Stolen
A True Story-Kidnapped, Rescued, Redeemed
Will be published approx. on 8. October 2026
Book
Hardback
288 pages
979-8-89565-784-3 (ISBN)
Description
A true crime memoir of international abduction, miraculous rescue, and the long road from trauma to forgiveness and redemption.
At seven years old, Lauren Burns was abducted by her father and taken from her home in Texas. She was flown to the Middle East and thrust into a life she did not recognize with a future she could not understand. What followed was an extraordinary international rescue by a small team of former military operatives and a mother who, refusing to give up, was guided by faith when all legal options had failed.
But Stolen is not only the story of a daring rescue; it's the story of what came after.
Returning to the US did not end the fear. Lauren and her mother lived in hiding, changed names, and rebuilt their lives under the shadow of betrayal. Told from the rare perspective of the child at the center of the crime, this memoir explores the lasting impact of trauma, the struggle to reclaim identity, and the painful journey toward forgiveness.
As Lauren grows from a frightened child into a woman searching for peace, she reveals what true healing requires-and how redemption can emerge from even the deepest wounds.
Gripping, intimate, and ultimately hopeful, Stolen will resonate with readers drawn to true crime, memoir, and stories of faith and resilience.
Includes a foreword by Miranda Lambert.
At seven years old, Lauren Burns was abducted by her father and taken from her home in Texas. She was flown to the Middle East and thrust into a life she did not recognize with a future she could not understand. What followed was an extraordinary international rescue by a small team of former military operatives and a mother who, refusing to give up, was guided by faith when all legal options had failed.
But Stolen is not only the story of a daring rescue; it's the story of what came after.
Returning to the US did not end the fear. Lauren and her mother lived in hiding, changed names, and rebuilt their lives under the shadow of betrayal. Told from the rare perspective of the child at the center of the crime, this memoir explores the lasting impact of trauma, the struggle to reclaim identity, and the painful journey toward forgiveness.
As Lauren grows from a frightened child into a woman searching for peace, she reveals what true healing requires-and how redemption can emerge from even the deepest wounds.
Gripping, intimate, and ultimately hopeful, Stolen will resonate with readers drawn to true crime, memoir, and stories of faith and resilience.
Includes a foreword by Miranda Lambert.
Reviews / Votes
"I've always believed that the best way to create a healthy future is to face your past and allow God to heal the places in you that have been broken. Lauren has done a masterful job of that in writing Stolen. It is a beautifully written testimony of God's faithfulness in the wake of unfathomable circumstances. You will find yourself fully absorbed in every moment of this incredible story of redemption, resilience, and restoration." -- Melanie Shankle, <I>New York Times</I> bestselling author of <I>Here Be Dragons</I> "Stolen is a powerful story that follows Lauren as she unpacks her box of memories, hurt, and healing. With the tension of a thriller and the heart of a deeply personal memoir, Lauren shares not only how she was kidnapped-but how she found her way back to hope, faith, and forgiveness. Her story is both haunting and beautiful. It brought me to tears in the best way." -- Holly Worthington, <I>The Miracle Files Podcast</I> "Wow. Stolen is thrilling but also incredibly poignant. And the women in this story! Their faith and courage are so inspiring! From a childhood abduction in Jordan to a daring rescue and the emotional aftermath that followed, this story grips you with suspense and leaves you changed by its honesty and grace. A remarkable true story of courage, loss, and redemption." -- Emily Jones, <I>The Miracle Files Podcast</I> "This captivating tale of Cathy and Lauren's journey, narrated in the manner of an internationally intriguing novel, is no work of fiction. And we know, because we were there. Lauren meticulously documented the trials and turns of being stolen and rescued through the love of a mother, heroism of strangers, tenacity, and Christian faith. Truly a spellbinding effort from a freshman author." -- Rick and Beverly Lambert, close family friends who walked this journey firsthand "Stolen is a breathtaking testimony of God's relentless pursuit, a mother's fierce love, and the power of forgiveness to heal even the deepest wounds. Lauren's story is both harrowing and hope filled, reminding readers that no trauma is beyond redemption and no past is too broken for God to restore." -- Shannon Stewart, <I>America's Next Top Model</I> finalist and podcast host "Lauren tells her harrowing story with honesty and grace, showing how God miraculously brought her through abduction, fear, and her father's wounds into a life marked by forgiveness and hope. Her life is living proof that with God all things are possible!" -- Julie Busler, author of <I>Hopeful Sorrow: Turning to God in Hope When Childhood Wounds Have You Turning Away</I>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Weight
417 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-89565-784-3 (9798895657843)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
approx. 09/2026
Simon + Schuster LLC
€14.83
Not yet available
Persons
Lauren Burns is a powerful voice of redemption and restoration whose true story of childhood abduction, survival, and healing has inspired thousands.
She is the host of The Redeemed Podcast, a finalist for Best Faith Podcast of 2025 with Content Christian Media, where she shares testimonies of faith, resilience, and hope.
Her story has been featured on Life Today television and The Miracle Files podcast, reaching audiences drawn to both real-life stories and redemptive journeys. A sought-after speaker, Lauren shares her message at various churches and women's ministries, encouraging others to find freedom, healing, and purpose through their own stories.
Lauren holds a master's degree in physical therapy and brings a professional background in healthcare leadership and trauma recovery. She lives in Texas with her husband and children.
She is the host of The Redeemed Podcast, a finalist for Best Faith Podcast of 2025 with Content Christian Media, where she shares testimonies of faith, resilience, and hope.
Her story has been featured on Life Today television and The Miracle Files podcast, reaching audiences drawn to both real-life stories and redemptive journeys. A sought-after speaker, Lauren shares her message at various churches and women's ministries, encouraging others to find freedom, healing, and purpose through their own stories.
Lauren holds a master's degree in physical therapy and brings a professional background in healthcare leadership and trauma recovery. She lives in Texas with her husband and children.