Beneath a Midwinter Moon

What mystery, romance, and adventure lie Beneath the Midwinter Moon?

It may be cold outside, but inside this anthology, the Paper Lantern Writers bring you warm and engaging reflections of holiday celebrations across seven centuries. From the United States to India and Europe, eleven stories of courage, fortitude and love are illuminated by the midwinter moon.

Boiling Point: A young mother weighs her future with her pro-colonial husband and their children in 1930s India. Will her children's bravery and their love help her reach the right decision?

Star Lantern: A downcast woman in 17th century Amsterdam gets a surprise at the Twelfth Night celebrations. Will she regain her faith in her family?

Hand-in-Hand Pies: A young girl learns a new skill and meets a lifelong friend when she visits the 1789 Frost Fair in London. Will her life take an unexpected turn?

Long Winter: Can two educated young misses find their purpose-and the romance of a lifetime-across the backdrop of the Western Expansion?

X Marks the Spot: In 1918 New York, a vaudeville knife thrower's wife knows she must take the ultimate risk to protect her own life and that of her unborn baby. Has she got the nerve to see it through?

A Wicked Turn at Christmas: The return of an old enemy threatens to tear an Elizabethan family apart. Can the wife stop this attack before it's too late?

Frontier Christmas: The rules of courtship are changing in the 1830s US West. An 18 year-old girl sets her sights on her ideal man, but a rival wants to steal him away. Can she reset the rules in her favour?

Dear Santa: An aspiring businesswoman gets a job in Santa's Photo Shop in 1969 California. When Santa goes off sick, she has no-one to play the part. Can she really stand in as the great man herself?

The Greatest Love: Belgium 1944 - A mixed-race nurse meets an American soldier in WW2 Belgium and they develop feelings for each other. Can they ever find happiness together? Based on a true story.

Phillipe's Epiphany: A young husband has doubts about his new wife's fidelity in 15th century London. Will he let it destroy his marriage before it's even begun, or will true love shine through?

Stitchwork: Christmas celebrations in 1860s Switzerland involve a parade of mythical characters. A woman is wronged by a powerful man. When she disguises herself as a dark counterpart to St. Nicholas, will she get justice?