P.O. Box 731
Saco, ME 04072
cassidys
Portals is a novella first written and self-published by Maine author Suzanne Cassidy Nason in 2004. In 2005, she co-wrote and co-produced a 45-minute drug awareness film based on one of its characters which was shown to many area high schools, gaining great praise. In 2010, she wrote and self-published another title in the Portals series, called Reza. Most recently, in February of 2018, she combined all 6 characters and self-published the second edition of Portals. This edition was excitedly submitted to the Independant Publisher's Book Awards. At this time, Suzanne is waiting for her phone to ring, telling her that she has won an IPPY!!!
Suzanne's stories are based on the premise that, perhaps, we are present at our funeral!! Furthermore, she asks the question, "what if, through a special Angel-guided Portal, we are able to hear what the guests at our funeral are thinking about us as they approach our casket!"
For some, this may seem like an idea that would cause fear or discomfort. However, for the characters in Portals, this premise offers the hope for forgiveness, understanding, and above all else, unconditional love.
In the first edition of Portals we meet Irene, Tyrone, Tony, Harry, and Frank. Five characters with very different backgrounds, they each die under different circumstances, and upon their death they find themselves at their funeral.
Through the Portal, we all witness the deepest kind of love, the finding of hope through tragedy, the healing grace of forgiveness, the ramifications of betrayal, the need for acceptance of our loved ones and ourselves, and even some ultimate truths about life itself.
The 6th character that Suzanne developed is about a fictional character called Reza, yet it rings eerily true to recent headlines.
At this crucial time ,when so many have lost the hope of a bright and safe future, she is particularly passionate about the story of Reza. She wonders, "if someone living in a secret cell, intent on killing their neighbors, were to die before they could commit their plan, would they be astonished to find their neighbors and friends at their funeral, thinking loving thoughts about them? Would this affect their hardened hearts?" She believes that it could.
In addition, the story of Ty deals with the heroin epidemic, another issue that needs a solution. Suzanne has always wondered, "if someone going down that slippery slope of drug abuse were able to picture their funeral, would it prompt them to get the help that they need, and spare their loved ones the agony that their loss results in??" She hopes it certainly would.
Please visit "Meet the Characters" to learn more.
Suzanne looks forward to finding an agent and a publisher, to help her get her message of love, hope and forgiveness out to the masses!! Suzanne looks forward to developing other characters for the Portals series, which will soon appear on this website!
With future characters, she hopes to address the issues of alzheimer's, suicide and SIDS.
All too often we are faced with the loss of a loved one, with too many important words left unsaid. These stories offer the reader a glimpse into the possibility that maybe it isn't too late for those final words of love and forgiveness.
This series is sure to make you think twice about the path you are on, and what mark you will leave behind.
Each character is introduced by an excerpt from an awesome song written and performed by artists that Suzanne met during her days as a radio DJ at WCLZ in Portland, Maine. (The Cowboy Junkies, Lucinda Williams, The Coming Grass, and more.)
For a copy of Portals please send a check for $12.99 to Suzanne Cassidy Nason at the address below.
For a copy of Reza please send a check for $9.99 to Suzanne Cassidy Nason at the address below.
Copyright 2014 Portals of Hope. All rights reserved.
P.O. Box 731
Saco, ME 04072
cassidys