Don’t expect a sequel to City Wolves. Though it is, in an odd way. Nor is it about bears. 

It is the story of Clare, a wildlife photographer in a long second marriage that has become dangerous. Living in Ottawa, famous photo of a wolf gets her invited to the infamous city of Fort McMurray. There, an Indigenous entrepreneur gives Clare an insider's view of the real people and industry of this oil sands city.

Clare makes an escape visit to her sister, a veterinarian with a life-saving dog project on reserves in Calgary. The vet's security force is a herd of donkeys.

Wildlife, gathering at the floe edge in Nunavut's High Arctic is what draws Clare and an up-and-coming photographer, Michelle Valberg, to be hauled by sled to camp on ice at the receding floe edge during the summer solstice. 

Back home in Ottawa, Clare throws a 70th birthday party with life-changing consequences. She discovers the different nature of love in old age, the harmony, intimate pleasure, and peace it can bring. 

Yet, the story ends with fireworks, Canadian style. 

If you want realistic stories, told with insight, humour and heart about adventurous, resilient Canadians from coast to coast to coast, Dorris Heffron’s novels are for you.