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Mountain Firefighter #4
Back to Eden
Where her heart is concerned, Rachel isn't about to take any risks
Pilot Rachel Quinlan is fearless fighting forest fires, but on the home front it's a different story. She's still not completely over her crush on Cole Hudson, love of her sister Missy's life—and he left Eden eleven years ago. Not that it matters, because now she has Missy's kids to raise and her family's failing business to run. But that's before the past collides with the present—and an accident brings Cole to the rescue.
Rachel wants to know if what she feels for Cole is adolescent fantasy or adult attraction. But how can she spend time with him when she has so much to hide?
Pilot Rachel Quinlan is fearless fighting forest fires, but on the home front it's a different story. She's still not completely over her crush on Cole Hudson, love of her sister Missy's life—and he left Eden eleven years ago. Not that it matters, because now she has Missy's kids to raise and her family's failing business to run. But that's before the past collides with the present—and an accident brings Cole to the rescue.
Rachel wants to know if what she feels for Cole is adolescent fantasy or adult attraction. But how can she spend time with him when she has so much to hide?
- GenresRomance
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 11, 2006
12 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Melinda Curtis
259 books1,294 followersPrior to writing romance, award-winning, USA Today Bestseller Melinda Curtis was a junior manager for a Fortune 500 company, which meant when she flew on the private jet she was relegated to the jump seat—otherwise known as the potty. After grabbing her pen (and a parachute) she made the jump to full-time writer. Between writing sweet romance and sweet romantic comedy, Melinda finds time to bond with her husband over home remodeling projects. She recently came to grips with the fact that she’s an empty nester and a grandma, concepts easier to grasp than jet-setting on a potty.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 15, 2020
Cole Hudson left Eden Wyoming and his girlfriend eleven years ago. He became a firefighter with the Silver Bend Hot Shots. Now that part of his life is over. Chainsaw/Cole is going to medical school. Little does he know that his past is about to catch up with him. Rachel, his girlfriend's sister, is a pilot supporting the firefighters. When her plane crashes, Cole rescues her and discovers that has a ten year old daughter that Rachel is raising after her mother's death. Can he forge a relationship with his child? I loved how Cole was determined to become part of his daughter's life. He, also, helped Rachel recover from her injuries. He's definitely a keeper. Rachel is headstrong and stubborn. She fights to keep her family intact. When these two are together, sparks fly. I could feel the attraction and I hoped it would bring them together, but I wasn't sure they could put the past behind them. They both have so much emotional baggage. Melinda Curtis has outdone herself. This emotional story pulled me in. The characters were well written and relatable. I was rooting for them to get their HEA. I wanted them to be a family.
July 17, 2020
5 Stars. This story has a wallop of tenderness and emotion. Cole steps out of his Chainsaw role and slips easily into caregiver and father. We don’t get to see much of the fires in this story other than the beginning, but there’s so much more going on within the plot that your attention is held from start to end. You’ll laugh, smile, and maybe even shed a tear. Rachel isn’t the only one with a crush on Cole because every reader will fall for this sensitive, handsome hero. It was fun to see the Hot Shots gather together before they head off in different directions. The Mountain Firefighters is a must read series. Reviewed for Still Moments Magazine.
February 26, 2021
If you’ve been following the tales of the Silver Bend Hot Shot crew from Idaho, you know what a difficult and dangerous job mountain firefighters have. A Daughter for the Mountain Firefighter is the fourth book in this series written by Melinda Curtis. It focuses on Cole, also known as Chainsaw because his responsibility is to cut paths through the forest for fire barriers and roadways.
As this fire season draws to a close, Cole is preparing to attend medical school in the Bahamas. To his surprise, his path crosses with an old friend, Rachel, whose sister Cole dated. Rachel has become a mechanic and pilot employed to fly her tanker in support of the firefighters.
Cole and Rachel have complications and issues that go back to their birth families. Cole carries guilt and sorrow. Rachel suffers from PTSD and feels responsible for the well-being of her dad, her niece, Jenna, who has had to grow up too quickly, and her nephew, Matt, who never really knew his mother.
The discovery of the identity of Jenna’s biological dad causes tremors in family relationships. A nearly fatal airplane crash sends Rachel to the hospital and jeopardizes the family’s financial stability. Meanwhile, romance is brewing as Cole begins to wonder if he ever really loved Rachel’s sister, Missy. Rachel, on the other hand, has only ever loved one man. As they stumble through their current, seemingly insurmountable problems, will Cole and Rachel manage to overcome their pasts to find happiness?
I would like to extend my thanks to Melinda Curtis for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
As this fire season draws to a close, Cole is preparing to attend medical school in the Bahamas. To his surprise, his path crosses with an old friend, Rachel, whose sister Cole dated. Rachel has become a mechanic and pilot employed to fly her tanker in support of the firefighters.
Cole and Rachel have complications and issues that go back to their birth families. Cole carries guilt and sorrow. Rachel suffers from PTSD and feels responsible for the well-being of her dad, her niece, Jenna, who has had to grow up too quickly, and her nephew, Matt, who never really knew his mother.
The discovery of the identity of Jenna’s biological dad causes tremors in family relationships. A nearly fatal airplane crash sends Rachel to the hospital and jeopardizes the family’s financial stability. Meanwhile, romance is brewing as Cole begins to wonder if he ever really loved Rachel’s sister, Missy. Rachel, on the other hand, has only ever loved one man. As they stumble through their current, seemingly insurmountable problems, will Cole and Rachel manage to overcome their pasts to find happiness?
I would like to extend my thanks to Melinda Curtis for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2020
I think this is my favorite book of the series although there really isn't much firefighting in it except in the very beginning! I enjoyed the characters a lot and the ending was a surprise! I didn't think the author would go that way but she did and I was so happy! Rachel only had two things she really loved in life: flying and Cole. However, Cole was her sister's boyfriend so she concentrated on flying. She was a great mechanic too so she loved fixing planes as much as flying them. Years later she is flying firefighting planes and loving it but on the last run of the day, she has a horrendous crash that ends her career. She hasn't seen Cole in years but he rescues her and takes her home to help her heal. What he doesn't know is that there is a surprise waiting for him that will change his world. As Cole helps her heal and he takes care of her family, both of them change. Cole has changed a lot and matured. I loved Rachel's family. Each one of them was so different and unique. They added a lot to the story. Rachel doesn't want to get close to Cole because she knows he's leaving. But, Cole was just so good to all the family members. A great story all around!
July 6, 2020
A Daughter for the Mountain Firefighter by Melinda Curtis is the fourth book in her Mountain Firefighter series. I enjoy reading about the traveling Hot Shot firefighters. There's always lots of action and adventure involved in their exploits. This story is a little bit different in that there isn't as much forest firefighting action but the story is still complex and entertaining.
This book follows Cole "Chainsaw" Hudson and Rachel Quinlan who flies one of the planes that drops fire retardant on the forest fires. Now the season is over, and due to an injury to Rachel, Cole accompanies her back to Rachel's home where Rachel's father and her deceased sister's two kids await. Rachel has secrets which Cole works to ferret out. Rachel had a crush on her sister's boyfriend Cole back when she was a teenager and that attraction is reawakened during their time together. I really enjoyed following along with Rachel and Cole's journey to their HEA. I must say that I never in a million years suspected "Chainsaw" would end up going to medical school. Super cool!
This book follows Cole "Chainsaw" Hudson and Rachel Quinlan who flies one of the planes that drops fire retardant on the forest fires. Now the season is over, and due to an injury to Rachel, Cole accompanies her back to Rachel's home where Rachel's father and her deceased sister's two kids await. Rachel has secrets which Cole works to ferret out. Rachel had a crush on her sister's boyfriend Cole back when she was a teenager and that attraction is reawakened during their time together. I really enjoyed following along with Rachel and Cole's journey to their HEA. I must say that I never in a million years suspected "Chainsaw" would end up going to medical school. Super cool!
July 3, 2020
Sometimes you do get a second chance. Cole hasn't seen Rachel in years and then he runs into her at a fire camp. He has been fighting wild fires for years and Rachel has also been fighting fires, but she is doing it from the air. When Rachel and her co-pilot crash trying to save firefighters, Cole goes to the rescue. He has been trying for years to become a doctor. It is slow going because he has to pay for the education. It isn't easy. Now he is all set to go through medical college and he finds out that he has a 10 year old daughter. He was never going to be a family man, but the knowledge that he has a daughter makes him want to change his mind. Can he become a doctor and have a family? Rachel has loved Cole since she was a teenager. He had loved her sister, but he left. Now her sister is gone, she is raising her sister's children and Cole is back in her life. She has gotten over him, hasn't she?
July 4, 2020
Cole and Rachel’s older sister were an item for years before he went away. Missy wasn’t the only one to love him, even if Rachel also hated him for what he had done to Missy’s dreams. Eleven years later Rachel and Cole meet again; she is now guardian to Missy’s kids with an ailing father, money worries and untold secrets from the past. Whilst I do wish we had heard more about Rachel’s mother this was an enjoyable story dealing with past trauma, loss, fear and love.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book gifted by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book gifted by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 6, 2020
Loved it! What a great book! I really enjoyed reading this story about Rachel and Cole (Chainsaw) and how both their families had suffered great tragedies, but love was able to overcome their fears caused by those tragedies. Melinda really knows how to make them suffer for it, though. She does a superb job of creating her characters' conflicts. Another one of her books that I couldn't put down until the end. I highly recommend this book and this series to other contemporary romance fans.
I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 2, 2020
Kindle Copy for Review
Return of the love of her life that fell for her sister. Not complete over him but she has no time to dwell on things, as she is raising her sister’s kids and trying to keep the family business afloat.
He comes home after an accident to find out that he has a family and the one person he thought he could trust is hiding secrets from him.
Will they be able to move on and trust each other again?
Return of the love of her life that fell for her sister. Not complete over him but she has no time to dwell on things, as she is raising her sister’s kids and trying to keep the family business afloat.
He comes home after an accident to find out that he has a family and the one person he thought he could trust is hiding secrets from him.
Will they be able to move on and trust each other again?
July 3, 2020
This was a good book. It's a story that melts your heart. I love how the characters grow and mature and learn to accept their responsibilities and make personal sacrifices. The story line is a good one and it has a tough set of circumstances to deal with. It's an enjoyable read which keeps those pages turning. This does contain adult themes.
I received an ebook copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
I received an ebook copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
July 24, 2020
"A Daughter for the Mountain Firefighter" (Mountain Firefighter Book 4) by Melinda Curtis is a terrific read. I loved Cole 'Chainsaw' and Rachel's story. This story has action, family, close friends, firefighters, interesting characters, romance, emotion, and more. This was a fantastic addition to this series. I would love to see more of all the entertaining characters we've met in this series in the future. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, firefighters, and series.
July 8, 2020
I think this is the best book Melinda has written!! This book touched me big time. It made me laugh, cry, continue my fear of flying, giggle, and more! It also hit close to home. I would have loved to hear more about Rachel & Missy’s Mother.
July 11, 2020
A Daughter for the Mountain Firefighter
Melinda Curtis
The past comes back to haunt Rachel and Cole after Rachel’s plane crash. Can they get over it and become a family with Jenna , Matt, and Pop? A sweet second chance romance that keeps you reading from first word to last.
Melinda Curtis
The past comes back to haunt Rachel and Cole after Rachel’s plane crash. Can they get over it and become a family with Jenna , Matt, and Pop? A sweet second chance romance that keeps you reading from first word to last.
June 27, 2023
Good story but I miss the Hot Shots!
I liked this book but I wanted more of the Hot Shots. The Mountain Firefighter series is great. Loved the way Ms Curtis tells her firefighter stories. The characters are wonderful and draws you in to the exciting stories of bravery.Enjoy!
I liked this book but I wanted more of the Hot Shots. The Mountain Firefighter series is great. Loved the way Ms Curtis tells her firefighter stories. The characters are wonderful and draws you in to the exciting stories of bravery.Enjoy!
May 21, 2025
great series
Loved the entire series. My son is a Wildland Firefighter in Lucky Peaks, Idaho and enjoyed reading about familiar areas in Idaho and the novels about the Wildland Firefighters.
Loved the entire series. My son is a Wildland Firefighter in Lucky Peaks, Idaho and enjoyed reading about familiar areas in Idaho and the novels about the Wildland Firefighters.
September 12, 2020
Cole and Rachel's story is inspiring about doing your best under difficult situations. Both of them have been through so many challenges but eventually they do get their happy ending
March 25, 2021
Omg.... Each book I read is better than the one before. I have loved this mountain firefighter series.
I recommend these books to everyone.
I recommend these books to everyone.
August 25, 2025
What was this 😭😭
2.3 stars
2.3 stars
August 1, 2020
The past can bring you good memories or sad ones but its something you can't change, all you can do is grow from it and have the best life possible. Will the secrets of the past change their present and future or will they let the good slip away. Such a sweet and wonderful story to read and you won't expect the ending you get.
July 24, 2020
"A Daughter for the Mountain Firefighter" (Mountain Firefighter Book 4) by Melinda Curtis is a terrific read. I loved Cole 'Chainsaw' and Rachel's story. This story has action, family, close friends, firefighters, interesting characters, romance, emotion, and more. This was a fantastic addition to this series. I would love to see more of all the entertaining characters we've met in this series in the future. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, firefighters, and series.
August 5, 2007
Who doesn't love a firefighter? Especially a Hot Shot, somebody who puts it all on the line and goes out and fights those massive grass fires we hear about every summer? They're crazy and reckless and pretty much the definition of hero.
These are the guys Melinda Curtis writes about. This time it's Cole "Chainsaw" Hudson's turn.
Years ago, Cole loved Missy Quinlan, but she decided to marry another man. After stealing one last night with the bride, the night before her wedding day, he headed off to Hot Shot training and left his girl to her new, married life.
Now, eleven years later, he's reunited with Missy's little sister Rachel, the kid he always tried to protect while challenging her to match him in his daredevil stunts. Rachel has become a tanker pilot, flying old war planes that have been refitted to carry fire retardants out to the brush fires. When she wrecks hers in a last minute run, Cole's the one who pulls her from the wreckage, and the one who takes her home and takes care of her while she recovers from her injuries. Despite the protests of her family, including the daughter he didn't know he'd made eleven years ago.
This is a story about damaged people. Everyone in the story has something unpleasant in their past. When Cole and Rachel come together, I hoped that they would help each other recover a little, and they did, but it seemed to me like they had a long way to go before they were ready for the committments they made to one another.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the story. Rachel begins the story with the kind of spirit and personality I really like, and her loss of confidence and fears after the crash are completely believable. I loved seeing Cole connect especially with Matt, Missy's adorable son by her "real" husband, but I would have appreciated seeing the same sort of connections made with Jenna, his daughter, and Rachel herself. I had a hard time reconciling the distance between characters with the happy ever after painted in the epilogue.
These are the guys Melinda Curtis writes about. This time it's Cole "Chainsaw" Hudson's turn.
Years ago, Cole loved Missy Quinlan, but she decided to marry another man. After stealing one last night with the bride, the night before her wedding day, he headed off to Hot Shot training and left his girl to her new, married life.
Now, eleven years later, he's reunited with Missy's little sister Rachel, the kid he always tried to protect while challenging her to match him in his daredevil stunts. Rachel has become a tanker pilot, flying old war planes that have been refitted to carry fire retardants out to the brush fires. When she wrecks hers in a last minute run, Cole's the one who pulls her from the wreckage, and the one who takes her home and takes care of her while she recovers from her injuries. Despite the protests of her family, including the daughter he didn't know he'd made eleven years ago.
This is a story about damaged people. Everyone in the story has something unpleasant in their past. When Cole and Rachel come together, I hoped that they would help each other recover a little, and they did, but it seemed to me like they had a long way to go before they were ready for the committments they made to one another.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the story. Rachel begins the story with the kind of spirit and personality I really like, and her loss of confidence and fears after the crash are completely believable. I loved seeing Cole connect especially with Matt, Missy's adorable son by her "real" husband, but I would have appreciated seeing the same sort of connections made with Jenna, his daughter, and Rachel herself. I had a hard time reconciling the distance between characters with the happy ever after painted in the epilogue.
July 16, 2020
I have really enjoyed this series. With each book it seems the author throws in a different twist with the same fire group and that was very much the same with this set of characters, and I love that each person so far in group has had their story told. I love catching up with the other characters in books past and discovering new characters. My heart truly broke for Rachel she had the world on her shoulders and would stop at nothing for her family. I really liked Jenna and Matt their personality was strong and came off the pages. I hope there is more to come and can’t wait to see who’s next in this fun journey. The author kept a the book a clean read but the characters are faced with some tough topics. This book is so worth the read I could not put it down
December 20, 2017
I really liked this book!
I wasn't so sure if I was going to like it at first, but it grew on me fast. I loved Rachel and the kids from the very start; Cole got on my nerves a little every once in a while, but he did end up being pretty dreamy, so I forgive him.
Anyway…
Back to Eden is sweet and heartwarming, it has a great story, it touches some though subjects, but does a great job of making the characters evolve on their own and with a little bit of help from loved one. All in all I really enjoyed this book.
I wasn't so sure if I was going to like it at first, but it grew on me fast. I loved Rachel and the kids from the very start; Cole got on my nerves a little every once in a while, but he did end up being pretty dreamy, so I forgive him.
Anyway…
Back to Eden is sweet and heartwarming, it has a great story, it touches some though subjects, but does a great job of making the characters evolve on their own and with a little bit of help from loved one. All in all I really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews