A Holiday Prayer

A Holiday Prayer
Debra Kastner

A MASQUERADE BALL. A MASKED STRANGER. A STAR-FILLED NIGHT…From the first, Maddie Carlton felt that she'd met mysterious Rory March before. Now, he'd appeared on her doorstep when she least expected–and vanished just as swiftly.Yet, at each visit, Rory brought Maddie and her boy the warmth of joy their lives had been missing for so long–ever since the tragedy that had taken her husband.But who was "Rory" really? And could the man who'd restored her faith–and saved Christmas for her son–teach Maddie to love again?

Table of Contents

Cover Page (#uaaf3dabf-791b-52f2-8533-cd2fb71731c6)

Excerpt (#ua3c77d1b-7cc1-550f-857c-aae68bd75341)

About The Author (#u0bacc8e5-1d2d-52f4-a4ac-9b27267a0641)

Title Page (#ud00dfd8a-35fb-5f26-aca6-b2dceff25beb)

Epigraph (#u7a73f97c-fd9a-54de-8d87-8bc5f1371e2f)

Dedication (#u5da4588f-5830-5de7-9d45-1396d0855769)

Prologue (#uadfd0c09-b82e-51e3-ac08-100c5f13f663)

Chapter One (#u3a0d616e-954a-5264-bfe4-aac9972571f1)

Chapter Two (#u26df2377-092d-53af-9c0f-eaf0cd610da5)

Chapter Three (#ue07f3cf3-5a40-501b-b543-112990324d5f)

Chapter Four (#u1f7900be-d130-556e-a53b-267145624b2a)

Chapter Five (#u0a7d705d-30b2-5e8f-84b6-92cf535242aa)

Chapter Six (#u6f9f5d9b-9e32-5f51-9a40-be44f2107e28)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

He couldn’t be Neil March! He just couldn’t!

He’d said his name was Rory. But…he hadn’t admitted his last name.

Maddie’s mind screamed for a logical explanation. Anything but the truth. Anything that would make this nightmare go away.

Neil March. The kind, gentle man named Rory who had been romancing her and little Nicky was Neil March, her sworn enemy.

She had very nearly given her heart to this man. Her foolish, foolish heart. Maddie couldn’t bare to face the truth. The man who had given life and laughter back to her and her son was Neil March.

How could it be?

DEBRA KASTNER

Deb is the wife of a Reformed Episcopal minister, so it was natural for her to find her niche in the Christian/inspirational romance market. She enjoys tackling the issues of faith and trust within the context of romance. Her characters range from upbeat and humorous to (her favorite) dark and broody heroes. Her plots fall anywhere in between, from a playful romp to the deeply emotional.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three girls and, whenever she can manage, attending touring Broadway musicals and regional dinner theater.

A Holiday Prayer

Debra Kastner

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

As in water face reveals face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.

—Proverbs 27:19

To my three precious daughters, Annie, Kimberly and Katie, who have brought so much joy and meaning to my life. Thank you for showing me every day what it means to have faith as a child.

And to Keith and Dena Rice, for the blessing and inspiration your music and acting have been to me. Keith was the first, and best, Phantom I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. Thanks to you both, and to Mark Vogel, for granting me the honor of using your song in this book.

Prologue (#ulink_562cac0f-5ed4-5d5f-b615-2967a3d90c1c)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.