Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “Cold and ice-pick pain bored into Kit Garrido’s temple.” And that is an awesome opening line! I wish I’d written it. 🙂
But first the photo and verse. Once again, this is a photo of Lake Superior, and I’m not certain if I took it in Canada or the US, but it was gorgeous. And the verse just seemed to fit it. It was a verse I’d read on Monday in my morning devotion. If you don’t regularly have a quiet time with Him each morning, you’re missing out on such a blessing. It starts my day off right, but I’m the first to admit I don’t always do it. Some days I oversleep or have an early morning appointment. I will tell you those days never go as well as the ones where I spend time in the Word.
Now for Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink. Here’s the cover and back copy:
Fire rains from above as they fight to discover the truth and stay alive.
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.
My take:
Set in the 1980s, Fire Mountain takes off with a bang and doesn’t let up. Mentink certainly knows how to ratchet up the suspense with a mountain threatening to blow its top and men out to kill Kit Garrido. I loved the way Mentink captured Kit’s long-haul truck driver personality. It was almost as if Mentink had once driven the big trucks.
And Cullen. Oh, my goodness. He is swoon-worthy perfect! If I ever need to be rescued, I hope my rescuer is a twin to Cullen. The story is fast-paced with twists and turns you won’t see coming. And Tater Tot is so adorable. I love Cullen’s name for the baby. Then there is Archie, an older, crusty former Marine who is the town librarian — I want to be him when I grow up.
This is a book that will keep you flipping pages way into the night even if you need sleep. Don’t miss it! I can’t wait for the next book in the series, due out next year.
You can find purchase links at Dana Mentink’s website.
Leave a comment–tell me if you’ve read Fire Mountain or leave the first line of the book you’re reading, and I’ll enter you in a drawing for one of Steve Hooley’s fine pens! (value $60) Steve’s Hand-crafted pens are made from antique and historic wood dating back to the 1700s, connecting our past and our future. Check out my friend’s pens at his website. (Due to shipping costs, winner must have a US address.)
Now for this week’s song. Staying with the fire theme, we’re going back to some of our teen years (f0r some of us). Here’s the great showman, Jerry Lee Lewis:
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Comments 55
Never read Fire Mountain by Dana Mentink but excited and looking forward to reading the book in its printed copy so I can review the book afterwards, book sounds and looks like an excellent read. Really like title, book cover and excerpt/blurb very attention getting
Thanks for chance to win
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Crystal, it is a great book–I lost sleep because I couldn’t put it down.
Definitely on my TBR list.
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I think you’ll enjoy it, Sharon!
I haven’t read Fire Mountain, but I’d definitely like to. I have so many books on my TBR.
I have read the book, Fire Mountain, and I totally agree with you. Dana grabs you from the beginning and the action and suspense never so. And always in the background is the mountain, threatening to finally blow its top. Cullen’s name for the baby is so adorable – I love it.
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I thought Tater Tot was so cute, too, Linda, and the tension from the mountain read to blow grabbed me.
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Me, too, Kelly…me, to…
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Kelly, I think you’d like the book! I certainly did.
Fire Mountain sounds exciting! I’m reading a nonfiction book, a commentary on Daniel called Daniel Unplugged by Samuel Frost. The first line: My intent was not to write an extensive commentary on the book of Daniel.
LOL, it’s very comprehensive and extensive. Frost points out things I had never noticed before in Daniel.
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Daniel Unplugged sounds so interesting. Daniel is one of my favorite books of the OT, Priscilla!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
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It is a page-turner for sure, Diana!
Pat, you’re making me long to visit Michigan’s Upper Peninsula again! Thanks for the photos, and I like the verse you chose, too. It speaks to the heights of God’s love, and Lake Superior speaks to its depths.
I started reading “Fire Mountain” several weeks ago. Normally, I can’t put Dana’s books down. I got through the first three chapters of this one, and put it down. I’m not sure what it was, but it just wasn’t grabbing me. I’ll blame it on me because after reading another book or two, I picked up her latest Security Hounds book just out, and loved it. I’ll give “Fire Mountain”” another try.
I am currently read Lynette Eason’s “Final Approach” which begins with “Air Marshal Kristine Duncan leaned back in her seat, her eyes skimming over the sunrise outside the Airbus 319’s window.” It is an amazing story told as only Lynette Eason can. The characters are fantastic.
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I’m reviewing Final Approach next week, Tim! I hope you give Fire Mountain another chance–I really enjoyed it.
Pat, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Fire on the Mountain.
Happy Fri-YAY! Enjoy your weekend!
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I hope you enjoy your weekend as well, Caryl…May take a drive up the Natchez Trace…
Love the peaceful photo of the lake and the verse that goes with it. You do pick the best verses e er for these pics. Thanks, Pat
Whoa Fire Mountain sounds pretty exciting. Great review. Adding it to my list!!
“Katherine Mull was blissfully unaware she was going to depart this earth before the next sunrise. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I would serve that vengeance.” These are the first lines of Show Me Skulduggery by Ellen E. Withers
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Love Ellen Withers’ books, Barbara! She got me to keynote the Arkansas Writers Conference a couple of years back and it was fun connecting with her–I’ll see her in November at Scrivcon. 🙂
Well how about that? She was a new-to-me author.
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Dana Mentink writes a lot of books featuring dogs, Barbara. And this is one you won’t be able to put down!
The book sounds great. That photo is Lake Superior just south of the Canadian border in Minnesota at Grand Portage, and the weather was perfect!
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Yes it was perfect, Delores! Great trip. Ready to do it again!
I have not read “Fire Mountain” yet…it sounds like a great read!
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It is very good, Gail!
Read, reviewed and loved Fire Mountain! I could almost feel the heat as I read.
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Me, too…and the tension of expecting it to blow at any moment kept me flipping pages!
Fire Mountain sounds awesome. Love your picture — I just got home from the UP 3025 mile trip in a couple weeks. Fabulous rock hunting and chasing down remote lighthouses.
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That was quite a trip, Susan! I’ll have to post one of lighthouse photo taken at Artist Point!
Fire Mountain is such a great page turner I have read and reviewed it when you pick it up you don’t want to put it down until the end! Have a Blessed weekend!
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Amen, Sarah! I didn’t want to put it down, either.
I totally agree with your take on the characters of Fire Mountain, Pat. Great, non-stop action.
Southern Ohio
Tuesday, March 5
Today was the day.
Unshaken by Shelley Shepard Gray
Author
Love Shelley Shepard Gray’s books, Gloria!
I was fortunate enough to be on Dana’s launch/ARC team. She is an author I began reading through Love Inspired Suspense books. She has become one of my favorites! I’m excited she has been able to expand into full-length suspense books. If you haven’t read her Love Inspired Suspense series Security Hounds Investigations, I can recommend it too.
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Sharon, I’ve been reading Dana’s books that long, too. And her LIS books are great!
Pat, thank you for sharing the lovely photos from your trip! I have enjoyed every one! You certainly find the perfect verse every time. I, too, enjoy my devotions early in the morning but I, too, sometimes don’t do them until later in the day – not quite the same for me.
Fire Mountain sounds like a great read.
I’m reading Deadly Hope by Edie James.
Weekend blessings everyone!
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Mary G, I find my day goes much better when I do my devotions in the morning, but sometimes life gets in the way of my intentions. Devotions are a great way to end a day, too!
I adored Archie!!
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Since this is book 1 of the series, I hope he’ll be back, Carrie!
I love that picture and the verse. My wife and I may need to take another trip to the UP and see more of Lake Superior. We went to Marquette and across to Sault Ste. Marie a couple of years ago. We didn’t have time to go further west.
I think Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash could have fit with the book also, but I haven’t read the book. I just saw where Jerry Lee’s cousin Jimmy passed away on July 1. I got behind on the happenings all around while my wife was in the hospital and rehab. So glad she is home again.
I am reading Suzanne Woods Fisher’s Capture the Moment. The first line: Kate Cunningham’s eyes widened with awe as Grand Teton National Park unfolded before her, a sight so breathtaking that it forced her to pull over to the side of the road. (My note: Kate is on a mission to take a once-in-a-lifetime photo of the most famous grizzly in the world, Grizzly Bear 399.)
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Jimmy Swaggart was the only one of the cousins from Ferriday, Louisiana, still living, Edward. Both Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis passed away in 2022. All three were very talented singers. The end of an era. I should of used Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire–never even thought of it. And I’m glad your wife is able to be home, too.
I’ll have to add Suzanne Woods Fisher’s book to my mountain of a TBR pile!
I haven’t read Fire Mountain yet, but its waiting on my TBR pile for me right now.
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It is so good, Megan! I think you will enjoy it when you get to it. 🙂
fun song
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Loved that song when I was a teenager…actually still do, L!
I have read Fire Mountain and loved it!
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Wasn’t it good, Joan!
“Earth to Bella? Table 3 is ready to place their order! Remembering the Rancher- Liwen Y. Ho
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Loved that first line, Shelia!
Enjoyed “Fire Mountain” immensely and stayed up too late reading it.
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Me, too, Beth!
I haven’t read it…yet! Ill be adding it my Must Read list. I’m always looking for good new authors!
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I believe you would enjoy Fire Mountain, Arlene!
I haven’t read it, but will be adding it to my TBR. Also I love the song pick!
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Thanks! I think you’ll enjoy Fire Mountain!