Unlocked: a Paper Lantern Writers Anthology

by Linda Ulleseit, Mari Christie, Ana Brazil

What tales are revealed when an old wooden chest is UNLOCKED?

An anthology of eight stories spanning seven centuries from Paper Lantern Writers.

Unknown Binding

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Linda Ulleseit was born and raised in Saratoga, California, and has taught elementary school in San Jose since 1996. She has an MFA in writing from Lindenwood University, is Marketing Chair of Women Writing the West, and a founding member of Paper Lantern Writers. She enjoys cooking, cross-stitching, reading, and spending time with her family. Her favorite subject is writing, and her students get a lot of practice scribbling stories and essays. Someday Linda hopes to see books written by former students alongside hers in bookstores.

Her first novel, ON A WING AND A DARE, was published in spring, 2012. It is a Young Adult fantasy set in medieval Wales, complete with flying horses, a love triangle, and treachery. The followup novel, IN THE WINDS OF DANGER, was published in February, 2013. The final one in the trilogy, UNDER A WILD AND DARKENING SKY, came out May 2014. WINGS OVER TREMERICHSON is an ebook novella that introduces the series.

Linda now writes historical fiction. UNDER THE ALMOND TREES came out May 2014. It follows three strong women who shape women's rights in California in the late nineteenth century. THE ALOHA SPIRIT, about a woman growing up in territorial Hawaii, comes out August 2020.

Follow Linda Ulleseit's books at http://ulleseit.wordpress.com or on Facebook (Linda Ulleseit) or twitter (@LindaUlleseit)

Reviews

[Mary Sheriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This treasury of short stories is too fun to miss! Unlocked tells eight compelling stories from eight talented authors set in different countries in different eras tied together by an intriguing locked box. Some of the stories focus on internal demons, some celebrate family histories, and others sizzle with romance. Many of the stories focus on minor characters in larger works by the same author, so they allow you to sample the writer’s style. If you discover a fit, the bio at the end of the story provides the key to another book you’re sure to enjoy.

[Hope Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight unique short stories written by eight talented writers. UNLOCKED spans centuries, from 1225 to the 1970s. It takes you on a journey through time with unforgettable characters and settings, all with a common link—a mysterious wooden chest. Each chapter revolves around it and the people who cross paths with this special item.

UNLOCKED is a delightful read that truly transports the reader. I enjoyed it so much, I went back and re-read several stories, looking for more clues and details.

[Josephine Calabrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlocked: A Paper Lantern Writers Anthology
By Paper Lantern Writers

It is an anthology of interesting stories spanning centuries. It was creative how various authors wrote different stories involving a wooden chest with a secret compartment and heart shaped lock. I would have preferred less details to the bedroom scene.

The anthology is creative. It is this creativity which drives me to rate this work five stars.

[Patti Procopi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very clever anthology of short stories which all center around an old wooden chest. This group of writers belong to a group of historic fiction writers called Paper Lantern. They gave each writer only one requirement - write a story that features an old wooden chest. The stories span the ages from 1225 to 1972. Some are funny, some romantic, some mystical, some downright creepy! It's a great read and I recommend this book!

[Kathryn Pritchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

So pleased to be part of this anthology! A mysterious wooden chest makes its way from the Middle Ages to 1972 Berkeley, CA where my short story "The Happy Heart" is set. My groovy, tarot-soaked tale about a late-blooming flower child seeking enlightenment is one of eight stories spanning seven centuries from members of the Paper Lantern Writers author's collective.

[Cathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique collection of short stories. Thank you to such talented writers for taking your reader on a journey though time. After reading each story you will want to go and find the works by these wonderful authors.

[Alina Rubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable collection of short stories connected by the theme of a chest with a false bottom. In different eras and countries, women hid or found a clue to their secret. I rarely read short stories. This book reminded me how much fun they can be.

[C.V. Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the stories in this anthology. It covers 7 centuries making for a very nice variety.

[Jonathan Posner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging selection of short stories

I loved these historical short stories, all centred around the common theme of an ancient wooden chest with a heart-shaped lock. For some it was front and centre of the story; while for others it was subtly snuck in - so you had to read carefully to spot it!
The quality of the writing was uniformly good, and each story, set in a different time and place, was complete and satisfying.
I can highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.