Chapter 2 sample continued

"Holy crap! That is one sexy detective! I might stay just to get to know him." Rose looks at me and said. She throws her head back in a hard laugh and the other girls joined her. I was watching him move through the crowd, he was a smooth talker.

"Why does he seem to be watching you? Everyone that stops to talk to him he has then step in front of him so he can keep his eyes on you! Is something going on with you two!" One of the Heather's asked as she turned to look at me.

I looked shocked that she asked me that line of questions. "No, I just met him the other day when I toured the University. He is also the Department Head for the Criminal Justice Department. That is it nothing else!" I told her.

All my friends are average looking like me. Rose Anderson (aka Red Rose) has dark features, long black hair, and she is around 5'6". Her parents are pretty strict but they have loosed up since we are about to Graduate. She is a friend that you can truly count on but she is also the rebel that you would have to cover for also. She is going to school in Florida with her boyfriend Anthony she is unsure of what she wants to study, she will figure it out she always does. The two Heather's, let’s see first is Heather McBride (aka Goldie) we have been friends the longest but she has always been boy crazy and very, very smart. She is heading to California to go to school for Drama. She is 5'3, around 195lbs with bleach blonde hair and her skin is pale no matter how much tanning she does it still stays pale.

 Heather Patterson (aka Ass Kicker) has been my friend since Freshman year, but it has always felt like I have known her my whole life. Heather is the friend that has always been the rebel from day one she does not care she will put anyone on blast if she does not like them. Man the trouble that girl has been in. Heather is on her way to NYU in New York she wants to be an attorney, believe me that girl can give anybody a run for their money when it comes to a fight. I laugh to myself just thinking of our time together. Heather is 5’4, 200 lbs., dirty blonde hair and sun kissed skin that I envied so much.

"Hey Julia are you OK? You seem off your game the past couple days?" Rose asks me.

I looked away then back at her and shake my head yes to answer her or she will pry until she knows everything. No need to concern my friends with whatever is going on with me when they are all going to be leaving this Sunday.

"I will be back! I am going to find my parents." I told them

"I think I saw them around the front of the house!" Heather McBride said.

"Thanks" I called back to her as I went on my way. As I came around the side I could hear my mother talking.

"Dale this change is happening to quick, we may need to tell her sooner than later." my mother said.

"Jacqueline you know better than anyone in this town that the children cannot know until the change has fully taken place on their 19th Birthday." my father said consolingly.

Other children so my friends will go through this also! They will be having the time of their lives at school then Bam. How can their parents not warn them! They are all 18 yrs. old they will not be 19 until later in the fall and winter.

I then heard my father say "Detective Redmond O'Connor is one of the best protectors of our people it will only be an honor to have him as our daughters eternal mate."

My mother was upset she told my father "Julia is so young she needs to learn to control her instincts and powers, and experience life, relationships and heartache, before she can take on an eternal mate! You know as much as I do that she is a headstrong girl a mate controls the female and she is not one to be controlled."

Controlled "Oh Hell No! No one is going to control me I am my own person!" I stated as I walked around to face them.

"What did I tell you, Dale!" my mother looked at him.

"Honey in good time you will know what the ultimate plan will be and when you change it will be told to you your rank in our coven." my mother tried to explain

"Mother I have no idea what you are talking about. Again because no one will tell me what is going on!

My rank like I am in the military or something. Ultimate plan and being controlled by my eternal mate are you freaking kidding me!" I said very loudly and firmly.

My father grabbed me and shook me with a force to snap me back from my anger. I looked at my father and started to cry; he engulfed me into one of his bear hugs and said "My sweet little Julia, everything is going to be fine! I, your mother, and Detective O'Connor will help you to get through the change. You must be happy that he has found you now to be with you through the change."

"How can I be happy I do not even know him or what he is, let alone what I am!" I said as I looked at my father.

"As he has told you he is your eternal mate when you are born you are born specifically for that person. It can take two centuries to find them but in your case your centuries has not even started. Detective O'Connor is a Royal protector in our coven he is one of our protectors. When you were born he stopped aging so that when you two found each other you would be the same age." He told me in a soft comforting tone.

Help Choose a Cover for the Book

Hello Everyone I need some help from followers! What would you like to see as the Cover of the Book?

A.       WholeHearted (Scripted across the front)

B.        Julia Reaching for the Goddesses

C.     I know it is upside down  But third choice 

Some more pictures of all of me and my friends hanging out in our younger days!

Me hanging in the back yard

Heather Patterson younger

A bond that will never be broken!!

Myself in the striped dress, Heather Patterson in front, Rose behind me and Heather McBride in the back

Young Heather McBride

Rose hanging with Sandy

All of us with Sandy

The young us hanging at the park

Rose being Rose

Hanging at the House

Hanging by the treehouse

Me and Rose playing but who is watching

Heather Patterson again

The Beginning of the Change Sample of Chapter 2

The Beginning of the Change

I took a shower and pulled my hair up in a bun, my mother hates when I pull my hair up she says it takes away the mystery of my features. But I am angry with her for not explaining what is going on with me. I just don’t understand how anything that has happened is possible. I go to my room to look in the closet for something to wear. I pulled out a blue sun dress that matches my eyes and my pail but slightly sun kissed skin. I am an average looking girl nothing special. I do not like to put too much make up on my dad has always like the natural look, but mom wants me to look like more of a lady. So to make them both happy I put eyeliner, mascara and lip gloss on for mom and the less the better for dad. As I pulled the dress down over my head that feeling is back in the pit of my stomach. It is getting stronger every few minutes. I cannot sit still I slip on my flip flops to run down the stairs but it is getting worse I make a sound and my mom calls out to me "Julia is that you? Your dad is coming down our street now. Make sure you are ready!"

"Yes mom I hear you. I am going to step outside for a minute to get some fresh air." I told her. Thinking I could get away from people for just a minute I run into most of the towns people on my lawn. They all say “hello” then I seen my father pull into our driveway and I run back in the house to my room that is the only safe place for me now. I know the townspeople will keep the new detective and my father busy for a little bit.

I run past my mother on the way back up to my room, "Julia, where do you think you are going your father is here. We need to go welcome the new Detective." she said.

"I know mom but since no one wants to tell me what is going on I have to go deal with the issue at hand!" I told her as I turned and walked away.

"Julia I need to know what is going on I have to keep track of the change to know when it is the right time to explain what is going on!" she said. It stopped me in my tracks I am embarrassed to tell her what it feels like.

So I look at her with shock first of all and ask "What change? What are you talking about? You want to know what feelings I am having it is a feeling that feels so good that every sense in my body is on high alert I feel like butterflies are rippling up my body OH!" I shiver and continue

"And as dad gets closer to the house the more intense it gets. What is it? Is it a part of this change you are talking about?" My mom is in shock she starts to walk backwards shaking her head "It is impossible that he has found you so soon, No one has ever found their eternal mate this soon." she said.

"Eternal mate! What the HELL! I have never really had a boyfriend. How could I have an eternal mate? What is an eternal mate?" I yelled at her.

"You watch your language young lady! It usually takes two centuries to find ones eternal mate. When did you first have this feeling?" She turned to look out the door.

"I did yesterday when I walked into the Psychology Department at the University. It got strong when I meet Detective O'Connor" I told her.

Her head snapped back so fast I thought it was going to snap off and then she said "Did you just say Detective O'Connor?"

"Yes, Detective Redmond O'Connor" I looked at her and said then she told me to go to my room while she spoke to my father. I turn and stomped like a child to my room, even though I was going there anyway.

I open my bedroom door and see a new e-mail sent from Detective O'Connor from his blackberry just a few minutes ago. It reads:

Saturday 05/15/13                        

Dear Julia,

               

               I got the job! I know that you can feel the pull because I am outside your home with your   

Father and I cannot stand out here too much longer having this feeling rippling through my body.

The only way to make it subside is to be right next to each other so please come and join me soon.

Julia, I have waited so long for you!

               

Your Eternal Mate

               

              Detective Redmond O'Connor

I fell against my bedpost it is the only thing that kept me from hitting the ground. My legs are numb and the heat that is building in my body is driving me crazy. I reached for my door knob and swung the door open to only run straight into Detective Redmond O'Connor.

"Hello! I knew I felt you as soon as you came through the threshold of the department. I went running down the hall as soon as I felt you coming and then I ran in to Dean Johnson who said he had a student that was interested in my line of work and he felt you were so excited that you got a serious case of cold chills when you hit the department. I laughed a little inside because I know that feeling is no cold chill. I can control how severe or how faint the sensations can be. The closer the stronger the further away the faintest. But right next to each other and they can be amazing but controlled because we are together." He said looking at me deeply in my eyes.

"My mother said it is impossible to find your eternal mate this soon. So how did you find me?" I said confused.

"You cannot know the details until you have made the change fully on Saturday when the moon has aligned." he said as he took my hand and walked me down the stairs. I feel so comfortable with him, this is so confusing.

Detective O'Connor walks me outside to be with the rest of the townspeople to welcome him to the Coven Hurst Sheriff's Department. I see some of my friends from school and walk over to them. My best friend Rose was standing with her boyfriend Anthony and our other friends the two Heathers. They are all planning on leaving this town to go to school, but that just got a little more complicated for me.

Wholehearted is Being Published

I wanted to personally thank each and every person who has viewed my blog post. I also am announcing that I just received word that Wholehearted is officially being Published!!! I am so excited for each and everyone of you to read the book, and come to love the characters as I do. Again thanks to everyone that has sent me their love and support through this process.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Popp, Author of The Wholehearted Series!!

Take a look at the rest of Chapter 1

Awaken by a jolt of pain shooting through my body; I am covered in sweat and screaming for my mom to make it stop. I thought I heard my dad tell her "The change has been activated by something she came into contact with her possibly at the tour of the University yesterday.” This is a bad dream when I wake up in the morning I will feel good and this will have never happened please let that be true. I finally am feeling better and my mom whispers to me to get some sleep she will check on me in a few hours but not to travel in my dreams if I can help it. What is that supposed to mean?

I heard my dad leave for work and say he is interviewing a new Detective today and that he will bring him home for dinner if he hires him. My mom told my dad "Sheriff Wholeheart you big bear you better be careful. I love you and I will make sure Julia is dressed and doing better but I want to let her sleep for a few more hours." So last night was not a dream it really happened I tried to move but it felt like I was being restrained. The pain took a toll on me, I am pretty worn out. As I closed my eyes to sleep I thought of Detective O'Connor and if he has replied.

As quick as I closed my eyes he was there in my dream I could see him and hear him. He was pacing the floor of an apartment, I think it is his! He walked over to a computer and he said out loud "She said No! I know I felt the pull of an eternal mate closer than any time before. Could it be her? The one I have waited on for centuries?"  This is the weirdest dream of my life how can he not see me is he talking about me? What does he mean by centuries? I really need to stop reading those Vampire Novels they are making me have crazy dreams. I giggled loudly! Detective O'Connor jerked up like he heard me. Oh my, he is looking around. What do I do? How do I get out of here? Wait he is going to the computer I hope he is going to respond to my e-mail. Let me see if he is responding to me. I try to get closer over his shoulder I cannot see what he has written. Detective O'Connor has gotten up from the desk grabbed his jacket and said out loud "Enjoy" like he knew I was there, watching. Impossible so I turned to the computer to see what it was on the screen it read:

           

            Saturday 05/15/2013

Dear Julia,

               

Thanks for the compliment on my Detective skills. I must say my skills have gotten me pretty far in my

                Career thus far. I am glad you are confident in your decision of becoming a Homicide Detective. I hope

                To see you in the fall also in my class. I also hope you change your mind and come with me on a case soon.

I have to go I have a job interview today. Hope for the best and I will speak to you soon.... By the way I can feel you close!

               

Detective Redmond O'Connor

No way!!! How does he know I am here this is a dream this is not real what is going on? How can I test if this is real? Detective O'Connor has left if I can hit send so it goes to me I will see when I get up if it is really there or not. If it is Mr. and Mrs. Wholeheart have some explaining to do!

My mother is beside my bed shaking me awake "Julia, Julia, honey wake up you have slept the day away. Your dad has hired a new Detective and they are coming to dinner you need to get dressed." I stretched and remembered my dream. My mother see's the alarm on my face and asks me as she rushed to my side "What is it Julia? What is wrong? Did you travel in your dream?"

"Mother what does that mean? Did I travel yes I travel every time I dream but, but last night I cannot explain it, it was different." I shouted at her.

I have never raised my voice to my mother. Jacqueline Wholeheart was standing in front of me in complete and utter shock at the sound of my voice. She walks over to me placed her hand on my shoulder and shakes her head. Her head drops, when she picks her head back up she was crying.

"Mom, please tell me what is going on?" I say as I start to cry myself.

"I cannot explain yet in good time my dear in good time. Now get ready our guess will be here in a hour." she said as she shut my door.

Sitting at my desk, looking out my window for a good 20 minutes of confusion. I open my Mac computer to an email from Detective Redmond O'Connor. No it cannot be! There is no way that is impossible. As I double click the unread e-mail I come to realize it has been read only not now but in my dream this morning.......

Here is a glimpse at aome of Chapter 1: The Start of Events

The Start of Events

"Hello my name is Julia Wholeheart, from Coven Hurst." I said; as I shook the Dean of Admissions hand of my fourth University tour. It is a warm, sunny May afternoon. Mr. Marcus Johnson is the dean of admissions to my first choice college Coven Hurst University. Mr. Johnson looked like my grandfather short balding and around seven months pregnant. I laugh to myself but it actually makes me more comfortable since he looks so much like my grandfather.

"Miss.Wholeheart how are you? So nice to see you again! What area of study are you looking to major in?" Mr. Johnson asked. Very confidently after a few minutes I answer; "I would like to major in Psychology and minor in Criminal Justice! Also, I am doing great, excited to start a new chapter in life." Mr. Johnson looked curious "Um, Interesting and what is the exact career path you are looking to explore?” I looked him straight in the eyes, stood straight with my head held high and stated matter of factly "My ultimate goal is to become a Homicide Detective. I want to follow in my father’s footsteps."  Mr. Johnson smiled and said "I thought that is what you might say! Let me take you on a tour of the Psychology department." Mr. Johnson has known my father for many years, actually since my father has been the town Sheriff about 10 years now; he was a homicide detective with the Franklin County Sheriff Department for 15 years before that.

I finished my admissions application and handed it to Mrs. Adrienne Smith who was Mr. Johnson's secretary. She was a polite woman she looked to be around her mid 30's with reddish brown hair and big brown eyes. I swear I have seen her before I just cannot put my finger on where. I smiled at her and said "Thank you!" Mrs. Smith looked up at me with a large smile and said "You're welcome and good luck!" I turned from her and met Mr. Johnson in the Award Hall.

Mr. Johnson was standing in the award hall in front of a trophy case. He pointed out the many awards that the University has received for academics and sports. I giggled to myself over how he gloated over the sports awards namely Football! Mr. Johnson and I turned and continued on the tour of the University. We stopped in front of a pair of double doors Mr. Johnson opened the double doors to the Psychology Department. As I stepped through the doors into the hallway I got this feeling in the pit of my stomach that I have never felt before. It was not a sick to my stomach feeling or a cramping feeling, but it felt like I had a million butterflies rippling up my body. I was embarrassed of the sound that had come out of my mouth. Mr. Johnson gave me a look of astonishment. He walked down the hall ahead of me. When I got my bearings back together I found Mr. Johnson talking to a very handsome gentleman. Mr. Johnson looked at me over the gentleman’s shoulder and he turned to look at me as well.

OMG! he is so good lucking! I cannot help but think to myself. I felt my cheeks and ears start to burn as he turned towards me. The gentleman reached out his hand to take mine and what it looked like to me was as if he was bowing to me. As he stood he introduced himself to me in a silky kind of sexy Irish accent "Hello Miss. Wholeheart, my name is Redmond O'Connor I am the head of the Criminal Justice department." He maintains eye contact the whole time and the feeling in my stomach was getting stronger the more he looked at me. I could feel my cheeks heating up even more than before just from him staring at me. As I blinked myself back from embarrassment I said "Call me Julia, Mr. O'Connor I see that Mr. Johnson has been talking to you about me." He quickly corrected me and said "Call me Detective O'Connor." I was filled with excitement I wanted to sit and talk to him for hours about his career as a detective. But all I could think of was how young he looked to be the department head of Criminal Justice or a detective even.

"How much longer, until you graduate? And when will you be 19?" Detective O'Connor asked

How did he know I was not 19 yet! I thought to myself Duh Julia could it be that most potential students that tour the University have not graduated or turned 18 or 19. I laughed a little he gave me a confused look then bent to whisper with a smirk “It is the detective in me, sorry!"

"No, No worries! I graduate on my 19th birthday, next Saturday May 22nd. I guess you can say that I will truly walk into adulthood that day." I said.

He smiled and I blushed again. For some reason I did not want to walk away from him. Again I felt like I knew him from somewhere. He took my hand again and kissed the back of it.

“I hope to see you in my class soon. Good Luck!" He nodded and said as he walked away. I shivered and got the feeling that I missed him already.

Mr. Johnson and I finished the tour of the Psychology Department. I met Mrs. Claudia Rivera Department Head for Psychology. Mrs. Rivera is an interesting woman; she is in her mid-40, Hispanic, 3 children, husband of 18 yrs. and a Psychologist for 15yrs. The whole time she was speaking all I could think of was Detective O'Connor and the feeling I got around him and when I first walked into the Psychology Department What was that I have never felt that before I kept thinking. I shook Mr. Johnson's hand and said "Thank you for the tour of your wonderful University. I hope to hear from you soon with hopefully an acceptance letter." I smiled and walked back to my car. As I got to my car I looked around it felt like someone was watching me from close by.

As I pulled down the long drive to my house I could see that the kitchen and living room lights were on. That meant one thing people were starting to arrive for the weeklong event scheduled before my birthday/graduation. I parked my car next to my mom's 1965 Ford Mustang GT350 "James Dean" Model as she called it. My mother is 5'3", 160 lbs. of facts and heart. Mrs. Jacqueline Wholeheart, town Historian. She can give you the history on any person in town and the town itself. We live on our family’s farm in Coven Hurst, Ohio. My mother's great grandparents named the farm "Gypsy Cove" I still have not got the story behind the name. My mother says I will learn the story of our land at the right time. I would laugh she always made it seem like it was a secret. My mother loved the name I thought it was because her favorite song is "Gypsy" sung by Stevie Nicks. People around town would talk about it having a mystical meaning. Either Way I loved the name "Gypsy Cove" it just rolled off your tongue when you would say it.

Mrs. Wholeheart is up to her usual antics and gave the week of events a theme "A Trip Through Time". The night before my tour of the University she came to my room and told me "Julia, this week you will become a women. By the end of the week you will find out who you really are." Mrs. Jacqueline Wholeheart the woman that never cries started to shed a tear. She almost looked afraid of what I do not know. "Mom I will be fine! I have you and dad who have taught me to be the best person that I can be. Please do not cry." I shook as I felt scared myself to see mom that upset. My dad who was 6’5” & 295lbs of burly man comforted my mother it always made me laugh to see him engulf her into one of his bear hugs, because she basically disappeared. My father Dale Wholeheart was the town Sheriff. He kept the town in order he was a tough cop but as my father he was all love.

I walked up to the back door took a deep breath and opened the door. OMG! My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends where in the living room, kitchen, some even spread to the basement game room. "What is going on?" I asked as I walked in. Why did I open my big mouth? I was swarmed with hugs, kisses, and congratulations from everyone. I do not think I have said "Thank You!" so much in my life. Finally I made it to the bathroom. Shut and locked the door turned to look at myself in the mirror and stared at all the different shades of lipstick that was on my pale peachy cheeks. I looked at my hair that was a bluish black color in a high pony tail now it was completely mangled and falling out everywhere. I quickly fixed my hair and cleaned my face. Took a deep breath cracked the door found my opening and darted across to my room. Fell on my bed and thought "I will let mom and dad enjoy tonight". As I got ready to go to bed my phone chimed alerting me that I got an e-mail. So I walked to my desk and opened my Mac to bring up my e-mail. A feeling of surprise and excitement came to me as I looked on my screen to see an email from Detective O'Connor. The email read:

           

Friday 05/14/2013

        Dear Julia,

           

            My detective skills kicked in and I investigated the dean’s office and found your e-mail address.      

Congratulations and Happy Early Birthday. I wanted to contact you because we really did not

get to talk about your career path, and interest. I spoke to the dean in the hallway before you

came around the corner. Mr. Johnson mentioned you wanting to be a Homicide Detective if

you would like to go on a ride along to see if that is the career path you really want to pursue.

I hope to hear from you soon with your response.

Detective Redmond O'Connor

Am I in shock or am I supposed to feel this excited! Do I tell him I know for sure that I want this career I have been on plenty of ride a longs. Or do I tell him I would love to go with him just to see him again. But my body is reacting differently it is excited and tingling and the butterflies are back. What is this? Why am I feeling like this? I start writing my e-mail back to the Detective:

       

            Friday 05/14/2013

       

Dear Detective O'Connor,

           

            Thank you for your offer to have a glimpse into the career as a Detective. But I am positive that I

            Want to be a homicide detective. My father is the Sheriff of our town and I have done plenty of ride

            A long’s with my father. Very good detective work by the way! Thank you for the birthday wishes. Have

            a great evening and hope to see you in classes in the fall.

           

            Julia Wholeheart

I hit the send button very reluctantly and went to bed. I lay in my bed that is quite big for just one person but it is warm and cozy. I am freaking out wanting to know is he having the same feelings. Does he want to see me as bad as I want to see him? Why would a detective want to spend time with me a small town girl starting her college life in a few months? I cannot help to feel anxious about his reply. OMG, what did I do should I write back