A Christmas Stolen

By Lillian Duncan

Christmas is the best time of the year until evil comes knocking.Danica Jordan's is looking forward to her first Christmas with her newborn niece, but when she arrives home, she finds an open door and an empty crib. Searching the house, she discovers her sister asleep in her room. Panic sets in when the two sisters realize Baby Angelica's been abducted.

With the baby abducted, Christmas stolen, and an investigation in full swing, Danica comes face to face with the two men who ruined her life.

This Christmas could be ruined, or Danica could realize that Christmas isn't a thing but a symbol of God's love that can never be stolen—no matter the circumstances.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harbourlight Books
• Release date: Dec 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781522301790

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A Christmas Stolen

Lillian Duncan

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

A Christmas Stolen

COPYRIGHT 2018 by Lillian Duncan

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or Pelican Ventures, LLC except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

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Contact Information: [e-mail]

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version(R), NIV(R), Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Cover Art by Nicola Martinez

White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures, LLC

www.pelicanbookgroup.com PO Box 1738 *Aztec, NM * 87410

White Rose Publishing Circle and Rosebud logo is a trademark of Pelican Ventures, LLC

Publishing History

First White Rose Edition, 2018

Electronic Edition ISBN 978-1-5223-0179-0

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

This and all I do is for God’s glory. To my amazing husband who fills my life with love and laughter.

What People Are Saying

A Christmas Stolen is a powerful inspirational novella of forgiveness and love all wrapped up in a fast-paced, suspenseful story unfolding just days before Christmas. This heart-rendering tale of a kidnapped baby, combined with the story of a lost love, is a perfect example of how Lillian Duncan is an author who knows how to draw the reader into the story through realistic dialogue and compelling characters, while presenting the Christian message in a subtle yet convincing way. Readers will not be disappointed in A Christmas Stolen. It held my interest from page one and never let go. ~ from Luana Ehrlich, author of The Titus Ray Thriller Series

Reading A Stolen Christmas reminded me of why Lillian Duncan is one of my favorite authors. Unfolding high tension began on page one with a foreshadowing of things to come that didn’t let up until I turned the last page. The Christmas setting added poignancy to this taut tale of love, fear, loss, desperation, and forgiveness. A quick and stellar read. Highly recommended! ~ V. B. Tenery, author of the awarding winning Matt Foley series

A harrowing, heartwarming tale of a Christmas miracle baby, a kidnapping ring, long lost love, and long-awaited forgiveness during one special Ohio Christmas. Duncan shares a lovely contemporary story to remind us who we’ve been and Whose we are. Forgiveness doesn’t have to wait to remind us of all that we can become. - Lisa Lickel, author of Meow Mistletoe

In A Christmas Stolen, author Lillian Duncan grabs the reader by the heart and leads them through a gut-wrenching story. Just a few days before Christmas, Danica returns home for the holidays to find her infant niece has just been kidnapped. Now she's faced with juggling her sister Leah's anguish, the press, the police and the FBI. If that weren't enough, she comes face to face with people who hurt her twelve years before on graduation night. Her boyfriend, Conner, believed a liar, and broke her heart. How could they now be a pastor and the Chief of Police? She must come to terms with her unforgiveness, which could change her life, all while she's trying to rescue her baby niece from evil kidnappers. The characters are engaging, the plot a real page-turner, and the resolution is a satisfying Christmas miracle. Highly recommended. ~ Jody Day, author of Mistletoe Mix-up

1

Leah Barnes sat in the rocker as she softly hummed a Christmas carol and gazed at her newborn daughter, Angelica.

The doorbell rang.

Leah wasn’t expecting anyone for several more hours. With the snow falling it could be a while before her sister would be here to spend the holiday with them.

But with the birth of Angelica, it seemed as if every person she knew was stopping by for a peek at her sweet little Christmas angel. The doctors had told her she had no chance of ever conceiving, let alone carrying a baby to term, but God gave her a miracle—just as He had more than two thousand years ago at the very first Christmas. And how special this Christmas would be because of this precious little wonder.

Leah set the baby in her bassinet then went and opened the front door.

The young woman, a stranger, had on a parka, the hood covering most of her face. Huge black glasses hid the girl’s eyes. She smiled at Leah. Hi. My name’s Maria. I’m from Mothers’ Helpers.

I don’t know what that is.

Oh, I’m so sorry. I was told you’d been contacted and would be expecting me today.

I really have no idea what you’re talking about.

Mothers’ Helpers is an outreach program at our church. The Good News Church. Anyway, volunteers lend a helping hand to new mothers. We come to your house a few times every week for that first crucial month. She handed Leah a pamphlet. This explains all about it.

I don’t go to Good News. They must have given you the wrong information.

Do you have a new baby?

Yes, but—

Maria smiled and took a few steps inside forcing Leah to step back. Then that’s why I’m here. Someone must have given your name to Anna Mae—that’s the lady in charge. Anyway, we’re here to help make life a little bit easier for you. We know how difficult it can be with a new baby. It’s a service we provide for the community, not just church members. She took another step toward Leah.

Leah stepped back again. Oh. That’s nice, but I’m fine. I really don’t need anything. But thanks.

Maria took a few more steps and closed the door. Her smile brightened. We better close that door before your house is freezing. We don’t want the baby to catch a draft, do we?

I’m sorry you came out in this weather, but you have the wrong place.

Your name and your address and a new baby so not the wrong place. Someone must have wanted to surprise you. I guess Anna Mae dropped the ball and forgot to call.

That’s really nice, but we’re fine.

We’re here to help in whatever way we can. It’s stressful to have a new baby. We can go grocery shopping if you need. Wash a few clothes for you. Or maybe you’d just like to take a short nap and a shower.

That’s really great of you but my husband’s been taking good care of us. Angelica and I don’t need a thing.

How wonderful for you. Is he here? Now? The woman flipped off her hood, revealing dark black hair that hung straight down. The long bangs met the big glasses. It wasn’t the best look. This young woman could definitely use a little fashion help.

He’s at work. But he made sure we had everything we could want or need while he’s gone.

Maria partially unzipped her parka. Well, I’m here now so I might as well help out a little. Maybe I can wash up a few dishes for you or sit with the baby while you take a shower.

She sure was persistent. Leah didn’t want to be rude, but she really didn’t need any help. "Maybe the church can give you the name of another new mother.