paranormal/sci fi- family secret is that they guard the portal between our world/spirit world

[Elizabeth]

The main plot of this book is the main characters discovery of his/her family secret- that they guard a portal (possibly a particular gravestone in a graveyard) between the mortal world and the spirit world. There may have been a romance involved with the main character.

I have always thought i remembered the book cover as very dark, mainly black, possibly with the image of a creepy tree in a graveyard.

I read this sometime in the 2000's. I don't believe it was an older book (probably not before 2000) but wouldnt have been published after about 2012.

My mom & I used to swap books like this often which is why i dont remember much clearly, it was one she had let me borrow. She passed a few years ago and since then I've been trying to read all the books we shared but this one has always eluded me!

[Kris]

Elizabeth, can we eliminate The Steward by Christopher Shields? The cover doesn't appear to be very dark.

[Elizabeth]

Yes Kris, we can eliminate that. I think the book may have been more mystery/murder, possibly female main character, possibly in law enforcement, who finds out her family secret? Less full on sci-fi than I thought. Thank you for posting.

[Elizabeth]

Bump!! Anyone???

[Melanie]

Was it a reverse harem?

[Elizabeth]

Possible one of the main characters that fall in love are in law enforcement.

[Elizabeth]

Could possibly be YA but I don't think it was.

[Kris]

Elizabeth said:

"Sci-fi/portal/hidden family secret

I'm looking for a book my mom and I read somewhere between the years 2004-2014. It couldn't have been published after 2014. Possible YA but I don't think it was- I remember it had a dark cover with possibly a tree or graveyard.
The story revolves around the main character discovering their family has a hidden secret- the guard a portal to the afterlife. The portal is possibly located in a graveyard. The main character either is in law enforcement or falls in love with someone in law enforcement. The romance is secondary to the main storyline.
I haven't been able to figure this one out in years!"

[Apricity]

I am not sure about the name but just trying to confirm.
The MC is a boy, who goes to school and has a unusually large height. Their he meets a new girl? who accepts him as he is.
The boy is quite powerful and strong and his family protects a portal.
They have paintings of their ancestors and they can speak to the family

[Elizabeth]

could be??? I feel like MC was a girl and it was a shock to find out this family secret.