My name is Sadie Lehman. Like many other Amish teenagers, I embarked on Rumspringa—a period of “running around” or increased socializing, if you will. I had many friends in my youth group, but I spent most of my time with Leroy Beiler, Miriam Hochstetler, my best friend Elizabeth Troyer (Mamm said we were like two peas in a pod), and an English boy named Michael O’Neil.
Oftentimes, on a Friday night, we would meet Michael at the bridge. He would bring alcohol (all those sips made Miriam and Leroy act very silly), cigarettes (I do not know how Miriam could stand the smell), candy (I liked the caramel ones best), and music.
Oh, how I loved the music. . .
It made me happy, it made me dance, and it gave me something to concentrate on whenever Michael would smile at me. Elizabeth was sure Michael liked me. But I do not think so.
I did not talk very much when the five of us were together. I had fun, yes, but my fun came in watching my friends have fun. I do not think I was “shy” as Leroy often said. And I do not think I was “stuffy and boring” the way Miriam said. I was just mindful of the things Mamm and Dat would not want me to do.
Sadly, my decisions that last night managed to hurt my family, anyway.
For nineteen years, Mamm has waited for me to come home.
For nineteen years, Mamm has tried to imagine my life as an English woman—a choice she hadn’t expected but has learned to accept.
For nineteen years, Mamm has been allowed to think something that is not true.
You see, I am never coming back.
I can’t.
I am dead. My body has been buried not far from Mamm and Dat’s home all this time.
Mamm and Dat did not know this.
No one did.
No one except Leroy Beiler, Miriam Hochstetler, my best friend Elizabeth Troyer, and that English boy named Michael O’Neil.
Until now. . .
You can read more about Sadie and her “friends” in Suspendered Sentence, the fourth book in the Amish Mysteries, published by Berkley Prime Crime/Penguin-Random House. The first book in the series is Hearse And Buggy.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 p.m. eastern on March 13 for the chance to win a print copy of Suspendered Sentence. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your SPAM folder.
About the author
Laura Bradford (aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey) has wanted to be a writer since she was ten years old. Today, she is the author of several mystery series, and a handful of romance novels. She is a former Agatha Award nominee and the recipient of an RT Reviewer’s Choice Award. Suspendered Sentence is her twentieth traditionally-published release. In her free time, Laura enjoys making memories with her family, baking, playing games, and catching up with friends.
So enjoy Amish mysteries; thanks for the chance to win this– sounds like a great read.
This sounds like a wonderful story. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
I love this series. I can’t wait to read this book. Thank you for the chance
I love this Amish mystery series and appreciate the opportunity to win a copy of your new release. Servedogmom@ yahoo.com.
really want to read this series, this part sounds so sad, but, i suppose the whole book is not sad!
Holy Moly! What a story, Dru! Your review is intriguing and full of mystery and suspense. I have to know how the story ends. Thank you, Dru and Laura, for the i chance to win this exciting book.
This book sounds suspenseful, and I want to read it. Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for having me here today, Dru!!!!
I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!
What a sad intro…
I love this series!
I have not read anything from this author , but always love to try new authors . Would love to win , thanks for the chance .
I love the name. Would love to try it.
Win or not – I have to read this book! Thanks for the opportunity
This is the best book thus far in this endearing series. If you get the chance, pick it up.
Just learned of this new mystery series, looks like a lot off fun!
Another must read for me; thank you for the chance 🙂
I had to read the title of this book twice, lol, now ‘suspendered’ is a tricky word. At first I thought it was misspelled, then, SNAP my brain got it, lol. Sounds great, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Reading Sadie’s introduction gave me goosebumps. Well done!
Love reading about Amish!
I haven’t read this series yet but I can’t wait to get started! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Oh, my . . . what a fabulous teaser. This is going to be a terrific cozy!
Wow! Thank you, Dru and Sadie/Laura. I have got to get this book, have read nothing but rave reviews!
Love the Amish series. Laura writes very interesting books.
thanks for the chance to win this one.
A wonderful series. Thanks for this great giveaway.
Sounds like a great read!!
This is such a wonderful series and what a great taste of the new book! Thanks for the chance to win!
I love this series…it’s one of my favorites! I can’t wait to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
A very good series.
I really enjoy this series and always look forward to the next book in the series, Thanks for a chance to win a copy of the latest.
This sounds like a great read! Thank you for the review and contest!
I would love to read it:) Always looking for a new mystery:) Thank you for the opportunity to win your book.
Sounds like an excellent series, I think I’d better start reading this series. Got some catching up to do.
Laura Bradford is an excellent author. Her books always guarantee a great read. Thanks for the review.
Sounds wonderful! I need to start this series! Thanks for the chance!
Love reading Amish books. This series sounds great. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
I LOVE this series. They keep you guessing till the end. You feel as if you are in Heavenly PA and will want to go the the bakery to get a piece of Shoo Fly Pie. Thanks for the chance to win.
Wow That is poignant
Can’t wait to read it
I can’t wait to get this book, thank you for the chance to win
These Amish mysteries are so much fun—and you feel like you’ve traveled to another country even though you are still here. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I love this series.
Another one on the list!
I enjoy reading Amish novels and am a cozy mystery addict. I have not read a combination of the two genres.
I really need to catch up on this series and would love to win. Thanks.
I will be very anxious to get this book as I have totally enjoyed the other books in this Amish Mystery series that I have read so far. I just cannot possibly get every great cozy mystery book that I want, but this is one series that I plan on getting all of the books. I have read other series by Laura too and everything she writes you just know that it is going to be really special. Thank you for alerting us Dru Ann and for all the information, etc.
Have a lovely weekend.
Sincerely,
Cynthia
I am so loving this series!! Laura does an excellent job writing & educating people about the Amish. I’m reading a library copy now.
I love cozy mysteries and an Amish one at that. Look forward to reading it!
Interesting series.
Thanks everyone for stopping by and reading Sadie’s blog. 🙂 For those of you who have read the series–thank you. For those of you who haven’t, I hope you give it a shot. And Dru…thank you again!
I sooo need to read this book!!
One of my favorite cozy series…
Thank you for the giveaway….
Really sounds like a great series.
Ack! That’s not how I figured Sadie’s introduction would go. My heart breaks for Sadie and for her parents. This time wanting to read to find out what happened to her (and I do) feels kind of ghoulish. But Laura Bradford/Elizabeth Lynn Casey is such a great author I can’t imagine not reading her work. Thanks for the chance to win.
My husband is of the suspender age
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. Looks like one that needs to be on my reading list!
I love this series! Laura is one of my favorite authors.
This is for sure on my reading list. Dru, you have given a very unique perspective to the characters in this novel! Much to consider when I do get to read it. Thank you for the chance to win!
This book looks great, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love to read
The book sounds really good, and I love the cover. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Ooooo! Please!
Read some of this series. Looking forward to this one also.
Sounds very intriguing!!!
I’ve been dying to read Suspendered Sentence. I would donate it to the rural MS library where I work as soon as I finished it. Thank you for this chance. I follow Kaura Bradford.
Oh, wow! I’d love to win this one and see what the story really is!
Could be because I have a suspender collection, but I’ve been following Laura’s blog tour and hoping to win this book.
looks like a good read thanks for having the giveaway
This sounds like a great book! Thank you for the review and contest!
Love this series.
Looks like a book I’d love! Thanks for the chance to win!
Would love to read this book thank you
I enjoy this author. Thanks.
contest is closed.