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Baker City Brides #6

Dumplings and Dynamite

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Book 6 of 6: Baker City Brides

That infuriating woman is about to blow his cover! Or does the danger rest in the fact she’s stolen his heart? Widow Hollin Hughes doesn’t care how long it takes or the depths of deception required to discover how her husband really died. She’s determined to unearth the truth and unravel the mystery surrounding his death. Then a new dynamite man arrives at the mine and throws all her plans off kilter.

With a smile that makes females of any age swoon, Deputy Seth Harter can charm his way into or out of almost anything. When he’s sent undercover to Crescent Creek Mine, even the cranky cook seems entirely immune to his rugged appeal, making him wonder if he’s losing his touch. Eager to get to the bottom of a series of unexplained deaths, Seth counts on catching the criminals. He just didn’t anticipate a tempestuous woman claiming his heart in the process.

Brimming with humor, tidbits from history, and a sweet, unexpected love, don’t miss out on a heartwarming romance packed with adventure.

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2020

338 people are currently reading
97 people want to read

About the author

Shanna Hatfield

164 books1,321 followers
A hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.

In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Profile Image for Stephanie Jenkins Ortiz Cerrillo.
373 reviews12 followers
July 9, 2020
Another delightful read by Shanna Hatfield! I'm never disappointed with one of Ms. Hatfields books and Dumplings and Dynamite is no exception! First, I have to say I wish I had an actual picture of what Ms. Parrish actually looks like so I could see if it even remotely resembles what is in my mind! It's a doozy I assure you! I love a great romance book that has a mystery written into it and that is what this book brings. You'll love all the characters in this book especially the children and you'll be rooting for their happy ending and Shanna Hatfield will deliver. Then true to Shanna Hatfield she has pulled into the book a special character, a pet fox, now I want one! As always these character's weaved their way into my heart! Thank you so much Shanna for gifting me this book I'm so glad I chose this one as my prize!
Profile Image for Tonya Lucas.
1,266 reviews19 followers
January 19, 2020
Shanna Hatfield writes the most precious historical western romances. Her characterization, subject matter, and sweet plots are a readers Heavenly Grace.
Seth has been fired and ordered out of Baker City, Oregon by his boss, The Sheriff.
That is just the beginning of his newest assignment.
Hollin Hughes knows that her husband was killed, not by accident, but by the hands of the deceitful manager at the mine. She’s out to prove it by working at the mine as the widowed cook, Mrs. Parrish.

This was such an amazing book with a mystery stirred into the storyline that keeps the pages flying.
Thank you Ms. Hatfield for always dishing up your best creations.
Dumplings and Dynamite left my heart soaring.
Profile Image for Glenda Kinard.
223 reviews5 followers
January 26, 2020
I never fail to be completely enraptured when I read a Shanna Hatfield book and such was the feeling, I felt, when I finished Dumplings and Dynamite.
The story was a fast pace book that I literally had to make myself put it down. I didn’t want finish it too quickly, it was just that great. Hollin, her sweet baby Keeva, Seth, and 3 precious other children, along with a guard fox completely wound their way deep into my heart, as all Shanna’s memorable characters do.
She is definitely my go to author when I need my spirits lifted, her books are like a balm to a wounded soul.
Profile Image for Jeffrey.
379 reviews26 followers
January 26, 2020
Baker City deputy Seth Harter goes undercover to investigate recent fatalities at a nearby mine to see if they are more than just accidents. Widow Hollin Hughes is doing the same thing trying to uncover her Husband's recent demise inside the mine. Seth befriends an old lady working as the mining camp cook. What is she doing with an infant? Seth has seen both the cook and widow Hollin and there is something eerily similar in both their eyes. Same woman? Different woman? Neither woman nor Seth trust each other and work together warily. Is this a mystery or a romance? Both! Author Shanna Hatfield masters this genre which features children and animals. Nobody in current literature can match Shanna Hatfield's weaving of these heartfelt elements in through her stories without disrupting the flow of events. The author's attention to factual historical information make each page rich in authentic detail. There is just so much flair, emotion, suspense and romance infused in this latest Baker City Brides offering. Those who have followed this series from the beginning will be treated to revisiting best-loved characters from Baker City. Another gem that is impossible to put down once started.
Profile Image for Jessica Elliott.
Author 51 books61 followers
January 21, 2020
Every time I think I've got a favorite book, Shanna Hatfield writes me a new one! A rich story filled with amazing details, full characters, and heart-stopping suspense, Dumplings and Dynamite is a can't put down read.
Profile Image for Anita Rohn.
1,964 reviews9 followers
May 10, 2021
You are in for a treat when you meet these characters. A tale filled with children and animals that take you on an adventure. Strong willed and feisty Holmen seeks to find answers. The story is laced with humor and tension too. All in Shanna Hatfieldswonderful story telling words.
Profile Image for Phyllis.
1,288 reviews35 followers
January 27, 2020
Another great story in the Baker City Brides series!

What do an undercover deputy, an old hag, a beautiful young woman, a baby, three orphaned boys, and a fox have in common? They are all an integral part of Shanna Hatfield's latest Baker City Brides novel, Dumplings and Dynamite.

Bursting with energy from the very first page, this story follows Deputy Seth Harter as he sets off to go undercover at a mine where he meets the fiery widow, Hollin Hughes, who is investigating the same crime.

The Whitney boys were orphaned in the explosion that killed Hollin's husband and now were employed to help Hollin around the kitchen. These adorable brothers had hearts of gold and added such a fun element to the story as they won the hearts of all the miners.

I can't neglect to mention Tip, Hollin's pet fox. Yes, you read that right! Tip was fascinating - domesticated as he was and still a bit feral. His devotion to Hollin's baby daughter was pretty amazing.

This sweet romance is filled with adventure as Seth and Hollin attempt to gather evidence against the mine manager. There is also a big surprise in store - I was caught completely off guard by this one!

Readers who enjoy historical adventures with a bit of romance will enjoy Dumplings and Dynamite.

Read my full review at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Dorothy Roller.
480 reviews3 followers
January 17, 2020
Exciting, phenomenal, many unexpected things happening. This is another fantastic story by Ms. Hatfield! Mystery, romance and love. This one is in the Baker City Brides series and just may be my favorite story so far. I love this heroine and of course the hero. She’s mysterious, feisty, tenacious, and everything a guy like Seth, a deputy, realizes he wants in a woman and with a very adorable baby who is a bonus. But this Irish woman, Hollin, with fiery red hair is really getting to him. What a fun, exciting, scary and absolutely amazing story that again left me in an absolute surprise when the bad guy was revealed. I couldn’t put it down! Every time I wanted to turn out the lights, I’d end up at a teaser and had to press on! Great combination especially when the ending is such a mystery!
Profile Image for Tammy Moldovan.
1,984 reviews25 followers
February 11, 2022
Seth and Hollin- a sweet story with a little bit of danger and mystery

This is a sweet romance set in 1890 which includes a little bit of danger and a bit of a mystery. Hollin is a young widow with an infant. Her husband was killed while working at a local mine. She goes undercover as the camp cook to see if she can solve the mystery of his death. Seth is one of the deputies in the nearby town and he is sent undercover to the mine to find out who is stealing gold and causing mining accidents. I enjoyed watching Seth and Hollin’s personalities blossom together interaction by interaction while they made their inevitable journey to their HEA. The book included witty dialogue, characters with depth who grow, and an engaging storyline. It was a fun and happy read. It was also good to visit with the characters from previous books as the story unfolded.
410 reviews2 followers
May 16, 2024
The last Baker City bachelor finds his bride and a sweet baby to love as well.

Loved being back in Baker City again. Seth and Hollin story was sweet. Seth had to go undercover to find his bride. She was undercover herself too. It was joy for Seth when he found out she was young good looking women. She was so sweet with the three Whitney boys. So happy they found a home with Seth and Hollin made a great team. Little Keeva was a real sweetie. Tip the fox was a fun little addition. So happy that each one of the Baker City bachelor found their ladies to love and a few them got little extras to love. Still have to read Dugan and Tully story and and Grady too. Loved each one of the stories in this series. They were all great friends and family also.
168 reviews4 followers
January 22, 2020
I think this book should come with a warning - you will not appreciate interruptions and might end up ignoring your kids, husband and forget to cook dinner and go to bed!
This is another awesome page turner by Shanna Hatfield. I loved the interplay between Seth and Hollin and a reminder that it's often the small things that we do that are noticed and appreciated so much. The addition of three small boys added another layer of interaction and their situation broke my heart.
I definitely recommend reading this book, it will leave you completely satisfied and itching for the next one to come out … all at the same time!
Profile Image for Mary Gallo.
423 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2020
A wonderful, exciting tale!

Boy, the twists and turns in this book were enough to keep me reading. At some points I was tempted to page ahead, but I am glad I didn't. I was so afraid to skip an important part. This is a stand alone story in a series where some previous characters are mentioned, but there is no need to read in order. I didnt and that is because all of the stories can stand on their own. This author has well crafted tales, with correct grammar and spelling and the stories roll along with no gaps. I would recommend this story to those who do not look for intimate actions, but appreciate the finer points of attraction. It was just such a good story.
Profile Image for Julia David.
2,504 reviews26 followers
January 18, 2020
It was good to go back to Baker City. I really liked Hollin, Seth, Keeva, the boys and Tip. Seth and Hollin are both under cover to find out what is going on in the mine. People are dying and Seth has to find out who is behind it all. Hollin lost her husband in the mine where he shouldn't have been, so she will work to find out who killed him. Seth knows there is something the cook is hiding. She looks like a hag, but there is something about her. Can they find the master mind to the plot before anyone else his killed?
761 reviews7 followers
January 23, 2020
As always with this Authors books, I loved it! The characters and plot are so well written. It is always fun to see which animals are incorporated into her books. She writes them so well. It is also fun to meet a character from another book to see what they bring to the current book... A great cast of characters made this a super read. Humor, love, and you can't forget a little food as well. You are going to enjoy this book.
I received an ARC of this book and am choosing to leave an honest review.
Profile Image for Tracy Sylvester.
1,021 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2020
This is a story set during the mining times in Baker City, Oregon in the late 1890's. Seth Harter worked for the sheriff as a local deputy. When accidents and deaths at the mines kept occurring Seth was sent into the mines as an insider to figure out what was causing these deaths. It was at the mines he met Mrs. Parrish the cook for the mining camp. He suspects something is off about her but can't decide what it is. You'll absolutely love the story and characters. Beautifully written romance about finding love and learning to love again.
3,645 reviews17 followers
January 26, 2020
Seth and Hollin were both brave and foolish going undercover to discover the truth about a corrupt mine that killed her husband and many other people that got too close to the truth. The orphaned Whitney boys were sweet and so helpful to her. The oldest one Evan didn't miss a trick and he was good at subterfuge and discovering secrets too. I thought it was funny that she kept a fox as a pet and that he was her baby daughter Keeva's little guard dog. All the yummy food Hollin talked about making made me hungry.
1,281 reviews10 followers
March 1, 2020
You wouldn’t think dumplings and dynamite would go together, but they do if you work at a mine camp.
When Hollin tries to find out the reason for her husband’s accidental death in the mine, she gets a job as camp cook. Unbeknownst to her, the sheriff in the nearby town has planted an undercover deputy to search out the same answer. There have been too many ‘accidents’ that have happened at the gold mine and need to find out who is behind it.
Lots of things going on in this book with a lot of different people. Another good book by a great author.
2,354 reviews27 followers
June 17, 2024
Wow, this is such a wonderful story! A tale filled with children, animals, adventure, suspense, tension and humor as well as a sweet romance. Well-written, interesting characters. Seth has gone undercover after the sheriff "fires" him while Hollin is cooking at the mine while dressed like an old hag. There have been a lot of accidents that have the sheriff suspicious of the mine manager. Hollin's husband was killed in the mine and she is trying to find out what really happened to him. I was surprised at who one of the bad guys really was. Some tense moments before the happy ending.
1,407 reviews16 followers
January 21, 2020
Hollen is a widow , her husband was killed in the mine, Seth is a deputy that gets fired and goes to work at the mines. can they help each other or will they get caught ? this is a very good story well written could not put the book down. and her little girl and tip you have to read the book to find out what or who tip is. if you like suspense and romance you want to read the book I was given a copy of the book but this is an honest review
4,936 reviews31 followers
January 23, 2020
Another great story with romance and suspense. Seth is a deputy working at the mines where there seems to have some unexplained deaths. Hollin is sure her husbands death at the mines was no accident and soon she and Seth are working together to find out what is going on at the mines. Loved the way Seth and Hollin worked together and their relationship developed. Shanna writes some sweet romances with a little something unexpected.
Profile Image for Pat  Comer.
520 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2020
Wonderful Book.

Seth went undercover to find out who was killing the miners. There he met Mrs. Parrish, the cook for the mine. But he didn't know she was undercover, too. They finally met each other really and fell in Love. She was Hollin, a beautiful woman. The bad guys at the mine, tried to get rid of them both, Seth was smarter than the whole group. And with the help of the Sheriff and Friends, they saved everyone. Thank you Shanna Hatfield.
24 reviews
January 29, 2020
Highly recommended

Another entertaining book by Shanna Hatfield. This is a clean romance that has a mystery the main characters are trying to solve. It captured my interest from the beginning and held it until the end. I have read all the books in this series and have enjoyed all of them just as much as this one. You don't have to have read any of the previous books to enjoy this one. Any book in the series could be read as stand alone title.
Profile Image for HAL.
425 reviews3 followers
May 17, 2024
A Lovely Romance with Lots of Grit!

Hollings is a determined character wanting answers. The mine is her "livelihood" but a miner keeps nosing around her kitchen. Both are looking into the owner who seems to have a lot more bodies and losses than normal. The situation is dynamite but can either survive?
This page turner of a story is suitable for any age. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and interesting plot. Read and enjoy!
594 reviews
June 3, 2024
Making the Best of a Bad Situation

Hollin never knew real love until she met Seth. Her first husband Camram loved her dearly but it never really struck deep in her heart, until she lost him and she realized what a real treasure he really was, but then felt guilty when Seth stirred her heart. Hollin made the best of a bad situation when she married Camram due to her brother's greed. Excellant book and really worth five stars.
788 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2024
This read is an excellent story in this magnificent series.

Shanna, you did a marvelous job of Seth and Hollin's with her daughter, Keeva story. I just fall in love with them. They are incredible people with a heart of gold. Willing to go undercover to help to find out what is happening at the mine. Once I started reading I could put it down until the end. The storyline is great and interesting along with fantastic characters whether heroes or villains. Loved the end.
Profile Image for Bruce Dinsman.
1,555 reviews3 followers
May 20, 2025
Wow!

That was jam packed with intrigue and skullduggery. Interesting that 3 separate investigations eventually captured all the bad guys. Even better; the bad guy O’Grady turns out to be Hollin’s brother Ian that was supposed to dead but was rescued by a bad dude who wanted an unknown criminal to flip mine properties. So Camden was a Pinkerton detective working for the mine owner but O’Grady caught him and killed him. Quite the story this one.
Profile Image for Nethanja.
843 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2020
Hollin needs to know who was responsible for the dead of her husband. Seth is undercover to discover what happens in the mine. Will her interfering blow his cover?
This is such a great story, the lovable characters (humans and animals) friends who are ready to help, villains who will do everything to just help themselves and of course a great romance. I recommend this whole series.
Profile Image for Amy Petrowich.
317 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2020
Always fun to visit these folks

This story was filled with great characters, lots of twists and turns and enough sweet romance to make any true romantic swoon.
There’s lots to laugh about mixed in with some nail biting scenes that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Excellent way to spend an evening or two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews

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