An untested teacher. A wealthy benefactor. When their attraction becomes undeniable, will they open their hearts to each other?
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 … 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.
Buy The School Mistress to study reading, writing, and happily ever after today!
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Tess Thompson stepped out of her modern day love story comfort zone and took us on a trip to the past. I love she used her amazing love story talent to create a new series set back in 1910 in Emerson Pass. This is a book that once you start you will not put down until you finish. When you finish you will already be begging for more! The story of Quinn and Alexander is captivating and beautiful. The descriptions of the area are so detailed I can picture it in my mind and now I need to go to Emerson Pass after visiting Cliffside Bay. If you haven’t discovered Tess Thompson then you need to quit hiding and start reading her books. You will fall in love with her characters and want them as your best friends.
Ever since being introduced to Emerson Pass in Ms. Thompson’s Cliffside Bay series, I have been anxiously looking forward to the arrival of this historical novel and “The School Mistress of Emerson Pass” definitely did not disappoint! This first book in her new series introduces the reader to many wonderful characters in a time where life was very difficult. Quinn and Alexander rise above these difficulties in an attempt to make others’ better. I am looking forward to learning more in depth about these many characters’ goals, adventures, trials and tribulations in future books in this series.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
OH MY GOSH! What an awesome love story! I usually don’t like reading historical romance books. However, after reading this book, I have definitely changed my mind. Lord Alexander Barnes owns all of the buildings in the town of Emerson Pass. He hires Quinn Cooper to be the new school mistress, not realizing that she is so young. Alexander and Quinn’s love story is extremely remarkable and breathtaking. Also, the love Quinn has in her heart for Alexander’s 5 children and her students is so touching. I can’t say enough good things about this book. I can’t wait until the second book in the series is available. Thank you, Tess Thompson!
What do you get when you bring a school teacher, a kind forward thinking man and five adorable but damaged children together? A beautiful story that addresses tough life issues with genuine love and a belief that all people matter. Tess Thompson’s The School Mistress of Emerson Pass is brilliant. This is a must read. You will take a journey with these characters that will leave you wanting more.
I received a ARC of The School Mistress of Emerson Pass. It is the first book I read that is written by Tess Thompson. I enjoyed the way she had the chapters be the characters story. Love the back and forth! I can picture Emerson Pass thru Tess description. The story of Alexander and Quinn is sweet and the children brings a smile to one’s face, everyone has run into children like that. There is a element of the bad and sad side of life, which gives it a realistic feel. The story is a good building block for the future books in the series. I can’t wait for the next book.
Honestly wasn’t sure I would like a historical period type book but loved loved this. Such a wonderful account of this time period and shows you love is love no matter when it is. The proper etiquette of courting made me wish for this simpler time. Beautiful love story!!
Set in the picturesque Colorado mountain town of Emerson Pass, this is the story of Quinn and Alexander. It is a story of courage, bravery and ultimately love. Love is the only thing worth fighting for, and Alexander and Quinn are the epitome of both. The characters in this wonderful book are both colorful and true to life in 1910. The author’s use of time period language makes this book feel very real. You will become lost in the story and in turn, hope it never ends. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more in the series. Thank you to the author for an eARC of The School Mistress of Emerson Pass. I am honored to write this review.
At my request, the publisher and author allowed me to read an ARC. This book is amazing! Miss Quinn is delightful; in fact, all of the characters are. I follow Ms. Thompson’s work, and in my opinion, this is the best book since “Duet for Three Hands”. Thank you for allowing me to read this book!
Oh how I loved this book! From page one to the end – it was such a joy to read. We’d been warned there was a new Tess Thompson story coming. It has arrived and definitely does not disappoint. Ms Thompson has me hooked. I can’t wait to read book two and see where her characters will take us. This little historical – though fictional – town of Emerson Pass was lovingly built by Lord Alexander. As families and children have begun to populate it, the need for a school has become top priority. Enter Quinn from Boston…..and let the delightful prose begin. Truly don’t miss this one.
I absolutely adored this book.
This is a new to me author but when I started reading, I was transported back to when I was a teenager nicking my grandmother’s copies of Linda Lael Miller from the bookcase. I devoured this book much like I did those some many years ago.
Welcome to Emerson Pass, home to an English lord with a brood of children and the adults that ride herd over them. With the help of the newly appointed school mistress and the untimely and mysterious death of a friend, this book is a mix of romance, mystery and comedy.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in Emerson Pass!
Just wow! I couldn’t out this down. Tess, this book is probably my new favorite. It has romance, drama, inspiration, and so much more. Quinn is such a complex character and just amazing. I’m speechless. I wish I could give this book more stars.
BOOK REVIEW: (ARC) The School Mistress of Emerson Pass~ Book 1, by author, Tess Thompson
Picture yourself curling up in front of the television, watching a classic black and white movie, and being completely taken in by the very scenes that unfold before your eyes.
This is the feeling I experienced as I began reading the story of a quiet little town nestled between two majestic mountains of Colorado ~ a place of big hopes and bigger dreams, and with heartache to match. A place called Emerson Pass.
Life itself is tested as one woman, Quinn Cooper, sets out on an adventure of the unknown, by starting anew in this growing, untamed town. A place stricken with poverty, violence and ignorance. A place also blessed~ with its riches, with citizens willing to help, support and care for one another…. and for some, a strong yearning for an education, the right to learn.
Ms. Thompson has brought too life a story that is as lovely as it is heartbreaking. One that will most certainly capture you as you are drawn into the lives of it’s unique characters that will melt your heart, ~ and others that will most certainly split it in two.
It will embrace you with its courage, compassion and whimsy, as you journey through a time and place where the mere survival for most has now been extended a helping hand. But will it be enough…
I highly recommend Ms. Thompson’s first novel of her historical fiction series, releasing April 1st~ A story that truly has it all!
5 Stars
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There I am, sitting with a new Tess Thompson novel in my hands, feeling great excitement to begin a new series set in my home state of Colorado. I love the Cliffside Bay series and how Ms. Thompson takes me on a virtual visit each and every time. I just know that this will be the same or even better, especially since she introduced the setting of the story, Emerson Pass, in a previous book “Healed: Stone and Pepper. This new book is historical fiction and taking a step back in time to the early settling of a mountain town is just perfect for me. It’s a reminiscence that drew me in to the places I grew up knowing. Ms. Thompson’s artful writing skills perfectly placed me in the story with Quinn and Alexander.
From the beginning scenes I was on the train trip through the mountains with Quinn from Denver to Emerson Pass. The harrowing trip to a new life in a place she had no idea of what to expect. “We cannot predict the joys and sorrows that await us on this journey through life.” As she steps off the train, her life adventure begins to take place at a whirlwind speed. The story opens up and I meet a whole cast of wonderful characters I quickly become attached to. The book is written from Quinn’s and Alexander’s POV. I love that. I also enjoyed that there was a “spark” between the two of them from the beginning. Ms. Thompson “tended” that small flame with a smoldering pace that kept building between Quinn and Alexander.
I love the children in this story. A whole schoolhouse full of individual and unique students. Each one with personalities and traits that set them apart from each other but they all “look out for” and accept each other. They captured my heart as much as they did Quinn’s. The five Barnes children are so sweet and loving. They are honest with their words but they are so caring for others. Children who need a new mother after the tragic death of their own mother. They are immediately attracted to Quinn. Ahhh!!
I had an amazing adventure in the pages of this book. There’s the wild west feeling of a mountain town being settled in the elements of weather, a mysterious murder, a drunken father, and unaccepting citizens who make life difficult for some of the people. These are subjects that Ms. Thompson writes through with a careful approach. There is also the other end of life in the early development of Emerson Pass. The breathtaking beauty of freshly fallen snow in the pines and the contrast against the remarkable blue sky. The unity of the family and how they love and care for each other makes them endearing and lovable. The desire of Alexander Barnes to build a town for all citizens to happily belong to. There is courage and strength that is attained by the struggles and hardships but so worth the rewards in the end.
I am so grateful for the honor of “stepping off the train” with Quinn and experiencing this book. It’s a story that, for me, felt like it had uniquely blended aspects….a Downton Abbey/Sound of Music/Little House/and The Walton’s all so specially mixed to make this a wonderfully delightful read. Thank you, Ms. Thompson, for taking me “back in time” to start this new series with characters and a setting (you know I’m a Colorado mountain girl in heart) that I’m so excited to go along on. I can’t wait for the next novel in this series! It’s a huge Rocky Mountain High five stars for me. Thank you! All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own.
Another heart throbbing, page turning, adventure from Tess!! I could imagine everything about that sweet little town in between those two mountains and people that lived there. Can’t wait to see what happens next!!
Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I am a huge an of Tess Thompson but I especially love her historical fiction books. This book brings you back to a time in history when people were kind, looked out for each other and wanted only the best for the people they know and love. A young woman travels to a different state to become a school teacher. The man who hired her is a widower with 5 children. A beautifully written story about love, kindness, compassion and fate. If only the world we lived in currently was like this ! So nice to step away from reality and lose myself in a book for a while ! Outstanding as always ! Can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this new series !