short romance, high heat

About Tessa March

Tessa March is a writer, reader, and unapologetic coffee enthusiast living just outside a bustling city. A lover of all things organized (thanks to her obsession with planners, notebooks, and journaling—fountain pens optional), Tessa spins steamy, happily-ever-after romances with a special fondness for hunky Latino heroes who keep her swooning. With a touch of neurodiversity in the mix at times, her stories bring an authentic, layered depth to every passionate page.

When she’s not creating characters or homeschooling her daughter, Tessa can be found sneakily stealing naps, rewatching her favorite shows (Bridgerton, Frasier, Friends, and Stranger Things are perennial favorites), or scrolling through her phone—because texting is far superior to phone calls. A leather tote is her accessory of choice, and yes, she might just love talking about herself in the third person.

To follow along on her literary journey, find Tessa on Instagram @tessamarchbooks.

New Releases

Tessa's latest!

Floored

Handymen with Heart

Book One

Divorced single mom Isabel Hernandez wants her bedroom suite’s floors redone, but as a successful and busy entrepreneur, she lacks the bandwidth and experience to tackle the job.

Enter Dio Perez, fourteen years younger than Isa. Despite the age gap, their instant chemistry is undeniable. Shortly after meeting one another, that chemistry drives them forward on an unconventional journey neither planned for.

Can Isa let down her preconceived notions and give rough-around-the-edges Dio a chance? Is it possible to find forever love with someone who’s meant to only be your handyman, or is that just a pipe dream?

Find out in this steamy instalove, later in life short romance!

Buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Nailed

Handymen with Heart

Book Two

If opposites attract, here’s a couple that just might work.

Sofia Machado runs the city’s preeminent art gallery, and she’s known for being tough as nails while running a tight ship. While the staff calls her Ice Queen, she couldn’t care less. It’s a small price to pay for the respect she commands.

Noel Vega just can’t seem to catch a break. Incarcerated for something that wasn’t his fault, he’s finally free. Responsible for supporting his grandmother and four-year-old nephew, he needs a job fast. But those are hard to come by when you have a criminal record. After a tip from his probation officer, Heroic Handymen gives him the break he needs—a stable job with steady income.

As fate would have it, Noel’s quickly dispatched to Sofia’s art gallery to prepare for an upcoming show. However, it’s not just any show; for Sofia, it’ll be the end of a painful chapter. Except the pressure’s getting to her. Is the Queen’s ice starting to crack?

Can Noel take down Sofia’s walls and warm her icy heart? Find out in this steamy instalove, workplace short romance!

Buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Marco

Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue

Book One

After more than a decade apart, love burns hotter than ever in Marco: Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue, Book 1.
When Marcoand Ava cross paths again, the chemistry between them is undeniable, even though time and distance have changed them both. Fourteen years ago, their love was torn apart by misunderstandings and life’s unpredictable twists. But now, with older, wiser hearts and the scars of their pasts, they’re about to discover that the passion they once shared never truly went away—it was just waiting for the right moment to erupt.

As their reunion heats up, old flames reignite, and the desire between them burns with an intensity neither of them expected. What begins as a tentative reconnection quickly escalates into a fiery, no-holds-barred romance that leaves them questioning everything they thought they knew about love, lust, and the second chances life has a way of offering. Marco: Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue, Book 1 is a steamy, spicy, and seductive tale that will make you believe in the magic of second chances. Love is worth fighting for, and when it’s this good, nothing and no one can stop it.

Read for free on Kindle Unlimited or buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Elias

Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue

Book Two

Elias Garcia’s life has been a series of heartbreaking tragedies. After losing his father in a fatal car accident and watching his mother spiral into addiction, he’s left to navigate a world of pain and loneliness. When Social Services intervenes, he’s sent to the Rose Point House, where he forms an unexpected bond with Clare Hoyos—a mouthy, curvy teen who becomes his first real friend.

But life takes a cruel turn when Clare and Elias are separated. Years later, Clare resurfaces in Boca Fuego. Armed with a shady history and a lot of money, she’s not the same girl Elias once knew. However, the spark between them is undeniable.

As they reconnect, Elias begins to question if their bond was just friendship or something deeper. Will they pick up where they left off, or has too much time passed--and too many secrets hidden—stand between them?

In this steamy, friends-to-lovers short story, Elias and Clare are forced to confront their pasts—and explore the intense chemistry that’s been simmering beneath the surface—for a second chance at love.

Read for free on Kindle Unlimited or buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Raf

Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue

Book Three

Ranger Raf DeSoto has always found peace in solitude. A man of few words, he enjoys the quiet of nature, the solace of his own thoughts, and the catharsis of writing. But there’s one thing he can’t stand—dogs. After his traumatic childhood experience, he’s kept his distance from them... until he meets Holly James.

Holly, a fiery, curvy redhead, is new in town and trying to make a fresh start after a tough divorce. On a hike with her senior, disabled dog, Desi, Holly’s worst fear comes true when Desi wanders off, leaving her frantic and desperate to find him.

When she enlists the help of Ranger DeSoto, she’s met with a gruff, aloof man who seems like the last person she’d expect to help with her search for Desi. But as they work together, the sparks between them are undeniable. Could this solitary, dog-disliking ranger have more heart—and heat—than he’s letting on?

In this steamy, opposites-attract romance, Holly and Raf must navigate their differences—and their undeniable chemistry—for a chance at love. Featuring a curvy, older heroine, this insta-love story is full of surprises, heart, and passion!

Read for free on Kindle Unlimited or buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Leo

Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue

Book Four

Leo Aguilar is known for one thing at BFMSAR: his pranks. Always the class clown, he has a knack for keeping his teammates on their toes—but it’s all fun and games until his antics push everyone too far. His boss gives him an ultimatum: either see a therapist or pack his bags. But what no one knows is that Leo’s playful attitude is a shield. His family has been living in poverty for years, and Leo’s desperate to keep his struggle a secret, even if it means hiding behind humor and mischief.

Enter Dr. Erica Mendoza. A recent transplant from San Francisco, Erica has built a new life for herself, far from the shadows of her family’s wealth and a painful tragedy. As Leo’s therapist, she’s tasked with understanding the man behind the jokes and helping him confront the reasons for his avoidant, childish behavior. But as their sessions progress, Erica finds herself drawn to Leo in ways she never expected.

With their professional boundaries blurred and a growing attraction between them, Leo and Erica are forced to confront not only their deepest secrets but also their undeniable chemistry. Can Erica help Leo face the truth without falling for the charming, cocky ranger with a heart of gold?

In this steamy, insta-love romance, Leo and Erica discover that sometimes the lines between healing and desire aren’t as clear as they seem. Get ready for a fiery, emotional ride filled with passion, heart, and second chance

Read for free on Kindle Unlimited or buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Drake

Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue

Book Five

Drake La Guardia’s life has always been perfect—wealth, privilege, and endless opportunities. But after finishing college, he seeks something different and heads to Condado, Puerto Rico, to visit family. On a morning beach run, he meets 18-year-old Vanessa Gomez, a sweet but shy young woman working a food truck alongside her mother. Despite her initial reserve, Drake’s charm wins her over, and their connection is instant and intense. What starts as a chance encounter quickly turns into an all-consuming love affair, and they fall fast, hearts on fire.

But just as things are falling into place, life throws a curveball. Drake receives an offer he can’t refuse—he’s been accepted into a prestigious comedy troupe in Chicago. There’s only one catch: he must leave in two days to start rehearsals, and his time with Vanessa is cut tragically short.

Years go by, and the two are forced to follow their separate paths. But the past always has a way of resurfacing. Nearly a decade later, fate brings them back together, and they must face the lingering questions of their past and whether they can build a future together.

Can love rekindle after all these years apart? And what will Drake do when he learns that Vanessa’s been keeping a secret that changes everything?

In this steamy, insta-love romance, Drake and Vanessa must navigate the complexities of second chances, hidden truths, and the kind of passion that never truly fades. Will they be able to start anew, or will the ghosts of their past tear them apart once again?

Read for free on Kindle Unlimited or buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Sergio

Boca Fuego Mountain Search and Rescue

Book Six

Teenager Andie Aguilar’s world shifts when an older, confident man named Sergio Benitez stands up for her in front of her classmates one afternoon. From that moment on, Andie can’t help but develop deep feelings for him—feelings that she knows might be impossible, given their age difference. Despite her growing affection, Sergio seems either oblivious to her emotions or deliberately ignoring them, convinced that there could never be anything more than a friendship between them.

But Andie’s heart doesn’t listen to logic. As time passes, she and Sergio become inseparable, the best of friends. However, in private, Andie can’t help but hope for more. She yearns for the kind of love that might never come, while Sergio remains frustratingly blind to the possibility of romance, trapped in denial.

In this steamy, age-gap short romance, Andie’s secret longing and Sergio’s reluctance collide, leaving both of them wondering: Can something more ever bloom from a friendship, or is Andie destined to keep her feelings hidden forever? Perfect for a quick, one-hour escape, this is a story of yearning, friendship, and the complexities of love that may—or may not—cross the line.

Read for free on Kindle Unlimited or buy for 99¢ on Amazon.

Get the scoop from Tessa herself!

No, it’s a pen name. People often mispronounce my legal name, and since I intend to write non-fiction using my legal name, a pen name made the most sense.

Nice try. I'm old enough! I was born in New York to Cuban parents who emigrated some time ago.

I’ve always identified as a writer ever since I was very young. I want to say I was 6 or 7 when I first said to an adult that I was a writer, but as time went on, those dreams were halted by well-intentioned individuals who said I needed to either move to another city, or find a publisher to work with, or that only really lucky people got to become writers. Thanks to e-books and e-readers, plenty of talented writers are currently legit independent authors and the world is a happier place for it.

Just one, a 12-year-old daughter who’s on the autism spectrum. She teaches me the meaning of unconditional love, patience, and she’s my reason why I do what I do.

Because I love it. It’s literally my favorite genre. I don’t even mind shorter stories (like mine!) or longer ones (ACOTAR, anyone?); if I haven’t yet read it, chances are I will.  

Actually, I’ve been writing in journals since I was very young (6 or 7 years old). I have a degree in journalism I never did much with. As time went out, I worked in many offices, which was very unfulfilling work. Eventually, I dabbled with fan fiction and even published several stories on AO3 and FanFiction.net. Those stories are when I really stepped out of my comfort zone, and wrote my first open door/explicit romance. I haven’t looked back since!

Off the top of my head, I love Ruby Dixon, Michele Mills, Lilah Hart, Sadie King, Hope Ford, Ava Ross, Kati Wilde, Sawyer Bennett, and Kendall Ryan, BUT these are only a few! There are plenty of wonderful authors out there, both indie and trad (independently published/traditionally published) whose work I love a ton—as in, I might’ve read their books more than once or twice.

As a brand-new author, I’m still very, very new to the romance community. However, I’ve spent decades reading romance and love connecting with other romance readers. I’m always on the lookout for a romance rec, so if anyone out there has another author(s) and/or titles they want to recommend, I’d love to hear from you. Email me!

At the time, yes, but I’m working on wide distribution which is happening soon! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on social media so you’re in the loop.

For the time being, my books are strictly ebooks. However, never say never! If there’s ever a demand for paperback copies of my work, I’ll be sure to make them available for readers to enjoy.

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