This was a total PAGE TURNER! I mean, how could it not be? There's the threat of an erupting volcano, a semi off the road, bloody handprints, and an abandoned baby?! UM, WOW.

When Kit decided to risk the trek in her semi with a volcano possibly blowing, you'd think that would be the biggest danger. But nope. Suddenly there's a baby in her truck, blood inside, and her precious rig, Her LIVELIHOOD, is trashed.

Thank goodness for Cullen, the handsome former cop who shows up right when everything goes sideways and jumps straight into action. Not just to help Kit, but to protect this baby too.

But who’s after the baby? Where’s the mother? And now, with Kit and Cullen running from a volcano and a killer, do they even stand a chance at surviving? Or maybe... at something more than a fear-fueled friendship?

One thing I know...when it comes to Dana, she always delivers a romantic suspense that’ll knock your socks off. My favorite part? Watching Kit and Cullen bond over a baby they barely know. Cullen might be the most attentive guy ever when it comes to that little (Tot).

Add in the fun banter, growing feelings, and yep, you definitely WANT TO READ THIS!
I received a complimentary copy, this review reflects my honest opinion.

Title: Fire Mountain   
Author: Dana Mentink
Genre: Christian, mystery/thriller    
Rating: 4 out of 5

In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she's suddenly in possession of someone's baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help.

As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he's the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn't want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he's in this thing, like it or not.

When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby's missing mother--all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.

The imminently erupting volcano certainly added a sense of urgency to this read! I thought this was a solid thriller, and I enjoyed it. Kit and Cullen were both good characters, and their growing relationship keep me invested---almost as much as the threat of the volcano!

Dana Mentink is a USA Today bestselling author. Fire Mountain is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Revell in exchange for an honest review.)

(Blog link live 7/14).

Wow, wow, WOW!!! This book was an intense roller coaster ride and I literally was holding my breath during parts! Seriously! This book has so much packed between it's two covers. The story is about Kit, a truck driver who made a split decision to change her perfectly planned agenda and help someone in need and now her life has drastically changed. She suddenly finds herself in an accident and no memeory of how she got there!

Cullen rescues Kit from her truck accident, and as he is helping her, he finds a baby strapped in her truck. Suddenly the three of them find themselves in a race for their lives because there are two human traffickers on their trail who will do anything to gwt their evidence back. Oh and did I mention that they are on a mountain/volcano that is about to explode?!? Seriously, this was one of the most intense books I've ever read and I really had a hard time putting it down. I also love that while it was intense and action packed, there were moments of humor and romance mixed in.

I give it 10 out of 5 stars (well, I would if I could!) and highly recommend it!

I was given this book to read and give my opinion- all thoughts are my own!

The pace of this book is so fast that I could not flip through my Kindle pages quickly enough! The characters are regular people who are faced with insurmountable challenges and who rise to the task, the biggest one to take care of an infant while fleeing a volcano and avoiding bad guys who want to kill all of them. Kit Garrido is a semi-truck driver who is dedicated to her business and not looking for anything except success. Cullen is fixing a roof of his cabin when he sees Kit wreck her truck, so he rushes to her aid. Thus begins the story of the two intrepid warriors against nature and evil! When Cullen discovers a baby in the living compartment of Kit’s truck, Kit is flabbergasted about how she got there, since the accident that wrecked her beloved truck also stole her memory. Discovering that the accident was a purposeful action of sabotage since a bullet hit the truck, Cullen makes it his goal to keep Kit and the baby safe from whomever is trying to harm her. I loved the way the two of them bonded with the baby whom they called “Tot” and I was totally invested in the realistic character of Archie, a veteran who is a friend of Cullen’s and who is wise and snarky, too. The race to save themselves from the volcano and from the villains is realistically portrayed, with all kinds of extra dangers along the way and problems like no shelter and limited food, along with horrible air quality due to the erupting volcano. The twists keep coming and just when I thought Cullen and company were safe, another threat arose and had my heart pumping and my pulse racing. The plot was complex with multiple layers that were expertly woven together into a satisfying conclusion. The romance is one that simmers since the hero and heroine are a little busy running for their lives and watching over Tot. This is a powerful, breathtaking story of honor and sacrifice as well as a propulsive thriller that took off like a jet plane from the first chapter and flew high for the entire book. With escalating tension and a gripping story, combined with nail-biting suspense and unique, relatable characters, this book is a real winner for me in the Best Books of 2025 category. The author did a remarkable job of including faith and the tough topic of human trafficking all while staying on course to captivate me with the active volcano and the bad guys who were nothing short of pure evil. If I could give this book more than five stars, I would because it didn’t just entertain, but it also educated and made me think about life choices and consequences.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Fire Mountain is first-rate romantic suspense. Kit Garrido and Cullen Landry are characters that I'd want on my side in a dangerous situation. Both are smart, resourceful, determined, and morally good. And, in a situation where a volcano is about to erupt, and villains are armed and very determined to catch up, and there's a baby to protect, it's going to take everything that they've got to survive. The plot moves at a fast pace, but it's not relentless. Even when the characters are getting a break from running, the story and the characters are being developed. Author Dana Mentink has an writing style that is perfect for this genre. It's easy to read, but at the same time keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would definitely recommend this to family and friends that enjoy clean romantic suspense.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my opinion of this very-well-written book.

This page-turner packed with unrelenting action and emotionally gripping suspense hooked me from the beginning and kept me reading excitedly to the end! It is the kind of book that immerses you in the fictional world of the story and makes it feel real! Female trucker Kit, ex-cop Cullen, and precious abandoned baby "Tot" headline the wonderfully crafted cast of characters. I love these characters and admire their perseverance and courage. A skillfully portrayed genuine setting and vivid descriptions of volcanic activity and precursors are amazing and heighten the suspense and danger. Bits of humor, strategically placed, provide emotional relief amidst seemingly impossible, unescapable danger. Kit and Cullen's slowly evolving romantic relationship, that kept me rooting for a happy ending, deepens the story's emotional impact. I appreciate how the author seamlessly weaves faith into the narrative. I totally enjoyed this story and just added this book to my Best Romantic Suspense Reads Ever list!
I read an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Make sure you have a long time set aside for the book ... once started it was very hard to put down. Gripping and intense story. Made me remember that I can't control weather and natural disaster, but can choose how I respond.

I have never read Dana Mentink before and was happy to receive an ebook of Fire Mountain. I live an hour from Mt. Rainier and know the area well. What a wild ride! Fire Mountain is a non-stop heart pounding adventure from start to finish.

In this novel, Kit Garrido has a hard history and a lot of emotional baggage. But, she has managed to work very hard to start her own trucking business and purchase one beautiful yellow semi-truck. Fire Mountain opens with Kit regaining consciousness and her rig wrecked. A handsome face swims into view and offers to help. Kit has no memory of the accident or the baby they find in the back seat of the rig. Cullen Landry smells danger when he sees several bullets holes in the side of Kit's truck and he knows this is no accident. A bloody hand print confirms his suspicions that Kit must have picked up a baby and her mother. The trouble is, she can't remember anything past yesterday. When a black SUV and two men with guns attack Kit and Cullen, they begin a race for their lives, a race to find the baby's mother, and a race against the mountain that is about to explode!

I enjoyed Fire Mountain very much! It has an exciting plot line, likable characters, and a soft Christian message. I would recommend anyone to try Fire Mountain!

Wow! This could be made into a movie. An unlikely duo team up to escape deadly terrors. Kit, the female trucker and Cullen, the former cop and current rancher meet after Kit’s big rig crashes. Plenty of non-stop action and suspense will keep the pages turning. I was given a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

Fantastic page turner. Outrunning a volcano is one issue. And is if that weren't enough of a problem, there are bad guys out there also chasing the main characters. Many nail-biting moments. Wonderful to have a strong female character. I am eager to read the next one in this new series. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

When long haul truck driver Kit, wakes up in her crashed rig all she remembers is taking an emergency job delivering equipment. She doesn't know how she crashed though the bullet holes in her windscreen suggest foul play nor does she know why there is a baby in her truck.

Together with Cullen they need to not only figure out what's going on, they need to avoid the bad guys and with a volcano set to erupt looming over them they need to run from that too.

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I have read a little Christian Fiction and if I'm honest I avoid it just because it often wanders off into the wilderness and preaches at me. This book isn't like that. It is obviously Christian but it doesn't preach and manages to be both well written and entertaining. Folks who enjoy romance but don't like descriptive sex scenes will enjoy this book.

Fire Mountain is a nonstop thrill ride packed with danger and intensity that kept me hooked from beginning to end! I was completely drawn in by the ever-changing circumstances of the natural disaster, the sharp humor, and the relentless tension. It truly felt like watching a high-stakes movie unfold on the page.

There simply aren’t enough stories centered around large-scale, cataclysmic events, and this one absolutely delivered. The characters had fantastic chemistry, and even the side characters were memorable—bringing both heart and hope to an otherwise perilous situation.

One of the standout elements of this book was the strong faith thread woven authentically into the story. Themes of God’s forgiveness and learning to forgive ourselves for past mistakes were central and gave the characters emotional depth, especially as they bonded quickly under extreme pressure.

I absolutely loved Cullen and his dry, matter-of-fact humor. His quirky nicknames won me over early on, and he was a perfect match for Kit. The author struck a great balance between emotional stakes and intense action, keeping the tension high without overdoing it. I found myself equally worried about the volcano erupting and the killers catching up to them—both threats felt very real.

If you pick up Fire Mountain, make sure you have time to binge it—you won’t want to put it down!

I absolutely loved this book!! All the twists and turns!! You think you know whats happening and then something else happens!! Loved all the action, teamwork and the amount of love shown in this book! Such a great writer!! Pick this up today!! You will not be disappointed!!

The narrative centers on Kit Garrido, a long-haul trucker who regains consciousness in her wrecked big rig, suffering from amnesia and unexpectedly responsible for an abandoned baby. Stranded in an evacuation zone threatened by an impending volcanic eruption, Kit is rescued by Cullen Landry, a reclusive former cop who has chosen to remain in his cabin despite evacuation orders. Their situation intensifies upon discovering a bullet hole in the truck's windshield and a bloody handprint inside, indicating a sinister turn of events. As armed assailants close in, Kit and Cullen must unravel the mystery, ensure the baby's safety, and survive the erupting mountain's fury .
This book is very interesting

This book was wild in the best possible way—and exactly what I was craving. As a romance reader through and through, I was looking for something that still hit those emotional notes but added a little extra: action, suspense, danger. This book delivered all of that and more.

I’ll be honest, I’m usually hesitant about single-parent romances. As someone who doesn’t have kids, I often find them hard to connect with. But this story was so gripping and fast-paced, I didn’t even have time to think about that. The plot sucked me in immediately, and I stayed hooked from start to finish.

Last year, one of my favorite reads was Eruption by James Patterson and Michael Crichton—but I found myself tuning out during the dense, technical parts. This book gave me everything I wanted from that story: action, emotion, and characters I truly cared about. It’s packed with moments that had me on the edge of my seat, clutching my heart, or shouting out loud. You’ll feel everything—fear, heartbreak, love, compassion, anger, frustration, and hope—sometimes all in the same chapter.

And the volcano? Somehow it wasn’t even the most intense part! There were so many twists, turns, and emotional gut-punches that I’d forget about the looming natural disaster entirely—until it exploded back into the plot in the most thrilling way.

I’ve already started recommending this book to people because I genuinely could not stop thinking about it. I flew through it in record time—it’s hands-down one of the most unputdownable books I’ve read lately. If you’re looking for a genre mash-up that hits hard on both romance and suspense, this one needs to be at the top of your TBR.

“In the face of destruction, independence was a laughable goal, and it crumbled away, leaving only unruly survival instincts.”

Dana Mentink is the queen of writing stories about being prepared for the unexpected! I’m always impressed by her exploration of the mindset needed to be resilient and by her belief that survival partly depends on believing in humanity and the resilience of others.

Set against the backdrop of a geological catastrophe, Mentink explores how we are all only one decision away from a completely different life. It only takes long-haul trucker Kit Garrido one detour - one moment to help a stranger in danger - to experience the unexpected. As she finds out, nothing could have prepared her for this moment.

Do you struggle with knowing your purpose? Are you unaccustomed to relinquishing control? Have you ever been hurt so badly that you don’t think your scar will ever heal? You might enjoy this book that gently probes readers to consider God’s role in rescuing and rejuvenating. At the very least, it’ll remind you about humanity and urge you to strengthen your resilience.

“Maybe some hurts were so grievous that only God could crack open the walls and let his forgiveness bathe the hearts inside.”

Kit Garrido and Cullen Landry learn that survival means trusting each other and God…not an easy thing to do when they’re being hunted and a volcanic eruption is imminent!

Pages always turn themselves with a Dana Mentink book! I loved the thrill ride, liked her masterfully crafted characters and resonated with their struggle, and appreciated the reminders about relying on my faith.

I was gifted this 5-star book and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This is a fantastic book filled with suspense and intrigue! The setting is Mount Ember, a volcano in the throes of explosion. Lives are lost, relationships are formed and heroes emerge.

Kit is AMAZING! She's determined, strong and smart. Although she wrestles with her past, she is compassionate and protective. Cullen is also AMAZING! He's a protector, brave and strong. His past also haunts him but Kit and Tot soften his heart! Tater Tot is adorable! She's blessed to have Kit and Cullen as her rescuers.

One issue that's brought up is sex trafficking. I'll admit that I was happy when Simon and Nico got what they deserved. Thank God for police officers, detectives, and other workers who help those caught up in trafficking.

I won a complimentary copy of this book from LibraryThing via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read several books by Dana Mentink in the past and found them all enjoyable... but I have to say, this one might just be the best one yet! There is something about a natural disaster that will always bring a whole new level of danger to a suspense read... and a volcano? Yes, that will certainly do it! Throw in an infant and a truck driver who has crashed and has no recollection of her picking up said infant or her mother... well, those elements of danger and suspense just keep piling up with this one! It is a story that will absolutely keep you at the edge of your seat wondering how it's all going to play out, and how these characters are going to make it out of danger. These characters were wonderfully written and effortlessly drew me into their lives and had me rooting for them. There is a hint of romance, of course, but the action and all the twists and turns definitely take center stage in this one! If you enjoy Christian romantic suspense, you'll absolutely want to add this one to your TBR!

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

WOW! What a wild ride! A volcano, ruthless killers, human trafficking, forced proximity - this new novel by Dana Mentink covers a lot of ground. When trucker Kit Garrido wakes up to find her rig crashed and no memory of what happened, and her rescuer, Cullen Landry, tells her there's a baby strapped in her rig - her world is turned upside down. Not to mention, there is a volcano just about to blow! A former cop, Cullen notices a bullet hole in her windshield and although he has no desire to get tangled up in whatever mess Kit is in, he can't ignore the danger. When armed assailants arrive, it's a race against adversaries - both the human and the earthly kind. Can Cullen and Kit work together to protect the baby, figure out who's after them and what the connection is, and escape the coming volcanic blow? This fast-paced suspense novel will have you holding your breath, turning pages at warp-speed, and is definitely a heart-stopper!

I was gifted a copy of this novel by the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Kit Garrido owns her 18-wheeler; she drives it with great pride. She gains consciousness to discover she crashed her truck. She has no idea what happened, but her truck is stuck between two trees. She doesn’t remember the crash or much else. She has no way to escape the crushed cab of her truck.
Cullen Landry is a loner, a hermit. An incident during his law enforcement career has filled him with guilt. He has separated himself from people, including his relatives, friends and colleagues. He refuses to leave his cabin despite the order to evacuate. The mountain is about to blow. He is the only one left that can offer Kit any assistance. He tries to get her out of the cab only to discover a baby in a car seat in the sleeping area. Kit has no idea how the baby got there or who the child’s parents are. Cullen hesitates to get involved with Kit and a baby. He has no choice when he notices a bullet hole in the windshield and a bloody handprint inside the cab.
Two men up to no good, armed with guns approach the truck. Cullen realizes he is the only hope if Kit and baby, Tot, are going to survive. The child’s mother is missing. and possibly dead. It’s up to Kit and Cullen to protect the child, try to find the mother, and survive the killers and a volcano erupting.
The best quote in the book: “You are your own judge, and you’ve decided you’re not forgiven. You. Not God.”
What a read! This is the first book I have read by Dana Mentink, it certainly won’t be the last. The plot is well written and EXCITING. There is a volcano threatening to erupt and crazy men gunning for Kit and Cullen. The action in this tale is non-stop. I highly recommend Fire Mountain.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.