Beneath A Midwinter Moon

by Paper Lantern Writers, Edie Cay, Rebecca D'Harlingue

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 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?

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?

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming anthology of what might be best described as cozy historical fiction tales--stories set at various points in the past, each at the time of a particular winter holiday and each with a warm and homey tone. The stories sometimes feature melancholy or darker elements, but each is also optimistic, inspiring, or joyful. I truly enjoyed every tale, but if I had to pick my two favorites they are probably Vanitha Sankaran's heartwarming "Boiling Point" (set in Pondicherry, India, during the Pongal celebration in January 1941) and C.V. Lee's deftly told "Philippe's Epiphany" (set in London, England, on the Feast of the Epiphany in 1471).

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction>Christmas traditions, short stories
This caught my eye as Christmas was approaching. I cannot remember the last time I read a short story anthology, but this one hit the spot for the 'holiday feel' I was looking for. I really enjoyed the different stories from different times, genres, and authors. After each story, a blurb about the author, what he/she usually writes, and some context/inspiration for the story are offered. This could be a way to expose yourself to new authors, Christmas stories, winter traditions, and other cultures without a whole-book commitment. I know I'm sharing after Christmas, so maybe keep it in mind for the next one!

Boiling Point: 1940s India for Pongal Celebration
The Star Lantern: 1660s Amsterdam for Twelfth Night celebration
Hand-in-Hand Pies: Late 1700s London for the Frost Fair in December
Long Winter: 1860s Philly, PA for Christmas on a farm love story
X Marks the Spot: 1918 NYC New Years Eve with vaudeville performers
A Wicked Turn at Christmas: Late 1500s England Christmas amid a witch accusation
Frontier Christmas: 1832 Michigan military family
Dear Santa: 1969 California young woman balancing career, family, and other dreams
The Greatest Love: 1994 Belgium WWII comes to the present
Philippe's Epiphany: 1400s London for Epiphany and misunderstandings in marriage
Stitchwork: Late 1800s Switzerland St Nicholas Day and local myths

266pp total; Published 2023

[Jonathan Putnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book -- a very clever concept, and lots of interesting variations on the theme. I particularly enjoyed Vanitha Sankaran's story set in 1941 Pondicherry. It was evocative and haunting, and beautifully rendered, and it stayed with me long after I finished reading.

[Mary Sheriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paper Lantern Writers have written another fantastic anthology (also enjoyed last year's Unlocked). Each short story took me on a delightful journey to a different time and place. Reading this was a such pleasurable way to reconnect with favorite authors and discover new ones.

[Kathryn Pritchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved collaborating with my fellow Paper Lantern Writer on this anthology.

[C.V. Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun anthology with a wide variety of stories set in several different centuries. It was fun reading about how other time periods and cultures celebrate the winter season/holidays.