit is an almost religious experience. It’s otherworldly to gaze at the breathtaking beauty below and imagine that this is what it must have looked like to the one who made it all. It’s awe-inspiring and humbling. Suddenly a fresh perspective clicks into place, giving my soul a good housecleaning.

      It’s also a privilege to live so close to such an abundance of wild animals, including black bears, the amazing subject of this book. The setting and subject of this story couldn’t be any closer to my heart. Please contact me anytime at [email protected], especially if you’re ever visiting my neck of the woods!

      Karen