Briar Mountain Series by C.M. Smith

"Don't run from him because you're scared. Let him love you, baby. And find that big ol’ heart I know you have and open it up to something that might be great. Talk to him, let him in. Don’t let your past keep you from finding your future, okay?”—Mr. Prof, David Thorpe Emergency Department nurse Lizzy Thorpe lives in a community that both loves and shuns her. The night of her High School graduation, a tragedy occurred that still follows her around seven years later... more"Don't run from him because you're scared. Let him love you, baby. And find that big ol’ heart I know you have and open it up to something that might be great. Talk to him, let him in. Don’t let your past keep you from finding your future, okay?”—Mr. Prof, David Thorpe Emergency Department nurse Lizzy Thorpe lives in a community that both loves and shuns her. The night of her High School graduation, a tragedy occurred that still follows her around seven years later. It's kept her from really living, but that's about to change when fire-fighter Joshua Anderson enters her life. Fearing the safety of his job, Lizzy quickly friend-zones him. What happens when Josh decides that isn't enough? Both have their own tragic pasts. Both have their own fears. And both will be tested by bad characters. Maybe together, they can find the courage to learn to leap. Book 2 in the Briar Mountain Series less

"I get to go into a place where my heart, soul, and mind all sing out in joy. What fills your well, Kat? Find that."—Prof Mom A chance encounter. A one-night stand. A rogue cop out to make a point. A future career put in jeopardy. All the cards are stacked against Kat and Robert before they even have the chance to begin.Graduate student Kat Thorpe knows what she wants and how to get it... more"I get to go into a place where my heart, soul, and mind all sing out in joy. What fills your well, Kat? Find that."—Prof Mom A chance encounter. A one-night stand. A rogue cop out to make a point. A future career put in jeopardy. All the cards are stacked against Kat and Robert before they even have the chance to begin.Graduate student Kat Thorpe knows what she wants and how to get it. The new Dean in town, Robert Decker, is on a mission to prove he deserves the position that was offered to him.Finding out her one-night stand is the new Dean—and her Professor—puts Kat on a path she never expected. She’s a staunch rules follower. There’s no room for grey. When Robert makes her question everything, Kat doesn’t know what to do or what she wants anymore.With the outside world closing in on the two, can they find a way to get everything they want? Can Kat figure out what she really wants in life before she loses everything that matters to her?Knowing Heart is book three in the Briar Mountain Series less