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Emerson Pass Historicals
Series · 8 books · 2020-2023

Books in series

The School Mistress book cover
#1

The School Mistress

2020

How easily can an open heart unlock the door to happily-ever-after? When Miss Quinn Cooper arrives in Emerson Pass, Colorado, her entire life is packed into one small suitcase. Her widowed mother and baby sister are depending upon her for their survival back home in Boston. And the self-appointed mayor of the rugged mountain community is counting on Miss Cooper to prove herself a fitful teacher for the young and old alike. Lord Alexander Barnes is determined to bring a bit of English civility to the wild terrain of Emerson Pass. Using his own resources, the widower and father of five builds a schoolhouse and recruits a young teacher from the east to provide an education for both the adults and the children in his rapidly growing mining town. But when the lovely, and much younger than anticipated, Miss Cooper arrives to town, Lord Barnes finds himself providing more than just employment when the boarding house proves to be an unsafe accommodation for the school mistress. As Miss Cooper takes a room in the Barnes' home, the five Barnes children are delighted. They are sure Miss Cooper is the perfect woman for their lonely father. But when a friend of the Englishman turns up dead, the hope for progress in the untamed town seems immediately lost. Can Miss Cooper and Lord Barnes bring change to the closed-minded locals? And will their endeavor open their hearts to something more? The first installment of USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson's historical romance series brings a touch of whimsy and an extra dash of mystery to Edwardian romance. Readers will fall in love with the courageous Miss Cooper and swoon for the magnanimous English Lord as they struggle to save their exciting new world at the turn of the 20th Century.
The Spinster book cover
#2

The Spinster

2021

Her love died on a battlefield. He carries a torch for a woman he’s never met. Can the tragic death of a soldier entwine the souls of two strangers? Colorado, 1920. Josephine Barnes wrote every day to her beloved fiancé battling in the trenches of the Great War. Devastated when he’s killed in action, she vows never to marry and buries her grief in the construction of the town’s first library. But she’s left breathless when she receives a request from a gracious gentleman to visit and return the letters containing her declarations of desire. Philip Baker survived the war but returned home burdened with a distressing secret. Though he knows it’s wrong, he can’t stop reading through the beautiful sentiments left among his slain comrade’s possessions. Plagued by guilt, he’s unable to resist connecting with the extraordinary woman who captured his heart with her words. When Josephine invites Philip to join her gregarious family for the holidays, she’s torn by her loyalty to a ghost and her growing feelings for the gallant man. And as Philip prepares to risk everything by telling her the truth about her dead fiancé, he fears he could crush Josephine’s blossoming happiness forever. Will they break free from their painful pasts to embrace a passion meant to be? The Spinster is the second book in the heartwarming Emerson Pass historical romance series. If you like staunch heroines, emotional backdrops, and sweeping family sagas, then you’ll adore Tess Thompson’s wholesome tale.
The Scholar book cover
#3

The Scholar

2021

They've both been wounded by the past. Can their marriage of convenience bring the healing they need? Theo Barnes has been in love with Louisa Keller since they were kids. However, she's in love with his twin brother, Flynn. Sadly for Louisa, Flynn is in love with another woman and has no interest in her. When tragedy strikes Louisa's family, and she's left penniless, she's forced to consider Theo's offer of marriage. They agree to a marriage of convenience with no bedroom privileges. He secretly hopes she'll change her mind once they're married, but the marriage gets off to a rocky start.
The Problem Child book cover
#4

The Problem Child

2021

Cymbeline Barnes declared Viktor Olofsson her arch-enemy when they were children. When he saved her beloved sister, she started to see him as a hero instead. Still, she can't let go of the idea that her destiny is waiting somewhere else in the world. Viktor Olofsson has cared for Cymbeline his whole life. However, when she continues to rebuff him, he allows himself to entertain the idea of newcomer Emma. Will Cymbeline come to terms with her life and wake up to the idea of love before it's too late?
The Seven Days of Christmas book cover
#4.5

The Seven Days of Christmas

2021

Merry Christmas from Emerson Pass in this surprise bonus novella full of holiday cheer, romance, and family. Flynn Barnes and his wife Shannon have had an idyllic marriage. Until she discovers the dangerous secret he kept from her. One that threatens to ruin their marriage and the stability of a happy home for their two little girls. When his siblings suggest a way to gain back Shannon's love and trust, they embark on a seven-day journey to do so. Can Flynn win back her love before it's too late? Along with their focus on Flynn, the family is also helping plan Cymbeline's wedding to Viktor. Will Emerson Pass' favorite tomboy embrace a traditional wedding with all the trimmings? Her sisters are determined to make sure she does. Join the Barnes family for this bonus novella in the bestselling Emerson Pass Historicals. Christmas joy abounds as the family does what they do best, stick together no matter what happens. Don't miss this surprise holiday gift from USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson.
The Musician book cover
#5

The Musician

2022

Fiona Barnes has a secret. One so big she's afraid it will destroy everything she holds dear. Not even her beloved music can save her. Li Wu has fought prejudice his entire life. But he's always felt safe and protected within the fierce love of the Barnes family. If only the object of his desire were free to be his, all would be well. Will he risk everything to be with the one he loves or will societal pressures keep them apart?
The Wordsmith book cover
#6

The Wordsmith

2022

She didn’t want to fall in love with him. He was too old, too English, and too much her sister’s best friend. Worst of all, he’s promised to another woman. Will duty keep them apart forever? As a child Adelaide Barnes felt sure she wouldn’t live to be an adult. However, she’s grown into a beautiful and ambitious young woman with big dreams for a literary career. All would be well except for her unwanted feelings for James West. James West must marry the daughter of one of America’s richest men to save his family from ruin. Unfortunately, he’s fallen in love with someone else. The absolute wrong woman in every way. Choosing Addie would mean the devastation of his family. Yet, how can he walk away from the only woman he’s ever loved? In the seventh installment of Tess Thompson’s bestselling Emerson Pass Historicals, baby sister Addie Barnes finally gets her story in this heartwarming, clean and wholesome romance, and family saga.
The Rebel book cover
#7

The Rebel

2023

She watches helplessly as the man she loves leaves to fight with the Allies overseas. He promises her he will return to her alive and well. Will he be able to keep his promise, or will he be yet another lost soldier in a war against tyranny? After four years at a university, Delphia Barnes returns home to Emerson Pass as America prepares to join the war. Determined to resist a conventional life of marriage and children, she fights her attraction to her old pal Jack Depaul. However, her heart won’t listen to reason and falls in love anyway. Jack Depaul is the proud second generation of horse breeders in Emerson Pass. With no desire to do anything else with his life, he happily works alongside his father and brother on their farm. His old friend, Delphia Barnes, is the last one he’d thought he’d miss. Yet, she quickly becomes a passion that burns brighter than his love of horses. How can he leave her when they’ve found each other at last? But when America joins the war overseas, he feels he has no choice but to enlist and leave her behind Will Jack survive the war? If so, will Delphia recognize the man who returns? Can family and community sustain them during troubled times? American Historical Romance meets family saga in this final installment of Tess Thompson’s bestselling Emerson Pass Historicals. A tale of survival and bravery by two young people torn apart by war will be sure to satisfy fans as we say goodbye to the beloved Barnes family.

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 Historicals