The Forest Portal

Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy

By Melody Dempsey

Publisher : Publish America (Now America Star Books).

ABOUT Melody Dempsey

Melody Dempsey
My book, The Forest Portal was published on October 30, 2009 and released in December 30, 2009. The Forest Portal is a Science Fiction/Fantasy novel. Please feel free to visit my website! Enjoy!   You can learn more about my book and a little about me at my website: www.authormelodydempsey.com

Description

The Forest Portal tells the story of three teens as they embark on an amazing journey through time. Thrilled about the last day of school, Cameron Maine, his younger sister Collette, along with their friend Taden, decide to go to the beach for an afternoon of fun and relaxation, but Cameron has other plans he has not revealed to the other two. He tells them he wants help collecting seaweed, shells, and other seashore items. Taden questions his friend’s request, but reluctantly decides to lend a hand. Cameron has plans to develop a sealant that turns old wood new again. Taden, feeling doubtful about the plausibility of Cameron’s new project, soon discovers, along with Cameron and Collette, that the sealant actually turns out to be a paint that has the ability to turn wood bright rainbow colors. Excited, the three decide to paint some trees in a heavily wooded area behind Cameron and Collette’s house. The three soon discover that the two freshly painted trees have the ability to transport them into another time and another place. The trio find themselves probing even more into a bizarre dimension, deeper into the realm of an unknown world that they discovered, sending them on a journey that makes a summer they will never forget!

I have always enjoyed writing as a child and up int my teenage years. I used to get by myself and create adventures, taking myself through exciting and wonderful places and living vicariously through my characters. I stopped writing pretty much when I left home, as life took hold and I developed a life for myself. I used to write small stories during my free time, between working and the kids. I have two daughters, both grown now. In 2003, I started writing The Forest Portal. (I work in home health). There is a reason for me stating where I worked at that time and here is the reason. My patient was napping in her room and I had fished my work, ie. the Occupational Therapy assistance, assisting patient with her daily activities and other private care duties. I found myself becoming very disenchanted with the reading material available to me at my patients house, so I decided to start writing. With a pen in hand and a yellow legal table, (yes, this is what I wrote my first very rough draft on because I didn't have a laptop then). I took a few minutes to think about what I wanted to write about. I love Science Fiction/ Fantasy and started to think about time traveling. As I thought about the movies I h ave seen about time travel, the first being The Time Machine. Circa 1950's or 1960's. I don't remember the exact year as I was either not born yest if this movie was made before 1956, or if it was made in the 1960's, I was just a child. I actually saw this older back and white movie when I was around 14 or 15 years of age. By then, the movie had been around for awhile, I just don't remember ever seeing it until then. That movie was my very FIRST experience with seeing a time traveling adventure. As time went on and my interest grew, I found myself drawn to books and other movies concerning time travel. Back To The Future is really the biggest influence in my life and really "boosted" my interest in reintroducing me to the world of time traveling fantasy in film. I started writing my own story that day, back in 2003. I had about 4 or 5 pages written before it was my time to leave when my patient husband came to take over his wife's care. I found myself thinking about the story I had started as I traveled home. See, I was actually writing my novel, for my own pleasure then, but the more I worked on the story, the bigger it got, well, I found myself toying with the prospect of possibly getting this novel published. It took me a long time to write this book. My youngest daughter had to have major back surgery, (Spinal Fusion), in December of 2003.(I should note that I started my book in the spring of 2003). Unfortunately I had to putmy book on the back burner for awhile, but it was necessary. After my daughter was well enough to go back ot school in the spring of 2004, I too, went back to college and finished, earning my degree in 3 years. During that time, working full time, attending school full time and taking care of my daughter and handling taking care of a home and everything, I STILL managed to find time to work on my novel, albeit, not that often as I was very busy. I graduated from college in June of 2007, started working full time in a physician's office, (specialty), I was there for a long while. In 2009, I completed my book, sending it into several publishers. To my very happy and exciting surprise, my novel was accepted by four publishers! I was elated! I decided to publish with Publish America. My book was officially published in October of 2009 and released in December, 2009.

There are several reviews from fellow authors, as follwes:

Reviews on Amazon.com.
 
5.0 out of 5 stars The Forest Portal by Melody Dempsey was an exceptional fictional ..., July 26, 2014
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
The Forest Portal by Melody Dempsey was an exceptional fictional account of time travel and adventure. Cameron, his sister Collete, and her boyfriend, the inventive Taden, dare to enter the world of possibilities and consequences as we follow them through this well-written and fast paced book. I found I could not put it down until I had read it all and reached the truly surprising ending - which left me ready and looking forward to her next book. Two thumbs up and 5 stars Melody Dempsey- a truely talented and gifted author. jbm
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5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful adventurous read, February 3, 2014
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
"The Forest Portal" is a time-travel fantasy of three young people- brother and sister, Cam and Collete and their friend and later Collete's love-interest, Taden.

I really enjoyed this story. It is written in simple and descriptive style which makes it easy flowing and a faster read. In addition, there are loads of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages for more. There is also a little romance that had me tingling a bit. And it doesn't disappoint with a fabulous and surprising ending.

The concept of how the characters travel through time is so simple and ingenious that you'd wish it was real. Overall, an extremely fun adventurous book.
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, January 11, 2014
 
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
In this YA novel Dempsey has written a story centered around three main characters, Cameron, Collette and Taden. Just as the name indicates, there is a portal involved, and as with anything with a portal, there are a lot of twists and turns. There is time travel, wrong to be made right, new worlds to discover, etc. Take a seat, hold on fast, and get ready for the ride of your life, as you accompany these three characters on a summer they’ll never soon forget. For lovers of this genre, this is a great read.
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5.0 out of 5 stars A recommended read, November 18, 2013
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
From the first page I was engaged withe the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between the primary characters Cam and Collette, and their friend Tand. Like youth their age, they make mistakes, which brings their characters alive. The storyline is entertaining and the plot twists held my interest. The most interesting element was the moral dilemma that Cam faces.

I recommend reading this book by the fire with some hot chocolate! A perfect choice for a nite being buried in a book.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Fun & Easy Story, November 9, 2013
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
This is easily a 5 star book. It is written in a fun easy way about young people who face life's challenges in their own young way. This book reminds me of the saying that youth is wasted on the young. The characters and plot is so enjoyable that you can't help but feel part of the crew. Ms. Dempsey has a way with words and a style that is easily digestable. This is the type of story that you need when you want to unwind. Not too much, not too less but just the right amount of story telling. We are gently brought into each situation. Each one filled with fun, life lessons and the little twists of it all. Without giving anything away I must say that you will also enjoy the characters themselves as well as the great story telling. So, relax, curl up and enjoy being a teenager again in this wonderful forest portal.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read, October 27, 2013
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
The Forest Portal is a charming read, very descriptive. The three central characters, teenagers nearing their final schooldays, are very engaging and involving. You want them to do well, for their invention to work, and for me that is always a good thing with characters. It is an easy, enjoyable read that will bring a smile to your face. Suits all age ranges.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Enyoyable fun book, October 26, 2013
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This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
Really enjoying it. The characters are interesting and a fun bunch, makes you like them right at the beginning. To be able to relate too and enjoy the character make up, whether villain or friendly, is most important part for me. The adventure is also fun and holds my interest to see what will happen next. Good imagination
Ed
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5.0 out of 5 stars The Forest Portal, October 10, 2013
 
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
This book is a perfect read; nice and engaging without requiring too much focus. The writing flows well, and so means this book can be read rather quickly! The story is interesting, and shows teenagers acting their age, instead of giving a younger age to older characters. As is unusual for 'teen books' the relationship that begins to establish between two of the characters is placed aside, instead allowing an awesome plot to slide into place. Cliches are ignored for the most part, and with her final cliffhanger Dempsey has done an excellent job!
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5.0 out of 5 stars The Forest Portal, October 8, 2013
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
"The Forest Portal" by Melody Dempsey is a really fun book. The author leads the reader into the past by way of a seaweed and shell sealant that the main character Cam makes with the help of his sister Collette and their best friend Taden. What they end up creating isn't a sealant but a way into the past.

This is a great story with a little romance and a way to find out about their family history. They spend the summer going back and forth from present to past. There is plenty of twists and turns in this book that flows smoothly and keeps the pages turning.
I found the descriptions of the past that takes us to 1900's were accurate and well detailed.

In the end it appears there will be a next book which I'm sure will also be just as intriguing as this one and I can't wait to read it to find out where the author will lead us next.

I received this copy for an honest review and I would recommend "The Forest Portal" for a fun adventure for YA readers. I give this great read 5 stars.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Shining Star, October 4, 2013
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
The Forest Portal is about a trio who go on an adventure of their lives. The story grabbed my attention because first of all it involves three teens. I love books about teens. I find them to be so fascinating. These youths in this story are dynamic and determined. The oldest of the trio and the leader, Cam, is very open minded and has a very clear vision. He is not afraid to step outside of the box. He also loves a challenge. Nothing gets in his way, especially when he has his mind fixated on something. He is fearless and will go to all lengths to make something right, even if he has to risk is own life.

Yet, he's a really nice guy. If I had a daughter I would be tickled pink if she were to date him. I could really feel the love that he had for life and for his family. He is young and raring to make a difference. Cam has this brotherly energy about him that made me feel safe. He has such a big heart and I felt it throughout the entire story. On top of it all, the guy is brilliant and amazed me with some things.

The author is very descriptive in her writing. I read the passage below and really felt the moment. Very nice touch:

"Cam and Taden walked into the room.
They both stopped dead in their tracks.
Cam's face turned a pale pink;
he felt his blood freeze in veins. Taden felt his heart race;
a wave of light headedness blanketing him like a snow covered lawn."

The trio stumbles upon something very odd and unusual, on top of it all, mind blowing. They soon find themselves involved with something much deeper than they had envisioned. There is definitely more that what the eye sees. Instead of freaking out, they take charge of the situation. A person is in danger and Cam is not going to stand for that. There are lies caught in between. There are dangerous men involved who are not afraid to pull the trigger. They are guarding a secret. The question is whether these three can accomplish their mission alive. The other is whether they can do it unnoticed.

There are a lot of action and drama in the story. There is some blood too. Even injured, Cam still keeps on with his trek with his friends at his heels, even though at times the question his reasoning. I had to wonder if they were biting off more than they could chew.

I found myself glued to the story and was sitting on the edge of my seat at Cam's actions. Basically, the story kept me guessing throughout the entire time.

This story, too, has some romance in it, which I always love.

I really loved the story. Five stars.
 
5.0 out of 5 stars The Forest Portal, September 30, 2013
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Kindle Edition)
Combine the feeling of summer break with real magic, and you know you're going to have a good time. Cameron, Collette and Taden embark on an adventure that has them travelling time and crossing into a different dimension in this decent fantasy adventure novel.
The characters all had a personal journey that was well described and the story kept me entertained throughout. This book is good fun and an easy read so I have no problems recommending it. Five stars.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Temporial Teen Trouble, September 2, 2013
By 
Dean Saunders (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
 
This review is from: The Forest Portal (Paperback)
Melody Dempsey's young adult novel, The Forest Portal, is a story about three teens, Cam, Collette, and Taden, who discover a magical portal into the past. They travel back to the early 1900s and come across an injustice. The unforeseen problem is it has to do with Cam and Collette's family. If they change the past, it could ruin their future. Emotions run high, and choices are made. However, the teens have to deal with the consequences, forever.

The characters are flawed and relatable. The plot has twists and turns. It's an easy and engaging read. Check it out.