Margins
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Emerson Pass Contemporaries
Series · 5 books · 2020-2022

Books in series

The Sugar Queen book cover
#1

The Sugar Queen

2020

True love requires commitment, and many times unending sacrifice. . . At the tender age of eighteen, Brandi Vargas watched the love of her life drive out of Emerson Pass, presumably for good. Though she and Trapper Barnes dreamed of attending college and starting their lives together, she was sure she would only get in the way of Trapper's future as a hockey star. Breaking his heart, and her own in the process, was the only way to ensure he pursued his destiny. Her fate was the small town life she'd always known, her own bakery, and an endless stream of regret. After a decade of playing hockey, a single injury ended Trapper Barnes' career. And while the past he left behind always haunted him, he still returns to Emerson Pass to start the next chapter of his life in the place his ancestors built more than a century before. But when he discovers that the woman who owns the local bakery is the girl who once shattered his dreams, the painful secret she's been harboring all these years threatens to turn Trapper's idyllic small town future into a disaster. Will it take a forest fire threatening the mountain village to force Trapper and Brandi to confront their history? And in the wake of such a significant loss, will the process of rebuilding their beloved town help them find each other, and true happiness, once again?
The Patron book cover
#2

The Patron

2021

She’s afraid to take risks. He’s an incurable daredevil. When tragedy throws them together, will it spark a lasting devotion? Crystal Whalen isn’t sure why she should go on. Two years after her husband’s death on a ski trip, she’s devastated when a fire destroys her quiet Colorado mountain home. And when she can’t keep her hands off the gorgeous divorcé who’s become her new temporary housemate, it only feeds her grief and growing guilt. Garth Welte won’t be burned again. After his ex-wife took most of his money, the downhill-skiing Olympic medalist is determined to keep things casual with the sexy woman he can’t resist. But the more time they spend with each other, the harder it is to deny his burgeoning feelings. As Crystal’s longing for the rugged man’s embrace grows, she worries that his dangerous lifestyle will steal him away. And although Garth believes she’s his perfect girl, the specter of betrayal keeps a tight grip on his heart. Will the thrill-seeker and the wary woman succumb to the power of love?
The Pet Doctor book cover
#3

The Pet Doctor

Emerson Pass Contemporaries Book 3

2022

He’s a small-town veterinarian with a love for animals and naps. Haunted by a childhood trauma, she’s terrified of men. Can the truth about her past bring them closer together or tear them apart forever? Breck Stokes is back where he belongs. After years at university, he’s returned to Emerson Pass and taken over his mother’s veterinarian practice. He loves the small ski community, spending time with his buddies and healing big and small animals. The moment he meets lovely but reserved Tiffany Birt, he’s drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. Can he break through her walls to win her heart? Tiffany Birt is Emerson Pass’s favorite wedding planner. She’s accepted she’ll never be a bride herself but loves helping couples plan their perfect small-town wedding. In addition, she has good friends and her precious dog, Muffy. However, her well-ordered exterior hides a painful past. One she must keep hidden or risk being pulled back into the cult she ran from as a teenager. When her past explodes onto the national news, she’s forced to confront her demons and accept help from Breck and her two best friends. Will she at last be free or will the dangerous men she ran from ruin all chances for happiness and love?
The Correspondent book cover
#4

The Correspondent

2022

She can’t stand him. He loathes her. Fate has other plans. When a snowstorm strands these enemies in an abandoned cabin, will they begin to see each other in a whole new way? After fighting her way out of poverty, Stormi Collins is finally going places. She’s just taken a job at Emerson Pass Art Gallery and her wedding photography business is back to where it was before the forest fire took out half their town. Best of all? She can now quit her job as the photographer of their small-town newspaper working for the detestable Huck Clifton. Huck Clifton gave up his work as a war correspondent in Afghanistan to buy his hometown newspaper. Haunted by what he saw during the war, all he wants is a quiet life in his new home. But all that’s thwarted when he and Stormi are stranded together during a snowstorm. Will the forced proximity make these enemies lovers? They say no. But destiny has a way of changing everything.
The Innkeeper book cover
#5

The Innkeeper

2022

It was supposed to be a night to forget. After a night of sizzling passion, they agreed to never contact each other again. Fate disagreed. Jamie Wattson has no use for men who leave and as far as she’s concerned, they all do. She’s focused on running her inn and spending time with girlfriends. Life is simple and she wants it that way. Darby Devillier left California a broken man after his girlfriend and best friend admit to an affair. Betrayed and humiliated, he takes a teaching position in Emerson Pass to start anew. He’s more than a little surprised to learn he already knows one of the residents of the small-town in Colorado. Jamie, the woman who was supposed to be a rebound one-night stand, owns the local inn. But they’re both adults. No problem. They agree to be casual friends and nothing more. However, everything changes when Darby’s ex and former best friend show up in town for their wedding. What’s a boy to do but agree to a fake engagement to save face? Will the sparks between them become something more as they pretend to be in love?

Author

Tess Thompson
Tess Thompson
Author · 63 books

Tess Thompson Romance...hometowns and heartstrings. Tess Thompson is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary and historical Romantic Women’s Fiction with nearly 40 published titles. When asked to describe her books, she could never figure out what to say that would perfectly sum them up until she landed on, Hometowns and Heartstrings. She’s married to her prince, Best Husband Ever, and is the mother of their blended family of four kids and five cats. Best Husband Ever is seventeen months younger, which qualifies Tess as a Cougar, a title she wears proudly. Her Bonus Sons are young adults with pretty hair and big brains like their dad. Daughters, better known as Princess One and Two, are teenagers who make their mama proud because they’re kind. They’re also smart, but a mother shouldn’t brag. Tess loves lazy afternoons watching football, hanging out on the back patio with Best Husband Ever, reading in bed, binge-watching television series, red wine, strong coffee and walks on crisp autumn days. She laughs a little too loudly, never knows what to make for dinner, looks ridiculous kickboxing in an attempt to combat her muffin top, and always complains about the rain even though she chose to live in Seattle. She’s proud to have grown up in a small town like the ones in her novels. After graduating from the University of Southern California Drama School, she had hopes of becoming an actress but was called instead to writing fiction. She’s grateful to spend most days in her office matchmaking her characters while her favorite cat Mittens (shhh…don’t tell the others) sleeps on the desk. She adores hearing from readers, so don’t hesitate to say hello or sign up for her newsletter: http://tesswrites.com/. You’ll receive an ebook copy of her novella, The Santa Trial, for your efforts. Much to her father’s horror, you can find her everywhere on social media. BookBub: http://bit.ly/2esOcrn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessTh... Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2vClTfX Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tesswrites Twitter: https://twitter.com/tesswrites Instagram: https://instagram.com/tessielouwrites Please note: Tess is not affiliated with the writing duo of Charlene Tess and Judi Thompson.

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Emerson Pass Contemporaries