Fire Mountain will have readers on the edge of their seat and flipping pages as fast as their eyes can devour the text! Dana Mentink has woven a tale of peril, of grit, of courage, and of faith. Kit wakes up disoriented and wondering what has happened to her, only to be confronted by a stranger asking her if she is ok. Cullen is watching the volcano from his roof when he sees the big rig careen off the road and crash. When he reaches the vehicle, the woman driver has an obvious head injury and says she can’t remember what happened. There are bullet holes, a bloody handprint, and some other surprises in the truck, and that is just in the first few minutes of reading! The author has developed wonderful characters in Kit, Cullen, and Archie. They are deep and rich and so real-to-life, like someone who lives down the road or someone you would meet at the local grocery store and befriend. They are the Everyman or Everywoman kind of hero: real people doing courageous things every day, because it is the right thing to do. Cullen has faith, but like all of us, he struggles with circumstances in his life, but he has kept his faith. Kit is jaded about faith from her past experiences with believers, but she wants to believe. As much as I love Kit and Cullen, I adore Archie. He is an older man, former marine, gruff on the outside, but he is gooey and sweet on the inside. Put the three of these adults together and the story just flows perfectly. I highly recommend this book.

Kit is driving a big rig up a mountain and while the volcano is threatening to explode. She has wrecked her truck, and when Cullen, who has stayed behind to help people evacuate finds her she is recovering from a concussion and has no idea why there is a baby in her truck.. Then they are shot at. I have no idea whether it is possible to survive that long on an erupting volcano, but it makes for a very good story as they try to escape both the volcano and people who are chasing them. Cullen, Kit, Archie and the baby were interesting characters and I was definitely hopeful they would survive. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc and no pressure for a positive review

From page one, Dana Mentink’s new series takes us on a fiery journey with a surprising end. FIRE MOUNTAIN (book one, Elements of Danger) delivers face-paced suspense with a slow sizzle of romance—just enough emotional depth to keep us invested in more than the chase.

THE STORY: 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.

I love Dana’s use of strong female leads. The main characters are compelling, with just enough backstory and emotional complexity to keep me caring about what happens to them—not just in terms of survival, but in terms of healing and growth. The emotional tension runs parallel to the physical danger in a way that keeps things well-balanced. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Highly recommended for Dana Mentink fans, those who enjoy a thrilling read that blends suspense, nature, and heart. Fans of romantic suspense or just love a tightly written mystery set in an unforgettable location, with a plausible faith journey will love the first book in this new series.
I received an ARC from Revell and NetGalley for my honest review.

Y’all! This book was so good! It completely grabbed my attention and still hasn’t let go. Fast-paced, action-packed, and with danger coming from all sides, this book is the very definition of unputdownable. I couldn’t read fast enough. It’s my favorite Dana Mentink book yet!

Kit has no memory of how she crashed her big rig or why there’s a baby in the backseat, but with a volcano ready to erupt and the mysterious bullet holes in her truck, danger is quickly approaching, and she knows she has to act now. With the help of former cop Cullen, it’s a race against time as they try to reach safety before disaster strikes.

I really liked Cullen. He was just an all-around good guy. It took me a little bit to warm up to Kit, but it wasn’t long before I ended up liking her too. I also really liked Archie. He was awesome!

When I was a kid, I had a major fear of volcanoes. Like, I was terrified! So, you could say that my anxiety was a little (okay, maybe a lot) high with the threat of the imminent eruption. I had no idea how these characters were going to make it out of the dicey situation they were in. Add in the baby and the bad guys who were after them, and that fear went even higher!

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it! If you’re looking for a suspenseful, high-stakes story of survival, you’ll love it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

On May 18, 1980 I was outside checking the growth on our little garden when there was the most horrific boom that rattled the door behind me. Shortly thereafter came a very strange smell which had me heading immediately indoors. The news came out that Mount St. Helens had erupted. I was many miles away from this natural disaster, but it left a permanent impression on my mind.

The author has taken that history and brought it to life. Kit Garrido, a big rig driver, finds herself in an unknown area with no recall of why she would have driven down this road. Mount Ember is rumbling and her rig is wrecked. Blood on the seat, a baby in a car seat, someone shooting at her and a rescuer that says she must leave the relative safety of her truck is just the beginning of the danger facing these 3 as they try to survive a disaster of unspeakable proportions. You will hold your breath and pray….Will they make it out alive?

A copy of this incredible story was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

Wow! This action packed novel set in Washington state during a volcano eruption will hold reader's attention throughout. Loved the strength and resilience of Kat and the protective nature of Cullen. What a cute name, Tater Tot. The faith of Cullen as he faced his own demons was encouraging. Loved it! Looking forward to the next in the series. Recommended!!

This book will take you on the ride of your life! It's an action packed adventure that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It has a wonderful cast of characters and the suspense and drama will keep you up way past bedtime. This book deserves more than 5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Buckle up for the ride of your life!
The mountain is flexing her muscles in preparation to blow.
A child is in danger and two strangers must do everything possible to protect a young life.
The bad guys are coming.
The situation is dire.
You will not want to put this read down!
Wonderful characters and fast paced suspense.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Well what can I say. What a absolute pleasure thrill ride. A volcano threatening to erupt. A abandoned baby. Dangerous men hunting you. Two innocent people and a baby. The suspense is certainly intense and I was holding my breath quite a bit. The danger felt so real and the romance building was setting off the sparks. I couldn't resist reading this book in one sitting although I wanted to make it last. There was nothing to fault and everything to praise.

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.