The Land Beyond the Portal

by J.S. Bailey

As Laura placed her left foot on the floor, something clicked and a low, humming vibration filled the room. Suddenly she was surrounded by an intense, blinding white light, and she was gone.

It's a dark, snowy night when Laura awakens at the bottom of a staircase with a horrible headache and no idea how she got there. To make matters worse, she is alone in the house, snowed in by a blizzard, with no way to call for help. While exploring the house in a desperate attempt to trigger the return of her memory, she discovers a small room beneath the basement. She steps inside, and an unknown force instantly transports her to a mysterious, pastoral land.

She finds a quaint village that at first glance seems like a peaceful place; but Laura soon learns that peace is merely an illusion. Why are terrible rumors circulating about the village's leader? Why do the villagers worship a sinister deity who bears no resemblance to her own powerful and loving God? Most importantly, will she ever remember who she is and find her way home? In her quest for answers, she uncovers a myriad of forbidden secrets that might keep her trapped in The Land Beyond the Portal.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Science Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Speculative Fiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2011

About the author

J. S. Bailey enjoys writing speculative tales that keep readers on the edges of their seats. She has published eight novels and twenty-two short stories, with more on the way. Bailey is fond of long walks in the woods, British television, and lots of burritos. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband and cats.

Follow her on social media to keep up with her upcoming releases:

https://www.facebook.com/jsbaileywrites

https://www.instagram.com/jsbailey_au...

https://twitter.com/jsbailey_author

Reviews

[J.S. Bailey]

I wrote this novel. That means I'm obligated to give it five stars whether or not it deserves the honor. But I hope that many of you will enjoy The Land Beyond the Portal so much that you will feel as if five stars are insufficient to rate the quality of this book. ;) Happy reading!

~J. S.

[Janie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I must say was the most magical book I have read in years. I was glued to it the whole time. I was able to read it in a matter of hours. It was a fast, relaxing read, and I thorougly enjoyed every bit of it.

This book has a bit of everything in it. Mystery, love, adventure and so much more. It was a very captivating story and the characters were so refreshing to read about, and so different. I instantly fell in love with just about all of them especially Laura!

A girl who has enough faith to deliver an entire town out the clutches of an insane evil false diety. While she herself struggles to regain her memory and some semblance of her own life. This is a definite treasure and I will remember it for a very long time. I would recommend this to anyone!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book at the recommendation of many and as part of the Dare to Dream group reading challenge. I found the story intriguing and similar to The Chronicles of Narnia, which I love dearly. Like Narnia, this story does have Christian themes in the adventure, but again like Narnia, the adventure can be enjoyed even if you are not religious. I felt the author created a very great setting and I am hoping there will be a sequel so I can visit The Land Beyond the Portal again. This story reminded me of recent books by my favorite author, Dean Koontz, including Odd Apocalypse and 77 Shadow Street.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A charming brick house sat in the mountains like a mother bird in her nest. It usually looked cozy and welcoming to motorists who happened to pass through, admiring the beauty of the Appalachians. However, the house had become almost invisible from the powerful snowstorm that was dumping inch after inch of icy precipitation on the range. Entire trees leaned to the side, their limbs drooping under the weight of the snow. The lane leading to the house was completely buried. A howling wind ripped through the air and sculpted the snow into mighty drifts."

Thus begins J.S. Bailey's debut novel, The Land Beyond the Portal and an impressive one at that. But I digress..

Having previously read her latest work, Rage's Echo, in the fall of 2013, I went into Portal blind, never knowing what to expect. And in ways that only she can convincingly pull off, Bailey has written a mesmerizing tale of redemption, loss, the puissance of forgiveness, and amongst other things, the beauty of God's infinite love. She writes seamlessly, almost like she's trying to make her job appear easy. Anyone that can do that is a rock star, in my book!

Thematics aside, Portal is ultimately the story of our protagonist, Laura, and her unique journey. More than anything, it's her journey that sold me, astounded, fascinated, and kept me flipping the pages.


I felt an almost equal fondness for Eliza's character. Throughout the text, Bailey plays with concepts of sanity, and subtly poses profound questions, like: are we all just a little unstable, insane perhaps? Are individuals like Eliza truly insane, or are most of us just better at hiding mental illness than others? Is she simply her own person, or is she certifiably crazy? Personally, I think we're all a little off our rockers at times, and the picture of stability at others. It just depends on our moods, circumstances, and a myriad of various factors.
I don't believe in normalcy. Bailey seems to be asking why we should we be treated like the common criminal just because we're different. Why should the mere mention of a name or our appearance repulse the masses? I say, embrace your inner beauty. Be yourself, the majestic person that God created us all to be!


Surprisingly, the antagonist, Litchfield, an individual shrouded in mystery up until the end, captivated me like none other. A cunning man of science who arrogantly strives for immortality, Litchfield carries himself like some kind of deity. He's referred to as "the Creator," in fact, a reality that doesn't sit well with Laura, at all.
A nice touch on Bailey's part, she implements and fully utilizes a series of journal entries, personally penned by Litchfield. By reading his words, the reader is treated to a glimpse of our future world (though it takes place in his past.) He describes some of the tribulations that said world endured, and what he was willing to do in order to save it, and himself. His means may not be just, but I can see it from his side, too. I sympathize.


Last but not least, I'd like to discuss the portals themselves. Presently, there isn't a whole lot known about them (hint hint, J.S.:) ) However, what is known fascinates me very much, and I want to know more. If I've piqued your interest in any way, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this dazzling, magical adventure today!


Overall, I'm impressed. The writing's good, and the magical overtones make it all the more captivating and exciting. Bailey did have a tendency to be pretty verbose at times, and her grammatical prowess isn't what it could have been, IMO, but all that is probably largely due to her young age and lack of novel writing experience. Having said that, the characters are very likable and-- Laura especially-- matured exponentially. But it's more than that: these characters are lovingly developed in a subtle fashion, in ways I can't quite process. I grew to adore and deeply respect every one of them... even Litchfield!


In comparison to Rage's Echo, I enjoyed the two equally. Story-wise, her debut took me away to that other world. I could have never anticipated that. The quality of writing displayed in the latter is far superior.

J.S., you have grown SOOO much!!!

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a dark, snowy night when Laura awakens at the bottom of the staircase with a horrible headache and no idea how she got there. To make matters worse, she is alone in the house, snowed in by a blizzard, with no way to call for help. While exploring the house in a desperate attempt to trigger the return of her memory, she discovers a small room beneath the basement. She steps inside, and an unknown force instantly transports her to a mysterious, pastoral land.

She finds a quaint village that at first glance seems like a peaceful place; but Laura soon learns that peace is merely an illusion. Why are terrible rumors circulating about the village's leader? Why do the villagers worship a sinister deity who bears no resemblance to her own powerful and loving God? Most importantly, will she ever remember who she is and find her way home? In her quest for answers, she uncovers a myriad of forbidden secrets that might keep her trapped in The Land Beyond The Portal. (excerpt back cover).

In the debut novel from J.S. Bailey, The Land Beyond The Portal, she eloquently weaves a magical story that draws the reader into the land beyond the portal, to that of Sparkling Falls. Here she finds that she is living in a different time frame and one that appears to be from the past. Laura is befriended by a two small children who find her wandering alone in the forest. Still not knowing who she is, she finds comfort in the Owens family who offers her a place to stay in their home. The Owens family are considered the nobility of the town and thus are still dealing with a tragic loss of their younger son who wandered away one night.

Now the town learns of rumors being spread that the Owens family wants the number of children limited to just two in each family, and people wonder if their younger child was killed or murdered by their father. Laura can't accept the rumors and stands to defend the family against those that want to remove him from power in the town. The one thing she isn't expecting is the one person the town worships, who goes by the name of Litchfield, is about to make her life very difficult since coming to Sparkling Falls. She will have to learn to trust God to help her figure out just what sinister evil is lurking beyond the borders of this land.

I received this book compliments of J.S. Bailey for my honest review and was completely drawn into the fantasy world she created in her debut novel. I wasn't quite sure where this was going, or how it would wind up and found myself second guessing the outcome before I got to the end. Boy was I ever wrong. She keeps the reader wondering just how this will all tie together before the book ends and keeps them engaged in the story and characters til the end. My only disappointment, is that I finished it. Now I'll definitely be looking for more from J.S. Bailey in the future. If you love a bit of Science Fiction and Fantasy to your reading genre, then this is not one to be missed. A perfect 5 out of 5 stars!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Very well written and I can't wait for the author to write more!

[Margaret Metz · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some very inventive and creative twists to this plot as well as some very obvious nods to iconic literary legends like Narnia. Most of the time the action kept the plot moving at a good pace.

There were some inconsistencies that nagged at me - some more than others. One was that despite her coming through a portal (and their knowledge that others had as well) it was evidently never considered that the royal family's son may have accidentally fallen into one - instead of all the foul ends they dream up as rumors.

The faith aspect was somewhat confusing as well. Litchfield is set up as a false god and she is warned that the people are brainwashed into this all encompassing faith of him -- but little is mentioned about it. Most of the people don't mention him at all unless she asks. Her own faith is supposed to be strong but there isn't any mention of it in the beginning - very little in the middle - and suddenly she is wanting to evangelize everyone at the end.

Her memory loss was unusual. She found a name and thought it sounded like her - or didn't - and adopted it. She couldn't remember her past or what happened, but remembered musical pieces and things like that. She remembered geographical features as well ... I'm no expert - and it was never explained how or why that could happen so it just felt off.

Without giving anything away, the author's premise of how Laura ended up where she did (as well as the rest of the people) was creative and interesting. The book is fairly short -- maybe it would have been even better had there been more time spent developing her ideas and characters.

The publisher provided me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://addictedtonovels.blogspot.com/

Right off the story reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia series and then I thought it was kind of funny when the Narnia series was mentioned in the book lol. This isn't my normal type of book to read, but it was a lot better than a lot of stuff I've read. The story is so different and it sucks you in right away. There's so much mystery, so many things that happen and leave you wondering! It's definitely one of those books you just cannot figure out what's gonna happen next and keeps you guessing, never knowing what's gonna be around the corner. All the many loose ends come together very nicely at the end and a lot of answers explained. J.S. Bailey did an amazing job with this novel, the writing, the telling of the story is so well written, you can clearly see things in your mind without having to go back and re-read anything, because it didn't make sense the first time. I was never bored reading it, I enjoyed this book sssoo much! It doesn't jam the religious aspect down your throat like some books do. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for something different and really enjoyable to read!

[Danell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It was my first time reading J.S. Bailey, looking forward to reading more of her work!

[D.M. Kilgore · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, just a wee little bit of a "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" vibe underlies this thoroughly modern, sort of sci-fi-ish story that is both creatively constructed and uniquely written- as only J.S. Bailey can do. She definitely has her very own voice no matter what she is writing, and it's like no other author I've come across yet. There may not be a lot of magical beings, as the characters are imperfectly human through and through, but the portal to another realm is a completely enjoyable concept that I've always loved to discover within the pages of a book. I can't say much for fear of giving away too much, and I'd hate to ruin this story for anyone. It's a great read with some pretty intriguing ideas that end in unexpected ways you sure didn't see coming. I was not at all surprised with the way it was written or the way that it ended, as I've read the author's other works before... but if this is your first Bailey tale, you'll find it pleasantly surprising both in the way it is crafted and the story concept itself. She has progressed with each story she has written, carefully crafting all that makes her unique and wonderfully individual as an author. There just isn't anyone else out there writing stories like this. Very refreshing and definitely worth stepping outside of your comfort zones to experience.

[Michael Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading J.S. Bailey's The Land Beyond the Portal. I was pleasantly surprised. A fresh take on the themes of ...well, I don't want to say because I don't want to give away exactly what the "portal" is. Suffice it to say, there are some unexpected scenarios that play out. I was going to give this a four-star rating. Why? The book started a bit slow for me. For me, granted, not for every reader. The book centered around Laura, a fourteen year old girl, and as such, there were some 14-year-old approaches to questioning things that occurred in the plot. Still, there was enough wonderful weirdness woven in and dangling threads taunting me that I kept at it. I originally started reading the book because the author is another Tate author that I've gotten to know a bit. But before I got to page 100 I was reading because the mystery had pulled me in and the story's pacing kept me guessing. I became intrigued and really WANTED to know how it would all come together. So, I recommend this book to readers who like a bit of sci-fi with their mystery, Well done, easy read, engrossing story, all loose ends effectively tied and very thought-provoking themes. Thanks Jen!

[Patricia Kemp Blackmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura takes a fall down the stairs. She awakens at the foot of the stairs with a headache and a rather large bump on her head. As she tries to get her bearings she realizes she has no idea as to who or where she is. Exploring the house she stumble into the basement and through a hidden door. As soon as she steps inside she is transported through a portal into a land of greenery unlike the snow covered landscape she just left.

This is when things become even stranger for Laura. She is found by two children who are dressed out of the ordinary from herself. They take her to a small village. The author keeps you guessing as to what in their world is going to happen next. Laura makes friends but wasn't sure who to trust in the village.

I loved the ending and anticipate the next book. I will be gifting this book to my teenage grandkids. I think they will enjoy the book even more than I did.

I rate this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author . I was in no way compensated for my review it is my own opinion.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a genre-straddling novel if ever there was one. Mystery, adventure, fantasy and time travel science fiction converge in a compelling tale of a young woman who is suffering from amnesia and mysteriously transported through a portal into a different time.

Laura, the charming protagonist, makes new friends and explores a village that is simultaneously enchanting and eerie. This debut novel has many surprising plot twists as Laura uncovers the source of the mysterious troubles that disturb the bucolic setting. J.S. Bailey sometimes delves into complex modern issues such as government family planning policies that try to limit births and abuses of reproductive technologies. Yet most of the story focuses on how Laura and others use faith in God and ingenuity to solve a seemingly overwhelming set of problems.

With a cast of youthful characters, this story will appeal to teenagers and adults alike.

[Rhonda Kooyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend everyone to place The Land Beyond The Portal at the top of their reading list. It is a pure mystical, delight. The page turner takes you on a journey alongside of young Laura, whose time travel lands her into a terrestrial mysterious wonderland. Laura ends up fighting her own kind of Goliath as she is determine to win the battle between good and evil. The reader finds themselves cheering on this modern day heroine as she takes on her quest from God to destroy the evil false Deity that held the souls of the villager's captive. J.S. Bailey's writing style is pleasantly unique with a fresh crispness to detail. She pulls her reading audience in with suspense and leaves them wanting more.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely have a chance to read, but, I'm so glad I made time for this one! The Land Beyond the Portal was a fun book that kept me guessing until the end. I would like to know the characters a bit better, and I'm thrilled the author staged the ending so that their stories can continue! (Hint Hint!)

If you are an Alice in Wonderland/Narnia fan, you'll love it!

[Dawn W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really well constructed world and story line. The author will pull you in so you cannot put the book down.

This book is suitable for tweens on up.

[Melissa]

The book touches on so many different topics: time travel, religion, cults, prejudice, coming of age, family loss/grief. Fascinating interweaving among the characters with a very satisfying ending.

[Kevin Hughes · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author of this novel sent me a free copy to review. (Goodreads is so neat!) So here's my take, the good and the bad...

This debut novel is very much in the tradition of Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It is a story of a young person who discovers her way into another world. She will make both friends and enemies, and she will find she has a part to play in rolling back a long-triumphant darkness in that strange place.

However, the parallels with Lewis's work end there. I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say there are no nymphs, satyrs, centaurs, or dwarves in this book. In fact, despite taking place in a scenic pastoral village, the whole story is firmly modern, grounded more in the genre of science fiction than in fantasy. It is a story in which the cold reality of science and the warm light of human personhood give all the color and variety necessary to sustain a good story. The reader may be surprised to come to the end of the book and find that the author hasn't resorted to using magic to explain anything. And in fact, somewhere along the way, you stop expecting it, without losing any interest in the story.

The plot, overall, shows the evidence of hard work and diligence by the author. You get the impression, even early on when the story is moving slowly, that a groundwork is being laid to support what comes later on. And when the main action does kick into gear, things move along at a nice satisfying pace, the conflict is sustained for (I think) just the right number of pages, and all the loose threads are wrapped up at the end with a couple of nice surprises that are not too surprising, but not too obvious either, The end.

So.

Criticisms:

We don't have quite enough of the inner life of our main character. What is she thinking? How does she feel about things? Why doesn't she grab Rochelle by the arm and interrogate her more forcefully in the very beginning? How do her feelings about being stranded in a strange world change over time? We're given a little bit, but we need more. Here I think the author was perhaps trying to avoid digressions, but in fact we could have used one or two digressions, especially early on, in order to really get to know Laura. We need to understand her motivation. This problem reaches a peak when she finds the portal that would take her home, and walks away from it instead. Reasons are given, but they seem confusing and inadequate.

Ditto for the young fellow that ends up as a love interest. Sure, we get into how his parents died when he was young, but I want to know what he is like now. Who is he? What does she like about him? We are told that he's hunky and that's about it. There are several other characters in the book that are well-developed by comparison, so it ends up seeming weird that our main character kissed this random guy we don't know. Maybe I'm just not the target audience? Ha ha.

In general, the book is weakest when people are talking. I think polishing the dialogue would go a long way towards firming up our impressions of the characters, and helping the reader settle themselves comfortably into a suspension of disbelief.

[Bob James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura is seeking to find herself. A bout of injury induced amnesia has left Laura clueless about everything but her first name. Stuck in an old house in the middle of a blizzard, she looks around the house trying to find anything she can about herself. When she gets to the basement she discovers a room below the basement. As she walks into the room an unknown force transports her to a warm summer day in the middle of a pasture.

She is discovered by a young boy who, with his sister, has wandered farther than he should have while exploring. As Laura enters what appears to be a quaint medieval village she begins a journey that moves from trying to discover her own identity to unlocking the mysteries of the village. She is taken in by the village’s benevolent leader, only to find that many do not see him as benevolent as the rumors start flying about him. The rumor mill appears to be an attempt to replace him. The villagers talk in glowing terms of their deity, but underneath their praise is a strong measure of fear. What happened to the village leader’s boy who disappeared years ago? What happened to his daughter who disappears at the festival in honor of the village deity? As Laura seeks to unlock those mysteries, and prove that the village leader didn’t murder his missing daughter she also has the seemingly impossible task of finding her way back home.

As the book concludes, all of the loose ends are tied together as Laura and the other time travelers lead their friends to discover the truth behind the village deity, the ugly rumors about the village leader and how people are traveling in time. They also discover the location where the daughter had been spirited away, uncover the mystery of the missing son and ultimately who Laura really is.
Bailey sets an amazing web of confusion in this book that ultimately resolves satisfactorily in the end. One of the best messages that I got from this book is the reminder that God is present wherever and whenever you might be. Another time traveler reminds Laura of her love of the true God and under the power of prayer they embark together on some dangerous journeys seeking to solve the mysteries. Some of the people whom Laura thought she could trust turned out to be involved with the evil influence in the land and others turn out to be quite different and more helpful than they first appear.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It has good characterization and the descriptions of the valley where the village is located make you feel like you are actually there. Even more than that though is a story line that draws you in and makes you wonder what will happen next. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop reading until I was finished. If you’re looking for a fun read that touches on suspense, hints at the paranormal and even includes science fiction, this is a book you will love.

[Dana Rongione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alone in an old house with no connection to the outside world, Laura replays the tragic accident over and over in her head. The ring of a phone startles her from her thoughts and forces her to run toward the source of the ringing. In her haste, she tumbles down the stairs, knocking herself unconscious. When she awakes, she has no idea who she is, where she is, or how she ended up at the bottom of the stairs. Little does she know, however, that her journey of intrigue has only just begun.

In her efforts to search the house, Laura stumbles upon a portal that transports her to a quaint village that harbors its own secrets and mysteries. Overall, the people seem kind enough, but there is an undercurrent of malice and discontentment that forces Laura to seek out the truth, even if it means putting her own life on the line.

J.S. Bailey created a masterpiece with this spell-weaving tale of mystery, fantasy and science fiction. The book was a real page-turner, and each page unfolded a new twist that made me cry, "Huh?" Bailey literally dumps you in the middle of a story, giving you enough information to follow along, but not enough to figure out what's going to happen next. And nothing could have prepared me for the ending! Just when I thought the story was about to wrap up, Bailey threw in one last surprise. The Land Beyond the Portal was one of those books that I just couldn't put down, but when I was done, I was sorry to have finished it so quickly.

I don't think I've ever read a book with such a thorough and well-balanced blend of Christianity, mystery, fantasy and science fiction. Typically books fall into one genre or another, but somehow Bailey pulled off a blending that is sure to satisfy readers of all ages and tastes.

The only negative comment I have about the book is that a couple of the characters (even the "good guys") occasionally took the Lord's name in vain. In my mind, that is the way of the world, and a Christian should know better than to disrespect God by using His name in such a way. I feel it has no place in a Christian work, for as Christians, we should be set apart from the world.

All in all, however, if you're looking for a clean book with detailed characters and an intriguing plot, The Land Beyond the Portal is for you. Get a copy today, but make sure you have plenty of time for reading, for once you start, you won't want to put it down!

[Lyle Scott Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though Sparkling Falls is located in a parallel time continuum, there’s still a sense of modernity, if not in automation, at least in language. Laura, the misplaced protagonist in J.S. Bailey’s “The Land Beyond the Portal”, is quickly at ease with the village’s habitants, speaking the same language and, at times, trading one-liners common in today’s youthful vocabulary. It’s the sort of banter that gives the story’s setting a realistic feel in spite of the shroud of eeriness the citizens reside under.

Since Laura is not the first lost person to travel through one of the portals found in the nearby woods, the citizens quickly accept her into the fold. Laura’s loss of memory helps her adapt, blending into this new culture. And dreams and recollections of who she may be eventually become secondary during her stay, as there are plenty of mysteries in her new world to keep her occupied.

A high infant mortality rate, lost children, and rumors of birthing quotas mar an otherwise small and peaceful enclave, presumably surrounded by endless forests. A deity named Litchfield, visible in Oz-ian form, has long since set the rules governing the citizens, and an annual celebration in his name is considered sacred. The story invokes images of Jonestown and Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, as there’s this sense of a more than progressive society that has somehow been both hijacked and stymied by superstition and belief in a false god.

Sensing something sinister at hand, and mindful of her own Christian background, Laura is unable to abide by the required rituals and solemnity demanded by Litchfield and his cronies. The missing of one of her host family’s siblings spurs Laura into action, as she and two of her new friends venture into the ominous wilderness. Their discovery answers many questions while compelling them to consider organizing and rising against their benefactor.

The oft-introductions of so many characters may not be presented in a so-and-so-begat-so-and-so format, but their inclusion does tend to stall things early on, as a number of them are injected with little or no background of consequence. However, the discerning reader should be able to steam ahead while remaining focused on Laura and the building suspense surrounding the missing child, the story behind her new world, and the answers surrounding her identity, the conclusions of all of which will not disappoint.

[Cheryl Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love surprises, don’t you? Often times as readers, we start reading a book and know what we are in for, it’s predictable and that’s ok, there’s safety in that. But every once in awhile you read a story that is going along and all of a sudden takes a left turn when you were expecting a right. I think that is pretty fun as a reader- I like surprises. I find that be true in J. S.Bailey’s book The Land Beyond the portal.
Honestly as this book started out I thought,”Oh this is charming, sort of a sweet fantasy YA type read”, but then as things keep going it switches genre’s on me. I’m not going to give away which direction this story goes, but it was a fun change of pace that I wasn’t expecting. The heroine Laura falls through her own rabbit hole of sorts and winds up in a different land with a huge bump on her head and no memory of who she is. Thanks to a class ring, she knows her name, but that’s about it. As she comes to meet different people in this land called Sparkling Falls, she finds that she isn’t in Kansas anymore (not that she was from Kansas or remembers anything about where she was from). Just had to give a nod to the Wizard of Oz as the author has a scene reminiscent of the “wizard” in the form of a large projection of their deity Litchfield, who turns out to be not so God-like at all. I really don’t want to give away too much of the storyline so that you the reader have the opportunity to really enjoy this story and see how the author takes you in a completely different direction than what I had originally thought.
I thought the storyline was interesting and kept my interest. I would have liked to have known the character of Laura just a wee bit more. I think perhaps a few more flashbacks might have accomplished that, just to really get at what makes Laura tick and her motivations, particularly with regards to her faith. She definitely had faith, but I think that part of her character might have been explored a bit more to round her out. This was a good YA read that I am now going to pass on to my teenage daughter and I hope that J.S.Bailey continues to write, her imagination is full.
4 stars

I was graciously provided a free copy of this book for review purposes from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within the first three paragraphs, I was caught up in the story. This was going to be a mystery. It compelled me to continue reading until the wee hours (4 a.m.) This fact was even more unusual for me...it was not of my favorite genre.

A young lady/girl is thrown down the stairs and then we, the readers, are off to so many possibilities of plots, we join her the girl in her profound confusion/concussion. Who is she? Just what day is it? All she knows is from a school ring worn on a chain. Her name is Laura and the year is 2005. Or is it? The satellite clock says it is 2003. Next newsletter says it is 242...what? Laura keeps passing out but has dreadful dreams of a man speared to the ground by an icicle but did Laura do it or was it an accident?

Laura looks for food and a clue as to the owners of the house she is in. Finding a pantry door leading to staircases and other doors and stairs, Laura finds herself not in winter but very warm weather. Not inside a house but a glen. There she is found by two little children. The children are not afraid of persons found in the woods. You see there is this brown hole that brings strangers from different worlds. Happened last around four years ago.

Laura finds far more mysteries so solve before trying to find the vortex that brought her to Litchfield's Shimmering Falls. Also the township lives a feudal lifestyle but there is no deity to explain any creation theory. Litchfield is an old man who is considered the creator and comes to visit every so often.

This book is a mystery, also a study of life or should I call it an experiment of lifestyles, and why do people feel they have 'seen' her before? I mean she is around sixteen in 2003 and currently Litchfield is living in 242. Has she done dimensional time travel? Or is this Narnia and her head injury is worse.

Read this excellently crafted novel and figure it out. It took me well into the ending chapter to do so.

I eagerly await a second novel by Ms. Bailey.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

The overall plot, especially once it gets going and Laura finds out what's really going on, is entertaining. However, that's all I can really say for this book. The characters are flat and easily forgettable, but none more so than the main character. Laura, rather than being well defined with character growth as she goes on, is just...there. She's a figurehead for the story and nothing more. She doesn't do much but observe, and then when she states the obvious other characters praise her for being of exceptional intelligence. The way the author went about the whole memory loss issue felt extremely unrealistic. She conveniently only forgot herself but managed to be able to quote passages and remember everything else from her world, from how "horrible" Pit Bulls are to the names of obscure musical pieces.
The most forced and unfeeling thing, however, is also the part I thought was going to be shoved in my face every two minutes when I agreed to read this for a friend: Religion. Laura's relationship with the "one true God" is hardly touched on in the beginning, forgotten in the middle, and then suddenly becomes a big part of her life in the end to the point where she wants to set up Sunday School lessons. If you want to write a book about faith, write a book about faith! Don't use God as an afterthought and try to force it to have a huge impact. Litchfield's "godliness" wasn't even as extreme as I imagined it would be when I started. The author didn't show that the characters were brainwashed, just that they were a simple people that could turn on someone based on a petty rumor.
Certainly not the worst book I've read, though perhaps the most loosely defined. The ending is predictable from the first moment Lord Arcturus appears, and yet Laura is so astonished because no one thought he went through a portal...even though SHE went through a portal...really?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Land Beyond the Portal...first book finished for 2012! I was actually trying to get it in before midnight but was three chapters shy. This is a great novel for middle grade to adult. It was an easy, fast paced read that gives you that "ahh haa" feeling at the end. I was swept up from the first chapter.
When Laura accidently stumbles upon a portal that takes her to a isolated valley village, no one seems to be all that surprised. After all, it has happened before. Lucky for her, Rochelle has been there done that so at least she has someone to confide in. To make matters worse, Laura has no memory of who she was before, only some fleeting dreams of what she can only guess happened before she lost her memory. People are different here in Sparkling Falls, life is simpler, and the place is beautiful. But a long kept secret is threatening to break loose, shattering everything these people have ever believed in. From first glance you would think Laura had been transported back in time hundreds of years ago. But the class ring Laura wears says 2005! Not only does Laura want to get to the bottom of the strange thing s happening in this little town, but she also wants to remember who she was before and go back home...where ever 'home' may be.
In some ways I was reminded of one of my favorite movies, M. Night Shyamalan's movie The Village (minus the creepy things that live in the forest), with a mix of Narnia thrown in. I also enjoyed the fact that The Land Beyond the Portal is a "clean" read...no sexy love scenes, no curse words so I have no problem sharing it with my 11 year old step-daughter. J. S. Bailey's first novel is not a disappointment and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

[Alexia Purdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those stories with a steady burn until it ends with a big bang! I enjoyed it. It definitely kept me in awe of the many turns and twists that came up.

This story follows Laura, a young teen who finds herself one day waiting impatiently in a cabin during the wintertime for news about some tragedy that occurred (you don't really know until later what it is). She unwittingly falls down the stairs and loses her memory. Exploring the now strange house for clues of who she is, she enters the basement, where a portal throws her into the world of Sparkling Falls. Is it a parallel universe? Or another planet?

Sparkling Falls is a regular town set in a beautiful forest setting. The people welcome Laura with open arms and accept her without too much questioning. Not even the fact that she came out of a portal fazes them. Others have come before her, so it’s no big deal right? Only question is, how does Laura get back home? And who is the sinister deity they worship here? She’s sure there is something strange going on but besides the fact that she needs to find her way home, she has no idea how to figure it out.

A time space continuum kind of twist with some Christian flavors to it, The Land Beyond the Portal delivers a mind bending mystery with enough crazy turns that keep the reader guessing what is going to happen next.

I received a paperback copy of this book for an honest review from the author.

[D.M. Dutcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very slow burn, but a good novel. Laura is a teenage girl suffering from amnesia after falling on her head at her house. That's not the only thing she falls into: a strange portal brings her to a new world, where a town named Sparkling Falls exist. She is accepted there, as people falling through portals seems to be a relatively thing. But there is a mystery behind both it, and its creator, Litchfield.

J.S. Bailey trickles information well enough and the world of Sparkling Falls is unique enough to get you engrossed in the mystery. It's strength is that it defies any stereotype. It isn't any typical medieval fantasy, but it's strange enough to perk your interest and get you guessing. The resolution of the mystery is satisfying, and gives another half-twist you may not be expecting. I would have liked if the villain was a bit more sympathetic: it would have made it a stronger book.

I think the amnesia itself is a rough spot. The reason for it only is apparent at the end, and a better framing device could have been use. The Christian aspect is a little tacked on because of it, or at least it felt it to me. Plus, the characterization is a little weak, depending on the character. Laura and Mark felt weak, Rochelle and Arcturus strong.

Still, I very much enjoyed it. It's 4.5 stars for me, and I almost wanted to give it 5. Definitely a good Christian novel, but be sure to avoid spoilers!

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have decided to edit my review on this particular book. I feel that my original review was a bit harsh and a bit unfair, basically because I let my personal feelings and beliefs get in the way of the story. I did not know that this book was a Christian fantasy book going in, if I had, I will be honest I probably would not have read it. That would have truly been my loss and I would have missed out on an excellent little book.

This book was quite good and I must say that I did enjoy the story. The characters were well written and the story was engaging. I felt that Laura was a very well developed character and a strong female lead. I think the author did an excellent job with the story, it was descriptive, yet not too wordy as to become boring. I think it is a very good young adult fantasy and highly recommend it.

The only part of the book that I didn't like was a comment about pitt bulls and their temperament. I know that is petty, but pitt bulls are not bad dogs. They are actually very loyal and loving breeds that are great with children when they are given the proper environment. It is an owner that makes a dog bad, plain and simple.

I am glad I found J.S. here on Goodreads and had the opportunity to read her book, while our beliefs may differ, that does not diminish the fact that she is an excellent story teller. I look forward to reading her short story Vapors.

[Karen Boyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step lightly as you travel around, or you may suddenly feel yourself falling and in a flash of bright lights find yourself in another world. You may have entered a world where stones that are wet glow in the night and strange legends of wild beasts surround the peaceful valley of your new home. In J.S. Bailey’s novel, The Land Beyond the Portal, we are transported with Laura Owens into a miraculous new world located in a serene valley. At first, like Laura, I thought this destination was ideal, peaceful, and pleasant. As I learned more, I found that this new world is not what I thought. The writing in this fantasy novel is so good that I, as a reader, felt as if I were traveling along with the main character. I learned as Laura learned and understood through her eyes. This author has a command of the written word and a talent for creating believable characters.

Connecting with this lost girl, I watched Laura find love, her past, and the truth within the pages. I don’t want to say more and ruin the surprise of the novel, but I highly recommend this book. As a young and upcoming author, J. S. Bailey has a bright future and is an amazing talent. I look forward to her future novels. Buy this work!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very creative, fun fantasy about good vs. evil, the ability to use portals to go from one place to another, and is the debut novel of a young author whom I hope will continue to use and develop her talents with future books. It held my interest easily, and sometimes reads more like a young adult novel, but I did not shelve it as such because I haven't seen indications that is how it is being marketed or intended. I don't want to say to much about the plot as it would be easy to give away important details, but it shows that what may start out as good intentions can be morphed over time into rampant egotism and a unhealthy need to control others. One part of the ending did not seem very likely to me, but it did not detract from the rest of the story. Fantasy is not my first genre of choice, but I do enjoy them at times, as I did this one. It reminds me of certain elements of The Chronicles of Narnia.