Emerson Pass Historicals Series

An impoverished young woman. A lonely father of five. Will they be able to resist when a cadre of optimistic children start matchmaking? Colorado, 1910. Quinn Cooper can’t help feeling uneasy. But securing a job as a schoolmarm in a tiny frontier town was the only way to save her family from starvation back in Boston. And her nerves aren’t eased by a stray gunshot that spooks the sleigh horses, casting her into the snow… until she’s rescued by a handsome stranger. Lord Alexander Barnes knows better than to believe any pretty young woman would willingly become a mother to five children. But the lonely widower finds himself charmed by the lovely newcomer and her easy rapport with his offspring. And after his disgruntled nanny quits, his heart melts at the sight of her joyfully taking over the role. Determined to prove herself in the schoolhouse and as a governess, Quinn fears her near-poverty will prevent any possible courtship with the affluent Englishman. And between their age difference and prejudicial violence in the town, Lord Barnes is certain this second chance at happiness just cannot be.  Will their love go unspoken, or will their persistence reward them with a lasting passion? The School Mistress is the delightful first book in the Emerson Pass Historicals sweet romance series. If you like gallant nobles, resilient heroines, and hints of mystery, then you’ll adore Tess Thompson’s Edwardian adventure in the Old West. Listen to The School Mistress to study reading, writing, and happily ever after today!

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.

She’s marrying him out of necessity. He’s secretly hoping to sway her heart. Will their friendship deepen into happily ever after? Colorado, 1924. Louisa Lind is a dutiful daughter to her adoptive parents. After the boy she loves marries someone else, she vows to assist her father and mother with church work and forget all about marriage. But when tragedy strikes, the suddenly penniless young woman reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal… from her dream man’s twin brother. Having completed his medical school studies, Theo Barnes has returned to Emerson Pass to apprentice under the town’s doctor. Smitten since childhood with the pastor’s adopted daughter, he gallantly offers to wed Louisa to save her from destitution even though he knows her to have been in love with his twin brother. Despite his family believing the marriage to be a mistake, Theo persistently holds out hope that all he needs is time to win Louisa’s heart. They both suffer from childhood wounds and began to see their connection as something much deeper. Can the two damaged souls find a way to finally move on from their painful pasts and find love? The Scholar of Emerson Pass is the wholesome third book in the Emerson Pass Historicals. A conflicted hero, authentic setting, and a story of unexpected attraction after a marriage of convenience make a swoon-worthy romance.

She’s restless and rebellious. He’s loved her since they were children. Can his scheme to give her exactly what she desires most convince her they’re meant to be? Cymbeline Barnes has been waiting for a grand adventure. When the town competition is announced she sees it as her chance to spread her wings, even if people think she’s wild and rebellious. But when she learns that the competition is for men only her hopes are dashed. Should she give into societal pressure and do what most women do now? Marry a man of fine standing and have children? After all, it’s only her pride that’s keeping her from admitting that she’s fallen in love with Victor Olofsson. Victor Olofsson has it all. A university degree. A job at Emerson Pass Bank. A new cottage of his own. What he doesn’t have is Cymbeline Barnes - his former enemy but now the love of his life. When he learns of her disappointment about the town competition, he thinks he may have a way to win her heart for good. Family saga meets clean and swoony romance in this fourth installment of Tess Thompson’s bestselling Emerson Pass Historical Series. Fall into the past for a heartwarming escape into the American frontier during the roaring twenties.

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's 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. 

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? Join the Barnes family for Fiona's story and return to the world of Emerson Pass for another heartwarming installment of this American Historical Romance by USA Today Bestselling Author Tess Thompson.

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.

She’s loved him from afar. He thinks of her as his best friend’s little sister. Will these forbidden lovers find their way before they lose each other forever?  As a child Adelaide Barnes felt sure she wouldn’t live to be an adult. However, she was wrong. She’s grown into a beautiful and ambitious young woman. What began as journal writing became a fictionalized manuscript about her family. Will she have the courage to pursue publication? And that’s not her only secret. She didn’t want to fall in love with him. He was too old, too English, and too much her sibling’s best friend.  It was supposed to be a short visit to his best friend’s mountain town. He didn’t expect to find a family. Englishman James West came to Colorado with his best friend before following his dreams to New York City as a book editor. Quickly brought into the Barnes family fold, his dreams changed when he fell in love with Emerson Pass. Five years later, he’s the headmaster at their small-town school, teaching English literature and history to his beloved students. Life is more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined. Except for his feelings for the much younger Adelaide Barnes. Those keep him awake at night. How can he betray the trust of the family who has loved him as their own? When he discovers a secret manuscript, he’s taken by the story, only to find out that little Addie Barnes is the author. Can he help her become a published novelist or will their feelings ruin everything?  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 love story, and family saga.