Prologue
We all go through life wondering if the old saying is true, “God has a plan for everyone. He made that special someone just for you. All you have to do is be patient and wait for him to reveal that one person to you.” We have no idea who that person may be, or if that person exists. Nevertheless, we go through life trying to find that someone to fulfill our meaning for life.
We go out with men and women who we know are not right for us. Like the guy who comes up to you in a club and says, “If your left thigh was Thanksgiving and your right thigh was Christmas, can I visit you in between the holidays?” You laugh, but end up dancing with the fool anyway. Yes, you are desperate. But you are also tired of being alone. Everyone around you seems to be going out and having a good time while you are sitting in the dorm room with a book on a Friday night. So which do you choose? Well, Tracy Alexandria Washington chose the book. The fool could spend the holidays by himself.
Tracy, the youngest of four children, was a quiet girl who spent most of her time in libraries. Any library would do; it didn’t matter, as long as there were endless books. She could get lost in them forever. Books were a comfort and escape from the day-to-day drama in her life. As long as a library was open, Tracy had a safe haven.
Home was empty these days for her. None of the love and laughter that surrounded her as a child existed under the roof she once shared with her parents, two sisters and brother. Within the short time span of one summer, she lost her oldest sister Valerie to a husband; her brother Turk to the street life; her sister Joan died and her father—well, he just disappeared. Now, only Tracy and her mother, Lena, lived together; or more like existed under the same roof together. It seemed Tracy was always doing something to upset her mother, so she stayed away as much as possible.
Tracy never really knew what happened to her sister Joan and did not see her sister Valerie too often, but her brother Turk would come by to check on her. Turk spent time teaching her things, like dancing, shooting pool or hitting three pointers on the basketball court. He gave Tracy the love and guidance she believed her father would have given, if he were home.
For some reason Lena blamed Tracy for her dad leaving and acted as if she hated the sight of her. Tracy was young and didn’t understand. For a while she tried everything she could to make her mom love her again, but it didn’t work. By the time Tracy reached high school, she simply gave up. She put all her time into studying to earn scholarships for college. Turk said he would help her if she did well in school. Tracy never asked how, but Turk always had money to do things. Therefore, if he said she could go to college, she believed him.
Tracy graduated from high school with honors and received scholarships, but not enough to attend Harmon University. But, true to his word, Turk was there in her time of need. You see, Harmon was a private university where, not all, but most girls went with the hope of meeting the next basketball player heading to the NBA, or maybe the next NFL prospect anticipating a signing bonus. Tracy, on the other hand, wanted to go there because it was away from home and it had an excellent five-year MBA program. The tuition was extremely high, but the biggest obstacle was the up-front cash needed to get in. Her scholarship money would not post to her account until later in the semester. Tracy had no idea where the money she needed was going to come from. But Harmon University was where she wanted to go. She didn’t know why, but in her heart she knew that was the only school for her.
Jeffrey Daniel Harrison, better known to all as JD, was an assistant district attorney with the city of Richmond, which had one of the highest per capita murder rates in the country. Most of the murders were gang related. The city was where he wanted to be. JD wanted to help clean up the city that his father lost his life protecting. His father died at the hands of a 14-year-old gang member. Now JD was responsible for the family his father left behind. Even though they were financially stable, it was up to him to keep the family united. His father would say to him, “No matter what, make sure you always take care of your family.”
James and Martha Harrison raised their children in a very loving environment. They would get their children up on Sunday mornings, have breakfast, and then head off to Sunday school and church. Afterwards, family and friends would come over for dinner. Both parents, or at the very least one parent, would be at every game JD had or at every recital Ashley, his little sister, performed. His parents had a strong sense of family and community values, and they showed it. As a police officer James Harrison was looked upon as the authority figure to the fatherless boys in the neighborhood. He tried to intervene whenever he saw one of the boys going in what one may call “the wrong direction.” Martha Harrison always had food on the table for the hungry and a pleasant word for anyone in need. JD and Ashley were raised to help others less fortunate than themselves. It was just a way of life for them. JD understood this and accepted the responsibility of looking out for others at a very young age. When his little sister would get into fights in school, usually for taking up for someone else, he would go to the school and argue her case until the principal simply got tired and gave in. Afterwards, he would go home and try to argue Ashley’s case with his mom; but that was a lost cause. Martha Harrison did not care who Ashley was taking up for, fighting was not the way to do it.
JD always had many friends. For some reason people always liked him; but none more than “the boys,” his friends Calvin, Brian and Douglas. They had been with him through the high school basketball championships, the football games and many other escapades that probably should never be mentioned. Calvin graduated from law school along with JD. He was the one voice of reason; he would get the boys to think about their actions before they got into trouble. Brian, who joined the FBI after college, was the protector. If you wanted a piece of the boys you had to go through him first. Douglas was the oldest and the one with the business mind. He started a promotional company after high school and now owned one of the most exclusive clubs in the city. JD could turn to any one of them in any situation and he knew they would have his back. To them, he was the one each of them looked up to for answers to just about every question. If you asked them, each would say, “That boy is going to run the country one day.” Whether it was business, law or women, they were there for each other.
Women: now that was one area where JD never seemed to have a problem. They seemed to come out of the woodwork for him. He never allowed any one woman to get too close. He had career plans to move up in the district attorney’s office. His focus was to eliminate or at the very least reduce gang activity in the city. It was the only way he knew to honor his dad’s life. There was no time for the drama women brought with them. Whenever his current girlfriend began with the drama, he would let her go. In a nice way, of course, but she had to go.
Presently, JD’s problem was convincing the admissions counselor that his little sister was Harmon University material. Her grades were fine, as were her S.A.T. scores. However, the extracurricular activities that had landed her on the suspension list in high school more than once was not quite what Harmon University was looking for in a potential student. But Ashley had her heart set on Harmon, since some of her friends were going there. She begged JD to get her in. He was usually firm with women, but when it came to his little sister he could not say no. Fortunately for her, the admission counselor was a female. He worked his magic and got Ashley in at the last minute. Little did JD know, it was more his destiny for Ashley to be at Harmon than it was hers.
(copyright by Iris Bolling 2008)
I just loved this book. This book have become my favorite book. I feel in love with Tracy and JD’s characters. The supporting characters were great in the story as well. I have a lot of favorites in this book. One of them was when Tracy and Turk see each other before Turk goes to jail. Another part that was my favorite was when Tracy and Brian are in the hotel. I also like the other part when Tracy is getting out the hospital. I loved the entire book and I never tire from reading it.
Hello Roxanna – The scene with Brian and Tracy at the hotel had me laughing so hard. It was ridiculous how long it took me to complete the scene. Brain’s reaction to Tracy request was so vivid in my head. I was really concerned that I would not be able to put it into words for anyone else to understand the torment the poor man was going through. LOL! The angel and the devil had a real battle going on there.
In the scene where Tracy was released from the hospital and had the run in with the reporter, established her as a woman that had her man’s back and could handle the press when she had too. As for Turk, he is a very special man. And in the last book of the series, he finally takes front seat in the love arena. In all the previous books, Turk was a background figure, looking out for everyone else. Well, he does the same in The Heart, but this time he gets to have a little love in his life.
Thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget to send a friend.
The question was what was you the scene that made you sad from the book Once You’ve Touch The Heart. Well there are two scenes for me the first was was when JD got shot in the court room protecting Tracy and when Tracy was attacked and beaten badly.. Those two scenes really brought tears to my eyes.. I really love the Heart Series and i have told every one about the Heart Series. They are the type of books that you can read over again. Trying to wait patiently for the next book.
Donnie; Both of those scenes were hard to write. I had to stop several times, to wipe tears away. Between the two, the one where Tracy was attacked was the hardest to get through. I wanted to show JD’s weakness and his strength during that scene. While they were in the abumlance, he faith made him believed she would survive. But the man fell to his knees when he was told about the baby. Wow! just talking about that scene still bring tears to my eyes.
It’s wonderful to know the story touched you in the way it was meant too. Thank you for stopping by. Send a friend.
The scene that really got to me was the first time JD saw Tracy and his reaction. Then there was the immediate attraction for the both of them. I really could talk all night about this book, It was so well written and a page turner, I can’t capture all the things that I would like to say.
Thanks Iris, can’t wait for the next one.
Thanks for stopping by Evelyn. There are some wonderful parts to this story. I love the way JD began to realize he was attracted to Tracy when they were in his home office and she was explaining his new filling system to him. I really liked the conversation about the “propensity for violence” they had in the kitchen that first weekend. I think that was really when the two connected. I’m glad know you enjoyed the story. Send a friend by.
My favorite scene that touched my heart in, Once You’ve Touch The Heart, it’s so many, but I really loved the scene when all of the friends came over after Tracy got out of the hospital. Everyone pitched in to decorate the house and prepare the feast. The closeness of all of them showed what real and true friendship should be like. Everyone was there to help their falling friend and one of them (Cynthia) realized she didn’t need to be so cut throat all the time. That scene demonstrated how when something happens to someone in the group, it affects the whole group and it will take each of them to help make the group whole and happy again!
Hello Rana;
Friendship and family is the glue that ties this entire series together. From Turk and his love for his sister to JD, Brian, Douglas, and Calvin, then of course the ladies, Tracy, Ashley, Roz and Cynthia. All of thier relationships was based on love of their friends. And it shows when both JD and Tracy takes a fall. That scene was also where James really got everyone to thinking about JD as a serious political figure. But isn’t that the way decissions are usually made—around someone’s dinner table?
Thanks for stopping by.
Iris
This book was a real page turner. I couldn’t put it down. There were sooo many scenes that I enjoyed. I really liked the part where JD was fighting his feelings for Tracy. He knew she was someone special but had not really felt that way about a woman before. On the other hand Tracy really liked JD and wanted soo much to make him see her as a woman and not as his sister’s friend. This book is all about family and friendship. The love between Turk and Tracy, the entire Harrison family and the circle of JD’s and Ashley’s
friends.
I had read the first 4 books last year with the book club that I am. I couldn’t do anything, but read the books. They traveled along with me, in the kitchen, bathroom, work, etc. I think the scene that I liked was how Tracy and JD met. Noth os them were young couples starting out in a relationship. JD had more experience than Tracy and protected her to the better end. He was a man of good character who know how to take care of her like he should. Tracy was accepted by all of his family members, which sometimes is hard in a family. The sister always give the brother’s girlfriend a hard time if she doesn’t care for her brother’s girlfriend.
The scene that touched my heart in Once You’ve Touched the Heart was between JD and Tracy’s brother when they met to strategize how to protect Tracy and keep her safe.
The whole book was wonderful. The best part was Tracy and JD realizing that they loved each other. Its always great to believe that opposites attract and that true love can exist. Love does conquer all in some cases. Great job Aunt Iris you truly are the best.
During the reading of this book you can really see yourself. Tracy ‘s home life was something for you to think about where she came from. How her brother took care of her, what her mother did to her, how she saw herself, how she stood the test but most important how she found true love. I have read all of these books I need to hold out until the next book did not wnat to stop reading looking forward tot he next book keep them coming.
The scene that I liked most in Once You’ve Touched the Heart is when Tracy and J D got married.
They went through so much with Carolyn and her bad behavior & attitude. She made Tracy doubt herself, but with J D’s love, Tracy overcame her feelings of insecurity.l
However, in the end, love prevailed and Tracy got her man.
There are so many scenes in this book that touched my heart. But the scene with Brian and Tracy in the hotel spoke volumes. In that encounter, the love that Brian had for his friend magnified and he created a friendship, love and true respect for Tracy that night. But for your boyfriends’s best friend to hold you as you sleep to comfort you….. Whew!!! Also, when Tracy asked Cynthia to be a bridesmaid, it showed how love will always overcome jealousy, envy and malice. This book has made me a fan for life!
I loved this series. Tracy and JD were meant to be together, but timing is everything. My favorite scenes were when Tracy asked Brian to show her how to please JD and when the pastor spoke before the wedding about his phone converstion with JD years before. To know that someone is suppose to be in your life, but to let them go must have been hard. God is an awesome God! Thank you so much for this series and I look forward to your future work!!!
Honestly speaking when I first saw the first book I wasn’t sure about it. One day I decided to read it. Could not put it down. Bought the others and read them all within seven days. I ave read many stories, but those were the greatest. In the first novel the part that touched me the most was when Tracy was attacked. It frightened me to death. I prayed for her to live. I knew the story was fiction. I have told so many people about the series and cannot wait for The Heart to be released. Until then I’ll be waiting anxiously.
Sandra.
Thank you so much for giving Once You’ve Touched The Heart a chance, a well as the others. I can tell you, I cried while I was writing that scence, so I understand you feelings. Please continue to share your thoughts on the novel with others. I think it carries so much more meaning with another reader tells them a story is good. Thank you can
Iris
The first book I read was JD and Tracey’s story. After completing I went and purchased all of the Heart Series published so far including Heaven’s Gate. I have been reading African American Romances since 1998 and have a few favorites whose books I keep, you should know you have joined the favorite few and I will hold on and re-read your books whenever I need up-lifting. They are so real, the characters are wonderful and have flaws.
Thank You for your wonderful books, you keep writing and I will keep buying and supporting and speading the word for the sisters to get their own books.
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