KUBook 1 · Cody & Morgan
A Home for the Cowboy
A horse trainer haunted by his past and a woman building an equine therapy program join forces to save a special horse.
Buy on Amazon →
Cozy up for the holidays with A Christmas Wish for the Cowboy & a free winter novella
Welcome home to
Big River Valley
Heartwarming western romance filled with family, faith, and second chances. Sweet, clean love stories with cowboys, horses and a happily-ever-after in every book.
11 books & countingFree to read in Kindle UnlimitedAudiobooks for Books 1–3
The Big River Valley series
Fall for a whole family
KU
KUBook 2 · Marshall & Kelli
A Second Chance for the Cowboy
Her barrel racing dreams clash with his loyalty to the ranch, and old feelings won't stay buried.
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KUBook 3 · Dusty & Jess
An Angel for the Cowboy
A soft-spoken cowboy has loved a former rodeo queen for years, and now he's helping another man win her heart.
Buy on Amazon →
KUBook 4 · Luke & Audrey
Taming the Cowboy
A cowboy with big dreams falls for a woman stranded in a small Idaho town caring for her sister and niece.
Buy on Amazon →
KUBook 5 · Evan & Meg
A Heart for the Cowboy
A brooding cowboy who has lost everything finds solace with a resilient single mother.
Buy on Amazon →Want all five Walker brothers at once? The bundle is only sold here.
Get the Walker Ranch Bundle
KUBook 6 · Cole & Emily
A Rival for the Cowboy
Rival trainers at Walker Ranch, and sparks that could set the whole ranch ablaze.
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KUBook 7 · Chase & Kate
A Crossroads for the Cowboy
He's torn between the family ranch and the wider world. She never wants to leave Big River Valley.
Buy on Amazon →
KUBook 8 · Trent & Lauren
A Christmas Wish for the Cowboy
A heartbroken cowboy, a city girl home for the holidays, and one wish under the stars.
Buy on Amazon →
KUBook 9 · Gage & Amber
A Match for the Cowboy
A headstrong cowboy meets his match in a calm, compassionate riding therapist.
Buy on Amazon →Meet all four Langton brothers in one go. The bundle is only sold here.
Get the Ridgeview Bundle
KUBook 10 · Eli & Claire
A Shelter for the Cowboy
She believes in second chances. He's not sure he deserves one.
Buy on Amazon →
PRE-ORDERBook 11 · Micah & Josie
A Secret for the Cowboy
Micah and Josie's story. Coming January 5, 2027.
Pre-order on Amazon →
FREENovella · Blake & Meryl
A Winter Surprise for the Cowboy
A sweet holiday novella, free when you join Tess's reader newsletter.
Get it free → ONLY HERE
Books 1–5 · Ebook bundle
The Walker Ranch Bundle
Five brothers, five love stories, one big-hearted ranch family. Binge the whole Walker saga in one bundle you won't find on Amazon.
Get the BundleAlready met the Walkers? The Ridgeview Brothers Ranch Bundle (Books 6–9) →
Book 11 · Pre-order
A Secret for the Cowboy
Micah and Josie's story arrives January 5, 2027.
--DAYS
--HOURS
--MINUTES
Who's who in the valley
Meet the Couples
Walker Ranch
Books 1–5
- Cody & Morgan
- Marshall & Kelli
- Dusty & Jess
- Luke & Audrey
- Evan & Meg
- Blake & Meryl · free novella
Ridgeview Brothers Ranch
Books 6–9
- Cole & Emily
- Chase & Kate
- Trent & Lauren
- Gage & Amber
Shepherd's Canyon
Books 10+
- Eli & Claire
- Micah & Josie · January 2027
- More couples coming…
Welcome to
Big River Valley
Heartwarming Western Romance Filled With Family, Faith, and Second Chances
- EXPLORE BOOKS -
Featured Books
A Home for the Cowboy
Book 1. Cody Haskins is a horse trainer trying to forget his mistakes. But Cody's biggest mistake might be Morgan Westcott's salvation.
A Shelter for the Cowboy
Book 10. She believes in second chances. He's not sure he deserves one.
A Secret for the Cowboy
Book 11. Micah and Josie's story. Coming January 5, 2027.
A one-minute quiz
Which Big River Valley cowboy is yours?
Five quick questions about your perfect Saturday, your dream first date and the words that melt your heart. We'll match you with your cowboy and the book where he falls in love.
Take the QuizQuestion 1 of 5
Your perfect Saturday?
Ten cowboys. Five questions. One perfect match.
MEET TESS
Tess Thornton
Tess Thornton writes inspirational western romances from her Oregon horse farm. Her authentic western stories are inspired by the real ranching life and the people she loves. Her days are filled with country kids, stubborn dogs, and one special guy in a cowboy hat.
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Get a Free Book
Start With the Walker Ranch Bundle
Big River Valley, Books 1–5
Five books, one bundle, only from Tess’s store
Fall in love with the Walker brothers. The first five Big River Valley romances, together in one ebook bundle you won’t find on Amazon.
Your Free Big River Valley Novella
The Series
Sweet Cowboy Romance
Heartwarming western romance filled with family, faith, and second chances. Strong, imperfect people who just happen to be perfect for each other, and heart-pounding horseback adventures.
11
Books in the Series
1
Free Novella for Subscribers
KU
Read Free in Kindle Unlimited
- RIDGEVIEW BROTHERS RANCH · BOOKS 6–9 -
The Langton Brothers
A Crossroads for the Cowboy
Book 7. Chase is torn between the family ranch and the wider world. Kate never wants to leave Big River Valley.
A Christmas Wish for the Cowboy
Book 8. A heartbroken cowboy, a city girl home for the holidays, and one wish under the stars.
A Match for the Cowboy
Book 9. A headstrong cowboy meets his match in a calm, compassionate riding therapist.
OUR WORK
What People Are Saying!
"I was hooked from the first page! This author’s storytelling is captivating, and the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait for the next book!"
Sarah Thompson
"An incredible read! The characters felt so real, and the pacing was perfect. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend to any mystery lover!"
Lia Johnson
"This author never disappoints! The writing is gripping, the plot unpredictable, and the suspense builds perfectly. Another fantastic book!"
Ethan Clark
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Latest News & Article
Januuary 12, 2024
Mastering the Art of Character Development: Tips for Writing Compelling Protagonists
April 11, 2023
Cover Design 101: Tips for Creating an Eye-Catching...
June 25, 2023
Plotting 101: How to Create a Gripping Story Arc from Start to Finish
Dec 16, 2023
The Power of Dialogue: How to Write Conversations that Drive Your Story Forward
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of books does Tess write?
Heartwarming western romance filled with family, faith, and second chances. All of her books are set in Big River Valley, a small ranching community in Idaho.
Where can I buy the books?
Single books are on Amazon in Kindle and paperback, and the whole series is in Kindle Unlimited (Books 1 to 3 are also on audiobook). Bundles, like the Walker Ranch Bundle (Books 1–5) and the Ridgeview Brothers Ranch Bundle (Books 6–9), are only available here on Tess’s site.
Where should I start?
With Book 1, A Home for the Cowboy, or get Books 1–5 together in the Walker Ranch Bundle, only from Tess’s store.
How can I stay updated on your new releases?
Join Tess’s newsletter and you’ll get the novella A Winter Surprise for the Cowboy free, plus news about new releases and sales.
Are the books in Kindle Unlimited?
Yes. You can read the Big River Valley books free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Are there audiobooks?
Yes. Books 1 to 3 are available as audiobooks on Amazon.
When is the next book coming out?
Book 11, A Secret for the Cowboy (Micah and Josie's story), releases January 5, 2027. You can pre-order it on Amazon now.
Do I need to read the books in order?
Each book follows a different couple, but the Walker and Langton families carry through the series, so starting with Book 1 gives you the most.
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