Tess Thompson

A standalone historical romance from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson that teaches a valuable lesson about life's most important choice: embracing the power of love or being consumed by the power of hate. Nathaniel Fye's marriage into the wealthy Bellmont family is one of convenience, and the brilliant concert pianist soon discovers he has no idea who his wife really is. Then tragedy leaves Nathaniel with nothing more than memories of his fame and fortune, and a single protege - the widow Lydia Tyler - to continue teaching. Jeselle Thorton's heart has always belonged to one man, who, fortunately for Jeselle, has always reciprocated her love. But because of the color of their skin, the couple can never have more than their dreams of a future together. Four lives brought together by circumstance will be forced to combat prejudice and risk everything in this deep and complex family saga of forbidden love and flawed humanity in America's Depression-era South.

After marrying into the wealthy Bellmont family, pianist Nathaniel Fye is nearly ruined by his aristocratic wife's relentless ambition and instability. His only solace is his deepening friendship with his gifted protege, Lydia Tyler. For most of his life, Whitmore Bellmont has loved the brilliant Jeselle Thorton. But theirs is a love forbidden by society's rules for class as well as skin color. When these four lives intertwine, they're set on a collision course. The only question is whether their destination is one of liberation from prejudice and fear or destruction at the hands of love.Bestselling author Tess Thompson weaves a rich family saga together with an epic love story set in the depression-era American South, and this first installment in a new historical series will be a can't-miss for anyone who believes in the power of love.

She thought he was a servant. He turned out to be her salvation. Once, Sebastian Ashford was a duke's son-until his father's hanging stripped him of his name, his home, and his future. Branded by scandal and hardened by war, Sebastian returns to England with a single mission: uncover the truth behind his family's ruin. Disguised as a humble gardener, he infiltrates the estate of the very man he suspects of orchestrating it all. Lady Rose Wentworth knows her place in Society-but that place is a prison. Raised in luxury yet suffocated by duty, she dreams of a life beyond her father's control. Now, she's being forced into marriage with a ruthless baron twenty years her senior-a match designed to secure power, not happiness. When she meets the new gardener, she's drawn to his quiet strength and piercing gaze-unaware that he's the enemy her family helped create. As their forbidden romance deepens, Sebastian and Rose must choose between loyalty and desire, vengeance and redemption. But in a world where titles define worth and secrets can destroy everything, loving him could cost them their lives. A Regency romance of slow-burn longing, forbidden attraction, hidden identities, and the intoxicating thrill of enemies becoming lovers. From USA Today Bestselling Author Tess Thompson comes a sweeping story of passion, peril, and the fierce courage it takes to reclaim a name-and a future. Tropes you'll love: Disguised Identity / Secret Identity Class Difference / Forbidden Love Slow Burn Romance Redemption Arc Found Family Masquerade Ball Revenge Plot Beauty and the Beast Vibes Note: This series is part of Dragonblade's Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader's imagination.

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?

He's wanted Cymbeline Barnes more than anything, but can his one-time nemesis put aside their differences for a chance at love?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.

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 fianc 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 fianc , 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. Buy The Spinster to read between the lines of destiny today

His heart broke when she died. Her life was robbed by loss. Betrayed by a mountain of lies, can two lost souls rebuild their stolen romance?Jackson Waller thought fulfilling his dream would set him free. Despite his excitement to be taking over his father's practice, the thoughtful young doctor never moved on from the demise of his high school sweetheart. So he's shocked when he visits her grave a decade later, only to find his first love has returned to town very much alive.Maggie Keene will never forgive her dad. Unable to prove the despicable man killed her mom, she fled her hometown at age eighteen to pursue singing and dancing in New York. But when she returns to the quiet seaside town and challenges the ailing brute on his deathbed, she's furious when he confesses that he faked her death.Thrown into a spin by the hope of another shot with his soul mate, Jackson realizes he can't settle for any other woman ... which confronts him with a painful decision. And finally ready to put the tragic past behind her and rush into her true love's arms, Maggie is unnerved to discover her father still holds one more appalling secret ...Can the wounded couple restore justice and mend their shattered lives back together?Deleted: Jackson and Maggie is the second standalone book in the sweet Cliffside Bay romance series. If you like stories of starting over, small-town settings, and jaw-dropping twists, then you'll adore Tess Thompson's scandal-filled tale.

His heart broke when she died. Her life was robbed by loss. Betrayed by a mountain of lies, can two lost souls rebuild their stolen romance?Jackson Waller thought fulfilling his dream would set him free. Despite his excitement to be taking over his father's practice, the thoughtful young doctor never moved on from the demise of his high school sweetheart. So he's shocked when he visits her grave a decade later, only to find his first love has returned to town very much alive.Maggie Keene will never forgive her dad. Unable to prove the despicable man killed her mom, she fled her hometown at age eighteen to pursue singing and dancing in New York. But when she returns to the quiet seaside town and challenges the ailing brute on his deathbed, she's furious when he confesses that he faked her death.Thrown into a spin by the hope of another shot with his soul mate, Jackson realizes he can't settle for any other woman ... which confronts him with a painful decision. And finally ready to put the tragic past behind her and rush into her true love's arms, Maggie is unnerved to discover her father still holds one more appalling secret ...Can the wounded couple restore justice and mend their shattered lives back together?Deleted: Jackson and Maggie is the second standalone book in the sweet Cliffside Bay romance series. If you like stories of starting over, small-town settings, and jaw-dropping twists, then you'll adore Tess Thompson's scandal-filled tale.

His heart broke when she died. Her life was robbed by loss. Betrayed by a mountain of lies, can two lost souls rebuild their stolen romance?Jackson Waller thought fulfilling his dream would set him free. Despite his excitement to be taking over his father's practice, the thoughtful young doctor never moved on from the demise of his high school sweetheart. So he's shocked when he visits her grave a decade later, only to find his first love has returned to town very much alive.Maggie Keene will never forgive her dad. Unable to prove the despicable man killed her mom, she fled her hometown at age eighteen to pursue singing and dancing in New York. But when she returns to the quiet seaside town and challenges the ailing brute on his deathbed, she's furious when he confesses that he faked her death.Thrown into a spin by the hope of another shot with his soul mate, Jackson realizes he can't settle for any other woman ... which confronts him with a painful decision. And finally ready to put the tragic past behind her and rush into her true love's arms, Maggie is unnerved to discover her father still holds one more appalling secret ...Can the wounded couple restore justice and mend their shattered lives back together?Deleted: Jackson and Maggie is the second standalone book in the sweet Cliffside Bay romance series. If you like stories of starting over, small-town settings, and jaw-dropping twists, then you'll adore Tess Thompson's scandal-filled tale.

Her past was devastating. His future was shattered. Will two lost souls merge for the life they both deserve?Zane Shaw needs a fresh start. After his fianc e called off their wedding, he left his failed relationship to run the family restaurant back home. And just when he thinks he's sworn off emotions for good, a former fling residing in Cliffside Bay reignites his broken heart.Honor Sullivan thought she had escaped her abusive background. But the terror returns when she learns the man who hurt her is out of prison. And when a dead bunny appears on her porch, she turns to her old crush Zane for the protection she so desperately desires.As his repressed instincts bubble to the surface, Zane swears to do whatever it takes to keep his tormented friend safe. But with mysterious figures shadowing her every move, Honor may not live long enough to confess the feelings she's hidden for a decade.Can the wounded couple escape their painful histories and find their own forever?Large Print Edition Her past was devastating. His future was shattered. Will two lost souls merge for the life they both deserve?Zane Shaw needs a fresh start. After his fianc e called off their wedding, he left his failed relationship to run the family restaurant back home. And just when he thinks he's sworn off emotions for good, a former fling residing in Cliffside Bay reignites his broken heart.Honor Sullivan thought she had escaped her abusive background. But the terror returns when she learns the man who hurt her is out of prison. And when a dead bunny appears on her porch, she turns to her old crush Zane for the protection she so desperately desires.As his repressed instincts bubble to the surface, Zane swears to do whatever it takes to keep his tormented friend safe. But with mysterious figures shadowing her every move, Honor may not live long enough to confess the feelings she's hidden for a decade.Can the wounded couple escape their painful histories and find their own forever?Jaded: Zane and Honor is the third standalone book in the suspenseful Cliffside Bay romantic women's fiction series. If you like second chances, sweet love stories, and a healthy dose of danger, then you'll adore Tess Thompson's breathtaking tale.Buy Jaded: Zane and Honor to outrun yesteryear today

Large Print Edition His heart broke when she died. Her life was robbed by loss. Betrayed by a mountain of lies, can two lost souls rebuild their stolen romance?Jackson Waller thought fulfilling his dream would set him free. Despite his excitement to be taking over his father's practice, the thoughtful young doctor never moved on from the demise of his high school sweetheart. So he's shocked when he visits her grave a decade later, only to find his first love has returned to town very much alive.Maggie Keene will never forgive her dad. Unable to prove the despicable man killed her mom, she fled her hometown at age eighteen to pursue singing and dancing in New York. But when she returns to the quiet seaside town and challenges the ailing brute on his deathbed, she's furious when he confesses that he faked her death.Thrown into a spin by the hope of another shot with his soul mate, Jackson realizes he can't settle for any other woman... which confronts him with a painful decision. And finally ready to put the tragic past behind her and rush into her true love's arms, Maggie is unnerved to discover her father still holds one more appalling secret...Can the wounded couple restore justice and mend their shattered lives back together?Deleted: Jackson and Maggie is the second standalone book in the sweet Cliffside Bay romance series. If you like stories of starting over, small-town settings, and jaw-dropping twists, then you'll adore Tess Thompson's scandal-filled tale.Buy Deleted: Jackson and Maggie to undo an agonizing disappearance today

Recently widowed Sara Ness moves to Cliffside Bay to hide from her painful past and the scandal that cost her far too much. With a baby daughter to raise alone, the peaceful privacy of small town life, and the comfort of the local grief support group, are just what the heiress needs. But when her inheritance is jeopardized by her new marital status, Sara is forced to make a deal with the only suitable candidate available. And for the next year she's paying for the pleasure of pretending to be married to the one man in town she simply cannot stand.In the wake of his wife's death, architect David Perry accepts a job at Wolf Enterprises and promptly moves his children to be near what's left of their family. Though work and the kids are more than enough to fill David's days, his quiet, lonely nights force him to seek the help of the local grief support group. And when the spoiled Sara Ness proposes a partnership that promises to be lucrative for them both, David agrees to her terms and discovers that his fake bride just might hold the key to his future happiness.The final installment of the wildly popular Cliffside Bay Series weaves a heartwarming enemies-to-lovers meets marriage-of-convenience tale in the style readers have grown to expect from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson, with richly developed characters, a setting to marvel at, and the ultimate life lesson about true love's never-ending ability to bridge the gaps that we frequently allow to divide us.

Large Print Version For Autumn Hickman, online dating has been an exercise in nothing more than coffee and failure. There simply isn't a man on the planet who can compare to her best friend, Trey Wattson. And while Trey is everything Autumn has ever wanted in a partner, she knows the man who loves life's most beautiful things could never cherish anything as scarred and mangled as her.Trey Wattson is in love with his best friend, but he can't seem to reach her. She's guarded, and for good reason, but Trey doesn't care. He knows Autumn's soul, and it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. Desperate to claim Autumn's heart for his own, Trey conspires with The Wolves to create a fake profile on the dating site Autumn frequents. But the more Autumn trusts Trey's online persona, the more it becomes clear that Trey is gambling with the very thing he wants most of all.Return to Tess Thompson's beloved Cliffside Bay and discover for yourself why true love is built on honesty and trust, and why best friends often make the very best life partners, in this anonymous online romance set in your favorite charming small town.

Return to the beloved beach town of Cliffside Bay, where USA Today bestseller Tess Thompson spins another emotional, intriguing tale about overcoming adversity and finding strength in love in this standalone story about Lisa and Rafael.After years of struggling as a starving actor, Lisa Perry's dreams are finally coming true. Splitting her time between Los Angeles and Cliffside Bay, the young beauty has a successful television miniseries, her first movie role, and quality time with her best friends Maggie and Pepper. Everything is coming up roses until a single tragic moment changes Lisa forever.Haunted by unshakable memories and near-crippling anxiety, Lisa must face a publicity tour full of crowds and interviews in order to move her budding career forward. And with the help of Rafael Soto, the head of security for Brody and Kara Mullen, she finally begins to relax. Though the pair are as different as night and day, something about her temporary bodyguard soothes the young actress, and soon their relationship turns from professional to passionate.But what neither anticipates is that despite the obvious threats to a beautiful ingenue, it's actually her protector who stands in harm's way. Will Lisa and Rafael be able to face the danger awaiting him together, or are they destined to accept yet another tragedy they can't stop?USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson welcomes you back to Cliffside Bay to explore the rich, heartwarming stories of the characters who brightened the original five novels in the series. Each book in the Cliffside Bay Series is intended to be read and enjoyed as a sweet standalone, but for maximum enjoyment read this binge-worthy series in order.

It's Cliffside Bay and beyond in this heartwarming enemies-to-lovers romantic adventure from USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson.Stone Hickman is the last of a dying breed. The former Marine believes in integrity, service to his country, a hard day's work, and taking care of his loved ones. When he meets the clever Pepper Griffin, their obvious attraction has him ready to count the stunning beauty among the people that he cares for. But Pepper doesn't share the instant connection. In fact, she wants nothing to do with him. And for honest, straightforward Stone, not knowing why only makes the rejection worse.Pepper Griffin is the epitome of scrappy. For years she's struggled to make acting her career without any help at all from her famous father. While she's still accepting meager roles with little screen time, her best friend has steadily risen to the height of fame. To make matters worse, that very same friend is happily in love, newly engaged, and wants poor Pepper, whose love life is as sad and pathetic as her last film role, to serve as her maid-of-honor while Pepper's enemy, Stone Hickman, is sure to be the groom's best man.Though Pepper despises the best man, she loves the bride-to-be more. To keep the peace, Pepper willingly includes Stone in the wedding planning process. When the unlikely pair find themselves stranded in a snowstorm while searching for the perfect venue, they'll have to work together to survive the chill even if that means thawing Pepper's heart.