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The Treasure Box
Vita Kirk is a travel writer who has never left her hometown. In fact, she rarely leaves her house. Due to deep wounds and bitter losses, Vita has chosen isolation over vulnerability. But when she stumbles across an antique chest in a hole-in-the-wall boutique, she discovers a puzzling link to her past and her physical surroundings mysteriously begin to change. Inscribed in the treasure chest are the words, "Love is the key that unlocks every portal."
The power of these words prove to unlock a part of Vita she thought had died years ago.
"Stories like this go by many different names-fantasy, time-shift, magical realism. Some are overtly Christian or religious in nature, others are not. But from a spiritual perspective, the common thread in all these works is the redeeming, transforming power of God's grace not only to alter the future but to change our understanding of the past."--Penelope Stokes
The power of these words prove to unlock a part of Vita she thought had died years ago.
"Stories like this go by many different names-fantasy, time-shift, magical realism. Some are overtly Christian or religious in nature, others are not. But from a spiritual perspective, the common thread in all these works is the redeeming, transforming power of God's grace not only to alter the future but to change our understanding of the past."--Penelope Stokes
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
12 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Penelope J. Stokes
44 books181 followersIt’s often been debated whether a person’s destiny lies in genetics or environment, but either way, I suppose I was destined to be a fiction writer. A Baby Boomer with an English teacher and a social worker for parents, I grew up being challenged to develop my imagination, and to seek out for myself the meaning and significance of life. I learned early both the magic and mystery of stories and the importance of people–their dreams, their hopes, their longings, their struggles.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
From the age of four, when I first learned to read and discovered that words had incredible power, I dreamed of being a writer. But the fulfillment of that dream was a long time in coming. Ten years of university study, culminating in a Ph.D. in Renaissance Literature, led me to a career as a college professor. I loved teaching, loved the students and the challenge and the interaction, but the longing for full-time expression of my creativity never died. Finally, after twelve years of college teaching, I left the classroom and turned my energy toward my life’s passion–writing fiction.
In the process, I discovered another passion–the magnificent grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina.
I was raised in Mississippi, and as a child I remember family vacations to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I loved the undulating layers of blue and purple and green, the rushing streams coming down over the rocks, the cool glades and misty mornings. And now I live here—in the shadow of the Blue Ridge near DuPont Forest, where rare and remarkable white squirrels chatter wisdom to me from the trees outside my office window.
White squirrel in TamaracBut scenery can only take you so far. Fiction is about people. Not just what happens to them, but about what happens in them–the spiritual, emotional, and psychological passages that lead people to an understanding of their inner selves, and of one another. That’s what I like to write about: the heart, the mind, the soul. Authenticity of character and profound spiritual transformation. I want to draw my readers into a different kind of world–one marked by purpose, significance, and hope. Most importantly, hope.
Some readers have criticized me for dealing with uncomfortable subjects in my fiction–subjects which do not lend themselves to easy answers. The truth is, there are no easy answers in life. There are not even any easy questions. Over the years I’ve come to the conclusion that our character is determined not so much by the certainties we cling to, but by the uncertainties we are courageous enough to face.
At the end of the day, only a few things in life really matter: Love. Insight. Growth. Grace. When we’re committed to going deeper, to following the unknown path, our journey can lead us to an understanding of our own our inner being, to a connection with a power that is both within us and beyond us. And that understanding, that connection, gives meaning and purpose to our days.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 28, 2019
An interesting story line . . . Penelope Stokes has been a favorite author of mine for many years, my favorite books being The Blue Bottle Club and The Amethyst Heart. Whenever I read one of her novels, I am transported. I can so clearly visualize the characters and they truly seem like real people to me. I found this to be true in this novel also.
This story of the Treasure Box was pure fantasy, but still thought provoking. Where will our daily choices lead us?
This story of the Treasure Box was pure fantasy, but still thought provoking. Where will our daily choices lead us?
May 27, 2023
When I first stared this book I was not feeling it. It felt very cheesy. However as the book went on I remembered how much I love this authors writing and story telling. Just as vita couldn’t wait to find out what happens next, neither could I. I feel like Penelope Stokes does an excellent job at writing real life heartache and the lessons we can learn from it. While not my usual read, I found the search for the spiritual truth to be a really interesting side plot and that it progressed naturally in a sweet snd unforced way
May 23, 2023
I liked it except the ending.
Some spoilers ahead.
I felt like it got too weird when the past… and therefore present… changes. I guess I would rather have had her learn from the treasure box and go on to make amends and grow herself instead of almost having that done for her by her past being changed. I don’t know. 🤷🏼♀️ It just felt almost too easy for her. Plus it just felt like the end dragged on and on. I did like the two stories and it really had me thinking about whether or not I could forgive Kathleen… cause man I hated her!
February 9, 2011
Vita Kirk has her life under control and boundaries in place after being betrayed by her fiance and her sister. She isn’t expecting to find a new life, but everything changes after she purchases the treasure box. She wanted it for storage but instead her experiences with the box show her that “Love is the key that unlocks every portal.”
The author made me think about my reactions to life and my values. There were several very wonderful quotes.
Walk the path god sets before you... it will lead you where you are meant to go
This one especially was meaningful for me:
She said that when people talk about finding God’s will for their lives and relationships, they’re often under the mistaken impression that there is only one path, one future. And that leaves them with only two mutually exclusive options: free will or Divine control. If you believe in free will, you shoulder the unbearable burden of finding the one ‘right way.’ If you beleive in Dinine control, you become fatalistic, assuming that whatever happens, happens--and you can’t do anything to change it...She suggested that there might be many futures, many possibilities for a life, but not all of them will come true. Like a computer program that takes you different places depending upon what links you pick. Being out side of linear time, God sees all the options, all the possible outcomes. For humans, limited by time, the actual events of our lives result from the choices and decisions we make. And yet God is in the midst of it all, with challenges and blessings and resolutions we can only guess at.
And there is a wonderful prayer:
God of the Universe you give us many gifts. The bounty of the land for our nourishment, the warmth of family, the joys of work and play. Thank you for all these blessings, for laughter, and for love. May we ever live with a grateful heart. Amen.
The author made me think about my reactions to life and my values. There were several very wonderful quotes.
Walk the path god sets before you... it will lead you where you are meant to go
This one especially was meaningful for me:
She said that when people talk about finding God’s will for their lives and relationships, they’re often under the mistaken impression that there is only one path, one future. And that leaves them with only two mutually exclusive options: free will or Divine control. If you believe in free will, you shoulder the unbearable burden of finding the one ‘right way.’ If you beleive in Dinine control, you become fatalistic, assuming that whatever happens, happens--and you can’t do anything to change it...She suggested that there might be many futures, many possibilities for a life, but not all of them will come true. Like a computer program that takes you different places depending upon what links you pick. Being out side of linear time, God sees all the options, all the possible outcomes. For humans, limited by time, the actual events of our lives result from the choices and decisions we make. And yet God is in the midst of it all, with challenges and blessings and resolutions we can only guess at.
And there is a wonderful prayer:
God of the Universe you give us many gifts. The bounty of the land for our nourishment, the warmth of family, the joys of work and play. Thank you for all these blessings, for laughter, and for love. May we ever live with a grateful heart. Amen.
April 6, 2019
I love this very heart-warming story. I loved watching Vita's transformation from a bitter recluse to a woman who finally opens her heart to love. This story might seem predictable in it's ending but all the details in between and her emotional journey are not.
April 2, 2018
This was a really interesting read. I enjoyed the backstory and how everything came together in the end! ✨
May 26, 2021
Not that great, honestly. I liked it up until the end, where all of her problems were magically fixed and she lives happily ever after. That wasn't satisfying at all. What's the point of going through hardship without implementing the lessons learned? It would have been much better to see her acknowledge the hurt and taking steps to make her life better. That's what we all have to do. I understood that I would have to suspend my disbelief once she got a magical computer virus, but I was honestly looking forward to see how she would fix her life up. I felt as though the ending was a cop out and highly disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2025
I don't know what to think of this book. A friend gave it to me to read and discuss. She read it and had questions. I think this book stirs up the imagination in a new and different way than I typically read. We did enjoy reading it together and comparing notes over tea. I don't know if I would recommend it to anyone, or if I will explore any other books by Stokes. It just wasn't my cup of tea. (Pun intended.)
May 25, 2023
Sweet story. Bitter, isolated woman learns forgiveness and openness to people and relationships by learning the story of the people who made and owned a treasure box she bought at an antique store. Her computer freezes until she watches their lives play out. During this process, she finds her own life changing. A story of timelines and different paths our lives could take.
May 8, 2017
Heartfelt, moved me to happy tears.
Thankfulness, gratitude.
The glory of life and LIVING!
Good energy.
You get what you settle for, but more than that...
We are responsible for the choices we make and for the consequences or reactions born of them.
Il n'y a point de hasard. - Voltaire
Thankfulness, gratitude.
The glory of life and LIVING!
Good energy.
You get what you settle for, but more than that...
We are responsible for the choices we make and for the consequences or reactions born of them.
Il n'y a point de hasard. - Voltaire
March 19, 2018
the book has some good thoughts, some inspirational ones.
It got rather tedious at the end where everything got wrapped up too quickly and neatly.
I enjoyed the magical part and liked the narrator, Margot Dionne.
It got rather tedious at the end where everything got wrapped up too quickly and neatly.
I enjoyed the magical part and liked the narrator, Margot Dionne.
October 21, 2021
Fantastic premise. Great storyline. Good characters. I could've done without all the religious stuff thrown in my face, however, I didn't realize the author is a Christian writer when I bought the book.
January 15, 2018
A little trite, but an enjoyable, if not plausible read. Uplifting. I will read more books by this author
August 25, 2018
Great for a holiday read and great story but it was unnecessary to involve ‘God’ - thought this let it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2019
Very good book, love this writer.
August 15, 2023
I wish I remembered more details. I read this book a long time ago and remember how it made me feel and I have been recommending it to everyone since.
March 18, 2024
Had niet verwacht dat er een christelijk thema bij kwam kijken, maar verder wel leuk boek :)
August 30, 2015
Our heroine, Vita Kirk, thinks she has her life under control, with specific boundaries for people - this close and no closer. As we read, we see that these are an effort to protect herself from heartbreak, after being betrayed by her fiance and her sister.
She lives alone, and states that she likes it that way. She does not want to include anyone in her life, and doesn't want to do anything but the jobs she is paid to do as she works at home. She even tersely rebuts attempts by the local antique dealer to involve her in a conversation while she shops in his emporium, where she purchases the titular treasure box, thinking it would be perfect for storing her CD collection.
However, things change when she gets it home, as it possesses her computer, forcing her to watch the story it wants her to see before she can do anything else. Reluctantly, then eagerly, she watches the story, and through what appears to be history learns that things are not always what they appear, and that “Love is the key that unlocks every portal.”
Overall, a slow start but a great finish.
She lives alone, and states that she likes it that way. She does not want to include anyone in her life, and doesn't want to do anything but the jobs she is paid to do as she works at home. She even tersely rebuts attempts by the local antique dealer to involve her in a conversation while she shops in his emporium, where she purchases the titular treasure box, thinking it would be perfect for storing her CD collection.
However, things change when she gets it home, as it possesses her computer, forcing her to watch the story it wants her to see before she can do anything else. Reluctantly, then eagerly, she watches the story, and through what appears to be history learns that things are not always what they appear, and that “Love is the key that unlocks every portal.”
Overall, a slow start but a great finish.
May 27, 2012
I want a Treasure Box! Thought this was a really sweet story. Had me in tears a few times. I do not think I could have been so forgiving if my sister had stolen my husband to be. As much as I enjoyed this, it did have a fair few flaws. Firstly to much God stuff near the end. I know this is Christian literature and it's to be expected but I feel suspicious of it, like I'm being subtly brainwashed. And the other was, why I liked the idea of Vita being able to see what her life would have been like if she had taken a different path. I don't think her life should have changed just like that. I think she should have woken up back in her lonely life and changed things for herself.
March 12, 2013
Many thanks to Penelope J. Stokes for pulling me out of my darkness and thrusting back into the Light. I was in a very, very dark place when I read this book, and was more than ready to stay an old, isolated hermit for the rest of my life. This book more than showed me that what I thought was a great solution (please keep in mind that I was borderline suicidal at this point) to my problems wasn't really that great of an idea. Her books were a great reminder that there's more to life than the pain in my past [partially circumstantial, partly my own stupidity], and this book nudged me out of my hermit mentality. Definitely worth reading, for those of us who've ever felt unloved and unlovable.
November 23, 2011
This book is so hard to describe (I tried, to my husband and it just sounds weird) however, it is a great book. The main character finds a box that sets her on a "journey" in the process she learns about decisions in your life and living with the consequenses. Through her "journey" with the box she is able to change her life and decide what is really important -- anger and hurt, or forgiveness and love.
I liked the duality of the story and I thought it was very well written.
I liked the duality of the story and I thought it was very well written.
February 25, 2010
Nederlandse titel: Tijdloos.
Waanzinnig goed boek! Het gaat over een vrouw, die in een winkeltje een mooi bewerkt kistje vind. Zij ziet dat er een boodschap in staat, het is een boodschap over liefde. Zij zoekt op internet naar dit kistje, en haar pc wordt overgenomen door deze site. Iedere keer als zij haar pc opent ziet zij hoe dit kistje tot stand is gekomen en volgt zij het verhaal van deze familie, waar het kistje vandaan komt. Het boek was moeilijk weg te leggen, je wilt gewoon weten hoe het afloopt! Het moraal van dit boek: Vriendschap en liefde is heel belangrijk in het leven!
Waanzinnig goed boek! Het gaat over een vrouw, die in een winkeltje een mooi bewerkt kistje vind. Zij ziet dat er een boodschap in staat, het is een boodschap over liefde. Zij zoekt op internet naar dit kistje, en haar pc wordt overgenomen door deze site. Iedere keer als zij haar pc opent ziet zij hoe dit kistje tot stand is gekomen en volgt zij het verhaal van deze familie, waar het kistje vandaan komt. Het boek was moeilijk weg te leggen, je wilt gewoon weten hoe het afloopt! Het moraal van dit boek: Vriendschap en liefde is heel belangrijk in het leven!
March 15, 2013
This is my second book by Stokes and I have to say not my favorite. It's a little too in your face as far as the religious aspects. And the dual storyline is a good idea but a bit too contrived. I do love the two stories, though. They were compelling from the get go and kept me going to the end. There were a few grammatical issues that irked me too, but I'm an editor so that takes me out of the story where it might not for others.
January 3, 2017
I picked this book up at work while eating lunch. It was on my boss's desk. I didn't like it....almost put it down.....kept reading....got sucked in, much like the main character into her treasure box. I enjoyed reading this, although the story within the story was far more interesting than what was going on in the main character's life. I definitely appreciated the underlying spiritual message. Worth reading.
August 18, 2013
This was an extraordinary book, really held my attention. My favorite lines are:
"Walk the path God sets before you. It will lead you where you are meant to be"
"Love is the key that unlocks every Portal"
A story of love, hope, memories, pain, suffering, growing older, letting go, all wrapped up in one lonely women's journey to finding her true self.
"Walk the path God sets before you. It will lead you where you are meant to be"
"Love is the key that unlocks every Portal"
A story of love, hope, memories, pain, suffering, growing older, letting go, all wrapped up in one lonely women's journey to finding her true self.
November 6, 2013
Enough tragedy and triumph to make a realistic story, with some hokey computer thing thrown in. A little confusing- was she really delusional or just contemplative? That being said, I found myself more interested in the story-within-the-story (on her computer?!?), and would keep reading chapters to find out what happened there.
January 25, 2014
Who doesn't love watching an angry character turn into a softy. After a strange power outage and some weird game appearing on her computer. Vita is pulled into and alternate world were she learns the value of love and forgiveness. With these two things you can easily live a a happy and fulfilling life. I just love J stokes books there are a lot of life lessons in them.
February 16, 2010
What a unique story; unlike anything I've read before which immediately endeared me to it. I really enjoyed this book. Wonderful Christian message of choosing to open your heart to love and forgiveness. Definitely recommend.
April 3, 2010
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first 3/4 of the book- and then the twist it had made it a little less desirable to me. I prefer to see people change or become better. This struck me more as a Scrooge type situation. Still had great twists and an interesting story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews