Mountain Abduction Rescue (Crisis Rescue Team, 3)

MOUNTAIN ABDUCTION RESCUE by Darlene L. Turner is the compelling, heart-tugging story of Park Warden Hazel Hoyt and Wildfire Unit crew leader Mitchell Booth as they try to unravel who kidnapped Hazel’s son and his fellow cub scout members and whose setting all the damaging fires putting forest, homes and lives in harms way. Their goal is to figure out a way to find the boys bringing them home safe and sound (the who and why can come later) and to bring down the Rocky Mountain Firebug. Hazel rebelled as a teen against her domineering father and turned her back on her faith at the same time. Her world fell apart when the man she thought she loved, dumped her when he found out she was pregnant. It meant returning home in disgrace, but the bright spot of her life was and is her now 8-year-old son Jackson. The experience, though, proved to her that she didn’t need or want a man in her life - ever. Supervisor Frank Hoyt, Hazel’s father, still won’t let her forget her mistakes and evidently there’s nothing she can do right in his eye. Lord knows she’s tried to please him and make him proud of her. It’s causing a big void in their daughter/father relationship. Mitchell was thrilled when an opening with the Micmore Wildfire Unit came up. Even more so when he was offered the crew leader position. There’s nowhere else he would love to be more than back near his home in the Micmore National Park, in Alberta. His first encounter with Hazel was a shocking one. Who would have thought that this sister’s best friend, that nerdy little kid, would turn out to be such a beautiful woman. However, after his experience with Ivy, who ended up being his worst nightmare, he’d sworn off relationships. She hadn’t been able to accept their breakup and ended up burying him alive saying if she couldn’t have him no one could. Thankfully a buddy had tracked him and saved him from a sure death. He’s determined to never open himself up to another woman and take the chance of history repeating itself. He’d easily been fooled once and never again! Regardless of her resolve, at the first sight of Mitchell all her old feelings from when she had a teenage crush on her best friend’s brother came flooding back. She has no time for this and remembers her promise to herself. She has a son to bring home. She will however, accept his help because regardless of how he treated her year’s ago, she knows she can trust him. All Mitchell know is that he will do anything to bring Jackson home, including giving up his own life. He’ll deal with how her eyes show him what a kind, skilled and compassionate woman she is now later – much later. Who is this Rocky Mountain Firebug and why does it seem like he’s personally targeting Hazel and her family? How does he seem to be two steps ahead of them at every turn? How can someone take so many lives and do so...

Thank you in advance to the author, Darlene L. Turner, for providing a complimentary review copy through her Border Patrol review group and JustRead Publicity Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own. When it comes to a book by Turner, I put the newest or upcoming release on my TBR list as SOON as it’s announced. Admittedly, I’ve been a fan since her first book – Border Breach. And, I’ve read EVERY SINGLE book of hers so far. It looks like I’ll be reading even more after this one. Since this is part of a series, it would benefit the reader to read: Explosive Christmas Showdown (Crisis Rescue Team #2) (introduces Zac and Ziva) Alaskan Avalanche Escape (K-9 Search & Rescue) (not part of the CRT series, but introduces Jayla Holt, Hazel’s sister) While Zac, Ziva, nor Jayla are seen; the characters are mentioned by Mitchell and Hazel. Reading those books might give the reader some insight as to the characters and connections. The cover – right off – is a bit intimidating and terrifying with the cougar on it. And, to be honest, that part of the story hits about 79% into the book. It definitely drew me to the book though. Turner introduces readers to: 🏞️ Hazel (Jayla’s sister) 🚒 Mitchell 🏞️ Frank Hoyt (Hazel & Jayla’s father) 👩🏻 Bree (Mitchell’s sister) 🔥 “Firebug” Given the storyline; this will have certain triggering topics: kidnapping, arson, wildfires, suicide (Hazel & Jayla’s brother), missing children. Given certain recent events, these topics might be tough for some readers. This begins with Hazel who knows the Rocky Mountain Firebug (Firebug) is coming close to harming her park; she’s hoping Firebug doesn’t. She’s also concerned because her 8-year-old son Jackson is with a summer camp in the mountains. He’d been reluctant to go without her, yet Hazel caved to her father’s request. And, Frank Hoyt isn’t an easy man to get along with. Yet, being a single mom, she is living with her parents. It isn’t long until Hazel runs into Firebug, and he tells her that retribution will happen. She’s then rescued by Mitchell, one of the firefighters fighting the blaze(s). Mitchell has his own dark past, in addition to standing Hazel up at prom. But, they won’t have time to get into their pasts – they’ve got to see that Jackson’s group is safe, and stop Firebug. However, when they come upon where the camp is – they find two of the guides injured/dead, and the boys – including Jackson – missing. It’s clear that it was planned, and for one reason – to get Jackson to get to Hazel. Though the “why” isn’t known, nor the “who”. Mitchell offers to help Hazel, and his boss thinks he’s shirking his firefighting duties. Yet, Hazel can’t shake the feeling that Firebug has her son. If so, she’s going to need M...

Wow! An Unforgettable book I found difficult to put down. Suspense at its finest. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.