Emerson Pass Contemporaries Series by Tess Thompson

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... moreTrue 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?Fast forward to the present day and enjoy this contemporary second chance romance set in the small town of Emerson Pass, featuring the descendants of the characters you loved from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson's The School Mistress. less

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... moreShe’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? less

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... moreHe’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? less

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... moreShe 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. less

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... moreIt 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? less